Page 72 of Resisting Fate
“My grandmother knows the Harpers. I wanted to help.” He got serious. “I wanted you.”
Words deserted her. She was trembling, hot tears stinging her eyes. He set his bag down and pulled her in for a hug, surrounding her with radiant love. Her body calmed as she snuggled into his warmth.
She looked up at him. “I forgive you. I want to try again, okay?”
“Thank God.” He cupped her jaw, leaned down and kissed her. “Yes, yes, and yes.”
A sound like someone tapping on glass reached them. Ben looked up and smiled. “We have an audience.”
The kids were pressed against the glass, pointing at Ben and exclaiming excitedly.
“You do make a jolly elf,” Missy said.
“I learned from the best,” he teased. “This should be our Christmas tradition. Elfing on Christmas Eve.”
“Elfing, huh? Sounds dirty.”
He chuckled, pulled an elf hat from his back pocket and placed it on her head. “Perfect,” he proclaimed. He looked around at the bags and the stuff on the porch. “Is all this stuff yours?”
“Yeah, I’ll get it.” She gathered all the bags of food. “It’s for the Harpers.” She straightened to find Ben already holding the huge bag of presents. “You don’t have to carry that.”
“I’ve got one measly bag of cookie stuff. Let me carry it.”
She frowned and picked up the wrapped frame still in its plastic bag on the porch.
He closed the distance between them. “What’s with the frowning? What’re all these muscles for if not to carry stuff?”
She stared at him. “You understand I don’t need that? It might take me two trips, but I can get it all upstairs by myself.”
He searched her eyes for a moment. “Are you saying I can relax and let you take care of everything by yourself?”
She nodded, beaming. He got it now.
He leaned in and kissed her. “Do you know how long it’s been since I could relax with a woman?”
“I have no idea.”
“Never. I have never relaxed with a woman.” He spoke louder in a bold announcement. “I swear as Santa is my witness I will never do anything to make you regret taking a chance on me again. Transparency in all things. Do you believe me?”
She melted, warm and gooey with all she felt for him. “I do.”
Their gazes locked, an electric current zinging between them, the unspoken acknowledgment of her “I do” sounding like a marriage vow. It didn’t scare her at all, and Ben looked happy about it too.
He smiled his sexy dimpled smile, his eyes shining with love. “I liked the sound of that, Missy. Now let’s go upstairs. We’ve got a Christmas Eve to celebrate.” He jerked his chin for her to go ahead, still holding the giant bag of presents.
It would be easier to do it all in one trip with his help. Her practical side had her forging ahead with the food, feeling like they were a Christmas team. Elves got things done.
They reached the door and knocked. The door swung open and the boys exclaimed, “It’s Santa’s helpers!”
She and Ben exchanged a grin and walked in, a real elfing team.
