Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) by Karice Bolton Page B

wildly competitive streak.”
    “I like him already.”
    My heart unexpectedly fluttered at the thought of Derek meeting anyone in my family. There was no possible way that would happen. By the time my family arrived for Christmas, Derek would be tucked into the Montana snows and enjoying his new life, which was exactly why I needed to focus on anything but his beautiful eyes.
    “I didn’t know brown eyes could be as beautiful as his.”
    Derek grinned the moment I realized what happened, and my cheeks turned the shade of an overly ripe tomato.
    “I said that aloud,” I muttered.
    “Why yes, you did.” His eyes gleamed with mischief while I took in a deep breath and tilted my head back to stare at the ceiling. He scooted closer, and my body warmed with the possibilities, but much to my surprise he swept a kiss across my cheek and stood up.
    “I should get going before the ferry takes off without me. I’ll see ya at Gabby and Jason’s wedding on Saturday. You and Bodie stay safe from the storm.” I watched his lips move and wondered how they’d feel sliding along my body until I thought about what he actually said.
    “So soon?” His innocent kiss was like an atomic bomb pulling to the surface the loneliness that nipped at me on the long, winter nights. The same loneliness I promised myself I didn’t feel.
    “Sleeping in the shed doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time.” He drew his thumb across my cheek and my breath caught.
    “I wouldn’t make you sleep in the shed. Promise.”
    He bit his lip, and his gaze slipped down my body tugging at every inch of desire running through me. I ached to be touched by Derek, to be held and to dream of possibilities.
    And that was the problem. My mind couldn’t just stop with being touched, with having sex, and moving on. Why did it have to immediately turn into a package deal with emotions and unrealistic futures? Why was I not built like so many others who could just kick up their heels—literally—and enjoy someone’s company without all the complication? There had to be a book on how to fix me somewhere. But tonight I was going to solve the problem. I was going to stick my heels straight into the air.
    “You do crazy things to me,” I whispered, his eyes meeting mine.
    “Is that so?” he murmured, tipping my chin up and bringing his mouth deliciously close to mine. He nudged a fallen strand behind my ear, and his touch ignited another flurry of longing through me.
    My body and mind were at odds. I wanted him to spend the night. I didn’t care about tomorrow. I wanted him now and would deal with the emotional repercussions later. There was no denying the attraction between us, and for once, I was ready to act.
    Derek’s face lit up when my eyes connected with his. I was certain every single ounce of desire I felt was plastered all over my face, but I didn’t care. I wanted him to stay.
    “I’ll see you in a few, Emily.” He cradled my chin between his fingers, and he smiled as he placed a soft kiss on my lips and took a step back. “But I’ll be lucky to make the ferry at this rate.”
    My heart fell. He really wasn’t going to stay. Maybe I was reading too much into the lighting extravaganza.
    “Totally. I get it.” I nodded. He probably sensed every confusing thought that floated through me and knew to stay away.
    “This weekend will be fun.”
    “That it will.” I didn’t mean for my tone to be clipped, but it was. I’d managed to confuse a man right out the door. When we got to the entry, he turned around and pulled me outside onto the porch right under the mistletoe.
    “Just one more,” he whispered. His lips touched down to mine, and I knew the next few days were going to be excruciating.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
     
    “Oh my word. That was the best movie I’ve ever seen.” Donna, my neighbor and faithful pet-sitter, had just popped into my family room. I’d forgotten to turn off the movie before she arrived, but thankfully she