Page 16 of Wintertime Heat (Holiday 1)

He leans forward, and I can feel his hot breath against my lips, “Then do it.”

My heart stutters, and I can smell his very unique cologne from the lessened distance between us. I can almost taste him on my tongue.

I bite my lips and feel, more than see, his smirk, and then I whisper, ad

renaline pumping through my veins, “You have two seconds to step back before I knee you in the crotch, Mr. Tanner. And I have very good aim.”

Chapter 6

He pulls back, immediately with grin on his face, something which I wasn’t expecting.

“What’s so funny?”

He shakes his head, “You. You never cease to surprise me.”

I bristle, “I am not here for your amusement, Mr. Tanner.”

“Call me Steven,” He looks at me.

I bare my teeth, “No.”

He blinks, and then bursts into laughter.

Bewildered by his behaviour and on edge, I was never more grateful to see Aaron show up in the doorway, “Dad! Let’s go!”

“Aaron, your apron,” I remind him, my voice a little shaky. I brush past his father and as Aaron lifts his arms up in the air, I untie the apron and take it off him. I put a hand on his shoulder, keeping him between his father and myself. Steven is now looking at me, a different light in his eyes.

“Well, Mr. Tanner. I hope you have a good day.” Not.

He must have sensed my train of thought, because his lips curve, “Same to you, Miss Abby.”

The way he added the title of ‘Miss’ in front of my name, made me want to hit him. I don’t know why. As he walks out, he looks over his shoulder to give me a long look, before I tear my gaze away and stare stubbornly at my desk.

I hear a deep chuckle, and then his fading footsteps.

Groaning loudly in the empty classroom, I quickly clean up, and then rest my head against the cold windowpane.

What was this man doing? What did he even want from me?

It didn’t feel like flirting. More like he just enjoyed making fun of me.

“Did I just miss him again?”

Hearing Scarlett’s voice, I keep my eyes closed, “Please don’t tell me you came here to catch a glimpse of him?”

“He’s hot. Of course, I want to see him. What’s wrong with you?”

I open my mouth to tell her something but decide against it. I didn’t even know what was going on. What am I supposed to tell her?

“Nothing. Just a very long day.”

I push myself away from the window, and glance at the watch, “Mr. Davis must be waiting for me. Can you wait here a second, while I go deal with him?”

“I could come with you,” She offers.

I was about to say no, and then I stop and grin, “Why not?”

I wanted to see how my extra chill best friend and the uptight Collin would react to each other.

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