Page 158 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

Aidan is holding up a bottle of what looks like shampoo. “Mom didn’t change her shampoo when we moved. But it makes her smell good.”

Leaning in, I read the label on the bottle, taking note. I’m a little baffled to find myself doing it, but I love the way she smells, and I guess I’d like to confirm the source.

He puts it back in the shower and picks up a razor. “Mom uses this to shave her legs and her armpits. But Aunt Molly once asked if she used it to shave her mustache.” He makes a face. “Women don’t have mustaches.”

“Some do,” I say. “But you should put that back. It has a sharp blade that might cut you.”

“We should go drink that hot chocolate now,” Mary says from the doorway, sounding like she’s choking.

“Okay.” Aidan puts the pink-handled razor back, then rushes for the door, slipping past Mary.

“I don’t shave my mustache,” she grumbles, unable to look at me. “That was a stupid joke.”

“I never thought you did, but if you did…” I grin. “There’s no shame in that either.”

She gapes at me like I’ve grown another head.

Closing the gap between us, I stop within arm’s reach of her. “I see parts of Aidan all over his room and bathroom, but where are you in your room, Mary?”

Her eyes flash with surprise, and if I’m honest, I’m surprised too.

“I have a photo of Aidan.”

Aidan is her world, but there’s more to her than that.

If only she could see it.

“Come on, Jace,” Aidan calls out, his voice muffled. “Mom put out a snack too!”

Mary is still blocking the doorway. I gently grab her shoulders and nudge her sideways, then turn sideways myself and start to slip past her through the doorway. Our backs are to the doorjambs, with barely an inch between us. The air feels electrified, and the hairs on my arms stand on end.

I stare down at her shocked face, and I know she feels this attraction too. She admitted as much at Tea of Fortune. I’m used to women being attracted to me, but there’s something about Mary’s interest that makes my blood run hot. She’s sexy as hell, and the thought that she wants me too only makes me want her more.

Her breath catches, and I let my hand drift from her shoulder to slowly slide up the side of her neck. I want to see if it’s as soft as it looks. My callused fingertips brush along her silky skin.

She shivers.

I wait for her to push my hand away, to tell me to go to hell, but instead she stares up at me with parted lips and slightly hooded eyes.

Jesus. I need to take my hands off her. I need to walk away, because the need to kiss her is rising and growing more potent. And now that the thought has popped into my head, it’s like there’s a magnetic pull from my lips to hers. I lean over her slightly, and she tilts her head up to look at me.

She wants me to kiss her, and I want it too, but something stops me. Namely, the little boy in the hall calling out my name.

“Jace. The hot chocolate’s going to get cold.”

Mary is still watching me like she’s in a trance, but I reluctantly drop my hands to my sides and say, “The hot chocolate’s getting cold.”

She blinks, and her cheeks flame again. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone flush so much in such a short period of time, and while I think it’s adorable on her, the look of shame in her eyes is painful to behold.

“Mary.”

She averts her gaze and forces a smile. “The hot chocolate’s getting cold,” she echoes, then backs up a few steps into her bedroom.

I can’t stand the fact that she thinks I’ve rejected her. That she doesn’t realize what she does to me. How can I even think with Mary looking so downtrodden? So I don’t. I simply feel, and do, and the words just come flying out of my mouth.

“You should get a pair of sexy underwear, Mary.”

She blinks up at me. “What?”

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