Page 21 of Baby, It’s Hot Inside

I cup his face and kiss him. “I love you, Brock Daniels.”

“And I love you Ginger soon-to-be Daniels.”

“I never said I was taking your name.”

He rolls his eyes. “Do you have to be a pain in the ass about everything?”

“Probably.”

With that he picks me up in a fireman hold and carries me back up to our bed.

mistletoe surprise

One hot former marine…

The minute I see Annie Fitzpatrick, I want her. Against me, under me, all around me. She is as full of humor and joy as she was when we knew each other in high school. The problem is she’s my sister’s best friend. Everyone in my family—everyone in the whole town for that matter—loves her. I’m not sure I have anything to give except my desire and if I break her heart, no one will ever forgive me. I sure as hell won’t be able to forgive myself.

…plus one curvy girl next door

I’ve had a crush on Kris Starr since we were in high school. Now he’s home for good and I’m ready for him to see me as more than his kid sister’s annoying side kick. One night, I take my chances and kiss him. Next thing I know he’s in my bed. As hot as we are together, I know this is just for one night.

…equal two little pink lines …

Neither of us expected our night of passion to result in a baby bump for the holidays. Can I convince this emotionally wounded man that he’s the one I want, scars and all?

chapter twelve

Annie

Unrequited love sucks.

Or maybe it's just unrequited lust. I don't know. All I know is that I have crushed on the same guy since high school and the object of my affection is back in town--for good. And I'll be seeing him tonight.

How can I have lust for someone I haven't seen in person in more than a year? Yeah, I don't really get it either other than the fact that he's beautiful.

A wave of guilt sweeps through me as I eye my best friend. Why guilt? Because Ginger is my ride or die. I know all her secrets. I tell her everything. But I haven’t told her this.

This crush, this obsession, is the one thing I’ve kept from her in our years of friendship.

That is, until I spilled the beans last night in a burst of drunken over-sharing.

"So when are you going to tell me more about this mystery guy you're all hot for?" she asks. Ginger Starr and I have been best friends forever. I don't even know when precisely. I just know at some point in elementary school we latched on to each other and that was it. She was my person.

Which is why I’ve hated keeping a secret from her. Just for the last few years. Okay like four years, but still. I didn't want her to feel awkward. And at the end of the day, it doesn’t even matter. Nothing will ever come of my obsession.

"There's nothing to tell," I say, absently. We're at my house preparing some extra dishes for the big Thanksgiving gathering that's happening at her parent's house later today. Since I have a double-oven and Ginger doesn't, we're here. "It's just a crush."

Why did I ever tell her about this anyways?

"You would never have even told me about him anyways had it not been for that extra drink the other night." She gives me that look. She's a tiny thing, except for her crazy Merida red-hair. And that's saying something because I am not tall. Most people think I'm the short one. But at least I'm over five feet. Ginger, not so much.

"Why don't you just tell me about you and Brock?" I say.

She stirs the sweet potato mixture she's working on and smirks at me. "Nice try. Brock and I are fine and you know all about us. I'm talking about you."

I exhale slowly. "Listen, there's nothing to tell. It's a non-starter. Yes, I am exceptionally attracted to him. And have been for a really long time. But he does not see me that way. So it doesn't matter."

Her big eyes widen even more. "Oh sweetie, I don’t believe that for a moment! Any man would be lucky to see you, to have you. You're amazing. And last year I would have said the exact same things about Brock."