Page 12 of Only for Christmas

As they reached the building, Mrs Kelsey was shuffling out of her flat with an armful of recycling.

Sarah dropped behind the low wall and pulled Fred closer. ‘Keep your head down, Fred.’

His sudden yelp made the older woman stutter to a halt. ‘Who’s there?’

Sarah prayed Fred would stay silent.

‘I have security cameras,’ she shouted. ‘Don’t think I won’t call the police if you’re up to no good. Come on, you good for nothings, show yourselves.’

Sarah stayed hidden. She didn’t think Mrs Kelsey did have security cameras, but she didn’t want to risk finding out.

‘Think it’s clever to harass an old lady, do you?’

Oh, so she wasn’t above using the ‘old’ card when it suited her. Sarah rolled her eyes, causing Fred to give her a strange look.

‘I’ll be watching, don’t think I won’t be.’ There was a loud crash as the woman’s recycling landed in the bin.

Sarah peered over the wall and watched Mrs Kelsey shuffle back inside her flat. The light in the living room switched off and Sarah could see the net curtains twitching as the silhouette of Mrs Kelsey hovered by the window.

Sarah became aware of a neighbour opposite looking over as he exited his car.

Her behaviour was attracting unwanted attention. ‘Like it or not, Fred, we’re going to have to make a run for it.’

His look of No way did little to settle her nerves as she shoved him forwards.

‘On my count of three. One… two…’

Swiping Fred up in her arms, she ran towards the steps, praying that even laden down with Fred’s weight, she was still faster on her feet than Mrs Kelsey.

By the time she’d raced up the steps, her legs were burning and Fred was sagging in her arms – which meant that when the door of Flat 2 opened and the occupant stepped into the hallway, she had no way of avoiding him and they smacked into each other.

She screamed.

He yelled, ‘What the hell?’

And Fred made a run for the stairs.

Sarah watched his wobbly brown and white bottom disappear with far more speed than he’d managed on their walk. It was like he knew he couldn’t be seen. That had to be a coincidence, right? No dog could be that smart.

‘Hey, are you okay?’

Sarah realised she was lying on the hallway floor. How had that happened?

She blinked up at the man. Lucas, her new neighbour. It hadn’t been her imagination then? He really was as good-looking as she’d remembered from their first meeting. Maybe she had concussion? She rubbed her forehead. ‘I’m fine, I think.’

‘Are you sure? Did you hit your head?’ He was bending over her, his face so close she could see every feature in high definition. Dark blonde hair, startling blue eyes, and… seriously? Who had a jawline like that? Was he some kind of model sent to torment her?

He smelt good too. Not like Stephen Stokes with his overpowering aftershave, but a subtle scent of something woody. His shirt was open at the collar, revealing a smattering of blonde chest hair that matched the stubble on his chin. He was seriously… hot, as Georgia would say. And Sarah didn’t like that one little bit.

She shuffled away from him and, using the banister rail, hauled herself upright. ‘I’m not hurt. No damage. Apologies for running into you. I hope you’re okay.’

‘I’m fine, but you took quite a spill. D’you need me to check you over?’ He moved towards her and rested his warm hand on her forehead. Swear to God, she felt the floor shift beneath her. Large, smooth hands, softer than a pillow, firm enough to feel his fingers caressing her skin.

The universe was not playing fair. Not fair at all. Not content with throwing Josh into her life and letting him stomp all over her, the fates were now shoving this man into her universe. A tall, wide, god-like creature who could double for Chris Hemsworth as Thor.

‘Nope, not fair at all.’

He frowned. ‘What’s not fair?’

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