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“Actually, one of those pairs I bought for you.” I motion to the bag he’s holding. “I noticed your socks yesterday. Cute.”
“You bought me a present?”
“Well, it was supposed to be a consolation prize.” I’m nonchalant, playing it cool, when on the inside I’m buzzing.
“I think my consolation prize was better.” His smile is wolfish and sexy and all-round gorgeous.
“Me too,” I admit. God, I like this man. I’ve never been so happy to lose, because something tells me losing with this man is the new winning. Something passes between us as we stare at each other, both smiling knowingly. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” he replies. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one.”
I inhale, thriving on the confirmation that we’re on the same wavelength, and then he’s moving in, coming closer and closer, and I brace myself for his kiss.
Suddenly a burst of activity occurs behind me, and my sister hustles me out of the way, coming to an abrupt halt when she finds Mr. Sexy as Fuck on my doorstep.
“Oh,” she breathes, giving me the side-eye and an accusing glare before returning her attention to Shaun. “You must be bullshit.”
“Sorry?” Shaun laughs, looking at me for confirmation he heard right. I can only shrug in apology for my sister.
“Guys,” she hollers, smirking crazily as she flicks her stare between us, “we have a visitor.”
I close my eyes, hearing the rest of my family pile into the hallway to find out who our visitor is. They all crowd together in the small space, staring at Mr. Sexy as Fuck like he’s a monster from the black lagoon. “Would you like to come in?” I ask. If they’re gonna stare, I could at least give him a drink to survive their scrutiny.
“Would love to. Is this your dad?” he asks as he steps in offering his hand to my old man.
“Dad, this is Shaun.”
I hate how chuffed my dad looks. I know he’s desperate for me to find happiness again, but he might not be too fond of Shaun if he knew how little we know each other. “Pleased to meet ya, son,” Dad says, happy as Larry. “Come in, have a drink.”
Shaun is directed to the kitchen by my very eager family, and what do I do? I find more wine and down a glass.
“Like cigars?” my brother-in-law asks as I enter.
“I don’t mind a puff on special occasions.”
“Good man.” Heath holds up a fat Cuban, half smoked, as he gives me an approving nod. “He’ll do.”
“Heath,” I choke, flaming red.
“Shaun,” Ma says, throwing him her famous Irish smile. “What a pleasure to meet ya. How do you and Shannon know each other?”
My wide eyes swing to Shaun. “We—”
“We’ve dated once or twice,” he says.
“How lovely.”
“You never told me you were dating again,” my sister hisses in my ear, slighted. “And my-oh-my, isn’t he delicious?”
“Hush up.” I bat her away, feeling totally exasperated, for Shaun and myself. Talk about a baptism of fire. The poor man is probably kicking himself for coming here.
My sufferable relatives disperse, and Shaun moves in beside me. “I’m sorry,” I say sincerely.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. Unless you back out of our deal.”
“Dinner?”
“No, sex in the changing rooms at Harrods.”
“Behave.” I laugh, feeling butterflies erupt in my tummy.
“It’ll happen,” he asserts confidently. “But until then, I’ll settle for the dinner date you owe me.” He hands me a bag, and my brow furrows.
“What’s that?”
“Your Christmas present.” He pulls out the little black dress. “I owe you a dress.”
“How—”
“I went back after you hightailed it in a cab.”
I balk at him. “And faced the disapproving shop assistant?” He’s braver than me.
He shrugs, his grin adorable. “Well, I really want to see you in it again, so yeah.” Tossing the bag on the counter, he takes my hand and pulls me into the hallway, away from watching eyes. I’m up against a wall a few seconds later. His mouth is close to mine, and he’s holding back his smile. “Come Christmas shopping with me next year.”
“Oh?”
His lips meet mine, and Christmas just got better. “Say yes,” he murmurs into my mouth.
“I’ll see you next year, then.”
“Oh, you and I will be seeing each other a lot before next year.” My thigh is grabbed, lifted, and pushed into his waist as he breaks his kiss and nuzzles at my cheek. “There are dozens of department stores in London, and I’d like to buy you a new dress from each for every date we have.” He covers my smile with his.
“Deal,” I agree easily. And how can I not? Not only did this tall, gorgeous, sexy man pursue me in Harrods on Christmas Eve, but he found me today too. On Christmas Day. And he wants me. He also wants to buy me dresses, although my bet is he’s more interested in taking those dresses off. So, yeah. It’s a deal. The easiest deal ever made.
