Free Gift Wrapped for Christmas: A Contemporary Romance by Mona Ingram

as if I’ve lost my place.”
    “It’s not as if you were off
shooting craps in Las Vegas.” She feigned horror. “Were you?”
    He laughed, and his shoulders
relaxed. “No, you’re right. Things are bound to happen when I’m not here.”
    It was her turn to bump shoulders
with him. “Annie’s lucky that you care so much.”
    He nodded absently. “So who’s
Lily?”
    “My roommate. Lily Hsu. She has a
silkscreening studio out by the airport.” She lifted her shoulders. “I don’t
know how it happened, but Lily and I sort of adopted Annie.”
    “Does Chase know about this?” He
raised an eyebrow.
    “Oh, yeah. He’s met Lily and
everything.” She smiled to herself, recalling the sparks between the two A-type
personalities.
    Brent looked at her oddly. “Why
did you say it like that? About Chase meeting your roommate.”
    “No reason.” Maddie shrugged
again. “You should ask him.”
    “Uncle Brent. Put your arm around
Maddie so I can take your picture.” They’d been so engrossed in their
conversation, they hadn’t noticed Annie. She stood before them, her camera raised.
    He put an arm around Maddie.
“How’s this?” he said, posing for his niece.
    “Perfect,” she said, flashing a
surprisingly adult smile at Maddie. “Just perfect.”
    More parents had arrived, and
most of the girls were taking off their skates. “Five more minutes, okay,
Munchkin?” Brent called to her retreating back.
    She waved and skated off.
    “And then there’s the puppy.”
Brent shot her a cautious look out of the corner of his eye.
    “What puppy?” Maddie frowned.
    “For Annie. For Christmas.” Why
was he looking guilty?
    “Has she asked for a dog? And how
long has she been asking, or is this a spur-of-the-moment thing?”
    “Well...” Brent looked
uncomfortable. “She didn’t exactly ask for one. But she’s plenty old, don’t you
think?”
    Maddie gave him a punch on the
arm. “It’s for you, you phony! You’re the one who wants a dog.”
    He grabbed his arm. “Ow! That
hurt.”
    “Did not, you big baby.”
    “Okay, I confess. I’d like to
have a dog in the house, but I really do think Annie would benefit from having
a dog of her own.”
    “Are you asking me to get one?
I’ll need to know what kind.”
    His gaze rested on Annie. “A
family dog. One that’s gentle.”
    “I’ll do it, but only if I can
get a dog from a shelter.”
    “That’s a great idea. And the
company can make a generous donation, as well.”
    “How much?” She looked at him
with a challenge in her eyes.
    “Five hundred dollars?”
    “I thought you said generous.”
    “Okay then, a thousand.” They
laughed together, and when they stopped, their heads were close. This time she
didn’t imagine the desire in his eyes. For a moment she thought he was going to
kiss her, and then he shook himself, dislodging the snow that had gathered on
his jacket.
    “Brent?” she said softly, raising
a hand to his cheek. His beard wasn’t at all prickly, it was soft and inviting.
“Is there something wrong?”
    “Yes.” The desire in his eyes had
turned to something close to desperation. “I have to go away again.” His gaze
darted around the rink, as though he was looking for a way out. “My timing
sucks.”
    He stayed silent for a few
moments.
    “I want to see you again when I
get back.” He looked into her eyes. “Would that be okay with you?”
    Her smile was her answer, but to
be sure, she nodded. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like that a lot.”
    He leaned forward, his intention
clear. Heart pounding, she lifted her lips to meet him. He cupped her head with
one large hand, his fingers splayed in her braid. Then his lips covered hers,
and she met him eagerly, reveling in the touch and taste of him. Large flakes
began to fall, but lost in the sweetness of their first kiss, they barely
noticed.
    He pulled back with a shy smile.
“Sorry,” he said. “That was a bit awkward.”
    “Was it?” She smiled up