New Hope, Old Grudges: A Holiday Romance

My hand reached up to stroke his jaw. “And a man I simply can’t live without,” I added in a whisper.

His eyes were molten, hands a brand on my hips.

“Well, if that’s the case.” He kissed me softly and slowly. “You know, we’ll have to get married.”

I leaned back and arched a brow, even though my heart was in my throat. “You’re telling me we’re getting married?” I asked in a sharp tone.

He chuckled. The sound warmed my insides. “I know better than to tell you anything. Figured you may be agreeable to that, though.”

I pursed my lips, tracing the lines of his face, illuminated by the lights of the tree, seeing ghosts of the boy he was before mixed with the man he was now.

“You hate it,” his expression was structured in worry. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you something new. I, just…” He dragged his palms down his face. “I wanted to remind you where you started. I want you to remember who you are.”

I shook my head, trying to shake the tears away.

“I fucked up,” Brody’s voice was flat. “I’ve never given—”

“Will you shut up?” I whispered against my tears.

Brody’s lips flattened as he stared at me, wincing as if he were waiting for me to lay into him.

I went up on my knees, holding the box tightly while I crawled into his lap. His arms instantly went around me. “This is without a doubt the most special gift anyone has ever given me,” I told him, a single tear trailing down my cheek.

Brody immediately wiped it away.

“Thank God. You gave me a heart attack, thinking I’d hurt you. I don’t ever want to hurt you again.” There was regret in his voice. An apology.

“You don’t have to wear it—”

Brody’s hand curled behind my neck, then he drew me forward until our mouths met, kissing me brutally.

I returned the kiss enthusiastically until he broke it off.

Brody kept me close, our noses almost touching as his eyes seared into mine. “Besides what I’m holding right now,” he squeezed my neck meaningfully, “this is the most precious thing I’ve ever had.”

My breath turned shallow. Even though he shared his feelings freely, I never got used to the intensity of them. And how they felt right when they shouldn’t. Not after this short of a time.

Brody leaned back so he could slip on the ring.

On his left hand.

Fourth finger.