Page 89 of How He Got the Girl
No more holding back.
I put my all into each press of our lips, telling her everything I can’t say with my words yet. Not until I know for certain how she feels.
Your laugh is my favorite sound on the planet. I’d do just about anything to hear it for the rest of my life.
I can’t get you out of my mind.
You’re slowly becoming the very air I breathe.
Every minute I spend with you is my new favorite.
I don’t want this to ever end, because I don’t think I’d be able to handle losing you a second time.
I’m falling in love with you as quickly as the snow is falling around us.
I tilt my head, and Mallory deepens the kiss, tasting like sweet cinnamon. A deep sound comes out of my throat, making me sound like a man who’s been starving for affection. But I would wait my whole life for this kind of connection. One where it feels like our lives are so irrevocably intertwined that you can’t call it anything but fate.
My gloved hands move to the back of her neck. This kiss feels special. Like we’re on the precipice of a real future together. Who needs food, water, and shelter when I have her? Every moment spent together—every touch, every kiss, every shared word—makes me feel alive.
When I feel her shiver, I reluctantly pull back. “Cold?”
Her cheeks are flushed from our kiss, but she still wraps her arms around her middle, huddling under the blanket. “Yes and no.” She laughs.
I reach down and pull out the thermos I had the owner stow under the seat. “How about more hot chocolate?”
Mallory’s eyes light up as she nods. “You thought of everything.”
“Only the best for my girl.” I open the thermos and pour the steaming drink into her cup.
“Thanks.” She sips on it before snuggling back into my side.
We’re quiet for a while as we take in the beautiful scenery around us. It smells like the epitome of winter—the scent of pine trees in the air mixed with the sweet cinnamon-sugar of her drink.
“Griff?” Mallory’s voice pulls me out of my daze.
“Mm?”
“Thank you.”
I laugh, pulling her closer to my side. “You already said that.”
“I’m not talking about the hot chocolate, even though it’s amazing.” She licks her lips and looks around like she’s searching for the words. “Thank you for not giving up on me. For pursuing me and showing up, even when I was being…difficult.”
“Like I’ve said, you’re worth the wait,” I reassure her. “But I think I’d like a repeat of that kiss every day for the rest of my life.” I watch her, waiting to see how she’ll respond to such a bold statement.
Mallory smiles, her eyes taking on a teasing glint. “I think I could be convinced.” She looks down at her cup, then back up at me. “Does this mean we can tear up that contract now?” She leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I don’t want your money or anything else between us. I have all I need right here.”
I lean into her touch. “So do I.”
“Does this make us officially official?”
“Absolutely,” I say, even though this has been the real deal for me from the start. “I think you just gave me a new favorite word.”
“What’s that?”
“Us.”
Mallory leans her head on my shoulder. “I like the sound of that, too.”
