Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
CAROLINA
I enjoyed the text exchange with Oliver this morning. I don't know why I sent him the picture of me in my Christmas pajamas. I thought he and Joey would appreciate it.
I made myself breakfast and sent holiday greetings to my dad, sister, and mom. I ate a late lunch at Mom's house with her and Harold. He was nice to her, and that's all I could really ask for. She seemed happy. I gave her my gift of a weekend stay at a local B and B, and she gave me a gorgeous throw blanket for my bed that I'd wanted. Then I left them to enjoy the rest of their day.
I cooked a smaller version of what I would usually prepare for the holiday. I still had a present for Ginny. But she was at her boyfriends' family's house again. I thought I'd feel lonely, but I didn't, not in the way I expected.
I felt okay letting Ginny and Mom do their thing. We didn't have to carry on our traditions. We were free to make new ones with the people in our lives. I felt a little sad now that I was home alone listening to holiday music and watching the lights flicker on my tree. I couldn't help but think it would have been better with Oliver and Joey to share the evening .
I picked up my phone and did what I'd wanted to do the last two days. My heart rate increased as my fingers flew over the keyboard.
Carolina: I made a mistake when I left Colorado, not telling you how I felt.
I waited for a response, but when there was none, I continued before I could chicken out.
Carolina: Here it goes. I love you. I want to see if we can be more than just a fling.
I hit Send before I could second guess myself. Then I reread the messages until I felt sick. He hadn't responded. Was he thinking of a way to let me down easily?
I shouldn't have said anything via text. I should have asked for him to call me when he was free. What if Joey read the message first?
When there was a knock at the door at eight, I assumed it was Ginny coming to exchange presents. She hadn't said she was coming over, but she probably wouldn't feel the need to knock since she used to live here.
I opened the door, delighted to see snow falling. But instead of Ginny, it was Oliver holding a sleepy Joey.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as he stepped inside, and I closed the door.
"We wanted to talk to you." Oliver gently laid Joey down on the couch among the blankets I'd just discarded.
"Did you tell her yet?" Joey mumbled.
Oliver chuckled. "Not yet. Give me a minute."
"I don't understand." He couldn't have seen my message before he left Colorado. Unless he read them in the car on the way here from the airport.
Oliver crossed the room, touching my cheek, his eyes roaming my face as if he was trying to memorize it. "I made a big mistake letting you leave without telling you how I felt."
My heart surged.
He dipped his head slightly. "I love you, Carolina, and I'd really like?—
"We'd," Joey said from the couch, where his eyes were open.
I smiled as Oliver shook his head. "Yes, thank you, Joey. We'd like to ask you if you want to see more of us."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "Did you see my text message?"
Oliver's forehead creased. "No. What was it about?"
My eyes filled with tears. I couldn't believe that Oliver and Joey were in my living room. "It was the same sentiment. I wanted to tell you that I made a huge mistake in leaving without telling you how I felt.”
Oliver let out a breath. "I was worried about coming all this way, and then?—"
"Me not feeling the same way?" I added softly.
His eyes were suspiciously shiny. "But everyone said I had to take a chance and let you know what I was thinking.”
I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my body against his. "I accept. I want to spend more time with you and Joey."
Joey whooped from his spot on the couch.
Oliver closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine. "You have no idea how happy you've made me."
"And me," Joey said, untangling himself from the tangle of blankets and joining us in a group hug.
Oliver leaned over and picked him up. "I hope you don't mind letting us stay here for the night."
I clasped my hands together. "I'm so excited to have house guests. I baked a small turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes. "
Oliver raised a brow. "I thought you weren't cooking this year?"
I shrugged. "I couldn't help myself."
"Do you have cookies and hot chocolate?" Joey asked.
"I do, actually." I led the way into my kitchen.
"I thought you weren't going to do a big Christmas this year." Oliver gestured at the platter of cookies covered with a cake lid.
"This is my version of a small Christmas."
Oliver lifted the lid, and Joey leaned over to grab a cookie.
Oliver shook his head. "I'm a little scared to see what your big Christmas is."
"Stick around. Maybe you'll find out," I teased as I heated more milk for hot chocolate.
Oliver's gaze heated. "I plan to do that."
Joey reached for a second cookie. "I'm gonna stick around too. I like your cookies."
I laughed. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
We sat down in front of the TV to watch a movie, and Joey was out in seconds. I helped Oliver get him settled in the guest room, the one that used to be Ginny's.
When we returned to the couch, Oliver pulled me into his arms. "I've been wanting to do that since we got here."
"You were being careful of Joey."
"He knows we want to date, and he knows what that means. As much as any six-year-old can."
"He's okay with it?"
"He missed you. He wants to spend more time with you." Oliver sighed, and I lifted my head so I could see his face. "I know this is unexpected, and there were rules."
"Rules are meant to be broken," I said quietly.
"Are you sure you're okay with this? You live in Maine. I live in Colorado."
"How were you thinking it would work?" I asked him .
His brow furrowed. "I could move here and do my work remotely."
"I couldn't ask you to do that. Your family's in Colorado. It's what Joey's used to."
"I love that you're thinking of him. It's one of the things that I love about you. The other possibility is that you make Telluride your home base. I know you travel a lot?—"
"I love that idea. It's what I was thinking too. I can find a place to rent for a while."
"You can stay in one of the family condos at the lodge until we decide to move in together. I want to ease Joey into this."
"That sounds good." I was filled with warmth knowing that we were moving forward.
Oliver tipped his head to the side. "Are you sure you don't mind moving?"
"I was planning on selling this place anyway. I bought it thinking I'd live here with Ginny, but without her, it doesn't make sense for me anymore. I wasn't sure where I was going to make my home base. But I hoped it would be with you."
"We're here for a few days. Then I was hoping you'd come back to Telluride."
"Let me get this house ready for sale. Then I can join you. My work can be done from anywhere, and I've been planning to hire someone to assist me in the New Year."
"That's fantastic."
"The business is doing well, and if Ginny doesn't want to work with me, I know I'll find the perfect fit."
Oliver leaned forward, touching my chin. "Can I kiss you now?"
"Yes, please," I murmured just before his lips met mine. It felt like we'd been apart for a long time and we were coming home to each other.
He cupped the back of my head, sending tingles down my spine. It was like every touch, every kiss was new. We were finding each other all over again, and I never wanted to let him go.
He pulled back. "As nice as this room is, I think we need some privacy just in case Joey gets up in the middle of the night. It's a new house for him."
I stood and held my hand out to him. It felt good to have him here in this space. As much as I couldn't wait to get back to Telluride, I wanted to share my life here with him first.
Oliver shut the door to my room softly. Oliver almost looked out of place in my soft, feminine bedroom.
He cupped my cheeks. "You're so beautiful; you make my heart ache."
My eyes glimmered with tears. "You are too."
"I was scared you'd send me away."
I touched his wrists. "I could never send you and Joey away."
"I know that now." Then he kissed me, backing me up until the back of my knees hit the bed.
I tumbled onto the comforter, and he followed me down, covering my body with his. I loved that his weight pressed me into the mattress, and his hands roamed my body, down my side to my hip, then to my ass, where he squeezed one globe.
I moaned into his mouth, and things got a little wild after that.
We ripped off each other's clothes, desperate to be skin to skin. When his cock nudged my entrance, I widened my legs for him and tipped my hips so that he slid easily inside.
"You feel so good."
"Amazing," I murmured. Nothing had ever felt better. This time was more intense because we'd been open about our love for each other. Our coming together was another declaration of our love.
He slid in, then pulled out, slowly building the need inside of me. He murmured “I love you” and told me repeatedly how beautiful I was until I felt absolutely cherished .
I wanted to stay in his arms forever. He'd changed my life, made me see things differently, and for that I'd always be grateful. He'd even given me another family in Joey and the rest of the Wildes. I hadn't met them all, but I knew I'd love them too.
When we crested together, he held me until the tremors eased.
"I'm so glad you’re here," I said to him, still not quite believing he was here with me in my bedroom in Maine.
"My family convinced me I needed to tell you how I felt. But I was scared. When I told Joey, he was immediately on board with the plan, even though his favorite uncle was in town."
I didn't blame him for being hesitant, not when I'd had some of the same thoughts. "It's scary putting yourself out there. Especially when you've never done it before."
Oliver sat up on one elbow so he could see my face. "That's just it. I wasn't myself when I was around Tina. I didn't share things with her. I can be vulnerable with you. I can be myself, and you love me for it."
"Yes." I smiled. The love in my heart was almost overwhelming. I'd shut myself off for so long; it was like the faucet had finally been turned on, and the love was pouring out of me.
Oliver's jaw tightened. "I'm not going anywhere without you."
I laughed softly. "You might need to until I get this house ready to sell."
"We'll have to help you, because I want you on our flight going home in a few days."
I smiled at his eagerness. "I think we can manage that."
"We'll ship your things to Telluride. Including your car. You'll have everything you need."
"You're all I need," I said .
He gazed down at me with so much love in his eyes. "That's what I like to hear."
"As long as I'm with you," I murmured.
"I don't want to spend any more nights without you."
"Now we never have to be apart. Or at least not for long." I still planned to travel here and there. It was in my blood, but maybe I could convince Oliver and Joey to come with me.
Oliver gathered me to him. "Thank you for loving me."
"I could say the same thing about you." I was eager to spend more time with Oliver and Joey as a family and make new traditions.