Page 38 of Loving Words
“Hmm, now that’s a hell of a way to wake up,” he murmured.
I smiled and sat back, waiting for him to open his eyes.
“Shit!” He pushed away from my pillow. “What the fuck is that?” He turned and sat up.
“Harrison and I found him outside, and I thought he’d be a wonderful inspiration for your writing.” I grabbed his mug and held it out to him. He rubbed his hands roughly over his face before blowing out a breath and taking the coffee from my hands.
“I’m not even going to ask where you found him.” He took a sip, still staring at the statue.
I chuckled. “Oh, that’s the funniest part. His dildo was stuck in a hole in a log outside. We saw him through the kitchen window.”
Jack laughed. “That brings up a whole different view on blue balls,” he said before his gaze shifted back at me. “Now where’s my Christmas kiss?” His eyes heated with desire. I saw something more when I stared into their depths, something that had me sucking in a breath of hope. He set his coffee down and leaned forward. I met him halfway, and one of his hands gripped the back of my neck, the other the side of my face, as our lips met.
My body lit up when his lips touched mine. The kiss was gentle, filled with promise, and when his tongue asked for entrance, I greedily opened for him. He kept the kiss slow and soft. This kiss was more than just a turn-on, more than a hint of how sex would be. This kiss held a deeper promise of more than just this encounter. It scared the ever-loving shit out of me, but I was willing to hold onto him for as long as I could.
He touched his nose to mine before pulling back. “Mmm, now that’s the perfect wake-up.”
“I think we need to join everyone else downstairs.” I looked at the clock. “The cinnamon rolls will be going in the oven. Once that happens, Harrison will be itching to open presents.” I smiled.
“Then let’s go. We don’t want to keep Harrison waiting.” He threw back the covers, glorious in his nakedness. His cock was happy to see me too. “You keep looking at me like that, princess, and Harrison will be waiting a long time to open presents.”
Moments later, dressed in his green T-shirt and flannel lounge pants decorated with gifts, Jack grabbed the gnome and his coffee. “Let’s go open presents.” He smiled and hurried down the stairs.
Seeing him happy and excited, almost boyish like, had me falling further for this man who had turned my world upside down in just a few days. I smiled as Harrison and Gran laughed and hooted. I detoured to the kitchen, nuked my coffee for thirty seconds, and joined everyone in the living room.
Harrison pointed. “Your pile is there, next to Gran.”
“You never could wait for everyone,” I teased, smiling at the gifts in front of me. Over the years, the number of gifts decreased, but the memories and time together amounted to more than any gift could.
Harrison opened his gifts first: a cable-knit sweater from Gran and a cocktail smoker kit from Jack, and he laughed when he opened the Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots game from me.
Gran opened Harrison’s present first and found a new robe, with a gift certificate to her favorite seafood restaurant in the pocket.
Mine were next. I was nervous.
Gran’s smile widened when she opened the case of her wine from her favorite vineyard. Next was a small box. Gran pulled out the charm bracelet I hoped she would like. “Oh, Kennedy, it’s gorgeous.”
I had started her collection with a small quill charm, to represent me, and a replica of the mountain house. Tears filled her eyes.
Harrison pointed. “There’s something else in there.”
Gran set the bracelet down and pulled out my note. Her eyes quickly roamed over the words twice before they turned toward me, her tears falling freely. “You’re moving home?”
I nodded. “Yeah, if you’ll have me until I find my own place?”
She held her arms toward me. “Of course, you always have a home with me.” She pulled away, wiping tears away, and glanced at Jack. “Shall you tell them?”
I quirked an eyebrow as I waited for what he had to say. He smiled.
“Well, I gave Gran her present early, but last night I discovered that an idea I pitched to my agent months ago has been accepted. She sent me the offer last night.” He glanced at all of us. “It’s a series of small-town romances based in Norina. After all the stories Harrison told me, it seemed only natural to want to capture that essence on the page.” He paused. “Gran invited me to stay with her while I work on them, and I accepted.”
I gasped. “You’re moving to Norina too?”
“If it’s okay with you, and Gran still has room.” His words were soft as he watched for my reaction.
“Of course I have room!” Gran said.
I grinned. “Yes, yes, it’s okay with me.”
