Page 80 of Christmas Comeback


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Will grinned as he brought the sodas over, placing them on a side table. “Or the world just wants to keep reminding us we’re supposed to know each other.” We stood side by side and looked out his large picture window at the streetscape below, string lights brightening windows in the apartments across from his, pedestrians bundled up and carrying packages. He raised an arm and ran his fingers through my hair. “You’re growing out the auburn?”

“Yeah. No more dye. Letting the natural brown come back.”

“I like it,” he said, dropping his hand to graze his fingers along my neck. “And I like that fate keeps throwing us together.”

“You do, huh?” I put my hand over his, pressing it against my skin.

“Mm-hmm.” I watched his throat work as he swallowed. “And I really like that I’m recovered from my concussion now and can resume all…usual activities.”

Hesitating only a second before leaning harder into his touch, I felt my heart race. “Is that right? And what sort ofusual activitieswere you thinking of resuming?”

He whispered directly in my ear, “Well, there’s this one thing I haven’t done in a really long time because I haven’t found a single person I wanted to do it with.”

I hummed in amusement. “Oh?”

“Yes.” He leaned in, pupils blown. His breath ghosted against my mouth as he continued, “It usually starts like this…”

Will turned and crushed his lips to mine, hungry and consuming. His arms wound around my torso, cementing our chests together. He tasted like the minty gum he’d been chewingin the car. I relaxed into the kiss, allowing him to seal us together in a slow, savoring way that made me feel cherished—as though after five years, we finally had all the time in the world.

I didn’t know exactly what tomorrow held in store for us and even though I had lingering doubts about the loose ends of his past, I knew what I wanted right now. And he wanted it, too.

His hands moved lower to cup my ass, and I ground against him, thrilled at the sensation of his erection pushing against my hip. My mind recalled the scrap of fabric covering him in the shower, not to mention the bulge I’d straddled on Marley’s couch. I had a suspicion this short king would prove more than adequate in the downstairs department.

Gently, I pulled my lips from his. “Your bedroom?” I rasped.

He stared heatedly into my eyes before grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the hallway.

Three sharp, loud knocks sounded on the door.

Will groaned.

“It’s probably Bren coming to collect me,” I said.

He pushed at the hardness tenting his pants and nodded. “It’s okay. We’ve waited this long.”

“True.” I smiled as he gave me a forehead kiss and turned to the door.

Bren and Chase stood on the other side. She immediately came into the room and wrapped me in a tight hug, talking a mile a minute. “Yay! I can’t believe you’re finally back. Super weird coincidence you know Will.” I’d only told her he was James’s friend. It didn’t seem like she remembered him from five years ago. “I’m so glad you came home before Christmas. I figured you’d stay in Coleman Creek until after the new year.”

My expression remained neutral, knowing I’d made the right call in waiting to tell her about my move face-to-face.

“Well, thanks for putting up with me until Christmas Eve,” I said, unwinding her octopus arms from my waist. “Except I gottasay, it feels like a downgrade to go from being roommates to crashing on your couch.”

“Shut your face, woman. We were never just roommates. We’re best friends, and nothing has changed. Also, there’s this weird little hidey hole in our apartment we’ve set up like a second bedroom. It’ll have your name on it until you find a new place.”

“Oh right,” Will piped in. “Some apartments had mechanical units hiding behind walls that literally went to nothing. This building is so old there were a bunch of surprises like that the contractor found. On the plus side, he also uncovered original hardwoods in most of the interiors and terrazzo in the lobby we were able to save.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to keep restoring apartment buildings as a career?” I asked. “You seem to love it.”

“Maybe one day, but I’m good for now. I want to work on my art for a while.”

“Where is your suitcase, Maureen?” Chase asked. “I can carry it to our place.”

I pointed at where I’d dropped my bag in the entryway. Every atom in my body wanted to go back to kissing Will, but the moment had effectively passed.

Knowing I’d be giving Bren the whole story soon, I stepped into his arms. Leaning close to his ear, I murmured, “We’re not done. I’ll text you soon.”

I felt the ripple of awareness go through him as the phrase “text you soon” reverberated between us. Five years after the first time. Except now he’d be waiting for me.