Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(52)

Madeline looked at him. “Give me one second.”

She hurried into the room that held the bridesmaids’ dresses, then returned with a straight-back chair. She set it next to the other woman.

“Hang on to this. I don’t want you falling.”

“You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

Madeline smiled at her, then turned to him. “My office?” she asked.

He followed her down the hallway. They stepped into her office. He closed the door and faced her, even as he realized he had no idea what he was going to say. Not that it mattered because, at that moment, speaking was highly overrated.

He put the roses on her desk and pulled her close, then kissed her. He was relieved when her arms came around him and she hung on as if she had no plans to let go. His mouth settled on hers and he felt the familiar heat and desire pouring through him.

There was something about being with Madeline, he thought, his blood pooling in his groin and his mind shifting from why he was here to what they could do on her desk. Some sexy combination of how she turned him on and how he liked being with her, regardless of what they were doing.

But this was her office and she had a client waiting, so he reluctantly drew back.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, her blue eyes searching his face. “For what happened this morning.”

“You freaked,” he murmured, remembering her text.

“Yes. I woke up and we were naked and I didn’t know what to think. Being with you was great.” She bit her lower lip. “But confusing.”

Because she’d been scared, he thought, her actions suddenly clear. They were friends and she was helping him with his sister’s wedding. But there hadn’t been any definition of what they meant to each other. They weren’t dating, so this wasn’t the next logical step.

“I’m not seeing anyone else,” he told her firmly. “I’d like to be seeing you.”

Her mouth curved into a smile and color stained her cheeks. She looked at him as if he’d just defeated an entire galaxy of invaders.

“Really?”

He kissed her again. “Yes, really.”

“I’d like that, too,” she whispered.

His chest tightened a little. It had been a long time since having someone want to be with him had mattered. Since he’d cared this much. He liked knowing that part of his heart wasn’t completely dead.

“I brought you roses,” he said, motioning to the flowers. “I went traditional.”

She picked them up and breathed in the scent. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” Her expression turned wistful. “I’d love to talk but I have to get these in water and I have a client.”

“I know. I’ll see you later?”

“Yes, please.”

He started for the door, then turned back. “We’re dating. Exclusively.”

The smile returned. “I got that.”

“I’m confirming. I don’t want some tourist coming in here and sweeping you off your feet.”

“I don’t get a lot single guys coming into the store.”

“That’s not the only reason I worry.”

She sighed. “You make it very hard to resist you.”

“Good.”

He walked out of Paper Moon. The sun was out, the snow a brilliant white. Everywhere he looked, there were Christmas decorations and happy people. Some called out greetings. He returned them with an easy smile. Today was going to be a great day.

* * *

Madeline raised her glass of iced tea. “We salute you,” she said with a laugh.

Noelle giggled as everyone toasted her victory in the annual holiday window display contest. “We really worked it,” she admitted. “Gabriel and I have been planning the windows since August. Josh gave me a run but we hung on.”

Every year the businesses in town competed for the best holiday decorations. Well, not all the businesses. Madeline and Isabel had discussed joining the competition, but then had agreed neither of them were all that interested. Noelle and Josh were locked in a fierce competition and getting between those two would require way too much effort.

Instead, Paper Moon went for quiet, seasonal lighting and a couple of glittery snowflakes. Their customers seemed happy, the season was celebrated and no one was caught in the competition crossfire.

Bailey put down her glass. “I had no idea you were so competitive. It doesn’t show at all.”

Noelle sighed. “I’m not usually. There’s just something about the window display contest that gets me going. Maybe because it’s only at Christmas and I have the Christmas store in town.”

Taryn looked at her. “I think you’re hiding a killer instinct. You need to channel it into something safe or we’ll all be in trouble.” She raised her eyebrows. “I know. Isabel is having triplets. You could compete with that.”

Noelle winced and held up both hands. “No, thank you. I surrender. Isabel wins. One at a time is plenty for me.”

Isabel touched her rapidly growing belly. “I’m not sure this is a victory so much as an endurance sport. I’m torn between counting the days until I’m no longer pregnant and terrified of what life is going to be like with triplets.”

Madeline knew that Isabel’s mother and mother-in-law would be there 24/7, if that was what she and her husband wanted, but she also understood her friend’s dilemma. Three babies at the same time? When was she supposed to sleep?