“Ray’s going to talk to the mayor about holding an ice-sculpting competition. He’s going to arrange for some big blocks of ice to be brought in to Credence, just outside on the main street along the sidewalk, and your father and I—” She slid her hand into his, and a spark of hope lit in Suzanne’s chest at the gesture. “We’re going to judge it.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

“It’ll take a few days to organize, but I reckon we could get it done before Christmas,” Ray enthused.

“It’s fine.” Simone waved a dismissive hand. “We’re here until after Christmas, aren’t we, Suzanne?”

Suzanne nodded and smiled. Not if she could help it…

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Grady was pissed as he strode toward the cabin at two o’clock the next afternoon. It was a bitterly cold day, but anger had his engines roaring hot. And Suzanne St. Michelle was about to feel the full force of it. She’d pretty much annoyed the crap out of him from day one, and despite their relationship taking an unexpected turn—one that involved way too much touching and goo-goo eyes and way, way too much fucking kissing—she still was a pain in his ass.

He may have made a deal with her for a fake relationship, but that didn’t mean he didn’t wake every morning and want to send her away in that ridiculous van.

This morning hadn’t been any different.

And right now? Right now, thanks to his telephone conversation with Burl about his new girlfriend, he’d even leave his balls behind and drive her away in that hideous vehicle himself.

Slamming his hat on the outside hook and briefly stamping his feet on the mat, Grady yanked the door open. “Suzy!”

The house was warm, and the seductive aroma of baking cookies—sugar and vanilla and sweet spices—flooded his senses. But Grady was too ticked even for cookies as three happy faces greeted him from the kitchen.

“Oh, hey,” Suzanne said as she looked up from a mixing bowl with a warm smile of greeting. “You’re home early.”

Christ, that smile. She wasn’t even acting with that smile, and his heart lurched, which rocketed his temper even further. Smiling at him like she hadn’t told all of fucking Credence that she was his girlfriend. His pulse hammered at his temples; his lungs felt tight. He wanted to…kiss that smile right off her face. Kiss her hard and wet and deep until she wasn’t smiling. Until she was breathless and moaning and clinging and she could feel how damn angry he was.

Jesus. Fuck. Grady gave himself a mental shake. Get a grip, dude.