Page 72 of The Cosy Travelling Christmas Shop

Daniel had just got to his feet and was about to go to the bar to order, when the landlady approached.

‘I’ve had a word with my husband,’ she said, ‘and we can’t in all conscience let you sleep in your van tonight. Did you say you wanted two rooms? If so, one of you can have the spare room, and the other can sleep in our son’s room. He’s phoned to say he’s staying at his girlfriend’s house. It’s a bit of a tip – I usually just shut the door on it, to be honest – but I can put some clean sheets on the bed and give it a quick tidy. Is that OK?’

‘Thank you, that’s very kind—’ Daniel began, but Seren interrupted.

‘We don’t need two rooms,’ she said quietly. ‘We don’t want to put you out.’

She was looking at the landlady, not at Daniel but she could see his reaction out of the corner of her eye. Shock, hope, desire… they all flashed across his face.

‘You don’t have to do this,’ he said. ‘You can take the spare room and I’ll—’

‘I want to.’ Seren was firm.

‘Ahem.’ The landlady cleared her throat. ‘So it’s just the one room, is it? And will you be wanting breakfast? I can do you a full English. You’ll probably be needing it.’ Her smile was warm and knowing.

Seren blushed – she certainly hoped so.

‘Are you sure about this?’ Daniel asked after the landlady had taken their order, along with a promise to find them a couple of toothbrushes and some toiletries.

Her tummy fizzed in anticipation and her appetite abruptly fled, to be replaced by a different kind of hunger. It might be unorthodox, but it felt right: romantic, even. Trapped by a snowfall, seeking shelter for the night, thrown together and giving in to their attraction to one another…

‘I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life,’ she said.

His gaze bored into hers and she shivered at its intensity. All she wanted to do was to drag him upstairs and ravish him.

‘Here you go,’ the landlady said, putting their drinks on the table. ‘As soon as you’re ready I’ll show you to your room. Goodness, this is just like the old days. I’ve missed saying that.’

She pottered off and the spell was broken. For the moment, at least.

‘I’m just going to wash my hands,’ Daniel said, getting to his feet.

Seren watched him walk away, admiring his broad shoulders, his trim waist, and long legs, and not for the first time she wondered what he’d look like without any clothes on.

She was going to find out later…

Taking a deep breath, she rooted around in her bag for her phone, and called her father, noting that she had hardly any charge on her phone, although if she was quick, she’d probably have enough to call work in the morning.

‘I’ve been worried,’ her dad said as soon as she told him where she was and that she’d be staying the night (but not that she’d be spending it in Daniel’s arms). ‘Are you sure you’re going to be all right on your own?’

‘I’ll be fine. I’ll let you know what’s happening in the morning. Could you do me a favour? I was supposed to be visiting Aunt Nelly this evening, can you let her know I won’t be there? Although she probably wouldn’t be expecting me what with all the snow.’

‘It’s not been too bad here. Just a covering on the pavements and the roads are mostly clear. I’ll pop in and see her instead, on my way to skittles.’

‘Thanks, Dad. Give her a kiss from me and tell her I love her.’ Seren noticed Daniel had returned to the table. ‘Got to go. Love you.’

She met Daniel’s eye and blushed. Putting her phone away, she wondered how she was going to face her dad tomorrow after spending the night with this gorgeous man.

But when Daniel reached across the table and took her hand, she found she didn’t care. The only thing on her mind was Daniel.

Daniel suspected that if he grinned any wider his face might turn inside out. But he couldn’t help it; he was so happy this morning that he could burst.

‘Come here,’ he said, holding his hand out to Seren, who had just got out of bed.

‘I thought I’d have a quick shower.’

‘After,’ he insisted.

‘After what?’ she teased, catching her bottom lip between her teeth and smiling at him provocatively from under her sweeping lashes.

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