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I whimpered again. Dammit.
He grinned and I knew then he’d heard the sound. “I'd love to uncover more of them.” Before I could respond, he continued. “I've missed you.”
I raised my eyebrow even higher, this time because I was a little miffed. “I've been around.”
“I haven't. Just got back on Tuesday. Fargo.”
I cringed. Not that I had anything against the lovely city of Fargo, North Dakota, but if there was one place on earth colder than Bozeman, Montana, it would be Fargo. In December, Christmas lights only went so far to distract you from having your ass frozen off.
“Why?” I asked.
“Training. Six weeks of training for my new job. The client's there and they wanted me on site until I learned the ropes.” He lifted his hand and gently tucked my hair behind my ear in a sweet and ridiculously arousing simple gesture. I unconsciously tilted my head into his palm. It was warm and big and comforting.
He cupped the side of my face and just gazed at me before lowering his mouth toward mine.
“Gross!”
We both jumped back like teenagers caught by a parent. We looked down at Charlie and Zach, Zach mimicking sticking his finger down his throat.
“You don't really want to kiss, do you?” Charlie asked, disgusted.
Sam chuckled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I was hoping.”
“Why?” Zach wanted to know. “Ty kisses Mom all the time and she's not even hurt.”
I remembered Goldie saying her daughter-in-law, Jane, was remarrying. Hopefully that man was Ty.
Sam just smiled at the boys, clearly realizing sometimes the best way to answer was to not say anything. “What can we do for you guys?”
“Dude, can we try out those handcuffs?” Two eager faces looked up at Sam.
“Sure, but there's a price.”
I just stood there watching this exchange, amused.
The boys grumbled, but eager enough for the handcuffs to listen to the cost.
“I'll let you try out the handcuffs if I can kiss the girl.” He pointed up. “Mistletoe.”
There, hanging above our heads in the doorway to the den, was a plastic piece of greenery.
The boys grumbled more.
“You can cover your eyes,” Sam added. He glanced at me and winked.
Zach and Charlie looked at each other, then turned back to Sam and said together, “Deal.”
Sam started turning toward me but stopped when Zach yelled, “Wait!”
I swear I saw Sam's shoulders droop. “Yes?”
“George can't see the kissing either.” Zach yanked the Santa cap off his head and stuffed it onto George the Gnome, who was sticking out from under my arm. It was a little big, but it did the job, covering the pointy gnome hat and George's entire head. George wouldn't be able to see any gross smooching now. “There,” Zach said, obviously satisfied.
Then they slapped their hands over their eyes as if the Ark of the Covenant was in front of them.
Sam snaked an arm around my waist, pulled me into him and kissed me. This wasn’t a gentle under-the-mistletoe peck. Nope. This was an it’s-been-way-too-long-and-I-can’t-help-myself assault. Tongue and all. His tasted like cinnamon breathmint and beer. This wasn't a kiss to make-it-all-better. This was a kiss to get-it-on.
There I stood, stunned by the feel of Sam's lips, his tongue tangling with mine, a ceramic garden gnome wedged under one arm. I melted, right then and there. Oh, how I missed this.Him.I hadn't been wrong. That night, there had beensomething.
