Page 15 of Wintertime Heat (Holiday 1)

What I realized about this young child was that if he felt comfortable enough around you, his mischief knew no bounds. And for some reason, he had become quite attached to me.

Not that I minded the childish pranks.

I raise my hands which were covered in paint, and said threateningly, “If you don’t stop painting on me, I’m going to paint your whole face green and orange.”

Aaron giggles, “No, you won’t!”

I lean toward him, a glint in my eye, “You think I won’t? They’ll call you the green and yellow little monster of Woodside Public School.”

Aaron squealed with laughter as I attempted to grab him. Scrambling onto his feet, he rushes away from me.

Just at that moment, the door opens, and he collides with his father’s legs.

Steven raises a brow at his paint splattered son, and then at me. The corner of his lips curl up.

I was a sight to behold.

I was on my knees, the strands of my hair painted different colours, and specks of paint on my face. My hands were completely covered in paint.

This was not the cool and disdainful way I had intended to greet him if I saw him today.

“Mr. Tanner,” I say, in a choked voice.

He walks over and looks down at me with a gleam in his eyes. He was so close to me that I was at the level with his – Oh, hell no!

I was about to stand up, when he crouched down.

“You’ve got paint on your cheeks, Miss Abby.” His thumb reaches out to clean the wet smudge from my face, and when my face turned red at the caressing way his thumb moved over my cheek, he grins, smugly.

Just what was he trying to prove?

I pull my head away and quickly get to my feet.

I realize that, standing next to him, I just reach his chest. Not wanting to have to look up at him when talking to him, I take a few steps back.

“You’re early, Mr. Tanner.”

He takes a step forward, “My meetings ended early.”

Another step backwards.

The look in his eyes is making my lower abdomen clench, and my jaw is taut, “How’s your car?”

“Still in the shop. Aaron, go wait outside.”

“Okay,” Aaron pipes up, and then glances at the two of us, “Can I take the cookies, Miss Abby?”

My eyes were still on his father’s gray ones, and I say weakly, “Sure.”

My back hits the wall and Steven stood a mere centimetre away, his chest not touching mine by a hair’s length. His hands are in his pockets.

“You look nervous, Abby.”

I grit my teeth, forcing myself out of whatever this haze was, “You’re in my freaking personal space. Get out.”

He smiles, a full, gorgeous smile that makes my stomach plummet, “And if I refuse?”

I bare my teeth at him, “I’ll make you.”

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