Page 10 of His to Unwrap

Taking her hand, I lead her to the door. “You remind me of a Christmas angel. Only heaven could produce a woman so beautiful.” I pull the door open and hold it for her, finally daring to see her reaction.

Those plump red lips are teased up in the smallest of smiles, her aqua eyes glittering with what I hope is pleasure. “That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me, Ezra.”

I put my palm on her lower back and guide her inside where it’s warm. At the threshold, I pause. I should go. Coop is home alone, no doubt getting into something that he shouldn't and the drive up the dark mountain road is slow going even when it isn't snowing.

As I contemplate leaving, the music changes from a Christmas carol to a slower instrumental and I remember Madison's request. I didn't want her donated hours. God knows I want to spend time with her, but this bright, beautiful young woman has a television show back in New York. She doesn't need to hang around a battered ex-soldier with a brain injury. But I find I'm not quite ready to leave her yet. Taking her hand again, I head for the dance floor. “One dance.”

Madison smiles.

She comes easily into my arms, and we sway together to the music.

“Why don’t you want your hours? I could at least make you dinner.”

I hear the confusion in her voice. I kissed the hell out of her but I don't want more time with her. It's not something I can explain. Not here anyway. “My buddy Caleb says you're friends with Amanda and Roland?”

She nods. “Amanda and I have been friends since grade school. She's like a sister to me.”

I understand. In the service, my Delta team was my family. And before that, the Rangers. Even though I've been out for two years, a few men like Caleb, Everett, and Gideon are still my brothers. Always will be. “You came out to visit her?”

“Yes. I needed a break.”

“Then why spend time with me? You're here for her.”

“Why can’t it be both?”

I don’t know what to say to that. Silence settles between us.

“Do you have plans for Christmas?” she asks a few moments later.

“Not really. I haven’t celebrated in awhile. It’s the first time in years that I’ve put up a tree.”

She smiles at me. “You decorated a Christmas tree?”

“Decorated? No. There was an old tree stand at the cabin, but no lights or ornaments. Meant to pick some up earlier but I forgot.”

“Poor naked little tree.”

I huff a laugh. “Yeah. Pretty sad.”

“I could help you decorate for a few hours.”

I picture her at my place, singing a carol as she stretches up to hang an ornament. Coming up behind her to help and feeling the softness of her body against mine. Snuggling with her by the fire. I want those things. Badly. But every minute I spend with Madison, I feel myself getting more attached. How’s that gonna go when she leaves? Or worse, what if I have an episode while she’s there?

“Sorry, angel.”

Madison lays her head on my shoulder and doesn't reply. What is there to say? She has a life in New York. Hell, maybe even a boyfriend. Probably shouldn't have kissed her until I knew the answer to that, but I lose my mind around this woman.

There's something about her. Not just her pretty face and fuck-me curves. Something that calls to me on a level I didn't know I had.

The music draws to an end and we stop moving. Madison doesn't immediately let go. She stays cradled in my embrace.

Another song begins, but it's livelier. We should move off the dance floor, but I don't want her to move. She's perfect right where she is.

It isn't until we're jostled by other dancers that the spell is finally broken. I lead Madison off the dance floor and reluctantly release her. It's the right thing to do, for both of us.

She slips off my jacket and hands it to me. “Thank you for the dance. And uh...” she waves toward the door, cheeks flushing pink.

That kiss will linger in my dreams for the rest of my life. I brush a strand of silky dark hair off her cheek, savoring this last bit of contact. “The pleasure was all mine, angel.”

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