Dancing Under the Mistletoe (The Seven Curses of London Book 4) by Lana Williams

Author:Lana Williams [Williams, Lana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lana Williams
Published: 2017-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

The next evening, after the guests settled in, they enjoyed a meal of roast beef with potatoes and gravy and baked apples for dessert, followed by games in the drawing room.

Cole had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. Captain Hawke and his bride were friendly, as were Viscount Frost and his new wife. He enjoyed their company.

But playing charades and “pass the slipper” held far too many memories of Christmas past with his family.

He rose from the group with the excuse of refilling his wassail cup and slipped out the garden door to clear his head. Unfortunately, the memories came with him. His sister had adored charades, and he remembered laughing with her until his cheeks hurt. He rubbed his chest at the ache the memory brought.

“Is all well?” Katherine asked as she joined him, running her hands over her bare arms to chase away the cold. Obviously, she’d learned of his past if she’d followed him out here.

“Just needed some fresh air.” Cole turned to face her, bracing himself for the pity.

“I’m pleased you did, for it gave me an excuse to do the same.” She smiled at him then looked up at the night sky.

Her profile, including the long line of her neck, drew his gaze. “Need an escape?”

“They are all just so...happy.” She turned to look at him as though hoping he understood.

“It is nice to see but hard to watch.”

“Exactly,” she agreed.

He removed his suit coat and placed it over her shoulders, noticing how her gaze fell to his mouth.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“My pleasure.” It gave him an excuse to draw nearer. He dearly wanted another kiss. “Did you play those games as a child?”

“Yes. They’re still fun, aren’t they?”

He held his silence.

“No?”

“They remind me of better times.” He hoped she’d let it go at that.

She reached up to place her gloved hand on his chest. “Yes.”

That single word expressed so much. Understanding. Agreement. Empathy. His skin heated where she touched him. He gave into his desire and kissed her, long and deep. The vividness of his memories faded, allowing his mind to fill with the woman in his arms.

Though his relief might be only temporary, he appreciated it all the same. Yet he worried Katherine would have false hope for the future, and that was something he couldn’t offer.

“Katherine—”

“Shh.” She reached up to place a finger on his lips and gently smiled. “No regrets. No excuses. It’s Christmas, and that was just a kiss.”

Just a kiss? If that were true, why did he feel as if he never wanted to let her go?

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