Page 19 of I'll Be Home For Christmas

Gazing at her, he hated to leave the bed. It was warm and snuggling against her had him hard as a rock, but there were cattle to feed and eggs to collect, and he wanted some distance between them. Not because of anything she’d said or done, but he wanted to know if he would still feel this way about her when he wasn’t staring at her full breasts, tiny waist, and long legs that had wrapped around him last night as they’d made love.

And that was the only thing you could call it. Two people sharing the most intimate act on earth and it hadn’t been a one-night stand. As much as it frightened him, he was thinking forever.

Could she be the girl he’d share his life with?

He’d always wanted to marry, but after his family’s death and Beth breaking off their engagement, it had not seemed possible. And yet now, maybe there was a chance.

Slowly he eased from the bed and the cold air hit him. Glancing over, he confirmed the power was still on and he hoped the heater had just not kicked on yet this morning.

Going into the bathroom, he quickly dressed, grabbed his snow boots, and quietly left the room.

Sitting on the couch, he noticed that it wasn’t even six a.m. yet, but there were morning chores to do. When he returned, he wanted to crawl back into bed with Olivia and see if the magic was still there this morning.

Because yesterday had been pure heaven. Never had he experienced such a great night with a woman. Never.

Pulling on his coat, his gloves, and a woolen hat to wear beneath his cowboy hat, he braced himself as he walked out the door. Minus ten with the wind howling. They weren’t going to get her car pulled out today. Tomorrow was the day before Christmas Eve and he hoped he could help her get back on the road, and yet, he didn’t want her to leave.

With his snowshoes on, he walked to the barn.

When he opened the door, he flipped on the light and began to load the cart with hay. The urge to hurry and get back inside to Olivia was strong and that had him smiling. No, this feeling was not going away. No, in fact, it was growing stronger by the minute.

All he could think about was the way she smelled, the taste of her, the silkiness of her skin, and he was out in the barn. The urge to get back to her had him rushing to do his chores.

An hour later, he felt frozen to the bone and he was still eager to get back inside to Olivia. Maybe they would stay in and play cards. They were not going to be spending much time outdoors today.

Stomping his feet, he walked into the mud room and then put his slippers on. When he opened the door to the kitchen, the smell of bacon overwhelmed him and he saw her standing at the stove cooking breakfast.

“Good morning,” she said smiling. The memory of her that first night smacked him in the face. This wasn’t the same girl. This girl was happy, and it filled his soul with joy to see her eyes light up with delight.

“Good morning,” he said and bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. “How did you sleep?”

“Very good. Nice and warm snuggled up against you,” she said. “But when you left this morning, the bed grew cold.”

“We could always go back to it,” he said, thinking he’d love to sink his cock into her once again.

“You need your strength,” she said laughing. “I’ve just about got breakfast cooked.”

Why did those words make him feel so good? She didn’t realize the effect she had on him. But he did. And he didn’t want this to end.

“I don’t think we’re digging your car out today,” he said. “It’s very cold out there.”

As he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against him, he couldn’t resist sliding his hands up beneath the flannel pajamas she wore.

She jumped and shivered up against him. “You’re freezing.”

Turning her, he pulled her up against him and lifted her. She wrapped her long legs around his waist.

“Hmm, your bacon is going to burn,” she gasped as her lips covered his, devouring him. And he couldn’t be happier.

Leaning back, she broke their kiss. “What are we going to do today?”

“Well, we’re not going to dig your car out. What if we wear our pajamas all day, stay inside, and play games?” he said, wondering what she would think of the idea of having a pajama day together.

“Oh, what kind of games?”

“Whatever you want to play, darling,” he said, holding her tightly against him.

“I love the idea,” she said. “Let me finish cooking breakfast and then we’ll decide.”

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