Page 59 of Merry with Me

“Yep.”

“And what did he say?”

“He asked if there was something going on between us.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That it was complicated.” There’s humor in her tone.

I sigh. “So, he hates me?”

“No. He loves me. There’s a difference.”

“He’s going to tell your dad.”

“Dad’s already called me. He could tell at the tree lighting on Friday that we were more than just coworkers. But yeah, he’s going to call my dad and the rest of my uncles, and I’m certain Aunt Palmer is already talking to my mom and the rest of my aunts.”

“So, should I expect a call, a visit maybe?” I ask.

“Nope. I told him it is my life. I reminded him that he and my mother, hell, our entire family raised me to know my worth, and that I know what I’m doing.”

“Good girl,” I praise. I don’t know why, but knowing she’s not hiding us, well, that turns me on just as much as her writhing in my lap.

“My family is close, and they’re just not used to seeing me with a guy. I’ve been very selective about who I spend my time with.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” She lifts her head to stare at me, even though the room is dark and we only have the glow of the moon for light.

“For letting me make the cut.”

Her head falls back in laughter, and I love the sound. It soothes something inside me unlike anything else ever has.

She eventually quiets down, and I hug her to my chest. “Good night, baby.”

“Good night.”

It doesn’t take long for her breathing to even out, and as I’m drifting off to sleep with her in my arms, I wait for the fear to hit me. I’m spending the night with a woman after swearing off relationships.

I never saw her coming.

Blakely Kincaid is turning my world upside down.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Blakely

I’m light on my feet as I make my way to his front door. It’s Saturday morning, and I have Christmas shopping to do. I cheated and asked Oliver if he wanted to hang out today. I didn’t tell him what I had planned, just that we’d make a day of it. He agreed, and the devil on my shoulder laughed that I was tricking him.

I knock on the door, barely containing my excitement. Oliver answers with a welcoming smile, inviting me in. “Have you had breakfast? I just made a bagel.”

“I had some fruit and yogurt, but thank you.” I take off my coat and toss it over the back of the couch. We won’t be here long. “Are you ready for today?”

He quirks a brow. “What are we doing?” he asks cautiously. “I thought we were just spending the day together.”

I spill the beans. “Oh, we are, but we’re going shopping.”