Page 124 of Hold Me Instead
Zachary shot his sister a look as Charlie laughed, the comfortable chaos easing her heart.
“I’ve barely said a word to her since she arrived! Keep getting interrupted,” Zachary said. Kinda grumpily.
“Well,excuseme,” Sandra said, rolling her eyes. “If you would’ve picked her up, you wouldn’t have had that problem.”
“I had to swing by my mom’s this morning,” Charlie rushed to add. She held up the stuff in her hands. “I brought a few things.”
“How sweet!” Sandra took the gifts from Charlie. “I’ll set these under the tree. Everyone’s in the living room, join us when you’re situated. I’ll keep them occupied until then.” With a sly wink, she sauntered out of the foyer.
“God, it smells amazing in here,” Charlie said as Zachary helped her out of her coat.
“Mom’s making roast pork,” he said.
“Ohmigod, amazing,” she groaned.
Zachary chuckled and hung Charlie’s coat on a hook by the door, watching as she yanked off her boots.
“So. Welcome to the chaos,” he said with a grin. “Sure you want to stay?”
“I like it. Puts the hustle and bustle into the holidays.Ooof.” The second boot took extra effort to remove, and she flopped against the wall with an exaggerated sigh, thrilled when his hand grabbed her waist, even though she didn’t need the help. What she did need was his touch, and it seemed mutual. “It’s nice. Cozy.”
She glanced around the foyer. A narrow black console table opposite the coats and shoes had a mini-Christmas tree with fairy lights on top, propping up a plush gnome wearing a Fair Isle stocking cap.The iron banister to the second floor had fake pine garland wrapped around it, gold bows every few feet. The archways on either side of the stairs—leading to the dining room or the sunken living room—had holiday cards taped around them.
He hummed, stepping closer. “You look cozy,” he said, fingers toying with her sweater.
“You do too.” All she wanted was to curl up with him on the couch under a blanket. Watch snow fall. Stare at the lights on the tree.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, but it quickly turned heated. His hands curved to cup her ass, while her arms wound tightly around his neck. He swept his tongue into her mouth, and she muffled a moan. Their goodbye after the party the night before had been quick, and clearly, she was a deprived woman because of it. Wanted him more when she learned the kids had requested he sleep over, and she couldn’t let him turn down the offer. Her fingers gripped his hair, and she pushed closer, standing on her toes to alleviate their height difference. He groaned, then pressed his forehead to hers, their breath quick.
“Charlie,” he whispered.
“Huhnm?” she panted.
He smiled softly, pressing a light kiss to her lips. Then he tucked his face in the crook of her neck, wrapping his arms tight. And hugged her.
Charlie blinked. The garland wrapped around the stair rail blurred from tears building in her eyes. His smell washed over her, his sweater as cozy as she suspected. Being in his arms was amazing, each time far surpassing the last. She didn’t want to move.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
She hadn’t meant for it to happen, but it had. She’d fallen in love with Zachary Lee.
***
She was going to remember this—she, Charlie Harris, had the power to will her dreams into reality.
The thought made her chuckle to herself, mentally of course, so as not to disturb the perfect setting. After a lovely afternoon watching the kids open some gifts and entertain the adults with mini performances, Vivi and Alex had curled up with a movie by the big Christmas tree, while the adults enjoyed drinks and snacks in the four-season room. Garland was draped over the large windows and a second, smaller tree stood brightly in the corner, full of ornaments made by Sandra and Zachary growing up. Jeanie regaled them with her favorite Christmas stories of the two, with Jay promising to show her some of his favorite of their home videos.
Now she and Zachary sat alone, nestled on the loveseat, with Maple curled on the plush cream rug at their feet. Christmas tree lights sparkled as snow flurried softly, surrounding them in the early darkness.
Sandra and Jay had joined the kids in the living room, where Daniel had opted to take a nap in the reclining chair. Jeanie, meanwhile, had kicked everyone out of the kitchen. Which left Charlie and Zachary comfortable enough to share a blanket, for him to wrap his arm around her and snuggle her close.
It felt like she was spending the holidays with her boyfriend and his family. But she didn’t dare bring it up.
Instead, she stared at the twinkling tree, breathing in pine and the hot cider in her snowman mug. The mug that was suddenly removed from her hands as Zachary stole it from her and took a sip.
“Hey!”
He smacked his lips for effect. “Had to see what the fuss was about.” He took another drink, holding the mug out to the side when she reached for it.
