Page 26 of Christmas With the Navy SEAL Mountain Man
It's a fair question, one that deserves a thoughtful answer.
"Then we talk about it. We find middle ground." I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I can't promise I won't struggle with change, with opening up my space. But I can promise to try. To recognize that loving you means embracing parts of your world, just as you've embraced mine."
Tears glitter in her eyes, catching the light from the bonfires. "That's all I want, Aaron. For us to face things together. As partners."
"Partners," I repeat, liking the sound of it. "I think I can manage that."
Her smile breaks free then, brilliant and beautiful. "You realize this means you'll have to attend more town events, right? As my partner."
"As long as I can retreat to the mountain with you afterward," I counter, tugging her closer until our bodies touch. "My cabin feels empty without you in it."
"Does it now?" Her smile turns teasing. "And here I thought you valued your solitude."
"I valued it because I didn't know what I was missing." I release her hand to cup her face, brushing snowflakes from her cheeks. "I didn't know what it would feel like to have you in my life. In my home. In my bed."
Her breath catches, eyes darkening. "And now that you know?"
"Now I know that solitude is just loneliness by another name." I lower my head until our lips nearly touch. "I choose you, Leah. I choose us."
I close the distance between us, kissing her with all the emotion I've held back these last twenty four hours. Her arms wrap around my neck, body melting into mine as she returns the kiss with equal passion. Around us, I vaguely register whoops and cheers from townspeople witnessing our reunion, but I can't bring myself to care about the audience.
When we finally break apart, both breathless, she keeps her arms around my neck. "You realize you just confirmed every piece of town gossip about us, right? In the middle of the square. In front of everyone."
I glance around at the smiling faces, the knowing looks. Strangely, the attention doesn't bother me as much as it would have even a month ago. "Let them talk. I've got nothing to hide."
She laughs, the sound filling spaces inside me I didn't know were empty. "Who are you and what have you done with my grumpy mountain man?"
"Your mountain man is learning to adapt." I press my forehead to hers. "Though I draw the line at karaoke. Even love has its limits."
"We'll see about that." She rises on tiptoes to kiss me again, quick and sweet. "The countdown to midnight starts in three hours. Think you can handle that much socialization?"
"With you by my side? I can handle anything." I tuck her against me, arm around her shoulders as we turn to face the celebration. "Though I reserve the right to hide by the bonfire if anyone tries to make me dance."
"Deal." She leans into me, fitting perfectly against my side. "And after midnight?"
I look down at her, taking in the flush on her cheeks, the love shining in her green eyes. "After midnight, I'm taking you home. To my cabin. Where I intend to start the new year showing you exactly how much I've missed you."
Color deepens in her cheeks, desire darkening her gaze. "That sounds like the perfect way to ring in the new year."
As we move toward the bonfires, her hand in mine, I feel a lightness I haven't experienced since before Afghanistan. The ghosts that have haunted me haven't disappeared, but their grip has loosened, making room for something new. Something hopeful.
The band strikes up a slow song, and couples move to the cleared area in front of the stage to dance. I feel Leah glance up at me, the question clear in her eyes.
Before I can overthink it, I take her hand and lead her toward the makeshift dance floor. Her surprise gives way to delight as I pull her into my arms, one hand at the small of her back, the other holding hers against my chest.
"Aaron Wilson," she says softly as we begin to move to the music, "are you dancing with me in public?"
"Apparently so." I guide her in a slow circle, remembering steps from what feels like another lifetime. "Don't get used to it."
But the truth is, I could get used to this. To the feel of her in my arms. To the way she looks at me like I've given her the world when all I've done is offer a dance. To being part of something larger than my own pain.
As midnight approaches, the mayor calls everyone to gather for the countdown. Leah and I find a spot near one of the bonfires, her back against my chest, my arms wrapped around her waist. The warmth of the fire competes with the heat between our bodies as the crowd begins to count down.
"Ten! Nine! Eight!"
I lower my head to whisper in her ear. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
"Seven! Six! Five!"
