“I'm sorry I should’ve called before I came. I just, well it's almost Christmas.” She looked down, blushing, worried for a second that she’d made a mistake by doing something so impulsive.
Alden let go of the dog and stepped towards her. Wrapping his arms around her, he bent and kissed her. The package was an awkward space between them. She maneuvered it into one hand and reached up to his face. His warmth flooded her, chasing away the cold of the air. The dog barked and jumped on their legs.
He broke the kiss and pulled back to look down at her face. “You're really here,” he whispered. “You kept your promise.” He kissed her gently then frowned. “Where are your bags? You're not staying?”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, I'm staying. I just don't have any winter clothes. I figured there wasn’t any point in packing a bunch of shorts and tank tops. At least I was smart enough to buy this coat before I left Florida. Damn! It’s cold up here!”
“What about the bar? And your Dad?”
Nice took a deep breath. “I sold the bar and paid off the bank with the money. My Dad is in rehab. I know I should’ve called first before coming. Here, I made you a cake.” She shoved the box into his hands, aware that she wasn't making sense.
“You're staying?” he asked again. “Here with me? For good?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m staying. If you’ll have me.”
He kissed her again. Pulling her close, running his hand down her back. She rested her hands against him, feeling his steady heartbeat through his plaid shirt. “You must be freezing,” he said softly.
She smiled into his green eyes, feeling safe and loved for the first time in her life. “Not anymore.”
He took her hand and pulled his inside, a happy Roscoe trailing behind them.
***
THE END
About the Author
Naomi Lecroy lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband, three sons and a Yorkie.
Copyright 2013 by Naomi Lecroy
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author. All characters are a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. All characters are over the age of 18.
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To Hold and to Heal (BWWM Interracial Romance) Page 10