Page 21 of Everything Christmas

“I’m really sorry, Reese. But...”

“But what, Merry?”

“I don’t understand what’s going on. One moment, you’re sweet and kind and charming. Teasing me while we sip lemonade or gently kissing my forehead. The next thing I know, you’re barking orders or writing me three tickets in a day. After you saved me from Johnny the Jerk, you held me while I cried but then disappeared for a week. I’m so confused my head is spinning.”

“That makes two of us,” he muttered.

“What?”

“Let’s go sit in the living room and talk before we finish up.”

“Finish? We’re not done?”

“A puny dozen swats won’t make up for the scare you gave me today or all the trouble you’ve gotten into over the past few months. Not by a long shot.”

***

HE PULLED UP HER PANTS, easing them gently over her thin panties, trying not to be distracted by the hint of pink cheeks he could see underneath. Once he had them situated, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room, the wooden spoon still in his other hand, out of sight.

After seating her on the couch, he squatted down in front of her. Mindful of her bandages, he placed his hands on her thighs instead. It was crucial for him to see her reaction to what he was about to tell her. “I’m sorry I’ve run hot and cold with you, baby. It wasn’t intentional, at least the hot wasn’t.”

She considered that for a moment. “You mean, you were deliberately rude and spiteful?”

“Yes. But hear me out. I’ve been attracted to you from the first moment I saw you”

“You could have fooled me. I didn’t think you liked me.”

“That’s not true. In fact, I liked you too much. That first day, I kept looking out my front window, watching your ponytail bouncing around your shoulders while you directed the movers. And I couldn’t concentrate on anything except those tiny shorts when you worked in your garden. Then I saw a lot more of you through your bedroom window before you put up your new curtains.”

“But each of those times, you weren’t very nice to me, Reese. I’m not your type. I saw those tall, leggy women you were dating. I figured you weren’t interested in a short, curvy redhead.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.” Reese dropped his head, staring at his hands as they gently stroked her bare legs. “I was being a jerk on purpose to put distance between us.” He glanced up at her and admitted, “I couldn’t be around you and keep up the act. Every time I talked to you, I could feel the electricity between us and see the longing in your eyes, which are as expressive as they are beautiful.”

“I still don’t understand. Why do you keep coming around if you don’t want me?”

“I guess with my behavior, you would get that impression, but let me set you straight. I’m not into skinny, sassy, ball-busting women. The reason I went out with them is because they weren’t my type. I knew I’d never make the mistake of falling for a woman like that and wouldn’t get hurt again.”

“Again?”

“I was in a serious relationship a few years back. I loved her and we were talking about marriage and family, the whole nine yards. But she couldn’t adapt to my lifestyle and left me.”

“Because you’re a cop?” she exclaimed, indignant on his behalf. “That’s ridiculous. It’s a noble profession. I’m sure the odd hours take some getting used to, and the worry, but—”

“No, Merry, that wasn’t it. You may have noticed I like to be in charge. It’s especially true for my personal relationships.”

His words hung heavy between them as he waited for her reaction.

“I guess some women would have a hard time with that, and the spanking.”

“You didn’t seem to. You took it well, except when I took down your pants. Why is that?” Heat rose in her cheeks, which led him to guess, “Were you spanked as a kid?”

“Yeah, but only when I screwed up really badly.”

“Like today with the ladder?” he pressed.

“Worse.” She averted her gaze when she disclosed, “Like when I took the car without permission and wrecked it.”

“Good grief, Merry,” he exclaimed, but she wasn’t done.

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