A Christmas Kiss Read online

  ‘Right…’ Zander thought for a moment, still distracted by her full lips, struggling to push away the thought of how it would feel to kiss them. ‘Well…’ He scratched his head. Now he’d come to think of it, the website did seem to be slow when he was trying to block the dates out.

  Alf whined and wagged his tail, flicking more bubbles everywhere.

  ‘S’okay, buddy.’ He ruffled Alf’s ears. ‘I think I’m beginning to see what’s happened. I suspect we must’ve been on the website at exactly the same time and didn’t see the updated information.’

  ‘What, you mean …?’

  ‘Mmhm.’ The goddess has the cutest ski-jump nose.

  ‘Oh … right … I suppose that would make sense.’

  ‘It would.’

  For several long moments, the pair looked at one another in silence.

  Zander was the first to speak. ‘Actually, I should apologise about this guy.’ He tugged at Alf’s ear. ‘He thinks that everyone’s his friend; which, if you knew his backstory, you’d wonder why.’ He looked down at Alf who was gazing up at him adoringly. The thudding tail wagging started up again.

  ‘Oh, it’s, er, it’s okay.’

  Silence hung in the air.

  ‘Right … well, I’ll, er … I’ll leave you to get dry in peace, then if you come and join me downstairs, we can decide what’s best to do. Come on, young man; I think you’ve caused enough trouble up here.’ He took hold of Alf’s collar and turned to go. ‘Or, what I mean to say is, feel free to enjoy the rest of your soak, don’t rush on my account, take your time, I’ll just be downstairs.’

  The goddess laughed, scrunching up her nose which Zander thought made her look insanely cute. ‘Well, there’s hardly any point me staying in the bath; there’s more water on the floor than there is in here.’

  He looked at the foamy puddles on the waxed floorboards and laughed. ‘Erm, I suppose you have a point.’

  9

  Livvie

  Livvie’s last thought before her relaxing soak in the bath was brought to an abrupt end, was how the warmth of the water was easing her aching muscles. Since lugging that case along from her flat, her shoulders had been complaining, and the soothing, lavender infusion hadn’t taken long to work their magic. It was pure bliss. Well, it was actually her second to last thought; her last one had been how surprised she was that she wasn’t feeling absolutely devastated about finding Donny with the slapper from next door. She hadn’t had a chance to think any deeper on the matter before a great, black lump of fur had lunged into the bath with her, wagging its tail so hard, it was whipping the water right out of the bath. It looked pretty pleased with itself, too, in fact, if she wasn’t mistaken, the hound looked like it was actually smiling.

  ‘Warghhh! What the—’ She watched the foam-covered hooligan leap out, dripping water everywhere. Before Livvie had time to process what was happening, a man appeared in the doorway, a faint look of amusement on his face as the dog started vigorously shaking itself, showering her – and everything else – with even more water.

  ‘Arghh!’ Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod, what the bloody hell is going on? Her heart was racing and she suddenly realised she was standing, stark naked, in front of the stranger. Her face was already warm from the bath, but now Livvie could feel her cheeks sizzling. She made a desperate attempt to cover herself with her hands. Oh, shit, shit, why does there have to be so much of me to hide? She snatched a quick glance at the stranger, whose mouth was now hanging open. Bloody cheek, surely I’m not that bad? And, to make matters worse, he was incredibly good looking in a tall, dark and handsome, Henry Cavill kind of way.

  Once Zander had closed the door behind him, Livvie sat for a moment, her mind trying to process what had just happened. Surely, they can’t both have been on the internet, looking at the cottage at exactly the same time; that would be way too much of a spooky coincidence. There must be another explanation, maybe a fault with the system; not that she knew much about computers. Hang on! Rewind, you can worry about that in a minute; first you’ve got to get your head around the fact that you’ve just been standing completely naked, flashing your wobbly boobs, your massive arse and, worse, your lady garden in front of a complete stranger who just so happens to be absolutely drop dead gorgeous. And not just any lady garden; a lady garden that hasn’t had any attention for longer than you care to mention – in the grooming sense that is; well, in the other sense, if you were being completely honest. And why does the fact that he’s drop dead gorgeous make a difference anyway? ‘Oh, bloody hell.’ Livvie groaned and clamped her hand to her forehead. ‘Why do I always have to be such a disaster?’

  The volume of the music suddenly lowered, making Livvie wonder what her unexpected housemate was up to downstairs. No doubt, taking a stiff drink to recover from the shock of seeing all my wobbly bits. Come to think of it, I could do with one myself!

  She climbed out of the bath and reached for one of the fluffy towels, hiding her face in its soft warmth and wishing she had a magic wand so she could wave the last ten minutes away. ‘Oh, bugger, how can I go downstairs and look him in the eye?’ She pulled a face and started to briskly rub herself dry, catching sight of her wild bush of pubic hair. ‘Oh, no.’ Her face prickled with embarrassment. This was not good. ‘There’s enough there to put it in dreadlocks, or practice a bit of topiary.’ Why hadn’t she made an appointment to get it tidied up like she’d thought about when she passed the beautician’s in the high street offering “precision waxing”? Because it sounded like bloody torture, that’s why. And why would it matter anyway? Once I’ve left here, I’m never going to see this man again, am I? Though the state of me has probably scarred him for life.

  Livvie’s eyes moved to the faint silvery stretch marks that peppered her thighs, the odd dimple of cellulite. She sighed. ‘Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.’ She folded the towel and hung it back on the rail. I wouldn’t blame him if he had to rush out and throw up in a hedge somewhere after seeing my doughy tree-trunks complete with these hideous stretch marks! ‘I’m such a beast; Donny’s right.’ She sighed, feeling her heart sink even further as she pulled on her pyjamas.

  10

  Zander

  ‘You’ve behaved very badly, Alf,’ said Zander as the pair made their way downstairs. Crossing the living room, he stopped briefly to turn down the volume of the music before they headed towards the kitchen. ‘What on earth were you thinking, charging up the stairs and hurling yourself in the bath with a complete stranger? Where are your manners, Alf, that’s what I want to know?’

  Alf looked up at him, his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth and his short tail wagging happily.

  ‘And there’s no need to look so pleased with yourself; you’re in big trouble, young man.’ But the smile that tugged at Zander’s lips told a different story.

  In the kitchen, Zander stood for a moment, his mind replaying the scene he’d just left in the bathroom. The goddess wasn’t his usual type, but she was beautiful … those huge round hazel eyes were mesmerising and, even though she’d been absolutely terrified to start with, there was a softness to them, a kindness that he could tell was genuine. As for her gentle, voluptuous curves … wow, they were delicious. And her luscious, auburn hair, piled high on her head … how he’d love to run his fingers through its silky waves, and don’t get him started on that cute little ski-jump nose. Without warning, his heart rate picked up and he felt a warm flicker of something indefinable – happiness, hope? He didn’t know, but it had lifted his sagging spirits. There was something so very appealing about this woman.

  Alf gave a small whimper and wagged his tail, banging it against the leg of the table, shaking Zander out of his musings.

  ‘Yep, you’re right; time to get out of this wet coat and get you dried before you start to smell like wet cabbage, you little bugger.’ He headed into the small utility room that housed the central heating boiler and hung his coat on one of the pegs next to the door. Flicking thro
ugh the code of the padlock, he opened the small cupboard that was reserved for housekeeping and pulled out an old towel. ‘Alf, here.’ Zander knelt down and the Labrador shot across to him; he knew the drill and he loved it. ‘I don’t know why you look so pleased with yourself, your behaviour has been abominable. And you do know you’re heading straight for the naughty step when we’re done with this, don’t you?’

  Oblivious, Alf pushed his head into his dad, loving every moment of having his body massaged with the towel, swiping Zander’s face with his tongue whenever the opportunity arose.

  ‘And what have I told you about that? Your listening skills are shocking.’ He ruffled Alf’s head as he stood up; he’d heard Steff say something of the sort to Joel and Annabel and it had tickled him. Alf looked so happy, he couldn’t help but smile. ‘There, done. And try not to get yourself into any more mischief before the night’s out, or we’ll be having serious words.’

  ‘Hi.’

  Zander turned to see Livvie standing in the doorway, her face free of makeup, her complexion dewy from the bath and her stunning curls tamed into a thick plait that snaked over her left shoulder. A bolt of something hot and primal shot through him, penetrating right to his core; he sensed a connection he’d never experienced before and it knocked him off kilter for a moment. Alf went to lunge towards her, bringing Zander to his senses. He quickly grabbed Alf’s collar, rooting him to the spot. He cleared his throat, suddenly conscious that he was staring. ‘Hi.’ He smiled. ‘That was quick.’

  ‘Yes, quicker than I was expecting, at least.’ Her large hazel eyes twinkled.

  ‘Almost didn’t recognise you with your clothes on.’ His eyes twinkled back.

  Two dots of colour appeared on her cheeks ‘Oh, don’t. I’m so embarrassed.’ She covered her face with her hands.

  ‘Don’t be; you’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about.’ Did that sound as corny out loud as it did in my head? Ughh! I am such a knob!

  Alf let out a long whine and pulled on his collar, giving his owner a welcome distraction. ‘I don’t think there’s any need for that, do you?’ Zander looked down at him.

  ‘You can let him go; I’m not scared of dogs – well, not unless they fly into the bathroom out of nowhere and jump into the bath with me, then I’m pretty terrified – for a few seconds at least.’ She gave him a smile that lit up her whole face; it made Zander’s heart skip a beat.

  ‘You might end up regretting it if I let Alf loose on you again; he loves making new friends, especially with women and children.’

  He thought she looked unbelievably cute in her sage green brushed cotton pyjamas dotted with cream love-hearts. On her feet, he noticed, were a pair of fluffy slippers with what looked like rabbit ears.

  She followed his gaze. ‘They were a birthday present from my best friend, Bryony; we work together.’ She waggled her feet in them.

  ‘You and the rabbits or you and Bryony?’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘You said you worked together, and I wondered if you meant you worked with the rabbits or you worked with Bryony?’ He gave an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry, I’m known for my crappy jokes.’ Oh Jesus, did I really crack that absolutely pathetic gag? What am I doing? I’m acting totally out of character and I’ve no idea why. I need to wear an “L” for “loser” on my head, or a “T” for “tosser”.

  ‘Oh.’ She laughed. ‘I work with Bryony who gave me the rabbits; they’re very snug.’

  ‘Ah. Good to know.’ He fought the urge to come back with another “witty” comment.

  A smile played over her lips. ‘Mmhm.’

  ‘Er … coffee?’ Zander wasn’t usually lost for words. ‘Something stronger? I have a bottle of wine, well, I have several bottles of wine, actually, and a couple of bottles of spirits.’

  ‘Sounds like you were planning on having a party.’

  ‘Something like that.’ He wasn’t going to tell her he’d been planning a party just for one – or two, if you included a wayward Labrador – that would make him sound like a sad loser; which he was, of course, but he didn’t want her to know that.

  ‘And are you planning on hanging on to Alf for the whole night?’

  Alf’s tail started wagging at the mention of his name. Zander looked down at him. ‘Not if he can promise to behave himself.’

  Livvie made her way over to them, bending down to Alf, letting him sniff her hand before she started to smooth his ears. ‘Oh, you’re gorgeous, aren’t you? And I hear you’re a ladies’ man, too. I’m sure there’s no short supply of ladies chasing a handsome lad like you.’

  ‘I take it you’re talking to my dog?’ Zander watched Alf – who was in raptures – slide down onto the floor and offer his belly up for a tickle.’ There I go again, Mr Wise Crack, talking bollocks.

  Livvie giggled. ‘Er, yes; I’m not in the habit of talking to strange men like that.’

  ‘Ah, so you’re saying I’m strange?’ You just can’t stop yourself, can you?

  Livvie straightened herself. ‘Well, I haven’t quite made my mind up about that yet; maybe I’ll have a better idea after that coffee you promised me.’ She cocked an eyebrow at him.

  Zander’s stomach flipped a somersault, taking him by surprise; were they flirting? They were definitely having a bit of banter, but she’d aroused some feeling in him that he’d never experienced before which was, at the moment, quite disconcerting. He felt unsure of the rules; uncertain how to tread in this unfamiliar territory. He didn’t want to read the signs wrong and make a turkey of himself, well, any more of a turkey than he was making of himself right now.

  ‘Wow.’ How could a woman he’d only known for five minutes elicit such feelings in him?

  ‘Wow?’ she asked.

  Shit! Did I say that out loud?

  ‘Oh, erm, well, what I mean is, we’ve found ourselves in a bit of a funny position and erm … well, I’ve never known Alf take to a stranger so quickly before.’ He glanced down at Alf to see his paw on Livvie’s leg, hinting for more tummy tickles.

  ‘Really?’ She moved her gaze to the Labrador. ‘Well, the feeling’s mutual, he’s adorable.’

  Zander’s stomach somersaulted again. ‘Right, what was I doing?’

  ‘Coffee?’

  ‘Ah, yes.’ He made his way over to the coffee machine wondering how this rather odd situation was going to pan out and if his emotions would calm their bloody jets.

  ‘This is the cosiest room I’ve ever been in,’ said Livvie, settling back on the sofa. On Zander’s suggestion, they’d taken their coffee into the living room.

  ‘I’m pleased you like it.’ He threw a log onto the wood-burner, sending flames dancing up the chimney and the sweet smell of woodsmoke into the room.

  ‘It’s lovely; the whole house is, it’s like something out of Country Living magazine.’

  ‘High praise indeed, thank you.’ He smiled at her as he sat in the chair beside her. Her delicate scent danced its way over to him and he inhaled deeply; it was delicious and made him want to nuzzle his face in her neck. Down boy!

  ‘So, what do you think we should do about this …’ Livvie waved a finger between the two of them.

  ‘Well, you’ve obviously paid for the use of the cottage for – how long did you say you’d booked it for?’

  ‘Till the fourth of January.’

  ‘Right.’ He set his cup down on the coffee table and ran his hand over his chin; it was exactly the same time he’d planned to stay for.

  ‘Look, I’d really like to stay; I’ll pay the full amount and—’

  Zander put his palms up. ‘I wouldn’t hear of taking any more money off you; and I certainly don’t want to spoil your break. But the roads will be treacherous and I’d rather not drive on them any more tonight, if that’s okay; it’s one thing tackling snow drifts during the day, but when it’s pitch black, it’s another story. It would mean me and Alf staying here for the night, unless you have any objections. I promise not to be a nuisance – though I can’
t make any guarantees as far as Alf’s concerned; you’ve no doubt got the measure of him by now.’ He looked at the Labrador who had his head in Livvie’s lap, enjoying her rhythmic stroking of his ears; the pair already looked like firm friends. It took Zander by surprise just how much the image made his heart swell with happiness; there’s no way Mel would have entertained even stroking poor old Alf, never mind looking as though she was enjoying doing it.

  ‘Well, you certainly don’t seem to be a mass murderer who’s going to chop me up into little pieces and feed me to this lad.’ Smiling, she nodded towards Alf.

  ‘Good to hear you think that.’

  ‘So that sounds absolutely fine to me, though I do feel bad chasing you out of your own home.’

  ‘It’s fine, honestly; it’s a holiday cottage and you’ve booked and paid for it; by rights, I shouldn’t be here. But, I promise, we’ll be gone first thing in the morning, won’t we, buddy?’

  Alf ignored him.

  ‘Oh, there’s no need to rush off, on my account.’

  Her words sent a wave of happiness over him.

  ‘Thanks, I appreciate your understanding, the prospect of tackling the Beast from Wherever out there tonight isn’t the most appealing.’

  ‘I’m sure; I couldn’t send this boy out there in that.’ She smoothed Alf’s glossy head.

  Zander threw his head back and laughed heartily. ‘I always knew you’d come in handy, Alf, old buddy, but you’ve saved me from a fate of freezing to death out on the moors tonight. I owe you an extra dog treat.’

  On hearing the word “treat”, Alf’s eyes shot open.

  ‘Oh, no, I didn’t mean—’ Livvie looked mortified.

  ‘It’s okay, I’m only teasing.’ He held her gaze until Alf nudged his hand, hinting for the promised dog biscuit. ‘And it looks as though I won’t get any peace until I give this boy what he wants – not that he really deserves it after spoiling your peaceful bath. Actually, come to think of it, I’m rather peckish myself; I haven’t eaten since lunchtime.’ He pushed himself up from the chair.