Page 18 of A Runaway in Winter
“I asked Indie if I can stay with her. I leave in the morning, but I think when I come back, this,”—she motions between us—“is fair game.”
“Valentine’s Day.”
“What? No. And fuck you very much for thinking you can keep your hands off me that long.”
“I like that use offuck youmuch better than the last time.”
Her expression softens as she sets her fork down and moves around the island, cupping my face and pressing her lips to mine.
“I’m sorry.” Her words are soft, her body mere inches from me as we stand there.It would be so easy to pull her into me, to relish in the way she fits against me.
Because she does.
She always has.
I just haven’t been able to enjoy it.
“Christmas,” I manage as she pulls back to meet my gaze.
“What about it?”
“We make it to Christmas before we start anything. It’s a few weeks away. I just… I don’t want this to be something we jump into. We know it’s gonna work so let’s not rush it.”
“And you think a few weeks isnot rushing it?” she teases and I’m so damn relieved to have this side of her back. She’d always been so carefree and happy, and I’d watched her lose her spark the longer she was away from Wintervale.
“I think it’s reasonable. Besides, are you saying there’s no part of you that thinks it won’t take some adjusting going from just friends to more?”
“You’ve been fine with shoving your tongue down my throat so far.”
I growl and pin her with my stare. “Pen.”
“Fine, but I won’t give up cuddling.”
“We can agree on cuddling.”
“Kissing?”
“Kissing is a gateway to wanting you naked.”
“You’re being really dramatic.”
“I’m being realistic.”
“Weren’t you the one that just said upgrading from friends was going to be weird?”
Warmth spreads through my chest as I grasp her chin and pull her in for a soft kiss. “You’re worth it.”
“Better save that line for Christmas, Mr. Sterling.”
You can count on it.
10
PEN
The drive to the city was thankfully uneventful, and I sent messages to both Indie and Lake letting them know I’d arrived. I told Indie to be on standby in case I needed backup. She’s lived in Montana since college, but her roots are still firmly set in Tennessee and the girl is a master at a well-placedbless your heart.
The doorman of my condo building does a double take when he sees me, my outfit a far cry from the designer clothes hanging in my closet. But this is me and I won’t apologize for it.
