Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 32

The Gang picks up my mood, milling around. Archie bounces about, yapping excitedly until Meg snaps at him and he sheers off. Then as the four play at rough-and-tumble under the table, Scruffy joins them and I snap. “Quiet! All of you!”

The dogs subside and assemble under the desk, panting. Ryan stares at me. “Kirstie?”

I shouldn’t have done that.

They’re only enjoying themselves…

Too much wine...

That’s what I tell myself anyway. “I’ll be back in a while. I’m taking the dogs out.”

He starts to rise from the chair. “I’ll keep you company.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s alright.” He stares after me as I exit the study.

Wrapping a thick scarf around my neck and tugging mittens onto hands, I call the dogs and once more they bounce jubilantly after me as I head outdoors.

I gasp at the frigid wall of air as I open the door. The Gang don’t seem to notice, tumbling out into the snow as I carefully pull the door closed behind me.

The icy air and brilliant sunshine are an instant antidote to my ill mood. Around me lies a vast sparkling snowscape, covering grass and shrub and tree, rolling down the mountain to where even the lake lies as a single glistening sheet.

What do I have to be miserable about?

Really?

I pace up and down in the snow, watching the dogs playing, racing around in silly circles, barking joyously.

What’s wrong with me?

Just nerves?

Self-analysis isn’t easy. Sometimes one must face unpleasant truths.

Is it just nerves?

Just anxiety about the biggest purchase I’m ever likely to make?

Or is it more?

Ryan…

I was single for years. Happily so.

And then Ryan appeared in my life.

I love you.

want to be bound

digs into the snow, his paws a blur as he excavates a hole, spraying snow backwards and covering Meg

can’t I catch

my neck and

I’m being watched…

…

Don’t be ridiculous…

Cautiously, I scan around.

is

Is he watching us?

fucking obvious strikes

why Klempner’s

on the edges of my vision and

of the terrace, leaning against the wall, cradling a steaming mug as he watches the

idiot. “Oh, sorry. I

pleasantly. “You're not disturbing me. I just

wave my hands uselessly, not knowing how to

My what?

I don’t know.

regards me for a

Just a bit… out of sorts.” His brows rise, as though waiting for me to keep

slowly, pursing his lips. “So there

perhaps there’s a reason I’m not the only one outside in

is he out here

“Are you alright?”

know what to expect. I thought all that…” He waves back in towards the house… “… stuff just came out of movies. Holly and trees and mulled wine… I never believed it was real.” He sips at his drink. “The whole Christmas family thing… is

again. “To tell the truth, I find it all a bit

is important,” I say. “It's important to Charlotte, certainly.

down into his mug. “No,

remember who I'm talking to. That this solitary, silent man, is

he seems

someone to

who’s not

“What happened?” I ask.

for Christmas. You have a problem with

I mean, you’re Lawrence Klempner…” His lips quirk… “… And yet here you are helping to decorate a tree with

of my question

started, so I finish… “…like what

with amusement. “What you expected? Yes, in fact I do only

My cheeks burn…

laugh. “James did mention that you're apt to let your mouth run away

Oh… Jeez…

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