Page 34 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

“I’m going to my parents’ house like I planned,” she said deliberately, allowing time for the plan to form in her head as she spoke. “And you planned on heading home to celebrate Christmas with your own family. So I think we should spend the holidays apart.”

His jaw flexed again. “Amelia.”

“I need some time by myself,” she said, running her thumb over the bone in his wrist. The heat she felt even there made her eyelids flutter. God, she wanted endless nights with this man. She wanted all the happiness and bliss she’d felt earlier in the week. But she wanted it only if it was real. “You make it hard for me to think. Because I see you, and I want you. I’m not going to lie. What you’re asking for is…big. It’ll change both our lives. Being in a relationship. And I just…” She trailed off. “I want to be sure.”

Josh surged forward, cupping her face before snagging her lips in a passionate kiss. She whimpered, receiving his lips hungrily. After days without a kiss from him, without feeling his touch, she was starved for him. Heat stormed her as they kissed again and again, only breaking when she needed to take a gulp of air.

“Jesus,” she muttered. Josh pressed his forehead against hers.

“Meelie,” he started, which made her laugh. She swatted his shoulder.

“That horrible nickname needs to die,” she warned.

“Fine,” he said, brushing his nose against hers. “But only if you give me a chance.”

Her stomach tightened—a signal she needed to retreat. “I think I’m going to go get my stuff packed and head to my parents’ house. Shit. We came in my car.”

Josh wet his bottom lip and watched her for a moment before nodding. “Okay. Yeah. Of course. And don’t worry about it. I’ll arrange for a car.”

She lingered there, facing him on the stool, hesitant to leave the intimate cocoon they’d created at the bar. But she steeled herself and scooted away.

“I’m not going with you because I’ll just make sure you don’t leave,” Josh said, squeezing her hand.

It was thoughtful and respectful in a way, which made her smile. Because if she didn’t leave now, she might never.

Leaning toward him, she lightly brushed her lips across his before jumping off the stool and heading back to their suite without another word.

* * *

Amelia made quick work of packing her things, stopping no less than four times to sit on the bed and reconsider her decision. But this was for the best. Because she needed to clear her head. Because she needed to be sure.

When she arrived at her parents’ house that afternoon, both her parents were shocked that she’d come without Josh. In fact, when she sat them down at the table to reveal the truth, they insisted they wait for Josh before she told them her “big news.”

“No, Mom,” Amelia said, sighing. “The big news has to do with why Josh isn’t here.”

“What’s going on?” her dad asked. “Did he have to go back to New York City?”

Amelia worked her jaw back and forth as she stared at the familiar wood grain of the dining room table. “I’m not sure actually. He has separate plans for Christmas.”

Her mom frowned, and regret flashed through Amelia. “I thought he was going to be spending it here with us.”

“No. Actually, that was never the plan.” She tapped her thumbs against the dining room table. What a stupid position she was in…all because of Josh. “This isn’t the best thing to hear but…Josh and I, well, we were never actually engaged.”

Mom’s frown deepened. “What?”

“We were faking it. It was part of his bid to win the Cedar Grove Hotel. But I’ve been secretly in love with him for…a long time. Without even realizing it. And we started to fall for each other on this trip. And he came clean about the ruse, except now he wants to be with me, and it’s just…” She groaned. “It’s a big, stupid Christmas mess, and I need some time away from him so I canthink.”

Her parents shared a look. Her mother reached out and squeezed her hand.

“I’m sorry to hear all this, honey. We really liked him.”

“Can we still like him or does that need to change?” her dad asked.

Amelia laughed, surprised to find her throat tight with emotion. “I still like him. So, you can too.”

They chatted a bit longer about Josh, how he’d still gotten the hotel despite starting the bid with a lie. By the time they’d been caught up on the turn of events, Amelia felt depleted and ready for a nap.

After all, her vacation was officially starting. She’d just assumed she might be more ready to kick back and relax and leave work behind.

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