"Should we?" I arch into him, delighting in the way his breath catches.
Instead of answering, he lifts me onto the workbench beside the window, stepping between my parted thighs. The new angle brings us even closer, and I wrap my legs around his waist to anchor him to me.
His mouth trails down my neck, finding that sensitive spot below my ear that makes me gasp. I tilt my head back, giving him better access, my fingers tangling in his hair.
"You're driving me crazy," he admits against my skin, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Good," I breathe. "I was starting to think you didn't want this."
He pulls back to look at me, eyes blazing with intensity. "I want this more than my next breath. That's the problem."
Before I can ask what he means, the sound of vehicles in the yard breaks the spell. We spring apart, both breathing hard, as voices carry across the snow.
"Matty's crew," Wyatt says, running a hand over his face. "They're early."
I hop down from the workbench, smoothing my hair and trying to look professional. But there's no hiding what we were doing. My lips feel swollen, my cheeks flushed, and I'm pretty sure my sweater is askew.
"I should go," I say, grabbing my coat. "Let you get back to work."
He nods, but catches my hand as I pass. "The fundraiser tomorrow. What time?"
Hope flutters in my chest. "Seven o'clock."
"I'll be there."
The promise in his voice makes my heart race. I squeeze his hand once, then hurry from the barn before I do something that will scandalize Matty's entire crew.
The drive back to town passes in a blur of snow-covered fields and the memory of Wyatt's hands on my skin. By the time I reach the clinic, my mind is spinning with possibilities and fears in equal measure.
Inside, I find Carly waiting with a knowing smirk and another cup of cocoa.
"So," she says, settling into her favorite chair. "How was the barn inspection?"
"Educational," I say, trying for innocent.
"Uh-huh. And that's why you look like you've been thoroughly kissed?"
Heat floods my face. "Carly!"
"I'm just saying, if that man doesn't ask you out soon, I'm going to stage an intervention. The sexual tension between you two could power the Christmas lights on Main Street."
I bury my face in my hands, but I can't stop the smile spreading across my lips. Tomorrow night, Wyatt Callahan is coming to a community event. For me. It feels like a miracle and a terrifying leap of faith all at once.
"He's coming to the fundraiser tomorrow," I admit.
Carly's eyes widen. "Wyatt Callahan? At a social event? Holy Christmas miracle, Batman."
"Don't make a big deal about it."
"Honey, this is the biggest deal in Hope Peak since the mayor's wife ran off with the mailman. That man hasn't shown his face at a community event in years."
The weight of that settles over me. If he's breaking his pattern for me, it means something. Something big and scary and wonderful.
As I lock up the clinic later, snow continues to fall, coating the world in pristine white. Christmas is five days away, and for the first time since arriving in Hope Peak, I feel like I might actually be home for the holidays.
With someone who makes my heart race and my knees weak and who builds beautiful windows so I can watch the sunset while I work.
Tomorrow night can't come fast enough.
