Page 24 of Blissful Vixen

“Well, we’re about to find out. Let’s do dinner, okay?”

“Yes.”

“Bring Hardison, too.” She ended the call, and I squealed.

If there was something I wasn’t seeing when it came to Hardison and I, Tia would see it. Though, I wasn’t sure there was anything to find. Even the distance was perfect. He was taking time for himself, and I appreciated that he was hard on himself because he didn’t like what he’d done. He was trying to protect us both, and I respected the effort, but he was also running. I was tired of the unnecessary space, and it was time for my king to return to me.

* * *

I talked Hardison into going out instead of spending the evening cooking. It resulted in more time with two people that I adored. That was what I wanted more than anything else.

Hardison witnessed me acting a fool as Tia, and I hugged each other like it’d been centuries since we’d seen each other. Then, he drove us to dinner, where he got to see how close we were by the constant chatter and similar tastes. She turned to him and drilled him like a sergeant when we were all caught up.

He kept up, said all the right things, and even joked with her. The next thing I knew, the three of us were having a conversation filled with laughter and fun, as if getting together like this was something we did often.

Tia excused herself to the bathroom, and I went with her. When she came out of the stall, she washed her hands and cornered me.

“Emberlynn, I must say that not only does he look better in person, but I can tell that he cares about you. Are you ready for that?”

I nodded, positive about how I felt about him. “I am.”

“I can’t find anything wrong with him.”

“Well…” I went into the story about what happened between us.

Tia nodded in all the right places, and when I was done, I was sure she would change her mind about him.

“You’re only confirming what I thought. He’d rather hurt himself than hurt you. I still stand by what I said. Friend, I like him, too. You deserve to be happy. I think you should go for it.”

I nodded, feeling the exact same way. “I do, too.”

We returned to the table for dessert, but I couldn’t wait until Christmas morning. That was what I was eager for.

* * *

“What the fuck?” Hardison tried to jump out of his bed, but I held on to him.

I’d snuck into bed with him when I was sure he was asleep.

“Good morning, King.”

He relaxed into my arms for a moment, then turned on the lights on his side of the bed. He checked me over like a mother would her child after she expected harm to come their way.

“I’m fine, Hardison. I promise.” I leaned up and kissed his face and then his lips.

“We can’t chance this.” He motioned between us. “I thought I could end things, but I can’t. However, if we’re in different beds, I think it’ll work.”

I chuckled. “We’re not doing that. Hardison, that was an accident. You didn’t mean it, and I won’t punish either of us by keeping away from you. Do you remember what I asked for, for Christmas?”

He nodded. “I do. I’m right here.”

“But I don’t want a tarnished version of you. One that you’ve decided was bad for me. The simple fact that you’re trying to protect me from you is beyond noble. Baby, I want scars and all. I love you.”

He moved back like I’d struck him. Had I said too much?

“I love you, too,” he whispered. “Merry Christmas, Queen.”

I rolled on top of him and kissed his full lips. “Merry Christmas.”

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