Page 10 of Tinsel & Timber
And I don’t do flings.
The problem is that I’m already replaying that kiss like some rookie who’s never been near a woman in his life. She had to go and smile at me afterward, all smug and sweet, like she knew exactly what wires she crossed inside my chest.
I start the truck. The engine grumbles, matching the sound in my head.
Tomorrow morning. She said seven. For coffee. No. To go over all the paperwork.
I should cancel.
I’m not going to cancel.
Shit.
Tomorrow morning, I’m walking straight into danger, and I know it.
But I also know this: if Mara Kensington opens that door and smiles at me like she did tonight… I’m not walking back out the same man.
three
. . .
Mara
I wake before my alarm.
Not because I’m rested—God, no—but because my brain apparently likes to torment me with the memory of kissing Graham Whitlock under mistletoe like I’m some sort of reckless romantic heroine instead of a woman with work boots and a crowbar in the trunk of her car.
I lie there for a second, staring at the ceiling of the inn, replaying it like an idiot.
His warm lips.
The way he froze for half a second—and then didn’t.
The soft exhale against my lips afterward. Like I’d surprised him… and he didn’t mind the surprise at all.
I stuff the extra pillow over my face and let out a muffled scream.
What was I thinking?
Right. I wasn’t. That’s the problem.
The other problem is that I invited him for coffee this morning.
And he said yes.
No. Correction. I invited him tohelpwith paperwork. That’s it. I offered coffee to be polite.
I shove the blankets to the side and force myself out of bed. If nothing else, I have a house to restore. And coffee to obtain. Specifically peppermint mocha coffee, because apparently the pain in my ass, clipboard-wielding historian has a weakness.
The thought of that makes me smile as I pull on jeans, a soft sweater, and my warmest boots.
If I’m going to survive this day, I need caffeine and a battle plan.
Preferably in that order.
Cleo waves and greets me with a ‘good morning’ as I pass through the lobby and head for my car.
First stop, Dockside Café.
