A Wright Christmas - K.A. Linde Page 0,25

noticed me shivering, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“I missed you, Peyton,” he said softly.

I turned and met his gaze, suddenly realizing we were mere inches apart. My heart hammered in my chest. My mouth went dry. I was lost. Utterly and completely lost. How had so much time passed, and yet I felt exactly how I had all those years earlier? Isaac Donoghue completed me. And I hadn’t known how empty I’d been living without him.

“Isaac,” I whispered back.

His free hand came up and cupped my jawline, gently rubbing his thumb across my cheek. “Don’t think about tomorrow. Just be here with me.”

I didn’t know how he had seen the fear in my eyes. The fear that I was leaving and this was going to break us even worse than the last time. But he saw, and it dissolved with his words.

He drew me in closer. Our noses touched in the dark. My breath hitched as the contact sent fire through my body, straight to my core. One little touch, and we sizzled. Anything more, and we’d cause an inferno.

“Isaac,” I pleaded. Not knowing whether I was pushing him away or pulling him closer.

He didn’t wait. He fit his mouth to mine perfectly. I groaned deep in the back of my throat as energy rushed through me.

Sixteen years I’d kissed these lips with tears running down my cheeks and salt on our tongues. Now, that was gone, and in its place was a sense of newness, of rediscovery.

Not hesitant, not questioning, but inviting and explorative. A heat suffused me, not from the wine, but from his lips and tongue and body. The way he eased away every tension I’d ever had. And I was completely subsumed by him. Not a single part of me wanted to walk away from this.

For I knew this boy—body, mind, and soul—and he’d stolen my heart long ago. This kiss sealed that he wasn’t giving it back.

12

Isaac

Peyton made me want to be reckless.

I knew Annie was at home with Aly. That I needed to get back. That I absolutely could not stay out all night with Peyton Medina. But God, a part of me wished that I were young and foolish enough again to do it.

We had finished our walk through the gardens and eaten off of a charcuterie board inside the tasting room. Peyton had another drink, but I opted out since I still had to drive. She had been giggly and tipsy from the alcohol. I just wanted to kiss those wine-stained lips all night. Being an adult sucked.

“Let’s do this again,” Peyton said as we stood on Piper’s front porch. She leaned back against the wall. The alcohol had primarily run its course, but her smile hadn’t lessened any. “I had a really great time.”

“I’m glad,” I told her. “I’d like to spend more time with you.”

“When are you free?”

Ah, the kicker. I wasn’t free. Between work and Aly, I was never free. And I hated asking my parents or Annie to watch Aly all the time. It didn’t seem fair even though they claimed not to mind.

Peyton must have seen it on my face. “Or we could wait for the Wright party, if that’s easier.”

“I just have to work out babysitters.”

“Right. No, that makes perfect sense.”

“Peyton,” I said, taking her hand again and drawing her into me.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and her body was nearly flush against mine. My dick jerked in my pants, wanting her, always wanting her. If I could shirk my responsibilities, take her inside, and fuck her all night, I would. With her body against mine so invitingly, I really, really wanted to. But I couldn’t. And after sixteen years, I could wait until I had a night to really enjoy her.

I brought our lips together one more time, pressing her back into the brick wall. She moaned softly against me. My hands moved to the hem of her sweater. Her breathing hitched at the touch of my hands on her bare skin. God, I was getting away with myself…and I couldn’t seem to stop.

This was Peyton. I didn’t want to stop.

Finally, she broke away with a strained laugh. “Do you…want to come in?”

Fuck. I really did.

But I reluctantly shook my head. “I can’t.” I stepped back, running a hand through my auburn hair. “I wish I could, Pey. But I have to get back.”

She nodded, stood on her tiptoes, and softly kissed me once more. “That’s okay. You should get home.