Page 27
I stop and look back at him.
He hesitates. “I…”
I lift my eyebrows.
He doesn’t say anything for a moment. He looks away, out of the window into the darkness. I look at his profile, his strong features, his dark ruffled hair, his kind eyes. He’s so full of life, so upbeat compared to Jayden. It’s wonderful to have his positive influence around, especially for Millie.
And then his gaze comes back to mine, and oh my God, his eyes have The Look, and my body leaps into life as if I’m a hibernating bear who’s waking up after a winter sleep. My pulse races, and I feel an ache deep inside.
I want to go up and give him a hug, wrap my arms around his neck, smell his cologne. Briefly, I imagine what it would be like to kiss him. To have his warm hands touching my skin. It’s been so long since a man touched me like that.
My face heats. His lips curve up, just a little.
“It’s good to be here,” he says softly.
“It’s good to have you here.” I withdraw and close the door, and scurry off to the bathroom, where I splash water on my face to cool my burning cheeks.
Chapter Eight
Mitch
It takes me a while to fall asleep, but when I do, I sleep surprisingly well. I wake to see the sun streaming through the curtains, and I yawn, stretch, and check the time. Nearly 8 a.m. I haven’t slept so late for ages.
I get up and pull on a tee over my boxers, then open the door and listen. I can hear Rudolph and Vix talking in the kitchen, and the gorgeous smell of frying bacon. Guessing that the bathroom is free, I go in and take a speedy shower. Afterwards, I return to my room and pull on some shorts, then catch sight of myself in the mirror, finger my bristles, and decide I should take a proper shave.
Returning to the bathroom, I’ve just run some hot water into the basin when, outside the door, I hear Millie say, “Mitch?”
I open the door. “Good morning, miss. How are you today?”
“I’m fine.” She beams at me. “Mum says breakfast is nearly ready.”
“Okay. I’ll just be a couple of minutes.” I go back to the mirror, squirt some foam onto my hands, and lather up my face.
Millie comes in, climbs onto the stool Vix obviously keeps in there for her to wash her hands, and leans on the sink. “What are you doing?”
I start drawing the razor up my cheeks. “I’m shaving.”
“Why?”
“Because if I don’t, I’ll end up looking like Father Christmas.” I wash the razor in the water and smile.
She giggles. “Your face is covered in bubbles.”
“It makes the razor slide over the skin.” I remove a small blob of foam and dot it on her nose, and she squeals.
“Why don’t you have a T-shirt on?” she asks.
“I don’t want to get foam all over it. I’ll get dressed when I’ve finished.”
She nods, leans her elbows on the sink, and cups her face with her hands. “Why do boys have beards?”
“It’s one of those things that makes us different. Hair grows on our faces, and we have deeper voices.”
“And willies?”
I give a short laugh. “Yeah, and those.”
“And muscles,” she says, looking at my arms.
