Home for the Holidays by Debbie Macomber

“Yes.” Her throat felt thick, clogged with confused emotion, and forming coherent words suddenly seemed beyond her. She tried gesturing with her free hand, but that only served to frustrate Joe.
    â€œCait,” he asked, “what’s wrong?”
    â€œPaul.” The name came out in an eerie squeak.
    â€œWhat about him?”
    â€œHe phoned me.”
    â€œYes, I know. You already told me that.”
    â€œDon’t you understand?” she cried, her throat unexpectedly clearing. “Paul is finally showing some interest in me and now you’re kissing me and telling anyone who’ll listen that the two of us are married and you’re doing ridiculous things like…” She paused to draw in a deep breath. “Joe, oh please, Joe, don’t fall in love with me.”
    â€œFall in love with you?” he echoed incredulously. “Caitlin, you can’t be serious. It won’t happen. No chance.”

Chapter Six
    â€œN o chance?” Cait repeated, convinced she’d misunderstood him. She blinked a couple of times as if that would correct her hearing. Either Joe was underestimating her intelligence, or he was more of a…a cad than she’d realized.
    â€œYou have nothing to worry about.” He sipped coffee, his gaze steady and emotionless. “I’m not falling in love with you.”
    â€œIn other words you make a habit of kissing unsuspecting women.”
    â€œIt isn’t a habit,” he answered thoughtfully. “It’s more of a pastime.”
    â€œYou certainly seem to be making a habit of it with me.” Her anger was quickly gaining momentum and she was at odds to understand why she found his casual attitude so offensive. He was telling her exactly what she wanted to hear. But she hadn’t expected her ego to take such a beating in the process. The fact that he wasn’t the least bit tempted to fall in love with her should have pleased her.
    It didn’t.
    It was as if their brief kisses were little more than a pleasant interlude for him. Something to occupy his time and keep him from growing bored with her company.
    â€œThis may come as a shock to you,” Joe continued indifferently, “but a man doesn’t have to be in love with a woman to kiss her.”
    â€œI know that,” Cait snapped, fighting to hold back her temper, which was threatening to break free at any moment. “But you don’t have to be so…so casual about it, either. If I wasn’t involved with Paul, I might have taken you seriously.”
    â€œI didn’t know you were involved with Paul,” he returned with mild sarcasm. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his pose infuriatingly relaxed. “If that was true I’d never have taken you out. The way I see it, the involvement is all on your part. Am I wrong?”
    â€œNo,” she admitted reluctantly. How like a man to bring up semantics in the middle of an argument!
    â€œSo,” he said, leaning back again and crossing his legs. “Are you enjoying my kisses? I take it I’ve improved from the first go-around.”
    â€œYou honestly want me to rate you?” she sputtered.
    â€œObviously I’m much better than I was as a kid, otherwise you wouldn’t be so worried.” He took another drink of his coffee, smiling pleasantly all the while.
    â€œBelieve me, I’m not worried.”
    He arched his brows. “Really?”
    â€œI’m sure you expect me to fall at your feet, overcome by your masculine charm. Well, if that’s what you’re waiting for, you’ll have one hell of a long wait!”
    His grin was slightly off center, as if he was picturingher arrayed at his feet—and enjoying the sight. “I think the problem here is that you might be falling in love with me and just don’t know it.”
    â€œFalling in love with you and not know it?” she repeated with a loud