Page 16 of Holiday Flame

“I’d like that.” She squeezes my hand back and returns her gaze out the window.

We don’t say much as we continue on the tour, looking at the lights and listening to the music.

As we pause in front of a house that’s synched to its own radio station, Jade sighs.

“I wish my family had traditions like this.” Jade gives a sheepish grin. “Not that I can complain. Mav and I always had tons of presents under the tree every Christmas morning.”

Now it’s my turn to nod in understanding. While Maverick hasn’t ever gone into a ton of detail, I know that he and Jade also didn’t have a warm and fuzzy family upbringing. Their parents fought a lot, and they fought dirty.

If I was a betting man—and, I guess I am—I’d put a lot of money on the gifts under the tree being less about generosity. They weren’t for their kids. They were to try and one up each other in their kids' eyes.

I may not have had much for Christmas growing up. But what I had always came from the heart.

“It’s never too late to start making some traditions,” I say.

“That’s true.” The sad smile playing on her lips becomes more sincere. “Maybe we can make a few of our own.”

Before I can tell myself to hit the brakes, I reach across the console and cup the back of her neck. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her. Softly, gently, but with no less passion than our first heated kisses.

We fall into companionable conversation for the rest of the tour. We talk about our favorite and least favorite Christmas movies and songs. (We both hate that Paul McCartney one. Thank God I won’t have to listen to it in the future as a compromise.) We talk about our favorite holiday snacks and drinks.

It’s all simple, light information. Still, I tuck away each detail for later.

I park my truck in front of Maverick and Emerson’s house. As I turn off the ignition, a palpable sense of dread settles inside of me.

Tonight has been… perfect. I’ve shown Jade a new side of me. At least I think I have. I hope I have. Everything I’ve seen ofher, everything we’ve shared, has confirmed what my heart has known for a long damn time.

Tonight has exceeded every expectation I could have had. I hate for it to end.

So, when Jade turns to me, her eyes glowing with the twinkling lights on her brother’s house and asks, “Would you like to come in for a bit?”

There’s only one way I can answer. Even if it’s going to test me to the limits. “Hell, yeah.”

SEVEN

JADE

Tip-toeing through the front door of my brother’s house, I have to cover my mouth to keep from giggling.

My other hand is firmly linked with Remington’s. He’s walking equally stealthily. Though, his expression is more apprehensive than amused.

When we finally make our way down the hall into the guest bedroom where I am staying until I find my own place, I collapse against the door and give in to the urge to laugh.

“Jade,” Remington hisses. “You’re going to get us caught after all that.”

“Sorry.” I wipe away the tears streaming down my face as I try to restrain my laughter. “But it’s just so funny.”

“Care to fill me in on what makes it so funny?” Remington drops onto the edge of my bed. “Because from where I’m sitting, this is the opposite of funny.”

“Come on.” I push away from the door to plop down next to him. “You have to see some humor in this.”

“Nope.”

“We just snuck into the house late at night.”

His brows knit together. “Right.”

“We snuck into the house,” I say again.

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