Page 45 of Under the Mistletoe
“So when you realized you both liked me…”
“It was a hard pass for both of us. It had to be.” He put the pizza in the oven. “So as long as we’re asking questions, whowasthe best-looking guy in the room in college?”
“What?” Her voice cracked.
“You said that Liam wasn’t the best-looking guy in the room. Just curious who it was. Jake, Pete? I spent all those years jealous of my brother, but maybe I should have been jealous of someone else too.” He set the timer and sent a teasing smile her direction.
“Uh…” What did she say to that? She’d said it without thinking, and now she had to come up with an answer that he wouldn’t see through. Because now that they were back to an easy friendship, she didn’t want to jeopardize that.
“It’s no big deal. All water under the bridge.” He turned his back to the stove and leaned on it. “I just thought if we were friends and we were going to start again with complete honesty then?—”
“Fine, it was you.”
Logan’s smile faded.
“So, maybe we aren’t ready forcompletehonesty.” When he didn’t move, she pointed toward the living room. “I’m going to wait out there.”
She took a step toward the door, but Logan was there in an instant, blocking her path. His eyes intense. He reached up and ran his finger over her cheek, igniting a fire of pleasure on her skin. He stopped next to her lips.
“There was glitter on your cheek.” His voice had a deep, husky edge that hadn’t been there before. “I’m not over you. I thought I was, goodness knows I’ve tried. But I’m not, and I’m beginning to believe I never will be.”
Her hands found his waist, and he drew in a shallow breath. The warmth of his skin reached through his T-shirt. In some ways, it was all happening so fast. And yet it had been coming for years.
Heat seemed to be rolling off him. “What would you have said if I’d asked you out at last year’s Christmas party?”
She tilted her face to him, and he met her gaze and held it.
“Yes.” The word came out on a sigh, and his face dipped toward hers?—
The chime of a phone split the air, bringing Cal to attention as he barked around the room.
Logan blinked at her before dropping his hand and stepping back. He lifted his phone from the table and walked over to the sink, staring out the window. “Hello?”
Devin ran a hand over Cal’s head as Logan walked to the sink and gripped the edge as he stared out the window. “Yeah. Devin’s here.” Another long pause. “I have four-wheel drive…I understand…Probably best…I know…” He finally turned around and faced her. “You can trust me…See you tomorrow.”
He ended the call and released a deep sigh as he laced his hands behind his head. “That was my folks. Roads are getting bad. Not just the six inches that fell in the last few hours, but underneath is a thick layer of ice. Luke has already responded to three accidents. They’re staying at Libby’s tonight and said we should stay put.”
Stay put as insnowed in. As in they were staying the night here, alone. She swallowed and blinked at Logan.
That look said it all. They had just started a spark between them, and it wouldn’t take much to turn it into a roaring fire if they weren’t careful.
And now they were here alone.Oh boy.
* * *
Four hours, a pizza, and a movie later, and all Logan could think about was claiming that kiss that had almost been. But with how he was feeling now—how he’d been feeling all night—that would be stupid. It was one thing to give in to his desires, knowing that his parents could show up at any moment. Doing so, knowing they were here alone for the night…nope. That was asking for trouble.
Because everything in him didn’t want just a kiss with Devin. He wanted it all. The life, the future, the promise of tomorrow. And if he let them get wrapped up in the moment tonight, it could end up burning out before they even had a chance. He was not waking up with regrets, and neither was she. He’d make sure of that.
“Well, it’s late, and I still need to finish work.” He pushed off the couch and stood, bringing Cal to life. Logan scratched Cal’s ears then walked to the hall giving Devin a wide berth. “My mom said you could stay in the guest room down here. The bed is made up.”
Except…oh no. He took off ahead of her.
He flung the door open and froze. Right. This was where his mom said she’d put his work and notes that had been on the kitchen table when she’d arrived.
He gathered everything in record time and pulled them to his chest just when Devin appeared in the doorway, Cal at her side. A touch of uncertainty clouded her face. “In here?”
“Yup.” He took a sidestep toward the door.
