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She warmed, partly from his compliment, and part from being so close to him. Allie rested her hand on his chest and gazed up at him. Their eyes locked for a moment and she thought he might kiss her again, but instead he peered up at the sun. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, don’t you think?”
Allie snorted. “What were you expecting? Snow? I don’t think you’re special enough for that.”
He gasped, mock hurt in his eyes. “How dare you say I’m not special.”
She snickered. They both knew that in Sweet Bloom, Texas, the only snow they ever got was a dusting—like the angels spilled some powdered sugar all over the town then cleaned it up just as quickly. “Well, if we’re lucky, we’ll get a little bit closer to the actual holiday.”
“Eh, I could take it or leave it. This year, I already got what I wanted for Christmas.”
Goosebumps lifted on her arms when she glanced at him and noted his meaningful expression. Out of instinct, she lifted her hand to his face, caressing him. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she whispered.
“You can’t believe what is happening?”
“This. You and me. I can’t believe we’ve finally reached this point. I couldn’t imagine my life being any more perfect than it is right now.” The words seemed silly, but they were as close to the truth as she could get. She stood on her toes and wrapped both hands around his neck, brushing a kiss to his lips.
Luke reacted immediately, his hands tightening at her waist and pulling her whole body against his. Their kiss deepened, becoming more passionate, more desperate. Stars danced behind her eyes and the heat that had built inside her made her itch to remove the cardigan she wore. Being with Luke was like being in a dream.
It didn’t feel real. None of what she experienced with him could possibly be in a reality where she existed, and yet she was willing to go along with it if only to make the dream last longer.
She kept expecting to wake up, to have the cold harsh reality wash over her like a bucket of ice water.
But that moment never came.
She continued to wake up each morning refreshed and falling in love with Luke Duncan.
Allie pulled away from their kiss first, catching her breath as she lifted her face to the sky. Luke’s lips roved along her jaw and down her neck to her collarbone. She gasped, reveling in the emotions he could stir within her. Gently extracting herself, she let her hand slide down his arm until it locked with his.
Luke’s eyes, still clouded over with desire, drank her in and sent a shiver down her spine. This was how it had been since that night on the porch. They couldn’t get enough of each other. And if they weren’t careful, she was fully aware of just how dangerous their passion could become.
She tugged on him, pulling him out of his haze. “Let’s double check the wreaths and garland before people start arriving. I want to make sure they don’t have any chance at falling apart.
Luke nodded as he led her toward a table where all the wreaths and garland that were ready for the market had been displayed. Allie let her fingers graze the needles and foliage, marveling at the simple beauty that nature had given them.
Each time she picked up a wreath and gave it a gentle shake, she could feel Luke’s gaze on her. What probably should have unnerved her only made her affection for him stronger. She glanced up at him as he picked up the final wreath. This one had various berries and pinecones woven into the boughs.
“I bet Shellie would have loved this one. She always had a thing for bright colors,” Allie murmured. “Christmas was her favorite holiday.” Allie couldn’t pinpoint where that memory came from, but it stuck with her. It was as if her subconscious wanted to remind her that she wasn’t Luke’s first love.
She would always be second.
Allie swallowed back that thought and forced her gaze up to Luke, finding his stare had hardened. She stilled, suddenly uneasy. Seeking a way out of this strange feeling, she placed the wreath back on the table. “I think Shellie would have been really proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
“Why do you keep bringing her up?” Luke muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“Shellie. You keep talking about her.” He put his hands on his hips as he scowled at her. He didn’t look mad, just a bit annoyed. “It’s like you want me to say something. Whatever it is, just tell me to say it and we can get it over with.”
She blinked, taking a step back from him. His words did sound angry, even though his tone of voice was even. “Excuse me? I’m not trying to make you say anything. I just thought—”
“You just thought… let me guess, you just thought that you could say her name and remind me that she’s not here. Why?” She still didn’t see the anger on his face she expected and she had no idea if he was holding his emotion in check or if he really was just dealing with his own feelings.
Her face flushed. Whyhadshe brought up Shellie? Things had been going so well between them. They were closer than ever. And then it was like Allie had hit a wall.
“I’m sorry, Luke. I didn’t mean to upset you.” It was the only thing she could think of to say.
He stood there unsmiling as he narrowed his eyes clearly waiting on her to continue to dig the hole she’d started.
Something told her that admitting she was feeling insecure wouldn’t go over very well. At least not right now. “This relationship… you… Um…” That was definitely not an answer to his question and she knew it. He could very likely point that out and she’d have to come up with something else.
