Page 19

19

NICKY

W hen we get back to the house, Ronan pulls into the driveway. I get out of the car, and Ronan is already grabbing all the bags from the backseat.

“Thank you.” I stretch out my arms, expecting him to hand over my load and send me on my way.

Instead, he gives me one of those shy smiles. “Let me walk you over to the guesthouse.”

My belly flutters. Those shy smiles of his are quickly becoming my kryptonite.

He’s making me nervous. I’ve never been a nervous kind of girl.

“All right,” I say.

We head for the frozen path to the guesthouse.

“Careful,” he warns as he walks ahead of me.

I take careful steps after him. “Oh my gosh! It’s slipperier than ever today,” I comment, being extra vigilant. I’m sliding all over the place.

He peeks at me over his back. “You look like you’re struggling. Here.” He crouches down in front of me and taps at his back. “Hop on.”

I blink. “What?”

“Hop on my back,” he says.

“Ronan, I don’t need to hop on your back.” I laugh incredulously.

“Nicky, get on my back,” he says sternly. “I can’t have you falling on that pretty ass of yours.”

“ Ronan. ” I say his name in a growl.

He laughs. “Climb. On. My. Back.”

I huff. “Fine.”

I approach, locking my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. When I’m all loaded up, Ronan straightens to his full height and now, I’m clinging to his back like a baby monkey as he walks toward the cabin, my million and one bags draped from his arms.

My giggles rise up in the air around us. Oh god! We must be a sight to see. What would my bosses say if they could see us like this?

Yet somehow that seems irrelevant when all I can think about is the warmth of his hard body beneath me and the smell of his skin. I just want to bury my face in his neck and breathe him in.

Way too soon, we’re standing on the porch. Ronan sets me down. Then he turns to face me, a goofy grin on his face. “There. All safe and sound.”

I roll my eyes, trying to hide my smile. “Are you proud of yourself?”

“Very.” He gives a curt nod.

I laugh. I can’t help it.

We stand there, and I don’t know why it’s so hard to just take my bags and say goodbye. But I’m realizing I don’t want this day to end. Not yet.

“I had a really fun time today,” I tell him, and I hate how breathy my voice sounds when I say it. Good grief, Nicky. You’re acting like the man took you out on a date or something.

“I did, too.” A soft smile lingers on his face.

“I’m keeping the hat, by the way.” I touch his toque that’s still sitting on my head.

His eyes flare with delight and he shrugs. “Might as well. It looks fucking adorable on you.”

Then his gaze moves to my lips. I feel a sharp tug in the pit of my stomach, an urge to take what I want even though I know it’s wrong.

Ronan moves a step closer, his eyes hazy with want. The way he’s staring at my lips, though…

I’m trying to formulate a plan for how I’m going to resist him. But my brain keeps coming up blank.

My hand leaps up, pressing into the center of his chest. “You can’t kiss me again,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.

He freezes. Something snaps across his face. Acceptance, I guess. “I know…”

I reach for the bags and he slides them into my hands.

“Enjoy the rest of the day, Nicky.”

“You, too.”

With a sigh, I turn and unlock the door. He’s still staring at me. I can feel the weight of his gaze on my back. It sends a tingle up my spine.

I hear him start to walk away and I can’t resist the urge to look back as he retreats to the main house.Our eyes meet when he glances back, too.

He grins. I grin.

Ugh! I want him. There! I admit it. I want Ronan Brighton.

But I won’t act on my lust. Without a word, I head inside and shut the door behind me.

It’s the smart thing to do.

Even if my keyed-up body violently disagrees.