Page 16 of His Heart for Christmas

?The countdown to the annual tree lighting begins. Josh always saves the biggest tree on the farm for this event, along with the ones that were cut but never sold. As the countdown reaches one, the trees light up all at once. The largest one glows with blue and white lights, making the tinsel and fake icicles sparkle. I’m completely in awe.

?The smaller trees are lit up like they belong around a gingerbread house. I’m spell bound. I love them, want to take them home, want to focus entirely on this moment to reset myself.

?“This is my favorite tradition of the year,” Josh says over a microphone. “A tradition that came out of a love for Christmas that I didn’t understand for a long time. Every year, I make a speech about Christmas, how thankful I am to everyone in this town, but that’s a tradition I’m going to break.”

?I blink a few times and realize I’ve stepped away from the crowd and closer to the lit trees. Looking to the stage, I find Josh’s eyes on me. He takes a slow breath, his throat tightening. He takes off his hat.

?“Emma,” he breathes softly.

?The crowd starts whispering, but my gaze is focused entirely on Josh.

?“Emma, I am the stupidest man alive for letting you go, even for a few days. You jumped all the walls I used to keep people out. You melted every bit of ice around my heart and reminded me it’s there. You are fun, inspirational, so damn thoughtful and ... and I can’t stand seeing your fake smile with that perfect dimple missing. I will spend every day making sure you smile the right way, the real way if you let me, if you can forgive me,” he says.

?I swallow.

?“I was scared of what I was feeling, because if I say I like you it’s a lie. What I feel is so much more than that and ... and I’d like to show you exactly how I feel by making you feel the same way. Can you forgive me?”

?It’s direct, as he always is. There’s no fluff, barely any romance, but the fact he’s outing his feelings publicly, openly, without prompting, is huge. I swallow and nod once. “Yes. Of course.”

?Josh puts the mic in the stand, then hops off the stage like it’s nothing. He walks right to me and cups the nape of my neck, pulling me close. He lowers his voice, so it’s just for me. “I’m not going to let you go again, Emma. When I say you’re mine this time, I mean it.Mine.”

?“Prove it,” I whisper. “Prove you want me, that you’re not going to make me leave after another night together.”

?“Sweetness, the only thing I can make you do is want me more,” he says before sealing it with a kiss.

?I hear a few awes around us, but I don’t care. I wrap my arms around Josh and pull him closer to me as he changes the angle and kisses me again ... and again ... and again. I hear Tony start talking about snacks and drink and games, but I’m lost in Josh.

?He draws back and rests his forehead against mine. “You’re coming back to my place tonight and we’re doing it right.”

?“I think we did it right last time,” I whisper.

?“Nope. I’m really keeping you awake this time. We’re going to do everything. Have dinner, have sex, talk, more sex, more kissing, and we’re not sleeping until the sun rises.”

?“Sounds like the best possible Christmas Eve,” I pant before pulling him down and kissing him again.

***

?Josh drives us the short distance to his place after talking to my parents for a bit. He keeps his hand on my thigh, keeps glancing at me, then picks me up to carry me inside the house, kissing me constantly.

?He doesn’t stop in the living room, just adjusts my legs around his waist as he carries me upstairs. He tosses my jacket, my sweater, my shirt, and my bra all before we get to his bedroom. I giggle as he tosses me down.

?“You’re eager.”

?“I’ve been a fucking idiot,” he says while stripping himself.

?I lay across his bed while kicking off my shoes and socks.

?“Every reason I tried to say no is so stupid. You were right. There’s no reason for me to stop living. There’s no reason for me to deny what I want or who I want. And I want you,” he says, crawling on top of me, completely naked, already hard, so perfect.

?I stroke his arms gently. “As more than a fling?”

?“You’re mine. My girl, my sweetness, the woman I want to wake up to. The woman I want to fall asleep with. Tonight,” he kisses me softly, “tomorrow”, another kiss, this one to my neck as he jerks on my leggings. “Through new years and until next Christmas .. at minimum.”

?I laugh and he grins at me. “I’ll work on the sweet talk.”

?“Your dirty talk is definitely better.”

?“Then I’ll make you come until you agree,” he decides.

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