AllFreeNovel
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It’s Christmas morning.Snow’s falling softly outside. I’m snuggled up in bed with the man I love. I should be happy because this is all I’ve wanted. Nick’s everything I ever wanted in a man and more, but I can’t fight the sadness that’s been creeping up on me for the past few days anymore.
I’m supposed to leave tomorrow, but I don’t want to. I want to stay with Nick but it’s not realistic. I can’t live in this magical world we’ve created for ourselves where problems don’t exist. Where we can spend our days however we want, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies in front of roaring fires, or more importantly, exploring each other’s bodies in front of roaring fires.
I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas. But now that it’s coming to an end, are we coming to an end?
As I trace a lazy line across Nick’s bare chest, it’s the only thought that’s in my head. I’ve been ignoring it for too long. We’ve been ignoring it. And now that it’s here, we have to face it head-on.
“What’s wrong?” Nick asks me, jolting me out of my head. “It’s Christmas. It’s snowing. Do you want me to sing Christmas carols?”
I snort. “I’d love that.”
“I only accept payment in the form of kisses.”
I press my lips against his, savoring the feel of them against mine. They’re perfect. He’s perfect. And that’s what’s making this so hard.
When we finally break away, he starts belting outDeck the Halls.That or someone is strangling a raccoon.
I cover his mouth with my hand. “On second thought, I’m good.”
“Is my voice too angelic for you?”
“That’s not exactly how I’d describe it, but sure.”
He kisses my forehead, and for a brief moment, I feel good again.
“Eva, there’s something wrong. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it coming off you.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“I know you,” he rasps, nudging me with his nose.
I push gently off of Nick and sit up. “What happens next?”
He cups my cheek, brushing my lips with his thumb. His touch always soothes me, but right now, it’s not working. Nothing can soothe my mind when everything is up in the air.
“Whatever we want. I don’t care, so long as we’re together. I love you, and I’m never letting you go.”
Tingles radiate all over my body. It happens every time he tells me that—a giddiness that consumes me. I’m happy when I’m with Nick. For the first time in my life, everything feels like it makes sense.
“I’m not letting you leave Whispering Winds for me.”
He takes my hand, kissing it. “Whether I go with you, or you stay here, it doesn’t matter to me. I want you. That’s it. Nothing else matters. I’ll talk with Juliet about hiring you. Or as you said, it’s crazy that there isn’t a Christmas store in town. We can build a life here. Or not. My home is with you, wherever that may be.”
I swallow. Maybe I am overthinking things. Maybe it is this straightforward. I want Nick more than anything else.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll talk with Juliet.”
“And I’ll see about building you a store.”
I snort. “As much as I’d like that, I don’t know the first thing about running a business.”
“Well, I believe in you, Eva.”
I don’t think—I kiss him. Long and hard and deep. I keep kissing him until my lips are sore and my lungs ache because I forget to breathe.
“Are you ready to open presents?” Nick asks when we finally break our kiss.
“I don’t care about the presents…” I sing softly, knowing the response I’ll get from him.
