Page 45 of The Holiday Boyfriend

“I know you're awake,” he said, taking a hard bite of the spot he'd just kissed.

I hissed in pain and flipped over to face him. Austin chuckled at the pitiful expression I was giving him, then pressed a kiss to my lips. He could do whatever he wanted if he kept kissing me like that.

“How'd you know I was pretending?” I asked once he pulled back and made himself comfortable on the pillow, lying on his side to face me.

“You snore in your sleep,” he replied.

I gasped with indignation. “I do not! You take that back!”

He laughed hard, and I tackled him, making him fall on his back with me looming over him. I tickled all his sensitive spots until he was gasping for air and calling “uncle.”

With one last taste of his sweet lips, I rolled us back to our sides and pulled him into me. “Goodnight.”

“Night,” Austin said, sighing contently in my arms and falling asleep.

* * *

The next morning was a rush of breakfast and leaving for work. I barely had a chance to kiss Austin goodbye before having to rush out the door. Tomorrow was the last Saturday before Christmas, meaning there would be a huge party, as well as the last dance that was always popular with couples.

Most years, I didn't bother with the party, but this year was different. I had someone I wanted to share the dance with. I wanted the Doves to bless us. For that to happen, I needed to work extra hard so the farm wasn't short staffed while I was away.

Trish was smug when I asked for the day off and was forced to tell her exactly why I needed it time. She had a good “I knew it” moment before Alice interrupted her and graciously approved my request.

I barely had time to think today as I ran around doing last-minute prep so that the farm would be all set for tomorrow. The farm was always busy on the last weekend of the festivities, and I was already feeling bad about leaving them to handle it themselves, so I made sure to do everything that could be done beforehand.

It was past dinnertime by the time I finished, but the others had waited for me. I quickly went home to shower and met them at the restaurant. Austin's eyes lit up when he saw me, and he was halfway out of his seat by the time I reached the table.

I pulled him into a hug and pressed a quick kiss on his hot cheek. He peeked at the two younger men but wasn't as resistant to showing affection in front of them as he had been last night.

Kingsley and Ethan also stood to give me a quick hug. We sat down and ordered our dinner before chatting about our day. Austin and I had to work, but our two visitors had done the whole tourist thing of visiting all the sights and enjoying the events.

Kingsley teased Ethan about once again being tricked by Old Man Red into buying a handful of Dove trinkets that he didn't need. Ethan pouted, which only made all of us burst into laughter.

The dinner passed enjoyably with endless conversation, tons of laughter, and the best company.

I wanted more of this. More double dates and nights out with Austin as we enjoyed ourselves, because honestly, it didn't matter what we did. Everything was fun as long as I was with him.

If I had my way, this is how it would be for the rest of our lives.

TWENTY-SEVEN

AUSTIN

I was up bright and early Saturday morning, not because I needed to work, but because of the anxiety that had followed me through dinner and the rest of the night.

After the thoughtful date Jim had prepared for me, I knew it was time to stop the excuses and fight like hell to win Jim's heart. The problem was I’d come up blank onhowI should actually go about doing that.

I could cook him his favorite meals, but I was already doing that on a daily basis. Maybe take the lead in bed and profess my love while he comes, but that didn't seem very romantic. Buy him flowers or a ring, perhaps?

The problem had haunted me all week and now time had run out. Today was the promised final day of our arrangement, and I still didn't know how to convince Jim that us being together was a good idea, the best idea.

“What are you doing?” Jim's voice stopped me in my tracks. I slowly turned around to find him leaning against the doorframe, watching me with amusement.

He was shirtless, revealing his hairy chest and defined abs. The stimulation to my already fried brain almost had me drooling.

Jim stalked toward me. His muscles rippled with every move, mesmerizing me. He stopped in front of me and brought his hand up. I thought he wanted to guide my head closer for a kiss, so I closed my eyes and waited for his lips. Instead, I felt his thumb swipe over the corner of my lips.

“Are you still half-asleep?” he asked with a chuckle.

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