Page 4 of Welcome Home for Christmas
“Not necessary,” she protested, even as she nearly dropped the box.
He heaved it out of her arms easily, his biceps bunching at his sides. Then he opened the door and gestured for her to exit first. “Not a problem,” he said.
—
Troy could smell the floral scent of the woman in front of him. It wasn’t excessive like some women’s perfume. No, Red’s scent was so subtle that he wanted to lean in and get a stronger whiff. And yeah, it wasn’t just the way she smelled that had him wishing he was closer than the arm’s length at which she seemed to be keeping him.
After setting the box of wine in her backseat, he straightened and looked at her. He would’ve done the same even if she had been old and haggard—which she definitely wasn’t.
“Thank you.” She swept a lock of rose-colored hair out of her face.
He tensed his hand at his side, wishing he could help her do that, too. “You’re welcome.” A soft smile bloomed on her face, making him feel lighter than he had all month. Too bad he would probably never see her again. Not unless he got her name and number right here, right now.
His heart bucked against the badge on his chest.
He’d meant it when he said she looked like a nice woman though. Too nice to get caught up with the likes of him. He had a history of dating and then moving on. That’s just what he did. And in the wake of that, he unintentionally hurt people. Nice people.
“All right then. I’ll see you around,” he said, forcing his leaden feet to move away from Red’s floral scent and goddesslike beauty. He got into his truck and started his engine, then looked over at the parking space where her little car had been a moment earlier. Already gone. Well, good. He had other things to worry about right now, like work, repairs on the fixer-upper house he’d purchased a few months back, and his mother’s guilt trips about not going home for Christmas. Then there was the auction he’d offered himself up for tomorrow night. It was a strange idea, selling men for the good of the children. He supposed he’d make a great deal for some overburdened Marine Corps wife whose husband was on deployment right now. He could conquer a yard like no one else. Troy had grown up doing yard work for extra cash. He was also pretty handy with home repairs. A jack-of-all-trades. He just hoped no one crazy bid on him. Spending time with crazy wasn’t his idea of fun.
Spending time with Red, however, might’ve been a whole lot of fun.
And a whole lot of trouble, too.
