“I had planned to enjoy your company tonight, as well.”
Andy broke into a grin. “Obviously. I just... this is kind of our first date? And I want a little more time.”
First date.
Just as well he hadn’t told me that this morning, or I would’ve been nervous about it all day.
This was better. This comfortable familiarity let me treat him exactly as I’d always wanted to, which wasn’t so very different from the way I’d always treated him.
More kissing, which was definitely an improvement.
“I think I’ll have to hold your hand on the way back,” I said, feeling brave.
Andy always made me feel brave.
“Oh gosh, how will I cope?” he asked, tightening his grip on my hand and blinking innocently at me.
I resisted the urge to kiss him again and tugged him out onto the street, suddenly disappointed that everyone had gone inside.
If they hadn’t, they would have seen me at the happiest I could ever remember being.
The Christmas tree in the front window was twinkling when we got back, throwing light out into the tiny front garden and the street beyond, where we were standing.
“Ready for the day to be over yet?” I asked, turning to look at Andy in the soft glow of the Christmas lights and the streetlamp above.
Snow crunched under his feet as he turned to look at me.
“No,” he said. “I don’t want this to be over.”
“It’s not over.” I said, taking both of his hands and holding them between us. “It’s the beginning of something wonderful.”
“Of us?” Andy asked, looking up at me with hope in his eyes.
“Of us,” I agreed, savoring the slow lean in as we inched closer to each other, foggy breath mingling before our lips met.
A surge of pleasure rolled through me as we kissed in the falling snow and failing light, the perfect image of a Christmas kiss. Our mouths were the only parts of us that were still warm, and we stood sharing it for longer than we ought to have.
Us.
The beginning ofus.
What an exciting thought.
“Come inside,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind Andy’s ear. “I’ll run you a nice warm bath, chase the cold away.”
“And join me?” Andy asked.
I was beginning to realize he was insatiable. This knowledge would not, however, stop me fromtryingto satisfy him.
“And join you,” I agreed. “Come on.”
