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Honestly, true. Because after he possessively called me his, the rest was a blur.

His eyes playfully narrow at my response. His hand caressing my face travels lower to lace our fingers together. The gesture is so boyfriend-like and yet I don’t protest or tug my hand free. Staring over my shoulder, he speaks to Hilda, who I completely forgot about.

Just perfect, now she knows I have a thing going on with her boss.

I hope she doesn’t think I’m trying to get a discount or something.

I don’t turn and meet her eyes while remaining clueless as they converse in German. I catch another name called Matteo, but that’s it.

“Ready to go, darling?”

“Yeah.”

The chilly burst of air, as soon as we step outside, still catches me by surprise. Kingston chuckles when I immediately stop him to put on my hat.

“Not used to this cold?”

“I love winters but I don’t think I’m made to survive here longer than a vacation.”

“You’ll be wishing for another day when it’s time to leave.”

“I doubt it.” It’ll be memories of him making me feel homesick, not this place.

I almost melt into a puddle when he stands in front of me, adjusts my hat until my ears are covered, and fluffs my hair that gets stuck.

“There,” he murmurs. “You look perfectly adorable now.”

My hair hides my furious blush at his compliment. Instead of holding my hand, he pulls me against his side with his arm wrapped around my shoulders. My eyes close from his intoxicating scent and the heat emanating from his muscular body.

It’s so unfair that he always smells so amazing. I want to bottle his scent up and take it home with me.

It’s also a mystery how his hard and toned muscles become the most comfortable cocoon I’ve been in. Lifting my right arm to lock my fingers with the hand dangling from my shoulder comes naturally.

My heart skips a beat when he squeezes my hand affectionately.

Realizing I only have a week with him is making me let go of all my inhibitions and doubts. I’m free-falling willingly into whatever this is.

Our chemistry is like that of two old souls understanding each other without words. Inexplicably drawn to one another. Why else would fate make our paths collide at every turn?

“So, you’re not a strict boss, are you?” I curiously ask.

Kingston glances down at me with a furrow in his brow. “What makes you say that?”

“You and Hilda have a friendly vibe. Are you the same with every member of your staff?”

“I’ve known these people for several years that they’ve become like a second family,” he answers fondly. “I grew up watching my dad treat them the same way. He even went to high school with Hilda’s father.”

“Oh wow. Small world.”

“More like a small town,” he jokes.

“Have you never had to scold any of them?” I probe. “Ever?”

“I’ve only been their boss this year, so no, a situation like that hasn’t come by. They also know what is expected of them. Besides, ’tis the season of jolly and fun. A verbal lashing would ruin the mood.”

Lashing sends my mind straight into the gutter, to thoughts of a good, old-fashioned spanking.

I can’t keep my face from heating.