Page 55 of Snowed In

I took a sip of coffee and looked out over the horizon. “This month with you has been the most amazing month of my life.”

His face fell and he slid from my lap. “But...”

I shook my head and dragged him back onto my lap, laughing when he spilled a few drops of his coffee.

“Nobut. It’s been the most amazing month of my life, period.Because I got to know you even better, and I like what I’m finding out.”

“You do?”

The fragile hope in his eyes made my heart soar.

“Yes. And this is where you say that you’ve enjoyed getting to know me as well.”

He punched my shoulder lightly, then kissed it. Then kissed me.

“I have loved getting to know you better,” he said, breathless. “You are incredibly sexy. And funny. But you make me feel cared for. And protected. And I love that.”

“Do you lovethat?” I asked, running my fingertips across his brows. “Or do you love me?”

He blinked at me, his eyes reddening in an instant.

“Jesse?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

“Mm . . . yeah. But I want to hear it.”

After a moment he sat back and scrunched his nose, the opposite of the hatred I’d seen in the courtroom. I winked at him, and he let out an undignified grunt.

“I’ve probably been in love with you since you opened that door. And I don’t want to think about life without you.”

“Good. Neither do I.”

“Because?” he asked, arching a brow.

“Because I love you, too.”

We laughed and kissed and spilled a little more coffee, but it didn’t matter.

“Kinda feels like we’re celebrating Christmas in July,” Jesse said, sighing as he rested his head on my shoulder.

“I agree. And I can’t think of a better present than having you in my arms.”

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