Page 45 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
“Merry Christmas, baby.”
The phone rustled. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” her stepdad said. “I’m sorry I’ve been away so long.”
“It’s okay, Gary. Merry Christmas.”
Another round of Southern goodbyes and ten minutes later, she was hurriedly dressing to get downstairs. As she hit the first-floor landing, she slammed into Bear.
“Whoa, I’ve got the casserole in the oven.”
“Really?” She sighed heavily.
“Yep. An hour, right?”
“Yeah, thank you. My mom called, and I wasn’t paying attention to the time.” She blew a piece of hair from her face. “Then my stepdad got on the phone. And you know how Texan goodbyes are. They just keep going.”
Bear chuckled. “I know. They take a while.”
“Is that apple cider I’m smelling?”
“Yeah, Reagan was craving it, so my dad made it. It’s pretty good.”
Reagan was right. King had to be one of her most favorite people. Not that they weren’t all great. That man just had a way of making people feel like family. “I really like your family. I was so nervous the day I flew in, but I’ve never felt more welcome in my life.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Bear kissed her forehead and then set his cheek on top of her head. “It’s been nice having you here.”
She wanted to say,But you can’t trust me.Instead, she swallowed down the words, hugged him, and replied, “I’ve liked being here.”
He wasn’t being cruel or mean. Not even selfish. It was scary to love at all and even scarier when he’d been hurt so badly. It had nothing to do with Winnie or her behavior. All of his fear rested on him. She couldn’t promise them away. Her love wouldn’t change him. That was something he’d have to do on his own.
“You ready to join the festivities?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am.” She dropped her arms to her sides as he loosened his hold on her.
Before she could move, he took her face in his hands and kissed her. The toe-curling, unhurried kisses she loved. They shorted her wiring and made her hold on to him. There was part of her that wanted to accept whatever she could get of him. But she couldn’t. It wasn’t good for her, and ultimately, it wasn’t good for him.
The kisses, though? There wasn’t a chance she was turning down those.
His hands roamed from her face to her back, bringing her flush to his body. She was sure people were waiting on them, and she didn’t care. It was Christmas, and as far as presents went, this was the best.
He broke the kiss and held her gaze. “Now I’m ready.”
“Uh-huh.” That was about as much as she could say with the brainpower she had left.
For a split second, she was saddened by the thought this might be her only Christmas with him. But in the next breath, she was grateful. He’d taught her something valuable. She wanted to love the way a man loved her. Anything less wasn’t good enough anymore.
Chapter 29
Over the week following Christmas, Bear had slowly pulled away, and in the process, Winnie had as well. They were still acting as though things were fine, but time alone was mostly spent in awkward silence. She hated how it felt between them, but she also understood that the only person who could help Bear…was Bear.
Standing outside, it was bitterly cold, and she was thankful that she’d bought a sweater and coat during the Black Friday madness. They were the only reason she wasn’t frozen. The minutes were ticking down until the new year would begin, and she was excited to see the fireworks. From what she understood, they rivaled the best show there was.
Reagan sidled up next to her. “Hey. How are you doing?”
Winnie and Reagan had become good friends since Winnie divulged her arrangement with Bear. It was the first time Winnie had a friend she was positive she could trust. Someone who wasn’t broken or looking to her for repair. For once, she was the one being pieced back together.
Taking a deep breath, she answered, “I’m okay. I think I’ve come to terms with the way things are being left. I don’t know that I’ll ever stop loving him, but I love myself enough now to know settling won’t do this time.”
Patting her back, Reagan smiled. “Wise words.” She hugged Winnie. “But, whatever happens with you and Bear, you’d better keep in touch with me. I have this incredible little bed and breakfast with the best ocean view in Georgia. I’ve got a room with your name on it.”
