“I know.” His voice softened. “I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust that I’ll follow through, Candy.” His hand rose and stroked the apple of my cheek. “I hate myself for that. But if you give me one more chance, I swear, on everything that matters, you won’t regret it.
“Onyx, these things are easier said than done.”
“I know,” He smiled, confidence growing in his stare. “But I’ll prove it to you. With time. One more chance, that’s all I’m asking. And you don’t even have to tell me yes or no right now.” He winked as his hand led the way, and as we got closer, I noticed more about what he had set up.
I had no idea how he had done all this.
So many goodies on little tables with twinkle lights that were just the right height if we sat down to reach for. On one, there was an array of cookies, sandwiches, and one the next?—
“Is that hot chocolate?” I asked, keeping my eyes on what looked like different flavors of powders.
“And all the toppings you can think of,” he added, pointing to the tiny table next to it. “I know you’re partial to marshmallows, but candy cane bits are good, too.” I turned to look at him. “I thought we could do a flight of hot chocolate while the jukebox plays Christmas music.”
“And you dressed like Santa?”
“Why not? You’re dressed like the prettiest elf I’ve ever seen.” He pointed at my head, and I remembered I was still wearing it. Lola must have known all about this. Something about this, his effort to create something so special, the way he was looking at me, made that wall I’d been building around me crack. Before I knew it, he pulled me back into his arms. Onyx’ heat and scent made me melt into him as I rested my head on his chest.
“I’m sorry for being the biggest idiot in the world, snowflake. I should have done so many things differently. Cleared up our misunderstandings and fucking called these last two days. Longest two days of my life,” he muttered atop my head. I could have sworn he’d dropped his face to sniff my hair. I pulled away and stared at him. I could tell by the look on his handsome face that he was being honest.
At least we both agreed the last two days were crappy.
I stood there and thought for a moment. I could dwell on the past or move forward. But I couldn’t do both if I was honestly thinking about giving him one more chance.
“Why snowflake?” My voice was soft, and there was no denying the vulnerability I was showing him.
“You’re completely unique,” he answered. “Delicate yet forged with strength no one can see without really getting up close.” My face felt warm from his compliment. “And so damn beautiful it leaves me mystified how the hell you’re real.”
“Charmer,” I murmured. But Onyx’ brows bunched, and he shook his head slightly.
“Not charming you with smooth words. It’s the truth, Candy.” He swallowed, and something in the air changed. “So, what do you say?” He nodded his sculpted chin towards the little comfy-looking nest next to us. “Indoor picnic, first date?” he asked, and I licked my lips.
For the first time in my life, it wasn’t my favorite drink that called my attention. Nope. My body and heart both yearned for another taste of his lips. Almost like he could somehow read my thoughts, he stepped forward, closing the small space between us, and dipped his head down, gently nudging his nose against mine.
“I think… this is more like our second date,” I whispered, not exactly sure where the words were coming from. “Or maybe more like our third.” My hand slid between us, resting right over his restless heart. I was shocked how soft the velvet of the Santa suit was.
“Third?”
“First was the day you came in to complain about you paint having glitter that I allegedly poured in,” I whispered, the tips of my fingers drawing circles closer to the buttons of his Santa coat. “You followed me to the diner and sat next to me at the counter and then underhandedly paid for our food. Including my hotchocolate. All while you wouldn’t shut up about how pissed you were over what I had allegedly done and how much your kitchen sparkled.”
“Allegedly, Candy?” he asked, and I shrugged.
“The second was two days ago. Took a while for you to get me out again but?—“
“That didn’t count. We were working together, and I was trying to feed you,” he started to argue, but I shook my head. My lips betrayed me by tipping upward.
“Or did we get to work together for a couple of days and create something fantastic together and finally kiss?”
“Fuck.” He exhaled, his breath minty as it fanned over my tingling lips.
“You really shut this whole place down just for… this?” I asked. There had to be some other reason. A leaky pipe. A busted tap. Something else. He couldn’t have done all this, something that could have cost him thousands of dollars, just for me.
“No. I did it for you. I’d do anything for you, Candy Kane. I know it might not seem like it, but I will. Just…” He huffed with a self-deprecating look. “I told you I wouldn’t rush you, and here I am, getting pushy.” Shockingly enough, I didn’t mind him a little bossy. Not that I would tell him that.
“Hmm,” I hummed, tipping my head up.
His dark brown almost black eyes were intensely focused on me and only me. I started to think about the way he would look at me through the last couple of months, and it had been the same way as he was now. Like I was all he could see if only he got out of his own way. If I was honest, I already knew what I was going to do.
But that didn’t mean I would make things any easier for him.
