“Oh my God, he was outside my house?” I gasp. I had no idea that he’d been there.
“Yes, sorry. He left a note.” Parker looks a bit confused. “I thought you said he was stalking you.”
“Yes, at my job.”
“Oh. Was he still going there after that night?” he asks with a crease forming between his brows.
“No. Until tonight, I haven’t seen him.” He releases a harsh breath and pats his chest to calm himself down.
“That’s good. He was warned to stay far away from you, or he’d end up gone for good. Are you angry with me?” I purse my lips and then sigh.
“How can I be angry with you when you saved me? But… please tell me there are no other secrets.”
“Nothing else. Well, at least that I think I’m keeping. I do have a good Christmas surprise, if it works out, but that’s different.” I can’t help but beam from ear to ear. This man hasgiven me special gifts that are sweet and meaningful. Selfishly, I’m grateful that I’m the only woman he’s given this much attention to.
“For someone who hates the holiday, you sure know how to celebrate it.”
“You give me a reason worth celebrating.” My heart is melting like a snowman on a sixty-degree day.
Chapter Eleven
Parker
“Merry Christmas, Parker,” she whispers against my shoulder. This new way of waking up is now my favorite and I don’t want it to ever go away. Soon I’ll be making it permanent, assuming I get Caroline to agree.
“Merry Christmas, Carrie.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her, startling her with the smile on my face.
“You look so happy,” she says with an accusatory brow.
“I am. Because I love you.” The words are out before I can stop myself from saying them, but there’s nothing I can do to take them back and truthfully I don’t want to take them back.
“You love me?” I know she thinks it’s too soon for those words, but I’ve never said them to anyone that isn’t family, and it feels so damn good.
I slowly move my chin and down. “Yes. I knew the moment I saw you.”
She scoffs and shoves playfully on my chest. “Now that’s a lie because you were ready to bite my head off.”
“Yes, and that disappeared instantly, and that would never have happened with anybody else. Every thought went straight to how you looked like an angel, and I just wanted to keep you forever.” I huff and scowl. “And then you ran away from me, and I had to know more. I went digging, and my sister called, trying to drive me insane. I know you probably think I am insane, but it’s the truth.”
She shakes her head and laughs. “I don’t think you’re crazy. I’ll be honest with you as well. You know the pillows and blankets on my couch? They’re there because of you.”
“Oh, yeah? Did you expect me to come and spend the night?”
“No, I slept on the sofa and watched my little ornaments on the tree every night, hoping you’d come by and tell me you didn’t hate Christmas or me.” I almost cry for the first time since my mother died.
“Come here, baby. I need to taste those lips of yours.” I groan and then growl against her mouth. “Damn, hot cocoa never tasted so good.” I can’t agree more. We move to the sofa, and I slowly slide her onto my lap so we can get more comfortable.
Suddenly I hear the front door open. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What’s going on here?”
“Oh, hi, Adrian. I can’t believe you’re here. I jump off Parker and throw my arms around him completely dressed in his military fatigues.
“No offense, Sis, but you didn’t mention any dude in any of our calls or in the emails.”
She blushes. “That’s because it’s pretty new, and we weren’t really a couple. Still, I’d like you to meet Parker Ames.”
“Parker Ames? The Parker Ames. You’re the son of a bitch who pulled some strings and got me out for the week.”
“Yeah. Your sister seems to miss you, although I don’t think that works in my benefit very much.” Caroline gasps, and I see the tears in her eyes. “You did that?”
