Page 96 of The Christmas Trap

She tucks her hair behind one ear and looks up at the house. “It’s beautiful." Her eyes are wide with disbelief.

"It belonged to my great-great-grandfather. Been in my family for generations."

I key in the password on the panel next to the door. The door clicks open. The caretaker should have stocked the refrigerator and the pantry, lit the fires in the living and bedroom, and made sure there's a supply of wood to last us through the stay.

I drop the bags inside the house, then straighten and step back outside.

"Hold on." I scoop her up in my arms and step over the threshold.

"Ohmigod," she squeaks. "That’s so romantic."

"I aim to please." I hook my ankle around the door to swing it shut behind me.Can’t risk the cold getting in.Then head for the staircase.

"This is beautiful." She takes in the spacious hallway.

Through the doorway on the left is the sitting room with its cozy furniture and the dancing flames throwing light over the walls.

Warmth envelops us. Along with the scent of cedar, smoke, and pine. Lark’s eyes search mine. “You did all this for me?”

“I did it for us.”

Her throat moves as she swallows. Her breath hitches. "That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"And I’m only starting." I hold her gaze, wanting to bend and capture her mouth. But if I did, I’d be sidetracked. Once I kiss her, I won’t be able to stop. And I don’t want that to happen…yet. I want to make sure I get her settled in first.

I force myself to look away and focus on my steps.

Reaching the first-floor landing, I head past the guest bedroomand toward the main bedroom. I shoulder open the doors and, walking halfway to the bed, stop and lower her to her feet.

“This is amazing.” She clasps her fingers together and takes in the room. A large bed faces the fireplace. To one side, a wall of windows overlooks the lake, the view framed by thick curtains.

The fire crackles warmly, surrounded by a seating area with a couch and two armchairs.

A shelf of books lines the wall beside the fireplace, with a small table and chair beside it forming a cozy workspace.

The décor is masculine yet warm. There are deep carpets underfoot, and soft light spills in from the windows and from the lamps switched on around the room.

Then her brow wrinkles. "We’re sharing a bedroom?"

"Did you think we wouldn’t?"

I slide a hand inside my pocket, watching her gaze bounce around the space. Then she steps toward the window and peers outside. The chalet is in Lechlade, bordering the Cotswolds Hills, which can be seen in the distance. The clouds are heavy with the promise of more snow. She wraps her arms around her waist and shivers. It’s both beautiful and cold out there.

"There’s a storm coming." I walk over to stand next to her.

"Is that why you hustled us onto the helicopter?"

"I wanted to get here before it broke." I wrap my arm about her shoulders and pull her to me.

She instantly melts into my side.

Her jasmine and coconut scent teases my nostrils and tightens my balls. It feels like there are little sparks of fire flickering through my bloodstream. Damn. This woman drives me crazy. As if she senses how close I am to throwing her down on the bed and making love to her, she looks up at me from under her heavy eyelids. "I can’t believe we’re married."

"Believe it." I bend and take her lips, tasting her, sharing her breath, squeezing my arms around her and pulling her close, so every inch of her is plastered to me. By the time I step back, she’s flushed and panting. There’s a dazed look in her eyes which makesmy lips twitch. A sense of satisfaction fills my chest. She’s my wife.Mine.

I release her and step away, because to not do so would mean giving into the basest of my urges.

"You’ll find swimsuits and bathrobes in the closet. Why don’t you get changed and meet me at the hot tub?"