“Hope you don’t mind,” he says softly.
“I don’t.”
I really don’t.
???
The town lights glow brighter the closer we get to the square. Trees drip with strands of warm bulbs, shop windows are frosted over in delicate patterns, and garlands wrap around lampposts like emerald ribbons.
And then, Winter Wonderland explodes into view.
Lights everywhere.
Golden, warm, cascading across the snowy streets like someone pulled the stars down and draped them over the town. Snowflakes drift lazily through the beams of light, twinkling like glitter shaken from the sky. Laughter rises over cheerful Christmas music, and the air smells like cotton candy and caramel apples.
But I barely see any of it.
Because Ethan is looking at me like I’m the whole reason he’s here.
“Welcome to the Wind River Winter Wonderland,” he murmurs, smiling at me like he’s memorizing my reaction.
Before I even turn off the engine, he opens his door, rounds the front of the truck, and opens mine with a smirk, offering his hand.
His arm is still in a sling, but somehow he walks like he’s perfectly capable of catching me if I even think about slipping, and when my boot catches on a patch of ice, he does exactly that. His good hand lands on my waist, warm and steady.
“Easy there, gorgeous,” he murmurs, his breath brushing my cheek.
My heart skips.“I’m fine.”
“Never said you weren’t.” His fingers linger just a second too long.“Just takin’care of you.”
Heat pours through me so fast I’m almost grateful for the cold air.
???
We wander between stalls lined with handmade ornaments, knitted scarves, and candles that smell like vanilla and pine. Ethan keeps my gloved hand tucked in his, and every few minutes his thumb sweeps over my knuckles, slow and claiming.
I’m tall, but my head still reaches his chin, and walking next to him makes me feel… safe. Seen. Wanted.
People keep greeting him as we pass, and I steal glances at him every chance I get. His jaw, his smile, the way the lights reflect in his eyes, it’s unreal. He notices, of course, and holds my gaze like he’s daring me to look away.
A shiver runs through me.
“You cold?” he asks, voice dipping low, like he already knows I’m not.
“A little,” I lie. Because what I really am is nervous. Excited. Over-aware of every single thing he does.
He smirks like he’s reading my mind.“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
And the way he says it…
God. I feel that all the way down to my toes.
We stop at a stall selling carved wooden ornaments. Ethan watches me look, taking in every tiny shift in my expression like it’s the most important Christmas miracle on display.
“You like that one?” he asks, nodding toward a heart-shaped ornament painted red.
I shrug, suddenly shy.“It’s pretty.”
