Page 43 of The Princess Home for Christmas

“What? Why?”

“Christmas lights. They’re the best on Torren.”

Ah, she’d heard that, but never gone to see. Perfect. The air was warm. Most of Torren was at the tree lighting. They would have the roads to themselves.

He drove slowly, first along the coast. The warm ocean air filled her lungs. She looked out over the water. Yacht lights blinked friendly winks in their direction. They weaved their way through the deserted streets and headed up the hills to the Highlands.

Dahlia found the simplicity of their ride charming, and healing. They oohed and aaahed at all the gorgeously lit homes and then stopped at the very top on an outcropping of rock.

He led her over to sit beside him on the rock. When she got settled, she said, “What a view. Everything up here is so magical.”

He nodded. “I used to beg my parents to take me up here as a kid. We went all the time, including every Christmas.” He waved at the rest of Torren, all the city lights down below them. “Everything seems so small from up here, down there twinkling at us with the city lights. It’s a helpful perspective.”

“You can say that again.” Viewing all the problems just the two of them had come up against these last few weeks as if they were tiny, far away dots felt therapeutic. She thought about his childhood. “I love that you came up here. Thank you for sharing your favorite tradition.” She leaned into him.

“I want to share everything with you. I love you, Dahlia. I’ve loved you forever.”

She sat very still, allowing his words to flow over her like a warm breeze. “I love you too. I’ve never met anyone like you. And don’t think I ever will again.” She lifted her head to look into his face. “Thank you for coming back into my life.”

He inched closer. His mouth full and ready for hers. She lifted her chin and when he pressed his lips against hers, she forgot where she was. He took her away to a quiet place where the softness of his mouth moved over hers, gently, insistently. And she was overcome. Never had she been kissed in such a way.

When at last he stopped, his eyes were shining with so much love. She wanted to never forget this moment. “Yup, that just clinched it. I will never kiss another woman.”

She laughed. “I hope not. Those lips are just for me.”

His eyes held a new intensity. “That’s what I like to hear.”

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