When he marched into the next room, Annie threw an apologetic expression at them and followed him.
“Would you excuse me for a minute while I use the restroom?” Carli’s face was flush once more.
Blake turned and pointed. “The second door on the right, or there’s one near the kitchen.”
Dipping her head, she wandered down the hall. She hadn’t even made it inside before a hand descended on his shoulder.
“Perhaps now we can discuss getting together again.” The perfume Priscilla wore almost choked him.
“If you mean together as in dating, you’re out of luck.” No way did he want this woman getting the idea they could start up again where they left off.
“But we were good together. Come on, Blake. You know it’s meant to be.”
Peeling her hand from his shoulder, he faced her. “We broke up because you didn’t like the long hours I worked and the fact I didn’t have enough money to spend on you. Why do you think everything will be okay now?”
Priscilla shrugged. “You’ve been at BGH for over a year. Your mother says you’ve got time to start taking lessons from the deaf girl. I figured you could spend that time with me instead.”
Her hand skimmed up his arm. He grabbed it and held it down. “I’m not interested, Priscilla. I want someone who’ll stand by me through the tough times, not someone who’s only interested in the good times.”
Priscilla angled herself with her back to the hallway Carli had disappeared down. Had she seen her coming back? “And you think your little deaf girl will be that someone? Why? Because she’ll do anything to get invited to places like this? She’ll take the crumbs you’re willing to give, so you have more time for your precious career that will set her up nicely?”
Heat built at the insinuation. “She’s not a gold digger.”
Casting a quick glance over her shoulder, Priscilla ran her fingers down his cheek and rested them on his chest as she leaned in close. Too close. “I’ll be around when you’re ready for me again.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” That was cruel, but she needed a shot of reality.
When he glanced down to where Carli had been, the hall was empty. Crap. Where had she gone? Before he could take more than a few steps, he saw her admiring one of the Christmas trees in the dining room. Or maybe she was giving him time with Priscilla. Had she seen Priscilla pawing him? God, he hoped not.
“Hey there. Did you want to finish the tour?” It was getting toward midnight, and he hadn’t wanted to keep her out too late. Well, actually he’d love to keep her with him all night, but he’d already decided she wasn’t one to push too fast. He respected her too much.
The sparkling smile she gave him sent his heart pounding. “Can we go up the big double staircase?”
“Not at the same time, but we can go up one and down the other. Which one first?”
Slipping her arm through his, she said, “Surprise me.”
He took her up the right one and showed her the view from the middle, looking down into the entryway and formal parlor. The huge antique clock behind them started chiming the hour.
“Midnight,” he said, then pointed up to the mistletoe dangling above their heads. “The perfect time for this.” And he lowered his lips to hers.
Chapter ten
It was perfect. She was perfect.
Blake skimmed his lips overs hers softly, gently at first. The tiny sigh that slipped from her mouth caused all sorts of havoc inside him. Lifting his hand, he threaded his fingers through her hair and cupped them behind her neck to draw her closer and prolong the contact.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he whispered when he finally released her lips.
Her eyes held a dreamy quality to them. Did his look the same?
“So long?” Had she not heard what he’d said? Was it due to his volume or the effects of the kiss? Hopefully, the latter.
Easing back in order for her to see his mouth, he repeated, “I’ve wanted to kiss you for months now.”
“Months?” That sweet smile warmed his heart. “It’ll only be two months tomorrow since we met. Well, today, now that it’s after midnight.”
“Keeping track, are you?”
