Page 16 of Christmas Hearts

We sit next to each other on his living room couch and sip our chocolate. Inside, it's a quiet, lovely night, even though a storm is brewing outside.

"Thank you, Ana. Your words have helped me with this little freakout of mine."

I put my cup down on the coffee table and grab his hand. I squeeze it for good measure.

"We're in this together, Justin."

He gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand back. Just before midnight, he shows me the guest room. I cringe inwardly because I was hoping he'd invite me into his bedroom. It doesn't really matter. Tomorrow, we're spending New Year's together in a cozy room where anything can and will happen.

With every second I spend with Justin Hoffer, I realize I'm crazy about him. I've never felt anything like this for a man, and it scares me a little. It takes me a long time to get to sleep, but when I do, it's only to dream about the perfect family I will soon have, even if it's a fake one.

Chapter 7

Ana Maria

Justin did not warn me we were going to be having dinner with his parents and Daisy. I would have worn something less revealing. I was self-conscious throughout the meal, but Justin's parents made all our interactions seem easy and as if we'd known each other for years. This made me start to feel guilty. Would they be disappointed if they found out the marriage was a sham?

Is the marriage a sham? I have deep, loving feelings towards Justin, and I don't know what to do about those feelings. Daisy was a chatterbox during dinner and when she found out we were going to be staying at the bed and breakfast – I let it slip out – she started questioning us about it. I blushed profusely and letJustin and his mother handle it. Lord save me from inquisitive eight-year-olds.

Justin ushers me into his car, and he sits next to me in the driver's seat. He looks happy and at peace. I like seeing him this way.

"Hello, gorgeous."

"Hi."

"You look good enough to eat, Ana."

I blush profusely, remembering his prowess in the oral department. I want to be eaten again. I don't say anything. I just start fanning myself and avoiding his eyes. He just chuckles, not knowing that I'm not used to sexy talk like that. I think we both need to improve our communication skills with one another. Otherwise, this sham of a relationship could fall apart at any minute.

The drive to the neighboring town is nice, filled with chatter about Justin's campaign. He meets all of the requirements and just needs to file some paperwork. Then, we can get started with the groundwork. His company has already made a sizable donation to his campaign efforts. Justin was not very comfortable with it, but his brothers insisted.

I'm going to be running several events for his campaign in the coming months so that the people of Woodland Falls can get to know him. We have so much to do, like developing a platform and making sure the townsfolk know our stance on important issues. Overall I am excited, but not as eager as I am for what is going on tonight with me and my fake boyfriend.

The night is nice, and there seems to be some sort of event going on in the bed and breakfast's living room. We find the owner so she can check us in. She seems to be drinking champagne – celebrating early, I guess – and it's helping with her disposition. She's almost mellow as she does the check-in. Justin is the perfect gentleman as we go to our room.

I notice he's been touching me much more. Always reaching for my hand or my arm. I love it when he comes close, and I can breathe in his masculine aftershave – witch hazel is in there, I think – and I'm sure I look like an idiot sniffing him. He smells delicious and my legs are already wobbly with my need for him.

Justin opens the door for me, and I go inside the room. It seems we got an upgrade because this one is fancier than the one we got the other night. I check the bathroom and there's a whirlpool thingy in there—the things we could do in there, oh my.

I turn around too quickly and almost fall. Justin is right behind me and puts his arms around me.

"Whoa there, take it easy, gorgeous."

His strong arms and his overwhelming presence make my body start responding. I'm too hot in this coat, and I feel like if he touches my skin, I will burst into flames.

"Let me take this from you."

He takes my coat and hangs it next to his. I didn't even notice he'd taken his coat off; that's how distracted I am.

"This is a killer outfit, Ana."

I can't really tell him this is my "let's have sex" dress. Yes, it's the red one I showed Mandy last week. I feel Justin's gaze on me, but I've got my eyes lowered, and I'm wringing my hands. He separates those hands and takes them into his.

"It's just you and me tonight, Ana. You decide what happens and what doesn't happen in this room tonight. You're the one in the driver's seat."

"Okay," I say as I lift my eyes to look into his.

There's so much desire there that it spurs me on.

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