Page 100 of Holiday Hostilities

He slides a hand around my back, his fingers grazing the sensitive skin at the waistband of my skirt in a way that makes my entire focus zone in on where he’s touching me. “I have a confession to make.”

He says this in a low voice that makes the flutters grow tenfold. “Oh, yeah?”

“My gift wasn’t entirely unselfish.”

“Is that right?” I run my hands up his firm chest, reveling in the way my touch makes his heartbeat quicken. “Let me guess, you wanted to test out that shower, too?”

His chuckle is deep and dirty. “No. Well, yes, thatwason my mind. But showers aside, I like the idea of you living in that apartment because it’s so close to this house.”

“So we can still have slasher movie and Scrabble nights after I move out?” I ask with a smirk.

His hand moves to cup my face, his thumb dragging slowly and sexily over my lower lip. “So I can spend as much time as possible with you.”

And if that doesn’t make my entire stomach swoop.

“Awh, you’re going to miss me being your roomie,” I tease, but my voice comes out all throaty. Because honestly, knowing that Aaron might miss me as much as I’ll miss him when I move out feels like another incredible gift.

“I am. But I heard somewhere that it’s best not to start a new relationship while living with the person.” He smirks. “Apparently, that part usually comes later.”

My breath catches. “Relationship?”

“That’s what I want this to be, if it’s what you want.” His fingertips trace my jaw. “I just want to be with you, Olivia. Whatever you want that to look like, I’m here for it. I’m yours.”

I’m yours.

He’s mine.

We belong to each other.

“I think that’s what I want this to be, too,” I say, a lump forming in my throat.

Aaron’s eyes are full of fire and tenderness, longing and desire. His hand presses firmly into my back, pulling me flush against his chest. And just when his lips are about to meet mine…

A squeal behind me startles me so much, I almost fall over.

“What on earth?!”

Aaron is laughing. “I think Nonna may have been eavesdropping on our conversation.”

39

OLIVIA

“What would you think about going to the children’s hospital this afternoon?” Aaron asks me as we clean up after an amazing Christmas breakfast. It’s been a wonderful morning with Aaron’s mom and Nonna, and through every moment, I’ve been repeating the wordboyfriendto myself, over and over, while glancing in Aaron’s direction.

It feels good. And now that I’ve tried the word on for size, I want to wear it forever, like one of his oversized sweatshirts.

“Children’s hospital?” I ask. “Any particular reason why?”

“Mom and Nonna are going to a carol service, so I was thinking of something we could do, too.” Aaron shrugs. “I go there sometimes to chat with the kids and deliver gifts. I was going to stop in when I got back from Jersey, but now that I’m here for Christmas, I figured we could go today.”

“You bring gifts to sick kids on the regular?” I ask him, eyes wide.

“It’s mostly dumb stuff, like those crochet animals I make.” He wipes down the counter, not meeting my gaze. “Don’t go giving me a sainthood or something.”

How on earth did I ever think this man was a terrible human?

“Aaron, that’s not dumb at all. That’s the nicest idea ever, and I’d love to go with you.”

---