Page 33 of The Grumpiest Elf

I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction. Is she going to freak out? That seems like a strong possibility.

But instead she snuggles into me and relaxes with a sigh, and I let out a slow breath of relief.

Then she stiffens, her head yanking back, her hands pushing on my chest.

I let her go, trying to roll back, but I’m stymied by the cushions behind me and the blankets tangled around us both, wrapping around us like a burrito and keeping us locked together.

She’s struggling, apparently not awake enough to figure out what the problem is or how to get out of it. Reaching behind me, I yank at the blankets a couple times, getting enough slack that we can separate, then I pull them off and sit up, scrubbing my face with my hands.

Yeah, I should’ve just moved when I woke up and realized we were spooning.

Lydia sits up more slowly, yawning widely and shaking her head. “Sorry. I woke up and didn’t know where I was or what was going on.” She leans forward to look at my face. “Did I whack you?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “No. I’m fine. No harm, no foul.” Looping my arms over my knees, I return her gaze, taking in the crease of the pillow on her cheek, her hair sticking up all over, and I can’t help smiling. She’s normally so put together that seeing her all sleep-mussed only makes her more adorable.

Her brows wrinkle, but there’s a half smile creeping up her face as she rubs at her cheek under my regard. “What? Did I drool in my sleep or something?”

“No. You …” I clear my throat. “You’re good.” I wanted to say,You’re perfect, but I feel like that might be too much, too soon.

“Good.” She lifts her arms above her head, stretching, then she blinks at me. “What time is it?”

Leaning back, I fish my phone out from under the cushions that got pushed on top of it during the night to check the time. “Are we just going to ignore the fact that we woke up spooning?”

When I glance at her, she has her eyes narrowed. “I’d planned to. But I guess not. Is there something that needs to be addressed?”

Sitting up again, I study her and shake my head. “Guess not.” When I look at my phone, I see two missed calls from Dad, plus text messages.

I type out a response letting him know we just woke up and will be heading out soon. “It’s just after eight thirty. The snow finally stopped, and they’ve moved the tree and plowed the road, so we can head out as soon as you’re ready,” I tell her, my gaze never leaving my phone.

She hums, but doesn’t say anything, and when I look over at her, she’s regarding me solemnly. “There are no events today, and with the party yesterday, everyone is taking a long weekend.”

My eyebrows jump. “Meaning …”

She shrugs. “Meaning, no one will be here today. We can stay as long as we want.”

Setting my phone down, I watch her. “And how long do you want to stay?”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Lydia

My breath catchesat Dylan’s low, almost growly question. How longdoI want to stay?

Indefinitely?

I mean, no, not really, but I’m not quite ready to give up whatever this is between us. Not yet. Not when I don’t know what it means.

I’d planned on just ignoring it, whatever it is, and moving on, but then he brought up the fact that we woke up cocooned in blankets and wrapped around each other. And I felt how hard he was.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone, and Dylan obviously finds me attractive. And he’s not nearly as awful as I’d first thought—assuming the last eighteen hours or so are anything to go by. The last few days, if I’m being truthful. And isn’t it admirable to realize you’re the problem and go about trying to fix it?

When I lean closer to him, he meets me in the middle, his arm circling my waist and pulling me close. His lips part as his eyes study my face, zeroing in on my mouth. I swallow, my tongue darting out to wet my lips.

“I really don’t want to piss you off, Lydia,” he whispers.

Feeling daring, I wrap my hand around the back of his neck. “Then don’t,” I whisper, pulling his lips to mine.

His full lips are soft against mine, but nearly motionless. Afraid I’ve entirely misjudged the situation, I start to pull back, but his arm tightens around my back, and he kisses me with a ferocity that surprises me despite the fact that it really shouldn’t. It’s entirely in keeping with his character for him to kiss like this.

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