Page 40 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

“Now that we’ve reached our destination, can we make out like teenagers?”

In lieu of a response, Josh surged forward, his warm lips claiming hers. They kissed as the horse clip-clopped down the street, then turned down a pine-lined avenue leading out of town.

“I haven’t even had a chance to explain anything,” Josh said, running his thumb over her temple once they’d broken for air.

“Oh. Sorry.” She brushed her nose against his. “Go ahead.”

He wet his bottom lip, eyeing her hungrily. “Maybe I don’t want to now.”

He dove in for more kisses, which she accepted eagerly. The feel of his lips against hers satisfied something she couldn’t define, much less understand. Like no matter where life might take them, Josh would always be the one for her.

The carriage took a turn up a gentle incline. The downtown scene slowly transformed into trees and untouched woods. He kept his arm tight around her.

“This is so beautiful,” she whispered to him. “I’ve never done this before, even though the carriage is always here during the holidays.”

“So you don’t even know that this isn’t the normal route?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Nope. Had no idea.”

“I paid off the driver. He’s taking us someplace off the beaten path.”

Amelia nestled into his side, and the two of them enjoyed the scenery as they wound deeper into the woods. After about a half mile, the driver hung a right onto a heavily wooded property. A single-lane wound through the trees. Tiny snowflakes started falling as soon as they crested the new path. As if God himself knew that they were entering the romantic phase of the trip.

“Do you know where we are right now?” he asked, once they’d gotten a little lost in the woods around them.

“Definitely not.”

“We’re on the Cedar Grove Hotel property.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“I like that I’m showing you new things in your own hometown.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “My mom would love it too.”

Amelia buried her face in his chest.

“That’s why we’re coming to this spot specifically. Because it was my mom’s favorite spot on the entire property.” The end of the path was in sight, and the driver slowed the horse as they came upon an outlook.

Sprawling in front of them, for miles and miles, was pure, untouched nature. Bare trees stretched as far as the eye could see, a small river cutting through the expanse. Josh sighed softly as he looked at it.

“She always liked coming here in winter,” he said slowly, “because she said you could see the Earth’s secrets that way.”

Amelia blinked, emotion tightening her throat. Whenever he talked about his mom, this happened.

“My mom grew up in a small town, and she always wanted her sons to appreciate the joys of nature, even though we lived in the city. She never wanted us to lack that heart that comes from having a tight-knit community.” He paused, turning to look at her. “And that’s what I love about you. You have a big-city spirit, but you’re from here. And it shows. You have a small-town heart and you somehow manage to stay grounded. And you help me stay grounded.”

Tears were welling in her eyes now, and her voice had totally disappeared.

“You’re amazing, Amelia,” he whispered, brushing his nose against hers. “I’m sorry I tried to hold you back. I was being selfish. From the beginning, I wanted you for myself, but I didn’t realize it at the time. But I don’t want to promote you anymore.”

She blinked, confusion breaking through the overwhelming emotion. “What?”

“You can still have it if you want,” Josh started, that mysterious smile returning to his face. “But I want more for you. I called a friend who works in the Urban Planning Department at Grayson International Development, the sustainable development policy think tank, and told him all about you. Your skills, your smarts. I told him how perfect you’d be for the position of Manager of Global Research and Strategic Planning that just opened up. You have an interview in January if you want it.”

Amelia’s mouth hung open, and she could only stare at him.

“The job would involve a lot of travel around the world,” Josh went on, his grin turning mischievous. Like he knew just how perfect this opportunity was for her. “Making recommendations based on your research and findings. I don’t know. Sound like something you might be interested in?”

Amelia started laughing then. Deep, belly laughing. This was almost too good to be true.

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