Page 34 of Chasing Mr. December

My hand flies to my chest. This whole time I’d been feeling sorry for myself. That he would’ve left like that. But he thoughtI’drejectedhim.

“It’s no excuse. I should’ve reached out to you before I left. But I was worried in my current state, I’d only make things worse. And you deserved more than a phone call after that. So, I decided to get back home. Sit with my first love, Mother Nature. Get still and find the right thing to say.” He looks away and my chest aches for all he’s been through. How hard it’s been for him to trust someone with his heart again.

“When I came here, I was determined to stay focused on Dad. I had no plans to hook up with anyone while I was here.”

So, he did just think it was a hook up.

“I fully expected to return home at the end of the six weeks and pick up as if I’d never left. I’ve built a life I’m proud of in Sycamore Mountain. My job has gone better than I could’ve dreamed, working alongside some of the best men I’ve ever known. It never dawned on me I could have more... with you.”He stops, reaching behind his neck as if trying to manage the tension, to no avail. “Trying the long-distance thing seemed like too much to ask. Hell, the woman I was engaged to refused to join me. So why would this smart, beautiful, confident young creature who could have anyone she wanted go back and forth?”

I can’t help myself, and reach over, taking his hand in mine.

“Quinn, we’d only spent a few weeks together, but the ache of your absence now that I’m home feels cavernous. Once I could embrace the silence and really digest my feelings, it became abundantly clear I never felt this hurt after breaking up with Corinne. All I felt then was anger.”

Lifting my palm to his mouth, he places feather light kisses to the inside of my wrist. Jason’s eyes flick back up to meet mine; the earnestness I see causes my eyes to well with tears. “I feel hollow. My head is screaming to stay the course. My future is in that mountain town I fell in love with years ago.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “But how do I move forward when my heart is in Magnolia Point?”

“Oh.” I exhale, blinking rapidly to stave off the tears.

I’m so in love with this man.

He turns to look out the windshield, and I sit quietly, ensuring he’s able to say whatever is on his heart without interruption. “Quinn, I gave up things that were important to me in order to keep Corinne in my life. And it’s clear to me that relationship was only skin deep. If she could destroy me the way she did… then what could you do to me?” His deep blue eyes seem to plead for understanding.

My heart is in my throat at his tender words. He exits the car before I can say anything to reassure him, so I take that moment to dab away my tears and try to gather my composure.

Could this really be happening?

Jason opens the car door and leads me over to the Christmas tree farm. An inflatable mattress covered in flannel sheets, blankets, pillows, snacks, mugs, and a thermos lies in front of the remaining Christmas trees. It isn’t until I’m seated, and he’s wrapping a blanket around my shoulders, that I notice he has a movie screen set up. As he points a remote in the direction of the screen, white lights spring to life, adorning the rows of trees on the lot asIt’s a Wonderful Lifestarts to play.

He remembered. This incredible man remembered.

“I can’t believe you did all of this.”

Smiling down at me, Jason pulls me into his side. It feels like a dream. It’s as if I’m living that Taylor Swift song from my fantasies. There’s a steady stream of tears now. No sense hiding it. And I decide I might as well go all in because it can’t get any better than this.

“I know it had only been a few weeks foryou, but I feel as if I’ve loved you since the day Ian introduced you to our family all of those years ago.” His eyes go wide. “A silly teenage crush I never outgrew.”

I sit up to ensure he understands I’m serious. “I don’t want to scare you. But you’re giving me the chance to say all the things I couldn’t before. And I don’t want any regrets.” Taking a fortifying breath, I lift my chin in a show of confidence I don’t actually feel. “If you’d asked me to do the long-distance thing and eventually join you, I would’ve jumped at the chance. I knowhow much Sycamore Mountain means to you. I can do my job from anywhere. I want to be where you are, Jase. Nothing would make me happier.”

And with that, I throw myself at him like a superfan, toppling us both to the ground in the process. I can’t hold back any longer. I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for how things have turned out.

“God. I’m so in love with you, Quinn. I really wanted to do something romantic. Give you Christmas movies and hot cocoa. But all I can think about is making love to my girl.”

My girl.

Rolling on top of me, Jason kisses me with unbridled passion, leaving no doubt about how he feels. His tongue dances with mine before he angles my face to deepen the kiss. Unlike the first time we were here, his touch is frenzied. He slides down my body, placing open-mouthed kisses in his wake. His warm tongue trails down my throat and collarbone before his hands are wildly pulling my pajama top over my head.

And I’m here for it!

Without a bra to inhibit him, his tongue greedily swirls around each nipple before moving further south. As his hands tug down my pants, I’m about to protest that he’s still fully clothed until he runs his nose through the center of my panties.Good lord, this man.

Ripping the seams until the scraps of lace fall, leaving me bare, I let out a cry of utter appreciation as he buries his face between my legs. “Oh, this sweet pussy. My new favorite snack,” he groans against my sex. “Marshmallows, cupcake icing, and you.”

Holy mother of all Christmas wishes come true. I’ll never ask Santa for another thing!

Chapter 24

Jason

Three months later

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