Page 65 of Only Ever You

They just were.

“Nowwill you tell me what you asked Santa for?” Faye asked, her voice cloud-like as she rested her cheek on his shoulder.

Bash’s own was thick in his throat as he said, “Nah. I think I’d like to keep this for myself.”

His Christmas wish. This second.Her.

“Whatever it is, I hope that you get it.”

His heart stumbled hard against his chest. “I hope you get your wish as well, Peanut.”

“Not to sound greedy, but I do too,” she said.

“It’s something big then, huh?”

Faye chuckled to herself and the sound wormed its way under Bash’s skin. “It could be, I suppose. I don’t know yet.”

“It’s one of those fireman poles, isn’t it?”

She laughed louder. “Yes, that’s exactly what it is.”

Faye lifted her head and Bash met her eyes. “It’s been nice being here, Bash. Better than what I would’ve been doing by myself in a boiler-less flat. I’m really glad you invited me.”

“I’m glad you said yes.”

She huffed, smiling. “You didn’t give me much of a choice.”

For some reason, that stung like the scratch of a nettle.

Bash angled his head so he was sure Faye looked at him as he promised, “You always have a choice with me, Faye.”

Her softening eyes were thankful without saying the words aloud.

He inhaled and continued to turn her in this moment that felt more intimate than anything else; more than sex, more than any level of nakedness with a woman could provide. When they were here it was just them and whatever silent, unspoken thread linked between their hearts. It couldn’t be broken; not by time, not by distance.

The deadline for his decision regardingWoodrow & Sturridgeplayed in the back of Bash’s mind like it dared him to try and break this bond between them.It couldn’t.That much he knew.

Though he hadn’t told Faye of it throughout the process. Maybe he should have?

Discussions to work from America had all been so quick and Bash hadn’t wanted to worry her with something he didn’t see panning out. The look of panic he’d hoped to prevent had flashed on her face when he’d joked about that Lapland grotto being a secret operation, as if he’d actually hidden it from her.

He didn’t think it was that big of a secret but he guessed she’d had enough of people keeping things from her in her life. Right now was as good a time as any to come clean.

“Listen,” he said, slowing their steps. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Faye lifted her head from his chest and he missed the weight of her against him immediately. “What is it?”

Bash took a burdened breath to tell her about the American offer when his phone began to inconveniently ring.

“Sorry, it’s Dad.” He winced as he looked at the caller ID. “Probably wondering where we got to.”

Untangling from him, Faye tucked herself up within her coat and pulled her hood up around her neck. “We should probably head back anyway.”

And just like that, Bash’s chance was shattered. He’d have to find a better time to talk with her.

He pulled on the mask of a smile. “I promise a hot chocolate when we get back.”

“Ugh, that’d be amazing.”

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