Page 44 of Her Cowboy Christmas
She sniffles, and I hold her tighter.
“Then I grew up.I realized I had people who cared about me: Mary and Christopher, and the other boys at the ranch.I left Montana and that town.I started over with the military and found a new family and friends.I made a home here in Wolf Valley.With you.”
I kiss the top of her head.“You can do the same.Youaredoing the same.You have a new life here.You have people who love you here.”
She looks up at me, and I can’t hold the words in any longer.
“I love you, Blair.I have for months.”
“No,” she gasps, shaking her head.
I sigh.“I do.How could I not?”
“I’m broken,” she chokes out.
I shake my head.“No.”
“You could do better,” she insists.
“No,” I say simply.“There’s no one better than you.No one else I want.Never has been.Never will be.”
“Cole,” she cries.
I kiss her forehead.“You can deny it all you want, but it’s true.You’re it for me, Blair.I love you.”
She takes a shaky breath and licks her lips as she looks up at me, all teary-eyed.“I love you too,” she whispers.
I swear my heart grows three sizes in my chest.“Say it again,” I order her.
She takes a deep breath.“I love you too, Cole,” she says, louder this time.
“Thank fuck,” I groan.
I lean down, pressing our foreheads together, and she calms at the contact.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do, but I think you should talk to someone,” I tell her.
“I know.It’s time for me to do something about these scars,” she admits.
“I’ll help you.I’ll do whatever you need.I’ll remind you how awesome you are every day,” I promise her.
She smiles.“I know you will.”
Blair leans closer, pressing her lips against mine, and I kiss her back.She tastes like hot chocolate and candy canes, and my tongue tangles with hers as the kiss deepens.
When we pull apart, we’re both breathing hard, and Blair cuddles into my chest.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper when I see that it’s after midnight.
“Merry Christmas, Cole.”
“How should we celebrate?”
She giggles.“I’ve got a few ideas.”
“My place?”
She nods.“Your place.”
