Page 71 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

I shifted slightly, propping myself up on my elbow so I could see his face better.

“Taking steps is scary,” I said. “Especially when you’ve been hurt before.”

“Yeah.” His hand moved to cup my face, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone with infinite gentleness. “It is.”

“So where does that leave us?” I asked finally.

He sighed. “I don’t know,” he said honestly. “But I know I don’t want this to be a one-time thing. I know I want to see you again, spend time with you, see where this goes.”

“Without pressure,” I said, remembering our earlier conversation at the restaurant. “Without expectations.”

“Sure,” he agreed. “We should probably get through the Yuletide Fest first before we make any big decisions, huh?”

“That’s probably a good idea.” I settled back against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and trying to quiet the voice in my head that was already spinning scenarios and analyzing possibilities. This was enough, I told myself. This moment with this man who held me was enough.

Outside, the wind had picked up, rattling the windows and reminding us that winter was far from over.

“Joy?” His voice was getting drowsy, the exhaustion of a long day and intense emotions finally catching up with him.

“Mmm?”

“Whatever happens, whatever we decide or don’t decide, I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we’re giving this a chance.”

His words settled into my chest like a warm coal, glowing with promise and possibility. “Me too,” I whispered.

I felt him relax beneath me. His breathing was beginning to deepen as sleep pulled at him. I should probably go home, I thought dimly. Should slip out of his bed and drive back to my aunt’s house to try and maintain some distance and dignity in this undefined thing between us.

But his arm was solid and warm around me. It felt too good. Leaving felt impossible. I let my eyes drift closed, let myself sink into the peace of this moment without worrying about what tomorrow would bring.

Cooper had made love to me like I was everything he’d been searching for without knowing it. Tonight, I felt more at home in his arms than I’d felt anywhere in years.

That was enough to build on. That was enough to hope for.

I felt Cooper’s lips brush against my hair one more time. He murmured something too soft to catch. But I didn’t need to hear the words to understand the sentiment.

We were both still uncertain about the future, still figuring out what we wanted and whether we were brave enough to reach for it.

Whatever we had going on, it was nice for the moment.