Page 31 of Getting Wrapped Up

“Wow.”

He studied her face. She was so beautiful. She was a city girl, presumably visiting for Christmas. She didn’t know how to make cookies and her family typically spent the holidays in Hawaii rather than in this quaint little town that he already felt getting under his skin. She wasn’t a sweet, homegrown girl who could make him change his ways and save his soul. But he still wanted her with an intensity that completely shook him.

It was just like him to get into some crazy situation—accidentally, of course—that was completely opposite of what he knew he needed. It was just like him to find all of his good intentions tested and to find his willpower crumbling within the first hour. It was just like him to look at a woman, know that she was going to be trouble and decide that consequences only mattered if you were out of money and charm. And he had yet to run out of either.

But he still backed away, shaking his head. “You know what? This is obviously a big mix up. We can straighten it all out tomorrow. I’m supposed to take Hailey to the formal and you’re supposed to go with Tucker. We’ll go talk to them in the morning and apologize for the mistake.”

Yes, that was the right thing to do. Hailey and Tucker might be upset, but they could smooth things over. One thing Levi was really good at was smoothing things over after screwing up. Practice made perfect after all.

Ha,he thought.Christmas ghosts thought they had me, but I’m still good.

The concussion had to be helping him here too, because this was completely out of character.

She nodded. “Yeah, okay. Maybe that’s a good idea. How will we find them?”

He laughed. “I’m guessing the first person we stop on the street will know them both and exactly where to find them.”

She smiled at that. “You’re probably right.”

“So we’ll…”God, she’s beautiful.“We’ll do that then,” he finished lamely.

She nodded. “Okay.”

She shoved the canisters of sugar and flour back into place on the counter and started for the door. He followed.

They crossed to the staircase and each had a foot on the bottom step before they realized—

“You’re staying in the guest room?” she asked.

“Uh. Yeah. I mean, I thought so.”

“Phoebe and Joe must not have known the other invited someone to stay.”

“I guess.”

Well, this was awkward. Or awesome.

Levi swallowed hard and gripped the hand railing. No, dammit. This was not an excuse to take her on that fancy quilt. He could easily walk upstairs, get his stuff and come back down to sleep on the couch. Alone.

A whiff of vanilla hit him and he almost groaned out loud.

Okay, noteasily.

Still, he could pass this test. Heneededto pass this test. The universe was putting temptation and justifications and abrain injuryin his path to see what he was made of. He had to be made of more than expensive liquor, risqué behavior and regrets.

“I’ll get my stuff and crash on the couch.”

She opened her mouth to reply and Levi’s hand squeezed the banister. If sheaskedhim into her bed, there was no hope for him to resist.

“Thanks,” she said softly.

They climbed the stairs without speaking and headed for the guest room. When Levi stepped through the doorway behind her, he looked around. “How did I miss your stuff already in here?”

She crossed to the dresser and pulled a drawer open. “I don’t know. My stuff is right here.”

He ignored the fact that the drawer she’d opened was full of a variety of soft colors, silk and lace. Or tried to. He cleared his throat and thought about the fact that she’d unpacked. “You put your stuff in drawers when you travel?”

She pushed the drawer shut and crossed her arms over her stomach. “It helps keep the wrinkles out and makes me feel more settled.”

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