Page 15 of Twelve Dates of Christmas

Chapter Six

~ Rylan ~

Not telling Holly about my business last night had proved harder than I’d thought it would. After she’d been so interested in my not so secret hobby, I’d wanted to tell her everything—how I’d taken my small trust fund and started buying and developing properties when I was only eighteen. How I’d started with rentals and moved into developing subdivisions and condos, not just here but all over the country. How I’d taken my degree in architecture and business and leveraged it into billions over the past twelve years.

I’d wanted to impress her and see the gleam of appreciation in her eyes. But I wanted her to like me for me first, so I had to bide my time, as difficult as it might be.

Not kissing her had been equally difficult. I’d kissed her cheek, inhaling her spicy sugar cookie scent. I’d told myself it was enough; it had to be. But it wasn’t.

Tonight, maybe. Tonight, I’d devour that sweet mouth and feel those plump lips opening beneath mine, pressing so hungrily back at me. My dick throbbed behind my fly, reminding me I needed to get with his program. I told him to shut up and the fucker just throbbed some more.

Only knowing she was my whole future, that we had forever ahead of us, kept me from rushing her.

But God, I wanted to rush her. Already, I craved her.

I wanted to hurry her right to the altar and into my bed, but that was a different story. Truth be told, I’d happily stop at that bed or hell up against a wall along the way to the preacher.

I’d never been shaken so hard by anyone or anything. Since yesterday morning, my thoughts had rarely strayed from her and I wanted all her time.

Unfortunately, we had this weekend, then she was back to her job on Monday afternoon, making it harder for us to get together since I kept banker’s hours. Not to say, I didn’t work from home most nights. I’d definitely be available for her when she was free. If I had my way, she’d be with me each night…and each morning when she woke up, too.

And there I went again. Rushing forward.

When most guys would be running away from the blaze of commitment, I was bent on running full bore into the fire.

What could I say? When you know you know.

Today, we were off to the town’s Christmas fair—date number five. Technically. I couldn’t keep my mind off that whole gold ring thing. This morning, I’d bought her a gold bracelet I intended to give her tonight. I had it hidden in the glove box, ready to go when I felt as if the time was right.

My nerves ramped up as I got closer to her place. Keeping it lowkey, we were going to the Christmas fair downtown. Not far from where we’d met, actually.

She bounced outside, bundled in her red puffy jacket and red-and-white-striped scarf, hat and mittens. Fucking adorable.

I quickly shoved the truck into park and sprinted around to help her into the passenger seat.

“Hi.” I kissed her temple before buckling her in. Shocking me, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and brushed her lips over mine.

Pulling back, she threw me a naughty smile. “I thought maybe you needed me to break through that wall, give you permission.”

I cupped her cheek, her skin so soft beneath my fingers. So beautiful. So mine…

“Yes,” I murmured, leaning in and pressing my mouth to hers. Holly sighed and tightened her arms around me. Her lips parted, giving me her breath, allowing me access. My tongue slid against hers, absorbing her flavor. Mint…sugar…Holly.

I groaned, pressing in and trapping her against her seat. She moaned her approval, her hands stealing upward into my hair. She’d unleashed the beast, and I gave it to her. I climbed into the truck, getting as close as possible to her body.

I couldn’t get enough of her.

“Wow,” she whispered when we came up for air minutes later. Her lips were puffy and shiny, her eyes slightly dazed and heavy lidded. Pink color filled her porcelain smooth cheeks.

“I’m never letting you go,” I vowed in a whisper.

She visibly swallowed. “Okay.”

Her teeth sank into the corner of her bottom lip. I knew she had no idea what that meant, but she’d find out soon. Very soon. It was time to let her in.

Steeling myself from going in for more kisses, because if I did, we were never leaving here, I took a fortifying breath. My thumb brushed along her bottom lip, pulling it free of her teeth, then I headed around the truck.

Immediately, I clasped her hand in mine while we headed downtown. I couldn’t not touch her. I needed the contact, the security. It threw me off balance. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d needed reassurance about anything. Holly threw me off-balance, though. In a good way.

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