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My parents described it.

I always thought they were exaggerating when mom told me that she’d fallen in love with dad the first moment she saw him at that drive-in movie theatre. But Maverick makes me believe that it might be possible.

While I was too afraid to really see him those first few days, that quickly changed. Now, whenever I imagine my future, he’s in it. Right there beside me.

“Do you want to dance?”

I turn, jolting slightly at the sound of his voice right behind me. Maverick is right behind me, his hand out. I look down at it, then slip mine into his as he pulls me close. My heart pounds as the scent of him fills my lungs.

One of his hands is warm against my lower back; the other holds mine up near his heart. We start to sway to the music, the movements stiff at first. It’s been a long time since I danced, and from the sounds of it—the same is true for him.

But it doesn’t take long for us to find our rhythm.

“You know, Christmas is coming up soon.”

“It is,” he says as he turns me in a slow circle.

“Maybe we could spruce things up around here? Put up some decorations?”

He grins. “Anything you want. My grandfather left a box of old decorations in the storage room, too.”

“Really?” Excitement mixes with the desire thrumming through my veins. “I’ve always loved Christmas. It’s been a long time since I had a tree of my own, though. The family always had one, and the guest house never really had the room.”

“Then tomorrow we will change that.”

I grin at him. “You, sir, are a great dancer. Couple that with your amiable attitude toward decorating, and I’m positively swooning.”

He chuckles. “You’re only saying that because I haven’t stepped on your feet yet.”

“That is a plus.” I grin up at him, unable to tear my gaze from his.

This man swept into my life during the darkest days I had ever lived. He became a rock for me to take refuge on in the midst of the storm. As waves slammed against me, he was steady. Caring for me in ways that I don’t know whether anyone else would have.

I am falling in love with him.

That truth should be far scarier than it is. Yet as realization takes root, I find myself so excited for what the future holds.

“What is it?” he asks.

“Huh?”

“You’re smiling.”

“Oh.” My cheeks heat. “I’m just happy. And a week ago, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.”

“I’m glad,” he replies softly. Our gazes hold as the music changes, but it’s only background noise to the beating of our hearts.

Right here, in Maverick’s arms, is where I belong.

He releases my lower back and cups my face, the pad of his thumb scraping gently over the skin of my cheek. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of touching you,” he says softly.

I tilt my face up. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of your touch.” Please. Please kiss me. Right here, right now.

He moves in closer.

Someone knocks on the front door of the bar.

Chuckling, he leans forward and presses his forehead against mine. “If that’s Sawyer checking in, I might kill him.”