My teeth are gritted as I reply. “Yes.” And of course, it was obvious she had stars in her eyes as soon as he strolled out of his workshop. Which is good, all things considered, but I know he’s going to use that to his own advantage. Forever the troublemaker.
“Oh, shit. You’re in danger then. He’s much hotter than you. I always told you that you were punching above your weight with him.”
“I won’t hesitate to kick your ass.”
“What? You know I’m right. He’s a ten. Those tattoos? The porn stache? The French accent? Don’t get me started on the whole former pro rugby player thing. Chicks dig a retired athlete.”
I pinch my brow. “Are you done jerking off to the sound of your own voice?”
“Aw, listen to you all hot and bothered under the collar. She must be something special. What’s her name… I’ll check what cabin she’s been allocated.” He chuckles darkly.
“Mia… Rearrange things if you can. Put her furthest away from the rest of the guests. Number eighteen should do.”
“Nice and secluded. Right next to your place, so you can get up to no good at all hours of the night, and no one will hear the headboard banging with extra Christmas spirit.Gotcha.”
“It’s not like that.” But I have to admit there’s a depraved part of me already thinking that I do want it to be like that. So I’m lying through my teeth to both Ford and myself at this point.
Typing away on the keyboard keeps him occupied for a moment before he whistles. “Oh, you’re a naughty old man. Your girl is young.”
A groan escapes me.Fuck. He’ll have her personal details right there on file.
“Does she know you’re the crypt keeper compared to her?”
“Like you can talk. You’re inching closer to forty these days, prick.” With a pause, I sink my fingers into my hair and pace toward the kitchen, keeping one eye on the front door in case Mia suddenly reappears. “How bad is it?” Squeezing my eyes shut, I prepare for Ford to drop the bomb.
The way he snorts tells me everything. “You were sneaking beers in the hay loft for your eighteenth when she was born.”
“Fuck me.” I have to thump my fist against my chest as I sputter.
“Yeahhhh… don’t do the math. You’ll probably burst a valve.” His mirth is entirely unrestrained. “But if youdowanna do the math, she’s twenty-four. So you don’t have to worry about checking her ID before offering a drink. Or your dick.”
“Screw you.”
“Mmm, I’ll pass. Out of the two of you, your brother’s more my flavor of grumpy bastard. So what’s the deal?”
“We ran into each other in town, and she could use a friend while she’s staying. I promised I’d do her a favor for a couple of days over Christmas.”
“A friend, huh.” The words drawl out. “I bet you’re thinking extremely unfriendly thoughts about a pretty young thing. Sounds like you’ve got yourself tangled up tighter than a calf at a rodeo.”
“Don’t you go concerning yourself with my life.”
“Love it when you try to keep secrets from me, precious. It’s cute you still think you can. I’ll get it out of you.”
Just at that moment, Mia lets herself back inside. “I gotta go. Just do your job.” I hiss into the speaker, and as I pull the phone away from my ear, I hear his laughter pealing down the line.
“Got it, boss.”
“You’re still here.” I flash her a smile.Fuck. Twenty-four. Twenty. Four.
“Apparently so.” Mia’s teeth catch that plump bottom lip I’ve struggled not to stare at during all our interactions so far. “Stella was very convincing earlier.”
Yeah, the dog, and I’ll bet the handsome tattooed prince charming with his swoony fucking French accent had nothing to do with it.
“Would it be okay if I use your bathroom and get changed? Seeing as you’re putting me to shame right now.” She holds up a weekender bag and gestures up and down my frame.
“Of course. However, let the record state, you look beautiful as you are, sugar.” I clear my throat and point down the hall. “Third door on your right.”
She ducks her head as she goes past. Trying to hide that pretty blush once again. “You’re too good at this game.”
