Free Miss Mistletoe by Erin Knightley Page B

lightly. We must be sure that we match your needs and desires as well as possible.”
    Finn lifted an eyebrow in Cece’s direction. He was fairly certain that
she
was the perfect match to his needs and desires. She merely shook her head and rolled her eyes. Apparently she was not amused. Smiling to his host while holding Cece’s gaze, Finn said, “I can hardly wait to begin.”
    * * *
    The word
torture
had picked up a whole new meaning in the past two days. Cece would have never guessed that sitting beside someone at a dinner table, trying to carry on a normal conversation, could be so difficult. Or walking beside them while listening to her father lecture on about the merits of the various plants in their arsenal. Or trying to sleep while knowing that same person was only rooms away.
    What made her particular brand of torture so difficult to bear was the fact that Papa was always there, listening to their words, but oblivious to the heated looks and heartfelt expressions Finn sent her way. Or worse, the silent entreaties to follow him somewhere so they could talk.
    So far, she had managed to keep from being alone with him. Yes, she had clung to her father like a lifeline, but it was only for her peace of mind. A defense mechanism to keep from losing her heart any more than she already had.
    If that were even possible.
    It was breakfast on the third day of his visit when her luck ran out. “Cecelia, Senor Pascucci will be here shortly for my Italian lessons. Would you be so good as to show Lord Edgerton our aquatic species? He had mentioned the idea of a water feature in the center of the plan, and I’d like him to see the various options we have.”
    Finn raised an eyebrow in her direction, daring her to say no to her father’s request. He knew, of course, that she could not. “Yes, of course, Papa. Do be sure to join us when you are finished.”
    Not wasting even a second, Finn stood. “Enjoy your lesson, Squire. Miss McCrea, shall we? I find I am most eager to examine your selection.” He held out a hand, which she ignored as she came to her feet.
    “Certainly, my lord.” Her words were as sweet as her gaze was quelling. “Follow me, if you please.”
    She marched through the house, keeping her eyes straight ahead even as her whole body seemed fixated on the viscount’s presence behind her. There was no more hiding from the confrontation that was coming. By the time she pushed through the conservatory door, she was wound tighter than a spring, ready to tell him once and for all to leave her alone.
    Only she didn’t get the chance.
    The very moment the door closed, Finn snagged her by the wrist and tugged sharply, pulling her flat against his chest. Her breath came out in a startled gasp and he didn’t give her even a second to recover before his mouth crashed down on hers.
    She tried to struggle, to break free of his hold, but he only nestled her more closely. The moment his tongue touched her lips, she was lost. With a groan, she opened to him, drowning in the sensations that swept through her body. When she kissed him back, it was with fierceness, her anger at being unable to resist him fueling her passion. Her reaction only encouraged him, and he swung her around and pressed her back against the door, plundering her mouth with his own.
    The kiss went on and on until the fight went from her, until she was nearly limp in his arms. Only then did he pull away, pressing one last kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I’ve missed you,” he said quietly.
    She almost laughed. It was quite possibly the understatement of the year. “I can see that.”
    His green eyes darkened to the color of the
Philodendron Selloum
behind him and he advanced a step toward her. “You missed me, too, Cece. You can’t possibly claim otherwise.”
    Her chin tilted up, her spine stiffening at the challenge. “I can, and I do. Don’t mistake enjoyment of a kiss as anything more than exactly that.” Another defense mechanism. How