Page 32 of Sinful Santa
When she turned she nearly dropped everything. There he stood in the doorway, black snow-coat and hair saturated with melting snowflakes.
“Matt!” she gasped, very aware that she was still in her robe. “I…I thought…Do the kids know you’re back?”
“I was just with them.”
That explained the excited yelling earlier. Tahlia nodded slowly.
Matt took a stilted step forward, his eyes trained on her face. “I found the gifts.”
Tahlia swallowed and set the tray on the counter. He must have been furious when he discovered the cuckoo clock for him to return to the cabin. She only hoped he wouldn’t fire her on the spot; that wouldn’t do the kids any good. It was hard for her to meet his gaze again but she forced herself. He’d taken a few more steps and now only a foot separated them; his hands were curled into fists, like he was trying to keep himself from reaching out.
“I’m sorry,” she croaked. “It was inappropriate. Only…” Tahlia wrung her hands, her eyes darting away and back. “Only you liked it and home means so much to you…I wanted you to have a piece of it…”
“I was at the airport,” he said softly, “when I found them. It was like waking up from a bad dream. I asked myself what the hell I was doing and…I’ve never run out of an airport before…”
“You ran?” Tahlia gawked. “Really?”
“I really did. Tahlia…” He moved a half-step closer, his eyes widening as if he was afraid. “Did I ruin everything?”
Confused. She was definitely confused and it must have read all over her face.
“I’m sorry,” he continued desperately. “I’m sorry for what I said. It wasn’t a mistake to hire you. It was the best damn decision I ever made. I want you to stay.”
Disappointment and heartache filled her stomach like a bad soup. He simply didn’t want to lose another caretaker for the kids.
“As the nanny,” Tahlia supplied quietly. Matt’s lips twitched.
“Definitely not. You’re a terrible nanny.”
Tahlia scowled, now more irritated than confused. “Excuse me?”
“You’re nosy, loud, opinionated, rude, and…”
“And?” Tahlia urged, ready to walk out right then and there.
“And you’re kind, loving, patient, and you’ve made my kids happier than I’ve seen them in a long time. And…and me.”
The frustration dissipated like mist and Tahlia nearly melted into the puddle on the floor created from the snow melting off Matt’s coat and shoes.
“Oh,” she murmured. Matt edged forward and reached for her hand, taking light hold of her fingers with his. Tahlia looked down, heart racing because it finally hit her where this conversation was going.
“Did I?”
“Did you what?” she asked, stalling to ground herself.
“Ruin everything?”
Tahlia finally looked at him and shook her head slowly. “No.”
A boyish smile lit his face. “Really?”
“Really.” Tahlia grinned. Matt tugged her toward him, eliminating what little space was left between them.
Just like their first kiss, neither one hesitated. His lips were soft and Tahlia could still taste the coffee he’d had that morning, probably gulped as he rushed out of the cabin. She didn’t mind. Her hands slid up his coat to grasp its collar. Maybe this was all a dream and she would wake up to her alarm but when his arms slipped around her, pulling her flush to his body, and he nipped at her bottom lip ever so gently…well, that was very real.
They both, by some unspoken, intuitive agreement, paused. Matt rested his forehead against Tahlia’s as they caught their breath together. While his eyes closed, Tahlia’s stayed open. She gazed up at him, taking it all in. Between the Christmas music in the background, the peppermint cocoa filling the air, and his arms holding her so securely, Tahlia could have sworn she was in a cheesy TV movie.
It was all so perfect.
