by Annie Rains
“I will.” The woman pushed a box containing the wine across the counter. “Be careful, dear. It’s heavy.”
The man laid down exact cash for the bottle he’d selected. “I’ll help you get that to your car,” he told Allison as he followed her.
“Not necessary,” she protested, even as she nearly dropped the box.
He heaved it out of her arms easily, his biceps bunching at his sides. Then he opened the store’s door for her and gestured for her to exit first. “Not a problem,” he said.
—
Troy could smell the floral scent of the woman in front of him. It wasn’t excessive, like some women’s perfume. No, Red’s scent was so subtle that he wanted to lean in and get a stronger whiff. And yeah, it wasn’t just the way she smelled that had him wishing he was closer than the arm’s length she seemed to be keeping him at.
Settling the box of wine on her car’s backseat, he straightened and looked at her. He would’ve carried the box for her even if she was old and haggard—which she definitely wasn’t.
“Thank you.” She swept a lock of her rose-colored hair away from her face.
He tensed his hand at his side, wishing he could help her do that, too. “You’re welcome.” A soft smile bloomed on her face, making him feel like he’d just gotten a promotion. Too bad he would probably never see her again. Not unless he got her name and number right here, right now.
His heart bucked against the badge on his chest.
He’d meant it when he said she looked like a nice woman, though. Too nice to get caught up with the likes of him. He had a history of dating and then moving on. That’s just what he did. And in the process of that, he unintentionally hurt people. Nice people.
“All right, then. I’ll see you around,” he said, forcing his lead-heavy feet to move away from Red’s floral scent and goddess-like beauty. He got into his truck and started the engine, then looked over at the parking space where her little car had been a moment earlier. Already gone. Well, good. He had other things to worry about right now, like work, repairs on the fixer-upper house he’d purchased a few months back, and his mother’s guilt trips about not going home for Christmas. Then there was the auction he’d offered himself up for tomorrow night. It was a strange idea, selling men for the good of children. He supposed he’d make a great deal for some overburdened Marine’s wife whose husband was deployed right now. He could conquer a yard like no one else. Troy had grown up doing yard work for extra cash. He was also pretty handy with home repairs. A jack-of-all-trades. He just hoped no one crazy would bid on him. Spending time with crazy wasn’t his idea of fun.
Spending time with Red, however, might’ve been a whole lot of fun.
And a whole lot of trouble, too.
Love stories you’ll never forget
By authors you’ll always remember
eOriginal Romance from Random House
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Other Titles
About the Author
Excerpt from Welcome Home for Christmas
