Liam had been going crazy with need, and that was when they were fully clothed in public.
The idea of being alone with her in that bedroom, tension crackling like a live wire between them, the door closing behind him, her standing there with her soft sweater and flushedcheeks, looking at him like she wanted him as badly as he wanted her?—
It was too much.
He thought back to earlier, when he’d almost kissed her. She had whispered, “This isn’t just in my head, is it?”
And Liam had known right then that she felt every ounce of desire he did.
But he couldn’t act on it. Wouldn’t.
Cassidy was full of hope, love, and Christmas magic.
And he was full of emptiness and grief.
He wouldn’t bring his heaviness into her light and bright holiday cheer.
She deserved better than that.
“I’ll go to the hardware store,” Liam blurted. Hell, he’d walk one town over before setting foot in Cassidy’s bedroom. There was only so much temptation one man could handle.
Her face fell. “If you’d rather?” She looked away.
Liam cursed under his breath.
She’d offered to help, and now she looked shut out, as if he’d rejected her.
“It’s just… they probably have more lights, and we can pick out exactly what we need. If we hurry, we can be back before the ceremony even starts,” he amended. “You want to come?”
Cassidy’s face lit up, and, by God, he felt something break loose in his chest.
All he could think was,God help me, the next time we’re alone, I’m not going to be able to walk away.
THIRTEEN
CASSIDY
Tuesday, December 2nd
Cassidy tried to keep up with Liam as they quickly made their way down the icy sidewalk. Snowflakes were falling freely now. They were the big, thick, white ones that floated down in oversized crystals.
Maple Falls looked like a Christmas card that evening. Twinkle lights stretched across the street in zigzagging strands. Shop windows glowed warmly against the cold with paper snowflakes and wreaths with plaid ribbons. The scent of woodsmoke drifted through the air from the Kettle, where people cradled steaming cups as they waited for the tree lighting ceremony to begin.
Her breath puffed out in little clouds as she matched Liam’s pace, which—because of his long legs—was practically a light jog for her.
“Who do you think did it? You already shot down Mr. Alders?—”
“He’s a nice guy,” Liam interrupted.
“Yes, I know, you said that. But who else could it be? You’ve lived here your whole life. Surely you’ve got to have some idea?”
Liam shook his head. “Not a clue.”
“Well…” She tilted her head and gave him a mock-serious look. “You do hate Christmas. You’re grumpy. You always look like you’re about two seconds from throwing an inflatable reindeer into oncoming traffic. Honestly, if I were writing a cozy mystery, you’d be suspect number one.”
Liam scoffed. “That’s rich coming from the mysterious new girl with a chocolate empire and zero background info. No one even knows where you came from.”
“Excuse me,” she said, hands on hips. “I came from two towns over. Before I went to Paris, I was a Midwestern girl through and through. And I’m a delight.”
