Mistletoe Mischief Read Free Page B

her knuckles, fresh tears brightened her eyes and an overwhelming urge to gather her close for a comforting hug surprised him.
    “I don’t even know how to thank you,” she said.
    “It could just as easily have been Reese. All that matters is that Heather’s safe.”
    The girls rushed back to their side of the platform. Eric reluctantly released Marissa’s hand as Heather asked, “Did you see me, Mom? Lucy licked me!”
    Marissa blinked a few times before giving her daughter a bright smile. “I got a picture of it,” she said.
    “Let me see!”
    Both Reese and Heather crowded close to view the digital camera screen, giggling over Lucy’s tongue and themselves in the snapshots. Reese pulled Eric close to see a picture of her with her hand near the mouth of one of the giraffes. “That’s Larry, Dad. I didn’t forget him.”
    Eric grinned and ruffled her dark curls, surprised she’d remembered. “Atta girl. So, what’s next?”
    “Lunch!” they exclaimed in unison and took off for the stairs.
    “Hey, slow down and wait for us,” Eric called before raising his brows toward Marissa. She didn’t seem in her usual hurry to tail the kids. “Ready?”
    He started forward, but with Marissa’s first step, she gasped in obvious pain. She lifted pressure off her right foot so fast that any amount of balance she had on her left was lost. Eric ducked one flailing arm and caught her against his chest before she went down.

 
    Chapter Three
     
     
    “Whoa—what the heck did you do?”
    Eric’s voice rumbled in his chest against her back, but Marissa was too busy biting back a whimper of agony to enjoy the feel of the strong arms that’d caught her.
    “My stupid heel wedged in the boards before, and I twisted my ankle when Heather almost went over the railing.”
    And with that one single step just now, the throbbing pain she’d been trying to will away exploded into a thousand sharp knives stabbing at her ankle. Adrenaline had kept her oblivious until after she held Heather safe in her arms, and then, she’d hoped the pain would fade if she gave it a few minutes.
    Obviously not.
    “Mom? What’s the matter?”
    Heather stood in front of them with an anxious expression. Marissa wiped the moisture from her eyes and gave her daughter a reassuring smile. “I hurt my ankle a little, but it’s okay, I’ll be fine.”
    The knives had dulled slightly, receding enough to let the details of Eric’s hard, muscular body register on her consciousness. He helped her straighten, and her body slid up along his chest in the process. A wave of heat crashed over her.
    “Can you stand?” he asked.
    “As long as you don’t let go.” The moment the breathless words escaped, her cheeks flamed. She sounded as turned on as she suddenly felt. Their daughters stood three feet away, for heaven’s sake! Staring at their parents with big, round eyes.
    “I won’t let go,” Eric promised. “Take a couple slow, deep breaths and I’ll carry you to that bench down there.”
    Marissa focused her gaze toward the bottom of the steps. Thank God. He thought her breathlessness stemmed from the pain. A few moments ago, yes . Now? Not so much . And no way she’d let him carry her.
    “I can walk.”
    “It’ll be easier if—”
    The zoo employee who’d checked on Heather earlier had noticed their group again. “Is everything okay?” the young man asked. “Should I call for the medical cart?”
    “That’s not a bad idea,” Eric said. “Thanks.”
    “I’ll walk,” Marissa insisted when the employee lifted his walkie-talkie.
    “Fine, you walk,” Eric relented. But then he still nodded to the employee to make the call before stooping slightly to fit his shoulder under hers. His arm curved around her waist for support. “Let’s go. Girls, wait for us at the bottom.”
    With his help, Marissa hobbled toward the stairs. She didn’t know which was worse, her unsteady balance in the strappy sandals, or the riot of sensations