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Hunter’s lips slowly broke away, and he smiled with a heated look in his gaze. “I forgot how incredible those lips of yours are.”
I grinned, touching them. “I try to keep them moisturized with candy-cane lip balm,” I joked.
“Don’t stop.”
“Want more cocoa?”
He nodded, and I took his mug, filling it to the top.
We nestled back on the sofa, the shared gingerbread blanket draped over our laps. The air was scented with the essence of pine trees and the subtle hint of the cinnamon potpourri on the coffee table.
He held his hot cocoa as the lazy swirls of steam rose from the mug. I watched, amused, as he blew gently on it, his eyes flicking up to meet mine with a playful challenge.
“I do not know why that is turning me on, but it is.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m doomed. I’m a hot mess around you.”
“I’m flattered.” He puffed another poof of air onto the steam and smiled.
His shoulders touched mine as he sipped his drink, and I couldn’t deny that the attraction was as strong as ever. I couldn’t wait to enlighten the Sunshine Breakfast Club.
"So," I began a bit more seriously. "What do you think your first Christmas season with your son will be like?"
He pondered my question, a small smile playing on his lips. "I imagine a lot of early mornings and late nights. I can just picture his big eyes staring at a pile of Christmas presents he doesn’t have a clue what to do with." There was a hopeful glint in his eyes, one that made my heart flutter. “But above all, I just can’t wait to hold him. To sit on the couch next to you while Purrlock glares—I mean, stares—at us.”
“That sounds amazing, Hunter.”
He turned to look at me and nodded. “I just hope I haven’t scared you off.”
“It takes more than a crazy cat and a cute baby boy to do that.”
We fell into a comfortable silence, our eyes often meeting and holding. It was crazy how our gaze spoke volumes without the need for words. It was like that with my mom and my brother. We just knew.
Without warning, a loud beeping sound from outside blared into our perfect little abode. “Ugh. Not again,” I groaned, glancing at Hunter.
“What’s that?” He shook his head, unsure of what I was talking about.
“For the last few days, there’s been nothing but loud trucks beeping back and forth and movers bringing all kinds of things to the house across the street. I guess it’s safe to say someone is moving in.”
I hopped off the couch and went into my kitchen to get a better view. Sure enough, a white moving van from some furniture store was pulling in backward.
“Whoever it is, they’re only filling up their house with new furniture. Extra fancy.” I grinned at Hunter. “Maybe you could sell your SUV to them. I bet they’d like the heated seats.”
Hunter grinned, and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners made my heart skip a beat. He scratched his head and laughed nervously.
“What?” My hand flew to my hip.
He set his mug on the coffee table, turning to face me fully. His gaze was intense, filled with uncertainty.
“There’s one more thing.” His lip twisted into a sexy pout, but when I met his gaze, the weight of his words dug into me.
“What?” My brows knitted together.
Hunter made his way over to me in the kitchen. He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His touch lingered, sending tingles through me.
Maybe whatever it was, it wasn’t so bad after all.
I felt my cheeks warm, a delightful mix of shyness and excitement churning through me. "Spit it out.”
He let out a deep breath and moved his hands to my shoulders as if to anchor me in place. “Nick and Brielle bought that house to be closer to me.”
