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“Such classic exaoodwill and cheer”

“They were probably busy,” she said defensively, although she doubted any of them could match her holiday season schedule Every year she took on as many projects as she could fit in

“Sure they were” He popped the last piece of his fudge into his mouth “But if they’d known they could maneuver their way into your kitchen, you’d have had to beat Santa-wannabes aith stockings filled with coal”

“I’s filled with coal” At his mock look of horror, she ston candy”

Me on a chair beside herrolled candies intoher efforts, filled Abby’s heart How she longed for a family to spend Christmas with

Dirk reached for a second square of fudge His sooty ashes swept across his cheeks as he bit into it Was it shameful she’d like to see that blissful look on his face while he tasted her lips? Yes Yes, it was They’d agreed anything physical between thereed when he’d said that

It had been awith him been the mistake?

Because looking at hi the way she wanted hier mistake

CHAPTER THREE

“IF YOU’RE more into peanut butter, there’s always peanut-butter balls and ho to redirect her mind away from the direction it was headed

Eyes wide, his gaze lifted to hers He looked like an eager little boy Like he’d looked thatwhen he’d devoured her mouth

He placed his hand over his heart “I’ve died and gone to heaven You’re right I was too easy I should have asked for peanut brittle”

She laughed out loud at his look of ecstasy

Just as quickly her laughter faded as more memories of another time, another look of ecstasy had been on his handsome face

When he’d been standing just inside her front door, aardly saying goodbye butno ently kiss her lips