She sighed, the sound happy and content. She lifted up on her toes and kissed me in return. "Okay."
I followed Holly all the way to the diner, some odd sense of needing to make sure she was okay filling my head. She hopped out of her truck and approached my car, bending low into the window.
“Not necessary, Evan. The truck looks awful, but Tom keeps it running well.”
“Maybe I just like following you. You have an awesome tailgate.”
She blinked, then started to giggle. I grinned at her amusement, loving the fact that it was me who made her smile. She leaned in and kissed me, her tongue gliding along my bottom lip. I slid my hand up her neck and kissed her back, groaning low in my throat, desire for her building fast. She pulled ba
ck, her cheeks flushed.
“Wow, you can kiss.”
I tugged on her neck. “Come back, and I’ll show you some more.”
She laughed and stepped away from the car. She touched her mouth, shaking her head. “Later, Evan.”
I watched her walk away, leaning out my window, unable to help myself.
“Yep,” I called. “Awesome tailgate.”
Her laughter drifted across the parking lot. She paused at the door, peering over her shoulder. She blew me a kiss I pretended to catch, then she disappeared. I grinned all the way back into town.
I pulled back into the parking lot at Leslie’s store, not surprised to find it busy. She looked at me oddly when I walked in, then approached me once she was finished with her customer.
“Changed your mind about one of your gifts, Evan?”
I ran my hand along the back of my neck. “Ah, no. Change of plans. I need a few more presents.” I paused. “For Holly.”
A smile lit her face. “That, I can help you with.”
I returned her smile. “I was hoping you’d say that.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I want to spoil her a little.”
“Then let’s go shopping.”
Hours later, I looked around, making sure everything was in place. A small tree was set up in the corner, the white lights and pretty ornaments I had bought shining in the dark. Some bright parcels were nestled underneath. I had even remembered a small gift for Chester. Earlier, I had resisted the urge to buy everything I had seen Holly's eyes linger on when we’d been shopping together for my family’s gifts, but I did get some things I knew she would like. Special ones, just like her. Leslie helped guide me to choose the perfect ones, although one I had chosen alone. But from the way Leslie’s eyes had lit up, I knew I had chosen well. She had her assistant wrap them all, so they were festive and pretty under the tree.
I resisted adding any other decorations to Holly’s place, but I did get some flowers for her and added some scented candles I had seen at Leslie’s. As I was setting things up, I realized how sparse the house was of regular decor. Her roommate, Connie, kept the place only for a home base, but it made me unhappy to think that Holly was so used to having nothing static in her life, she simply didn't think to make where she was living into a home for herself. She had never known that, and she didn't think herself worthy of the effort.
While I was out, I had picked up a couple of Christmas movies to watch and some snacks when I was at the small grocery store. The thought of spending the evening on the sofa with Holly curled up beside me made me absurdly happy. I wanted the night to be a good one for both of us. Two lonely people enjoying spending some time together at a time of year when being alone seemed so much darker than usual. I ignored the small part of my brain telling me it wasn't going to be possible to be alone again after today. That I wasn't going to be able to walk away from Holly. I liked how I felt when I was with her; she banished the sadness that seemed to hover over everything I did.
I shook my head to stop those thoughts. I only had until tomorrow with her.
I checked the dinner in the oven and made sure the wine was getting cold. I hoped she would enjoy the meal I’d made for us. I wasn't a gourmet cook and the stuffing was from a package, but my roast chicken was usually pretty stellar. I did hope Holly could make gravy, though. Mine was always resembled dark water, usually with lumps.
Headlights shone in the window, and I hurried to the door. I had it open before she even reached the steps, and I stepped outside, pulling her into the warm house and my arms. We both sighed as our bodies met. I nuzzled the top of her head and then lifted her chin so I could kiss her.
It had been too long since her lips were against mine.
The bags she was holding fell to the floor, and she tugged herself against me. Groaning, I covered her lips with mine possessively. I cupped the back of her head, holding her close to my mouth, my tongue swirling and caressing, welcoming her home. She felt so right against me.
"Hi," I murmured against her lips. "How was your day?"
“It was fine,” she responded breathlessly. "Although I’m hoping, not as good as my night."
I liked that.
I pulled her farther into the house, smiling at her reaction to the small tree I had bought.