Free Their Christmas Vows by MARGARET MCDONAGH Page A

hiding behind torn down, and she was no longer immune to his charm.
    The attraction was becoming a major problem because she knew it could never go anywhere. No matter how much she was coming to admire him, to want him like crazy, she had to hold firm. Somehow. Yet it was increasingly difficult to maintain a distance. There was so much more to Frazer than she had first expected, and she believed Annie was right, that the rumours about his reputation were grossly exaggerated. Not that she imagined he'd ever been a monk. He was too sexy, too intelligent, too much fun not to have a bevy of women attracted to him. And, despite all her warnings, she was one of them. No matter how much she wished she could deny it, the sexual chemistry between them was palpable. But impossible.
    The doorbell rang, startling her from her reverie and increasing her nervous tension a hundredfold. Sucking in a steadying breath, she walked down the narrow hallway and opened the front door, her stomach clenching at the sight of Frazer looking heart-stoppingly gorgeous in a temptingly soft leather jacket, chunky black jumper and faded jeans, the well-worn denim clinging to his hips and leanly muscular thighs in a way that made her pulse race and her mouth water. Disconcerted, she raised her gaze, her throat closing at the slow, dimpled smile, and the liquid chocolate eyes darkening with the unmistakable heat of desire.
    `Hi, Callie.'
    Two words and his throaty voice seemed to wrap around her. `Hello.'
    `You look good.'
    `Thanks.' His appreciation brought a flush to her face, although she didn't think her ankle boots, grey jeans and lavender fleece were anything special. 'Uni, I'll just fetch my coat and things,' she mumbled, cursing her awkwardness, backing away as Frazer stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
    Retreating, foolishly breathless, she gave herself a stem talking-to as she pulled on her coat, and gathered up her bag, cellphone and keys. She discovered Frazer in the sitting room, getting reacquainted with Pecan and Maple. Usually aloof and cautious with strangers, the two felines seemed no more immune to the man's lethal charm than any other female, she noticed with a sigh, halting as he looked up and saw her.
    Her heart thudded as Frazer closed the gap between them, her whole body trembling as he reached out to straighten a kink in the collar of her coat, his hands lingering, drawing her inexorably Closer. She couldn't breathe as his head bent and his lips, warm and supple, brushed her cheek. Her skin tingled. His subtle sandalwood aroma, earthy and sensual, teased and tantalised her. And she yearned to turn her head the scant distance necessary for their mouths to meet. Frightened at her weakness, the lure of temptation, she stepped back, feeling every throb of her pulse in her veins.
    Frazer released her, long dark lashes veiling sultry eyes, a sexy smile playing at his mouth. `All set?'
    `Of course.' She cleared her throat, trying to portray a cool unconcern she was far from feeling. `We should go.'
    Callie was thankful for the diversion supplied by Hamish, who greeted her with customary enthusiasm when she climbed into Frazer's car. The little dog was a dynamo, and devoted to his human companion. The perky Border terrier seemed to have two speeds-sleeping and warp-with little leeway in between, and he was never happier than when he was the centre of attention and being fussed over. A trait for which she was grateful as concentrating on Hamish allowed her time to attempt to get her emotions back in check and distance herself from Frazer.
    The wheels crunched through the frozen top coating of new snow as Frazer drove slowly to the outskirts of town and a building which was surrounded by a large garden filled with shrubs and edged by mature trees.
    What is this place?' she asked, looking around with interest as Frazer found a space in a small but crowded car park.
    `It started out as a home for disabled children and those with special