Read Online A Husband for the Holidays (Made For Matrimony 1) by Ami Weaver - Free Book Online Page B

head and offered a stiff smile to him. More of a baring of teeth than a real smile. “Well, then. Let’s hurry.”
    She strode away toward the elevator, and he couldn’t help watching her slender hips sway. Jeez. What kind of guy stared at a woman’s rear when she was worried and scared and suffering from memories better left buried? He tried not to think of her mouth, hot and mobile under his, just a couple hours ago.
    He moved after her and stepped into the elevator as she jabbed the button for the basement and therefore the cafeteria. She leaned against the wall of the car, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her stance screaming “leave me alone.”
    He couldn’t. “Darcy.” He kept his tone gentle, his stance relaxed. Her gaze shifted to his, then away. “I know what you’re going through.”
    At that her gaze shot to his and she straightened up. “I doubt it very much, Mack.”
    “You’re thinking about that night. It’s hard to be here.”
    “But yet you came,” she said, and there was a thread of bitterness under her words.
    “Of course I did. Joe and Marla are important to me.”
    Now her gaze was full of pain. “That’s good,” she murmured.
    He moved closer, trapping her in the corner. “Am I wrong?”
    She shook her head. “Not as long as you’re here for them only. What went wrong with us can’t be fixed, Mack.”
    “I lied.”
    She drew back, whether from the words or the heat in his tone, he wasn’t sure. He forged on, pinning her in the corner with his gaze, careful not to touch her. “I’m not sorry I kissed you earlier.”
    She blinked and the elevator door opened. He turned and walked out, sure if he didn’t get away right then, he’d give in and kiss her until the pain in her eyes went away. Until the past wouldn’t wedge between them anymore.
    * * *
    Darcy followed him into the cafeteria, a little surprised at how busy it was for midnight. But far more shocked by Mack’s arrival and his words in the elevator. She’d been working darn hard on a righteous anger and he’d just popped it like a balloon.
    She needed the anger to keep her distance. To keep the fear for her uncle at bay.
    Right now she was too wrung out to sulk about it.
    Mack handed her a tray and proceeded to pile it with crackers, cookies and some fruit. Her hands trembled, but she managed to hold the tray.
    He tipped her chin up with one finger. “Hey,” he said softly. She blinked back the tears the gesture threatened to break loose. She would not cry, not here, not now, not ever...
    He took the tray and set it down, then pulled her in as the dam broke. She couldn’t help it, she burrowed in, and he wrapped her up tight, murmuring words she couldn’t quite understand, but the tone was soothing. He pressed his lips to her hair. She felt the light kisses even as she sobbed out her fear and anger and regrets into the chest of the man she’d loved more than life itself and had lost.
    Finally, she wasn’t sure how long it took, but her sobs subsided into hiccups and it dawned on her where she was. She didn’t have the energy to break away, even though she knew she needed to. They stood like that, the steady pound of his heart calming her, his heat seeping into places she hadn’t known she was cold.
    “Better?” His voice was a rumble under her ear. He didn’t loosen his grip, but she nodded against his chest and pulled away slightly. He loosened his grip but didn’t let her go.
    “Oh, no.” She touched his shirt lightly. It was wet and sported mascara smears. “I made a mess. I’m sorry.” She must look a fright, but she couldn’t bring herself to care, even if she was covered in snot, mascara and tears.
    He ran his hands up her arms and she became aware they were in a public place, and even though it was late, they had an audience. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to break the contact. “I don’t care, Darce. It’ll wash.”
    She stepped back and he let her go, with what looked like