Free Risky Christmas by Jill Sorenson Page A

she knew Brian was long-term material, she had to be more careful about getting emotionally involved. To her dismay, she already felt attached. She didn’t know what she’d do if the Witness Protection Program relocated her again. If Mariano Felix was really on her trail, she could kiss Brian goodbye.
    It was better to keep her distance and protect her heart.
    Mandy and Alyssa went to bed early, exhausted from the long day in the sun. Leah took a bath that didn’t calm her. Belting a robe around her waist, she walked up and down the hall, wringing her hands.
    To hell with it. She had to talk to him.
    Rushing back to her bedroom, she threw off the robe and rifled through her underwear drawer, choosing a black lace bra and matching panties. She’d never had the opportunity to wear the set before. It wasn’t a good idea to wear it now.
    She was tempting fate, for sure.
    Ignoring her niggling conscience, she put on the lingerie, along with a pair of low-rise jeans and a slinky, scoop-necked top. It was New Year’s Eve. If a woman couldn’t dress sexy on an adult holiday, when could she?
    She applied a touch of eye makeup and shimmery lip gloss, throwing caution to the wind. Slipping into balletflats, she fluffed her damp hair, which had been dyed several shades darker than her natural honey-blonde.
    Preparing food was therapeutic for her, so she made a plate of snacks to fit the occasion. Cheese, crackers, olives.
    That done, she headed out the door, cutting across the lawn to Brian’s house before she could change her mind.
    She raised her hand to knock on the screen door. He was standing at the kitchen counter, frowning at a stack of papers. Building plans, she supposed. His features were illuminated by the glow of an overhead lamp.
    He turned his head at the sound of her arrival, his dark brows lifting in surprise. Abandoning his plans, he strode toward her, opening the door. His eyes skimmed down her body in a slow visual caress. “Leah.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said, her stomach fluttering. “I overreacted. I do that a lot.”
    He leaned against the doorjamb, smiling easily. “It’s okay. I kind of like that about you.”
    â€œYou’re kidding.”
    â€œNo. It’s better to overreact than not care about anything.”
    He was being kind—and she appreciated it. “The girls are sleeping and I can’t leave them alone for long. Would you like to come over?”
    His gaze darkened. “Yes.”
    â€œJust to talk,” she blurted.
    With a low laugh, he nodded. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
    She stepped away from the front door, careful not to trip on the uneven sidewalk. “See you then.”
    While she waited for him to join her, she tidied up the kitchen and set the cheese plate on the coffee table.Although it was an evening for spirits, she didn’t have any alcohol in the house, not even cooking wine.
    Luckily, Brian brought his own. He arrived on her doorstep with two bottles of beer. “Is this all right?”
    â€œPerfect,” she said, waving him in and locking up behind him. She went to the kitchen, grabbing the bottle opener from the silverware drawer. He did the honors for them both, acting the gentleman.
    â€œCheers,” he said, clinking his bottle against hers.
    Leah followed his lead, taking a small sip. Normally she would have poured her beer into a glass but she didn’t want him to think she was a snob. She was afraid she’d already given him that impression.
    â€œHave a seat,” she said, leading him to the couch. “I made some snacks.”
    He sat down beside her, glancing at the cheese plate. The reminder that she’d refused his dinner invitation hung in the air between them.
    She cleared her throat. “I wanted to explain myself.”
    â€œYou don’t have to.”
    Taking another sip, she set aside her beer. “I’m sorry I accused you of