Page 50 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“I’d like that.”

The fact that she didn’t reject him driving her home, too, gave him hope. But not far from Anthony’s mind was what he would tell Pike if things went well this weekend.

When Anthony arrived at the bar last night, Pike was lit and sitting at a table with two women, regaling them with stories about all the snow activities in Mistletoe. Anthony sat down with them, conversing politely, until it was apparent Pike wasn’t making it home without a ride. Anthony said goodbye to them and helped Pike to his feet. When he swayed, Anthony held on to him by his waist and assisted him to his truck. When Anthony opened the passenger door, he spotted Delilah’s sports bra on the floorboard of the driver’s side so he kept Pike distracted until he could close the door and extinguish the light again. When Anthony climbed in the driver’s side, he picked up the bra and shoved it into his back seat. Anthony didn’t want to get into a discussion with drunk Pike about how Anthony had a right to Delilah before Pike because he noticed her first. That wasn’t rational or mature, but it was like an invisible claim had occurred, and he didn’t want anyone, least of all Pike, pining for her.

I kissed her so she’s mine.

After dropping Pike at his apartment, Anthony went home and texted Delilah but she didn’t answer. Sleep eluded him and he only got a few hours before he had to be up but he wasn’t tired. Energy coursed through him like electrical currents just being near Delilah. He could still remember tasting her, and he wanted to do it again. He just wasn’t sure that Delilah would be satisfied without sex since that was her current mission. Could he break his celibacy and give her everything he had? Yes, but he wanted his next sexual experience to mean something. Even his first time had been lacking because he’d just wanted to see what the fuss was about. Did it feel good? Yes? Was it mind-blowing? No.

Now, going down on Delilah last night and making her lose it all over his tongue? That had been epic, and he hadn’t even come.

“You’re awfully quiet over there. Not falling asleep on me, are you?” Delilah teased.

“I’m just thinking about what a beautiful morning it is and how that bear claw is calling my name.”

Delilah laughed and he heard the bag rustle before the pastry was placed on his thigh. “I’d feed it to you, but I’ve always thought people feeding each other was a weird fetish.”

“Kinks and fetishes are awfully similar creatures. Are you trying to segue so you can share yours with me?”

“I’d say exhibitionist after last night, but that was a one-time thing.”

Anthony’s stomach bottomed out. “You don’t want a repeat of last night?”

“No! I would love to do it again. Just not in a truck, even if it does have tinted windows. I think it would be nice to try a couch or a bed.” Delilah laughed. “I know, I’m so vanilla.”

“You say that like it’s bad,” he murmured. “Vanilla is my favorite flavor.”

Chapter Fourteen

How could the women of Mistletoe have been sleeping on Anthony Russo all these years? The man was a riot. There was a point outside Mountain Home when Delilah thought she would pee her pants before she made it to a restroom. On top of his perfect comedic timing, while she’d gone away to college, he’d taken online classes to finish his business degree and worked full-time. He’d saved up and bought a piece of land, slowly getting it prepared to build his dream home. Hard-working, motivated, and responsible with money … he even offered to take Leia out to pee when they stopped, so he liked animals. He was what every woman was looking for.

Except he couldn’t fall in love.

Although she hadn’t asked any more about his predicament or his vow, it hadn’t been far from her mind. Besides her infatuation with Pike, Delilah had loved one man she’d met her sophomore year of college. They’d dated for a few months, and she thought he could be the one. Then he’d dumped her for another girl, and instead of staying in Boise for the summer to be with him, Delilah headed back to Mistletoe to hang with Holly and mend her broken heart. Although it had been brief, and she’d been more emotionally involved than he was, Delilah knew what love felt like.

Didn’t she?

“Boise on the horizon,” Anthony said as they crested the hill and saw the suburban outskirts and outlet mall that signaled the start of the biggest city in Idaho. “And twenty minutes to your parents’ place.”

Delilah had set up the GPS when they’d stopped because she’d been too flustered this morning and forgot.

“I know you probably need to get to your dad’s, but will you come inside and meet my parents? Not because we … I mean … no pressure to meet the parents, but with you driving me home, they wanted to thank you.”

Anthony patted her thigh with a laugh. “You don’t have to get squirrely about it. Of course, I’ll come meet them.”

Before he pulled away, she covered his hand with hers, resting it on her thigh.

“Thank you. I should warn you that my dad looks like an accountant but is a total gearhead. He has an old Impala in the garage, and he’s always fiddling with her on his days off. Her name is Marie.”

“Beautiful name.”

“My mother picked it. She said if she had to deal with her, then she was going to name her. It’s my mother’s middle name.”

“What are your parents’ names?” Anthony asked.

“Bernard and Natalia.”

“You don’t hear those names often.” He paused a moment before adding, “My mom’s name was Rose.”