Page 122 of A Very Merry Enemy
My heart is pounding so hard, I’m sure he can feel it. “Okay.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he says and it comes out like a promise.
I slide my hand up his chest to rest over his heart. “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last five days.”
“And?”
We keep dancing even though the song has moved into the next one. Other couples swirl around us on the dance floor but I barely notice them. All I can focus on is Lucas and the way he’s holding me, and the way he’s looking at me like I’m everything he’s ever wanted. Like I’m worth waiting for.
“I want to try,” I whisper.
His fingers brush under the silver star necklace and he looks down at it. “You kept it after all these years?”
“Yes,” I whisper, bringing the charm to my lips and kissing it. “I’ve made many wishes upon this star.”
“Holiday—”
“I know what I want.” I cut him off before he can say whatever he was going to say. “I’ve been terrified that I will messthis up. That I’ll hurt you again. Afterthatrelationship, I questioned if I was actually ready for this. But…”
“What?”
“I don’t want to waste any more time. I don’t want to keep my distance.” I take a shaky breath. “I want you, Lucas. I want this. Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, I want it. I want you.”
The smile that breaks across his face is so bright it could light up this whole town. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Absolutely, yes.”
“Come with me.” He takes my hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can be alone.” He pulls me off the dance floor, and I notice how all eyes are on us. I follow him out of the tent, my heart racing, every nerve in my body on fire with anticipation.
This is happening. After so much pain and distance, we’re finally choosing each other.
And I cannot wait.
CHAPTER 25
LUCAS
Ipull her off the dance floor, weaving through the other couples. She keeps hold of my hand and follows me willingly. I’m convinced I can feel her heart racing through her fingers. Or maybe that’s my adrenaline rushing. I can’t tell anymore where I end and she begins.
All heads turn to watch us, but I have no more fucks to give. Holiday Patterson is mine and I am hers.
We push through the tent entrance into the cold November night. The breeze hits us like a shock after the warmth inside, but I don’t care. All I can focus on is Holiday in that burgundy dress, and the way she looks at me like I’m rescuing her.
The vintage white carriages are parked in a line along the pathway. The interiors are still heated, with soft lights glowing through the windows.
I open the door of the nearest carriage and help Holiday inside. She climbs in, her dress rustling, and I follow her quickly, closing the door behind us.
Suddenly, we’re in our own private world. The inside is heated and intimate, with white leather seats and gold trim. Soft Christmas music plays faintly from the reception tent but it feels miles away instead of fifty feet.
Holiday turns to face me, and the look in her eyes makes my breath catch. She wants this just as much as I do.
I don’t give her even a moment to say a word. Instead, I pull her against me, and finally,finallykiss her the way I’ve been desperate to since I walked into the bakery and saw her for the first time.
She tastes like champagne, wishes come true, and home. Her lips are soft, and a sound escapes from the back of her throat. I lose whatever control I had left.
