Read Mistletoe Mansion Online

Authors: Samantha Tonge

Mistletoe Mansion (28 page)

BOOK: Mistletoe Mansion
4.59Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

‘Is the ghost behind me?’ He grinned.

‘No, it’s just…’ I stuttered. ‘Guess I’d better get some sleep, then. See you in the morning.’

He touched my shoulder. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘You’re the first person – apart from Jess – to really take my business seriously.’

‘What about The Boyfriend?’ he asked.

‘Ex,’ I corrected.

‘Didn’t Adam want you to set up on your own? Why’d he turn up if you’re no longer an item?’

‘None of your business.’

His amazing moss green eyes crinkled.

I sighed. ‘He wants me to get a “proper” job with a pension, benefits… He’s thinking mortgage and savings and I’m…’

‘You want to make a name for yourself?’

‘Exactly! Not that I’m against settling down. But first of all I want to give my dreams my best shot. Live the High Life. Get that big house, go on holidays abroad…’

‘Yeah, right…’ He smirked.

‘What’s wrong with that?’

‘I’m all for running my own business – being my own boss, setting my own agenda – but as for earning megabucks… I’ve worked around here long enough to see that money doesn’t buy happiness.’

‘You mean Melissa?’

‘She puts on a brave face but the paparazzi give her a miserable time. And take the woman at number fifteen – she sleeps with the window cleaner because her husband is some big CEO and always at work.’

Blimey. I pulled a face. That sounded just like Mum’s new neighbour who had a mysterious bald visitor every time her husband worked the factory late shift. Being rich clearly didn’t protect you from everyday problems.

‘Then Cynthia at number five is being treated for a shopping addiction,’ continued Luke.

‘I should have such problems!’ I scoffed.

‘I doubt it – her husband’s divorcing her because of all the lies.’

Ouch.

‘Then Bill at number twelve doesn’t speak to some relatives because he’s sick of lending them money and not getting it back. And number twenty, well, they’re about to declare themselves bankrupt. Gambling, I think…’ He shrugged. ‘I could go on.’

Wow. Who would have thought this idyllic cul-de-sac was filled with such misery and screwed-up folk? It made me think of lottery winners I’d seen in the papers who declared their winnings had brought them nothing but heartache.

‘But goals, they’re good, right? I have a dream – there’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘Couldn’t agree more, and I can tell you’re determined to make it happen,’ he said. ‘I feel like that about my business. The only difference is I picture the customers and staff I’d eventually take on – not the fancy clothes and stuff I’d buy with the profits.’

‘So, you don’t approve?’

‘I didn’t say that. As long as you don’t let your happiness become dependent on how much is in your bank account. Nothing wrong with aspirations as long as you’re prepared to work hard for them and don’t expect anyone else to hand them to you on a plate – that’s what I reckon. Self-respect, a sense of achievement, everyone should aim for that. Just don’t expect working for yourself to be easy.’

‘I’m not that naive,’ I said and lifted my chin.

‘Never said you were. You might want to consider doing an online business course, like I did – whether you need to know about sales and marketing, customer service or financial management… Or perhaps someone in your family has business experience they could pass on. Your mum or dad?’

‘Not Mum.’ Understatement of the year. ‘Never met my dad.’

Those green eyes stared into mine.

‘Mum had a one night stand with a biker when she was sixteen.’ Why was I telling him this?

His tone softened. ‘Must have been hard for you – and her.’

‘She got council housing. Then later, Tom – my brother – his dad stuck around for a while. Mum does her best. She’s… kind of fragile.’ I smoothed down my top. ‘Anyway, I had thought about doing a business course – perhaps at evening school.’

‘Go for it,’ he said. ‘It can only help if things take off and you ever need to go to the bank for a loan.’

‘A loan?’

‘Yeah – to help you expand the business. You might need premises or kitchen equipment or money to back an advertising campaign.’

‘You mean, think big?’

‘Why not? A lot more work came my way, once I invested in some electric hedge trimmers and a shredder.’ He shrugged again. ‘So, I’ll make sure I’m here tomorrow morning?’

‘Yes. Um… that’d be great…’ I eyed him suspiciously. ‘Why are you being so helpful? I just can’t make you out.’

‘Does it seem so unbelievable that I can be a good guy?’

I raised an eyebrow.

He gave a wry smile. ‘I’ve been in a similar position to you, that’s all – went out with a woman for a couple of years. Last spring we broke up. She…’ His cheeks flushed. ‘Kat didn’t understand how I was willing to live on the breadline for a while, until my business took off. She wanted me to go into finance, like herself. Kat had no ambition to find a way to do a job she really enjoyed – she found banking boring but stuck it out because it paid well.’ He bit a nail. ‘I’d rather spend my life renting a one-bedroom flat, if it meant I can still work outside in the fresh air, and be my own boss. Although don’t get me wrong… I’ve got every intention of making my business a success.’

I studied his face – the eyes serious for a change, those firm lips. Perhaps we had more in common than I’d initially thought. I mean, yes, I liked the finer things in life, but the bottom line was – I wanted to spend my life baking. Suddenly a yawn escaped my mouth. Luke yawned back.

‘You like me after all,’ I said, unable to hold in a smug chuckle.

‘Huh?’

‘You yawned after I did. Scientists have proven you only do that if it’s someone you approve of.’

‘Now
I
fancy
you
?’ he said with a grin.

‘I doubt you have time for anyone else, what with your ego!’ I said, hotly.

‘Don’t be mean,’ he teased. ‘Otherwise I might not come next time you call me in the middle of the night. Where would that leave you?’

Suddenly the lights went out and Doug called up to keep everything quiet. I tried to reply but it was difficult… what with those firm lips of Luke’s pressed against mine! How did this happen? My heart raced and my eyes closed tight. It felt so… Oh God. Tingles everywhere. I pulled away for a second, to subtly swallow my gum and hoped the claim that it would stay in your stomach for seven years was nothing but an old wives’ tale.

He pulled me close again. Why didn’t I draw back, all melodramatic, like in the movies, and tell him off for assuming that I was interested? Instead, I stood up on tiptoe. Without realising it, my arms had wrapped around his neck. My face brushed against his bristly cheeks and with no sense of control, I pulled him tight. Luke had a sharp edge to him. I liked that. It made every cell in my body pulsate with desire. Plus the way he kissed, tenderly across my lips at first and then deeper… It felt animalistic and made me respond in a way I never had with more conservative, regimented Adam. It was no good. I could no longer fight the surge of chemistry that ignited between us and caused explosions of pleasure to wake up unknown parts… But, but… I had to get off this rollercoaster and remind myself I was only at Mistletoe Mansion to salvage my relationship with Adam – not to start an affair with… with Pukey Luke. He was grumpy, arrogant, obnoxious and… I lowered my hands to his chest and pushed him away. Forget Lady Chatterley’s lover, instead I could just see this headline in Infamous: “Lady Cupcakey’s Lover – Kimmy Spurns Adam for Hunky Handyman.”

‘Why did you, I mean, we…It’s not right…’ I stuttered and in a most unladylike manner wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

There was no reply, just the feeling of his strong arms around me again. My mouth opened in anticipation. Talk about random. Luke and I didn’t get on, right? He was big-headed, patronising… Yet, I couldn’t resist his lips, ever so gently teasing mine as my fingers traced the line of his spine.

Adam. I ought to think of Adam. Sensible. Protective. Reassuring. But it was no good, I felt dizzy when Luke and I kissed. And his interest in my business – how Luke took my dreams seriously – was a huge aphrodisiac. Increasingly lately, I’d been asking myself whether Adam was the right man for me. Yes, he offered me all the security I’d never enjoyed as a child, but was that stifling my ambition? I felt so confused and now occasionally questioned the point of my mission to win him back.

With tender confidence, Luke kissed me deeper, and my mind emptied of thoughts about Luton, CountryHouse Potatoes, my latest cupcake recipe, the universe… Like a returning tide, it refilled with nothing but an overpowering, flowing, luxuriating warmth.

As he trailed intense kisses up and down my neck, I let out a gasp. An X-rated Facebook status flashed before my eyes. Walter Carmichael was a gentleman by all accounts. I had to trust his eyes were firmly shut!

Chapter 22

‘Impressive. That is an absolutely enormous willy.’

I grinned at Melissa.

‘For such a small cake,’ she continued, having popped by, just before the prospective buyers were due to arrive. She was ogling the cupcakes I’d made for Saffron’s party. ‘Those glittery pink ones with hearts on are pretty. And are those liquorice whips?’ The corner of her rosebud mouth twitched. ‘So, how did last night go?’ She looked up. ‘Did SpiritShooters find anything? And where’s that whistling coming from…is luscious Luke still here?’

‘Luscious Luke?’

‘Isn’t that what you think of him?’

I turned away to the kettle, so that she couldn’t see me blush. Guilt twisted my stomach, at the thought of that kiss, which was stupid – Adam had broken things off with me, after all. I was single, so had done nothing wrong. Yet that lush snog went against everything I’d strived for in the last few days – namely, winning back my Ex.

Not that the lust stuff had gone further than a bit of lip-on-lip action. Just as I’d thought about Walter watching us last night, Jess had appeared on the landing and headed for the bathroom – the cue for Luke and me to jump apart and go to our own rooms. By the time I’d got up this morning, he and Jess had left. However, Luke came back by nine as promised, which left one hour for us to tidy up.

‘He offered to keep an eye on things whilst the visitors – a Mr and Mrs Stedman – were here.’

‘Uh huh…’ She eyed me closely. ‘Did you two shag?’

‘Melissa!’ I turned around, cheeks hotter than my body had felt, last night, wrapped in Luke’s arms.

She removed her sunglasses and laughed. I was glad to note that her eyes weren’t all blotchy and red. She wore the most gorgeous tangerine orange halter-neck jumper with a tight red skirt, like a kind of sexy Velma out of Scooby Doo. Disappointingly, the snow had melted and turned to slush overnight, hence her funky animal print wellington boots.

‘Only asking,’ she said, and picked up one of the hen party cupcakes. She pulled off the marzipan willy and sucked the end. ‘Must say your hair is perfectly straightened this morning, darling, and I haven’t seen that lacy top before; it could almost pass for genuine vintage. Seems like someone’s trying to make an impression.’

‘Stop it,’ I snorted and grabbed the Tupperware box from her. I re-sealed the lid.

‘Mmm,’ oozed her velvety voice, ‘this is the sweetest di–’

‘I’ll just check that the front garden is looking its best,’ interrupted Luke as his head appeared around the kitchen door. Limp willy between her teeth, Melissa beamed at him. Suddenly obsessed with my nails (okay, freshly painted this morning in a cool purple colour), I examined them closely. His footsteps left and I looked up again. Melissa took the marzipan out of her mouth.

‘You couldn’t look him in the eye, that’s all the evidence I need,’ she said. ‘Come on, tell me everything! What happened last night?’ She peeked under the table. ‘I’m amazed you’re not wearing those shoes I gave you. Talk about dolled up…’

‘I, um, thought I’d better look smart for the Stedmans.’

‘Don’t take me for a fool! Was there a kiss? Something more? He’d be pretty buff with the right clothes and grooming products. I can tell you’re mad for him.’

‘Am not!’ I hissed and swallowed the wrong way which led to a coughing fit.
He
kissed
me
, right? I could barely escape. In fact, what a good thing Jess had interrupted us… I sighed. Oh God. Melissa was right. Try as I might, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his skin pressed against mine – about his hands firmly following the curve of my back. Did he really like me or was he arrogantly making the most of what he considered to be my “crush”?

‘By the way,’ I said, ‘SpiritShooters didn’t find a ghost.’

‘Don’t change the subject, Kimmy.’

I pursed my lips.

‘All right.’ Melissa smiled. ‘I get the message – it’s a subject off-limits. So, those guys didn’t exorcise some lost soul or evil demon?’

For one second I had an out-of-body revelation. Here I was, joking with Melissa Winsford, celebrity and DVD queen extraordinaire, as if she were one of the girls at the bakery or any old neighbour. I’d always believed there was something different about anyone who appeared on the telly or in a magazine. However, she was simply a better styled version than the rest of us. She still worried about her man, what the future held and her weight.

In answer to her question, I shook my head. It was just typical that the hooded thing didn’t show up last night. ‘They think someone is playing a joke – or has a grudge against either Mike Murphy or the estate agents. The only strange thing to happen was that a coin moved across a piece of paper and we don’t know how.’ I looked at my watch. Five minutes. ‘What if the house gets messed up again? I know Luke is here, but he can’t keep an eye on every room. And I don’t care what those investigators say – I did see a strange face in that front bedroom, that night.’

Melissa shrugged. ‘I haven’t got to get back, for a while. Jonny’s taking me out to lunch later. Why don’t I stay?’

‘Everything still okay… you know – between you and him?’

‘He’s treating me like a princess.’ Her voice warmed. ‘The spring tournaments will be upon us before we know it, and things are going to get hectic. So, he’s suggested we take a break – get away from it all, beforehand. He’s booked a week in the Maldives.’

BOOK: Mistletoe Mansion
4.59Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Downfall by J. A. Jance
The Perfect Mistress by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Mistress No More by Bryant, Niobia
Kilpara by Patricia Hopper
Ex-Con: Bad Boy Romance by M. S. Parker, Shiloh Walker
The Perfect Gift by Kathleen Brooks
El gaucho Martín Fierro by José Hernández