Page 4 of Don't Go Bakin' My Heart Holiday

“If I’m going to have everything ready for the booth tomorrow, I’m pretty behind. Sorry, I did give you a quick kiss before I ran out. It’s not my fault that you sleep like the dead.” I chuckled.

He ran his hands through his black curls and grinned at me. “Can’t help it. I’ve always been a good sleeper, unlike you, mister toss and turn.”

“I’ve gotten better.”

“True. You sleep much calmer when I wrap you in my arms.” He winked at me.

“I do?”

“Yeah. Like a baby. You also wake up at four in the morning like a baby, too. At least I don’t have to warm up a bottle,” he chuckled.

“Work is work. I wish I could turn it all off like you. But I’m just not wired that way.” I shrugged. “I guess I do sleep better when I cuddle up against you. I wonder why?”

His biceps flexed. God, this man’s body was insane, and it was all mine. “Maybe I make you feel safe?”

“Maybe?” I grinned. “Wanna cookie or a croissant? They just came out of the oven.”

“I wish. I have a breakfast meeting this morning with the mayor and the rest of the team. I’ll be glad when this event is over. Can you meet me around four today? I have a surprise for you.”

“I think so. I’m just so behind. What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

“Fine. Where at?”

“How about I come and meet you here, and we can walk over together.”

“Alright. Sounds like a date – a short one because I have to decorate about ten thousand more cookies for the booth,” I groaned.

“I know. But I think we deserve an hour. I could come over and help tonight, you know. I’ll be done with things on my end around seven. I’m sure you’re skipping caroling tonight, right?”

“Cookies…”

“I figured. I’ll come after. I could at least do the flooding for you.”

“Are you sure? You being around is a real distraction because you look… better than the cookies.” I could feel the blush take over my incredibly white skin. Being a redhead meant that you could almost never hide your shame or your desire. I always had desires for Ben.

“I’ll keep my clothes on,” he chuckled.

“I’m getting hard. Out – you. I will see you at four.”

“I love you, babe.”

“I love you, too.”

I watched him turn and walk back into the main room and sighed. This man was sure to be the death of me. But it would be a very beautiful way to go.

4

Ben

That ginger is driving me as crazy as he always did.

Percy haunts every moment of my past, my present, and my future. It’s always been him. Ever since that moment in high school when our lips met – I have been his. It was a long road to finally get to each other, and that was all my fault. I had promised myself that I would never let him feel less than again. I meant to keep that promise.

I loved Christmas more than almost anything. The decorations, the food, and the music that I couldn’t stop humming the moment the Thanksgiving turkey was put away. I love all the pomp and decorum of a small-town Christmas, so saying yes to the mayor’s idea was easy, and so were all the choices I had made about the event.

I was born for this.

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