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Shocked, I stare up at him. “I make you happy?”

He brushes a stray hair from my ponytail off my face. “Yes, honey. You make me happy.”

I groan. “Yeah, but this is a lot, right? I’m sure you didn’t expect me to move in.”

He shrugs. “I’m happy that you are in my home. Especially if we can do more of what we did last night.”

I blush just thinking about it. “And again this morning.”

He bites his lip and smiles. “Yeah, and this morning. I’m hard just thinking about it.”

I’m about to reach for him when the bell on the front door jingles, letting us know that someone is walking in or out.

We hear Rachel talking, letting us know that Nick’s appointment has arrived. He groans and adjusts himself. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to hit the road.”

I nod and put a thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll be out here.”

I walk out and nod at the man passing by me in the hallway. I know my face is red from the exchange with Nick. I fan myself because I’m already looking forward to this evening when we go home together.

9

NICK

By the time I walk out of my office, Joy is already outside loading plastic totes into the back of my truck. I stop in the doorway and shake my head. This woman is killing me.

I walk across the parking lot and take the tote from her hands.

She looks up at me. “Hey.”

I put the tote into the back of the truck, and then as I pass her to grab another one, I tell her, “You should have waited for me.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “I can carry a tote.”

I nod. “I know you can. Trust me, I have no doubt you can do anything you put your mind to. It doesn’t mean you have to, though.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

As I walk past her again, I stop and kiss her forehead. “It means I’m here and to let me do the heavy lifting.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile on her face. I put the tote in the truck and look at the already full bed.

Joy stands beside me. “I had almost everything loaded.”

“I can see that.” I lean down and look at her. The snow has slowed a bit, but she looks cute with her rosy cheeks and bright eyes. “I like it when you make me feel needed.”

She’s smiling, but the smile softens a little. “I hate needing people, though, because they usually let you down.”

I grab her jacket and pull her close. “I won’t let you down.”

She takes in a deep breath and slowly lets it out. “I hope not.”

I kiss her again because I can’t seem to keep my hands and mouth off her. When I pull back, I tell her, “Get in the truck, Joy.”

She winks at me. “Yes, boss.”

I watch her walk around to the passenger side, smiling the whole time. Fuck. This woman has completely changed me.

A few weeks ago, I was irritated by anything Christmas related. Now I’m leaving work early to help decorate a storefront, and I’m looking forward to it.