Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss - Jessie Gussman Page 0,53
met hers.
Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined standing on West’s porch in his embrace, kissing him and feeling like her whole world had turned into something beautiful and magical and yet solid and steady and safe with his arms around her, anchoring her.
Her heart catapulted in her chest, and she wanted to be closer, to lose herself in the heat of his body and the strength of his arms and the feel of his mouth on hers.
She didn’t whimper when he pulled away, but she wanted to. Which made her smile.
His grin matched hers.
“That smile is a beautiful thing,” he said.
“I thought it annoyed you,” she said, and there was only flirt in her voice. “Maybe your eyes are bad.”
“Men aren’t known for being in touch with their emotions. I think what I thought was annoyance was actually attraction.”
“Oh, you are good.”
West didn’t exactly giggle, but they definitely chuckled together.
“Will you think I’m greedy if I tell you I want to do that again?”
“When people look at us, they see opposites. It’s funny how we want the same things.”
His grin widened, and it thrilled her the whole way to her toes and back.
“I like the way you think.”
“You have some pretty good ideas yourself.”
“Speaking of ideas, I had one I want to run by you.”
“Yeah?”
His hand ran up and down her back, slowly, making her shiver.
“My mom mentioned that Minnie hadn’t had a Christmas with her children.” He spread his hand at the snow. “We’ve got the snow. We’ve got the kids. And we’re stuck here. What do you think about getting the tree out, and the Christmas decorations I have, which are not a lot, and decorating the house for Christmas tomorrow? I’m assuming we’re not going to be going anywhere.”
Poppy had to admit she was shocked. “I can’t believe you thought of that.”
“Pretty deep. I impressed you?”
“You did.”
“I can’t help but notice the lady didn’t say my kiss was impressive.”
Poppy leaned back in his arms, looking up, half of a grin on her face. Wondering. She supposed he was probably kidding. Still.
“You know, I couldn’t say you’re the best kisser in the world. I couldn’t even say you’re the best kisser in Mistletoe. I really don’t know. I’ve not kissed every guy in the world or even all the men in Mistletoe.”
“I think I’m happy about that.”
Her lips tilted. “I can say though, that’s the first kiss I’ve ever had that made me feel hot and cold at the same time, and safe and excited, and I’m just thankful that someone didn’t interrupt us and ask me to say my name, because I’m not sure I could have.”
“That good?” His grin might have been a little cocky. Her honest words had pleased him.
She nodded. “But I don’t think it’s skill. I just think it’s you.”
“That’s good. I don’t need to have that effect on every woman in the world. In fact, I’m pretty happy not having that effect on every woman in the world or, more precisely, any other woman in the world. You’re the only one that I care about.”
“You sound a little surprised.”
“Not that you’re the only one. But that I care about you. It wasn’t a surprise, I guess, just...fear.”
“I have that same feeling. Kissing you makes it go away.”
“Then I guess I have a job to do. I’d better roll up my sleeves and get started.”
“You do that. I’ll let you know if the second one is as good as the first.”
They were on the porch for a really long time after that.
Chapter 19
“I think the water has gone down far enough. I’ll slip out before the kids get up from their naps and check and make sure the boards are good.”
West held the cell phone to his ear and looked out the window at his driveway. The bridge seemed like it had weathered the flood no worse for the wear. The kids had had a great time playing in the snow all morning. They’d been completely worn out and could barely keep their eyes open over lunch.
While he’d been out playing with Warren and Garrett, Poppy had gone through his Christmas decorations and gathered a few odds and ends. She’d also rooted through his house, found some things she could use, and made some more.
They were planning on getting his artificial tree out while the children slept and then decorating it this evening.
He’d called his dad to tell him about their plans, and Race was now taking it even further.
“Hospice