Page 45 of Next to You

I contemplated his words. “You have a valid point. I’m definitely ready to be in a happy, healthy relationship.”

“Exactly, me too. Maybe we had to suffer through all our bad relationships to know what wedon’twant. And to learn how to treat another person. Which makes this time together all the sweeter, right?”

I settled into his side, sighing when he pulled me close. “Yeah, another good point. You just got me off so spectacularly I couldn’t think straight.”

A mischievous spark ignited in his eyes. “You were the one doing all the work, sweetheart.” His voice was nothing but a husky whisper that sent a thrill through my veins.

“Well, you provided the hard-on.” I planted my face in his neck and covered him with kisses. “I wouldn’t have had anything to work with without it.”

“Good point, Team Snowbound, right?” he conceded, kissing the top of my head.

Instead of our Team Snowbound high five, I kissed the hell out of him.

He pulled back, brushing a hand down my cheek. “How are you feeling? Okay?”

“Yes, I haven’t been this happy in ages, Spencer. Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you. I have hope again because of you.”

I tipped my head back, hoping he would kiss me, then smiling against his lips when he did.

“Sleep, sweetheart.” He kissed my dimple and then darted his tongue out to taste it. “This might be my favorite part of your face,” he murmured. “But then I’ll get lost in your pretty brown eyes or kiss your gorgeous lips and have to question myself.”

“See?” I dropped my forehead to his chest, along with another kiss. “Don’t ever tell me you’re not romantic. When I get home, I’m going to write down every sweet thing you’ve said to me in my journal so I’ll always remember how you made me feel.”

“Don’t worry, baby, if you forget anything, I’ll tell you more.”

“You’re doing it again, and I love it. I’m so glad you found me.”

“Me too. Happy New Year, Lucy.”

I inhaled a sharp breath. “Happy New Year.”

I wasn’t used to feeling like this. I was happy, hopeful, and looking forward to seeing what the future would bring.

Spencer was a gentleman, but he was more than that. He had an innate knowledge of how to take care of someone. He was dependable and steady, and I knew he would be reliable and trustworthy, too. He was every good thing a man should be.

He made me feel safe and turned what could have been an awful circumstance into the beginning of something extraordinary.

I drifted off to sleep in his arms, hoping that all my New Year’s Eve kisses would be Spencer’s from now on.

Chapter 18

Spencer

Iawoke to banging on the window. Squinting my tired eyes into the glare of the sun, I could tell it was late, probably early evening. Lucy and I had accidentally slept the day away. I opened my eyes to see my dad grinning at me as he tapped on the glass. He smiled hugely, gestured to Lucy, and gave me a thumbs-up.

Shit. He had known I was interested in her back in high school when I wanted to take her to prom. I had no idea what he knew about my feelings for her now. He was observant. I was pretty sure he had a running mental file of information on each of his kids. I tried to keep my feelings to myself most of the time, but not that hard. He probably knew I still had a thing for her.

“Wake up, you two! Get dressed before your brothers show up. I could see his truck parked behind him on the trail and a huge trench with snow piled high on each side. He’d obviously just finished plowing his way up here.

“Lucy, baby, wake up.” I wrapped her tight in my arms and tugged the blankets higher so she wouldn’t sit up and accidentally flash my dad.

We were both still shirtless, but thankfully, she was spread out across my chest again, and what wasn’t covered by the blankets was draped in the soft fall of her butterscotch waves.

“Spencer? What’s happening? What’s going on?” Her mouth fell open in a huge yawn. “Is it morning?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, and my dad is outside. My brothers are on the way.”

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