Clara hurried backto the kitchen, trying to shake off the aftereffects of Zane’s kiss. The man packed a punch. They’d only shared a few kisses before tonight and this one rocked her senseless, leaving her longing for more.
She couldn’t send that couple back out in the storm, not even if their car heater had been working. She had to find a place for them.
“You’re booked solid, aren’t you?” Zane asked, stepping into the kitchen. “They can have my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“I’m not asking you to do that. I’ll figure something out.” She would, even if it meant giving up her private space. It was sweet that he offered without even hesitating.
“It’s simple, I’ll leave my room. You can give it a quick clean. I’ll even help. Once they get their car fixed and leave, I’ll go back. I’d offer to stay at one of your cousins’, but I don’t think it’s safe to drive in the storm.”
She pondered his suggestion. It made sense to give the new couple a room. But where would Zane go? She couldn’t expect him to sleep on the couch. Maybe he could stay in her suite. She had a second bedroom. It only had a twin bed, but for a night or two, it would be okay. Zane was Riley’s friend. He was trustworthy. He’d even asked before he kissed her earlier. She could probably trust him. Right? She added more milk to the pot. She was stalling, giving her mind time to work out a plan.
Safe from Zane?What was she thinking?
He wouldn’t hurt her. She was certain of that. But he was fast making a dent in her heart with his generous and giving ways. He was a nice guy. One of the good ones. Sue would say Zane had fine character.
“You can stay in my suite,” she blurted. “If it’s okay with you.”
“I can sleep on the couch. You don’t need me invading your personal space.” He located a tray and set some mugs on it, then pulled out the hot chocolate mix and some whipped cream. He was doing her job!
“It’s not a problem. I have a spare room with a single bed, and my bedroom door has a lock.” She hadn’t meant to mention that, or to imply that she was worried about him assaulting her.
He chuckled. “Clara, I promise you, I won’t invade your personal space, or your bedroom until you invite me in. But I’ll be more than happy to sleep in a single bed to let that couple have a safe place for the night.”
“That’s sweet of you.” She reached up and patted his cheek and popped up to place a quick kiss where her fingers had just been. The man was kindness itself. If only he wasn’t leaving town.
She finished fixing hot cocoa for all of them and added the bottle of Kahlua to the tray. She put some cookies on a plate and handed it to Zane.
He pushed the plate back at her. “Nope. That tray is heavy. I’ll take it, you bring the cookies.” “Get them settled in with a beverage and I’ll go empty my room. Then, I’ll help you clean it.” He glanced at his watch. Ten-thirty. “It’s getting late, and I expect your guests are tired.”
“Somehow, they feel likeourguests.” She winked at him, took the cookies, and headed for the common room. She sensed rather than heard Zane right behind her. She was going to have to stop kissing him before she couldn’t stop. He was already going to linger in her memories long after he was gone.
“Here you go.” She set the tray on the coffee table. “I don’t usually serve liquor, but tonight I’ll make an exception. Why don’t you enjoy a warm drink while I get your room set up? It’ll take a minute to get Zane resettled in a smaller room.”
“Oh, don’t do that,” the man said.
“Zane is my friend and a guest. It won’t take long to prepare your room. I’m Clara, your host.”
“I’m Kim and this is my wife Angel. We really don’t want to be any trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Zane piped in. “I have a nice room. The biggest from what Clara tells me. You’ll love it. It overlooks the play park, which is magical with the Christmas trees and their light. It won’t hurt me to spend a night or two in a smaller space. It’ll be good for my ego. I’m here for six weeks. I don’t mind at all.”
“Drink up, please,” Clara urged. “Add a shot if you like. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes, and we’ll get you settled.”
“We’ll be back,” Zane corrected.
“Thank you so much, young man. We appreciate the kindness.” Angel giggled. “Two strangers stranded and no room at the inn. Isn’t this the perfect Christmas story?”
“At least we don’t have to sleep in the stable,” Kim declared.
Zane chuckled.
“Your positivity is amazing,” Clara said.
“Your generosity, both of you, gave us the chance to be positive in a night that was destined to be a disaster. Thank you.” Kim threw his arm around Angel. “Sit my dear, and I’ll fix you a high-test cocoa to calm your nerves.” He reached for the Kahlua.
Clara and Zane headed upstairs. “Thank you for this,” she said as he unlocked his room.
“No problem. It is the season for giving, after all. Seriously, what else could I do? I’d have given up my room for them without your single bed to go to.”
“You’re an incredible man, Zane Ryder.” She placed her hand on his shoulder after he closed the door. Turning him toward her, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his. “Thank you,” she murmured, pouring her gratitude into the kiss. She shouldn’t be kissing him, but for the love of everything in the universe, she couldn’t stop.
Breathless, they finally broke apart.Oh yeah!She could kiss him all night.
“That kiss alone was worth sleeping on the floor for a week. Wow.” He winked. “Let me pack my stuff before I forget why I’m here. I’m looking forward to sharing space with you. I want to see your morning messy bed head and see if you’re grumpy when you wake up. I want you to be the last thing I see before I go to bed at night and the first thing I see in the morning.” He turned away and grabbed his suitcase from the closet.
His words sounded like a declaration of love. Her heart stuttered and swelled. She felt like the Grinch after his heart grew three sizes. Pumped. Stoked. Invigorated. Zane was lethal to her heart and her sanity. And she’d be darned if she didn’t like,love, every second in his company.
