Page 40 of The Christmas Romance Wish

“Seriously? Jesse and Paxton were talking about it the night before you arrived.”

“I keep it to myself because I’m not the best spokeswoman for its effectiveness.”

“I take it you and the tech guy didn’t keep your heads together for very long.”

“Nope. I’m undateable. Not marriage material.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“He was clear about that when I found him with a woman named Kimmy. He told me he was working late in the computer lab before it closed at the end of the semester. Then on Christmas, when I was expecting him to keep the plans we made, I found him in his dorm with a girl named Kassy from our history class. He turned it all around on me, said I wasn’t dateable, never mind marriage material.” I hiccup again.

Alex’s voice has a sharp edge when it reaches me. “Emmie, here’s a truth. When we first met in person, it was attraction at first sight.”

I turn slowly toward him. The bah humbugs get buzzy with interest.

“At dinner on Friday night, I had to force myself to keep my distance because of our working relationship. I couldn’t help but notice you, or how some of the single guys responded to you all weekend. They wanted to line up to roll with you after you submitted Pax.” He chuckles like he’d sooner take them each down single-handedly than let that happen.

Shaking my head from side to side, I have my doubts, but while we’re telling the truth, he may as well know mine. “From the first time we talked on the phone, I had a crush on your voice.”

His tone lowers teasing amusement. “Is that so?”

“I didn’t let it go further than that because of Ginny.”

He nods. “And Dylann and the whole co-writing the book thing,” he says, adding to the list.

“We had to keep it professional,” I say, hoping that’s not still true.

I dart a glance at Alex.

His gaze is intense, filled with want.

The bah humbugs feel the same way, filling me up with longing for this man who has quickly become a shelter, a very handsome beacon that I hope guides me to a future just beyond my own personal avalanches.

Either that, or we’re just keeping each other warm.

At this point, I’ll take either.

Seated here, I’m toasty and safe beside Alex, despite the potential to freeze to death. If this is the way I go, it’s not so bad.

Then his gaze dips to mine. Like trying to catch snowflakes in a net, I sense what’s coming but am not sure it’s right—my busy brain questions everything, including the fantasies I’ve dreamed about while doodling.

His lips part.

I nibble mine.

“Emmie, what would happen if I kissed you right now?”

The bah humbugs answer with fluttery excitement. For once, we agree on something. “I’d kiss you back.”

Then his hand gently cups my jaw, drawing my face to his.

Our mouths meet.

My world is a glittery explosion of scrambled Scrabble letters. I don’t have words for this.

Alex’s lips on mine drive every thought out of my overcrowded mind. Well, except for one. We’re kissing. The sensation, the elation, and then a welcome hush consume me.

He ropes his fingers in my hair. I splay mine across the back of his neck. We’re wearing full outerwear, yet I’ve never felt closer to a person.

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