Page 98 of A Very Merry Enemy
I pull up to her parents’ house and put the truck into park. Even though she’s hours late, Holiday doesn’t get out right away. Her expression makes my heart kick up, makes me want to sayfuck it. But I can’t. Not yet.
Being reckless is the last thing either of us needs, and it seems like I’m going to have to stay strong for us both.
“So,” she says quietly. “Do you think I’m desperate and pathetic? Like you said to me at Moonshiners?”
“No,” I admit. “I was being cruel, and I didn’t know the whole story. I’m sorry for that.” My heart is pounding now. My whole body is tense.
Her eyes are steady on mine. Direct. “Thank you.”
I reach across the console and cup her face, then brush my thumb over one of the marks on her neck. Her skin is so soft. Warm.Mine.
“I want you to figure your shit out, Holiday. But I won’t wait forever.”
“One thing at a time,” she whispers. “This is a start.”
I press a kiss to her forehead, letting my lips linger. Breathing her in. Memorizing this moment. Is this the beginning of forever?
She smiles and it does something to my chest. Makes it hard to breathe.
“Thank you for not using me,” she says. “Most guys woul?—”
“I’m not most guys,” I tell her.
“Oh, I’m aware,” she says with a laugh. Holiday reaches for the door, then leans back. Her eyes drop to my mouth for just a second before meeting my gaze again.
“Stop,” I mutter.
“Stop what?” That cocky as fuck smile grows.
“Confessions aren’t supposed to change anything,” I remind her.
“Have a good day,” she says with a brow lifted.
I watch her walk toward her parents’ house with a rush to her step. She turns to look back at me, waiting on the sidewalk.
I shake my head at her, knowing what she’s doing. Trying to break my control.
“Already fucking ruined,” I mutter to myself as I back out of the driveway, then head home.
She knows I’m not like anyone else she’s ever been with.
I give instead of take.
I support instead of control.
I love instead of manipulate.
And I’ll have her begging me to slide down her chimney before it’s over.
CHAPTER 20
HOLIDAY
Ibarely wait for Lucas’s truck to disappear down the street before I’m bolting up the front steps of my parents’ house.
Please don’t be awake. Please don’t be awake.
I slip through the front door and say a little prayer that the curtains are still pulled. It’s dark, except for the stove light my mom always leaves on. I can hear my dad snoring from their bedroom down the hall.
