Page 42 of All We Want for Christmas
He swished the coat and declared, ‘Stand and deliver!’
Lara’s pulse spiked but she managed to roll her eyes and say coolly, ‘I’m sure highwaymen only ever said that in old black-and-white movies.’
‘How disappointing …’ Flynn replied silkily. ‘What about, “Your money or your life”?’
‘I doubt it. They were probably thugs, not the romantic gentlemen thieves they’re made out to be.’
Flynn stepped closer, his eyes gleaming behind the mask and a tantalising half-smile on his lips. ‘Yes, but I could be the exception that proves the rule.’
Lara didn’t flinch and met his gaze full on, even though she was finding it hard to stop herself from jumping on him.
‘Why don’t you come to the highwayman’s lair for a drink?’ he said, looking down into her eyes.
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea,’ she murmured.
‘Why not? Don’t you dare?’ he said, challenging her.
Lara forced herself to laugh. ‘Of course I dare.’
‘Then come over to the cottage for a glass of wine. What else are you going to do on a Sunday night?’
Lara couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Watching a box set with a glass of wine on her own could hardly matchup to spending the evening with a handsome colleague, even if it was a hundred times safer.
‘Maybe just a quick drink then. But I won’t stay long.’
Flynn whipped off the hat and bowed with a flourish. ‘I’ll look forward to it, and I promise to behave like the perfect gentleman.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
‘Thanks,’ Lara said, accepting the glass of red Flynn offered her. ‘For the wine and the supper.’
Flynn put the platter of cheese, biscuits and olives on the coffee table so that they could both help themselves. He was thrilled – and surprised – that she’d agreed to come over and it felt natural to offer food along with the wine.
The highwayman outfit hung on the back of the bedroom door. Back in his normal clothes, he and Lara had returned to something akin to colleagues sharing a drink.
‘It’s not much, but I had lunch at the pub earlier,’ he said.
He sat down beside her and Lara took a plate, cut herself a piece of Lancashire, and topped a cracker with it.
‘It’s perfect. I had a good lunch earlier too. I met Jazz and her family for a walk and we ate at a café afterwards.’
‘I went to the Kirkstile Inn with Harvey – the friend I met in Keswick when you were at the cinema. The ride over was great.’
‘I can imagine,’ Lara said. ‘It must be exhilarating.’
Flynn took his chance. ‘Maybe you should experience it some time.’
Her mouth was full but she shook her head firmly until she’d finished. ‘I don’t think so. I’d be petrified.’
‘It’s not that scary and I wouldn’t go fast. I’d choose a straight bit of road for your first time.’
She laughed nervously. ‘There are no straight stretches of road round here, as you well know.’
‘I’d go slowly, then.’
‘Sure you would …’ Lara said, meeting his eyes, her own filled with doubt yet also sparkling with amusement. Her face was only a foot from his, her leg just inches away. He wanted to lean in and kiss her but he was worried that it was too soon.
She glanced away and sipped her wine, the only bottle he’d had in the cottage. Fortunately, it was a decent Malbec he’d picked up on his way back from the pub along with the cheese and olives.
