Page 11 of Christmas Hearts

Does he find me desirable? I know he needs me to create the illusion of the perfect family for his campaign, but personally, does he want me as well? These are things that I'll never be able to find out unless I grow a pair and ask him directly.

I'm not there yet, however. I put one foot inside the tub and feel the hot water envelop me. I slowly lower myself into the water and sigh with pleasure. Justin's presence in the next room is somewhat disturbing. Mostly because now that we're alone in a bedroom, I want to do nasty things with him. I wonder what he's thinking about.

When the water finally turns lukewarm, I have to leave my cocoon of happiness. I get out and dry myself with the towel. I put on the t-shirt Justin gave me. It's a large, and it’s huge on me. The benefit is that it covers down to mid-thigh. I grab my clothes and leave the bathroom.

Justin is in the middle of the bed, watching the news. He's just in his boxer shorts because I’m wearing his t-shirt. He looks yummy, but I try to keep my eyes from going to his body.

"Have fun in there?" He asks with a smirk.

"I wanted to stay in there forever. What do they say in the news?"

"It's bad. We were lucky we found somewhere to hunker down."

He lifts the covers on my side of the bed and pats the mattress, inviting me to lie down next to him. A shiver goes through my body. Can I do this? I'm pretty sure I'll attack him if he so much as touches any part of my body.

I get under the covers and pull them up to my neck. Justin turns off the TV and turns to me. I'm staring at the weird painting on the bedroom wall. Do I want to interact with him now that we're undressed?

"You didn't ask me any personal questions tonight, Ana. Why?"

I keep looking at that dreadful painting when I answer him.

"I guess I didn't want to bring up any topics that would upset you."

"You don't have to walk on eggshells with me. Ask me."

I turn my head and almost jump in surprise when I see how close he is to me. He's on his side, his hand holding his head, and he's looking at me with interest in his eyes. Calm down, Ana Maria, you can do this.

"Was it hard losing your wife?"

He grimaces and looks away for a second. "Honestly? It felt like someone tore my chest open and ripped my heart out. We almost lost Daisy that same night, but one of my cousins from Chicago is a neonatologist and was visiting and she helped out. She couldn't practice per se, but she was able to diagnose what was happening to my baby girl, and the doctors were able to do what was necessary to help her."

"Were you scared about being a single dad?"

He flops back onto the bed and lets out a deep breath.

"I was overwhelmed with grief. I didn't know what to do. Didn't know what was happening. My family swooped in and came to the rescue. Then, all I had to do was take care of this little baby. I didn't know anything about taking care of a baby. Ellie was the one that read all the books, getting ready for our daughter."

"How are you doing these days?"

He chuckles, more to himself than to me.

"I'm still taking things one step at a time. Daisy is a handful, as you know, and I often need the support of my mother. I'm not ashamed to take her up on her offers of help. My daughter needs a mother, though."

"And you need a wife to form the perfect family for your candidacy."

He cringes at my openly hostile statement. He has to accept the reality that this situation is more advantageous for him than for me. I may never carry a baby to term. He turns serious and stays quiet for the longest time.

"I need you, Ana. Has it been that hard going on dates with me?"

"No. I like getting to know you. I knew you were a good man, but I like learning more about you and your family. I've been having a good time."

We both turn onto our sides and look at one another. His eyes are full of emotion and I want to hug him to make him forget about all the bad times.

"You're so beautiful."

His words are so soft I almost don't catch them. My heart starts beating faster, and I feel overwhelmed by his nearness.

"Do you mean that?"

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