Christmas Holiday Husband Read Online Free PDF

his expertise had all her nerve endings thrumming—with tension and terror and a deep distracting desire.

CHAPTER THREE
     
    The afternoon passed with intolerable slowness and ever building anticipation.
    She couldn’t wait to see him again.
    Dared not be anywhere near him.
    Was desperate to hear his voice.
    Knew she needed to harden her heart.
    Late in the afternoon she paced about her room, unable to settle to anything.
    This is ridiculous. He’s only a man. A man who’s way in my past. Nothing is going to happen between us. Nothing can happen.
    If he finds out about Cal, our lives will be impossible. I don’t want him upsetting everything now we’re almost okay.
    So why , her aroused body retorted, are you so turned on? Why are you wondering if he’ll still feel as good inside you? As big and hot? As smooth and silky? As gentle? As out of control? As much fun as he was in Sydney?
    She slapped her thigh sharply to dispel the unwanted sensations flooding through her. God, this was impossible!
    Finally she slid out of her muddy-hemmed jeans and rinsed them in her bathroom. She pulled on a pair of white cotton trousers and shook her hair free of its ponytail. She was so not making any effort to look good for him. She’d wear her hair loose only because she’d had it pulled back tightly all day. It was for her own comfort, certainly not because Tony used to enjoy playing with it...
    She brushed at it fiercely, tugging at tangles, so clumsy and on edge that the hairbrush went flying from her hand and landed on the carpet. Annoyed beyond measure, she retrieved it and gave a last couple of impatient swipes before turning away from the mirror and leaving the room. Mindful that Tony slept next door, she pulled her door closed to ensure he’d never glimpse Callum’s photo—and nearly cannoned into him.
    “Hell, you scared me,” she gasped, staggering back against the banister rail and grabbing it for support. She leaned away from him when he reached out to steady her.
    He withdrew his arm with a wry grin. “Sorry. Quiet carpet. I didn’t hear you either.” He rubbed a hand over his darkened jaw and sighed.
    Ellie registered the rasp of bristle under his fingertips. After his day’s work he looked rough and tired, and it was all she could do not to reach out and touch him after her initial shock. She grasped the rail harder to stop her wayward hands from wandering in his direction.
    Tony straightened. “How did the rest of your day go? Caro and Ants behaving for you?”
    “I survived. They survived. Fair enough start.”
    Apprehension stole across his face. “Are they a long way behind? Will they be okay?”
    She dredged up a consoling smile. “They’re bright little girls. They’ll be fine.” Catching sight of their photo amongst the others on the wall, she moved slightly for a better view. “How long ago was this taken?”
    “Just before Julia...died. I wanted to have one of them happy before she slipped away.”
    Ellie’s heart went out to him. Bad enough to lose your wife, but knowing how tough it would be for your children was a huge extra burden. “Good thinking,” she said, her voice catching. “It’s a great shot. Quite recent?”
    Tony rubbed his chin again, plainly not comfortable. “A couple of months.”
    She glanced away, sensing agonising pain was barely contained below his stoic surface. “There’s Virginia,” she exclaimed, catching sight of a young slim bride with a trailing bouquet. Beside her stood a long-haired groom with a handlebar moustache. “ He looks like a real hippie with all that hair.”
    Tony laughed. “David? He was an accountant. Ambitious bloke, and conventional beyond belief. There’s one of Mum and Dad’s wedding here, too—and they’re looking much the same.”
    She prowled on, fascinated. If only she’d done this yesterday she might have avoided the huge raw surprise of meeting Tony again over breakfast. If she’d known this was his home she’d have