Page 52 of A Christmas For Holly

I kissed him before either of us could overthink it. Deep and heated, my lips pressed into his as if I’d been waiting for this a long time. Holly’s hands moved to my hips, gripping me tight, holding me still as our kiss deepened. His mouth was warm and urgent, and I let myself fall into it without hesitation or second-guessing.

I wanted this. I wanted him.

He pulled back, stopping me mid-kiss, his lips slick and his breath shaky.

“I love kissing you,” he whispered, his eyes searching mine.

Our lips met again, softer this time, but still with that same heat simmering beneath the surface. The kissing became something else—more tender, more about comfort than passion. We shifted, our bodies molding together as I leaned into him, my head resting against the curve of his neck. His pulse beat steadily against my skin, his breathing calm. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest, a soothing rhythm that lulled me into peace.

I didn’t recognize how exhausted I was until I started drifting, the warmth of his body enveloping me. Holly pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself to relax. His breath in my hair and the steady heartbeat beneath my cheek felt perfect, and before I knew it, I was asleep.

Time meant nothing when I was wrapped in Holly’s arms.

Chapter 21

Holly

When I woke,cuddled up with Lucas, this time, I didn’t panic. Instead, I tightened my hold around him, kissing his hair. My knee wasn’t throbbing, my head was clear, and the muffled sound of the snowstorm outside made everything feel… perfect. Our little hideaway was a bubble of warmth and quiet, tucked away from the world. There was enough food in the freezer to last us a while, as long as we didn’t open it too much. Lucas’s suggestion to use the snow outside as a makeshift freezer made a lot of sense.

But right now, the call of my bladder made me ease Lucas off my lap. He slumped to the side, rubbing his eyes as he woke.

“We never had that shower,” I exclaimed before he could say anything that would make me emotional.

“Youdidn’t,” he corrected, a smirk playing on his lips.

I grinned back. “We should use it together… save water.”

He chuckled. “It’s a small shower,” he reminded me, though I could see the gears turning in his head, probably running through the same scenarios as I was. The idea of a hot, soapy Lucas was already racing through my mind.

“The shower at my place is bigger,” he said, and I couldn’t stop myself from imagining what we could do with more space.“Only, it’s down the mountain and on the other side of the snow bank.” He laughed, adding, “But yeah, my bathroom has a two-man shower. Rainfall shower head, low lights, and…”

I groaned inwardly. Great. Now I was hard… again.

“How long will we be here?” I asked, yawning as I stretched, glancing at the dark window. The snow was still falling, but it had slowed. The storm was starting to ease up, but I had no idea when we’dactuallybe able to leave.

Lucas shrugged, leaning against the wall, his eyes on me. “Could be another day or two. Hard to say.”

I nodded, feeling an unfamiliar twinge of excitement at the thought of being trapped alone with Lucas for that long.

With the fire banked and enough hot water, I had the quickest shower known to man, in and out in a few short minutes. This time, I remembered to grab clean underwear, so I was dressed in sweats and a Harriers T-shirt. A shiver ran through me as soon as I walked out, the cool air hitting my still-damp skin. When I glanced at Lucas, I saw him staring at the logo on my shirt.

“Do you miss hockey?” he asked, his voice quiet.

I paused, looking down at the Harriers logo stretched across my chest. I didn’t know how to answer for a second, but then I shrugged. “The longer I’m away, the easier it gets. I haven’t stepped on the ice since… jeez, since forever. Maybe I miss it, but I don’t miss being the team captain.”

Lucas nodded thoughtfully, his eyes still lingering on the logo. “When we get into town, you should skate at Kai’s rink. I know Connor asked you in the cafe, and the kids there would be all over you.”

Horror gripped me at the thought of strapping on skates again, the image so vivid it made my chest tighten. I shut my eyes, breathing through the rising panic, and anchored myself by reaching out, my fingers brushing against Lucas, solid and real.

“You’re okay. Breathe with me,” he whispered, and I focused on his voice.

I opened my eyes, but I still felt shaky. “I don’t know if I’m ready to be Holly, the former NHL star.”

He smiled at me, reassuring, gentle. “How about Paul, the moderately good skater on the pond?”

I remembered the skating pond from when I’d visited before. It had been one of the few places where I felt I could breathe. “I could be Paul,” I admitted.

“We could do the family skate,” Lucas added. “It’s the night before the parade, and I hope the snow eases up soon. If these snowbanks don’t shrink, I’ll have so many problems getting everything set. Ten days until December 1st.”

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