Page 25 of Christmas in Quincy (The Edens 0.50)

I dropped my eyes to the floor. “We missed the morning flight, but there’s another at three.”

We’d get to California late, but at least we’d be home and we could go our separate ways. This was the most time I’d spent with Cleo lately and it was too much. She was too perfect. Too irresistible. I didn’t trust myself not to lose the stern and rude disguise.

And without those acting as a barrier to my true emotions, she would see right through me.

That was not a conversation I wanted to have on Christmas.

“Do you need help with your suitcase?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m not going.”

“What?” My face whipped up as she disappeared into the bathroom. I followed. “Say that again.”

“I’m not going,” she told me through the mirror as she untied her hair and picked up a paddle brush, dragging it carefully through her long locks. “I booked this vacation. I’m taking it.”

“Goddamn, you are difficult.”

“Difficult?” Her brushstrokes moved faster. “How am I difficult? I don’t want to leave. I don’t have to leave.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I’ll call my father and explain. If you’re worried about your job, don’t be.”

“If I don’t bring you home, you and I both know Ray will fire me before the new year.”

“No, he won’t. I’ll make sure he understands this was my decision and that if he fires you, I’ll never speak to him again.”

I believed her.

She’d fight for my job. She’d go head-to-head against her father.

Even though she hated me.

Because Cleo Hillcrest was the finest person I’d ever met. It would be unfair of Ray to fire me, and she knew it. She fought for what was right. Cleo had a pure heart and a kind soul. She put others before herself, which was why this jaunt to Montana was so strange. She might hate the Hillcrest Christmas fiasco, but for years I’d watched her endure it because her father had asked her to.

I didn’t blame her for needing an escape, but I wouldn’t risk her safety for it.

“I can’t leave you here,” I said. I couldn’t leave her, period.

Maybe the real reason I didn’t want to cleave my relationship with Ray was because that meant I’d lose my connection to Cleo. Even on the days when she was assigned to someone else, I had that tether. Cutting it was probably for the best. My sanity was on the brink as it was. But I couldn’t leave her.

Cleo set her brush down, turning to me with a sigh. “I’m going to relax and enjoy this room. I’m going to wander around town and eat too much. Then I’ll come home after Christmas and get back to work. I’m fine alone.”

She stepped closer and the room shrank. My heart raced as she looked up at me with those bright hazel eyes and in that moment, I would have promised her the world for just one kiss of those soft lips.

“Go home, Austin. Please. Go home.”

The plea in her voice did me in. This was one of the few times I’d witnessed Cleo say to hell with what everyone else wanted and go her own way. She wanted this vacation and I wouldn’t be the man who stole it from her.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

I nodded. “Okay.”

A smile tugged at her mouth. “Thank you.”

I swallowed hard, unable to tear my eyes away. Her lips were soft and pink. The bottom was fuller than the top, but not by much. Just enough for a sexy, natural pout. What would happen if I kissed her? What would happen if I gave in to the temptation?