Rm w/a Vu(114)

I smile, feeling a little devilish as I plan something I truly hope he’ll love. “A surprise.”





Chapter 26



The look on Greyston’s face when I refuse to tell him what it is I have to do tomorrow before we go on our trip is priceless. Even though I am super excited about this vacation, having never been anywhere outside the US before—especially not in the winter—I still feel like he’s gone a little overboard. The cabin in the picture was beautiful, and I can’t wait to go away with him for the week. Sure, we’re not really disturbed much here, but going on a trip with my boyfriend, far away from even the slightest possibility of any kind of intrusion, is definitely appealing.

“You’re really not going to tell me?”

Shaking my head, I run my hand over his arm, lifting his sleeve and looking at the watch I bought him. “Sorry. Can’t.”

“I think you mean won’t,” he grumbles. Then, he leans forward and kisses my neck, his fingers curling into my inner thigh slightly. This makes my pulse race and my breath hitch, and he strokes the seam of my jeans. Tingles course through my body, settling between my legs, and I bite back a moan of desire. “Of course, I might have a few ways to extract information from you.”

His teeth bite down gently, and I sigh, ready to tell him anything he needs to know. The sound of our fathers’ voices returning from the kitchen draws my attention away from the way his hand feels wedged firmly between my thighs long enough to rise off his lap. Honestly, I’m glad they made themselves known, because I would have been horrified if they’d have found us like that. An innocent kiss—or even a not-so-innocent one—would have been a little easier to handle…but heavy petting? Yeah, pretty sure my dad wouldn’t recover from that a second time around.

Suppressing my feelings of desire as much as I can, I place my hands on the armrests of Greyston’s chair, leaning over to kiss him softly. “I’m going to go see if I can lend a hand in the kitchen. You boys behave.”

Kicking off my insanely warm new winter boots, I pad barefoot to the kitchen, where Mom, Gran, and Jocelyn are busy working on a few things for dinner. I pass by Dad and Daniel, popping up on my toes to kiss my father’s cheek, and continue on my way.

The closer I get to the kitchen, the stronger the inviting smell of the turkey is; I’m instantly transported back in time to happy memories of countless Thanksgivings and Christmases with my family. The holidays have always been my favorite time of year. There’s just something about being together with my family, sitting around the table, our dinner plates full in front of us as we talk, laugh, and share stories of years past.

This Christmas is fast becoming my favorite of them all, having my family and Greyston’s all together under one roof. Sure, I was a little afraid that neither of our mothers would relinquish their hosting duties, and we’d be forced to split the holidays between houses. It was such a relief when they agreed, and it was an even bigger relief when Gran showed up this morning and accepted Greyston right away—not that I should have been too surprised, I suppose; I talked about him enough the other day in the car as the driver took us to my parents’ house.

Naturally, Gran asked all sorts of questions about my relationship. At first, she didn’t seem too keen on the idea that we were living together already, but I was quick to explain that I was renting a room in his house before we even realized there was something between us. The expression on her face was proof enough that this wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She wasn’t upset about it, but she was concerned because the situation had the potential to become complicated. I understood where she was coming from, but after talking to her about him a little more, she started to understand and told me that she only mentioned it because she wants what’s best for me.

I stand in the doorway to the kitchen, watching them all fuss over different things; Jocelyn is busy putting various kinds of tarts and squares on the festive platters Greyston and I had left out this morning, Gran is skinning carrots and potatoes, and Mom is basting the turkey. They work together like a cohesive unit, and it only further cements this as my favorite Christmas so far; I’d like to think they’ll only get better as the years go by—though, I suppose this one might be hard to top since I got a trip to the mountains.

The minute my mother notices me hanging out in the doorway she closes the oven and motions for me to join them. “Come on in, honey. Lend a hand.”

Not wanting to step on any toes, I smile and shake my head. “No, that’s okay. Greyston and I said that you could carry on with your yearly traditions. I’m okay to just hang out.”