Page 40 of Christmas in Mistletoe
The wind fluttered suddenly, sending snowflakes into their faces.
Both Ruby and Fran leaned away from the gate, shaking their heads. They straightened at the same time, turning to each other.
Fran gulped, and stared into Ruby’s greener than green eyes. Right now, she felt like she could drown in them.
Ruby stepped into Fran’s space.
Desire slid down Fran’s body. They hadn’t kissed, but it felt like they had. Fran was soawareof Ruby. Ruby was watching the rise and fall of Fran’s chest, her every breath.
“I could never go out with someone who didn’t get Mistletoe, or family.”
Fran shook her head. “Me neither.”
Ruby got closer still. “I want you to know also, this is not me at all.” Her intense gaze was drilling into Fran’s soul. “I don’t usually act on my feelings. But you’re making me act differently.”
She was so close, Fran could feel her breath. “I am?”
“First the concert. And now…” Ruby left the sentence hanging as she grasped Fran’s gloved hands and raised them to her mouth to kiss them. Her dark gaze kept Fran fixed to the spot.
When Ruby leaned in further, Fran forgot it was snowing.
Forgot it was freezing.
Forgot they were standing on a path, bathed in moonlight.
When Ruby’s lips connected with hers, Fran forgoteverything.
Ruby’s lips were glorious. They tasted of hope, of freedom, ofher. More than that, they fitted Fran’s as if they’d been made to measure. No alterations required. As their kiss gained momentum, a glitter bomb of happiness steamrollered through her.
Then Ruby’s fingers were on Fran’s waist, staking their claim. Ruby pulled her close, their lips still pressed tight together. Ruby ran one hand up the side of Fran. She cupped her face. Ruby was strong and gentle, the perfect package. As the snow continued to fall, the tension spiked, dancing all over Fran’s skin. Fran’s kisses grew hungrier. Her lips danced across Ruby’s. She couldn’t get enough.
If someone had asked her this morning if she should get involved with another singer and kiss her in a snowstorm, she’d have told you it sounded like a Delilah song. Or perhaps one Ruby might sing in the future. If this was a mistake, Fran would happily live with the consequences.
Since Delilah left, Fran had been sad, then wary. Since she’d arrived in Mistletoe, excitement had returned to her life. Fran was tired of feeling like she was always running to catch up. In Mistletoe, she just was. Right now, that involved kissing Ruby like her life depended on it.
Fran moaned as Ruby slipped her tongue into her mouth.
The snow storm picked up, now matching the beat of her heart as it swirled and dived around them. Fran was in no hurry for anything to change anytime soon. Far from needing to get back to London, now the only thing in her mind was how to extend her stay. To be close to Ruby. To her mouth. To her divine kisses. Plus, whatever came after that.
After a few long moments, Ruby broke the kiss. There was a white heat in her stare that thrilled Fran.
Cold air buffeted them. Snow hit her face.
It didn’t feel like it had a few minutes ago. Now, she was impervious to its chill. Plus, the heat of Ruby’s breath warmed her cheeks, along with the languid smile painted on her face.
“You taste delicious.” Ruby licked her lips.
Fran was just about to comment when Ruby kissed her again, this time with more force, more passion.
Ruby wrapped her arms around Fran and pulled her close.
It was all Fran could do not to fall backwards in her arms, in the manner of a Hollywood movie.
What the hell was Ruby doing to her? They should have done this sooner.
Had Fran been thinking about kissing Ruby when she saw her on stage the first time? No.
When they broke down? No.
