Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
LIAM
Liam woke the next morning to find Cassidy’s side of the bed empty, but he still had a smile on his face.
If anything could make him believe in the magic of Christmas again, it was the look on her face when she’d finally come undone. The memory twitched through his body, heat rising as the images replayed in minute, vivid detail.
He found her downstairs, the radio on, soft Christmas music filling the space. Liam paused at the entrance to the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, just watching her as she sang about it being cold outside and how she really can’t stay.
Cassidy sang, unaware she had an audience, while Liam continued to hum under his breath and watch.
Cassidy wore an apron patterned with little Christmas trees, tied snugly at her waist, her hair twisted into a messy knot. She swayed her hips while whisking chocolate in a large metal bowl tucked beneath one arm. The picture of holiday domestic bliss, and yet he found it completely erotic.
He leaned against the doorway and took a second to memorize the scene. Because all he wanted was to come up behind her, slide his hands around her waist, and whisper everything he planned to do to her if they didn’t have a day full of responsibilities waiting.
He cleared his throat and walked forward. “If you keep swaying your hips like that, Sugarplum, I’m going to forget all about work.”
She smiled over her shoulder. “You think you can distract me that easily?”
Liam stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I know I can.”
She arched a brow. “You clearly underestimate how seriously I take today. There are display lights to test, chocolates to prep, and exactly zero time for your very distracting mouth,” she teased, handing him a mug. “Now sit, drink your coffee, and no distractions. I have cocoa to mix up.”
“Is that so?” he asked, watching her work.
“It is. I’m testing out flavors for my cocoa Advent calendar,” she said, pulling out a Mason jar labeled “Cinnamon Swirl” and setting it next to “Peppermint Bark” and “French Lavender.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You made all of those?”
She nodded, a little proudly. “From scratch.”
He leaned on the counter, sipping slowly. “What else you got?”
She pointed to the jars as she lined them up. “White Chocolate Snowfall, Gingerbread Spice, and Black Forest Gateau. Kit swears it tastes like chocolate-covered cherries.”
Liam took another sip of his coffee, eyes still on her. “You know, most people would’ve just stuck with regular cocoa.”
“Most people don’t care as much as I do,” she said lightly, but there was something deeper in her voice. She opened the lid of the Gingerbread Spice and inhaled deeply before spooning a bit into a mug.
“You trying to win over the competition or the entire town?”
She shrugged, pouring milk into a saucepan. “Both. Is that so wrong?”
“Not at all.” He stepped behind her and kissed her cheek. “Just don’t forget to save some of that care for yourself.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“You’re putting all this magic into other people’s cups,” he said. “Make sure there’s still some left for you.”
“Maybe I’ll make my own, call it Cassidy’s Secret Blend.”
“Sounds delicious.”
She smirked. “Oh, it will be. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you try it on my light-up night.”
He leaned back and grinned. “I’ll bring the whipped cream.”