And he wanted it all.
Her kisses. Her laughter. Her warmth pressed up against him in the quiet of the snow-dusted barn.
She’d tossed her gloves on the ground long ago, her fingers digging into his shirt.
His thumb brushed the waistband of her jeans, and he longed to continue to explore. He wanted to know every curve of her body, the softness of her skin, taste the sweetness between her legs. He wanted everything.
“Knock, knock! Rescue crew is here!” Zach’s voice shouted from somewhere in the barn.
They froze, breaths coming in hard, unsteady bursts, hearts pounding so loud it was a wonder Zach couldn’t hear them.
Cassidy’s hands tightened in his shirt, her lips still parted, her eyes wide and glassy with want. His hands were still on her hips, her legs still wrapped around him, and for a moment neither of them moved, neither willing to break the spell that had been so abruptly shattered.
Liam let out a shaky breath, jaw clenching.Of all the damn timing…
He pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes, trying to catch a breath that wouldn’t come.
He didn’t move. Didn’t want to. “Five more minutes.”
“Liam…”
“Just five,” he rasped, brushing his mouth against her jaw. “They can freeze. I’ll warm you up.”
Cassidy let out a breathless laugh—half flustered, half wrecked—but started to wriggle down anyway. Her cheeks were scarlet, her hair mussed, her lips kiss-swollen and tempting as sin. “I can’t. I need…” She shook her head. “If I don’t go greet them, they’ll know exactly what we were doing.”
“They’ll know no matter what.” Liam’s hand slid over her hip again, holding her in place for one more second. “Next time, I’m tying you down.”
“That a promise?” she shot back, voice low as she slipped past him.
She grabbed the fallen blanket, quickly smoothing her hair and trying to pull herself together.
Liam stayed frozen for a beat longer, pulse pounding, jaw tight.
His hands itched to reach for her again, but instead, he forced himself to call out, “Back here!”
Cassidy shot him a look over her shoulder—halfyou’re trouble, halfI want more—and damn it, he knew there was no going back now.
TWENTY-ONE
CASSIDY
Sunday, December 7th
“Do you want the good news or the bad news?” Liam’s mom, Beth, asked once everyone was safely gathered in the kitchen.
Cassidy took in the entire space, her breath catching. Liam might no longer love Christmas, but his mom didn’t hold back. A simmering pot filled with cinnamon, orange slices, and cranberries bubbled on the stove. Miniature evergreen wreaths, hanging on red ribbons, decorated the front of each of the kitchen’s white cabinets. A porcelain Christmas tree with tiny multicolored bulbs was displayed at the center of a circular white cake stand, serving as the island’s focal point.
Even the dish towels were green-and-white checkered to match the dining room table’s runner, and the lights above them were intertwined with cranberry garlands and white twinkling lights.
Beth had passed out blankets to the group and tossed everyone’s wet socks, sweatshirts, and mittens into the dryer. Everything else—coats, boots, scarves—was hanging by the door, dripping as they tried to get everything dry.
“There’s bad news?” Cassidy asked.
“Well… I guess that depends on how you define ‘bad,’” Beth said as she filled the coffee pot.
The group waited expectantly while she gathered her thoughts.
“Alright, I’ll start with the bad news. The storm was a doozy. More than anyone expected, as you all well know. It dropped about six inches of snow, if you can believe that. Thankfully it’s passed us now. We should be in the clear for the rest of the night.”
