McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

It was advertised in a tourist brochure at the hotel and Geary thought it would be a good idea to check it out while having a glass of warm apple cider. I couldn’t agree more.

Not many people are out because they probably have more sense than we do, but Geary manages to park as close to the entrance as possible, which has been cleared. Christmas trees with lights welcome guests and as Geary takes my hand and we step inside the scent of apple cider hits us.

I briefly close my eyes and inhale the sweet scent, feeling Geary’s lips brush across my cheek. “The hotel clerk recommended we try the cider donuts while we’re here.”

Groaning, I clench a hand to my stomach. “Donuts are my downfall.”

Chuckling, Geary leads me into the large store; my eyes not knowing were to look first. There is so much on display on the wooden shelves, but the jelly holds my gaze. Tightening my hand in Geary’s, I tug him over. “My cousins and I with our grandma would take over the kitchen on the first of December every year and make jelly. We’d give them to the men and women who lived in the assisted living facility in Lexington along with homemade cookies.” I smile fondly at the memory. “I haven’t thought about that in a long time.” I squeeze his arm. “She’d make us all get dressed up in our Sunday best to deliver the goods. We’d have to sing some Christmas carols for them. The boys as they got older had to be bribed.” Chuckling, I admit, “Grandma knew, but I don’t think she ever mentioned it. Dad used to say Grandma has eyes in the back of her head, and hearing like a bat.”

“You have a large family. They scare me.” He shudders.

So I tease, “You only need to be scared of Alexander. He’s my brother and bossy.” I cuddle into Geary and smile up at him.

“Should I be very scared?”

“I’m teasing. My family will welcome you with open arms.”

“I hope so.” Geary presses me against him before letting me go. “So, I’m thinking we have to go the apple cider route with all purchases, right?”

Rolling my eyes, I laugh. “Let me grab a basket.” Still laughing, I grab a cart instead of a basket and find Geary shaking his head when he sees me.

“You do remember we have to fly out of here on the twenty-sixth, right?” Geary turns back to the jelly, reading the labels on the jars.

“Of course I remember.” My smile slips at the thought of us going our separate ways after Christmas. I keep my face hidden until I’m composed. Small jars of jelly go into the cart along with biscuits, cheese and of course the cider donuts that apparently are famous around here.

Geary sneaks a kiss while eating a donut he’s pinched from the bag. His lips are coated in the sugary sweetness and I moan. His eyes darken and his hand pauses close to his mouth when he’s about to take another bite. He steps in close. “You can’t be making sounds like that when I can’t do anything about it.”

My face lights with mischief while I make sure I’m pressed in tightly to Geary, especially the throb he has going on in his pants. “I’ll make sure you’re taken care of later.” I smirk. “In the meantime,” he groans while I continue, “we are going to pay for our purchases and then go and find some homemade hot chocolate to drink with the donuts. Not sure I fancy cider just after breakfast.”

“Mmm,” he brushes my lips with his, “I totally agree with everything you’ve just said.” He kisses me quickly, wraps an arm around my waist and leads me to the check out.

The moment we’re outside and the purchases are stored in the back of the rental, Geary takes me into his arms and covers my mouth. Its freezing cold outside and snow has started to fall, but right now, I don’t care about any of that. I want to stay in Geary’s arms forever.

His breathing becomes deep as he leaves my lips and rests his forehead against mine, his eyes searching. I don’t hide from him and watch as his gaze darkens. He’s one special man and he has my heart.

Fumbling at the side of me, Geary opens the car door and I’m suddenly lifted into the passenger seat. “Next stop. Hot chocolate.”

He’s careful as he makes his way around the car to join me. “I’m not sure about being out in this weather,” he mutters, starting the engine.

“Perhaps we should head back to the hotel?” I suggest. Although I would have liked a hot chocolate to go with my cider donut, I’m all for snuggling up to Geary back in our room.

“We’ll see how the car drives.” He pauses and pulls out onto the road. “There’s another plough up ahead. That’s the second one I’ve seen.”

I don’t comment and watch the snowflakes as they become thicker. Following the plough means we’re driving along freshly cleared roads so when Geary comes to a stop outside of the homemade chocolate store, I’m excited and the worry about the weather has left me.

The hot chocolate is thick and tastes darker rather than milky so I ask for more cream on the top.

Taking a drink, Geary laughs. “You have a cream-tash.” Reaching up he swipes his thumb over my top lip. I let him see the desire in my eyes that was instant the moment he touched me.

He chokes and tugs me outside where he gently pushes me into a wooden chair at a small table. I raise a brow. “Isn’t it a bit cold for sitting out here?”

“I’ll warm you up soon.” He wiggles his brows and pulls a brown bag from his jacket. “I have donuts, we have hot chocolate, and most of all, we have each other.” He smiles softly. “Eat up and we’ll head back and get warm.”

“Hmm,” I mumble around the donut and small sip of the chocolate.

Stowe is a beautiful town here in Vermont and with the snow coming down it’s picturesque. The white church in the distance, which appears on more photographs and postcards than any church I’ve ever seen, looks so pretty. The hardware store that sells everything you can think of across the road looks closed today. It’s difficult to see with how thick the flakes are as they flutter to the ground. Further up the street the tourist office has a steady flow of visitors.

“I wish we could stay here forever,” I whisper, knowing that I can’t look at Geary because the tears are close to the surface.