Christmas in Bayberry

“What about you? Don’t tell me you’re going to stay up all night cleaning this up.”

“Okay. I won’t tell you.” She grinned up at him.

“Kate.” The deep timbre of his voice caused warm sensations in her chest.

She swallowed. “It won’t take me long. The vacuum will pick up most of it. Stop worrying.”

After his boots and coat were on, he turned to her. “I had a really marvelous time with you tonight.”

Was it her imagination or were they drawing closer together? Because right about now, if she were to lean a little closer and rise up on her tiptoes, their lips would meet. It took everything she had to resist the temptation.

And then, realizing that she was staring at him without saying a word, she blurted, “You never did say why you stopped over this evening.”

“I didn’t?” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a wonderful Christmas. And that’s all thanks to you. If I were in New York right now, my apartment wouldn’t be decorated and all I’d be thinking about is work. But you’ve got me thinking about reindeer and Christmas trees.” His gaze dropped to her lips, causing her heart to pound. “And most of all, you’ve got me thinking that I so desperately want to do this…”

Was it really going to happen? Anticipation caused Kate’s breath to catch. She willed him to her—willed his lips to meet hers.

He stepped forward and lowered his head. He really was going to kiss her. And she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more. But she also knew what it was like to put your heart out there and have it broken.

No matter how much she cared about Wes, he was leaving. Soon. He had never let her believe anything else. She would be foolish to kiss him—to fall for him even more than she already had.

Kate jumped back.

When his eyes met hers and she saw the confusion there, she said, “I’m sorry. I…I just can’t. I want to. I really want to. But with you leaving…”

A moment of silence lingered between them. And then Wes looked at her as if he wanted to say something important. What was it? Would it change things?

He looked away, breaking their connection. “I understand. I should go. Thanks for a fun evening.” He turned, opened the door and walked out.

Her lips pressed together in a firm line. Kate’s stomach clenched in frustration. This wasn’t how she wanted the night to end.

Why had she chickened out of letting him kiss her? It was just a kiss, after all—not a commitment. A kiss she could remember for the rest of her life. A moment to treasure.

She drew in a deep breath. She could do this. She could put herself out there, because Wes was worth it.

“Wes! Wait.” She rushed out the door without a coat. “Wes!”

In that moment, she barely noticed the cold or the fresh snowflakes at the top of the steps leading down to the driveway. Her whole being was focused on this wonderful man, who had stopped on the first step and turned to her.

She flew to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Even on the step above him, she had to rise up on her toes.

For a moment, his eyes flashed with surprise. In the next heartbeat, his hands clasped her waist. He lowered his head.

And they met in the middle.

In that moment, time stood still. His lips caressed hers and her heart pounded with a very distinct thump-thump, thump-thump. Everything in the world faded away but the two of them.

His kiss was gentle but firm. He tasted sweet, with a bit of spice, like the gingerbread cookie she’d shared with him. Her heart pounded so loudly, it echoed in her ears. Could he hear it? Did h

e have any idea how special he made her feel?

As his lips moved over hers, it was though her feet were floating above the ground. Nothing had ever felt so right. And she never wanted this moment to end. Not ever.

And then…the sound of a door opening and closing down the block brought Kate back to reality. With great reluctance, she pulled back. She wasn’t sure what to say, and so she settled for, “Goodnight.”