Page 154 of Snowed In

“Good. I just…I don’t want anyone else but you.” I stare up at him and he looks away shyly. “If we do this…can we keep it just between us?”

That makes something inside of me shrivel up, but then he shakes his head and clarifies. “Not like I’m ashamed. I’m not. I’ll tell anyone you’re with me. You’re so hot. I’d love to show you off.”

That makes me puff up, and he continues, “I mean, can we keep this monogamous? I don’t want to share you.”

I meet his stare and something breaks within me. How fucking romantic is this guy? I can’t stand it. My heart thumps in my chest, and I rub at it.

“Yeah. Okay.”

The worried turn of his lips moves into a smile. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, we can see how it goes. Never been monogamous before, but I think I can manage.”

He leans into me, his lips hitting mine. “It’s going to be real good, Wren. You’ll see.”

Chapter Four

Wren

Christian isn’t wrong. It’s real fucking nice being with him. He’s so responsive and respectful. I should hate it, but I crave it. It’s been a month since the wedding, and it still feels like the first time every time I kiss him.

And what’s even worse is I’m falling for him. Big time. Yesterday, he brought me flowers. A fucking bouquet. They’re sitting in a vase on my shitty island in my shitty apartment. And he’s coming over tonight after work. He’s going to make me dinner.

I don’t know why, but he makes me swoon.

I hate that I’m being reduced to this, but I love it all the same. Never really had anyone so normal before, so stable, and I crave it.

When he finally gets to my place, he pulls me into a tender kiss, and I melt against him. It’s more than just sex with him; he makes me feel things. Always has, and it seems he’ll continue to do so.

“You okay?” he asks, his hand rubbing up and down my back.

“Yeah, totally fine.”

“You hungry for dinner?” he asks and I watch as he sets the bags on my kitchen counter and gets to work. He slides an apron over hismuscular body and I honestly want him to be wearing nothing underneath it. I want him completely naked next time.

But I don’t say that; just grab a beer and pop the top, offering him one, but knowing he’s going to refuse. He’s so good, much too good for me, and yet I’m still holding on.

I want this.

I want him.

When dinner is finally ready, and we sit down to eat it, his ankle links with mine. He’s always touching me, cuddling me. I should hate it, but I want it so badly.

“So, I um, told my sister about us,” he blurts after a moment of silence.

The noodle in my mouth goes down the wrong hole and I choke, sputtering and gasping for air.

“What the fuck?” I finally manage after I can breathe.

“Yeah, she was…confused, but wants to meet you. If you want.”

“Yeah, if you want me to.”

“I do. I, um, well, and there’s a little bit of a problem.”

I brace myself for that. Don’t know what the problem is, but it makes me feel like I’m having a stroke.

“I kinda told her you’re my boyfriend.”

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