Page 37 of Under the Mistletoe

“Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“I was worried.” I swallowed hard, trying my best to ease the knot forming in my throat. “I thought something might’ve happened.”

“I would’ve called if I could...” A tear trickled from the corner of my eye, and I quickly wiped it away. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied with a nod. “I’m just glad you made it back.”

“Come here.”

Fearing I might cry, I didn’t move.

I lowered my eyes to the floor as I told him, “I made dinner.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry I missed that.” I could feel his eyes on me as he repeated, “Come here.”

This time, I obliged and started over to him. As soon as I got close, he slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me towards him. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not.” He brought his hands up to my face, cupping my cheeks. “But I can’t promise that it won’t happen again.”

“I know.”

“You gotta know, I would’ve been here if I could.”

“I know.”

It was hard to explain, but he made me feel complete in a way I never had before. When I was with him, it was like I’d found a piece of myself that I didn’t even know was missing. He was the only man I had ever met who could touch my heart and ignite every nerve in my body with desire at the same time. I let out a grumbled sigh as I told him, “You’ve really done it, you know it?”

“Done what?”

“Made me fall for you even harder than I did when we were kids.” I eased up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his, kissing him briefly. “And that’s saying something.”

“You’re not the only one who’s fallen.” His voice was low and filled with a hint of mischief. A thrill shot through me when he lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine, making meinstantly forget that I’d ever been upset. “I’ve fallen right along with you.”

His touch was tender yet demanding as he swept his tongue across my bottom lip, teasing, and I gasped, giving him the opportunity to delve deeper. I placed my palms flat against his chest, trying to steady myself from my shaky knees.

The feeling of his mouth on mine had me aching with need. Anticipation raged through me as Thomas’s hands slid to the hem of my sweater. He eased it over my head, and when he started working on my bra, it was clear that a simple kiss wouldn’t be enough for him. As he looked down, an admiring grin spread across his face. “Mine. All mine.”

A flash of hunger blazed through his eyes as he lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bedroom where Thomas showed me time and time again that I truly was his and only his.

And I loved every second of it—just like I loved him.

Torch

It had been another long one, and it was late when I finally got to Beck’s place. I kicked off my boots by the door and dropped my keys on the counter before heading down the hall to the bedroom. Just as I’d expected, Beck was already in bed and out like a light. I slipped out of my clothes, and being careful not to wake her, I crawled in next to her.

The bed creaked a little under my weight, but she didn’t stir. I lay there for a moment, just watching her. After a few moments, I reached over and pulled her close, and that’s when it hit me. The rough days didn’t matter so much when they ended with her in my arms.

She had become my home, and there was no place I’d rather be.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her temple, letting the quiet settle around us. I was home, and as far as I was concerned, there was no better feeling.

The next morning, I awoke with Beck trailing kisses along my neck. I smiled and said, “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Morning,” she whispered.

She continued to kiss me just below my ear, and the touch of her lips against my skin made my cock start to stir. “Beck.”

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