Page 55 of A Christmas Bargain

Itwashappening fast, but when she smiled at me, looking so rosy and sexy, I just knew I couldn’t deny that it was happening.

If she was making a connection to the fact that we were changing our “fake” relationship, I wanted to ride the momentum of what she likely had on her mind. “Hey, Naomi. Do you want to change into dry clothes first?”

She shivered, nodding as she left the kitchen. “Uh-huh. I’ll be right back. I’m going to put on some pajam?—”

“No. Just different clothes,” I called out. “I thought we’d head out somewhere after the hot cocoa.”

Claire raised her brows at me when it was just the two of us. “What’s up?”

That was how in sync we were. I didn’t have to spell anything out for her.

“Please don’t overthink any of this.”

She cringed and sat at the counter. “God, Derek. Ihatethat we’re basically lying to her and?—”

“Then we won’t.”

She gawked at me.

I refused to give her a chance to retreat. “Out there, you were just playing with her. Without me.”

“Youwerehovering at the window watching.”

“Yes. But my point is that you don’t seem to pretend around her.”

She shrugged. “I don’t. I mean pretending with you.”

“Then don’t.”

“Are you…?” She shook her head. “What are you saying?” She sat up straighter. “This is all changing kind of fast for me to keep up.”

“You do struggle with pacing, huh?”

She laughed once.

“I’m going to suggest that we change this up even more.”

“How?” Her brows shot up high. “You want totellher? That we are… together?”

“I want you to stay with us.”

She reared back, shocked.

“Work remotely from here. Christmas is in ten days. Don’t stress yourself out staying at your dad’s and driving here and…” I cleared my throat. “Stay here with me and Naomi.”

“Yeah, asking me to move in with you is warp-speed fast.” She stood, and I hurried over to stand in front of her and take her hands.

“It is. It really is. But after not wanting anything to do with women for years, I want to enjoy this now. In the present. Things are changing between us kind of fast, but it feels right. To me, it makes sense to want you around.”

She lowered her gaze, swaying to lean against me. “It’s a lot…”

“All I’m asking is that you consider staying here, with us, for the holidays.”

And after…I wasn’t ready to think that far ahead. I meant it. I wanted to live in the now. I wanted to grab every moment and cherish it.

“Are yousure?”

I nodded, stepping into her space a little more. “Yeah.” And that was the kicker. “I really am. Look at it from my perspective. I’ve spent years fending off my sister trying to play matchmaker. I’d gone through the last several holiday seasons of old ladies intown pulling me aside and insisting I give their granddaughters or nieces a call. I’ve endured a stupid amount of pressure not to be single or alone, but it took you coming into my life to prove that Iwaslonely. The thought of seeing you leave isn’t one I want to have in my head.”

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