Read Online Mistletoe Not Required by Anne Oliver - Free Book Online Page A

wanted to indulge his eyes awhile and see her again. He flicked his eyes her way and watched the sun tangle in her hair, setting it on fire. To breathe in that uniquely fragrant combination of warm and cool. To—
    ‘Did you have to be so rude to Brie? That album idea meant a lot. What the hell’s wrong with you?’
    —And to watch the spark come alive while she told him what she thought of him.
    He liked that spark. It seemed to light her from the inside and grew brighter with passion. It made him want to grab her right here, right now, and kiss the hell out of her and see if he couldn’t steal a little of that light for himself. ‘I’ll talk to Breanna. Explain.’
    ‘I hope so.’
    As close as siblings, he thought. A childhood memory flitted darkly through his mind. His father telling Jett he couldn’t live with him because Breanna had taken his place. ‘Your loyalty’s touching.’
    ‘And your cynicism’s showing.’
    ‘Guess it is.’ He lengthened his stride so that she had to hurry to keep up.
    ‘Don’t you understand loyalty?’
    ‘Never had a reason to.’ He understood independence and self-sufficiency. Responsibility and achievement. He answered to no one and he liked it that way.
    ‘What about your staff?’
    He frowned. ‘What about them?’
    ‘Don’t you appreciate their loyalty?’
    ‘I don’t have staff. Not long term.’
    ‘I wonder why,’ she muttered almost to herself.
    ‘Because I’m not in one place long enough.’
    ‘What about friends? Or don’t you have them either.’ It wasn’t a question.
    ‘I have acquaintances. No point making friends.’
    She stared at him, obviously missing his logic. ‘Brie’s not just a friend,’ she pointed out. ‘She’s your sister. Blood. Family. ’
    Her impassioned words unsettled him. ‘In the New Year. I’ll work on it. Satisfied?’
    ‘Guess I’ll have to be.’
    ‘Hey, it’s Christmas, how about a truce?’
    She skirted around a kid trying out his brand-new skateboard. ‘Okay, truce. For now. I don’t want your last night with Brie spoiled by our inability to understand one another.’
    ‘So where is she?’
    ‘Spending time with a guy since you walked out on her. She’ll be back later.’ They’d reached the marina where the yachts were moored. ‘Let’s talk about yachts instead,’ she said, and stepped out of her shoes. ‘Ever sailed in one of these?’
    ‘Took the Spirit of Tasmania across Bass Strait once.’ He spoke of the passenger and freight vessel linking Tasmania to the mainland.
    ‘Enjoy it?’
    He rubbed the heel of his hand over his belly in wretched remembrance. ‘Even with a deluxe cabin it was eleven hours of pure hell.’
    She nodded, swinging her shoes at her side. ‘Bass Strait can get pretty rough.’
    He didn’t tell her they’d had smooth seas for the whole voyage. That he was no sailor in any way, shape or form.
    They passed several magnificent craft while Olivia described each one in pretty impressive detail.
    Then he saw Chasing Dawn bobbing gently on the water and his throat went dry. Was he actually considering—even remotely—going to sea in this child’s bath toy?
    She interpreted his expression correctly. ‘She may be small but she’s proud and every last inch of her is seaworthy.’ On light feet, she almost skipped ahead and waved a hand towards it when he reached her. ‘Come aboard.’
    He gestured. ‘After you.’
    The deck tilted ever so slightly beneath him as he stepped on board behind her. He had an impression of ropes and canvas and an animated Olivia amidst the chaos.
    ‘You’re the first male to be invited aboard, so welcome. I hope that’s not a bad omen.’
    Making reference to his earlier gaff about women and boats. Should’ve kept his mouth shut.
    ‘So do I.’ He could tell she was determined to impress him with her baby. So far not good. ‘Where’s the rest of the boat?’ he wanted to know, glancing at the end only a few metres away. Or was it called