Page 7 of Fake Christmas Date
Carl claps me on the back. "Take my car. I'm going to be here for at least another hour." He steps out front and waves to a town car waiting at the side lot. “Richard here can take you anywhere you need to go."
Emma looks worried as I help her into the back seat. As soon as I'm sitting beside her, I whisper, "It’ll look super weird if we don't go home together. You can take my bed. I'll take the couch. Cool?" She nods quickly, then I give the driver my address.
When we arrive, I feel a sense of pride as Emma walks through my house, examining my things. "You live here alone?"
"Yes."
She turns to me with a small smile. "I’m sorry, I don't even know what you do for a living."
"General contracting. I work for four different companies." I flash her a grin. "That way I can say yes to the interesting or challenging jobs, and thanks but no thanks to digging out a basement in the middle of a summer heat wave."
She places her hands firmly on her hips, looking down at her outfit. "And here I thought I was a princess in this fancy dress, Mr. Fussy Princess of Contractors."
I burst into deep, rolling laughter. "My brand new fiancée is busting my chops already? This is going to be an interesting engagement.”
She opens her mouth to speak, then snaps it shut again.
"I'm kidding. It's been a long night. Come on." I lead her to my bedroom, turning on the bedside table lamp. Then I rifle through my clothing to find my smallest track pants, gym shorts, tank tops, and t-shirts for her to choose from. "These will hang like potato sacks on you, but at least you'll be cozy."
"What do you wear to bed?" she asks timidly.
"That is not important, because I’ll be on the couch." I grab one of the pillows, then a blanket from the hall closet.
"Where are we going tomorrow, anyway?" she asks.
"We're going to discuss whether you're up for that or not over coffee tomorrow."
Emma blinks quickly. "Hey, a deal is a deal, and you more than held up your end of the bargain tonight.” Her pure, sweet smile touches my heart. "Thank you for that, by the way, so much. It’s clear that Natalie and Carl like me now. Lacey will be afraid to trash talk me anymore, I think."
"I'm glad you're happy with how tonight turned out. Still, tomorrow we’ll go over all the details and you can decide if you're comfortable going through with it. If there's the slightest hesitation, I understand completely."
I turn to leave, then her fingers catch my arm. "Dylan?" She looks up at me and I swear my entire body forgets how gravity works. Those gorgeous lake-blue eyes make me feel like I'm floating.
"Let's go ahead and make those plans. I feel safe with you."
"Good." My body moves of its own accord, brushing my lips across the top of her hair before my brain kicks in and I drag myself away.
As I get settled on the couch, stripping down to just my boxer briefs, I picture Emma sliding off that lovely dress. Slipping into my clothing. Getting comfortable in my bed.
It was tough enough dealing with Emma's coworkers while I was hard as steel. I'd better be able to turn off this rampaging lust when we're with my family.
Not to mention, on the plane.
5
EMMA
“…and please ensure your seat belts are safely fastened as we begin our descent. Thank you for flying with us, and we wish you all very happy holidays.”
Hmm… I must have dozed off. Blinking, I realize my head is resting on a muscular shoulder.
I bolt upright, then look over to see Dylan smiling. "Wow. You were out like a light for a while. We’re almost there. Quick – look out the window."
Wow. It's beyond perfect. Like something out of a movie.
"Welcome to Holly Valley." Dylan squeezes my hand gently as I continue staring, speechless. Tucked in beside a mountain range, Holly Valley reallyisa valley, surrounded by rolling farmland. The town is blanketed by a pristine layer of fresh snow that makes all the lights glow like a Christmas card.
Dylan is leaning across my lap as we stare out the airplane window. “Right now, every year, in the split second when the town comes into view…" He kisses my hand, then holds it against his heart. "That’s when the Christmas spirit hits me like a punch to the chest."
