He walked her to the door, still wrapped only in a towel, wishing she’d change her mind and tug off his towel and they could go tumble back onto his bed.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms once again and kissed her. Her lips kissed back eagerly. She clung to him for a moment. It took his breath away and he thought he could stand there forever. Just like this, with his mouth on hers, and her in his arms.
She finally pulled away. “I really have to go.”
He nodded, unable to talk, wanting her so badly.
She slipped out the door. Dressed in only the towel, he stood on the porch and watched her as she walked back to the cottage. He hoped the cool air would bring him back to his senses, but he figured he’d just go back inside and take a cold shower this time.
CHAPTER TEN
Holly’s cell phone rang as she hopped on one foot, trying to wrestle her other foot into her slacks. She needed to get dressed and down some coffee. She conquered the slacks, zipping them up as she snatched the phone off the bed.
“Holls. How goes it?” Lynn’s cheerful voice came through the phone.
“Do you have radar or something?”
“Yes, probably. Why? Oh, wait! Something happened with the sexy neighbor, didn’t it? Did he kiss you again?”
“Um, you could say that.” Holly balanced the cell phone on one shoulder while she put in an earring, then moved it to the other shoulder to put in the second earring.
“Tell me.”
“We spent the night together.”
“Seriously? Well, good for you.”
“Now, in the light of day, I’m not sure how I feel.”
“Holls, don’t start second guessing yourself.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Yes you can. Just stop it. Tell yourself I ordered you to stop. Do whatever it takes. Live in the moment.”
“I just met him a week or so ago. What am I doing?”
“I told you. You don’t always get to pick when someone wonderful will come into your life. It happens. Not always as you planned. Not always when it’s convenient.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Besides the fact I live halfway across the country? Besides the fact my job is miles away too? Besides the fact I’ve only known him for a week or so? You mean besides those problems?” Holly sat on the bed and tugged on a shoe.
“Yes, besides those.”
She could hear the smile she knew was plastered across Lynn’s face.
“And besides the fact my best friend is way far way in the Midwest?”
“Ah, but we have cell phones and video chat.”
“We do have that.”
“You like him a lot, don’t you? You must or this would never have happened.”
“I do like him. Lots. It’s just very confusing right now.”
“Well, promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t overthink this like you usually overthink everything.”
Her best friend knew her so well. “I’ll try not to.”
“Good. I gotta run. Oh, and I sent you something, did you get it yet?”
“No. You didn’t need to send me something.”
“I wasn’t sure I should send it…” Lynn paused. “Just open it, Holls. I hope I did the right thing.”
“Now you’re being mysterious.”
“I… Anyway, open it. Is it okay to say Merry Christmas to you now that you aren’t all Scrooged out?”
Holly smiled. “Yes, it’s fine.”
“Then, Merry Christmas. Call me if you need to talk.”
“Okay. I will. Thanks for calling.”
“Remember. No overthinking.”
She heard Lynn end the call. She tugged on her other shoe and went to look in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were a mix of tired and excited, if that were even possible. She pulled her hair back in a loose braid and grabbed her things. It was going to be a long day of work with as little sleep as she had gotten last night.
The day didn’t prove her wrong. She was so tired when the last lady left with her collie with the cut paw. She sighed and tilted her head from one side to the other, trying to work out the kink in her neck. Probably from sleeping on Steve’s arm most of the night.
Luckily she’d been way too busy today to overthink anything about last night. Tonight she planned on soaking in the tub for a good long time with a glass of wine, candlelight, and her ereader.
Steve hadn’t called all day and she didn’t know whether she was glad about that or upset. But he’d probably been busy all day, too. She was so unsure about so much.
Holly drove home and pulled into the driveway, noticing Steve’s house was completely dark except for the Christmas lights on the front bushes. She slowly got out of the car and walked to the front steps of the cottage. There, by the front door, was a package. It looked to be flowers wrapped in paper. She carried it inside, dropped her purse and keys on the table by the door and carried the package to the kitchen. She carefully pulled back the paper and saw a vase of fresh holly covered in red berries. A red ribbon was tied around the vase. She read the attached card.