Page 35 of Such a Naughty Girl

His eyes widened, and it was like I’d kicked a puppy.

‘It’s only been one date?—’

Iinterruptedhim, not needing an argument to add to my night. ‘It only takes one date to know sometimes. I’m so sorry. I’ll happily cover the meal.’ I’d had enough men think that paying for dinner meant I owed them something. There was only one cock I’d suck in exchange for cookies, and he was nowhere near my campus.

‘No, it’s fine.’Jason’s shoulders sloped, his hands moving to his pockets.

By the time I made it into my room, I was exhausted. Turning them down was almost more work than letting them sleep with me.

My shoes hit the wall as I kicked them off, stripping to my underwear andcollapsingonto the bed.

Often, my father checked in with me on a Friday, but my phone had nonotifications. It had taken him two months before he could look at me after he saw me with Emmett. Things were still strained after months had passed.

He hadn’t disowned me, so that was a plus, I guessed.

Every time I visited home, I had to drive the same route through the wood-lined road, and each time I wanted to stop. To find that same spot where my car had got stuck, and I’d stumbled upon a world I couldn’t forget.

Did Emmett’s mind fill with thoughts of me as often as he took over my head? Were his dreams plagued with heated moments andunfettereddesires? Did he ache like I did?

Nights were the worst. During the day, I could distract myself withcourseworkandconversation. In the dead of night, I was his once more.

He’d asked me to come back at Christmas, but had he meant it?

Showing up on his door might end with him laughing at me. Thinking me pathetic for being twenty and obsessed with a man double my age. He’d probably forgotten all about me within a few days.

He might have found someone else who’d moan prettily for him. Who’d do rotten, dirty things for his cookies.

I didn’t need cookies anymore.

IneededEmmett.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

EMMETT

Chunk gave me a bombastic side-eye as I fixed the colossal red bow on his collar.

‘You keep getting’it all squint, stop trying to catch thesnowflakesand I won’t have to keep fiddling with it.’

The silken ribbon smoothed out, and Chunk took himself to lie in front of the fire, his furry face unamused by thedecoration.

The glow from the Christmas tree filled the corner, the brand-new sparkling lights glinting off the array of baubles I’d picked up in the past few weeks. I’d gone to the town three times since putting up the tree just to make it perfect. Balanced amongst the pine branches were twinkling glass baubles, hand-carved woodland creatures, and the silly little foildecorationsIzzy and I had created the year prior. I’d kept each one.

Brightly wrapped packages spilled out from beneath the tree, ribbons and patterns filling every available space. I’d sat wrapping them on Christmas Eve, each scrawl of her name on the tags filling me with moreexcitement.

The smell of chicken and stuffing wafted through the cabin, mingling with the cinnamon and apples from the mulled cider on top of the stove. I’dpainstakinglycovered the track from the main road to my cabin with grit and cut back the tree boughs, making the track hard to follow.

Chunk and I had spent three afternoonsstringing festoon lights along the trees, like an airport guidance system to lead her right to me.

The festive sweater I’d picked up in a thrift store itched at my wrists as I stirred the steaming, spiced cider, glancing at the clock for the hundredth time.

It was only three in the afternoon. There was time.

The growing emptiness in the pit of my stomach increased with every passing minute.

What if she didn’t come?

Of course, I’d known it was likely the sweet, sexy woman who’d stumbled into my cabin would have moved on with her life. But the part of me holding out for a glimpse of her had been bigger than I’d let myself believe.

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