Oh, how she loved the heat that his gaze revved within her. The longing. The need. The hunger for more. Even now, with his blue eyes fixed on hers, new flames sparked to life. He cupped his hands around her hips as he straightened up. And then, without a single word or pause, he wrapped his arms securely around her and pulled her in close.
“Ireallymissed you,” he assured.
She giggled. “Same.”
Justine let her eyes close as she took in the warmth of his embrace. The solid feel of his arms tightening around her. The sensation of his firm chest so flush against her that she felt the blessed beat of his heart.
She breathed in deeply the scent of cologne that would—in her mind—forever belong to him. An odd sense of desperation pooled in as she squeezed him tightly, wishing they could somehow stay like that forever.
She might not want what awaited them. Not if it threatened to tear them apart. Justine wasn’t sure what exactly that something might be, only knew that a dark and swelling dread was seeping into her bones.
“We better get going,” she said in a whisper.
She tried to get out of her own head as Burke led her out the door, down the porch steps, and into the BMW she’d been in so many times before, but Justine couldn’t help but see something akin to a carriage instead. One that, like the crown and the contest and the engagement too, was more like a fairytale than reality—too good to last.
Was it paranoia over losing someone she was giving her heart to, or was it simply a realistic glimpse at what lay ahead?
Justine wasn’t sure. She only knew that she was likely to find out very soon, whether she was ready or not.
Chapter 24
If there were a better term foron edge, Burke couldn’t find it. But that’s the only phrase that came to mind as he stood by Justine’s side, hand in hand as they waited for the official lighting of the tree at the town’s city square.
Sharp knots twisted in his gut as he scanned the scene at the event, a bustle of townsfolk bundled in warm coats, knit hats, and colorful scarfs. Christmas music carried over the main square as little ones wobbled on the ice, gripping onto their parent’s hand. Shoppers checked tags on items that hadn’t sold at the autumn festival; some had probably waited to make their purchase today, he mused. Anything to get that reduced price. Too bad D & L Factories hadn’t done the same.
On the way to Justine’s, Burke had attempted to contact the business owner and, as he’d predicted, failed to get hold of them. People often took a long weekend after Thanksgiving, a fact that made Burke feel all the more helpless. Men like him—business moguls with cash to spare and an eye for the prize—they weren’t swayed by dollar bills. Hence, the company’s reckless purchase of a property listed way over market value.
A text buzzed at his phone, and Burke was quick to tug it from his pocket.
Duke: We’re looking for a place to park. Hard to see anything with the giant falls in the way… Joke. Maybe they’ve gotten bigger since I saw them. The others aren’t far behind. Don’t do your royal dance without us, brother. Or should I call you Prince Benton?
Burke’s heart thundered out a massive beat. A mumbled curse slipped through his lips as he read over it again.
“What’s wrong?” Justine said.
Wrongwas definitely the right word. Having the Bentons show up at a time like this could go very wrong indeed. “My family’s here,” he said. “They’re looking for places to park.”
Justine grinned wide. “Oh my gosh. That’s awesome!”
Inwardly, there was a very small part of Burke that agreed with Justine’s initial assessment; under normal circumstances it would be…incredible.To know they cared enough to make the trip out there, all to watch him and Justine take the title for some small town honor?
“They’re going to love it,” Justine continued. “The kids can skate if they want, and they—” Her expression fell flat suddenly. “Oh.”
Burke nodded, figuring she’d just seen the problem for herself. “They don’t know everyone thinks…” He leaned in to whisper the last few words in her ear, “we’re engaged.”
“Yeah. Dang.” That pucker formed between her brows. “Hopefully, when they announce us, they won’t say that we’re engaged.”
“Right.” Burke gulped. “I can’t believe they actually came. I mean, there’s no hiding a Benton in California,” he said, his nerves revving into action even still. “Not afamousone, anyway,” he amended. “The whole town is going to recognize them.”
“You’re right,” Justine agreed. “I guess they decided not to wait until the interview?”
“I guess,” Burke said. “It’s in less than a week anyway. Maybe they just figure…I don’t know.” His mind was too muffled to think.
A surprised laugh snuck through Justine’s lips as she shook her head and grinned. “People are going to freak out.”
He gulped. “Definitely.” He tried picturing the Benton family among the townsfolk of Piney Falls. It was likely more of a grand gesture than a real desire to come to the event, Burke decided, and he appreciated that.
In truth, their willingness to appear at a public event, in a small town no less, said they were serious about having him in the family. He should sit on that, let it calm and encourage him.
