I’m trembling as I slide the car to a halt randomly on a flat patch that I hope is solid underneath the snow. I tuck the napkin into the glove compartment and smooth my messy hair. I’m all set.
Except for. You know. Any idea of how I’m going to work up the nerve to ask James to help me.
He might have disappeared after my father was killed, but the thing is, I’ve had this bone-deep knowledge since I left London that if I can just get up here, tohim, it will be okay. That I’ll be able to do this. Somehow. Everything will be alright when I see James.
Rough grey stone, the castle towers above me, bleak and imposing. The walls look like they’ve been standing for a thousand years, and will for a thousand more.
I shiver. Snow settles on my forearm. A chill goes down my neck even though my blonde hair covers it, spilling over my shoulders.
The snow crunches beneath my feet as I approach the big wooden door. It hurts my knuckles when I knock, but hardly makes any noise. A mouse knock.
The door flies open.
“Get in,” James growls and drags me into the porch, slamming the massive door behind us, his brows hard together.
He recognises me and I’m so relieved I could sob, though my stomach turns over as I look up into his face. He’s as severe and unyielding as his castle. His shoulders are broader than I remember and the strong line of his jaw is covered in black stubble that blends to silver at his temples. Those green eyes, they’re the same and have tiny lines at the corners, like they still crinkle when he laughs. His mouth, oh god his mouth is wide and his bottom lip is plush. I want to take it between my teeth and bite it. I want to suck…
I shouldn’t feel this. He must be in his late thirties compared to my eighteen.
Experienced then, a voice at the back of my head whispers.He’d make it good. He’d know exactly what to do to drive you out of your mind.
No. It’s bad enough that I’ve turned up out of nowhere, and I have to ask for his help because I have literally no one else. Do I really have to also be immediately attracted to my dad’s best friend?
He seems to realise at the same time as I do that his hand is still gripping my upper arm and removes it slowly.
“You’re freezing,” he mutters, then strides away so fast I have to hustle to stay with him as the wood panel entrance porch of his castle opens into a vast feasting hall.
He practically shoves me in front of a crackling open fire, red and yellow flames jumping, then steps back. Like he doesn’t trust himself.
“Is anyone following you? What happened?”
I’m in shock. Maybe that’s why I simply stare at him. James is dressed in a pair of dark jeans that hug his thighs just the right amount to show there are muscles beneath, and a soft plaid blue and green cotton shirt, open at the neckline and revealing the dip of his clavicle and a few dark hairs. On top he has on a rustic woollen jumper in a dark green that matches his eyes and makes me want to dive right into him.
He looks good enough to eat with a spoon in greedy overflowing mouthfuls.
It’s not as though I didn’t know what he looked like, but I haven’t seen him for three years. I used to get little tummy flutters when he’d do something kind for me and give me that big smile and twinkling eyes, I thought… Well, I thought that was just a childish fancy. A crush.
But no.
This is a full tug from deep in my stomach and below, heat swirling between my legs. This is not childish. This is weakened knees, hot blood pounding, and wetness flooding my core.
James. My dad’s best friend. Is the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
Even if he’s scowling down at me.
“Are you being followed,” he demands again, since I’ve been gaping at him rather than answering.
“I don’t think so.” If I had, they probably would have caught me by now. My teeth begin to chatter and I look to the fire, holding out my hands, but immediately my eyes slip back to James like he’s a magnet and I’m base metal.
I should go. But the thought of accepting my lot in life and marrying my uncle’s goon weighs me down with lead.
“Mia. My god you’re…” James scans my face as though he can’t believe it. His brows darken into a scowl. No hint of a smile. That shouldn’t make him even more handsome, but his commanding tone makes me want to throw myself on his mercy. Amongst other things.
I swallow.
“Mia,” he repeats in disbelief. And despite everything, my name in his voice is so sexy my insides go all shimmery and light.
Strong fingers grip my chin and force me to look into his eyes. I quake, and yet… I’ve never felt safer.
