‘You’re inviting me to spend all of Christmas with you?’
The temptation to lean close and kiss her almost overwhelmed him. He’d convince her quickly enough that way. But distracting them both with sex wasn’t allowed. Not this time. They’d even agreed on that.
‘Go pack your bag.’
‘I get no choice? You’re abducting me?’
And damn if she didn’t look as if she liked that idea.
‘I think of it as more of a rescue than an abduction. You want to stay home in a tiny apartment all by yourself for Christmas Day?’
Her expression flickered and he glimpsed the loneliness he’d recognised in her before.
‘You wanted some other kind of Christmas, Jade. I can’t promise everything, but it might be better than usual.’ His lips quirked. ‘It’ll definitely be different. No palace. I promise.’
He watched her green eyes widen but she was silent. So silent, even when he could see the acquiescence, the want in those eyes. And he sighed.
‘Abduction it is.’
CHAPTER NINE
IMPOSSIBLE MAN. Impossible to ignore. Impossible to resist.
Jade pulled an old carry-all down from the top of Juno’s wardrobe. It was larger than her little flight bag and she quickly stuffed warm clothes into it, somehow stupidly afraid that if she didn’t hurry, he might change his mind and leave without her.
Her heart skipped as she snatched up her toiletries bag and tossed it in as well. She’d been close to saying no, stupidly hurt by that barrier he’d instantly put between them when he’d arrived. But then her inner recklessness had whispered again. The same whisper that had seen her say yes to her sister’s switch plan. She had so few days left, why shouldn’t she enjoy them?
Honestly, she’d absorbed all the Christmas window displays she could stand and had breathed in the holiday mood as she’d passed restaurants and bars and convivial people celebrating. But night fell earlier and earlier and the crowds on the pavement with their hats and coats and bags of shopping had brushed by her as they’d scurried to be where they were needed or wanted. And it had left her too aware of those others like her, the ones on the edges. Alone.
She’d come back to Juno’s apartment and filled the fridge with sugary snacks. All the things her father would have totally disapproved of. But the chocolate bars had reminded her too much of the midnight recovery snack she’d had with Alvaro Byrne.
And now he was back. But not for that. Yet she’d glimpsed fire in his gaze and guessed that he was battling temptation too. She wasn’t the only one still feeling it. And suddenly that became part of the fun ahead—the challenge, the sparks that had flown between them from the first moment they’d met? It was exhilarating. Being around him made her feel alive.
Yes. He was impossible to deny.
Minutes later, he glanced at the green jacket she’d shrugged on over the top of her thin sweater and jeans, then reached forward and took the carry-all from her. He turned and led the way without a word.
‘Not the sports car this time?’ she asked as he remotely unlocked the large black sedan parked right outside.
He didn’t reply.
‘Where are we going?’ She tried again once they were both seated and belted and he’d already turned on the ignition.
‘The coast.’ He put the car in gear. ‘But we’re making a couple of stops along the way, okay?’
‘You’re the boss.’
He stiffened and she smothered her smile. Yes, he wasn’t as unaffected as he liked to make out.
Alvaro wasn’t slow in getting them out of town. Jade stared resolutely ahead, defying her inner desire to simply stare at him. In the black turtleneck jumper and dark blue jeans he looked all moody muscle and appallingly mesmerising.
Companionship for Christmas. That was all he was offering. Not kisses.
That arrogance of his annoyed her intensely, but as he drove she slowly relaxed and a bubble of pleasure broadened inside. She was glad to get out of town and see something—anything—new. The changing landscape was the perfect distraction.
‘We’re heading to New Haven,’ he suddenly said in a clipped voice. ‘We’ll stay there the night. We need to visit someone tomorrow morning and in the afternoon we’ll head to my place.’
Her curiosity roared. ‘Who’s the friend?’
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. ‘Ellen.’
Jade remembered, she was the one whose photo he had, the one he’d said saved him. She glanced at the tension in his hands. ‘You grew up in New Haven?’
He shook his head. ‘That’s where she lives now. And she’s still working Christmas, she takes in all the waifs and strays she encounters, so she’s providing lunch for a random bunch of people.’
She picked up on the frustration. ‘You don’t approve?’
‘Of course, I do.’ He sighed. ‘But she does too much. She’s older now and she doesn’t have to...’
‘How many people come to her lunch?’
‘Half a dozen maybe? I never know the exact numbers. She cooks up a storm and serves the leftovers to the ones who drop in for days after.’
‘She sounds amazing.’ Jade smiled. ‘People want to be around her?’
‘Yeah,’ he muttered. ‘I guess they do.’ He suddenly turned off the main road and wove in and around a few streets before pulling into a car park.
Jade stared out of the window. He’d stopped in the centre of a coastal village at the town green. It was festooned with gorgeous fairy lights and a small Christmas market with green and red bunting on the very pretty stalls. It looked delightful.
‘Are we there already?’ She followed his lead and got out of the car.
‘No, but I feel like you need food,’ he said shortly.
She laughed. ‘I feel like you’re projecting.’
‘Probably.’ He rubbed his hand across his stomach as he leaned to the side to stretch out the kinks in his back. ‘Come on, they have the best pastries here.’
Jade focused on the small market ahead, refusing to wish it were her hand skimming over the washboard abs she knew were beneath the soft wool. Alvaro headed like a sweet-seeking missile, straight towards one stall, and she heard him order coffee and pastries.
‘You’ve got to try one.’ He held out the cardboard tray to her two minutes later.
She picked up one of the spheres of fried dough; it was drenched in honey and sprinkles. Sticky, sweet, so hot and one was simply never going to be enough.