“That’s not a kiss.” Layla teased. She wiggled her eyebrows. “Give him something to look forward to tonight in the sleigh.”
Sadie cackled and shoved Layla.
Diana was tempted to spray them both with green frosting. “You guys!” Even as she warned them off with a look, her hopes jumped up like a child on Christmas morning.
“I got this.” Cliff hooked her chin and turned her face up. He leaned down, and his warm lips were on hers before she could think. She dropped the pastry bag, her hands taking on a life of their own and burying into his hair and tugged him closer. He grinned at her enthusiasm, breaking the kiss.
She heaved for breath. Every particle of her body rang like a jingle bell.
“I’ll see you in a half hour,” he said huskily. His dark green eyes were deep pools she could have gotten lost in for hours. She nodded, unable to form words. He walked away, his shoulders relaxed and his posture confident. She watched his every move, unable to walk away. That man had her wrapped and stashed under the tree in one kiss.
“Excuse me.” Sadie stood up and fanned her face. “I have to go make a snow angel. Because it’swaytoo hot in here.”
“Stop.” Diana threw a chocolate chip at her. They teased her for a few more minutes before doubling down on frosting cookies. No one wanted to go on the Mistletoe Mile with their hair pulled back in a sloppy ponytail.
Diana’s mind moved faster than her hands. That kiss … it was more than just a kiss. Layla’s words about how obvious it was that Cliff loved her only added fuel to the fire simmering in her lower belly.
Was it possible that Cliff wasn’t pretending? She wanted to believe it was true, because she hadn’t pretended that kiss. She’d thrown a whole cupful of herself into it. He had too—if she read him right. But she didn’t have the best track record for understanding men and their motives.
Cliff was different, though. At least, she wanted him to be. And she wanted him to want her, because she was falling for him. Falling hard. And in her experience, a fall like this usually meant a mean bruise. If he didn’t love her, then she’d end up nursing her wounded heart once again.
The thought was enough to make her pause. In that pause, the feeling of his lips against hers, his warm breath, and the tingles all over her skin came rushing back. Even if she did end up hurt, Cliff was worth the risk.
Her decision made, she finished the last cookie and hustled off to her room to pull out all the stops. The Mistletoe Mile was all about romance, and she was going to look irresistible. If Cliff wanted to kiss her again, she’d make it a Christmas Eve kiss he’d never forget.
Chapter 14
Cliff
The kids were inside the house, hyped up on sugar cookies and frosting, watching various cartoons at several different stations throughout the house. They were all in their pajamas and would throw on coats and scarves to go out to the barn with their parents for the sing-along. Celine barked orders at the older kids and threatened to turn off the movie if the younger ones didn’t settle down.
Cliff wandered outside, where the atmosphere was festive and full of anticipation. A line of sleighs waited at the edge of the forest. The horses’ breath billowed around their heads. The drivers were bundled up so well he couldn’t see faces. A single lantern hung from the post near their head. The horses could probably see well enough in the dark, but the driver needed help.
The sleighs were works of art. They were red, green, white, and black with silver runners and leather seats; they looked like props out of a movie.
The adults paired off and spoke in hushed tones while they held hands. Diana was nowhere to be seen, and he was anxious to find her. They hadn’t spoken since he’d kissed her, and he was dying to know her reaction.
Each time the door opened, his breath caught in anticipation, but it was always someone else. He was beginning to think he’d been stood up for the Mistletoe Mile. Disappointment hung like a heavy ornament on a weak branch. Not that he was planning on anything happening, but watching the first couple climb up into the sleigh and pull the blanket over their laps, their eyes alight with Christmas wonder and a little bit of mischief, had him looking forward to being with Diana. To beingcloseto Diana.
Cliff stood a few feet away from a blazing fire tended by a kid who couldn’t have been more than fifteen. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
The kid looked up, startled. “I, uh—I mean, I’m Jared.” He dropped another log on the fire. “I don’t think I’m supposed to talk to you, though.”
“Why not?” He glanced down at his worn work coveralls, the only winter wear he had. Was he considered an outcast? He thought he’d won everyone over by fixing the electrical issue last night. Maybe some prejudices were harder to overcome than others.
“My dad said not to bother the guests.”
Oh, so the kid was hired to tend that fire. Interesting. “Who’s your dad?”
Jared pointed to the first sleigh, which was disappearing into the forest in a halo of golden light. “He’s driving.”
Cliff glanced at the door again, wondering if he should go inside and find Diana or wait out here until the last sleigh left. He refocused on Jared. “Don’t worry. I talked to you first, so I’m the one bugging you, right?”
Jared grinned. “You’re not bugging me.”
“So, do you guys own the sleds?”
Jared shook his head. “We own the horses. The Dalagar family owns the sleds. They let us use them for free all winter if we drive them on Christmas Eve.”
