The Mills & Boon Sparkling Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

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СКАЧАТЬ anything. She gave him his breakfast and let him out in the garden for a few minutes, as she took a few breaths of fresh air.

      She was slightly hungover and not just from alcohol. She took a long drink of cold water, giving herself a moment of reflection. She’d have to think carefully about what to tell Jamie. But tell him what? What happened had been amazing but it didn’t necessarily mean anything, did it? No promises had been made. The connection between them was undeniable but it had all happened so quickly. Had she given in to her physical desires too soon? Remembering Heather’s words she decided now wasn’t the time to analyse it. There would plenty of time for that later.

      Tiptoeing back into the bedroom she slid beneath the covers and stared over at Ben, amazed how beautiful he looked with his rumpled dark hair and eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks. His body shifted and his eyes – those dark gorgeous eyes – slowly opened and gazed at her. For a long moment their eyes locked and then a slow sexy smile spread across his lips. What was he thinking? She felt suddenly shy, despite what they had shared last night. Without speaking he pulled her in to him, kissing her.

      ‘Morning to you too,’ she replied when they eventually parted. ‘Are you hungry?’

      ‘Yeah, starving actually,’ he replied with a lopsided grin.

      ‘Must have been all that dancing,’

      ‘Must have been.’ He smiled wickedly.

      As they moved from the bed, Eva recited her breakfast menu in an exaggerated formal voice. ‘There’s a choice of full traditional full Scottish breakfast or you may prefer our continental choice of warm rolls, jams, and seasonal fruits …’ Eva stopped, lifting an eyebrow. ‘But for special guests I can arrange something extra …’ She giggled as Ben groaned.

      ‘I tell you what, how about omelettes?’ Ben suggested, pulling on his shirt. ‘They’re about the only thing I can make – kind of my signature dish.’

      ‘Sounds good.’

      In the kitchen, Ben set about whisking eggs while Eva filled the teapot with boiling water and made toast. She turned to find Ben staring at her. ‘What?’

      ‘I hope that’s not how you usually look when you make breakfast for your guests.’

      Eva looked down at her crumpled T-shirt. ‘Um, definitely not.’

      ‘That’s all right then.’ He came behind her and nuzzled her neck. She turned to face him and as he peppered her throat with kisses, Eva was tempted to forget all about breakfast. Only the imminent threat of burning of toast broke them apart.

      Their breakfast of eggs, hot buttered toast, and mugs of tea was delicious and they both ate hungrily. She glanced over at Ben and felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. She decided now wasn’t the time to overthink things. Whatever this did or didn’t mean, she simply wanted to enjoy this moment.

      That moment was abruptly shattered by the sound of the doorbell ringing. She glanced at the clock. Who would be calling so early on a Saturday morning? Her first thought was Jamie and the cold dread she felt must have shown on her face. Ben squeezed her hand for a second.

      ‘Don’t look so worried. You answer the door and I’ll stay here.’ Eva hurriedly ran a hand through her hair, took a deep breath, and opened the door to find herself face to face with her sister.

      ‘Sarah?’

      Eva didn’t know what shocked her more – the fact her sister was standing at her door on Saturday morning or that she looked utterly distraught, tears running down her face. Sarah didn’t usually do emotion. And she certainly didn’t do crying.

      ‘Sarah, what’s happened?’

      ‘It’s mum …’ Sarah gulped. ‘She’s … I saw them –’ Her voice broke into a sob.

      ‘Mum? Is she all right?’ Eva felt the colour drain from her face. Her sister took an enormous sniff and shook her head.

      ‘Mum’s got a boyfriend!’

      Her words hung in the air for a second and then her shoulders slumped. So many things about that sentence didn’t sound right, Eva wasn’t sure how to respond. A hundred thoughts whirled through her mind, most of them incredulous. She also had a sudden terrible urge to burst out laughing. Eva stood in shocked silence for a moment before realizing Sarah was still standing on the doorstep and Hamish had just arrived to investigate what all the fuss was about.

      ‘Come in, come in. Don’t say anything else just now.’ With Ben in the kitchen, Eva ushered her sister into the living room. She opened the blinds and lit the fire, trying to make the room feel as cosy as possible. Sarah perched on the edge of the sofa, emitting little sobs every now and again.

      Eva was acutely aware of her own appearance and hoped she didn’t look as dishevelled as she felt. Her body ached at all the unfamiliar activity, her lips felt stung, and despite her sister’s obvious distress, she felt gloriously alive, as if her body was hugging a lovely secret to itself. But she couldn’t deal with her sister looking like this and with Ben in the house.

      ‘Just give me a minute and I’ll er, go and change. Then you can tell me what’s happened.’

      ‘Where’s Jamie?’ Sarah asked vaguely looking around as if he would suddenly pop up from behind the furniture.

      ‘He’s at the activity weekend.’ Now wasn’t the time to point out that she had mentioned that to her only a matter of days ago. Eva headed back into the kitchen, trying to picture her mother with a boyfriend but just couldn’t do it.

      Ben was buttoning up his shirt when Eva returned to the kitchen. Her eyes were drawn to the muscular contours of his chest, which were now so achingly familiar, and sent a small shiver up her spine. God, he looked gorgeous. Forcing herself to concentrate, she explained who her unexpected guest was.

      ‘My sister is here,’ Eva whispered. ‘Apparently my mother has a boyfriend.’ Ben shot her such a quizzical look Eva couldn’t help giggling. ‘Knowing my sister, it could be nothing. She’s probably got hold of the wrong end of the stick or something. She’s pretty upset … it’s a bit awkward and er –’

      ‘And you don’t want her to see me?’

      ‘Maybe not the best time for introductions. I’m sorry, I really didn’t expect this to happen.’

      ‘You do what you have to, don’t worry about me. I’ll sneak out the back door – not something I’ve had to do before,’ he said, winking at her.

      ‘Oh God, I’m sorry about this,’ Eva said trying to cover her disappointment. This wasn’t exactly how she hoped today might unfold. Ben hooked his finger under her chin and tilted it upwards. He bent his head down and kissed her thoroughly, leaving her feeling slightly dazed and wishing things hadn’t been brought to such an abrupt end. It felt farcical to be smuggling a man out of the house – she was a grown woman in her own home.

      After Ben left, Eva quickly dressed and returned to Sarah, who appeared not to have moved an inch. She sat down beside her, speaking quietly. ‘So do you want to talk? Tell me what happened?’

      Sarah let out a dramatic sigh, her mouth quivering for a moment as she found her voice. ‘You know Mum got a new kitchen fitted recently?’

      ‘Yes, СКАЧАТЬ