Her head tilted back again, hooded eyes meeting his own.
He moved his hand up to her chin, taking it between his fingers. “Rachel,” he spoke softly.
He brushed his thumb along her cheek and her eyes drifted shut when he cupped her jaw with his hand. Her skin was smooth, her expression so devastatingly beautiful.
He pressed closer.
Her eyes remained shut. Holden closed his too.
CHAPTER25
Holden Hart was going to kiss her.
And shewantedhim to. What was happening?
She knew the storm had shut off the power to the house, but at that moment, it was as though the power to her brain was completely gone too.
This couldn’t happen. It wouldn’t be good for anyone. What about the tree competition? What would happen when their parents found out their child was fraternizing with the enemy?
Her thoughts swirled more vigorously than the snow flurries outside.
And yet, she wanted to be kissed by Holden. To be held in his powerful arms. To stay wrapped in his protective embrace.
He seemed to want it too, evidenced in the way he curled his arm around her back and pulled her to him, his hand still on her cheek. He was so gentle, so tender. The opposite of the boy she remembered from her past who would do anything to challenge her. Right now, the only challenge Rachel had was to keep her heart from skittering right out of her chest. Its pulse rang in her ears, thrummed feverishly fast along her neck.
“Rachel.” He spoke her name on a breath. His mouth came only an inch from hers.
She met him the rest of the way, pausing only before their lips were about to touch.
Scout barked sharply.
Holden’s eyes flashed instantly open, but they didn’t waver from Rachel’s.
“Quiet, girl.” He shooed his dog with a fluttering hand behind him.
Scout barked again.
“Scout, calm down.” He pulled back.
A growl as low as thunder rumbled behind bared teeth, and then Scout was off like a shot toward the front door.
Remorse flashed across Holden’s gaze. Rachel gave a single nod. He tossed the blanket from his shoulders and met his dog in the entryway. Her barks echoed, bouncing off the vaulted ceiling.
Rachel blew out a massive breath.
She wasn’t thankful for the interruption, but maybe it was what needed to happen. Would it really be wise to kiss Holden? All signs pointed to no, but her heart challenged that logic.
She raked a hand through her hair, bringing her fingers to the ends and twisting them. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
As suddenly as it had started, Scout’s growl completely cut off, and Rachel heard the telltale jingle of the dog’s collar as she danced with excitement.
The happy canine rushed back into the room, the voices of two men filtering in behind her.
“If it’s not your partner in crime,” Rachel said, standing. She gathered the discarded blanket, folded it into a small square, then draped it over her forearm.
Lance Major’s gaze ping-ponged over the room. “Did I interrupt something?” He scratched along his scruffy jaw.
“Nope,” Rachel answered. “Not at all.”
