Page 23 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
Afterwords, we decided to wander around a bit and explore the ship's Christmas decorations. We strolled along the promenade deck, our shoulders brushing as we walked.
“Remember that time we tried to decorate your parents' tree by ourselves while they were at work?” I asked, grinning at the memory.
Easton groaned, adjusting his glasses. “How could I forget? We nearly toppled the whole thing.”
“Hey, it wasn't my fault you couldn't reach the top!”
“No, but it was your idea to use that rickety ladder,” he countered, a smile playing at his lips.
I laughed, the sound echoing in the crisp sea air. “Fair point. Your mom's face when she walked in...”
“Priceless,” he finished, his eyes twinkling behind his frames.
We paused at the railing, gazing out at the ocean. The stars were bright, the moon lending a silvery gleam across the water. I glanced at him, admiring how the golden lights of the deck softened his features.
“This is nice,” I murmured, surprising myself with the depth of emotion in my voice.
He turned to me, his expression open and vulnerable. “Yeah, it is.”
For a moment, I considered leaning in, closing the distance between us. But then a group of carolers passed by, their cheerful voices breaking the spell.
“We should join them,” he suggested, a hint of excitement in his usually quiet demeanor.
I nodded, suddenly eager to see more of this side of him. “Lead the way.”
As we followed the carolers to the main deck, I couldn't help but think how different this Christmas felt. How much more... complete. And I knew it had everything to do with the man walking beside me.
As we joined the crowd on the main deck, Easton's shoulder brushed against mine, sending a jolt of warmth through my body despite the cool ocean breeze. Crew members handed out battery operated candles and we took ours, joining in with the others as we sang one Christmas song after another.
The mood shifted as the lights were dimmed, leaving us bathed in the soft glow of the candles. I glanced at my watch, seeing that it was nearly midnight. “Silent night, holy night,” the group began, and I found myself drawn into the softly sung verses, like the whisper of a promise.
I snuck a glance at Easton and found him staring back at me. He smiled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks, and I felt an answering grin spread across my face. There was something in that shared look, an understanding that went beyond words.
We both moved at the same time as the song came to an end. “Sleep in heavenly peace.” Our lips sought each other out, our arms enveloping each other. Somewhere far off in the distance, I could hear Christmas cheer being spread.
“Merry Christmas, East,” I said in a shaky voice as we broke for air.
“Merry Christmas, West,” he whispered back. “I... I'm really glad we're spending Christmas together like this.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how important this moment felt. “Me too. I can't imagine being anywhere else, or with anyone else.”
I couldn't hold back any longer. I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him again, pouring all my pent-up emotions into it. He responded immediately, his lips soft and eager against mine. What started as tender quickly intensified, and Ifound myself pulling him closer, my fingers threading through his dark hair.
He broke away, his breath coming in short gasps. His hazel eyes, usually so calm behind his black-framed glasses, were dark with desire. “West,” he whispered, his voice husky, “maybe we should...”
I nodded, understanding immediately. “Yeah, let's?—”
“Head back to our cabin?” he finished, a hint of his usual shyness creeping back into his voice.
My heart raced at the implication. “God, yes,” I breathed.
CHAPTER NINE
EASTON
The cabin doorclicked shut behind us, sealing Weston and me in our own little world. My heart thundered in my chest as I turned to face him, a thousand butterflies taking flight in my stomach. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm halo around his tousled blond hair, making him look almost angelic.
“So,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “here we are.”
