Christmas Holiday Husband by Kris Pearson Read Free Book Online Page B

not upset Cal by producing his father out of thin air, having claimed years ago he’d died and could never return. More than anything in her life, she dared not risk losing her son’s unquestioning love.
    She struggled and panted. “This is way too fast,” she insisted. “This is terrible. Julia’s hardly dead.” She grasped at every excuse she could find, pushing him back with both hands on his shoulders.
    “Julia’s been dead to me for the last couple of years,” he said hoarsely. “Things hadn’t been good...for a long time. We were simply keeping on with the pretence for the girls. Her illness had nothing to do with it.” He still had her clamped in his arms. Ellie wriggled and shoved, heart pounding, dragging in shallow breaths against his total domination.
    And he released her. It was like being tossed into iced water.
    “Your choice,” he said, backing away.
    She nodded, eyes dilated, pulse racing, trying to regain her balance on trembling legs.
    “I meant what I said about Julia,” he repeated. “She’s not an issue.”
    “If you say so.” Relief and disappointment rushed through her in equal measure at his sudden desertion.
    He took another step backward. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. About ten. Wear some shorts and a sunhat. Sleep well.”
    The last two words were almost a curse. He’d dismissed her, condemning her to a dream-wracked night with no peace at all.
    Ellie watched him catch up the shirt and turn away. The lamplight slid across the planes of his long back as he walked away. The restless curtains flicked out with the breeze, as though to draw him back. But he’d gone.
    Moments later she heard his footfall in the gallery, then the rapid tattoo of his feet as he descended the stairs.
    xxx
    Tony threw himself down onto the sofa again. Hot waves of frustration washed through his body. He wanted her. He’d nearly had her. He wanted her fiercely, after all this time. And although she’d responded to him—as avidly as he had to her—she was still just in control of her emotions. Only just. That gave him hope, anyway.
    But his body burned for hers—ready to claim her and make her his again. In one short day she’d set her claws delicately into him, tugged, then turned away. Had she any idea how close he’d come to losing it? Her power was unlimited.
    He compressed his lips into a grim line and resigned himself to out-wait the heat sizzling through every cell in his body.
    xxx
    Now back from settling the girls for the night, Ginny glanced across at him and then resumed her crossword. Something was eating at him—or someone! She was fond of her spirited son-in-law. He’d offered her a new home when she’d been suddenly widowed...made her feel truly welcome...invited her to carve out a different life on his beautiful property when neither of her sons seemed much concerned about her future. She was now temporary chatelaine of Wharemoana, and cherished her role.
    Living close to her daughter and grandchildren was a bonus she’d treasured, but oddly it was her new sense of self worth that had buoyed her up during the last sad months as Julia slipped away.
    And being in such proximity, it had become obvious there was little true affection left in her daughter’s marriage. Ginny had never commented...never dared to ask questions in case the answers were too unpalatable to bear. She’d loved Julia unreservedly—had been devastated when her condition was diagnosed—but saw that Robbie had been lost and lonely, too.
    Ellie was rattling the bars of his cage. Damn , Ginny thought. He’s making a play for the first available girl who’s appeared. I know it’s inevitable sometime in the future, but this is much too soon. He’s setting himself up to get hurt again while he’s still far too vulnerable.
    “More coffee, Robbie?” she asked.
    He gave a moody shake of his head.
    “Ellie says she’s looking forward to moving into her new house once the twins start school.”
    “Mmmm,”