Page 63 of Kiss Me

CHAPTER 16

Tania

“But all I have is a few bottles of wine and some signed photos of me.” I frown as I stare at the sad amount of gifts I have to share with the Townsend family.

Taehyun comes up behind me, places his hands on my shoulders, and kisses my temple. The move is so tender and comforting that I automatically lean back into his strong chest.

He wraps his arms around my waist.

“Trust me when I say that is more than enough. They don’t expect anything from you,” he tells me. “Besides, I’ve already added your name to the gifts I bought.”

Gasping, I spin to face him. “You what?”

He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “I had everything gift wrapped a few days ago and put your name on the presents as well.”

I narrow my eyes. “I wasn’t even invited to their Christmas Eve gift-unwrapping then. That was before you asked me to join you.”

Yesterday, after the disappointing phone call with my dad, and telling Taehyun about my plans to open a snowboard camp, we spent the entire day watching more Christmas movies.

Sometime between our movies watching, cuddling, and yes, copious amounts of sex, he asked me to come with him to the Townsend family’s gift-unwrapping.

Apparently, it’s a tradition for all of the family members to get together on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts while the individual families spend Christmas morning together before all coming together again on Christmas night.

A smile tips the corners of my lips as I think about how wonderful it must be to have a family so large and still so close.

“Are you sure they won’t mind me being there?” I frown as the thought comes to my mind yet again.

He levels a look at me. “What did I tell you the five other times you asked that same question?”

I nudge him with my elbow. “I’m just making sure. It seems like they’re a family who takes their holiday traditions very serious. I don’t want to intrude.”

“If they don’t mind me crashing the party, they sure as hell won’t mind you being there. Besides, I’m sure just about all of the girls in that family are halfway in love with you already.”

I grin but peer down at the signed photos on the table. “I have to tell them the snowboards and gear I purchased for them will be at their houses once they get back home after vacation.”

Taehyun shakes his head. “Told you not to do that, but you don’t listen.”

I push him away. “I don’t listen to you. My mom always taught me never to show up as someone’s guest, empty handed.”

He groans but doesn’t say anything.

The distance from Taehyun’s cabin to the central location where the family’s celebration is held is about a mile away. So, we chose to drive.

“Not bringing the crutch?” Taehyun asks, eyeing the crutch in the backseat of his rented SUV.

I shake my head. “I can start telling people that it’s doing much better,” I say with confidence.

I only faked a grade one sprain. Given the amount of time it’s been, most people will believe that I’m doing much better now. I should still feel guilty about faking an injury, but the guilt isn’t nearly as prominent as it was days ago.

It’s given me the space and time I needed.

Then I glance down at my hand which is cradled in Taehyun’s. On instinct, I squeeze his hand. A smile splits his lips, making him look even more handsome than usual.

Which is saying a lot.

I’ve gotten so much more than I wanted this holiday season.

“Same here,” he says, bringing me to the realization that I’ve spoken my thoughts out loud.

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