Page 118 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
Were my feelings for Thomas nothing more than my own selfish desire to feel wanted and loved?
Was I deluding myself into thinking he cared because it fulfilled something deep inside me?
God.
What a horrible thought.
“Sylvie.”
I jolted at the sensation of a fingertip poking my cheek. “Huh?”
“You were away with the fairies. Are you considering alcoholism or sororicide that seriously?” Thomas grinned, and his blue eyes lit up with silent laughter.
“No, I was just… Never mind.” I smiled back. “Did you decide on the boots?”
He held up his bag. “I took your advice. That way, if I got it wrong, I can blame you.”
I pressed my lips into a thin line. “See, now this evening shopping trip really makes sense. You just wanted a scapegoat.”
With a laugh, he held out his hand. “I’ll carry it for you.”
I eyed the bags he was already holding. “I think you’re the one who needs help with your bags, not me.”
He looked down at his heavily laden hands. “I’m not about to ask you to carry my things. I am a gentleman, you know.”
“Oh, you’re the kind of man who’ll carry in eight grocery bags in one go just so you don’t have to make two trips to the car, aren’t you?”
He grinned.
I took the two bags from his left hand, put them in mine, then held out my right hand.
Thomas looked at it. “What’s that for?”
“If you’re going to take me on a pseudo-date to cheer me up, act like it.” I wiggled my fingers.
“Aw, Sylvie, if you want to hold my hand, you only have to ask.”
“And just like that, I’ve changed my mind. Here, have your bags—”
He snatched my hand with his, interlacing his gloved fingers with mine. “You’re right,” he said, looking at me with a half-grin. “This is better than carrying all the bags.”
“You’re so…so…” I pressed my lips together, then sighed. “Fine, whatever. Where to now, Santa Claus?”
“The car. I promised you mulled wine, didn’t I?” He raised our clasped hands to his mouth and kissed the back of my hand. “Blech. That was better in the toy shop when you weren’t wearing your gloves.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that crept out of me. “What did you expect?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. You to swoon and blush at me?”
“You should probably re-evaluate those expectations.”
“Should I? You’re the one who grabbed my hand, after all.”
“It’s all your fault for making me realise it’s not so bad to have a handsome, rich duke hang all over me, even if that guy happens to be you.”
He groaned, squeezing my hand. “I can’t cope with it when you flirt with me, do you know that?”
“If you think that’s flirting, then you’ve set the bar for my kindness very, very low. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
