Alec would do it. And he’d look really handsome in one of those ridiculous Christmas sweaters with all the sequins and bells all over it. He wouldn’t be embarrassed. He’s much too confident for that.
An image jumps to mind of me and Alec spendingChristmas together, possibly wearing matching ugly Christmas sweaters, sitting beside the tree while we listen to holiday music and sharing kisses between gifts.
Kisses?
Oh, boy.
It was a lot easier to ignore my attraction to Alec when I didn’t see him all the time.
“Come on in,” Enzo says. He steps aside so we can walk through the door. “Everyone’s here except Gage and Rory. A new dog arrived today, so they wanted to make sure he was settled in before leaving.”
“That reminds me,” Alec says. “If you still want to help with the dogs, Haze, I can bring you over there. I’m free on Saturday, if you’d like to go.”
Enzo’s eyebrows shoot up. “Haze?”
Red touches Alec’s cheeks. “It’s a nickname, Enzo. Maybe you’ve heard of them?”
“Of course.” Enzo reaches for my fleece as I’m taking it off. “Nothing wrong with nicknames.”
But I don’t miss the look he exchanges with Alec. Or the little smirk he gives him.
Alec touches my back, resting his hand there. “Do you want something to drink first? Or would you like to sit down?”
“I’m good for now,” I reply. “But Alec, how can I go to the shelter? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for the dogs? And Rory and Gage?”
Alec’s hand moves to the back of my neck,rubbing gently. “Not at all. You can’t see it, but the security at Gage and Rory’s place is just as good as it is here. So you can go over to play with the dogs without worrying.” He pauses. “Probably no walking the dogs around the property, though.”
“That’s okay.” Another burst of happiness chases away more lingering anxiety. “I love playing with the dogs. And helping train the new ones. That would be perfect if you—” I stop myself. “Nevermind.”
Alec smiles. “Right. Iwantto bring you there.”
“Alec. Hazel. Come sit with us.” Lark waves us over to the couch where she and Knox are sitting. As we approach, she nudges Knox to move over, but he just whispers something in her ear and stays put.
“There’s plenty of room,” Knox says. He catches Alec’s gaze. “Alec doesn’t mind a tight fit, does he?”
Alec narrows his eyes at Knox. “Of course not. But Hazel might.”
I eyeball the empty space on the couch. It’s big enough for the two of us, but only just. Which means we’ll have to sit squished up against each other, so close I’ll be able to feel his muscular thighs and the furnace-like heat of his body.
Which… actually sounds pretty good to me.
“I’m fine with it,” I reply. “If you are, Alec?”
“I’m fine.” Alec waits for me to sit, then squeezes onto the cushion beside me. My skin sizzles with electricity as his body presses against mine.
Lark turns to me. “How are you doing, Hazel? Have you settled into the cabin yet?”
“I have.” To Knox, I add, “The cabin is amazing. I can’t believe you built it.”
Knox smiles at me. “I’m glad you like it. That cabin is the same one Lark stayed in when she was here, actually.” He loops his arm around Lark and kisses her cheek. “Despite the situation, we made some good memories there, didn’t we?”
Lark gazes at Knox, her love for him a visible thing. “We did.”
Longing sweeps through me again. What would it be like to make memories with Alec at the cabin? Make it feel more like a true getaway than a hideout?
Alec drapes his arm across the back of the couch. His hand brushes my shoulder. He glances at me and says, “We can get some pumpkins for the porch if you’d like. A ghost like Winter has for a decoration. There’s a garden store in Stowe that sells that kind of stuff. I could stop there tomorrow.”
Oh.
