Page 53 of Hiding for the Holidays
“Clara?”
“Hmm?” I look up at Grant’s amused face, realizing he’s been talking to me but I’ve been too preoccupied staring.
“I said, would you like to go on a sleigh ride with me?” The way he says it makes it feel like something more. Like we’re not just two friends doing a fun activity together.
After I nod, he grips my waist and lifts me right into thesleigh, skipping the steps altogether. I take a seat, and he sits right beside me, pressing his side and leg right against mine. Grabbing the blanket, he pulls it over us as the driver climbs up front and the sleigh starts to move through a trail in the forest.
I glance around at the beautiful scenery and, as the sound of the crowd fades, we’re left in a magical winter silence. The whole thing is incredibly romantic, and I wonder if Grant knew that when he decided to take me here. I glance up at him and find him staring down at me.
There’s something akin to heat in his storm-gray eyes. He doesn’t turn from me as I sense him pulling his gloves off. He reaches for my hand and pulls mine off, dropping it in his lap, and I instinctively offer him my other hand as he takes off my second glove.
He grabs my hands and raises them to his lips, softly kissing my fingers.
“Grant? W-what are you doing?” I’m barely able to get out the words, feeling breathless and nervous all at once.
“Showing you I’m interested, too.”
My eyes widen in shock as he smiles softly as he leans down and presses his lips to mine. I’m unable to silence the sigh that escapes from him finally kissing me and he takes that as permission to push forward, his tongue seeking mine as he wraps his arms around me, one large hand holding the back of my neck as I tilt my head.
It feels like his tongue is massaging mine, shooting tingles straight to my pussy. He moans, the vibration turning me on even more, and I whimper, my hands roaming his jacket, wanting to find skin to touch.
He pulls back slowly, placing a soft kiss on the tip of my nose, his eyes searching mine.
“Was it okay that I did that?” he asks with a hint of worry.
I swallow heavily and lick my lips, savoring the taste of himthere. I definitely was okay that he did that, but the problem was I kissed Leo earlier today, and Asher had told me he was interested, too.
I nod slowly. “But?” he asks nervously, knowing there’s more I wanted to say.
“I like you, Grant. A lot. But…” I trail off, terrified to say the names of his best friends. But then his words come back to me.Showing you I’m interested, too.
“You saidtoo,” I say, a frown knitting my brow.
The edge of his lips tilt up in amusement. “I may have overheard what Leo said to you earlier.
My hands shoot up to hide my red cheeks. “Oh, my God! You know?”
He gently pulls my fingers away from my cheeks and kisses them again. “Yeah, sweetheart, I know. That’s why I brought you out here. I wanted to take my shot before you made your decision. I know they’re both interested in you, too.”
“Grant, I?—”
“It’s okay; you don’t have to say anything now.” He moves his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his side as he turns to enjoy the scenery.
I rest my head on his shoulder as my mind spins at a hundred miles an hour. Do all three of them know? The worst part is I had no idea how to choose between them. How could I choose one then live and work beside the other two every day? It would be torture.
The only possible outcome is that I don’t choose any, and we stay friends only, but I have a feeling the moment I say that, things will change between us. It’d break my heart if they turned cold towards me.
What the hell have I got myself into?
Chapter 17
Rosalie
Despite my earlier revelation that I need to remain only friends with them, I decide to not let it affect my attitude or our day. It’s been amazing so far and I didn’t want my rampant emotions to ruin it.
After the sleigh ride we find Asher and Leo in the market, with a few shopping bags of their own, and Leo suggests we go get a group photo with Santa.
Standing in line with a bunch of kids should make me feel stupid, but they make it fun.
