Page 75 of Holly, Jolly, and Oh So Naughty

Overwhelming love pours through me, and I cup James’s cheek, kissing him deeply once more.

Christmas really is the perfect time of year.

30

JAMES

“Merry Christmas.” Lily’s hands slide around my waist and press flat against my abdomen. Her grip tightens, and she draws me back against herself, pulling my attention away from the dessert I was very carefully placing sugar candy stars onto.

Christmas Day has been magical from start to finish. I woke early, still unable to believe that Lily had said yes to the question, and showered quickly. By the time I headed downstairs, the inn was filled with light and music as Lily’s parents hosted a Christmas breakfast for all the guests still staying there, myself included. Lily and Emma arrived a little after ten, and I had the privilege of watching Emma open up all of her gifts.

I took note of everything she was given, cataloging it in my mind as things she liked. I was over the moon that she loved my gift of the snow globe I’d seen her eyeing at the Christmas fair last week. Lily was quick to place the snow globe someplace safe, but Emma was happy, and thus, so was I.

I know there are harder conversations to come about childcare and the like, but right now, everyone is embracing the Christmas spirit, and I’m not going to change that.

“You’ve been in here all afternoon,” Lily murmurs, ending the hug by stepping away and leaning on the counter next to me. “Are you hiding?”

“Who would I be hiding from?” I ask softly. “I’m helping.”

“Well, helping my parents prepare dinner is a really sweet gesture, but you are allowed to come out of here every so often.”

I place another few stars, then turn to Lily with a warm smile. “Trust me, I’m having a blast. I can’t even really explain how amazing it is to have a home-cooked meal at Christmas, or even how great it is to help and have a hand in it.”

“I take it your mother isn’t a cook?” Lily scoffs, swiping one of the sugar stars and popping it into her mouth.

“Not even a little. Everything was catered or purchased in some way. Seeing everything you do with your family, even since I got here, has been amazing. So trust me.” I lean forward and lightly kiss the tip of her nose. “I am not hiding. I’m enjoying things.”

“Are you sure you’re not scared of my mother?” Lily laughs.

“I mean, a little. When I told her about what I wanted to do for you at the town square, I thought she was going to clock me with a wrench and send me right back to the city,” I say softly. “I wasveryaware of how people adore you in this town, and getting them on board was probably the scariest thing.”

“Oh, really?” Lily steals another sugar star.

“Other than facing you and pouring my heart out,” I add. “That was pretty damn scary.”

“I’m glad you did.” Lily turns those gorgeous eyes to me. “I’m not saying everything is magically fixed, but I think we have a good start. Plus, it’s Christmas.”

The next time she tries to steal a sugar star, I catch her wrist and pull her toward me. Lily comes easily with a cheeky smile, and I lean into her, making her curve backward slightly. The warmth of the kitchen creates a rosy flush across her cheeks, and her eyes dart over my face as I lean closer.

“If you eat all of those, there’s none for the pudding.”

“Shame.” She giggles. “Should keep a better eye on them, then.”

“Becausethat’smy issue,” I murmur, bringing my lips within a hair’s breadth of hers. “And not your sticky fingers.”

“Mmmhmm.” Lily grins, cupping my cheek with her soft hand. Her thumb skims across my jaw, then she closes the gap and presses a slow, lingering kiss to my lips. It’s just a single kiss and yet my heart immediately begins to race and a different heat flushes down my body.

As she pulls away, I chase her lips and kiss her deeply with a soft groan. Her hands slide around my neck, and she toys with my hairline while my tongue teases across the seam of her lips.

There’s no telling where we’d stop if not for the egg timer suddenly trilling loudly, and we both pause.

“Your pudding?” Lily asks with a smirk.

“Your dad’s pastry, actually,” I correct softly, pecking her lips once more.

We straighten up, and Lily slides away, snagging a few more sugar stars on her way out. “Just don’t stay in here forever.”

I spend the next hour in the kitchen, joined eventually by Lily’s mother and father. I can’t express how much it means to me that they let me be a part of this, and helping cook lifts my spirits higher than I’d ever imagined.

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