Page 12 of Her Candy Cane Cowboy
I look around the bare room, struggling to picture it looking festive in time for the party. “What do you have in mind?”
“I’m going to make this look like a giant gingerbread house. I’ve got the fake brickwork already and the lollipops in cellophane arrived this morning. I also picked up the material to create gum drops and some cinnamon-scented pinecones to make everything smell like Christmas.”
As she’s talking, she’s moving around the room and gesturing, clearly seeing it in her mind’s eye. “I’m using foam sealer to make it look like icing is between the bricks. I’ll make those from recycled cardboard and use a wall safe attachment so it doesn’t affect the fresh paint.”
“So when you’re done, it’ll look like everyone who’s here is inside the gingerbread house?”
“Exactly!”
I rub my hands together. “Let’s get started.”
Some of her delight dims. “I don’t mean to take up your whole day. I’m sure you want to spend time with?—”
I cut her off. “With you.”
She hesitates like she’s weighing her words, “I don’t know exactly what you’re hoping for from me but?—”
It’s too soon to tell her that I’m hoping for marriage and kids and forever because I know she’s not anywhere close to being on the same page. And I don’t want to say anything that might mess this up. “I’m hoping to spend time with you.” It’s a gentler hint at what I want in the future but it’s also the truth.
“Okay,” she says to my heart’s relief.
Feeling like I’m walking on air, I go out with her to help unload the trunk and backseat of her car. My arms are loaded down with pieces that’ll make up a white picket fence.
“Those will go outside the center on either side of the front door. And so will that Santa mailbox.” I set the pieces down there.
“If you can fasten those fence pieces to the building, I’ll go back in and start working on putting the house walls up.”
She goes in and I make short work of my task so I can get back to her side. Every second that I spend with her only strengthens the desire to remain with her. I hate the thought of the day ending and us having to part ways.
I know I’ve fallen for her quickly but what’s right is right, and the heart knows the way.
When I’m through, I walk back in to catch Ginger on the highest rung of the ladder on her tiptoes trying to hang a giant snowflake above one of the gingerbread house walls.
My heart drops to my stomach and I rush to the ladder, quickly climbing it until I’m beneath her in case she falls. “You’re not tall enough. Why didn’t you call me?”
She drops the hook of the decoration on the side of the ladder and the snowflake spins, glittering as it turns. “This is the last of the main décor. Now all that’s left are the little touches.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask again after she avoids my question.
“Because I’m not used to having help,” she says, twisting on the ladder and coming down a step so our bodies are facing.
I bracket my arms on either side of her. She fits perfectly like the final puzzle piece of my life snapping into place.
“I’m here. You can get used to it.”
She fiddles with the front of her shirt, lifting it way from her sexy body. “It’s warm in here.”
I smell a cinnamon pine scent as she fans the material. My gaze drops to the neckline of it and the smallest peek of cleavage it presents.
I’m warming up too, but for an entirely different reason. “I’ll finish this,” I say, my breath fanning over her skin.
The slightest tremble moves through her body, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips. She’s driving me wild just existing.
“Ginger…”
Her eyes flutter closed.
I lean slowly toward her wanting to taste the heaven of her lips.
