He simply held her there, one hand holding hers across her lap, the other gently rubbing her back, soothing her.
His heartbeat quickened as he felt her ease and lean against him.
“You are quite impossible, Perry.”
“Thank you. And you are quite lovely. I can’t imagine a more pleasant moment than this, can you?” He touched the nape of her neck, running his fingers over the soft skin and smiling at her little purr of delight.
“Is it dreadfully improper of me to say how much I like this?”
“No, not at all. I like it very much as well. I care a great deal for you, Grace. You’re a woman after my own heart and let me tell you there are very few like you out there. So I’m glad we’re here, sharing what we can certainly describe as a Christmas moment.”
She chuckled and at last settled into his arms where he took shameless advantage and cuddled her close to his chest.
“Now tell me,” he murmured. “Tell me how you came to carry those scars…”
