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Anna Beth stretched up onto her tip toes and slipped her arms around his neck. “It doesn’t come off. But you’re welcome to try.”
“Good to know.” He pressed his lips to hers, his arms wrapping around her waist to bring her body flush against his. Jared wanted to stay right there, forever, lost in her kiss, in the sweet way she opened her mouth under his. Her hands gripping his biceps as though she’d melt to the floor if he let her go.
Jared broke the kiss, breathing hard. “Do we really have to go to this thing?”
Anna Beth chuckled. “It’s your party. You tell me?”
Jared pretended to think about it. “Two hours, tops.”
“Can’t wait to have me all to yourself?”
His hands slid down her back, stopping just above her butt. “I want you so bad, I can’t see straight.”
She released a breathy laugh. “In that case, maybe I should drive.”
Jared dropped his forehead to hers and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’ll be good.”
“Only during the party, I hope.”
When he caught her meaning, Jared’s jaw dropped. “Are you teasing me?”
Her smile widened as she gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “Little bit.”
Jared kissed her again, his teeth grazing her bottom lip. “Keep this up and we won’t even make it an hour.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
He kissed the side of her neck and whispered, “I think little Carly was right. You definitely belong on the naughty list.”
“You should join me. It’s fun.”
Jared smacked her butt playfully. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you and don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I need to make an appearance at this thing.”
“I know. I’m just messing with you.”
“Don’t say that. I was hoping after the party we could go back to my place and enjoy a fire, maybe a glass of eggnog, some Die Hard.”
Anna Beth huffed and pulled away. “It doesn’t matter how many times you argue, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, and it doesn’t count on my list.”
“That’s just un-American.”
Mittens came trotting out of the living room, meowing rapidly.
“Awww, baby.” Anna Beth picked her up and held her against her chest. “I’ll be back soon.”
Jared watched in amusement as the tabby kneaded Anna Beth’s chest with her tiny paws, loud purrs emitting from the kitten.
“Lucky kitty,” Jared teased.
Anna Beth rolled her eyes. “Hush. Come on, Mitts. Let’s see if you’re hungry.”
She disappeared into the kitchen and Jared called after her, “By the way, where is your aunt tonight?”
“She’s at Ernie’s son’s house. Did you know his grandkids call her Nona?” Anna Beth laughed. “She never wanted me to used “Aunt Sarah” and now she’s a Nona.”
“Are you okay with that?”
Anna Beth came back into the room without the kitten, nodding her head. “Yeah. I realize that Sarah isn’t perfect, but thinking back and knowing what I know now about her, she did the best she could at the time. She tried to show me that she cared by helping me with my car and teaching me to sew and taking me with her to all those meetings with her friends. Everyone deserves to find love. So, yeah, I’m happy for Sarah.”
