Page 31 of Rookie Season
“They’re supposed to say ‘Polo.’”
The voices are getting closer. I start to shift off him, but he pulls me back to murmur in my ear. “If you think I’m going to let you pretend this didn’t happen, you’re out of your mind.”
I trip off Ryan and shove myself to standing.
“You need any help getting that tree back?”
Miles and Atlas appear in the clearing just as I’m brushing the snow off my pants.
My cheeks are hot. I hope to hell I don’t look as flushed as I feel.
“We’ll take it,” I answer for both of us.
9
SIERRA
LAST CHRISTMAS
“Shit. It’s really coming down,” Jenny calls from across the bar where she’s wiping down tables by the door.
I cross to the nearest window and peer out, drying my hands on a towel. Huge flakes of snow cover the street outside. A couple of cars are parked under the streetlights, but there’s no sign of their owners. If this weather continues, they might be stuck there.
“Go home,” I decide.
“You don’t need to close up alone,” she protests.
“I’ve got this. You must have something to do for the holidays.”
She sighs, her shoulders relaxing. “Wrapping for days, actually. Including something for this new guy I’m seeing.”
I laugh as I go back behind the bar. “Sounds exciting.”
“It is. It’s new, and this is our first holiday together. But I guess that’s how you make traditions, right? You don’t know they’re traditions until later.” She goes to the back to collect her coat and purse, then heads for the door. “Sierra, are you?—”
“Positive! We’re closed. I’m nearly done. Have a good night. And Merry Christmas.”
With a wave, she leaves.
Mariah Carey comes on, and I switch the playlist from holiday tunes to more bluesy tracks.
Most people are ready for the holiday. I have my shopping done. I’ll swap gifts with some friends and family. There’s no one I’m seeing.
Not that I’m lonely. I’m too busy for that.
I head to the back to grab more whisky, thinking of Ryan flirting with me. Letting myself enjoy the attention from someone I was attracted to felt good.
Then he kissed me.
One second, we were barely touching.
The next, he was surrounding me.
The move stole my breath. He was warm and so damn giving.
I wanted all of it. All of him.
My fingers fisted in his shirt, my feet clumsy as I tripped backward, him following easily.
