Chapter Nine
It was already dark when they approached Crawford Square where the warm glow of the Garden of Lights waited to guide everyone through the winter trail. Hunter had taken her hand as he’d helped her from his truck, and he kept her close to him.
He hadn’t kissed her when he’d picked her up. She did get a big smile, though, and it was probably for the best. It was debatable whether she would’ve survived another smooching session with Hunter Grant. Her body had been humming since this morning.
Her heart aching, Willow swallowed against the lump in her throat. Crying would have to wait until she was the plane on Sunday. Tonight, she was still engaged to a handsome, sexy cowboy who made her feel like the prettiest girl in town.
“Wow, this is impressive,” Hunter said as they wandered through the multicolored display of lights.
“We can’t complete with a big city like Denver, but I like it.”
“I haven’t been home for Christmas in a long time, but the Zoo in Denver is usually lit up over Christmas and has been for the last thirty years.
Denver Botanical Garden also has what they call the Blossoms of Lights.
You can walk along a mile-long path through luminous displays that highlight plant collections.
There are several other lights displays around the city this time of year. ”
“You miss Colorado?”
He nodded. “I do. I grew up there, my family is there.”
“Family is important.”
As they continued their walk, her tummy growled.
Laughing, Hunter stopped. “Is that a cry for food?”
Smiling, she put a hand on her abdomen. “It is. I worked all day, I haven’t eaten.”
Frowning, he put an arm around her. “You can’t just work and not eat, you know that?”
“I know. It’s just when inspiration strikes like it did today, I forget about everything else around me.”
“I thought you’d finished. May I see it?”
“Nope,” she said as she spotted her mother with her brothers and their wives. “Let’s say hi to the family before we leave for dinner.”
As they approached the small group of people, her mother noticed them.
“Willow, Hunter,” her mom called out, “I’m so happy to see you here! I thought you couldn’t make it.”
“I persuaded her to come,” said Hunter. “She’s been working all day.”
Her sisters-in-law and Cooper greeted both Willow and Hunter, but Becket and Hayden just grunted.
“I thought you’d finished?” her mom asked.
“This one isn’t for the exhibition. Oh, this is so pretty,” she said, pointing toward the lights, hoping to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere. “Hunter has just been telling me about Denver’s festivities over Christmas.”
Fortunately, her mom was distracted and had questions for Hunter.
Willow pulled her hand from Hunter’s and moved closer to Hayden and Becket. “Seriously, you two, this isn’t funny anymore,” she said under her breath. “Stop being so rude to Hunter. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Turning to her sisters-in-law, she smiled. “Anyway, we’re leaving. We’re having dinner at the Graff. You’re welcome to join us if you can get your husbands to behave.” And smiling brightly at everyone, she grabbed Hunter’s arm and pulled him away.
“Sorry about that,” she said as they walked to his truck.
“I get it. They’re worried about you.”
“I’m a big girl; I can look after myself.”
“You’re a perfect girl.” He helped her inside. His smile slipped. “Damn, Willow …” Leaning forward he kissed her. Deeply, thoroughly, desperately. By the time he lifted his head, they were both out of breath.
Her tummy grumbled.
Laughing, he dropped his forehead against hers. “This is why I didn’t kiss you when I picked you up. I don’t think I would’ve been able to leave. Come, on, let me feed you.”
As he walked around his truck, she closed her eyes. How she was ever going to live without this guy, she had no idea, after tonight, she only had one more date with him.
*
It was late by the time Hunter parked his truck in front of Willow’s house.
The brothers and her mom had joined them at the Graff, as well the O’Sullivan’s and Mitch Miller and his family.
Fortunately, Mitch, Aiden, and Craig had kept the conversation going and he could ignore Hayden and Becket’s frowns.
Cooper had smiled and answered when spoken to, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off of Hunter all night.
As he helped Willow from his truck, she touched his arm. “Thank you for not slugging my brothers. Another two days and this will all be over.”
“While we’re on the topic,” he said as they walked toward her door. “I’ll take you to the airport on Sunday …”
As she opened the front door, she shook her head. “Please don’t. It’s going to be difficult enough as it is to say goodbye.” She entered her home before turning to him. “I still have to work tonight, but thanks for taking me.”
So, she wasn’t going to invite him in.
Without touching her, he leaned forward. “I need another kiss, please?”
“Not a good idea.”
“Just one kiss.” His lips hovered over hers, waiting for permission.
Groaning, she grabbed his shirt, lifted herself on her toes. “With you it’s never just one kiss.”
As their lips met, he swallowed her soft sigh. He hadn’t intended to touch her, but when her arms slipped around him, he pulled her close, his desire throbbing painfully against her body. Within seconds, his blood had reached boiling point, his last hold on any control he had, was slipping fast.
Gulping in a deep breath, he lifted his head. “Damn, Willow, I ache for you.” Slipping his hands below the soft pink top that had been driving him wild all night, he cupped her breasts and watched her eyes dilate.
Shuddering with need, he brushed her cheek with his lips. “See you tomorrow night.”
Before she could say anything, he was walking back to his truck. This time he didn’t look back.
A fake engagement. Fake. Pretend. Phony. All of the above. Just not real. He should remember that.
So why did it feel so good to be with her. So real? So right?
*
Hours later, Willow lay staring at the ceiling in her bedroom.
She’d put the final finishing touches on the painting, hoping it would cure the restlessness inside her.
When that hadn’t succeeded, she’d had a long bath and had tried to read from Persuasion, hoping that would help, but no.
Her mind was racing around, Hunter’s scent still all around her, despite the long bath.
Her phone rang. Who would phone this time of night? It wasn’t any of her family members, she’d have known if something was wrong. Sitting up, she switched on the bed light and picked up her phone. Her heart skipped a beat. It was Hunter. On a video call.
Looking down at herself, she chuckled. If he’d been hoping to see her in something sexy, he’d be disappointed. She loved her flannel pajamas.
Inhaling deeply, she pressed the button and the next moment her screen was filled with Hunter’s face. He was frowning. “Anything wrong?” Oh, my goodness, she sounded more call girl than fake fiancé.
“Yes,” he said.
“What?”
“I can’t sleep. And if you’ve picked up your phone, it means you’re not sleeping either.”
Smiling, she laid back against the pillows. “I still had work to do.”
“So, you’ve only just gotten into bed?”
“No, I’ve been reading for a bit.”
“What are you reading?”
“Jane Austen’s Persuasion.”
“I quite liked that one.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You’ve read Persuasion?”
“I love reading the classics. Henry James is my favorite. What is your take on Persuasion?”
“Really? You want to talk about Persuasion”—she checked her watch—“after midnight on a Friday night?”
“I love watching you. I love listening to your voice.”
And just like that her body was humming. “Hunter …”
“Tell me.”
Chewing her lip, she tried to remember what they’d talked about in the book club. “In the book club we talked about the timing of Captain Wentworth and Anne’s feelings for each other. The second time round, they are both in better positions to give love another chance.”
“You drive me wild when you chew your lip like that.”
As her breath got stuck somewhere in her throat, her body was on fire. Just the guttural sound of his voice was enough to render her incapable of rational thought.
“Hunter …”
“You know what I’d do if I was with you?” His voice had dropped even lower.
Incapable of speech, she shook her head.
“I’d open the buttons of that damn flannel top you’re wearing. One by one.”
Her body humming, she opened the top button. “Like this?”
His eyes fixed on her hands, he nodded.
She unbuttoned the following one. The only sound was his uneven breathing. Or was it hers? When she undone them all, she stopped.
“Show me?” His voice was a mere whisper.
Turned on by his words, she opened the sides of her top. “I … I …” Oh, my word, she’d so very nearly told him she loved him. As he inhaled sharply, she quickly closed the sides of the top again.
“Why did you do that?” he called out.
“Because I have to sleep. I need to get up early to pack, I haven’t done anything yet. Think you can go to sleep now?”
“Maybe after a cold shower or ten.”
“Bye.” She quickly ended the call.
Her whole body was on fire, the desire to be with him so strong and powerful, she doubted she’d be able to sleep. Dropping her head in her hands, she replayed the previous few minutes.
She’d nearly forgotten she couldn’t tell him how she felt about him. The words I love you had very nearly slipped out.
Throwing off the covers, she jumped up. A cold shower sounded like a very good idea.