Page 61 of Take Me Home for Christmas

My heart skipped a beat at Brax’s words. “To new beginnings,” I said.

We finished our shakes with the toast, then he reached over and took my drink, stacked it with his empty cup, and placed both of them in his door cup holder. Then he took my hands in his. “We’re a better match.” He rubbed his thumb along my palm, smiling at me as his words sank in.

I felt his words deep down. “You’retotallywho I want,” I said with a huge grin.

The heat flared in his eyes. My heart gave a steady thump as it accelerated, and then I felt a dizzying rush as he quickly closed the space between us. But then he paused. He tucked a curl carefully behind my ear and sat back a little, and I was afraid he was having second thoughts. But then he spoke. “I haven’t slept with anyone since us. I just wanted you to know.”

Inside my head, cheerleaders cheered. Fireworks exploded. But I tried to keep my voice level and unaffected. “Why not?”

“Because you’re the only oneIwant.”

I must have stared dumbly because of those incredible words I never thought I’d hear, so sincerely and deeply said. I could barely believe something so wondrous was happening—to me.

Unbelievably, he kept going. “Didn’t you ever wonder why we’re on call so often together? I arrange that. I couldn’t stay away from you.”

Things like this didn’t occur in my life. He’d wanted me all along? He’d arranged for us to work together? My head was spinning.

His eyes turned soft with feeling. “I’m sorry I wasted so much time thinking I couldn’t—shouldn’t—be with you. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“You’re forgiven,” I finally managed, unable to stop smiling. “I understand your story now.” I knew how much it had taken him—and us—to get to this place of honesty. “What should we do now?” I flicked on the wipers so I could check out the pretty snow-covered pines, the iced-over lake. The night was silent andcalm. The half of me that had closed a chapter in my life today felt calm and peaceful too. But the other half felt like a stadium full of crazed fans cheering on their favorite team. I felt that the next chapter of my life was just beginning, and I couldn’t wait for it.

“Hey, do you want to go somewhere?” He seemed a little nervous, raking a hand through his hair.

“Go somewhere?” The snow was falling in thick, fat flakes, covering the windshield, insulating us from the frozen world outside. I wanted to stay right here with him—forever.

“Like a hotel?” He sounded sweetly uncertain.

My brows lifted in surprise. “You’d do that for just a couple of hours?”

“Why not? I feel a little funny doing it in your parents’ house.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t meanit…I meanmaking love.” He glanced up, his eyes showing me…well, everything I’d ever want to see there. Honesty, vulnerability, want—for me. Joy filled my heart, sloshing over the edges like a too-full bucket. And the fact that I had suave, cool Brax fumbling with words was even more incredible. It was like I’d landed in the universe of my dreams, but it was all suddenly real. A wild Christmas miracle, for sure.

He looked tentative as he added, “I mean, if that’s what you want to do…Do you?”

“There’s one hotel downtown,” I said, “and guess who owns it? Charlie’s grandparents. They’re really good friends with my parents too. The whole town would know by morning.”

“Oh.”

“Also, I think that’s sweet of you to want to find a place for us. And yes, I want to do it.” I peered into the back. “I see a blanket back there. Looks pretty comfy, especially with those special seat liners.”

He gave a hearty laugh. “You sure this is a good idea? I mean, the snow’s really coming down and…I don’t know, do the cops patrol here?”

I reached down to oh-so-carefully unbuckle one of my ridiculous shoes. It clunked to the floor. Relief. I felt ten pounds lighter. The other one joined it.

I did even better. I pulled my dress over my head and tossed it over the seat. As Brax pulled his seat back, I crawled over the middle console and straddled him. “I’m not worried about it.” He just went with it, smiling as I undid his tie and tossed that behind me too. And then I put my hands on his shoulders, feeling their smooth contours, their breadth, their strength.

He let out a sound—anoomph—maybe because we were a little squished. Or maybe it was from relief that we were finally, finally together.

He rubbed his hands up and down my back, over the silky material of the one-piece, no-panty-line underwear. His gaze was hot and searing and made me feel completely worshipped.Thank you, Claudia. “I want you so much,” he murmured against my neck as he dropped featherlight kisses there. “I never stopped.”

Words that had me thanking my lucky stars. “Thank you for coming home with me.” I tipped back my head so he could kiss me more thoroughly. “For being so wonderful to my family. And for being so wonderful to me.”

“Funny.” He stopped kissing me and glanced up. “I think it’s you who saved me.”

At last, our lips met. The space was tight, but it suited us just fine. I got lost in the simple taste of him and the scent of his woodsy aftershave, in the way his hands roved over the pretty camisole. I pressed against the softness of his lean, muscular chest, hungry for him, barely able to focus on unbuttoning his shirt buttons.

Somehow, we climbed into the back, barely missing a beat. He took me down to the seat that was solid and roomy enough. Not that I was paying that much attention.

As he kissed my neck, he murmured, “Thank goodness for grandma’s seat liners.”

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