Harlequin Romance March 2021 Box Set Cara Colter (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

The heat in Ronnie’s cheeks intensified. The crackling of the fire seemed to synchronize with the sparks dancing along her nerve endings. With the darkness around them, with only the light of the flames illuminating them both, it felt as if she and Red were in the spotlight like two actors in a play, his body so close that his energy was palpable. He was looking at her squarely, his leprechaun eyes glinting mischievously from only about a foot away, the firelight flickering over the strong lines of his face. He was close enough for her to reach out and run her fingers through his—

She blinked and cleared her throat. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call you Ugly Carrottop Four-Eyes,” she replied lightly. “I only see two eyes…”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He smiled. “How about you? I mean, were you teased as a child? I can’t imagine that you had anything to be teased about…”

His eyes swept over her so quickly that Ronnie wondered if she had imagined it…

“Well, actually I was,” she said, drawing herself up in the recliner. “Some kids tried to torment me with a couple of names: ‘Shortie’ or ‘Rabbit.’” She tilted her chin defensively. “But I didn’t care. I liked rabbits.” She took another sip of her wine.

“So we have something in common,” he said softly. “You were the rabbit and I was the carrottop.” He continued to gaze at her intently, and then gave his head a slight shake as if to redirect his thoughts. “I’ve never met a rabbit that wasn’t cute…”

Ronnie felt her pulse quicken. Was this his enigmatic way of saying that he found her cute? Did she want him to find her cute? “Um, well, I’m sure Beatrix Potter would agree with you,” she stated matter-of-factly. “I just wish I could hop home…”

“What? I may not be as cute as a bunny, but I didn’t think my company or conversation were that bad…” His lips drooped into a pout and he blinked dramatically.

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Now you look more like a sad puppy dog.” Still cute, though. More than just cute…

Red burst out laughing. He held up his wineglass. “Let’s toast to bunnies and puppies, the cutest little creatures in the world.”

She held up her glass and realized in embarrassment that there was barely a mouthful left.

“May I?” Red reached for the bottle.

“Ah, no, thanks, I’d better not.” She leaned toward the fire to glance at her watch. “I think it’s going to be a long night…” She shifted in her recliner. “I feel like I’m on a night flight on an airplane. I doubt I’ll be getting much sleep tonight…”

“The recliner does recline,” he said. “Here, just press on this.” He stood up and leaned over to indicate the hidden button. “And keep your finger on it until it’s as far back as you want it to go.”

Ronnie’s pulse quickened as his arm brushed hers and she caught a whiff of his cologne, an exotic spicy scent. When she pressed on the spot, the recliner glided back. She felt self-conscious with Red towering over her while her body moved back with the chair.

“Try to catch some sleep,” he said huskily before throwing another log onto the grate. “I intend to do the same.” He strode over to a couch on the other side of the room and came back with a thick scarlet throw. “This should keep you warm, especially if I fall asleep and the fire burns out.” He smiled, unfolding the throw and placing it over the length of her body. “Good night, Ronnie.”

Something fluttered in her chest as Red looked down at her, his face reflecting the shifting light of the fire. “Good night.” She closed her eyes until she heard his recliner slide back. She stole a sideways glance at him and saw that he had stretched out without a throw, and his arms were crossed over his chest.

And he was looking right at her.

* * *

Red smiled and turned his head away from her. He certainly didn’t want to make Ronnie feel uncomfortable. He imagined it was already awkward enough for her, being stranded in a stranger’s house in the middle of an ice storm. Well, at least knowing that he and Casson were friends would have eased her mind somewhat.

He listened to the crackle of the fire. The room had warmed up, especially around their recliners. Outside, the freezing rain was still pelting the windows, intermittent gusts of wind making it sound intense.

He had absolutely no inclination toward sleeping. How could he, with a woman he didn’t want to be attracted to lying not three feet away from him? She was easy to look at, with her dark hair and dark almond-shaped eyes. He had never seen lashes that long, and he was pretty sure they weren’t fake. She was petite, but Red had sensed her inner strength even before he discovered she was Casson’s cousin. The cousin with the little boy who had undergone treatment for leukemia. He felt a surge of empathy for what they must have both gone through. It had been hard enough for Casson…especially after having lived through the experience with his younger brother. And losing him.

Red was glad Casson had thought of him and his firm when contemplating his dream of building a resort in Franklin’s memory. It had led him to reconnect with his university friend in the picturesque town of Parry Sound and eventually invest in the Victorian home he had always dreamed of but never got around to building himself. He traveled extensively around the world, keeping abreast of the many projects being developed by his firm’s international branches, and when he had visited Casson, he had realized that he needed a place where he could truly take a break from business and just enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

Scenic Georgian Bay and the Muskokas had hooked Red immediately. As his pilot had flown Red’s