Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I ducked my chin and darted behind a large display before he had a chance to see the heat rising up my cheeks. How the hell could he say that so openly without a hint of shame?
I mean, I’d already acknowledged that he was a shameless flirt, and it wasn’t as if he’d made a great deal of effort to hide the fact that he was attracted to me, either.
And that was the problem.
I was making an effort to hide my attraction to him, but the more open he was about it, the harder it was for me to maintain my composure.
Stupid, considerate, handsome, flirty man.
Honestly, the longer this went on and the more he touched me, the weaker my resolve grew. It didn’t matter how many times I repeated it like a mantra inside my head or how many times I denied it.
A part of me really wanted to give in to his gentle advances.
After all, there really was no ignoring the way my heart fluttered whenever he touched me. I’d have to be inhuman not to feel anything, especially after how much time we’d spent together.
Even if our history was a bit on the chaotic side.
I bought Nana’s slippers and headed outside to wait for Thomas. Our relationship since I’d come back to Castleton was somewhat of a revelation, and somewhere between the bickering and bitching, I’d seen sides of him I’d never known existed.
If this wasn’t Castleton, if he weren’t who he was, and if my time here wasn’t limited, what would I do then? Would I accept my growing feelings for what they were and throw caution to the wind? Would I be more honest with both myself and him?
Because in truth, this was ridiculous. I’d been back here for just over two weeks. I had no business feeling such intense emotions for him in such a short time, especially when I’d felt so differently about him the first time I’d seen him again.
Was it because this place was so small that our continuous running into each other had me thinking we’d spent more time together? Was it because he always seemed to see me at my worst and never judged me for it? Was it because we had such a long history that my teenage crush was rearing its head again?
Or was it because the jealousy that I worked so hard to keep buried inside me was finally bursting forth uncontrollably?
Were my feelings for Thomas nothing more than my own selfish desire to feel wanted and loved?
Was I deluding myself into thinking he cared because it fulfilled something deep inside me?
God.
What a horrible thought.
“Sylvie.”
I jolted at the sensation of a fingertip poking my cheek. “Huh?”
“You were away with the fairies. Are you considering alcoholism or sororicide that seriously?” Thomas grinned, and his blue eyes lit up with silent laughter.
“No, I was just… Never mind.” I smiled back. “Did you decide on the boots?”
He held up his bag. “I took your advice. That way, if I got it wrong, I can blame you.”
I pressed my lips into a thin line. “See, now this evening shopping trip really makes sense. You just wanted a scapegoat.”
With a laugh, he held out his hand. “I’ll carry it for you.”
I eyed the bags he was already holding. “I think you’re the one who needs help with your bags, not me.”
He looked down at his heavily laden hands. “I’m not about to ask you to carry my things. I am a gentleman, you know.”
“Oh, you’re the kind of man who’ll carry in eight grocery bags in one go just so you don’t have to make two trips to the car, aren’t you?”
He grinned.
I took the two bags from his left hand, put them in mine, then held out my right hand.
Thomas looked at it. “What’s that for?”
“If you’re going to take me on a pseudo-date to cheer me up, act like it.” I wiggled my fingers.
“Aw, Sylvie, if you want to hold my hand, you only have to ask.”
“And just like that, I’ve changed my mind. Here, have your bags—”
He snatched my hand with his, interlacing his gloved fingers with mine. “You’re right,” he said, looking at me with a half-grin. “This is better than carrying all the bags.”
“You’re so… so…” I pressed my lips together, then sighed. “Fine, whatever. Where to now, Santa Claus?”
“The car. I promised you mulled wine, didn’t I?” He raised our clasped hands to his mouth and kissed the back of my hand. “Blech. That was better in the toy shop when you weren’t wearing your gloves.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that crept out of me. “What did you expect?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. You to swoon and blush at me?”
“You should probably re-evaluate those expectations.”
“Should I? You’re the one who grabbed my hand, after all.”
“It’s all your fault for making me realise it’s not so bad to have a handsome, rich duke hang all over me, even if that guy happens to be you.”