The Broody Brit for Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,22

white behind.

Before he has a chance to answer me, Nellie calls his attention back to her offer of a cup of coffee.

“I will warn you. It’s already in the carafe, so I’m sure Nikki here,” she tosses a thumb in my direction, “has loaded it with so much sweetener, it may taste more like cocoa than coffee. I’d never drink something like that since I actually care about my figure.”

The dig doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s actually shocking, and I’m a bit hurt, but she doesn’t get to know that. I straighten my stance and stand a bit taller. Sure, I’ve gained some weight since moving here. But what the hell, she’s my cousin! In fact, after my parents’ death, she was basically my sister.

“Not much of a black coffee drinker myself,” Raff says, keeping the conversation light. And then he looks at me. And I mean, he really, truly looks at me. His eyes are loaded with something I can’t name, but I can feel. When he gives me a slight wink, it’s that moment I recognize the look—he wants me.

My face immediately heats up. That white face I’m sporting? It is officially burning red.

Nellie interrupts, “Why don’t I make you some tea?” She blinks her lashes and adjusts her top, showing off her double Ds.

Were her boobs always this big?

I think not! Imposters.

Although I want to kill her right now, maybe I should be a bit more embarrassed for her. With the way she’s acting, she may as well cut to the chase and just drop to her bony little knees and offer him a blow job.

“Already had my morning cup. I woke up extra early, thinking I had some... business awaiting me.” His eyes capture mine again before adding, “But apparently the offer was tabled by the time I arrived.” He cocks his head to the side, questioning.

He’s purposely ignoring Nellie, homing his attention on me. He’s not even trying to disguise it.

Business, I huff to myself.

Nellie, not one to take a hint, giggles again. “Oh, it’s no trouble. Who doesn’t love an extra cup? We have tea somewhere. I think it’s even an English brew. Which would be perfect since, duh, you’re English!”

His whiskey eyes roll ever so slightly before he replies with a smug look on his devilishly handsome face. “I myself am a huge fan of Winterfield’s famous hot cocoa. I’d love a sip of Nikki’s.”

“It’s not actually Nikki’s cocoa; it’s just driven by Nikki’s sweet tooth—”

He looks at her, his features visibly hardening. “Nellie, I appreciate it.” He looks at his watch. “Actually, I need to get to the gym.” He looks back at me. “Would you mind seeing me out?”

“Seeing you out?” Nellie laughs, but her annoyance is clear. “The door is literally right there.”

“Nikki?” He waves his hand toward the door. “After you.”

As I walk toward the door, knowing he’s following me, Nellie calls out, “Make sure you tell Nate that I’m working tonight, and I have a nice shiny nickel for him to choose whatever he wants.”

I stop and am about to turn around and put her on blast, or notice, maybe both, when his hand plants on the small of my back, gently pushing me toward the door as he reaches around me and opens it.

Once outside, I turn around quickly to put him in his place.

Eyes to muscled pecs, and not daring to look up, because I will definitely get lost in a whiskey-eyed inducing fog. “You need to understand that I am perfectly capable of dealing with—”

A gust of wind blows, and I am hit with a delicious scent. It’s masculine, maybe rosewood and musk. I want to continue my rant, but suddenly, I can barely speak. It’s as though this man has all of my senses on the highest alert.

“Everything all right?”

My eyes move from his chest downward before my jaw drops. “W-what are you wearing?”

“Black track pants, because apparently, I draw a bit too much attention in gray sweats. And—”

I shake my head, trying and failing to hide the smirk. “I was talking about your cologne.” I pause and shake my head. “Never mind.”

“Perfect, and before you begin again, I am going to warn you if someone is disrespectful or blatantly trying to degrade you because she is trying to get in these track pants, I will intervene. I will further warn you that since you and I agreed last night to a trial date, which will, of course, go smoothly,” he nods, “and will become