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“What are you doing here?” I ask defensively, and then kick myself internally for sounding so blunt.
Her gaze moves from my eyes to my lips and back again. Then she whispers in a throaty voice that goes straight to my groin. “I’m here for that kiss.”
31
NADIA
Have I officially lost my mind?
That’s the million-dollar question pounding through my brain as I stand under the rainbow of string lights decorating Harry’s front porch.
For a long moment, he just watches me warily, his tall hulking form filling the doorway. “Say that again,” he demands on a growl.
He’s angry with me, I think. As much as I hate it, he has every right to be. I’ve been stubborn. I’ve been cruel. And by trying to deny what I feel for him, I’ve hurt us both.
But there’s no denying it anymore. This thing I feel for Harry is too big to be contained. It’s time to speak my truth and let the chips fall where they may.
A cold gust of wind sweeps across the porch, sending up a flurry of snow around me. I shiver from the cold as much as from my nerves.
That’s when Harry quickly moves aside, freeing the doorway. Admittedly, the gesture isn’t all that inviting, given his defensive posture and the untrusting look on his face. But I take it as my cue to venture inside.
I step through the front door and toe out of my Uggs. Being back here, in this house sends a cascade of emotions through me. With the quiet blaze going in the fireplace, the Christmas carols playing on low and the scent of ginger cookies in the air, it’s like walking right into a real life snow globe. It’s cozy and sweet. And this is exactly where I want to be. If he’ll have me.
I take tentative steps into the living room, and Harry stalks in after me. I feel his long, warm fingers close around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
He turns me to face him. “Nadia, what did you just say to me?” He’s giving me that same cautious look he offered at the door. “Say it again.”
Inhaling a shaky breath, I attempt to explain the reason for my middle of the night appearance on his doorstep. “At the restaurant the other night, you said you wanted…” My attention drops to his perfect lips and the words die on mine.
God—he’s so breathtaking it’s making it hard to think straight.
Harry’s gorgeous mouth goes flat with displeasure. For the first time since I’ve known him, he’s the one erecting a wall between us. He folds his arms tightly over his chest. “You’re here to kiss me, so this can all be over and done with…So that I’ll sign whatever I need to sign and show up before a judge with you and make this marriage go away…”
There’s a knot in my throat. Usually, I’m great with words. But at the moment, I can’t seem to find the right ones. I’m so concerned with saying this perfectly.
“I’m here to kiss you because…” I inch my way closer to him and dare to lay a palm on his veiny forearm. “I want to kiss you because my heart stops every time I see you.” I suck a much-needed gulp of air into my cramping lungs. “And when you smile, I automatically feel myself smiling, too, even when I don’t want to. And being near you brings out a part of me that never really got a chance to flourish.” With one more strengthening breath, I lay everything on the table. Once and for all. “I like the person I am when I’m with you. I want to kiss you because I…I love you.”
Harry stands there frozen for a moment that seems to drag on for an eternity.
Then he snaps. In a heartbeat, those arms that were folded so tightly around his chest are now folded tightly around me.
I sag against him. And he kisses me.
With his arms locked around me, he kisses me tenderly, a miracle unfolding across my lips. He doesn’t question it. He doesn’t qualify it. He just puts his lips on mine, exploring my mouth with his.
“I love you, Nadia,” he rushes out. “I love you so damn much.”
My heart fills with relief. He still wants me. After everything, he loves me. Oh my god.
Standing in the middle of his dimly-lit living room, I kiss him back, draping my arms around his neck and grinning as our lips and tongues move together. I swear I can feel him smiling into the kiss, too.
After completely melting my kneecaps, Harry pulls back. “Wait—I need to be clear on what you’re saying. You want to give us a shot?”
“I…I do,” I mumble, stroking his stubble-covered chin. “I don’t know what’s this mess we’ve created. But I’m not running. I’m staying in it. With you.”
“So, I get to be yourhusband?”
“I get to be yourwife!” I counter.
