Page 48 of Miss Christmas
“What are you saying?” I ask breathlessly.
“You aren’t the only one who had a crush as a teenager,” he confesses, and I gasp.
“Youlikedme?”
“Always thought you were beautiful. I miss your red hair.”
“Dylan Charmer, you’re a little snake!” I laugh as he scoops me into his arms.
“Listen, when I saw it was you in my truck that day, I knew you were there for a reason. I wasn’t sure at first, but the more time I spent with you...the more I knew.”
“You’re so adorable,” I breathe, tears pricking my eyes.
“I don’t care about kids, Merry,” Dylan says, swallowing hard. “I just want you to know that.”
I can’t reply because I’m too choked up. I nod as Dylan strokes my face, our eyes locked in a conversation our ears can’t hear.
“I don’t care that you’re divorced or that you wear stupid heels in icy weather.” He grins, pulling me on top of him. “I prefer you without any clothes and just the heels if truth be told.”
“I don’t care that you’re grumpy and you don’t like Christmas,” I whisper, my hand trailing down his chest.
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, maid.” Dylan chuckles. “I fuckingloveChristmas. I love you, Meredith Christmas.”
I halt, my eyes widening as I stare up at him.
“What?” I whisper as he tugs me close to him.
“You heard me.”
“Dylan…” I murmur, unable to say anything else. “That’s a pretty big thing to say.”
“I mean it. I’m done hiding how I feel, trying to keep away from you. If I don’t tell you now, you’ll go back home, and I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
“You probably will regret it in ten years or so,” I say. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“If I’m with you in ten years, I won’t regret anything.”
I lean down to kiss him, my hair falling onto my wet cheeks. “I love you too, Dylan Charmer.”
“You better,” he mutters, gripping my hips as he tugs at my underwear. “Because I’m never letting you go.”
