Free The Perfect Gift: A Christmas Billionaire Sexy Romance (Three Wise Men Book 1) by Serenity Woods

be peanuts to him. What hotel is it, anyway?”
    “He didn’t say. I’m guessing it’s not going to be a cheap B&B.”
    “Yeah. But my point is that it wouldn’t even enter his head that a gift like that would make you feel uncomfortable. It’ll embarrass him more if you say no.”
    “I suppose.” Excitement rose inside her. “Am I really going to do this? Go away for a night with a man?”
    “You are. You’d better get your legs waxed.”
    “Cait!”
    “And your bikini line.”
    “Oh my God.”
    Caitlin giggled. “I hope you have fun. And look, if you feel too awkward about taking things further, just thank him for a lovely meal and go back to your room. It doesn’t mean you can’t see him again. I’m sure he’ll be expecting you to take it slow. He knows you’re a single mum and that it’s been a while since you went out with anyone. He sounds like a nice guy, Erin. Why don’t you treat him like one?”
    “Yeah. In a way I feel ashamed for having such low expectations.” Anger surged through her. That’s what Jack had done to her. He’d ruined her for every other guy because he’d been such a complete and utter bastard. “I don’t know why I ever liked him. I can’t believe I went out with him.”
    Caitlin had obviously kept up with Erin’s change of tack. “You trusted him—and why wouldn’t you? The majority of men are nice. The majority of the human race is nice. But there is a small percentage that isn’t, and they spoil it for everyone else, destroying our trust. It’s Christmas though. Isn’t it a time for miracles? Maybe this is the guy you’re supposed to be with. Maybe this is Mr. Right.”
    “Maybe,” Erin said doubtfully, “let’s not jump to conclusions. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
    Caitlin reached out and rubbed Erin’s arm. “Jack really did a number on you, didn’t he?”
    Erin knew she didn’t have to explain how hard it had been when her ex had shown his true colors. She’d spoken to Cait a lot on the phone at the time, so Cait was perfectly aware how difficult it had been.
    “Don’t let him spoil this thing—whatever it ends up being—with Brock,” Cait said. “I know you doubt your own instincts now, but try to trust them at the weekend. Go with your gut feeling, and believe in the magic of Christmas.”
    “I’ll try.” Erin finished off her ice cream. It wouldn’t be easy to get rid of all her doubts. Jack had destroyed her trust, and it seemed impossible to get it back. Could Brock really be as nice as he seemed?
     

Chapter Eight
    Brock glanced across at Erin. She sat beside him in his car, looking out of the window at the countryside flashing by. True, it was a splendid view, the hills an emerald green in the summer sun, the sea glittering on either side of them as they headed along the peninsula to Opito Bay. But even though it was magnificent, it didn’t explain why she wasn’t saying anything.
    It had taken until Thursday for her to accept his invitation to go away for the night. He’d texted on Monday to ask how Ryan was doing, and she’d replied to tell him he’d finally been discharged from hospital. After that, over the next few days, they’d exchanged several chatty, light-hearted texts a day, mostly about Ryan, sometimes about what they were up to and how their day was going. He’d fought against his urge to ask if she’d made up her mind, knowing he had to let her come to her own decision without seeming to pressure her, and he’d been relieved when she’d finally sent the text on Thursday.
    I’ve decided, by the way. The answer’s yes.
    His heart had leapt like a sixteen-year-old boy’s after he’d asked a girl to go to the school ball. Excellent , he’d replied, a big grin on his face, shall I pick you up on Saturday at one o’clock?
    I look forward to it, she’d said.
    They hadn’t mentioned it again, although they’d continued to exchange texts. He’d grown used to his mobile vibrating in his pocket.