Page 90 of A Not So Merry Rescue
Tingles erupt, coursing through my body at warp speed.
My cheeks flush not only from the cold, but the heat exchanged between the two of us.
All too quickly, it’s over.
Beckett rights me, making sure I’m not swaying, steadying me with his hands on my shoulders.
“Such a dirty Santa,” I coo, my lips zinging with feeling.
Beckett chuckles, leaning in close. “If you’re not too sore, maybe later I put the suit back on and you can help me take it off? I’ll show you how dirty I can be.”
His comment lands between my thighs, the parts of me still super achy from our fun yesterday. But damn if I don’t want more, no matter how sore I’ll be for the next couple of days.
“Yes, please.”
His smile so broad, his dimple pops, and he leaves a kiss on my head. I will myself to stay upright and not embarrass myself by falling over as I swoon.
“I have a few things to get back to once the parade wraps up. Stay here and wait for me?”
“Where else would I go?”
He boops my nose. “Right answer, Bundy. Be back soon. Go warm up inside with Heidi.” His lips sweep over mine, and then he’s gone. A little more hastily this time, the role pushed aside as I catch the back side of him climbing into the truck to finish the parade. “Nothing to see here, folks. I must be getting back to rest up for my long night ahead of me. Merry Christmas Eve,” Beckett shouts to the crowd. He taps the cab again, and the truck moves on past the B and B, the crowd clapping and cheering his departure.
The parade ends with a bang, and I’m still recovering from the hidden kiss.
“Wowza. That was hot. Much as I don’t like to think of my brother like that, the way he looked at you . . .” Heidi fans herself, mouthing, “Hawt.”
“Did he really just do that?”
“Believe it, Willa. He did,” she confirms, tugging on the white pompom. “Shall we go inside? We’ve got hot cocoa.”
“The kind Beckett makes?” I can’t help but ask.
She winks. “Better.”
What a day this is turning out to be. Elias would be so proud I didn’t let my fear win.
26
beckett
Jovial laughter greetsme as I enter through the back door of the bed-and-breakfast. I’m a little nervous about Willa’s reaction after the stunt I pulled. She didn’t seem upset during it, though she was shocked. Which is exactly what I was going for and why I didn’t tell her who I played in the parade. Sheneverwould have come had she known. Once the cat was out of the bag, she embraced it.
Or seemed to anyway.
I’m second-guessing myself now. Is this the time I went too far and tossed her so far out of her comfort zone, she won’t recognize it anymore?
Please don’t let that be the case.
I find them in the private living room: Willa, my sister, and my brother-in-law, laughing as if they have no cares in the world. Like they have no better place to be than right here. In truth, it’s exactly where I want Willa. For purely selfish reasons, which I will only admit to myself and others under pure duress.
Damn, I’ve got it bad for this woman. Never been in this situation before, it’s making me feel all kinds of things I shouldn’t be feeling for a woman who’s breezing through town. A tourist. A fleeting moment in time. That’s all she is.
My chest twinges. It’s a horrible description of her, even if it is the truth.
“Hey.” My voice cracks, so I try again. “How’s it going?”
All three heads spin my way, Willa’s smile the brightest.
