Page 10 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

“And I think I told you before that I would play the gentleman.”

And I think that I told you before…That’s disappointing. But she would not say those words to him. Mostly because she could not. True wasn’t the bold one. Wasn’t particularly brave. And making the first move with a man like Jake? A guy who oozed sex appeal and testosterone?

He was way out of her league. She would not know how to handle him.

But I’d certainly like to try.

True bit her lower lip. “I can really take the couch. It will fit me better. You’re too big for it.”

“I’ll be fine. You’re sleeping in the bed.” An order.

“You’ve already done so much for me! You took my case, you gave me a safe place to stay, and you made dinner for me!” A desperate shake of her head. “I can’t take your bed, too.”

His eyes gleamed at her. “It’s a done deal, True. Go to bed. We’ll start our investigation in the morning.”

“Arguing with you isn’t going to work?”

“Nope.”

She took a step back. “Then…thank you. For taking my case. For the place to stay. For dinner. And for your bed.”

His head inclined.

True retreated one more step. “Are you always this kind?”

“Absolutely not. Typically, I’m a straight-up bastard.” He pointed to the right. “First room is the bathroom. Second room is the bedroom.”

She edged toward the right. “If you’re usually a bastard, why are you being so nice to me?” True turned away from him.

“Because it’s you.”

His low words stopped her.

“Want to hear a secret, sweets?”

She looked back over her shoulder. “Why do you call me that?”

“Because you’ve always smelled so sweet.”

Her shampoo. He must be talking about her strawberry-scented shampoo. She’d used the stuff forever.

“And I bet you’d taste even sweeter.”

Her eyes widened.

“That secret I just mentioned? Well, what you might not have known was that I had quite the crush on you in high school.”

He had not just said that to her. Not about how she might taste and certainly not about having a crush on her. Casually, she reached down and gave her thigh a little pinch.

Not dreaming. This is real.

“You’ll need something to sleep in.”

Actually, yes, she did. The only clothing she had with her—it was the dress she currently wore. She’d spontaneously made the decision to stay at the motel after arriving at his office. The fear had been too much, and True just hadn’t been able to stand the thought of going back to her house. I know someone is watching me. So she had no extra clothes. Zero toiletries.

“Feel free to borrow one of my t-shirts. Top drawer of the dresser.” Then he reached down and pulled off the shirt he was wearing.

Muscles. Abs. A ten-pack, at least.

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