Page 10 of Christmas with the Grumpy Mountain Man
I smiled. I loved peanut butter and jelly. It always made me think of home. “Sounds perfect.”
I warmed my hands up by the fire while Roman made our sandwiches, spreading the blanket over my lap. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, the dull ache between my legs reminding me of earlier and how I wanted more.
Yes, I wanted more. So much more.
Roman returned a few moments later with our sandwiches and we cuddled beneath the blanket as we ate. He ended up making two more and locating a bag of chips. We finished the cookies we made earlier before cuddling in front of the fire again.
“I’ll have to think of something to buy you for Christmas.” I said, my voice low as sleep toyed at the edges.
“The only gift I could ever want is you, princess.” Roman said, but before I could answer, sleep took hold and pulled me under.
The next morning,when I opened my eyes, bright white light shined through the windows, the glistening snow reflective in the sunlight. A few flakes still fell from the clouds, but it looked like almost two feet of snow had fallen.
I doubt I was ever getting out of here. But did I really want to?
I looked over at Roman, still sleeping peacefully next to me, our bodies curled up in front of the fire together, a large blanket draped over both of us and a sense of peace came over me.
Noone has ever quite made me feel the way Roman did. And I wasn’t sure I was ready to give it away so easily, especially when I’d only just gotten it.
Thinking about what was waiting for me at home, while usually filling me with excitement, only left me feeling sad, lonely, and dreading leaving here.
But did I have to?
Could I create a life here? With him?
Did he even want me?
Questions buzzed in my head. I barely knew the guy, yet everything felt so right, so real, so…
“Hey princess. Maybe you should take a picture. It lasts longer.”
My eyes met his, and he grinned at me before reaching up and cupping my cheek.
“God, you’re even more beautiful in the daylight.”
I leaned into his hand and kissed his palm. “You’re not too shabby yourself.”
He held open his arms. “Come here.”
I shimmied my way into them and when he closed his arms around me, they enveloped me against him, his warmth a soothing embrace.
“What were you thinking about? You looked so serious,” Roman asked, curiosity etched across his features.
“Just life…” I trailed off. I couldn’t reveal my true feelings yet. He’d think I was nuts. Hell, I thought I was nuts.
“A life with me?”
His question threw me off, as I hadn’t expected it. Not that question.
I covered my eyes with my hands and peaked out.
Roman laughed. “If you’re debating on what to do, I’ll make it easy. I love you, Zena. I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with you since you showed up at my doorstep with way too muchChristmas cheer, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
Roman reached out and wiped away a tear I didn’t even know I shed as more began to fall. My breath hitched in my throat as the weight of his words crashed over me.
This was crazy.
What would my friends think?
