Page 106 of Falling For You

It was cozy, small, and undeniably Wisconsin—a sharp contrast to the high-powered world Owen had come from. And yet, here he was, standing in the middle of it, looking thoroughly at ease.

“Wow. You’ve already decorated for Christmas?”

“If I listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, the odds are I’m all about decorating early, too. I have to get ahead of things.” I grinned as he took in my small tree in the corner near the kitchen.

“So,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter and folding his arms, “I guess I should tell you…”

“Oh, no. Now what?” I joked.

He grinned and laughed. “I have to fly out to Connecticut in a couple of days, take care of a few things back at the office.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Phew. That’s it? No more buying up land and building the next big surprise?”

He shrugged, his gaze flicking to mine. “I think I’ve given that side of me up. I’m just not feeling it.” He laughed. “But I haven’t been back in a while, so I must wrap up some loose ends before Christmas. And then, I plan to return here for a few days before heading out to Wyoming to spend Christmas with my family.”

Wyoming.

I hadn’t even thought about what Christmas would look like for him, or for us, for that matter. He had his own life and traditions, and here I was, still figuring out what this thing between us even meant.

“And then what?” I asked, leaning against the back of the couch and crossing my arms. “You come back here for a few days, and then you leave again?”

He raised an eyebrow, that teasing smile playing on his lips again. “Are you going to miss me when I’m gone? Is that what I’m catching in your tone?”

I scoffed, though my heart skipped a beat at the thought of his leaving. “Don’t flatter yourself. My tone?”

Owen pushed off the counter, taking a few slow steps toward me, his gaze never leaving mine. “Admit it, Violet. You’re going to miss me.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the small smile from lifting the corners of my lips. “I’ll survive. Besides, I’ve got a blog to run, a lodge to help with, and a whole town full of people who need my attention. I’m a busy woman, you know.”

Owen was standing in front of me now, his hands resting on the back of the couch, leaning in just slightly, close enough that I could feel the heat of him. “But not too busy to think about me, right?”

I tilted my head, my heart racing as I met his gaze. “Maybe. If I have time.”

He grinned, his eyes darkening with something that sent a shiver of excitement through me. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

There was a charged moment between us, the air thick with the chemistry we’d been dancing around all night. I could feel the pull between usand how my body responded to his presence, and I knew that whatever this was between us was only getting stronger.

“Connecticut, huh?” I said, my voice softer now, though the teasing lilt was still there. “What will you do without me while you’re there?”

Owen smirked, his gaze dropping briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “Probably suffer.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

He straightened, stepping back slightly but still close enough to keep the warmth between us. “But seriously,” he said, his tone a little more serious now. “I’ll be gone for a few days, and then I’ll be back here before you know it. I don’t want to be away from you for too long.”

My heart gave a little flutter at his words, but I tried to play it cool. “Well, I guess I can let you leave for a few days. Just don’t forget about me when you’re back in your fancy city place.”

Owen’s eyes softened, and he reached out, taking my hand and pulling me closer. “I could never forget about you, Vi. Not even if I tried.”

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was speechless.

This man, who had almost been a part of the deal that could’ve taken everything from our family, was now the person I couldn’t imagine my life without. It was strange how quickly things had changed between us, but it felt right.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “Good,” I said softly. “Because I don’t want you to.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. “Does that mean you’re going to miss me after all?”

I laughed, playfully shoving him. “Maybe. But don’t get too cocky about it.”

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