Page 40 of Cowboy Stolen Kiss for Christmas

As he fiddled with the controls, she murmured, “Just for the record, I have zero flight hours as a co-pilot.”

“We’re about to change that, darling.” Before she could blink, he had them rolling down the runway, faster and faster. They whooshed into the mountain breeze and started to ascend.

Laura caught her breath as he banked right and circled back around the side of the mountain. “Oh, Ames,” she breathed, finally understanding what he’d wanted to show her.

The fireworks were still exploding, and they had the best seats in the house. As he flew them over Main Street, the grand finale flashed, shimmered, and smoked across the sky.

Without thinking, Laura reached for Ames’ hand, but he was still busy at the controls. She quickly returned her hand to her lap, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “That was amazing. You’re amazing.”

“I’m glad you liked it, darling.” He sounded pleased as they continued to climb toward the clouds.

“I didn’t just like it,” she gushed. “I loved it. That was seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me!”

“There’s that word again,” he teased.

It was several minutes before they reached cruising altitude. He adjusted a few more controls, then sat back with an expulsion of satisfaction. “If the weather holds, we’ll be in Dallas in a little under two hours.”

The sky around them was drenched with stars. It didn’t look like the weather was going to be a problem.

He leaned her way and winked. “So long as we don’t hit any turbulence, you’re free to move about the cabin, Miss Lee.”

“Oh!” She reached for her seatbelt. “Wow! Are you ready to give me the tour?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He held out a hand to pull her to her feet. Then he ushered her in front of him through the narrow door leading to the main cabin.

As she edged past him, it was impossible to miss the way his gaze dropped longingly to her lips.

Something inside her snapped. She was done grieving and being angry. She was done waiting for answers that might never come. She was even more done with keeping her dating life on hold because of a certain gypsy who, quite simply, wasn’t worth even half of the energy she’d spent grieving over their breakup.

And, in that moment, she could no longer imagine letting Ames Carson move all the way back to Dallas without knowing what their first kiss would be like.

“Ames,” she whispered, sliding her hands up his arms to clasp them around his neck.

He didn’t move. Didn’t immediately enclose her in his embrace. All he did was watch her. “What are you doing, darling?”

“This.” Without any more preliminaries, she rose to her tiptoes to seam their mouths together.

His warm, hard lips remained still for a split second. Then they moved against hers — sampling, exploring, and taking everything she was offering him.

He kissed her like he’d waited a thousand years for it. Like he would treasure the moment forever. Like he was never going to stop.

She lost track of time while she reveled in the wonder of finally becoming his. All his.

“I can’t believe you did that.” He spoke huskily against her lips. “Not that I’m complaining, because I’m not.”

She smiled dreamily. “Maybe I was tired of waiting.”

He rocked her closer. “That makes two of us.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “You sure made me wait long enough.” He hadn’t rushed things between them, not even a little. And in doing so, he’d paved a clear path for her to find her way to him.

He lightly bumped noses with her. “Just wanted to make sure you were ready.” He nuzzled the edge of her mouth hungrily.

“I stole our first kiss,” she whispered. “The next one is up to you.”

He gave her lower lip an experimental nip that made her sigh. Then he slanted his mouth across hers and took them deeper.

---