Page 11 of My Accidental Holidate

I grab the cream cardigan and hesitate before rushing to my bedside table and grabbing a condom, tucking it into my purse for safe keeping. Better to be safe than sorry and don’t need an accident.Lessons learned.

Kurt helps me into the car and I reach over to open his door, trying not to let my mind wander to the little rubber friend tucked away. It’s difficult to do though because Kurt’s masculine scent envelopes me in the small space, making me think about his body wrapped around mine.

Intoxicated from the scent of him, I fiddle with the strap on my purse while Kurt navigates through town and onto the interstate. He reaches over and takes my hand in his, interlocking our fingers. I look to him and he smiles.

“You’re kind of amazing,” he says keeping his eyes on the road. “I couldn’t ask for a better fake fiancée.”

Fake. There’s the word that puts me in my place. It’s like a slap and a bucket of ice water to my hopes.

My chest tightens. He means only for tonight.

He sighs. “Tomorrow, you’ll be a free agent.”His smile tightens and he makes a noise in the back of his throat, his grip on my hand tightening slightly before letting it go and returning it to the wheel.

My fingers tingle, wanting the feeling of his interwoven with them. I was the one to say “Yes” in that crowed restaurant. I was the one who made the decision to take a chance. I’m just not sure I’m the one who will be okay if this doesn’t end up going past tonight.

We pull up to the house as other guests arrive and instead of waiting in line for the valet, Kurt rounds the house and pulls soothing into a two-story standalone garage.

“I don’t trust my cousins with the car,” he says as way of explanation, shifting into park and cutting the engine.

Outside the car, he offers me his arm, which I accept, and escorts me into the house. The space is filled with bouquets of various white flowers with ruby accents, tables are draped in white with ruby embellishments. Everything one would expect to see at a 40th wedding anniversary to the nth degree. It’s opulent, gorgeous, and reminds me of Beth’s warmth.

“There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Kurt says guiding me through the main room to a tall man with curly blond hair. “Hey Dr. Chase, I’d like you to meet Lucy.”

The tall man turns and looks down at me, a lopsided grin in place. “Lucy, it’s good to finally meet you. I was beginning to think that our Kurt here had an imaginary girlfriend.”

Kurt punches him quickly in the side and Chase bursts out laughing, lifting his hands up in surrender.

A smile twitches at the corner of my mouth. “Nope, not a ghost or imaginary, here in the flesh. And it’s nice to meet you Dr. Chase. Do you have a girlfriend?” I say with a peaked eyebrow.

Kurt’s mouth drops open. “Burn.”

Chase laughs again, turning from me to Kurt, “If you fuck it up, I may take a shot with this one. She’s sassy.”

Kurt wraps his arm around me. “You have no idea. But she’s mine.”

The champagne in my stomach bubbles up and burns in my throat.

I wish.

Grandma Stella breezes into the room wearing a long periwinkle gown. “Don’t mind me, I’m just here to borrow Lucy.”

I allow myself to be tugged out of the room, needing a break.

“Lucy dear, do you need your hearing checked?” Stella asks sometime later.

“What?” I tear my gaze away from Kurt’s across the room, focusing on Stella.

We’ve been separated for most of the evening, Stella monopolizing my time by introducing me to everyone we encounter. Kurt and I watch each other throughout the evening from afar. He sends me winks and smiles and each time our gazes meet, a zing of electricity and longing courses through me.

Stella chuckles and shakes her head watching me staring at the man who has a way of looking comfortable in jeans and sneakers as equally as a three-piece suit.

Although I do prefer the suit.

“Excuse me Stella, I’m going to use the restroom,” I say looking up to find Kurt still watching me.

I make my way through the house, stepping outside for some cool air. The breeze stirs my hair and I lift my face to the sky closing my eyes in contentment. The door opens and closes behind me, footsteps making their way toward me.

“I’ve missed you,” Kurt says, stepping close behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

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