Why won’t she just tell me her goddamn name?
‘It’s not an action movie.’
Those blue eyes lighten. ‘Oh, so it really is top secret, then?’
‘Almost as classified as your name.’ My index finger taps the glass impatiently. I’m not used to being kept waiting.
Huge, doe-like eyes raise to meet mine. ‘It’s Holly.’
Finally.
‘Nuclear codes have been handed over quicker. Holly is a beautiful name. And very fitting, given how you so enthusiastically belt out Christmas songs. Pleased to meet you, Holly.’
‘Funny.’ She rolls her eyes and I feel oddly comfortable with her. Like we’ve been exchanging this playful banter forever. ‘Now, the movie?’
I take a sip of my wine, mentally preparing myself for the laughter I’m certain will follow. The whole world will guffaw when they see what I’m trying to pull off. For the millionth time, I wonder what the fuck I’m doing here. ‘It’s a Hallmark Christmas romance.’
‘Wow.’ Genuine enthusiasm affects her tone. ‘That’s amazing.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes! I bet they wanted a brooding bad-boy for a male lead, right?’ She crosses her legs beneath her bum and I do the polite thing and avert my gaze, even if my delinquent brain begs me not to.
‘Do I look like a brooding bad boy to you?’ My head dips closer into her personal space.
‘Oh, come on!’ She swats my arm in a playful gesture, but there’s nothing playful about the crackling electricity shooting up my arm at her touch. ‘With that ink, you’re theultimatebrooding bad boy. And it’s set here in Ireland?’
‘Right here in Ballybowen. Most of it, anyway.’
‘Typical.’ She exhales a heavy sigh. ‘My friend, Sav, assured me this is the quietest place in the country. That nothing ever happens here. And now it’s going to be crawling with paps tearing the place down in search of you and your co-stars. I’m going to have to emigrate. There’s no other option.’
‘Wow. That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? No one knows we’re here, and even if they do find out, we’ll be gone before Christmas.’
‘So will I. Or shortly after, anyway. If I have anything left to go back to, that is.’ Her forehead creases.
Enlightenment creeps in.
The wine consumption.
The reluctance to reveal her name.
Her ‘last-minute trip.’
‘Who are you hiding from?’ My palm finds its way to her knee. It’s meant to be reassuring, but the chemistry that crackles between us is anything but.
‘Ha! The entire universe. That’s who.’ She shakes her head as a sad laugh leaves her lips.
Who is this woman?
So open and refreshing in some ways and so goddamn mysterious in others. I haven’t been this intrigued by a woman in years.
Or as primally attracted to one.
Perhaps because I’ve never let myself. Not after the first time. The reason I don’t usually date brunettes isn’t because I don’t like them.
It’s because I do.
‘I know the feeling. Believe me.’ I place my wine glass on the coffee table next to the untouched plate of cheese.
