Page 7 of Silver Hills' Christmas Miracle

Rook paused his eating and lowered his fork. “There’s really nothing to tell.”

“I don’t believe it for a second. This hot, mysterious schtick you’ve got going on only works because there’s something underneath.” I eyed his lips, then down to his jaw where a dusting of dark facial hair made his eyes even more brooding. Ifollowed the line of his neck down to the V of his shirt where I knew his sexy muscles were hidden.

“I think you watch too many movies.”

I scowled. “You’re infuriating.”

“And you’re trying to see stuff that isn’t there.”

“No, I’m not. You just… you’re just a soldier, then? Just some hard nut that goes where he’s told and kills who he’s asked to? You’re really telling me there’s not a single drop of depth underneath that mask of yours?”

Rook’s eyes locked onto mine, and he remained silent. While my fantasy of getting to know him was slowly crumbling, it was more frustrating that he seemed to beintentionallyavoiding telling me anything. He took privacy to another level.

Dejected, I returned to my food and contemplated however many silent hours we would spend together since he was unwilling to talk.

“I like cats.”

My head snapped up. “Huh?”

“I’m a cat person,” Rook said, his eyes locked onto me. “I think it’s because I spent so much time around dogs in the military that there’s an association there I can’t break, so I like cats.”

My heart skipped a beat and I couldn’t hide my smirk. “I don’t know whether to press for more details or make a joke about my name.”

“A lot rides on your response.” Rook didn’t look away.

“I like cats too,” I decided. “My dad had this massive German Shepherd when I was younger, but it scared the crap out of me. It was a lovely dog, but I was really happy when he didn’t get another. So I would totally get a cat if he let me.”

Rook nodded slowly.

“How long have you been out of the army?”

“Seven years.”

“Willingly?”

He nodded. “I saw enough carnage to last a lifetime, a lot of good men fighting for assholes in suits who would never see a lick of the pain they were causing.”

“So now you work security? Helping the little guy?”

“I try.”

“So, you fight for the little guy and you like cats.”

Rook scooped up a forkful of rice and ate it slowly. “Does that count as personality?”

“Depends. Favorite Christmas film?”

“Die Hard.”

“Doesn’t count.”

“Fuck you, yes it does.”

“Fine.” I laughed. “Favorite Christmas dessert?”

“Why all the Christmas questions?”

“Uhm, hello? It’s November? Christmas is like five weeks away and it’s my favorite time of the year.”

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