Page 9 of Husband for the Holidays

The doors opened into a two-story mansion that took up the entire top of the building.

“Let me take your coat.”

She hadn’t had anyone stand behind her and act so chivalrous in a long time. It gave her a shiver as his fingertips grazed her shoulders. She slipped off her boots and felt drawn to peer into his home.

A floating staircase rose on one side. The main floor was an open living space within an arced wall of windows that offered views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor. Comfortable furniture beckoned under gentle lighting and a central fireplace clicked on as she approached it.

“You don’t have a tree,” she noted.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.” Konstantin had removed his overcoat, revealing his red jacket, crisp white shirt, bow tie and black trousers.

She swallowed, freshly accosted by his good looks, but also reminded that he’d been going on a date. A clench of envy squeezed her heart, one that had barbs of inadequacy attached to it. Her whole life, she’d wished to be taller and curvier and capable of exuding authority. Instead, she was “cute”—she loathed that descriptor—and funny and rarely taken seriously. She folded her arms, chilled despite the warmth coming off the flickering flames next to her.

“I can’t take you seriously in that.” He started up the stairs. “Come.”

She cautiously followed him and halted at the double doors to his bedroom. It was expansive and luxurious, with a huge four-poster bed and a sitting area with a desk.

He sent her a pithy look as he peeled off his jacket. “You’re my friend’s baby sister. My designs on you are strictly platonic.”

He disappeared into a walk-in closet, coming back with a pair of drawstring track pants, a blue T-shirt, a cable knit pullover and a fresh pair of white socks.

“Change in there. Help yourself to whatever you need.” He nodded at where a pair of doors stood open, revealing a bathroom twice the size of the apartment she currently shared with a roommate and her roommate’s on-again, off-again girlfriend.

Eloise gathered the clothes and inched into the showpiece of marble and gleaming gold taps. She took in the freestanding tub before the bank of windows, the massive sauna shower and—

“Why is the toilet behind a clear wall?” she called. “Is this a break glass in case of emergency situation or...?”

He walked in and touched a button that cast the cubicle in a gentle glow while darkening its clear walls to opaque.

“Oh. Fancy.” She couldn’t help glancing longingly at the tub. Her building hadn’t had proper hot water in weeks. She’d been making do with birdbaths and heavy use of deodorant.

“Do you want a bath?” He pulled his shirt from his trousers.

Her whole body flushed in panicked confusion. He hadjustsaid—

“Alone,” he said dryly, popping his cuffs.

She was starting to despise that patronizing look of his.

“Come downstairs whenever you’re ready.” He walked out, pulling the bathroom doors closed behind him.

CHAPTER THREE

ELOISELATCHEDTHEDOORS, planning to change quickly, get through dinner, then get herself home where she could start searching for a job to replace the one she’d lost.

Temptation got the better of her. Maybe it was vanity. Or cowardice.

Facing Konstantin was becoming more daunting by the second, especially when she looked as bedraggled as she felt. She hated that he was seeing her at her very worst.

Not that she’d looked great at the funeral. No wonder he had pushed her awayagainthat day.

She swept that awful memory from her mind and hurried to wash her face.

Somewhere between drying her face and getting undressed, however, she found herself starting the shower. She wanted a few minutes to pull herself together, and yes, wanted to feel the way she used to feel when her needs were abundantly met and her problems were mostly superficial.

Seconds later, she was under the soft rain of the warm water, almost moaning aloud.This shampoo. The lather was silky, the conditioner rich as melted butter. The body wash smelled of sage and agave and made her skin tingle with rejuvenation.

She could have stayed here all night, but made herself step out and bit back another groan when she realized the towels were heated. The robe she stole off the hook was luxuriously soft and smelled like the body wash, as though Konstantin had worn it against his own clean, naked skin earlier today.

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