Page 11 of A Festive Surprise

‘Then, it sounds perfect.’

‘It’s a Christmas song.’ She made her way to the small kitchen area at the end of the living area. An L-shaped unit doubled as a breakfast bar and dining table and divided the two areas.

‘I change it,’ he said. ‘But, for sure, I do not get the connection to war and Christmas.’

‘Seriously, Farid, no one knows what Christmas is about anymore. That’s part of the problem. It takes up such a huge percentage of every year. People waste so much time and energy on it and businesses cash in left, right and centre. But it’s pointless. Unless you’re making money from it, it’s a brain drain, a cash drain and a soul crusher.’

‘Oh, Holly, Holly.’ He changed the channel. Classical vibes played and he glanced at her. ‘Is this ok?’

‘It’ll do. At least it has nothing to do with reindeer, bells, Santa or bloody gingerbread.’

He snorted. ‘You like me to light the fire for you?’

‘Knock yourself out.’

‘You want me to knock myself out first? With this?’ He picked up a log, pretending to bash the side of his head with it.

‘It’s just a figure of speech. It means yes please.’

‘I worked that out.’ He stacked logs on the fire and built up the kindling. ‘It will get hot in here later.’

‘It’s quite hot already.’

Farid grinned and strolled into the kitchen behind her. The urge to wrap his arms around her from behind was powerful. Would she like that? Too fast. Way too fast. His hot blood was pushing him into all kinds of crazy. ‘I find Christmas very confusing,’ he said.

‘You and me both. But for now, we’ll stick to basics.’ She turned around and stopped dead. A smile played on her lips and she eyed him up.

‘And they are?’

‘Mince pies, booze and staying off the naughty list.’ She lifted a bottle of wine from the work surface and waggled it.

‘What is the naughty list?’

‘I’ll explain later, but right now, my name is very close to being on it. Time to behave and see what I make of your pies.’ She tipped him a wink.

He took the bottle from her, moving closer. ‘I think you’ll like them.’

‘Ooh.’ She quirked her eyebrow. ‘Let’s have them then.’

‘And don’t forget, you like, you stay.’

She smiled, lifted the box of pies and handed it to Farid. ‘So, what do we do with these?’

Right now? Throw them in the bin and grab her instead. Whoa. Protocols here might be more relaxed than he was used to, but a move like that and she might slap him and turf him out. Rightly so. He took the pies and switched on the oven. Her eyes burned through him, watching every move.

His hand shook slightly as he took out a tray. What was he doing? If she liked his food, what else might she like? He twiddled his fingers, eyeing the pies through the oven door.

Holly opened and closed three cupboard doors. ‘Aha.’ She pulled two enormous wine glasses and placed them on the worktop, then popped the cork on the wine bottle. Blood red liquid swirled into them.

‘Cheers.’ She passed him a glass and clinked hers against his.

‘Fe Sehetak.’ He took a sip and blinked. ‘Strong, huh?’

‘Strong and deep. As I like my men.’ She waggled her eyebrows.

‘Ah. This is why you are on the naughty list.’

She chuckled, and it brought a sparkle to her eyes, lighting her face.

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