Page 58 of Christmas Coffee

“I’m fine. Go already.”

Quin presses his face to the glass and I nearly back off the counter. Thank God I don’t because he’s looking down and sees the blankets on the floor. “Did you have some quality time with yourself last night, Celyn? Light some candles? Play some Sonatra?”

“Fuck off,” I laugh, “and go find Timmy. Go on, girl.” I mock him using Lassie quotes because I can’t think of anything else. “You can do it. Timmy’s in the well.”

“Asshole.” He backs away and looks at me again. “You scared the shit out of me, Celyn. I thought you wrapped your car around a pole or something. Answer your goddamn phone next time.”

“Yes, Mom.” Quin scoffs, but he finally wanders off and leaves. I’m alone with Nova once more.

She comes out from under the blankets, tossing them aside. “So, that’s a nice look.” She stares up at my ass, my legs parted so she can see every stitch of me below the belt. She dips her head to the side and smiles.

“I think the health department would have a stroke,” I chuckle.

“Screw them. I’d have a stroke, Celyn…” she pauses and then says, “I don’t know your last name.”

I kneel next to her and kiss her forehead. “Ryan.”

She grins. “Ryan, so you’re like super Irish, right? You eat corned beef and cabbage all year? Have a stash of leprechauns in your trunk?”

“If I did, the Hyundai dealer has them now.” I pull her against me, wishing for more time. She’s heard my name before, but it’s the kind of thing that unless you hear both names together, it doesn’t register. I can tell she still doesn’t realize who I am, and that’s bad. I need to tell her before it looks like I was intentionally hiding it from her. I suppose I am, but it’s because I want her to know me before her opinion shifts to align with the press.

She snorts a laugh and cuddles into my chest. I wish I could hold her against me all day. If we could get out of here, I could lose Quin and take her to my place. You have to tell her first, asshat. Tell her.

I press my lips together and jump head first. “Nova, I need to tell you something. I’m not—”

She leans in and kisses me softly, silencing my words. “Do you still love me?”

Her question is jarring and I forget what I’m saying in order to answer. “Of course.”

“Then, the rest is details.” She smiles softly, leaning into me.

The contentment on her face is perfect. I don’t want to shatter it, but she needs to know. “Nova, I need to—”

She turns toward me and presses her body against mine and then grabs my bottom lip with hers, and nips me. “Shut up and kiss me, Ryan.”

I do as she asks, muttering, “Celyn,” into her mouth. I feel her smile against me and then my plan goes to hell because she wants me. Her hips rub against mine and I’m so ready for her, but Quin will be back soon. I pull away and she groans. “We can’t. Not unless you want Quit and Tim to know everything.”

She frowns. “Not really.” She lies on her back, her breasts beautiful swells, pale and perfect in the morning light.

“Then let’s get you out of here before he comes back. Do you think your car will start?”

“It should.” She stands and looks out the window.

I grab her wrist and turn her toward me. Her naked body curves into mine. “Promise me that you’ll never sleep in your car again. Please.” I’m looking into her eyes when I say it, when I plead.

She plays with the hair at the base of my neck, curling her fingers in it. “It’s just for a little while.”

“Stay with me.” The words come out in a rush and I’m not sorry. Every part of me meant it.

She looks at me and considers it. “I don’t know.”

“Then, I’ll stay with you.”

She snorts. “I don’t think we’ll both fit.” She glances at the little Honda and back at me.

“Which is why we should stay at my place tonight. We can stay at yours in the spring.”

She laughs as she traces a line with the tip of her finger along my shoulder. “All right. I’ll stay with you tonight. But just for the night.”

I repress my smile but it doesn’t matter. My entire face hurts from grinning so hard. I place the space heaters against the glass while Nova and I dress, hoping it’ll melt the remainder of the ice caught in the metal window track. After I tug on my boots, I work the glass, moving it a few inches and rocking it back and forth until it finally rolls to the side.

“You really want me to go out the window and leave you here?” She arches a delicate brow at me before tugging the furry hat onto her head.

“Yes, and I’ll see you later. Go spend the day with your sister and tell her about the hot guy you nailed last night.” I turn toward her.

Nova’s lips pull into a bashful grin. She dips her head, looks at the floor, and then meets my gaze. She laces her arms around my neck and whispers in my ear, “And the one from the night before, and the night before that. The list goes on and on.”

I’m tickling her again and as she tries to wriggle away, I press her body to the door. “You’re mine.”

“And you’re mine. I don’t share, so if the brunette shows up, tell her you’re taken, Hot Guy.”

I lift a brow and cock my head at her. “How’d you know about that?”

She shrugs. “I have my methods and I know you were interested, so what made you pick me?” Her face scrunches up and I can tell she didn’t want to ask, so I tell her.

“It was always you, Nova. That woman never stood a chance with you around.” Her arms are around my neck and she’s on her tiptoes, kissing me. Telling the truth never felt so good.