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Again their eyes met, again he felt that pulse of awareness, that electric pull towards her. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she breathed.

He baulked. “You don’t ever need to be afraid of me.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant.” Her eyes held his. “I’m afraid I’ll pull you down into bed with me.”

Heaven help him. He didn’t know how he was going to spend the next eight dates pretending they were just friends. Not if she kept looking at him like that.

December 17th

Pearl’s condo had received a visit from Christmas elves since their last visit. A tree covered in red baubles now stood in the living room, candles were displayed on the mantlepiece, and sprigs of holly had been artfully placed on the pictures on the walls.

Oh and the room overflowed with people. It looked like the whole building had turned up for her cocktails and nibbles.

Beside her, Luke shifted on his feet, took another drink of the cranberry mimosa. And pulled a face again.

She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her.

“Truth or dare,” she whispered. Play Truth or Dare had been the instruction in today’s advent window.

“Truth.” He glanced sideways at her. “I know how you and Pearl feel about my arse and I’m not dropping my trousers in front of all these people.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “Sometimes you’re so British. Ass.” She laughed at her pun. “Okay, truth. Would you rather be here, or ice skating.”

“Ice skating.”

“Really? Why?”

His eyes found hers, clear, direct, a hint of heat. “I got to hold your hand.”

Her belly tumbled and the feelings from last night came flooding back. The way Luke had looked at her across the table, at times with warmth, with amusement, appreciation. Then there had been the moments he’d stared at her with such blatant hunger she’d had to cross her legs to contain the ache.

She wanted him. And last night she’d made that very clear. I’m afraid I’ll pull you down into bed with me. She could blame the alcohol. She knew he did because he’d not reacted to her words other than his gaze resting on hers for a long, heavy beat before they’d been interrupted by the waiter.

Far from giving him a wide berth though, she wanted to say to hell with it and get as close to him as humanely possible. Stuff the consequences. They only had six more days together and then she might never see him again.

Her heart stuttered. “Truth or dare?”

He huffed out a laugh. “Isn’t it meant to be my turn now?”

“You snooze you lose.” She took a sip of the mimosa which was proving way too easy to drink. “Will I see you again after we’ve completed the advent calendar or will you disappear off to . . . wherever it is you live, and I won’t see you for dust?”

He regarded her steadily. “Will you want to see me again?”

“Yes.” To hide how much she did, she added. “Who else is going to go ice skating and painting with me? Who else can I have a facial with?”

“Skateboarding.” He gave her a crooked grin. “That was another particular highlight of mine.”

“I think I’ll give that one a pass.” She lifted her eyes to his. “You didn’t answer the question.”

“Yes. I would like to see you again.” Muscles she hadn’t been aware she’d held stiff, relaxed at his answer. “Truth or dare?”

She swallowed a mouthful of drink. “Truth.”

He looked straight into her eyes and when he spoke, his voice had lowered an octave. “Did you think about me last night when you went to bed?”

Holy shit. He was better at this than she was, and she wasn’t talking playing Truth or Dare. “Yes.” His eyes widened imperceptibly, the green darkening. “Truth or dare?” she whispered.

He paused, clearly assessing how far she was going to take this. “Truth.”