“Honestly? I think your dad had an addiction,”hesaid.
“Are you saying he couldn’t help it? That it wasn’t hisfault?”
“No. I’m just saying that he had demons in his soul that sucked up all of the love that he should havegivenyou.”
“I always thought it was myfault.”
“No, honey. His inability to love you was about him, not you.” He leaned over to wipe a tear from her cheek. “I’m sorry he hurt yousomuch.”
“I think I’m done for the day,”shesaid.
“Why don’t we go up to my house and get ready fordinner?”
“I don’t really feel like being around a bunch of people right now,”shesaid.
“I know what you needrightnow.”
“What?”
“Some holiday cheer.” When a small smile formed on her lips, his heart warmed. “We’re going to decorate the family Christmas tree tonight. Madison’s making eggnog and huckleberry hot chocolate. Rachel’s baking cookies. It’s a family tradition and I’d love it if you’d comewithme.”
“I might be too Scroogeyrightnow.”
“No. You’re perfect just the way you are,”hesaid.
“I need a shower. I’m coveredindust.”
“Why don’t you run and take a shower while I take some of this trash out to thedumpster?”
“You’re too good to be real,”shesaid.
His bear licked its lips salaciously. It would love to show her exactly how real he was. But he silently warned the beast to have patience. Now wasn’t the time to try to finish what they’d started thatmorning.
Thirty minutes later, she emerged from her bedroom dressed in a thick, red wool dress and knee-high boots. He wanted to unwrap her like a Christmas present, but he kept himself incheck.
“You look beautiful,”hesaid.
“Thank you. I usually feel better when I get dressed up. Do you think it’s okay or am I overdressed for treetrimming?”
“You look great. When we get back to the house, I’m going to have to get cleaned up or I’ll look like a lump of coal next to acandycane.”
“I look like a candy cane?” she asked as confusion furrowedherbrow.
“Good enough to lick,” he saidwickedly.
She blushed until her cheeks matched her dress. He stepped forward, careful to keep his dusty clothes away from her. As he swooped in for a kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He forgot about everything but the warmth of her lips against his. Sighs of pleasure spilled from her mouth between kisses. He groaned and deepened the kiss, lifting her off her feet and twirling her in acircle.
When he set her down, shegrinned. “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
He laced her fingers into his and they walked hand in hand through the snow to his home. Before going inside, he stopped and pulled her in for another kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her and he hadn’t even made love toher—yet.
It was only a matter of time before she agreed to stay. He wouldn’t take her to bed again unless he knew for sure that he’d have enough time to explore a relationship with her. His bear whined and bitched about how he wanted Kate, but he’d have to wait. She wasn’t like all of the other women he’d dated. She wasn’t a passing amusement. There was more to it, and he’d do whatever it took to convince her to stay because he wasn’t ready to lethergo.
Inside the house, Christmas music streamed from strategically placed speakers in the living room. He helped her out of her coat then set it on a hanger in the closet. As he guided her into the living room, Madison looked up from her spot on the floor. She held a knitted reindeer ornament in one hand and a silver hook in theother.
“Hey, we weren’t sure if you were going to make it. I’m so glad you’re here,”shesaid.
