Snowbound: Miracle Marriage (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 8)

His eyes were wary. ‘I didn’t want you to say no to me. So what’s the problem?’

‘The problem is that you only ever do this when your children aren’t around—when I turned up yesterday, or the day before yesterday or whenever it was…’ She realised that she’d lost track of the time. It must be the early hours of the morning, which meant it was no longer Christmas Day. ‘When I turned up, you looked at me with the same enthusiasm you would have shown a tax bill. Almost the first words you say to me are, “When is the baby due?” Then at the hospital you’re very remote and distant and suddenly we arrive home and just because the house is empty you turn back into a rampant sex god—’ She broke off with a moan as he covered her mouth with his, kissing her slowly and thoroughly until the fire in her pelvis flared to life again.

When he finally lifted his head she was dizzy and disorientated.

‘We need to talk,’ he said softly, curving his hand around her face. ‘You’re right—I haven’t behaved well where you’re concerned. Give me the chance to explain.’

‘You don’t need to explain.’ Hayley tried to wriggle away from him but his weight kept her still. ‘Honestly—just forget I said anything. It’s my fault, I know. Other women have onenight stands all the time and have no problem with it—I’m just built wrong.’

‘You’re built perfectly.’ There was a sardonic gleam in his eyes as his gaze lingered on her mouth and then drifted lower. ‘And I do have things to tell you. Things you deserve to know.’ He rolled away from her and sat up. ‘Can I get you anything? Are you hungry? We haven’t eaten since lunchtime.’

Hayley realised that she was starving, but she wanted to hear what he had to tell her. Was it about his ex-wife? ‘I’m not hungry.’ But her stomach chose that moment to growl in protest and she rolled her eyes as he laughed.

‘Not hungry?’ Springing from the bed, he strolled into the bathroom and emerged wearing a black robe. ‘I’ll go and put some food on a tray. I’ll be back in a minute. I’ve put the bath on. I thought your muscles might ache after all that…activity.’

Avoiding the glitter of his eyes, Hayley waited for him to leave the room and then slid out of bed and padded towards the door he’d used.

Seeing his bathroom, she felt ever so slightly faint. It was huge. Huge and super-luxurious in a cool, contemporary style, with a walk-in shower and what seemed like hundreds of tiny lights in the ceiling. But the real luxury was his bath. It was easily big enough for two. Water cascaded into the tub and mixing with the scented bubbles he must have added before he’d left the room.

As the water level rose quickly, Hayley looked at the bath longingly. Maybe a bath was a good idea.

Just a quick one.

She slid into the water and closed her eyes with a moan of pleasure.

‘I didn’t know what you wanted to eat so I made a few different things.’ Patrick’s voice came from inside the bathroom and Hayley opened her eyes with a shocked squeak.

‘What are you doing in here?’ She noticed that the tray he was carrying contained a bottle of champagne as well as a stack of thick-cut sandwiches.

There was a dull popping sound as he removed the cork from the champagne. ‘I thought this would be a good place to eat. That way we don’t get crumbs in the bed.’ He poured champagne into two glasses and handed her one. ‘Merry Christmas.’

‘Merry Christmas,’ Hayley said weakly, watching as he placed the tray next to the bath, discarded his robe and stepped into the water next to her. ‘When you suggested a bath, I didn’t know you were going to be joining me.’

‘Why not?’ He gave a slow, sexy smile and drank from his glass. ‘Have something to eat. I’m not much of a cook, as you’ve been told, but I can just about manage sandwiches. Turkey, of course. No surprise there.’

‘I love turkey sandwiches,’ she said truthfully, reaching for one and biting into it. ‘I really am starving.’

‘I’m not surprised. It was a long day. Sally and the baby are fine, by the way. I called when I was downstairs.’

‘I’m glad.’ Hayley was tense with anticipation, wondering what he was going to tell her. ‘I love your bathroom. I could move in here for the rest of my life.’

Patrick gave a faint smile. ‘My wife hated it.’ He glanced around the bathroom. ‘She thought it was too modern.’

‘Really? I think it’s gorgeous. Like being in a smart hotel. I’m waiting for you to give me a bill when I step out of the door.’ Hayley lay back against the side of the bath. ‘I feel as though I’m in a Hollywood movie.’

‘I don’t think they usually eat cold turkey sandwiches in Hollywood movies.’ Patrick watched with amusement as she devoured another sandw

ich and she shrugged.

‘Jet-lag always makes me hungry.’

He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Jet-lag?’

‘Well, OK.’ She felt her cheeks redden. ‘It’s entirely possible that the sex had something to do with it—maybe—just a little.’ She watched while he put his glass down, sensing that he was deciding exactly what to tell her. ‘I wish I could be more like you. I mean, I can see you carefully planning what to say and I just can’t do that! I have all these plans to keep my thoughts to myself and then they sort of tumble out of my mouth.’

‘I’d noticed.’ He smiled at her and lifted the bottle of champagne but she shook her head.

‘I’m already tired. If you give me any more I won’t wake up until January.’ She hesitated. ‘You don’t trust me enough to tell me, do you?’