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I know I’m staring at him with my mouth hanging open. Did he just suggest we sleep in the same bed together?
I take a step toward him and then another. “I didn’t plan this, Baker. I had no idea they would have put us in a room together.”
He stands up and cups my face. “I know that. But I’m glad it’s me you brought with you instead of someone else. Someone that may try to take advantage of the situation.”
I pull my shoulders back. “Right.” Of course he’s right. He’s my boss, and this is a fake date. He’s my fake boyfriend. And there’s no way he’s going to take advantage of the situation. Not that he’d want to.
“I’m going to shower, okay?” he asks.
I nod my head and walk over to the Christmas tree like I’m admiring some ornaments. I hear him shut the bathroom door, and soon after, the shower turns on. I turn to the closed door, and all I can think about is that my boss is on the other side of that door, and he’s naked. I fall back onto my bed and try to figure out how I’m going to sleep in the same bed with the man I’ve had a crush on for months and not throw myself at him. You’re in over your head on this one, Tara.5BakerAn hour later, I’m lying in the big bed hard as a rock. Tara’s lying next to me, and her scent is wrapped all around me. I try to keep my voice calm so she doesn’t hear the arousal in it. “Are you glad to be home?”
She’s been tense since she came out of the bathroom after her shower. She lay down next to me and hasn’t moved a muscle since. “I am. I miss my parents, and it’s always good to be home.”
“So you’ve never told me. Why did you leave in the first place?”
She snorts. “Have you met my family?”
“Yeah, and they seem pretty great! They obviously love you very much.”
She turns to her side to face me, and I can see her face since the Christmas tree is still lit up in the corner. It’s funny to think that I’ve never had a Christmas tree before, so I’ve never really thought about it. But right now, with the pretty colors lighting up the room and Tara’s face, well, it does almost seem magical.
“I don’t really fit in with my family. Don’t get me wrong. They’re great. I’m just different.”
I lift up on my elbow and stare down into her face. The vulnerability I see surprises me a little. “What do you mean?”
She shakes her head. “Please don’t make me say it.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t get it.”
She blows out a breath. “My mom was the beauty queen in high school and college. She’s an award-winning author. My dad was quarterback and has always been cool and popular. They have more friends than I could ever imagine having. My brother is the quarterback and super gifted in everything he does. I’m just… me.”
I shake my head. “You’re smart. Way smarter than me in a lot of ways. You’re beautiful.”
“I am not,” she argues.
“You are too. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You may not have a lot of friends, but the ones you do have seem to think you’re something special.”
She opens her mouth and closes it. Finally she mumbles, “Thank you.”
I brush a stray hair off her face. “You’re welcome.”
“Thank you for coming with me, Baker. I know this is awkward for you…”
“It’s not,” I assure her. How do I tell her that even though I’ve never been with a family for Christmas that I don’t feel awkward at all? I just feel happy. Happy to be with her. “So what do we have planned for tomorrow?”
“Uh, let’s see. It’s Christmas Eve… so that will be ice skating, shopping, and then ugly Christmas sweater party.”
“Ugly Christmas sweater party… I’ll have to sit that one out. I forgot my ugly Christmas sweater,” I tell her.
She laughs. “You wish it was that easy. I made you one, so you’re good to go.”
“Haha! I see how it is.” I roll onto my back because lying next to her, looking at her is just too tempting.
She rolls to her back too. “Goodnight, Baker.”
“Goodnight, sweetie.”
I lie there for a long time and listen to her next to me. She’s way over on her side, and I don’t dare turn toward her because I know I’ll reach for her. No matter how bad I want her, I won’t take advantage of the situation.TaraBuzz. Buzz.
A sound startles me awake, but I don’t dare move. I’m cocooned in heat with arms and legs wrapped around me. I freeze against Baker. He’s pressed against my back, but I can’t blame him because I’m completely on his side of the bed.
