CHAPTER 10
MORGAN
I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a good Christmas Eve. I know the only reason this is one to be remembered is because of Walker. I can’t help but smile when I look down at myself and see flour on my apron. When baking is involved, can anything really be bad?
We’ve been making cookies for a little while now and it’s been far more fun than doing it alone or with Mom. Walker is a good cook, but he’s not a great baker. It’s a little funny because he’s great at following directions, but not a baking recipe. It makes no sense.
I’m sure he would have burnt every single cookie if I weren’t here at his side. Then again, without me he wouldn’t be making cookies at all, I’m sure.
I feel him looking at me and glancing in his direction before freezing. The way his eyes roam over my face makes a blush start to rise on my cheeks. It’s amazing what one look can do to me.
There’s an innocent vulnerability in my voice, “What?”
“You’ve made this Christmas really special for me,” his voice is thick with emotion. “Thank you.”
The smile I give him is wide and his eyes sparkle in response. Or maybe they’re just reflecting the lights on the Christmas tree. I wanted to help him find a little holiday spirit and it worked.
“There’s no reason for you to thank me,” I insist. “Seeing you find a love for the holidays again has made this year my favorite so far.”
He teases me, “Are you sure it’s not the orgasms?”
“Well,” I hold the word out and tap my chin like I’m considering it, “maybe.”
The next thing I know, I’m being hauled up against the hard planes of his chest and his lips are on mine. This kiss is playful, but there’s still a punishing edge to it which has me moaning into his mouth and melting against him. He holds me steady, something he always seems to manage to do.
I’m breathless and dizzy by the time he lets go of me. Clutching the counter is required or else I’m pretty sure I’ll float away, never to be seen or heard from again.
I bite my lip, a little nervous about what I’m about to ask, but I’ve put it off as long as I can. Literally. It’s Christmas Eve and normally I would be over at my parent’s house making these cookies.
Mom had gotten suspicious because I haven’t been spending nearly as much time over at her place as I normally do during the holidays. I, finally, admitted to her that I’ve been seeing someone. She’s like a damn bloodhound when she thinks there’s something I’m not sharing with her. Normally it doesn’t bother me, but this thing with Walker is new and I didn’t want to jinx anything.
A few days ago, when Cove and Langston arrived in town, I knew I couldn’t put off going over there any longer. It was amazing to see Cove and meeting Langston was strange. I’ve listened to his music for years and saw his fall from grace play out in in the news, but he’s not what I expected at all.
Sure, he’s famous and a rock star, but he’s also just a guy. A guy who is clearly head over heels in love with my little sister.
Cove glows from the inside. Being in love suits her.
I found myself wondering if I was glowing the same way she does now. My curiosity was asswaged the moment I was pulled into the kitchen by Cove and Mom. They looked at me expectantly.
I tried to brush off their obvious curiosity by keeping my voice neutral as I gave them a bewildered look, “What?”
Cove giggled and shook her head while arching an eyebrow my way. Mom let out an exaggerated huff and plopped both of her hands on her hips. “Spill,” Mom’s command left very little room for argument.
“Um,” I shrugged and tried to put the spotlight on Cove by teasing her, “you’re looking amazing Cove. It seems Denver agrees with you.”
She pointed a finger at me and narrowed her eyes before calling me out, “Nice try, big sister. I’m not the only one who seems to have life agreeing with them right now. You’re practically sparkling, and it has nothing to do with the holidays. Mom’s right—spill.”
I sighed and admitted, “I’ve been seeing a guy. It’s still new which is why I didn’t mention it.”
Mom gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth while her eyes got all watery. It was so over the top and dramatic.
I pursed my lips and shot her an unimpressed look before snarking, “What? Surprised that I’ve found someone?”
“Well, it’s about damn time,” Mom snarked right back, but there was only amusement dancing in her eyes. “You’ll bring him by for Christmas,” she decreed.
I was able to put off going into detail, but I did reluctantly agree to ask him to the family home for Christmas. And since then, I’ve been putting it off. All because of Jared.
He’s been distant since I’ve started seeing Walker. He hasn’t said anything to me directly, but his displeasure with the situation might as well be a giant neon sign.
“What are you thinking about?” Walker’s question pulls me back into the here and now.
I almost breathe a sigh of relief when the oven timer goes off and I have something to do while I blurt, “I’ll be going to my parent’s house tomorrow for Christmas. Since we aren’t kids anymore, they don’t get up super early, but they do expect everyone to get there midday. We exchange presents and then have dinner.” I glance at him and he’s studying me closely. I try, and fail, to keep the hope out of my voice, “I was curious if you’d come with me?”
The way Walker’s jaw clenches has my heart sinking. He doesn’t want to go with me.
What I don’t understand is why. Is this just something we have in private? Like I’m some sort of secret?
The thought is gut wrenching, and I turn away from him and busy myself with getting the cookies on the cooling rack. Before I can get too lost in thought, Walker’s arms wrap around me, and he pulls me back toward him until his strong chest is pressed up against me.
“Treasure,” he murmurs softly, “are you sure you want me there?”
“If you don’t want to go, it’s fine. I just know you’re off tomorrow and I thought it would be nice. It’s not a big deal. Really,” the words sound hollow and false, even to my ears.
“I want to go with you,” he admits.
I whirl around and look up at him as a mixture of annoyance and curiosity swirls in my gut. “Then why do you look so wary about it?” I narrow my eyes. “I would have thought you would jump at the chance. You’re the one who has been pushing for us to spend all this time together. Unless one of us is at work, which isn’t a thing for me right now, we’re together. But it’s always here.” I let my fear fall from my lips, “Is this some kind of secret thing?”
“No,” Walker barks. His large hands come up and cup my face, his eyes are earnest and filled with fear and hesitance. “It’s nothing like that, Morgan. I promise.”
I push, “Then what is it?”
Walker’s shoulders slump slightly, but he doesn’t let go of me. His dark eyes search mine for a moment before he kisses my forehead. I’m a damn sucker for his forehead kisses and he knows it.
“Don’t try and make me melt with your sweetness right now, Walker.”
He chuckles, the sound making goosebumps pop up all over my body. There’s something about his laugh that I find intoxicating. He knows it too, the jerk.
“Jared has confronted me more than once about us,” Walker admits, his voice quiet and reserved. He eyes me, a wariness in his gaze which has me wishing I had never asked.
My heart sinks. Of course Jared went straight to Walker with his threats and bullshit. I should have known, but he never mentioned it; neither one of them mentioned it.
Honestly, I thought Jared decided I’m a grown adult and could make my own decisions. I figured he was just having a hard time reconciling his need to protect me and my ability to make my own decisions and being in a relationship.
“I told him to fuck off every time he’s started with his bullshit,” Walker’s voice is like steel.
I’m shocked; my mouth falls open and my eyes widen with Walker’s admission. Every guy Jared has warned away from me listened to him and took it. It didn’t matter how old I was or who the guy was. Jared was able to intimidate them every time.
When I was younger, I wrote it off. Of course they would be intimidated by my older brother threatening them. After he came back after serving, I figured it was better to find out the guy wasn’t worth my time because he was willing to back down and not see me just because my brother said so. I had resigned myself to that.
But having someone stand up to him?
My pussy clenches around nothing and I desperately want to show Walker how much I appreciate him.
“You did?” The question comes out as a squeak.
Walker’s eyes soften and he nods slowly. “Of course I did, Treasure. You’re mine and I’m yours. Jared will get over it eventually. That’s not on me or you, it’s all him.”
I melt into his chest and fall even deeper in love with this man. Since he’s come into my life, I’ve thanked the stars, or fate, or magic, for the way he found his way to me.
I love you.
It’s right there, on the tip of my tongue. The need to let those words escape makes me feel like I’m drowning a little bit. I’ve been holding them back, trying to convince myself it’s too soon.
But is it?
Nothing is guaranteed in this life, least of all tomorrow. Does it matter how soon you know? Love shouldn’t be contained and there’s no ‘right’ timetable when you just know what is in your heart.
“I don’t want to ruin your Christmas or make a scene in front of your parents if Jared tries his bullshit in front of them. I won’t stand for it,” he growls dangerously.
“I get it,” my words are dripping with disappointment. I try not to pout, I really do, but it’s impossible not to.
I want him there. I’ve never taken someone home with me to meet my parents. And Cove and Langston will be there. I want him to meet them too. This man deserves to be pulled into the warmth of family; he’s already lost so much, and this is something I can give him.
Walker searches my face for a moment before a soft smile curls his lips. “If you want me there, Morgan, then I’ll be there. Just know I’ll shut Jared down if he starts being an ass. I respect him as a fellow officer and your brother, but I won’t let him get in our way. I can’t.” His expression is earnest and makes my chest ache. “I love you, my Treasure. I’ll never let anything stand in our way.”
Air wooshes from my body in a gust and I sag against him. His hands glide down my shoulders and back until I’m wrapped up in him completely. I feel safe. I feel secure.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more.
“I love you, Walker,” I murmur against his chest, the words muffled and I’m not sure if he’ll be able to hear them.
The way he stiffens and then relaxes tells me he had no problem hearing the words straight from my heart. “That’s good,” he growls, “because I wasn’t going to give you much of a choice. If you weren’t in love with me yet, it was simply a matter of time.”
I laugh at his caveman antics. While I should tell him he’s being ridiculous, I don’t. The only thing I’m capable of is snuggling against him and soaking up the moment.
I love him.
He loves me.
We’ll be celebrating Christmas together. I know it’s going to be the first of many; I can’t wait.