A Perfect Holiday Fling by Farrah Rochon Page A

how sweet her beautiful smile tasted.
    “How is Sandy doing, by the way?”
    “What?” It took him a moment to comprehend her question. His mind was still on those perfectly-shaped lips. “Oh, the cat. Yeah, she’s definitely making herself at home.”
    “Cats are like that. Once they get used to you, it takes very little time for them to settle in.”
    “She’s decided that my lap is her favorite place in the house. The minute I sit down, there she is, demanding I pet her.”
    “Can’t say I blame her.” Her gaze drifted to his lap. “It looks comfortable.” Callie’s head popped up and her eyes widened. “Oh, wow. I, uh…I can’t believe I said that.”
    Stefan had a feeling that the blush that instantly reddened her toffee-colored cheeks had nothing to do with the cold, and the arousal that had been smoldering just underneath the surface flared to life. He pushed away from the railing and walked toward her, letting his gaze travel down her body.
    Another gust of chilly air swept over them, whipping her dark brown hair around her, leaving it in wild, sexy disarray. Stefan lifted a thick lock and tucked it behind her ear.
    Speaking past the lust lodged in his throat, he asked in a low voice, “Are you sure you don’t want me to bring those inside?”
    White puffs escaped her mouth with every short, rapid pant of her breath.
    “I’m more than happy to do it, Callie. Just say the word.”
    Her pupils dilated with desire as she stared at his lips, and Stefan’s chest tightened with the impulse to pull her against him and taste her.
    She shook her head, and then took two pronounced steps back. “No. I, uh… I’m fine. I…I don’t want to keep you from your run.”
    A lazy smile tipped up the corner of his mouth. “I’ve jogged five miles a day, seven days a week for the past ten years. I can afford to take a morning off.”
    Her eyes dropped to his chest. “It shows.” Her eyes darted to his, wide with dismay. “Oh, God. I need to get ready for work.”
    She picked up the two shopping bags and carried them to the front door.
    Despite everything within him telling him to make his move, Stefan remained where he stood. He wouldn’t force the issue. He didn’t have to. Not after witnessing the heat that had flared in her eyes; the desire he could feel rolling off her in waves. All he had to do was bide his time.
    “It’s your call, Callie,” he said as he ambled down the steps. He wasn’t the least bit affected by the strong wind whipping the leaves up as it blew even harder. Dousing himself with a bucket of ice water couldn’t cool the heat shooting through his blood.
    She glanced over her shoulder as she opened the front door. “Thanks again for helping.”
    “Anytime, Callie.” Stefan pulled his earphones from his pocket as he backed away from her porch. “Anytime.”
    As he resumed his jog, Stefan had but one thought in mind. The only thing more delectable than a flustered Callie Webber was a flustered, aroused Callie Webber.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Callie dropped the cardboard box filled with toys for her Angel Tree recipient on the table and fell into a chair. She needed a second to recover. Or maybe an hour.
    “Did you really say his lap looked comfortable?”
    She slouched in her seat, complete and utter mortification weighing down her limbs. Why not just jump the man in the middle of her front yard?
    Callie closed her eyes and took a moment to relish the pinpricks of awareness traveling along her skin. It had been so long since she’d experienced anything even close to the feelings Stefan’s heated gaze stirred; she wanted to savor the sensation. She hadn’t earnestly flirted with a man since those days when she had first started dating Adrian. She’d forgotten how awkward it could be…and how exhilarating.
    Her entire body flushed with warmth as her memory summoned Stefan’s decadent, downright wicked grin. And the intensity in his gaze when his eyes had journeyed up and down