She couldn’t help but smile. Stopping, she looked up at him. “While your concern is touching, I promise you, I’m fine. If it’s sore, I’ll soak it in that glorious hot tub calling my name.”
Ellie had given her a more thorough tour yesterday, revealing a gorgeous back patio complete with large-bulbed twinkle lights strung between posts, a hot tub that would let them gaze at the stars over the mountains while they relaxed, a fire pit, and comfortable, oversize outdoor seating.
His dark gaze went impossibly darker, making Maisie’s skin heat. He reached out and gently ran a hand over the shoulder she’d used. “Get your door fixed.”
“Sure thing, boss,” she said. Joking was easier than holding his gaze or standing so close. She caught up with her brother and Colton, who held the door open, waiting for them.
Tiny Treasures was a perfect, small-town store full of eclectic finds that delighted Maisie. Bells jingled over the door as it swung shut. The older woman behind the counter had snow-white hair and wore a bright-red cardigan with animated reindeer running up one side. Maisie’s gaze collided with Nick’s and she had to stifle a giggle. It was too easy to read his dark expression; he was totally remembering the pajamas. He hadn’t enjoyed them as much as she had.
“Who are we shopping for today?” she asked once they’d all entered the rather cramped space.
“I need something for my sister,” Jake said.
Maisie poked him in the shoulder. “You brought me shopping for my own gift?”
He glanced back at her. “I have two sisters. I want to get Nat a piece for her Christmas village. I read about this place online.”
“Oh yes. Our Christmas village pieces are one of a kind. Come, I’ll show you,” the woman said, coming out from behind the register.
Colton joined her brother but Nick stayed by Maisie’s side as she looked through an assortment of funny Christmas postcards.
“It’s nice to see Colton so happy,” Nick said, picking up a little snow globe.
“Jake, too. They’re peas in a pod. They both probably researched every store in this town and know what each one of them has in stock. Now it makes sense why he’d leave his shopping late.”
Nick’s shoulder brushed against Maisie’s arm. A simple touch shouldn’t put her on high alert but that’s what Nick King did. He spun her senses out of control. The bell over the door jingled but neither of them turned to look.
Maisie started to move on when Nick tugged her jacket. She looked up at him.
His gaze was thoughtful, endearing, and a little wistful. Looking at him was like sinking into the sand. Caring about him was an involuntary reflex. Like breathing.
“I will get you back for the pajamas.”
She smiled, the air around her warming up several degrees. “Get me back for agift? That isn’t very gracious.”
He leaned in and his scent made her want to bury her face in his chest. “I want the pictures.”
Stepping away, she shook her head. “Oh. No way, Hockey Man. That’smyChristmas gift.”
Both of his brows arched and he closed the space between them, reached out and touched her hair, twirling a strand around his finger, watching the movement before he met her gaze. His was hot enough to burn. “You want a picture of me, Maisie, I’ll let you take a better one than that.”
Okay.She yanked at the collar of her jacket. Could she have hot flashes before thirty? She tried to find some words but her heart was beating too hard in her ears to formulate any.
He moved closer. “We could do a private shoot. Just us.”
Maisie felt her resolve cracking like ice. How was she supposed to stay strong when he kept saying things that made her want to fall back into his arms and pretend he hadn’t hurt her; that he hadn’t walked away.
Words escaped her but she managed to look around frantically to see if anyone else was burning up from this man’s gaze and presence. No? Just her? Great.
The way he looked at her filled her with an intoxicating kind of confidence even as it flustered her.Call his bluff.Instead of stepping back, she closed the sliver of space between their bodies and placed her hand on his chest. Warmth seeped into her skin as memories crashed over her of what it felt like with nothing between them.“Okay. Fine. You agree to that, I’ll give you the reindeer pictures after.”
Nick laughed, his head tipping back and his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement, and Maisie felt like she might incinerate right there. Nicholas King’s laugh would be the death of her. She had absolutely no defense against it. Especially after seeing him in the cruel grip of panic yesterday. Knowing she could make this man’s eyes shine with happiness was a powerful drug. He’d hurt her, yes, but he’d hinted at reasons they hadn’t yet discussed. Maybe it was time. That night they spent together had been the kind people read about or made movies about. They’d connected on a level that had nothing to do with attraction even though it’d been fueled by it. Maybe the universe wasn’t such a jerk after all. Maybe it was saying,Here’s a second chance.A temporary one, since he’d leave again, but that might be better than nothing.
His nostrils flared and his hand went to her neck, his fingers sliding to the nape, pressing in and making her wish they were alone. “Only if I get a turn with the camera.”
Sucking in a breath, Maisie held on to her wits by a very, very, hair-thin thread. “No one touches my camera.”
“Hmm. Sounds like a challenge.” The words whispered over her cheek.
