Page 47 of A Wrong Bed Christmas: Ignited\Where There's Smoke

“So blackjack?”

“Actually, I’m tired,” she said, eyeing her suitcase. “I brought some flannel pajamas and extra socks. Just going to slip into the bathroom and put them on. And brush my teeth.”

“Oh, sure.” He didn’t have anything to change into. Not even any deodorant to freshen up with or a toothbrush.

“Uh, I have an extra toothbrush you can use if you want. I always carry an extra in my toiletry bag. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything for you to sleep in. Unless you like lacy lingerie.”

“You have that with you?” he asked, his mind immediately flipping to the image of Emma in pink silk and lace. A most delicious fantasy.

“No. That was a joke, silly.” Emma grabbed her suitcase and rolled it behind her to the tiny bathroom.

Erik dashed the kinky vision from his mind. He had to if he was going to survive the night with her without giving in to something that probably wasn’t a good idea. After all, he couldn’t seduce his sister’s BFF, could he? Of course, after their game of strip poker, he wasn’t so sure he’d be the one doing the seducing. Miss Emma Rose held her own. Still, where would they go from there? Emma wasn’t the kind of girl a guy had a one-night stand with. Yet maybe it didn’t have to be a one-night thing, maybe...

He looked up to find her staring at him with a quizzical expression. “Uh, you go ahead and get ready. I’ll put another log on to give us some heat. That gust of wind made it too cold in here.”

“Okay, thanks,” she said, disappearing into the bathroom.

Closing his eyes, he sucked in a breath. He needed to get ahold of himself and remember they were in a dicey situation. Sure, things could be worse. They had found shelter from the storm and had some food...if cookies and chocolates counted. Not to mention a nice fire and a place to bed down. But still, if things deteriorated with the weather or if no one came to find them, they could be in trouble.

Before stoking the fire, he grabbed the large pot he’d spied under the sink and wiped it out. Filling it with water, he took it to the hearth and set it as close as possible to the fire. It was too late to wash tonight, but some lukewarm water for a spit-shine bath might be good in the morning. By the time Emma emerged from the bathroom, he had the fire crackling once again.

“Feels much better in here,” she said, lugging her suitcase behind her. She wore mint-green pajamas with puppy dogs frolicking on them. It was a firm reminder that this was the kid who’d hung out at his house wearing flannel shirts and ripped jeans, braces flashing when she gave a rare smile. Emma wasn’t a sex kitten...even if she’d behaved like one.

“Nice puppies,” he joked.

Her cheeks pinked. “Yeah, they’re silly but warm.”

“And new fluffy socks.”

She lifted her foot and twisted it back and forth. “Only the latest in fuzzy haute couture.”

She joked but she looked nervous. Like a patient awaiting the dentist. Something about it was endearing. “You know I’m not going to pounce on you.”

Pressing a hand to her cheek, she said, “Oh, jeez. Give me some credit. I know you’re not interested in me that way. I’m your sister’s friend. You said yourself that I’m like family. It’s just weird to think about sleeping with you.”

“For one thing, we’re sleeping together. Not having sex. Think of it as a survival thing and not a big deal.” Much. He knew that it would be hard not to touch her when they climbed beneath the scratchy wool blankets, especially since they’d already been a little naughty by shooting tequila and playing strip poker. Who did that with someone he professed to be like his sister?

But she wasn’t his sister, was she?

And she was no longer that little girl who stared at him with yearning eyes.

“But don’t fool yourself into thinking that I don’t think about how you’d have looked in your undies. You’re a beautiful woman who is not my sister. I’m really pissed I dealt myself shitty cards.”

The darkening of her pink cheeks had nothing to do with the warmer room. “Oh.”

“So where’s that extra toothbrush?” he asked.

5

EMMA SANK ONTO the bed while Erik took a turn in the bathroom.

Oh, come on, silly. It’s no big deal. It’s like sitting next to someone on the train. Except you’re lying down. In your favorite dog pajamas.

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