Page 6 of Holiday Temptation

"Oh god," Emily says, her face a shade redder than before. "I guess I forgot to eat with all the planning."

I smirk, "Your stomach certainly has impeccable timing."

Noticing a nearby food vendor with a sign boasting gourmet holiday treats, her eyes light up with excitement. "How about we rectify that mistake? Let's grab something to eat."

"Lead the way," I reply as she loops her arm through mine.

Approaching the stall, the delightful aromas of fresh ingredients tantalize our senses. Emily opts for a savory crepe brimming with roasted vegetables and melted cheese. It's a choice that fits her—sophisticated yet down-to-earth. I, on the other hand, go for a classic bratwurst, hearty and straightforward.

When the vendor announces the total, I quickly reach for my wallet, keen on taking care of the bill.

"Hey," Emily protests, playfully elbowing me. "I brought you here. Let me treat."

I shake my head, handing the money to the vendor. "It's the least I can do. You're showing me a side of the holiday season I've missed out on for years."

She rolls her eyes but doesn't resist further. "Fine, grumpy. But the next round's on me."

"Deal."

The market buzzes around us, but everything else fades as we find a place to sit. I notice the way the holiday lights make Emily's green eyes dance. They're hard to miss, so full of life and energy. In this setting, she looks radiant, with those lights reflecting in her eyes and her freckles standing out against her rosy cheeks.

She takes a hearty bite of her crepe, seeming to savor every bit of it. There's a confidence in the way she eats, unapologetic and genuine. It's a stark contrast to the reserved, controlled world I usually move in. She looks up, catching me in my observation. Damn. I didn't mean to be so obvious.

"You've got something there," I mention, gesturing toward the corner of her mouth where a bit of sauce lingers.

She laughs, a sound that's both light and infectious. "Always looking out for the details, aren't you?"

I can't help but smirk. "It's served me well in business."

We eat in a mix of comfortable silence and light banter. Something about Emily challenges my usual demeanor, making me want to engage more, even in these seemingly trivial moments. She sees the world differently and embraces it with a vibrancy that's hard to ignore.

And though I'm not one to wear my heart on my sleeve or get lost in the season's festivities, I can't deny the warmth that's slowly creeping in, especially with Emily by my side.

She's making me question things, and I find myself surprisingly okay with that.

Chapter 4

Emily

We'vejustfinishedandthrown away our trash when I lean back and catch Dominic's eye. His steel-blue gaze is relaxed, softened around the edges in the glow of the restaurant's ambient lighting.

"Ready for part two of our evening?" I ask, a playful lilt in my voice.

He blinks, obviously surprised, and straightens up in his seat. A flicker of something—curiosity? anticipation?—crosses his features before he schools his expression back into something resembling his usual composed demeanor.

"Part two?" he echoes, arching an eyebrow. It's clear he's trying to maintain that CEO coolness, but the corners of his mouth twitch ever so slightly, betraying a hint of amusement.

I nod, suppressing a smile at his attempt to mask his interest. "Oh yes, the night is young, Mr. Grange, and my job is far from over."

He takes a moment, regarding me with that analytical gaze of his, as if trying to discern what I have up my sleeve. And then, almost imperceptibly, he nods.

"Alright, lead the way, Miss Hart."

His acquiescence sends a small thrill through me, and I can't help but feel a sense of victory. Honestly, I'd been apprehensive about this evening. But tonight, he's shown hints of a side that's softer, more human than the stern, business-driven exterior he presents at the office.

As we walk, we fall into a comfortable rhythm side by side, the distance between us barely a foot but charged with an energy that seems palpable. As we walk, the streetlights paint elongated shadows on the ground, turning our strides into an intertwined dance of dark and light.

The almost-kiss from earlier in the evening lingers at the forefront of my mind, making my heart race a bit faster. The way he'd looked at me, the anticipation, the undeniable pull—it's something I've never quite felt with such intensity.

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