“Really?” she croaked.
He nodded, squeezed her hand. “Really. I knew I had to come right here and be with you.”
“But I thought— Aren’t you going home to be with your family for Christmas?” Her fingers trembled as they clutched at his.
“My home is wherever you are.” He pulled her to him, slipping his arm around her waist, dipping his head close to hers. “I love you. I can’t believe I didn’t just say this that last night we were together, but I guess I had to be without you to realize the truth. And I know you love me. You’re just scared. That’s how I know you’re crazy about me.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she closed her eyes, letting out a shaky laugh. “The most romantic moment of my life and I look like an idiot with a pink wig on.”
“Here.” He plucked the wig off her head and tossed it over his shoulder, one of the partygoers watching the entire interaction catching it with a whoop. “Now you look good.”
Well, sorta. Her hair was a mess, clinging to her head. But she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“I look terrible.” She smoothed a hand over her head then swiped at her cheeks.
“Not to me. Never to me. Don’t know why you wear these, since you don’t even really need them.” He plucked the glasses off her face, set them on the bar counter.
And then he kissed her, the tension that had filled him since he left her slowly easing as Willow kissed him back. Sweet, simple kisses that sent heat rushing through his veins, made his head spin. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m so in love with you I’m never going to let you go again, you got that?”
She laughed. Kissed him again. “You promise?”
“Only if you say the words back to me first.” He squeezed her, pulling her even closer.
“I love you, Nick,” she murmured. “I’m so in love with you. I’m never going to let you go again, you got that?”
He laughed. “Smart ass.”
Grinning, she hugged him close, kissing him again. “You’re so incredibly rude, I don’t understand what I see in you sometimes.”
“My rude qualities are your absolute favorite thing about me. Don’t you deny it, either.” He kissed her again because now that he had her in his arms after being without her for too long, he might not stop kissing her.
Ever.
“I love all your qualities,” she said, her eyes glowing, her voice soft. She smoothed his hair away from his forehead, her gentle touch making him shiver. “I love you, Nicholas Hamilton.”
He grinned. “No one calls me Nicholas unless it’s my mama when she’s pissed at me about something.”
Willow rolled her eyes. “You and your mama stories. When can I meet this brave woman who gave birth to you?”
“Lucky you, I’m flying the entire family to my place for the holiday.” The idea had come to him more than a week ago, and he’d called them up to see if they were willing. Then he’d immediately booked the tickets when they all said they were dying to come to California and see him. Everyone would be at his place in Carmel for Christmas, even his sister and her family.
Willow’s eyes went a little wide and she visibly swallowed. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack. You ready to meet my mama, darlin’?” His parents were going to love her; he just knew it.
“Oh, God.” She made a little face. “You think she’ll like me?”
“She will love you,” he said assuredly. “You two have plenty in common, trust me.”
“What? That we both love you and want the best for you?”
“Well, that’s a given.” He shrugged, smiling. “But my mama is feisty and crazy, just like you.”
“What? I should hit you for that remark,” she whispered.
“You won’t. You love me too much.” He murmured the words against her soft, damp lips as he kissed her, wishing they were alone in her hotel room…
So he could have her naked in bed. Do whatever he wanted to her without an audience watching.