Page 36 of Christmas Ransom

He touched his finger to her lips to silence her and pointed upward. She frowned since she’d been bracing herself for bad news. When she looked up, she blinked at the sight of mistletoe hanging from one of the log rafters above them.

Her gaze dropped to his. She looked into his amazing blue eyes, fringed with dark lashes. The man was drop-dead gorgeous. But it was that kindness in those eyes, that caring, that love. She felt her heart lean in. What would one kiss hurt?

“Carla, it’s Christmas. Could we just enjoy this time together?” he asked as he brushed a lock of her hair back from her eyes. “Can we put our differences aside? We used to be good friends before we became...” He seemed to hesitate. Lovers? “More,” he finished. “Can’t we just enjoy the holidays together like old friends?” His gaze met hers and practically burned her with its intensity.

Carla wanted that desperately—no matter how dangerous. Davy Colt was a good, loving man. He’d dropped everything to protect her. One night without the past pushing its way between them sounded like heaven. She nodded and he pulled her to him.

The kiss was sweet and soft—at first. But then it changed as he drew her closer, arousing emotions so strong that she found her arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss and she surrendered so willingly that it shocked her. But she couldn’t stop herself. She met his tongue with her own, the taste of bourbon and champagne like an accelerant fanning the flames.

They could never be just friends again. They would always be lovers. The thought breezed past as he whispered her name against her lips like an oath. Or a curse. She felt her nipples harden beneath her sheer dress. Her heart took off at a gallop as she pressed the soft swell of her breasts to his rock-hard, solid chest and heard him moan. Her heart drummed in answer.

Wrapped in each other’s arms, locked in the passionate kiss, neither of them heard anyone approach.

“Excuse me,” Willie said, clearing his throat. “I told Bella it was probably the mistletoe. Guess I was right.”

Davy and Carla sprung apart like teenagers caught on the sofa. But when they looked at each other, the fire still burning inside her, she began to laugh. Davy joined in.

Willie chuckled, shaking his head as he turned to go back to the dining room. “Christmas Eve dinner is being served, in case either of you are interested.” He mumbled something under his breath, which only made them laugh harder.

As Willie disappeared, Davy turned toward her. “I guess we should...” He waved a hand toward the dining room.

“Yes, I suppose we should.” Carla knew her face was flushed, her lipstick smeared. “I should probably stop in the ladies’ room first.” She bit her lower lip, the kiss still raging through her veins. But it had felt so good to laugh. To laugh together, like they used to before she’d broken both of their hearts. “You go ahead. Tell them I’ll be right in and they shouldn’t wait.”

He smiled at her. “I’m not sorry.”

She knew he meant the kiss and how they’d gotten carried away. She shook her head. “Me neither.” She had to clear her voice. “I’ll hurry.” With that she escaped to the restroom.

Once the door closed behind her, she stepped in front of the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. She felt as if she were floating. It was as if all they’d needed was a little Christmas magic like in the movies. A sprinkle of pixie dust and they found their way back together.

The thought made her shake her head. It wasn’t pixie dust, but she had to believe that all of this had happened for a reason. The bank robbery right before the holidays had thrown them together.Maybe it was meant to be, she told herself, even as that tiny rational killjoy Carla on her shoulder argued that this would only lead to heartbreak. She mentally swatted the pesky voice of reason away. There was no fighting fate, right?

Yet she saw the truth in the mirror as the kiss’s effect began to lessen. Nothing had really changed between her and Davy. She would never ask him to choose between rodeo and her again. Had he stayed in Lonesome for her, he would have ended up resenting her. The thought broke her heart.

She’d thought she could forget for one night about what was going on in her life. But that was impossible. Being here with Davy didn’t help. He was a constant reminder of how temporary and off-kilter everything was right now—and how it could get so much worse.

As much as she appreciated him being with her, she didn’t want him involved. What if the killer did come after her and Davy tried to stop him? She couldn’t bear the thought that she might get the man she loved killed when he should be miles from here.

Fate might have thrown them together, but it was temporary. How had she forgotten that in his arms? As she headed for the dining room, she knew in her head and her heart that what fate had given them was a few precious days together—and nothing more.

DAVYSLIPPEDINTOthe dining room. “Sorry to keep you all waiting. Carla’s right behind me. Just had to make a stop.” He picked up his wineglass and took a drink. His body vibrated from the kiss, from the rush of desire still thrumming in his veins. Hadn’t he known that if he kissed her, all those old feelings would be there? Their chemistry had always been so strong. They’d started as friends long before they’d become lovers years ago. That foundation was still there. He’d take a bullet for this woman.

“Is there news on the robbery?” Bella asked, drawing him back.

“Apparently one of the marked bills has turned up,” he said and put down his empty wineglass.

“That’s good, right?” Lori asked. “So they have the man.”

James shook his head. “He had an airtight alibi and the police let him go. It appears the bills are circulating in town though. Which could mean the man is a local. Also that he might still be around.” Davy felt everyone look to him.

“Why would he still be here?” Bella asked, frowning.

“That we don’t know,” Davy said and was glad when his wineglass was refilled. He picked it up and turned it in his hands. “He might not be finished with Carla.”

Bella let out a cry. “That’s horrible. Why?”

Davy shook his head. “We’re trying to find that out.”

“How is she doing?” Lori asked. Davy was sure she’d quizzed James but she was just being polite by asking.

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