Page 79 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

“I’m not Steve,” he says, his voice deep and husky. “And I can prove that to you in a hundred different ways. You just let me know when you want me to start.”

He guides my hands up and rests them on his chest. He’s looking down at me—his eyes are gentle, but his body is hungry. I know he can feel me starting to tremble. We stand there, looking into each other eyes, for what seems like an eternity. I don’t think I’m breathing.

“C’mon,” he says softly. “We’re already late.”

He moves away from me but keeps hold of one of my hands. He pulls me toward the door. I feel like my mind has temporarily quit working. I can’t think of anything to say.

He opens the truck door for me and gives me his hand to help me in. I can’t stop staring at him. He smiles at me as he closes my door. When he gets in, I still haven’t fastened my seatbelt. He reaches over me, grabs it, and clicks it into place. As he’s scooting over to his side, he pauses and places a soft kiss on my lips. I take a shaky breath as he pulls back.

“That’s just a deposit,” he says, looking at me. “Let me know when you’re ready for more.”

I nod and look down. He smiles and starts talking about something. I have no idea what he’s saying. I’m not replying. I’m struggling to form a word in my mouth. When we arrive, he opens my door and stops me before I get out of the truck. He pulls me into a hug.

“Breathe. It can be something or nothing,” he whispers into my ear. “You know where I stand, but I’m in no hurry. I’ll wait forever if I have to, okay?”

I nod against his chest. When he tries to back up, I won’t let him go. My arms are still around his neck. His face is inches from mine.

“I think I want it to be something—”

Before I even get the words out, his mouth is on mine. His arms circle back around me and pull me tightly into him. I’m still sitting in the truck. He’s moved his body so it’s pressed between my legs. My fingers weave through his hair as he pushes against me—kissing me hungrily.

The feeling of his body pressed against me makes me moan. He moves his head back an inch—pulling gently on my bottom lip. We’re both panting like we’ve just sprinted a mile.

“My house is right there,” he growls, nodding his head backward. “Maybe we should go there first.”

He kisses me again. He’s holding me so tightly that I’m starting to feel a little faint.

“You might have to help me over there,” I say as I nibble on his ear. “I’m not sure I can walk right now.”

“I’ll carry you if you need me to—”

“Hey! Are you guys coming in, or are you waiting for an invitation?”

We both jump back a little when we hear Gabi’s voice coming from Sam’s house. She must see the back of the truck. There’s no way she can see us.

Nash takes a deep breath. “To be continued?”

I nod and smile as he kisses me gently one more time and then takes my hand to help me down.

“We’re coming!” Nash yells. “Elle’s finishing up a phone call.”

As we walk around the retaining wall, Gabi, Izzy, and Sam smile at us from the front door.

“Come in! Come in!” Sam says, motioning us forward. “Izzy and Gabi just got here.”

Nash takes my hand and guides me up the sidewalk. Just the feeling of his hand against mine makes my head start spinning again. He looks back at me and smiles as he laces his fingers into mine.

The warmth of Sam’s house snaps me back into focus. Everywhere I look, there are pictures of his kids, grandkids, and a beautiful woman who must be Holly.

“I love your house, Sam,” I say, hugging him. “It’s as warm and lovely as you are.”

“It looks much better with you in it,” he says, smiling. “I’m so glad I get to spend my Christmas with you.”

Nash leads me into the kitchen. Gabi and Izzy look down at our firmly joined hands. Their expressions make me a little self-conscious. I try to pull my hand away, but Nash holds it tighter.

“Nash,” Gabi says, pointing at his head, “I can’t imagine you own a Santa hat. Was that a gift?”

“Yeah, Elle gave it to me,” he says, pulling me in front of him as he leans back on the counter. “Looks good, right?”

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