Katie,” he whispers through his kisses around my neck and clavicle.
I shake my head, and he growls in response.
I feel his body tense before he pulls away and exits the room, leaving me breathless in a puddle of lust and desire for the man I thought I was pretending with.
When he leaves, I close the door and fall against it.
My life has taken quite a turn in such a short amount of time. If someone had told me a month ago that I’d be in Hunter Johnstone’s childhood home, I’d have said they were out of their mind. If someone had told me his kisses would steal my breath, I’d have said they were out of this world.
I walk over to his bed and lie down, still in my clothes, staring up at the ceiling. I want to burst into a fit of giggles when I see there’s a photo of seven Sports Illustrated models taped to the ceiling.
Man, teenage Hunter was a hornball!
Something is happening to me. This whole time, I was pining over Branson, wondering if a man like him would want a girl like me. And then Hunter swoops in and … what? He talked to me. Laughed with me. Kissed me …
God, I want him. I really do. I’m so confused on how I wanted Branson for so long yet forget about him so quickly.
Oh my God! Branson. I totally stood him up!
I hop out of bed and search for my phone in my purse. There’s a missed call and three texts from Branson.
How is it possible that I finally got what I’d wanted all these years, and I completely ignored it to be with Hunter?
I press play and bring the phone up to my ear to listen.
“Hello, love. You’ve got me worried about you. The car said you never came out of the shelter. Just want to make sure you’re okay. Give me a call when you can.”
He’s worried about me. Yet it makes me feel nothing for him. Hunter really has gotten under my skin and made a home there.
I type out a quick reply.
I’m so sorry. Hunter surprised me at the shelter and brought me up to Connecticut with him.
The text bubbles appear instantly, but it takes a few minutes for him to reply.
Glad to hear you’re okay. Have a wonderful holiday.
I don’t know if I can agree that I’m okay. But as I glance out the window and see the light in what looks to be the pool house flicker on, I do have a feeling that I’m going to have a very good holiday indeed.
Chapter Ten
I wake up to the most amazing aroma of cinnamon and spices. I reach for my phone to see a text from Hunter.
Ho, ho, ho! I’ll be downstairs whenever you want to come down to join me for a cup of coffee by the fire.
I hop out of bed, heading to the bathroom. After making myself look presentable, I slip on a comfortable outfit, suitable for lounging early in the morning, and make my way downstairs.
From the top of the stairs, I can see into the living room, where Hunter is sitting at the far end of a couch, staring up at me. A beautiful smile grows across his face when his eyes meet mine.
He stands to greet me at the bottom step. Leaning in to kiss my cheek, he whispers, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, and good morning,” I reply shyly.
“I started a fire, just for you.”
He leads me to the kitchen to pour me a cup of coffee before we make our way to the front room, where a fire is roaring in a gorgeous marble fireplace. Stuffed stockings are lying on the hearth, and a garland of cinnamon-scented pinecones hangs from the mantel. Santa obviously visited the kids with a couple of unwrapped presents sitting, just waiting for the kids to cheer with joy over.
Hunter sits down with one arm propped up on the top of the sofa. I don’t hesitate to join him and bring my knees up underneath me.
“Your house is like a Hallmark movie come to life,” I say as we stare at the fire.
“Maybe Candace Cameron Bure will come and give out the gifts.”
I drop my jaw. “You watch holiday romance movies?”
“I have a sister and a mother who are devoted fans. It comes with the job description,” he says with a shrug.
“Of what? Closet romantic?”
“I am not a closet anything. However, I am a dedicated family man who will sit