Page 15 of Second Chance Christmas

Her heart raced. “A gingerbread house. Audrey loves them. We make them every year and I’m trying to keep as many things as stable as possible, after, you know—,” She broke off, aware she was babbling and that she didn’t need to. “Anyway. It’s not a good time.”

“Why not?”

Cassidy frowned. “Because I’m busy.”

“I don’t mind watching you bake.”

“Leonardo—,”

He moved closer, pressing a finger to her lips, his body so close she could feel his warmth and nearness. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, so his fragrance flooded her senses, making it hard to say no, much less want to.

“If you want me to go because this is a special thing for you and your daughter, I’ll go. But if you’re running away from me, then stop.”

Her eyes widened. He’d given her the perfect ‘out’. A way to get him to leave without revealing how much his presence affected her.

“I’m not asking you for anything more, Cass. Is there anything wrong with spending time together?”

Yes, she wanted to scream. Leonardo was quicksand for Cassidy. He always had been. She’d loved him almost as long as she’d known him. She’d idolized him. Adored him. And even though she’d never be stupid enough to let him into her heart again, that didn’t mean things between them couldn’t get complicated.

“I meant what I said last night, Leo. I only want one thing from you.”

“Then think of spending time together as foreplay,” he said with a shrug. “It doesn’t mean anything, Cass. It’s just an evening.”

She hesitated, but not because she didn’t want to spend time with him. Of all the people in all the world, Leonardo was probably the only one who could take her mind off Grant’s email, and she desperately needed that. From the moment she’d seen Grant’s name come up on her phone, her whole body had flooded with adrenaline, and she was right back in their home again, cowering from his anger, terrified of his changeability.

“Okay,” she said with a lift of one shoulder, acting like she didn’t care either way. “Suit yourself.”

In the kitchen, Audrey had finished her hot chocolate and was eyeing Cassidy’s longingly.

“Audie, you remember grandpa’s friend from the other night?”

Audrey rolled her eyes. “He’s famous, mummy. Of course I remember him.”

“Right,” Cassidy murmured, heat flushing her cheeks as she looked at Leo and saw the mockery in his eyes.

“Grandpa’s friend?” He asked, softly, when Audrey was distracted. “You don’t think there’s something else you could call me?”

“Oh, there are dozens of things I could call you,” Cassidy said, tapping the side of her lips. “But I try not to swear around Audrey.”

She’d meant it as an insult but his lips quirked in amusement and she found a smile trembled briefly on her lips before she straightened her face.

“Right, let’s see how these are looking.”

Cassidy removed the baking trays one by one, placing them on a chopping board and inhaling the intoxicating fragrance.

“Yay!” Audrey clapped her hands together. “Can we build it?”

“Not tonight,” Cassidy shook her head, the thought of royal icing not one she relished at the best of times, let alone after the emotional upheavals of the day. “The pieces all need to cool down completely so they’re strong enough to stick together. But we’ll tackle it first thing in the morning.”

Audrey looked as though she was about to argue but then Leonardo intervened. “Does Harry still have the net out back?”

Cassidy’s heart stitched. It had felt like yet another betrayal that her father had kept the damned thing in his yard, even after she and Leo had broken up. He’d bought the net because he liked it when Leo came to visit, and as a kid, Leonardo had loved nothing more than practicing soccer. And Cassidy had loved to watch him. But every time she saw it now, it brought back way too many memories.

“Yes,” she said, her voice cool.

His eyes narrowed, studying her face, but his voice was light when he spoke. “Great. Audrey, want to come show me your skills?”

“I’m sure you don’t need—,”

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