Page 26 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

BRIAN

“Oh my goodness, Mayor, this is the most magnificent Mistletoe Maze we’ve ever had,” Miss Agnes says as I help her to the trolley. “I don’t know where you found that big city event planner, but you better do what you can to keep her. Just imagine what she could do for our Spring Flower Festival.”

“Oh, yes, ma’am, I’ll see what I can do,” I say as I lead the elderly lady over to where a few of her friends are waiting to join the last shuttle back to Deer Valley.

“We’ll put your walker back here, and the DD’s will be waiting to take you home back at the inn. You ladies be safe and try to stay out of trouble,” I tease, before making my way over to where Millie is standing back watching the last of the visitors pull out of the parking lot.

We’ve spent the last four hours mingling and making sure everyone had what they needed as they went through the maze and watching as everyone enjoyed the event. Millie’s suggestions to add some other activities for the kids was a major hit, and the mistletoe keepsake ornaments turned out to be a great way to bring in some extra revenue. It’s been a fun night, but I’mdesperate for Millie and I to spend some time alone and finally have a chance to talk about that kiss.

“Well, I guess congratulations are in order, Miss Pouncey,” I declare, leaning down to pull out the bottle of wine and glasses I’d snagged from the inn out of my bag. “You survived your first Springside Christmas event, and I must say I think it was a raging success.”

“Thanks, Brian” she says, taking the now full glass and clinking it against mine. We both take a sip, and I gesture toward the maze.

“Come on, Mills, everyone’s had a chance to go through. The last trolley just left, and the only people left here are the volunteers. Plus, the DD’s will make sure everyone gets home. You’re officially off duty for the night. Let’s see if we can do it,” I say, reaching out to pull her along with me.

I know I should keep my hands to myself until after we’re able to sort out what happened last night, but I can’t fight the urge to touch her any longer. We rode home in silence last night, neither of us sure how to break through the awkward tension of almost being caught kissing like teenagers, and while I’d hoped to talk to her this morning, I spent over two hours on the phone with one of the companies we’d hired to do some repairs at City Hall.

“Right or left?” I ask her as we come to the first split looking at the different colored trails that lead into different parts of the maze.

“Hmm, left. I can’t believe as much time as we’ve spent out here this week that we haven't been through it yet,” she says with a laugh.

“Left it is,” I say, trying not to focus too much on the way the Christmas lights make her eyes shine.

We walk for another minute in silence, following the blue row of lights, showing us the path.

“So, Millie about last night—” I start, but stop when all of a sudden all of the lights around us go out.

Millie and I both freeze, caught off guard by the darkness around us. “I guess the volunteers thought everyone was out,” Millie says quietly before taking out her phone. “I’ll just call and ask them to turn them back on.”

She hits a few buttons on her phone and holds it up to her ear, waiting for whoever she called to pick up. After hearing it go to voicemail, she tries a different number but doesn’t have any luck with it either.

“Great. Those are the only two numbers I have saved, and my phone’s about to die,” she groans. “Do you have yours?”

“Umm, no. I left it in the truck to charge after we used it to play music,” I say. “But the moon’s pretty bright, and we can’t be far from the exit. It’ll be fine.”

“You’re right,” she says with a pause. “So, um, you were saying…”

“Yeah, I just figured we should probably talk about last night,” I say, as we continue walking, trying to gauge her reaction.

“Uhh, yeah, I’m sorry, Brian. I know I shouldn’t—” she starts, and I have to fight the urge to reach out my hand and pull her to me. “I just, I know it was really inappropriate, and I…”

“I don’t regret it Millie,” I admit. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but…”

“What? Made me uncomfortable? I’m the one who basically attacked you,” she says dramatically, and I can’t contain the laugh that escapes me.

“Millie, stop. Is that really what you think? God, we’re a mess,” I remark, pausing at the impact of what her words mean.

Wait, does this mean we both really want this?My cock hardens at the prospect of her wanting to pursue something, but I refuse to give in to my desire until it’s crystal clear. I blink,trying to regain my composure, just as she stumbles against me in the dark. I reach out and steady her, trying to keep my distance but unable to keep my hands to myself any longer.

“Brian, what do you mean?” she asks, and I don’t miss the way her voice sounds breathier than before.

“It means, Millie Pouncey, that I’m so desperate to have you that I don’t know what to do with myself. But I know you’re still processing all the change that’s happened over the last few weeks, and I refuse to take advantage of the situation. I’ve made myself a promise that I’m not going to push you further until you tell me exactly what you want. But when you do, you better be ready, because my self-control can only go so far. Do you understand?” I growl, reaching through the darkness to finally pull her body into mine.

She gasps when she feels how hard I am for her, whispering, “W-w-what?”

“Yes, Miss Pouncey,” I mutter, grazing my lips across hers. “If you decide you want something to happen between us, you’re going to have to use your words. You’re in control for now, got it? But if you say the word and I get my hands on you, I’m not stopping till you’re sure you’re mine.”

“Oh, God,” she groans before grabbing me by the front of my shirt and kissing me hard. Her arms skate around my neck, and she wraps one of her legs around my back, pulling me closer to rub against her.

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