Page 95 of A Very Merry Enemy
I snuggle into him, just wanting to be held by him. He’s safe.
For the first time in years, I feel like myself.
His arms tighten around me. “Nothing changes.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
And I know for a damn fact, he’ll keep it. He always has.
CHAPTER 19
LUCAS
Iwake up to the rumble of a truck engine getting closer.
My eyes snap open, and I tighten my arms around Holiday, who’s still sound asleep against my chest. She’s warm and soft, and her body curves perfectly into mine like it always used to. Like a decade and a half didn’t pass. Like we never stopped doing this.
Early morning light filters through the tent fabric, and I can hear tires on gravel getting louder.
Shit.
A truck door slams, and I hear boots crunching across gravel.
Holiday stirs against me, moaning, a sound that goes straight through me. Her hand is under my shirt, resting on my chest. I’m acutely aware that I’m growing hard having her pressed against me. Then I think about last night and tasting her.
“Morning.” Her voice is rough with sleep.
“Shh. Someone’s here,” I whisper.
She freezes as footsteps approach the tent. Then someone starts unzipping it from the outside.
“Rise and shine, lovebirds,” Jake’s voice says cheerfully.
Holiday sits up fast, her hair falling out of what used to be abun. She looks gorgeous in her wrinkled red sweater with eyes still heavy from sleep. I have to resist the urge to pull her back down and kiss her until she makes those sounds she made last night.
“Oh my goodness,” Holiday says when Jake’s grinning face appears.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” His brow pops up.
“Go away,” I say, running my hand through my hair and trying to clear my head.
“Wish I could, but I was put on the search crew to find you. Both of you, actually.” He glances at his watch. “It’s almost eight. The bakery is supposed to open in an hour. Holiday’s mom has called everyone in the fam since you didn’t come home last night. Emma called Bella, Wendy, and Bethany to come in and put up a sign saying they’re opening late.”
Holiday’s face goes pale.
“Shit.” She scrambles out of the tent. “I have to go right now.”
Jake takes a step back and picks up the bourbon. “Ah, the culprit. Lucas, you realize you were supposed to help Dad with charity deliveries at seven. Way to piss off Santa.”
“Dammit.” I crawl out of the tent and stretch. Instantly, my head pounds. Holiday is frantic, moving at lightning speed. Her sweater has ridden up slightly, and I can see a sliver of bare skin at her waist. I force myself to look away.
Jake crosses his arms as he looks between us. His eyebrows shoot up, and he tucks his lips inside his mouth to stop himself from laughing.
“Y’all have a good night?” Jake asks.
I glance at Holiday, and I see her neck has three dark purple marks trailing from just below her ear down toward her collarbone. One is partially hidden by her sweater collar, but two are very visible against her skin. And she has absolutely no idea.
