Mistletoe-ing the Line: Short Story

One second, my sister is announcing her engagement—to my ex. And the next, my best friend's telling everyone we're dating.

We're not. We've never been anything more than friends.

But when Justin kisses me, it doesn’t feel like pretend. And when he touches me, it's like he owns me, and perhaps he knows he already does. Always has.

And I'm not sure how our friendship—or my heart—are going to survive the holidays.

Mistletoe-ing the Line is a short and steamy holiday romance featuring Kate’s (Perspective) best friend, Brie. It was previously titled Snow In Love, and the only changes are the title and cover.

Read here or download to your Kindle using the link below.

  Chapter One: Brie

Christmas music played through the speaker of my phone as I danced around my room. Justin watched me from my bed, rolling his eyes as the corner of his lips tipped up in a smile. I bounced on the mattress on my knees, jumping a few times as his mouth spread into a grin.

“You’re ridiculous,” he said as my duffel bag bobbed next to him.

“And you love it.” I bopped him on the nose before I climbed off the bed, straightening my robe.

Justin was my best friend and had been since middle school when my family had moved to California from Washington. I’d been the awkward new girl, and he’d never made me feel anything but cool, accepted, seen.

“You’re the one wearing a sweater that says—” I pointed my finger at his chest, unable to repeat it without laughing. “Well, that.”

He frowned down at said sweater, a green knit number that read “When I think about you, I touch my elf.” And had an actual stuffed elf strategically placed at his waist. When I’d opened the door for him earlier, I’d burst out laughing.

“Aww. Don’t get all shy on me now,” he teased.

“I’m not!” I protested, placing my hands on my hips as I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why do you always act like I’m such a prude?”

“Because you never want to talk about sex.”

Maybe because I hadn’t had any in nearly six months. Not since my last breakup. But Justin didn’t need to know that. It was too embarrassing to admit, even to my best friend.

I spun and headed for my closet to finish getting dressed. “It’s just weird. Okay? Talking about sex with you.”

“Why?” he asked. “We talk about everything else.”

He was right. Justin knew everything about me—more than anyone else in my life. Yet, I couldn’t talk to him about sex. It just felt…wrong somehow. And I refused to hear about his sex life. Probably because mine was so nonexistent.

“Is Violet’s mystery man coming?” he asked, referring to my older sister. I was grateful for the change of subject.

“She said he was, but we’ll see. I mean, they’ve been dating for months now, and no one’s met him.”

“Maybe he’s married,” Justin said, his baritone voice wafting into the closet and vibrating straight into my heart.

I dropped my robe to the floor and pulled on a pair of leggings before grabbing my sweater from the rack. Every year, my family tried to outdo one another with the most outrageous Christmas sweater. The winner got a nice bottle of liquor, and Justin was almost always the victor—at least, since we’d turned twenty-one a handful of years ago. I half wondered if it was because my mom loved him. She’d never treated any of the guys I’d dated half as well as she did Justin. And though I knew she thought of him as a son, we’d never been anything more than friends.

“I don’t know.” I tugged the sweater over my head. “Apparently, she told my mom she has an announcement.”

“Oh shit. Do you think Violet’s pregnant?”

I laughed, though the thought had crossed my mind. Violet was hiding something, that much I knew. She’d been pulling away the past few months, and though I tried to pretend nothing had changed, it stung.

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“What’s Kate doing for the holidays? Are her parents still not talking to her?” he asked.

I shook my head, thinking of my other best friend and former roommate. She’d moved in with her boyfriend earlier in the semester, a hot professor at the art school we attended, though I’d just graduated. Their relationship had raised a few eyebrows but hadn’t technically broken any rules. So, it was all good. Well, except with her family.

“Thanksgiving went relatively well, but they’re spending Christmas with his mom and brother.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah. She seems really happy, and I’m happy for her.” I adjusted the neckline of my sweater so the red lace of my bralette peeked out from the loose, low V neck and then messed with my curls.

“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

I laughed. Justin knew me too well. “I just worry about her. She hasn’t known him that long and already moved in with him.”

“Can’t see yourself doing that?”

I shook my head before remembering he couldn’t see me. “I feel like I’d want to date someone at least a year before even considering moving in with them. But Xander clearly adores her, and she’s happy.”

“Then what are you so concerned about?”

I frowned at my reflection, trying to formulate a good response. “I’m not.”

“But something’s bothering you.”

Maybe it was the fact that everyone seemed to be moving on but me. My sister had this new boyfriend, and it sounded serious. Kate had Xander, and they’d moved in together. Even Justin was moving on—literally. He’d accepted a new job in Colorado. My eyes stung with unshed tears, and I forced them away. I’d miss him, but we’d keep in touch. We had to.

I tugged on my heeled booties and threw a leather jacket over my shoulder, knowing it might be cool out. Well, cool for LA. Los Angeles didn’t have a winter per se. There would be no white Christmas. But the holiday spirit was certainly in the air. It was evident in everything from the decorated shop windows to the music playing over the stereo to the tree in my living room.

I leaned against the doorframe, waiting for Justin to glance up. His auburn hair was loosely styled as if he’d spent a day on the beach. His jaw was set in a line, his attention focused on something on his phone. He looked entirely too serious for my liking.

I cleared my throat, enjoying the way his eyes raked up my body. I told myself I was imagining his reaction, wanting to read something into it that wasn’t there, but I couldn’t help myself. I’d always had a bit of a crush on him. How could I not? He was handsome in a rakish sort of way. Charming. And kind. But above all—he got me. He knew how to make me laugh. He knew what to say when I was upset. And he’d been there—by my side—for some of the biggest moments in my life.

Okay, maybe saying I had a crush was an understatement. But I’d never pursued it. He was my friend, my best friend. And even though everyone always said we’d make the perfect couple, I honestly couldn’t envision it. Despite a drunken kiss one New Year’s Eve, he’d never hinted at wanting anything more. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to screw up a decade-long friendship. Even if I did compare every other guy to him.

I bit back a smile as I watched his expression morph from one of appreciation to disgust as he actually took in the awesomeness that was my sweater. I was in it to win it this year.

“Wow.” He swallowed. “That’s disturbing.”

I laughed, plucking the fabric away from my chest to admire the image. The words “Jingle Balls” were printed on the sweater, and two huge, hairy balls were front and center on my breasts.

I dropped the fabric, the material draping over my skin. I adjusted the neckline so it laid just right again. “See. I’m not a prude.”

“I never said you were.” He swung his legs over the side of my bed and stood.

I grabbed my earrings from the dresser, a pair of snowflakes I wore every year. Justin had given them to me our first year of college, and they were one of my most prized possessions. Not a Christmas went by that I wasn’t wearing them. And in all the years we’d been friends, we’d rarely spent the holidays apart. Despite distance, despite time, despite dating other people, we’d never let anything get in the way of our friendship.

Justin came to stand beside me, draping his arm over my shoulder. He smiled at me in the mirror, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “You ready?”

“To dominate?” I teased, giving his waist a squeeze.

Even in my heeled boots he towered over me. He could easily rest his chin on my head, and he often did. I loved how we fit together, and looking at our reflection, I envied the handsome couple in the mirror. They were everything I wanted and nothing I’d ever have.

“Obviously.” He pressed his lips to my forehead, and I tore my eyes away from the mirror. “Come on, Pocket.” He removed his arm, and I immediately felt the loss of his touch. “Let’s go.”

I remained there a moment, telling myself to get it together. That was it. No more Hallmark holiday specials. No more holiday-themed romance novels. Okay—that wasn’t happening, but whatever.

Justin paused when he realized I hadn’t moved. “Hey.” He crouched down to meet my eyes. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I flashed him a bright smile. “Of course. The question is,” I said, swaying my hips as I backed away, “are you going to be okay when I take home the title of best worst sweater and…the whiskey.”

He scoffed, tossing my duffel bag over his shoulder. “In your dreams.”

“Whatever. This sweater—” I pointed at my chest, gratified when his attention lingered on my breasts “—is a winner.”

He chuckled as I locked the door behind us. “Even if you do somehow miraculously manage to win, you know the deal.”

“We share the goods.” I held out my pinkie for a pinkie promise. He linked his with mine, his blue eyes smiling at me the way they always had—as my friend. Nothing more.

We hopped in Justin’s truck, and I immediately turned on the Christmas station. As we made the three-hour drive to my parents’ house, I marveled at the decorations along the way. All the while, he asked me questions about my latest clients, excited that my graphic design business was going so well. I worked on everything from branding for realtors to covers for romance novels—those were my favorite. And I’d been taking on more of them lately. Justin had always been supportive of my work, always encouraged me to charge more than I planned because he believed in me.

“So, how’s the house hunt going?” I asked, dreading the answer. In a few weeks, he’d be moving to Colorado, and I didn’t know what I was going to do without him.

“Pretty well. I think I found one I like. You’d love it. It overlooks the mountains, and it’s got this huge outdoor deck.”

“Sounds nice but too cold for me.” I shuddered dramatically as if to emphasize my point.

He laughed. “In the winter, maybe. But I’ll get a patio heater for the rest of the year. You should come with me.”

I nodded, not sure what else to say. He’d joked about me moving with him, but I knew that was all it was—a joke. Meanwhile, I was still in denial about the whole thing. Imagining him in a new house, a new city—far away from here—made my stomach clench.

“Of course I’ll visit,” I said, surprised when his face fell.

He dropped the subject, and we drove in silence for a while, listening to the road noise, the songs on the radio. It was nice, peaceful. Whenever I was with Justin, I felt content, relaxed.

When we arrived at my parents’ house, the sun was setting, the outdoor lights already on. The house was decked out for the holidays, lights and music and blow-up figures covering the yard. Justin carried our bags up the steps to the front door as I catalogued the new additions. The door swung open before we could even knock, and my mom greeted us at the threshold, our dog, Muffie, under her arm.

“Justin! So good to see you.” She pulled him in for a big hug.

“Nice to see you too, Mrs. C.”

“Oh, please. You know you can call me Mom.”

I rolled my eyes, but I honestly loved how close they were. “Hey, Mom.”

“Oh hi, honey.” She hugged me, placing a kiss on my cheek. “Look at you two. Always so…well…coordinated.”

I laughed. She was one to talk; her sweater had a sheep on it with the words “Fleece Navidad” printed over it. Less vulgar than Justin’s and mine but still funny, nevertheless.

I stepped farther inside, smiling when I saw the Christmas tree waiting to be decorated. It was family tradition after all—trimming the tree together. We’d end the evening with dinner and a Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street. I couldn’t wait for the day I’d have my own family and get to continue these traditions with them.

“Is Violet here yet?” I glanced around.

Mom scratched Muffie’s head as we followed her to the kitchen. “Nope. And your father’s outside, messing with the smoker.”

“I thought we agreed that was a terrible idea,” I said, handing her the box with the cookies I’d made. They were Justin’s favorite—candy-cane-shaped cookies that tasted of almond and were topped with crushed peppermints.

“Hey! Were you holding out on me?” he asked, backing me toward the counter as my mom went outside to get my dad.

What had started as teasing quickly turned serious. Our hips were nearly touching, his scent wrapping around me like a treasured quilt. He was so firmly woven into the tapestry of my life, and it was times like these I ached for more. I sucked in a jagged breath as he lifted his hand as if to touch my lips. And then the doorbell rang, and he dropped his hand and stepped away.

“Can you get that, sweetie?” Mom called, the dog barking and squirming to get free from her hold.

“Sure,” I called over my shoulder as I headed for the front door.

Did I just imagine that? I wondered as I struggled to compose myself.

I spied my sister’s silhouette as well as a man’s through the beveled glass door. I smiled, excited to finally meet her elusive boyfriend. But then I opened the door and staggered backward.

“Evan?”

My ex-boyfriend. The guy I’d dated for two years until six months ago when we’d broken up because “we just want different things”—his words, not mine. What was he doing here? With her?

“Hey.” Violet pushed past me, her jacket pulled tightly around her. Evan followed, giving me a sheepish grin.

“Is that you, Violet?” Mom called but stopped short when she spotted Evan standing with my sister. Everything and everyone seemed to freeze, including time. My brain was still trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

“Everything okay?” Justin asked, coming to stand at my side. He placed his hand on my lower back, giving me strength. Support.

“Um, hey. So, everyone…” Violet swallowed. “You remember Evan, right?”

“What’s he doing here?” Justin all but growled.

“We’re, um…” Violet glanced to Evan as if seeking reassurance. “We’re together.”

I gaped at Violet. Was she freaking kidding me? He’d been my boyfriend first. Not that I wanted him—not anymore. Ugh. But seriously, he was dating my sister? And she’d been sneaking around, lying about it.

Before anyone could say anything, Dad stepped inside. “Ta-da!” He bumped the door with his hip to close it and held up a large platter topped with brisket.

“I was going to leave it out there a little longer, but I didn’t want to brisket.” No one laughed or even groaned at his joke.

Dad glanced between us, lowering the platter as his smile followed. Perhaps sensing the tension in the room, he set it on the counter. “Dinner’s ready. Why don’t you take your jackets off and come inside?”

I glared at him, feeling like I’d been betrayed. Seriously?

Evan helped my sister out of her coat—something he’d never done for me. I could barely look at her, but I couldn’t ignore the words printed on her shirt. “Last Christmas as a Miss.”

What the… Was this a joke?

Justin pulled me closer to him, and his scent was calming, blanketing me with so many good memories. “Congratulations,” he interjected, making me wonder what I’d said aloud. “We actually have some news of our own.”

I turned to peer up at him, caught off guard by his touch and his words. Not that we didn’t touch—because we did. It had often been a source of conflict between Evan and me when we were dating.

“You do?” Mom asked, completely ignoring the fact that my sister had just announced her engagement. To my ex. An ex I thought I’d never see again, let alone sit across from at Christmas dinner for—well, forever. As my sister’s husband.

“Brie and I are dating,” Justin said.

My eyes widened, and I tried to keep up with everything that was happening. My sister was marrying my ex. And apparently, I was dating my best friend. It was… Wait. What?

“Finally,” Dad’s voice boomed from the kitchen at the same time Mom said, “Oh, I’m so happy. This is the best Christmas gift ever,” with tears in her eyes.

“Um, hey,” Violet whined. “What about us?” She gestured between her and Evan. “We’re engaged.”

I ground my teeth, biting back a comment. I couldn’t believe she…she’d—but then Justin was massaging my shoulder, his touch calming.

“Right.” Mom dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “That’s great, honey. So much to be thankful for.”

“I knew it,” Evan said, his tone smug. “I always knew there was something between you two.”

Yeah, and he’d rarely shut up about it. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Stellar. This Christmas was off to a great start.

Violet stomped off toward the kitchen, and Evan seemed torn between following her and staying, before finally caving. My parents joined them, and I was grateful for a moment alone with Justin.

“What were you thinking?” I hissed once they were out of earshot.

He lifted a shoulder. “I’d do anything to make you happy.” He tucked my curls behind my ear, though a few sprung free. “You know that, Pocket.”

Did I? I mean, as a friend, yes. Of course. But he wasn’t looking at me like a friend. There was something…more there. Something I hadn’t seen before. And it sparked hope within me, blazing like a beacon.

“You two coming?” Dad called, breaking the spell.

“Be right there,” I said before lowering my voice. “What are we going to do now?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Just roll with it. It’ll be fine. You trust me, right?”

“Always,” I said immediately, though I wasn’t sure I could. At least not when it came to my heart.

Chapter Two: Justin

“I can’t believe you two kept this a secret.” Mrs. C’s eyes glittered with excitement and delight as we sat around the dinner table. “I mean, how long has this been going on?”

Brie glanced to me as if I had all the answers. Since I was the one who’d put us in this position, I supposed her expectation wasn’t completely unwarranted.

I dabbed at my mouth with my napkin, trying to buy myself some time. “A few months.”

“You sneaky devil,” her dad said, not at all displeased. I knew her parents loved me like a son. I just hoped they wouldn’t hate me when they discovered I’d lied to them.

“We, um, we didn’t want to tell you until we were sure,” I said, digging a deeper hole.

Fuck. What was I doing? I loved Brie’s family like my own, and here I was, lying to their faces, pretending I was dating their daughter.

But it was worth it. I’d have done anything to erase the shocked look on Brie’s face earlier. I still couldn’t believe her sister was not only dating her ex but engaged to him. The guy was a douche, and he’d never been good enough for Brie. No one was.

Brie nudged me with her leg, and I realized everyone was looking at me expectantly. I cleared my throat. “What was that?”

“I asked what finally made you realize you wanted more than friendship?” her mom asked, her tone conveying that she’d been expecting this all along.

In all likelihood, she had. Our friends had always teased Brie and me about our relationship. Everyone doubted there was nothing more than friendship. And while I’d often wanted more, the timing hadn’t been right or I’d been more concerned about the repercussions if things hadn’t worked out. Now that I’d put us on this path, I couldn’t say I was upset about it, even if it was all for show.

Thankfully, I’d just shoved a big bite of food into my mouth. I chewed slowly, using the time to consider my words carefully.

“I’ve always thought Brie was beautiful. I’ve always cared about her.” I turned to look at her, ignoring the way Mrs. C’s eyes glistened with tears of joy. I knew Brie well enough to know she was freaking out, and I wanted nothing more than to put her at ease. “But the timing was never right.”

Brie’s eyes went wide as I lifted my hand to cup her cheek. I leaned in and nuzzled my nose against hers before pressing a kiss to her forehead. It was something I’d wanted to do a thousand times. That, and so much more. When I released her, I wasn’t sure who was more flustered by that simple touch—her or me.

Her mom clapped her hands together, and Brie glanced away, breaking our contact.

“You two are so freaking adorable.” Mrs. C grinned. “And it’s a good thing you’re dating because we have some news of our own.”

Mr. C leaned back, resting his arm on the back of his wife’s chair. “That’s right. Your mom and I cleaned out the guest room,” he said, referring to the room where I usually stayed over the holidays. “It’s now your mom’s Dame Dungeon.”

Brie spewed her wine across the table. “Her what?”

I patted her on the back, biting my tongue so I wouldn’t make an inappropriate comment. “You okay, sweetie?” She turned and glared at me, but she looked more like an adorable kitten than a lion.

“Dame Dungeon.” Mrs. C straightened, flashing us a proud smile. “You’ll have to come see it.”

“Yeah, Brie.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Who knows? You might want one yourself.”

Brie placed her hand on my thigh and pinched me through my slacks. I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You’re going to pay for that.”

“Oh yeah.” She arched an eyebrow, her lips barely moving as the conversation continued around us. Did she even realize how sexy she was? How much I wanted her? Had always wanted her?

Mrs. C was telling everyone about the special shelving Mr. C had installed. Based on the description, it was really a glorified reading nook where she could escape and work on her sewing projects or read.

“So, where’s Justin going to sleep?” Brie finally asked.

“With you, of course.” Mrs. C grinned. “Silly.”

“Oh.” Brie let out a nervous laugh. “Right. Because we’re dating now.” She cut her eyes to me when no one was looking.

“So…” Violet said, and I was grateful to have the attention off of us for a moment. “Evan and I were thinking a summer wedding.”

Conversation turned to the newly engaged couple, but Brie mostly remained silent. She was quiet all throughout dinner, only responding when directly addressed. She volunteered to do the dishes, and I wondered if she was avoiding me, her family, or both. As everyone decorated the tree, her lips were pressed together in a firm line. She wasn’t singing along to Christmas carols, wasn’t talking, wasn’t smiling.

When it came time to watch Miracle on 34th Street, I scooted closer, holding her in my arms. She was stiff at first, but the longer we watched, the more she relaxed into my touch. I paid more attention to her than the movie, soaking in the feeling of her in my arms, all the while wondering how pissed she was.

It wasn’t until we were alone in her room that she finally asked, “So…are we going to talk about this?”

“What about it?” I feigned nonchalance as I dug through my bag, searching for my pajama pants.

“Well—I mean, you’re the one who announced that we’re dating,” she whisper-hissed. “Surely, you have a plan.”

Yeah. Right. A plan. I stared in my bag, my attention focused on the contents. “Are you upset?” I asked, trying to get a read on her emotions.

“About the fact that my sister is marrying my ex or…us?”

“Both. Either,” I said.

“I can’t believe my sister’s marrying him. And not just because he’s my ex, though that makes it even worse. I mean, talk about ick factor.” She adjusted her shirt, and I tried to ignore the red lace of her bra peeking out from beneath.

“Evan’s a douche.”

“Um, yeah. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Do you wish it were you?”

I knew how serious her relationship with Evan had been. Two years was a long time, and though I’d been secretly relieved when they’d broken up, I hated to see my best friend hurting.

She scoffed, pushing some of her hair away from her face. “Oh, hell no. At least, if your question is do I wish I were marrying him.”

I laughed, feeling a little lighter. “And us?” I swallowed, the words thick on my tongue.

“I think…” She sank down on the bed and let out a deep sigh. “I hate lying to my family. And they’re going to be really disappointed when they discover we aren’t actually dating. They seemed so happy.”

“So happy,” I echoed, feeling both elated and guilty. “Probably because I’m the number one son,” I teased, referring to her family’s nickname for me. I’d been as much a part of their family as mine for as long as I could remember.

“Yeah. Yeah.” She laughed, the sound putting my soul at ease. “But really…” Her tone was more serious. “What are we going to do? You put us on this path, and I don’t want to lie, but I also don’t want to ruin Christmas.”

I leaned across the bed and placed my hand over hers. “We’ll see it through.”

“See it through. Okay…” She hesitated. “So, we’ll date—fake date,” she corrected. “For the long weekend.” I wasn’t sure whether she’d intended it as a statement or a question.

“Exactly.” I held her gaze and her hand a moment longer before straightening.

“You do realize they’ll expect us to hold hands, kiss…” She waited a moment, and I could feel her eyes on me as she processed my reaction. “Do you really think you can be convincing?”

“Yes.” There was no question in my mind.

Was I attracted to Brie? Fuck yes. She was a knockout. She had a head covered in gorgeous curls that bounced when she laughed. The most brilliant smile. And the kindest heart. She was the most beautiful person I knew—inside and out. The problem wouldn’t be convincing everyone else this was real. It would be reminding myself it was all just pretend.

“What about you?” It suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in.

She swallowed hard, loud enough for me to hear it over the heater hissing through the walls of the house. “If you can, I’m sure I can too.”

“Great. See?” I smiled. “We’ll be fine.”

“What about your family?”

“What about them?” I asked, retrieving my dopp kit from my bag.

“Are we going to lie to them too?”

I hadn’t thought of that. Hadn’t thought of anything other than Brie. But, luckily, my family wouldn’t be too much of an issue. “Why would we?”

“You remember who my mom is, right? She’s going to be shouting this news from the rooftops.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing my mom and Dan are in Hawaii. By the time they get home, our relationship will be over.”

“But we’re not breaking up until after we leave, right?”

“Of course not. And I suppose we’ll tell everyone we decided we were better off as friends. Then everything will go back to normal.” My gut churned with unease. I was already dreading it.

She covered her face with her hands. “This is crazy.”

“You know what’s crazy?” I asked, chuckling when she shook her head. “Your sister marrying your ex.”

“Ugh.” She flopped down on the bed, and I tried—and failed—to ignore the curve of her hips, the dip of her back before the swell of her ass in those leggings that clung to her like a second skin. “Fine. You win. We’ll do it.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “You act as if you’re the one doing me the favor,” I teased.

She lifted her head from her arms. “What? Like fake-dating me is such a hardship?”

“It could be. You might snore. You might hog the covers.”

“You know I don’t. And for that, you can sleep on the floor.” She grabbed a pillow and tossed it at me.

I tossed the pillow at her ass. “Oh, hell no. I am not taking the floor.”

She spread her arms and legs, looking like a starfish on the bed. I climbed on the mattress, using my ass to shove her out of the way. She grunted but held firm. At least until I tickled her.

“No fair!” She flipped over, trying to cover her sides while batting my hands away.

I grabbed her by the wrists, using my position to straddle her and tickle her mercilessly. She was laughing, shaking her head, her cheeks pink.

“Stop.” She was breathless, thrashing beneath me, my dick egging me on even though I knew better. “Justin!”

“I’ll stop…” I kept my fingers poised at her side. “If you agree that I can have the bed.”

She met my eyes, her gaze laced with a challenge. “Bite me.”

I smirked, leaning forward to run my nose along her ear. “Gladly.” I nipped at her ear.

She shivered, and I sucked in a hit of her shampoo. She smelled of coconut and summer and a million memories wrapped into that one scent.

Though we’d often wrestled growing up, and even in recent years, this sexual banter was new. I’d never pushed the boundaries this far, and yet, she hadn’t told me to stop or fuck off. If anything, she seemed to want more, at least if the way she shifted beneath me, attempting to rub her thighs together was anything to go by.

“Or…” I ran my nose along her jaw, desperate to be closer to her.

“Or?” She gulped.

“We could share it.”

“I don’t—” She was breathless, her breasts brushing against my chest as she heaved in a rush of air. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“I can keep my hands to myself.”

“Fine,” she huffed, wrapping her legs around my waist and using her strength to flip us so she was on top. Her curls cascaded over me, the neckline of her shirt drooping low enough to give me the perfect view of her breasts. “But I get the side closest to the bathroom.”

At that moment, I would’ve given her anything she wanted. “Sure.”

“Ha-ha!” she exclaimed, thrusting her fist in the air, clearly reveling in her perceived victory.

Secretly, I knew who the real winner was here. She’d climbed on top of me. She’d be sharing a bed with me. If I had my way, our relationship wouldn’t end when this weekend did.

I propped myself up on my elbows, watching as she bent over to rummage in her duffel bag. She had the most perfect ass, and I longed to run my hands over her smooth skin. “You want to take the bathroom first?”

“Oh, so now you’re going to be a gentleman?” she joked, tossing the words over her shoulder.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “When am I ever not a gentleman?”

She shook her head and disappeared inside the bathroom, while I stared at the ceiling and tried to get my raging hard-on under control. This woman was going to be the death of me. I couldn’t live without her, and I had only a few days to convince her how good we could be together.

After she finished getting ready for bed, I stepped into the bathroom, brushing my teeth, changing into my pajamas. When I returned to the bedroom, I found her sitting on the edge of the bed, head in her hands. Shit. She was freaking out.

I knelt to the floor before her, prying her hands away from her face. “Talk to me, Pocket.”

I’d always called her Pocket. From the time we’d met, she’d been so petite, at least compared to me. And I joked that I could carry her around in my pocket. Secretly, nothing would’ve made me happier than having her with me all the time.

“I think we should tell my parents that we aren’t dating. Just…get it over with.”

“And disappoint them.” I shook my head.

“They’re going to be disappointed when we ‘break up,’” she said, complete with air quotes. “We might as well bite the bullet.”

No. No. No. No. I wasn’t going to blow this chance to show her how great we could be as a couple. It was the perfect opportunity. If we were a disaster as a couple, we’d chalk it up to a fake relationship, laugh it off, resume business as usual. But if it worked—if we worked—maybe she’d finally see how good we could be together. Maybe she’d finally be mine.

“First of all, do you really want to admit to your parents—to Evan—that we lied?” She shook her head, and I knew she was on the verge of caving. “It’s only for a few days,” I said, even as I wished for more.

“Right.” She nodded, staring blankly. “Only a few days.”

“But—as you pointed out earlier—we have to be convincing.”

“Right,” she repeated.

“Brie.” Her eyes snapped to mine, and I swore I saw desire there. Desire…and was that fear? “I think we should practice.”

“Practice what?”

“Touching. Kissing.”

She blinked up at me, and it would’ve been adorable were I not holding my breath awaiting her response. “Practice?” She wore a dazed expression.

“Yeah.” I lifted a shoulder, the mattress dipping from my weight as I sank down beside her. “So it won’t be super obvious or awkward when we kiss in front of them the first time.”

“Kiss…in front of them?” she squeaked.

I chuckled. “Are you going to repeat everything I say?”

“I don’t know. It’s not every day your best friend asks you to kiss him.”

I lifted my hands in the air. “It was just a suggestion.” I moved to stand.

“No.” She gripped my forearm. “You’re right. We should practice.”

She licked her lips, and I couldn’t help but stare at them. They were ripe and luscious, and I’d never looked forward to practicing something more in my life.

Chapter Three: Brie

I perched on the edge of the bed, my body a bundle of nerves. “So…how do we do this?”

“Do what?” Justin asked from beside me. “You mean, kiss?”

I huffed and glanced away, my cheeks heating with Justin’s words, his gaze. I wasn’t as innocent as he made me out to be. I’d had boyfriends, sex. And if he didn’t watch his smart mouth, I was going to straddle him and show him just how wrong he was about me.

“Pocket.” His tone was gentle. “Brie,” he said more forcefully when I continued to ignore him.

He guided my chin to face him, and I tried to act as if I was completely unaffected by his touch. I’d been doing it for years. Why should this time be any different?

But inside, I was flipping out. Were we really going to kiss? And not when we had the excuse of being drunk on New Year’s Eve. How could he act like this was no big deal when it was a huge freaking deal?

Justin cupped my cheeks, his eyes intent on mine. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

I shook my head, not sure whether he was trying to put me at ease or what. Despite that, I sensed a sincerity—an almost urgency—to his words. And while it wasn’t the first time he’d complimented me, it felt different. We were different somehow.

He tilted his head to mine, our foreheads touching. His blue eyes were dark, questioning. I sucked in a breath as he tangled his fingers in my curls, pulling my hair gently. He was the one person I’d let play with my hair. The one person I’d subject myself to taming the frizz for.

I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of his hands on me. The smell of his minty toothpaste as his breath fanned over my skin. The heat emanating from his body, so close to mine.

He pressed his lips to my cheek, and my eyelashes fluttered in response. Even though it was the barest of touches, it felt like a jolt to my system.

“Was that okay?” he murmured. His voice sounded different. Everything about my best friend seemed different.

“Yes,” I breathed, scared to move for fear of breaking the spell. I’d wanted this—him—for so long. It was hard to believe it was actually happening and not just a dream.

“What about this?” he asked, kissing down my jaw.

“Mm-hmm.” It was more than okay. It was quite possibly the best thing that had ever happened to me.

I held my breath, waiting for his next move. I wanted time to slow down and speed up all at once. I couldn’t wait for him to kiss me, but I also feared what would happen when he did. What if it was terrible? What if I’d built it up in my mind so much that reality could never live up to that memory and the fantasies I’d created of it? What if—

He silenced my thoughts with his lips. At first, I stiffened, but as he continued to glide his lips against mine, I relaxed into his touch. And then I smiled. Justin was kissing me. We were kissing. And not just kissing, at least not like I’d ever kissed before. We were making love with our mouths, two souls connecting.

And the longer we kissed, the more frantic our movements became. With every thrust of his tongue, I imagined his body mimicking the movement. The more we touched, the more my appetite for him grew. His hands were in my hair, on my shoulders, clawing at my shirt, pulling it over my head.

I was just as eager, just as out of control. I tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, and he reached behind his neck and pulled it off. I studied his chest—the smooth skin, strong muscles, the dusting of hair. He was… Wow. Though it wasn’t the first time I’d seen Justin shirtless, it was the first where I could look my fill.

And he drank me in just as greedily, his eyes caressing my bare skin. They lingered on my nipples, which puckered in response. The pebbled buds straining against the lace of my red bralette, aching to be touched by him.

He laid me back on the bed, our lips colliding once more. His kiss—like his touch—was firm yet reverential. Confident even in the softest of caresses. He didn’t hesitate to touch me like he owned me, and perhaps he knew he already did. Always had.

The only sound was that of our shared breaths as he crawled over me. His hard length grazed my thigh through my pajamas before nudging my center. My very wet, very achy, center.

He groaned into my ear as we began to rock against each other, dry-humping in my childhood bedroom like a pair of horny teenagers. And yet—nothing had ever seemed so hot. I was half convinced I was dreaming. And I didn’t want to wake up, didn’t want it to end. Not in a few days, not ever.

“God, Brie. You feel so amazing.” His voice was low and rich, sending vibrations down my spine.

“Yes,” I sighed into his mouth, arching my hips to gain more friction. I wanted more of everything. More of his hard chest brushing against my breasts. More of his hips grinding against mine. More of those whispered words I’d always longed to hear from his lips. It was enough to nearly set me off, and we’d barely removed any clothes.

He slid a hand up to cup my breast, and I moaned.

“Shh.” He chuckled. “You don’t want your parents to hear us, do you?”

My eyes snapped open. I was allowing myself to get carried away, but then I remembered it wasn’t real. None of it was real. Even as he kissed his way down my stomach, the lust-filled haze started to clear. My brain overrode my body, telling me to stop. Because soon, we’d cross a line we couldn’t go back from. Kissing was one thing—though, we’d gotten carried away with the dry-humping. But sex was…sex would… I panted, my body like a live wire. We just couldn’t. Especially not with my parents sleeping down the hall.

Despite the fact that my clit was crying out for his touch. Despite his impressive hard-on, nudging between my thighs. We had to stop.

He stilled, hovering above me. His warm gaze found mine. “What’s wrong?”

“I—” I shook my head. “We.” I swallowed, forcing the words out. “Can’t.”

He shifted so he was lying beside me, and he propped himself up on one elbow, resting the other over me. He was giving me space, while maintaining our connection.

The lines were blurring, and I didn’t know where we stood anymore. Only a few hours into this fictional relationship, and my whole world had been flipped upside down. My head knew it was fake, temporary. But my heart—and my body—were an entirely different matter. My body yearned for this man. And my heart whispered this was where I belonged.

“I shouldn’t have…” He shook his head, tucking his arms behind it.

I missed his touch, wanted to kick myself for stopping something so amazing. As we lay there, staring at the ceiling, I gathered the courage to voice my greatest fear.

“Can we really do this and not ruin our friendship?” He was the most important person in my life, and I didn’t want to lose him.

“Of course we can.”

I envied his conviction. I envied the way he could just shut off his feelings and erect a wall between physical connection and emotional. He made it seem so easy.

I let out a deep sigh, my mind, body, and heart at war.

“Tell me the truth.” His expression was serious as he turned on his side to face me. I mirrored his movement, tucking my hands beneath my head. “What was the first thing that popped into your head when your dad said the words ‘Dame Dungeon’?”

“Fifty Shades,” I blurted.

We both started laughing, and the universe fell back into place. Justin was my best friend. And I was in love with him.

***

It was warm under the covers, really warm. And I burrowed farther beneath the comforter, not ready to climb out of bed just yet. I’d been working overtime lately—pushing myself to finish designs for my clients. Between work and preparing for the holidays, I hadn’t had much time to sleep. It was one of the hazards of being your own boss. You had the ability to set your own hours, and I tended to work all hours.

The house was quiet, but then I heard the gentle murmur of someone else’s breath. My eyes widened as I remembered it wasn’t a dream—Justin was in my bed. As quietly as I could, I turned to face him. He was lying on his stomach, arm thrown above his head, hair mussed from sleep. I wanted to run my fingers through his auburn strands, smooth my hand down his back. He was so handsome, so caring, such a good friend.

Right. Friend, I reminded myself.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my stomach cramping. This was a bad idea—the worst. Lying to my family. Kissing my best friend. Yet, I couldn’t stop myself. I’d dreamed of being with Justin for so long, that I had to know.

And then, once this weekend was over, once we were over, I’d move on, and he’d move to Colorado. At least if things really did blow up, I wouldn’t have to see his face every day. But the thought made me sick to my stomach. I had to get out of here. I needed to clear my head. To get away from this man who twisted up my insides and owned my heart.

I crept out of bed, shutting the door to my room quietly before padding down the stairs to the kitchen.

I made myself some coffee, enjoying the stillness of the morning. At least until I heard someone approach. I braced myself when I saw who it was—Violet.

“Good morning,” she muttered, pushing her hair away from her face.

I lifted my chin in greeting but didn’t say anything more. Instead, I sipped my coffee and wished for solitude. I didn’t even know what to say to her. Should I scold her? Congratulate her? What?

She moved around the kitchen, mixing up some green concoction before leaning against the counter. She took a sip and her expression soured.

I couldn’t take it; I cracked. “What the heck are you drinking? That looks disgusting.”

“It is.” She cringed, taking another gulp.

“Then why are you drinking it?”

“Because I’m getting married, and I want to look good for the wedding.”

Barely two minutes into the conversation and there was no avoiding it. She was engaged to my ex and planning their wedding—their future—together. I seethed with the betrayal of it. She was my sister. She wasn’t supposed to date my ex-boyfriend, let alone marry him. Not that I wanted to marry him.

“I can’t believe you’re dating Justin,” she said, interrupting my internal diatribe.

“Why?” I hated the defensive tinge to my tone.

“I just…” She shook her head, a smile playing at her lips. “I’m surprised you crossed that line. I knew you always had a crush on him, but…”

“What?” I snapped. “But he’s out of my league?”

She jerked her head back. “No. Not at all. I just know how important his friendship is to you.”

I stared at the contents of my mug, knowing how true that was. “He’s my best friend,” I whispered.

She pulled out the chair next to me and sat down, grabbing my hand. “How long have you been dating? And why didn’t you tell me?”

I lifted my gaze to hers, anger burning in my eyes. “Seriously?”

“What? We’ve always been close.”

I scoffed. “Says the woman who’s engaged to her sister’s ex.”

She retracted her hand, a pained expression on her face. “I’m sorry, Brie,” Violet said. “We never meant to hurt you. If it makes you feel any better, I fought the attraction. We both did.”

“Whatever,” I huffed. I didn’t want to hear it. “You wouldn’t have kept it a secret if you didn’t know it was wrong.”

“It’s not wrong.” She tightened her grip on her glass of green grossness. “Yes, it’s awkward. You dated him first, I get it. But we didn’t start dating until after you’d broken up.”

“How long after?”

She sighed. “Does it matter?” She waved a hand through the air, dismissing the question. “We love each other, and I really hoped you’d be supportive.”

I barked out a laugh.

She leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you seriously going to sit there and judge me? How many times did you tell me you and Justin were just friends? And now, to find out you’ve been dating for months—” She shook her head. “I’m not the only one who’s been keeping secrets.”

“Whatever.” I glanced out the window, using the edge of my sleeve to wipe away a tear. It was too much—all of it. I was lying to everyone, most of all myself.

“Look—” She sighed. “I’m sorry. And yes, I should’ve told you sooner, but I didn’t want to say anything until I was certain. Surely, you can understand that.”

“I suppose,” I finally said, thinking about what a hypocrite I was. I softened, turning my attention back to my sister. “I’m happy for you, really. I just…wish it had been someone else.”

She nodded, her expression contrite. “I know. Me too. But the heart wants who it wants.”

“Yep.”

“So…will you forgive me? Please.”

I sighed, wanting to say yes but knowing I couldn’t. Not yet. Not if I didn’t mean it. “I need some time to get used to the idea of the two of you together.”

“Same! Though, I always thought you and Justin would make a good couple.”

I stood and went to refill my coffee, at a loss for words. I stared at the machine, watching as the coffee dripped into the mug. When a pair of hands found my hips, spanning my waist, I startled.

“Morning, Pocket.” Justin’s rich voice rumbled through me.

From behind me, his body radiated warmth and security. Home. That’s what being in Justin’s arms felt like—coming home. But this was temporary, and we were just pretending.

Chapter Four: Justin

I took a seat on the couch, and Brie plopped down next to me. Her sweater slipped off her shoulder, exposing more of her tantalizing skin and her lacy bra. Today it was an emerald green, and I ached to run my fingers over it. So, I did.

I grinned to myself as I ran my thumb along her collarbone, watching as she stilled at my subtle touch. Or was it that Evan had entered the room, taking a seat on the armchair by the fireplace?

“What’s the plan for today?” Violet asked, falling into his lap.

Evan pulled her closer, kissing her like he hadn’t seen her in months not minutes. Brie clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead.

I leaned in to ghost my nose along her ear, her jaw. “You look so sexy.”

She laughed, and I briefly wondered if she thought I was joking. “You mean, now that I’m not wearing a big pair of hairy balls on my chest.”

“Well, there’s that.” I chuckled, thinking back on last night. “But no, I mean it. You’re so incredibly beautiful.” I cupped her cheek with my hand, leaning in for a kiss.

“Aww.” Violet’s voice cut through the fog of lust. “You guys are too cute.”

Evan didn’t seem to think so, grumbling something under his breath that had me narrowing my eyes at him. My plan had been to ignore him entirely, but he was making it extremely difficult with his snide remarks.

“I can’t believe you won the stupid sweater contest again.” Brie pouted, and I knew she was trying to change the topic. So, I let her.

I smirked, leaning back to drape my arm over the couch as the Hallmark Christmas movie resumed playing. I’d only agreed to watch it because I knew it would make Brie happy. Violet seemed excited it was on, whispering with Evan about tiaras and weddings.

“Why is it so surprising?” I asked, doing my best to pretend they weren’t in the room. “If I want something, I don’t stop until I get it.” I was looking at her when I said it, but she was too busy to notice.

“I know. It’s one of the things I love most about you,” she said. Her curls curtained her face, and I silently cursed them for obstructing my view.

“So, kids—” Mrs. C burst into the room, decked out in a red sweater and matching lipstick. “Are you ready to have some fun?”

Evan huffed out a laugh as if the idea of “fun” were beneath him. Prick.

“What kind of fun?” Brie asked.

I had a few ideas for the two of us, but I figured it was best to keep those to myself. After I’d awoken to find her side of the bed empty, I wasn’t sure how receptive she’d be anyway. Still, I was going to take every opportunity to kiss her, touch her, to show her how amazing we could be together. Last night had only renewed my determination.

“There’s a new outdoor ice rink—on the rooftop of one of the buildings downtown.” Mrs. C grinned.

“That sounds amazing,” Brie said, and Violet nodded her agreement.

“I’m in.” I grabbed Brie’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

We broke up into two groups—Violet and Evan in one car with Mr. C. Brie and me with Mrs. C.

“I know I already said this last night,” Mrs. C said, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror as she drove across town. “But I’m so happy for you two.”

“Thanks, Mrs. C.” I dipped my head, unable to meet her eyes as guilt churned through my gut. Mrs. C had been like a second mom to me, and I was lying to her face.

I was lying to her daughter’s too. But how could I possibly tell Brie how I felt about her? I was terrified of fucking this up—of losing her for good. And yet, I remained convinced that we were meant to be together. And not just as friends.

When we finally arrived at the ice rink and got out of the car, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Think you’re going to be warm enough?” I asked Brie as I watched her bundle up.

It was cooler today, and while I had on a sweater, she was decked out in a jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.

She swatted at me, but I dodged her attempt. “It’s cold on the ice.”

I jogged over to her, wrapping my arms around her from behind as we teetered on the parking lot surface. This was us—we played, we teased, we touched.

“I’ll keep you warm.” The words were spoken low in her ear, intended just for her.

She laughed and pushed against me, but I didn’t let her go. I grabbed her hand before she could walk away, lacing our fingers together.

“Justin,” she hissed, glaring at me behind her mom’s back.

I smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek, grateful that Mrs. C seemed oblivious to our antics.

Everyone grabbed their skates, and I easily laced mine before turning to watch Brie. She seemed aggravated, muttering to herself as she yanked on the tongue, nearly toppling off the bench in the process.

I hadn’t heard her conversation with Violet this morning—not much of it anyway. But enough to believe they’d mended some fences. But with Evan constantly kissing Violet, I knew it had to be wearing on Brie. Even if she was over him, it couldn’t be easy to watch your ex with the woman he was going to marry.

I knelt to the ground before her, taking her laces in hand. Mr. and Mrs. C were already on the rink, dodging a pack of kids who were laughing and squealing. Evan and Violet were out of earshot, too absorbed with each other anyway to notice anyone else.

“Are you upset about Evan and Violet?”

“No.” This she said through gritted teeth.

Instead of pushing her like I wanted to, I stood and held out my hands. She glanced at them and then up at me before standing on her own.

Okay. So, clearly, I’d done something to piss her off. While I replayed last night and this morning in my mind, she took off, dashing across the ice. I let her go, knowing she needed to let off some steam. Hell, I needed to let off some steam, but it was going to take more than an ice rink to cool me off.

Brie was…fuck, she was sexy. And having her writhing beneath me, moaning with pleasure as I kissed her senseless, had been even better than I’d imagined. But then she’d grown silent, withdrawing into herself.

While she’d slept, I’d stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours, wondering if I’d pushed too far, asked too much. Her body seemed to want me, but I didn’t just want her body. I wanted her heart. And with every day, every moment, that passed, I was running out of time.

That reminder snapped me out of it. And I sped over to where she was standing, back resting against the side of the rink.

“Tired already?” I teased.

She shook her head, and I followed her gaze to one of the banners across the street advertising a Christmas market.

“You want to go?” I asked, knowing how much she’d love something like that.

She shook her head but quickly said, “Yeah. But that’s not what I was looking at.”

I glanced a little higher and found an electronic sign with the word “Congratulations” written in huge letters. Below that was a woman—presumably, an author—proudly displaying the cover of her latest best-selling book.

I homed in on the book and blinked a few times. “Isn’t that your cover?”

She nodded. “I. Yeah.” Her face morphed into one of surprise. “Oh my god, I designed the cover for a best-selling book!” she squealed.

I picked her up in my arms and held her tight. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”

She squeezed me back, and my heart felt as if it would beat out of my chest and into hers. That’s what she did to me. She grounded me, gave me a sense of home. But she also made me feel as if I could fly. As if I could do anything.

When I lowered her back to the rink, time seemed to still. I placed my hands on her hips, unwilling to let her go. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers. It was a chaste kiss, but I felt the heat simmering beneath the surface all the same.

She groaned and turned away, resting her arms on the railing of the rink. I frowned at her back and took my place next to her.

“Did I do something wrong?”

She stared ahead, not meeting my eyes. “No,” she huffed. “You’re doing everything right, and that’s the problem.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” I furrowed my brows, trying to follow.

“You’re the perfect boyfriend.”

“Why do you sound disappointed?” I’d think that was a good thing.

“I just—” She sniffled. “You’re leaving soon, and this is too much.”

I clenched my fists, hyperaware of this woman and everything she did. I was screwing this all up. Before I could respond, someone came over the loudspeaker, asking everyone to clear the rink while they smoothed the ice. If only they could smooth over this rough patch in our friendship. Because if I wasn’t careful, I was going to fuck up the most important relationship in my life.

***

“So, Justin, how’s the job hunt going?” Mr. C asked.

“Good.” I swallowed around a bite of toffee, Brie’s latest discovery at the Christmas market.

After we’d finished skating, everyone had wanted to check out the market and walk around town before dinner.

“He accepted a job,” Brie said. “He’s moving to Colorado.”

Mrs. C’s eyes went wide as she turned to Brie. “Are you going too?”

“I—” She blinked a few times, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

“I’m hoping she will,” I said, completely serious. I’d hinted at it in the past, but this time, I wasn’t holding back.

Brie stalled, and Violet nearly collided with her on the street.

“I can’t—” Brie’s voice broke, a single tear streaking down her cheek. “I can’t do this anymore. It’s all too much.”

“What are you talking about? What’s going on, sweetie?” Mr. C asked, but she didn’t hear him.

She took off running, darting through the crowd, pushing her way through as she attempted to escape. Her family was talking over one another, trying to figure out what was going on.

“Brie!” I called after her, peering over the crowd as I tried to follow.

I knew where she was headed even without looking—her favorite spot in town, the huge Christmas tree they brought in every year. I jogged there, my breath puffing in the air as the sun dipped in the sky. She was facing the tree, her red coat like a beacon amid the sea of white lights and gold ornaments.

I slowed my pace, approaching her from behind, my heart lurching and racing ahead of me. She sniffled, and I clenched my fists. What have I done?

“Pocket.” My tone was gentle, coaxing, as I placed my hands on her shoulders and turned her to face me. “Tell me how to fix this.”

“Don’t you see?” she cried. “You can’t. You’re going to Colorado, and I’m—” She stopped and shook her head, hugging herself.

“You’re…?”

“I’m…” she huffed, “…nothing.”

I placed my finger beneath her chin, forcing her eyes to mine. “You’re everything.” I swallowed hard. “You mean everything to me.”

She jerked away from my touch. “There’s no one here to see us. You can stop pretending,” she spat.

“Brie.” I stepped closer, needing her to look at me, listen to me. “I’m not pretending. I haven’t been pretending. I’ve meant every word I said. It’s always you. It’s only ever been you.”

She sucked in a jagged breath. “What?”

I cupped her cheek, my heart galloping in my chest as I prepared to lay it all on the line. It was now or never. “I love you.”

She opened her mouth then closed it. Repeated the process a few times. “You…” She swallowed, eyes wide. “You love me.” I nodded, a smile teasing my lips. She shook her head, schooling her expression. “As a friend.”

“As a friend, yes. But I love you, as in, I’m crazy about you. I want to be with you. I’m in love with you.” She took a deep shuddering breath as if preparing for more. “And I can’t believe it took me this long to say it. It’s always been you.”

“But you’re moving.” That sparked a fresh wave of tears.

I took it as a good sign, though she still hadn’t said the words back. Hadn’t otherwise reacted to my proclamation. My heart was literally in her palm, and she was squeezing the life out of me with every second that passed.

“Well, there’s good news there,” I said, smiling. “You can come with me. In fact, I was hoping you would.”

“But my job, my family.”

“You’ve said it before—you can do your job anywhere. And your family can come visit anytime.”

“But… But…”

“Do you love me? As more than a friend,” I added. I couldn’t go another second without knowing.

“Yes.” She released the words into the air, and I felt my shoulders relax. “Yes,” she said more forcefully, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I love you. I love you so much.”

I slanted my mouth over hers, relief and excitement coursing through me. Kissing her felt like coming home. Like Christmas morning. Like everything I’d ever wanted.

“You’re…this is…crazy.” She laughed, her cheeks pink. “I’ve loved you for so long, and I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You better believe it, Pocket. This is happening,” I said. “We’re happening.”

I kissed her again, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight. She was mine. I was finally going to get my wish—she would be at my side, always.

“You’re awfully bossy, mister,” she teased when she pulled back, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

“You love it.” I pressed a kiss to her neck, her skin warm beneath my touch. She giggled, and my chest eased.

“You have no idea what I love.” Her sultry tone hinted at things I’d only ever fantasized about.

“And I can’t wait for you to show me.”

And there, in the center of town, next to the Christmas tree, we kissed. It was the best Christmas ever, and I had a feeling it was only the beginning. I couldn’t wait to give her the white Christmas she’d always dreamed of, the future she’d dreamed of, in our home, surrounded by our family.

Chapter Five: Brie

A few weeks later

I stared out the large window to the back deck, snow swirling in the air. The wind whistled outside, the fire crackled from beside me, and I was filled with a warm glow.

“Here you go,” Justin said, joining me. “One hot chocolate supreme with extra whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, accepting the mug gratefully.

We’d moved to Colorado a week ago and were still settling into the house, adjusting to the shift in our relationship. Though in many ways, it felt completely natural. We were us, but…more. I loved kissing and touching him, falling asleep with him, and just being with him. Though, we still hadn’t had sex, something I hoped to remedy soon.

And Justin had been right about the house—I loved it. The mountains rose up in the distance, their snowcapped peaks incredibly picturesque. And the house was a classic A-frame style with tons of natural light. The interior was made of light wood and my favorite thing besides the view was the hot tub outside. We had yet to use it, but I was excited about the prospect.

“So…” He placed a kiss on my cheek. “I was thinking maybe we could do something different tonight.”

“Like what?” I asked, taking a sip of my drink. It was a little bitter, a little sweet, and just the right temperature. My body hummed with delight.

“Well…like a date.”

“A date?” I scoffed, though I was touched. We’d somehow skipped straight from dating to living together, not that I was complaining. Living with Justin was a dream come true. I got to go to sleep and wake up beside my best friend in one of the most beautiful places I’d ever been. Already, the move had done wonders for my creativity. I loved my new office, and I’d never been prouder of my work. “We’re practically snowed in.”

He chuckled. “This—” He gestured wide in a sweeping motion that drew my eyes across the mounds of snow blanketing our backyard. “This is nothing to the locals.”

“I don’t know,” I hedged, though I was excited at the prospect of exploring. Just not in the dark, cold night, where we were more likely to drift off the road or meet a bear than find the local restaurant.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. “How about a dip in the hot tub, then?”

Steam rose out of the hot tub, the warm water bubbling invitingly. But it was still cold as crap out.

“It’s like…” I glanced at the thermometer mounted outside and squinted as the sun dipped behind the mountains. “Twenty degrees outside. Wait—make that nineteen.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure, Pocket?” Justin waggled his eyebrows.

“Where’s your sense of self-preservation? Um, hello, frostbite, anyone?”

He laughed, removing his shirt. Next to go were his shoes, which he kicked off before unbuckling his belt. My mouth went dry as he slid his jeans down his waist, along with his boxers. I’d seen him naked, but the sight never got old.

“Well, I’m going in.” He gave me a devilish grin, daring me to join him. It seemed like he was inviting me to do more than just join him in the hot tub.

The muscles of his back and ass flexed and clenched as he stood at the back door, bracing himself. Finally, he slid it open and dashed toward the warm water, letting out a whoop as he splashed into the tub. He grinned at me from the deck, crooking a finger in invitation.

I laughed, shaking my head from inside the house. He was crazy, but he was mine. And I loved him.

Never one to back down from a challenge, I decided to have a little fun with him. While he reclined against the hot tub, arms outstretched, hair slicked back, I slid my hands down my torso. I grabbed the hem of my shirt, drawing it up slowly, teasing him as I pulled it up over my head. I reached for the button of my pants, taking my time as I turned and pushed them over my hips with a little wiggle. Next to go was my bra, and I dropped it to the side, my back still to Justin. Then, my underwear, before I slowly turned to face him.

When I did, his eyes were molten lava, hotter than the hot tub and searing me with their intensity. I still didn’t relish the idea of stepping out onto the deck, but I had a feeling it would be worth it. I bounced on my toes then slid open the door and ran for the hot tub, squealing all the while.

“Holy shit. Holy shit,” I panted, trying not to slip while also speeding across the deck as fast as possible. “This is ridiculous.” I jumped in beside him, the water sizzling from how cold I was.

He smirked at me. “But you made it.”

“It better be worth it,” I muttered, my muscles still tense from the cold.

He inched closer, wading across the hot tub to stand before me. “I’ll make sure it is.” There was a dark promise in his words, and desire shot to my core.

“Is that so?” I arched an eyebrow, hoping maybe, finally, we’d have sex. Because I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out.

Yes, we’d been busy. There’d been the holidays and moving. But still…there was time. There was always time for sex. It felt as if we’d been dancing around it—teasing and torturing each other as if it were a competition.

“Pocket.” His voice rumbled over my skin, the effect more powerful than the warm jets pulsing against my back.

“Yes,” I sighed as he mapped my hips, my body with his hands. He’d barely touched me, and I was ready to explode. Between the cool mountain air on my face and the warm water and his caress—it was sensory overload. I didn’t know whether I was hot or cold, floating or falling. All I knew was that I needed him.

I wrapped my fingers around his length, gratified when he let out a tortured groan. He dotted kisses down my neck, over the tops of my breasts, and I no longer cared about the temperature outside. I thrust my breasts up, needing his mouth on them.

We were a blur of hands and lips, hot and cold. And as he worked me into a frenzy—sucking my nipples, teasing my clit with his finger—I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I need you,” I gripped his hips. “I want to feel you without anything between us.”

He already knew I was on birth control. And I knew neither of us had ever had sex without a condom. Even though we weren’t each other’s firsts, this was a first. One I couldn’t imagine sharing with anyone else.

“Fuck,” he groaned, resting his forehead against mine. “What are you doing to me?”

“Loving you,” I said, breathless.

His lips spread into a wide smile, and he cupped my cheeks, his kiss searing. I wrapped my legs around him, his erection sliding against my center. Hells yes.

“Need you,” I panted when he continued to torture me. “Inside me.”

He lined up his tip with my entrance, dragging himself through my folds.

“Justin!” I let out a strangled cry, gripping him tighter with my legs.

“Good things come to those who wait.” His smile was smug.

“I think we’ve waited long enough. It’s been a decade.”

His expression softened, and with that, he stopped teasing and slid inside me. “I love you snow much.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, despite the pleasure coursing through me. “Oh my god. You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love me.” He grinned.

“Yes.” I leaned my forehead to his. “I’m snow in love with you too.”

And as we made love beneath the shadow of the mountains, I knew I was home. I was exactly where I belonged.