Liz, Char’s sister, is headed my way, too.
I watch as she spots Sean and stops to talk to him. They both turn to look at me, not even trying to hide the fact they’re talking about me.
I grab my coat, hat, and gloves and am opening the door as Liz reaches me. “Morning.” I smile, hesitating in the doorway. “Did you need to come in or...?”
“Oh no. I was just walking past when I saw you were up. Thought I’d catch you before you left.” Her gaze flicks to Sean, but she doesn’t mention him. “We’re decorating the lodges today. Adding small Christmas trees, a few lights, and baubles, that sort of thing. Nothing over the top. It’s easier to do it today since it’s change-over day for a lot of them. If it’s okay with you, we’ll do yours as well.”
I grin at her. “That would be amazing. If you’re sure it’s not too much hassle,” I add quickly because they’re already letting me stay here for free.
She waves a hand at me. “Of course not. Can’t have you staying here all of December without so much as a strand of tinsel.” Her gaze sweeps over me, taking in what I’m wearing. “I could probably do yours while you’re out with Sean if you want?”
She has a twinkle in her eye, and I’m pretty sure she’s dying to ask me more about where me and Sean are off to, but she’s way too professional for that. She’ll probably ask Hailey instead.
“That would be great. Thank you.” I pull the door shut behind me and lock it.
Taking the hint, she says goodbye and heads back over to reception. Sean has his window down and I don’t miss the way his gaze does a repeat of Liz’s. But the effect of Sean’s eyes on me is a million times more potent. I can almost feel my blood heat as he looks me up and down.
He lingers at my mouth, and I wonder if he’s thinking about yesterday.
I hope so.
“Ready?”
I expect him to startle at being caught staring, but he continues his slow perusal of me, and it’s even hotter knowing he’s not trying to hide his interest.
I won’t be hiding mine for much longer if he carries on looking at me like that.
“Yeah,” he says eventually. “I was just checking that you were prepared.”
Oh, I’m prepared all right.
Prepared to forget everything I just told myself and march him back inside my lodge to get naked. Instead, I take a steadying breath and hold out my hands. “And?”
“You’ll do.” He grins and it’s blinding, like the winter sun on a clear morning. “Let’s go.”
I hurry to comply, otherwise I’m in danger of standing there staring at him like an idiot.
I slip off my coat as soon as I’m inside his car. An unconscious habit from years of being told to do so as a child. I notice Sean doesn’t have his on either. “Where are you taking me?”
He concentrates on pulling out onto the main road before glancing over at me. “I normally take Lucky on the public footpaths that start at the end of my road.”
Oh. We’re going back to his house?
I suddenly feel a lot warmer.
“If that’s okay with you?” he adds when I don’t say anything. “It can take either forty minutes or just over an hour, depending on which way we go.”
“Sounds good.” My mind has skipped ahead to after our walk. Will he invite me in for coffee? Or sex? Pretty sure I’ll be up for either of those. Or both.
“So...” he starts. His hands tighten on the steering wheel, and I know what conversation we’re about to have. I’m glad he’s brought it up almost straight away because, although we pretty much settled things last night, I think we still need to clear the air in person.
“I’m sorry about last night. For making assumptions about you.”
I wait until he looks my way. It takes a moment, but eventually he glances over. “You don’t have to keep apologising. We’re good.” I smile, hoping he can feel the sincerity in it. But there’s one thing I don’t want him to be sorry about. “What about the kiss?”
I watch his throat as he swallows. “What about it?”
“Do you regret that?” I haven’t paid much attention to the scenery, so it comes as a surprise when he pulls up outside a row of three houses and switches the engine off. I hold my breath as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel.
