Holiday Affair Read Online Free

understand why you were a little bit aloof from the backpacker crowd, and that stupid bet made it worse.”
    “I don’t see my mother very often, and when Gramps died a couple of weeks ago, she didn’t even make the service.” Nick reached out for Lissy’s hand across the table as her eyes filled with tears.
    “Gramps was the rock in my life and so proud of me.
    I was hoping to have some good news for him about a promotion in a few weeks, but he died suddenly in his sleep.”
    Nick rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand and Lissy seemed unaware of it as she stared into the candle flickering in the centre of the table. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face as the love for her grandfather shone from her eyes.
    “The last time I visited him, he teased me.” She looked up at Nick and the determination in her face surprised him. “He asked me about my plans, and I can still see his old eyes crinkling at me. He didn’t believe that I’d commit to my career and he always teased me about ending up with three kids, a house with a white picket fence, and a dog named Rex. And, of course, a husband. Gramps was a great believer in love. But nearly thirty years watching Mum search for it taught me that security is far more important. I’m about to achieve a milestone in my career and I’m well on the way to security.”
    “What do you do, Lissy?”
    “No, no details,” she said. “Let’s just be ships that pass in the night. What about you? Family?”
    “Yes. Lots of brothers and sisters, all settled down in the country, producing the required grandchildren for my parents. I’m the son with the wanderlust.” Looking across at her, he raised his wine glass. “I’ll never settle down. I like my freedom too much.” He clinked her glass across the table.
    “To a happy life. I hope you find what you’re looking for and it brings you happiness.”
    Her brilliant green eyes lit up and a sweet smile spread slowly across her beautiful face as she clinked her glass against his. Sadness lingered in her eyes, making him feel even more of an ass for the way he had treated her. The candlelight formed an aureole of light around her golden curls and she looked back at him, her eyes full of trust.
    Eyes that could suck a man right in. It was time to get out of here.
    “Right,” he said briskly, reaching for the bill folder.
    “My treat. Apology for the last two days?”
    “Thanks for listening tonight. You’ve been sweet.” Lissy placed her hand on top of his.
    They walked along the path to their cabins, the sweet smell of frangipani blooms wafting over them. Looking up at the white flowers, Lissy stumbled on a thick root at the edge of the path. Nick reached across and placed his arm casually around her shoulders to guide her. Reaching around, he grabbed and twirled a long curl around his finger. He looked down at her and warmth filled his chest.
    His hand cupped her shoulder and then he gently skimmed his fingertips down her bare arm. She leaned into him with a long drawn-out sigh and he pulled her close. He sensed her crying silently before he felt the tears through his shirt and he held her as she cried. His gut clenched as he realized his crass behavior had added to her troubles the past couple of days. “I’m sorry, Lissy, for upsetting you so much.” She drew back, looking up at him through her tears. He cupped her jaw, lifting her tear-streaked face so that she was looking directly at him.
    “Don’t be silly, I came up here to have a break after Gramps died. No need for an apology. I played the game too.”
    When they reached her cabin, Lissy unlocked the door and turned to Nick.
    “Thank you for dinner, Nick.”
    He leaned down to kiss her cheek and bid her good night. She looked deep into his eyes and the grief and loneliness on her face turned to naked longing. A powerful desire rocked through him as Lissy reached up and brushed a light kiss along his lips.
    Nick wanted her with an intensity that