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He took a sip of wine.
    “I come back when I can, and I always spend December with Fay.”
    “No wonder we never saw each other. My visits were between tours, whenever I was stateside. Usually in the summer.”
    Unthinkingly, she placed her hand on his thigh. His head bent, and his eyes locked on hers—dark and mysterious, he seemed torn. More than his uncle’s passing bothered him.
    “Will you tell me about it?” she asked.
    “About what?” His voice sounded like gravel being crunched under his feet.
    “What’s bothering you?”
    Tension ensued, where his gaze turned from anguish to searing hot, then a harsh grunt sounded from deep in his chest just before he rose to his feet. His back muscles flexed as he braced one arm against the stone ledge above the hearth.
    Dani took a deep breath. A comfortable moment where he almost acted like a human being, then she ruined it by pushing him. She knew she shouldn’t let it bother her. After all, he was entitled to his secrets. But when she saw someone in pain, she always tried to make them feel better. There were times when he infuriated her, Every time she got close, he moved away from her. Not anymore. She shot up, the wine sloshing in her glass.
    “Are you always this unpleasant?”
    “ Un pleasant?” His jaw tightened. He placed his glass on the mantle and shoved a hand though his gorgeous hair.
    “We’re drinking wine, talking, and then you go all quiet and turn your back on me.”
    “You’re asking me personal questions.”
    “We’re having a conversation.”
    “Personal. As in too personal. And I have no intention of answering them.” He retrieved his wine glass and stepped past her. “Time to hit the sack.”
    That’s it. Run away. From her? Or his dark thoughts? She couldn’t resist another attempt to get him out of his bad mood. “Are you hitting on me? Inviting me upstairs?”
    His heated gaze slowly and thoroughly scrutinized her. “If I invite you to my bed, sweetheart, there will be no guessing. I’ll ask outright.”
    Dani’s fingers tightened on her glass.
    As she watched his tread upon the stairs, she slowly released her breath. He was one sexy man. And his suggestive tone had butterflies dancing in her stomach. Hunter was not immune. The thought had crossed his mind.
    Why was he fighting it so hard?

Chapter Eight
    The smell of coffee hit her like a homing beacon. Umm. There was nothing like the first cup of coffee in the morning. She climbed out of bed, jerked on some clothes before she got cold, and did her morning ritual. Smoothing her hair, she followed the aroma of fresh caffeine. Hunter was busy at the kitchen counter, intense concentration on his face. Even with that grimace he looked damn good.
    “Can I help you with breakfast?”
    “I’ve got it.” He glanced in her direction, then grabbed a mug. “Want a cup of coffee?”
    “Have any latte around here?” If possible, his frown deepened. “Just kidding. Yes, please.”
    Grouch.
    “You don’t laugh much, do you?”
    “Don’t have reason to.” He shoved the mug across the counter.
    “It’s Christmas.” And he was acting like a Grinch.
    “Life is just fun and games to you, isn’t it?”
    Where did that come from? Something was seriously bothering him. His mood shifts puzzled her, and brought out her nurturing instincts. When she was young, she spoiled her animals, and pampered every stray cat or dog she found. Hunter didn’t know it, but he needed some TLC.
    “It can be,” she said cautiously.
    His mouth tightened, making his jaw look like rock.
    He’d just have to get used to her. She poured a dab of milk in her coffee and picked up a slice of toast. “This is plenty for me.”
    Hunter leaned his jean clad hips against the counter, folded his arms, and studied her. She hated being under a microscope. When she looked at his eyes, they persisted. She took a sip of her coffee which burned her throat. Refusing to acknowledge her discomfort, she broke their stare