Page 33 of Christmas in Budgie Bay

I smirk up at him. “Caveman.”

“Nah. I just take my promise to keep you safe and loved seriously. The burdens you’ve been carrying alone are now half mine.”

My eyes water again. “At least stay the night.”

“I will,” he agrees. “On the couch. I’ve waited this long to have you again. I can wait until our wedding night.”

Our wedding night.

Words I never thought I’d hear.

“What kind of woman do you think I am?” I ask in faux outrage.

“You’re an Everhart. You’re fiery and commanding and get whatever it is you want.”

It’ll be difficult not to invite him into my bed when we get home, but I love how gentlemanly and serious he is about our relationship. If he can wait until our wedding night, so can I.

“Can we snuggle on the couch tomorrow morning with our coffee?” I ask with a smile.

He runs his cold nose along mine. “I’m hoping that will be the first of many morning coffee snugglefests.”

“You’re a good man, Upton Asbury.”

His lips find mine again and we kiss deeply. A security guard pulls up and shines a light at us.

“Get out of here,” the man calls out, “or I’ll call the police.”

We both crack up laughing as we scramble to our feet. Upton grabs my hand and we race back to his car as if he’s not the owner of this entire complex and I’m not best friends with the sheriff. It’s a little thrilling to get caught doing something naughty.

Upton plays Christmas sounds loud and we sing along the whole way to my house. And, after climbing out of the car, we make it to the porch but don’t immediately go inside.

He kisses me with a desperation and need that matches mine. Waiting to have sex feels like the most difficult challenge and I’m glad he doesn’t want to have a long engagement.

“We have to go in now,” Upton rasps out.

I nod and give him a small peck. “Soon,” I promise. “If you don’t marry me by New Year’s, I’ll drag you to the courthouse myself.”

“Deal, sweet Sandy.”