Page 59 of A Newport Christmess

“You might be overestimating my intelligence. How can we be on the same page if it’s not completely clear?”

I studied him. Currently, he seemed to want to break the boundaries we’d put in place, but last night, I’d also thought that before he abruptly ended things. Perhaps it wasn’t me that was confused. Perhaps it was Landon. “I’m lost. Can you explain what’s happening here?”

The corners of his mouth were twitching. “I’m simply asking for a little clarification.”

Fine. Two could play at this game. And with how previous matches had gone, Landon was always the first to call it quits. Not that they were actual matches, but more like awkward situations where I’d been unable to correctly read his cues. But I was too tired to think rationally, and honestly, I was eager to see where he intended for this to go. “You’re right. It’s hard to know for certain. But with a few more scenarios, I think you’ll get it.” I smacked my outside hand down onto his thigh, giving it a light squeeze. “This is platonic.” I loosened my grip and let my hand slowly and gently slide to his knee. I kept it there, rubbing my thumb in small circles. “Intimate.”

He gave a slow nod.

I bumped my foot against his. “Platonic.” My foot came to rest against his, and I seductively ran it along his and leaned into him, pretending I didn’t feel a surge of excitement course through me. “Intimate.”

His eyes narrowed. “I think I’m getting it. Maybe a few more examples.”

He wasn’t backing down. Did he really want me to keep going, or was he going to stop me soon? If I’d been thinking clearly, I would have hoped he’d stop me, but it was apparent I wasn’t. I lifted my hand and gave him a quick pat on his cheek.

“Platonic,” he said, his Adam’s apple bobbing like he knew where this was going.

“Good. Now what about this one?” I set my hand on his jaw and ever so softly traced the line of it with just enough pressure to position his face toward mine. My gaze lingered on his parted lips, but I was uncertain if I had the courage to keep playing this game. Or if this was a game at all. What if Landon stopped me? What if whatever this was had gone too far? I couldn’t take another rejection. My hand relaxed, but before I could drop it, his settled over mine.

“Go on.” His voice was a husky whisper, and his gaze flicked to my lips.

A rush of adrenaline surged through me at his assurance, bolstering my confidence, fueling the desire within me. I guided his chin downward and brushed my lips against his. “Intimate,” I whispered against his mouth.

He pulled back, and my heart dropped, until I saw the way he was looking at me. His eyes reflected the same desire that was threatening to consume me from within. “So let me see if I have this figured out.” He tucked a loose hair behind my ear in a quick motion. “Platonic?”

My chest was abuzz with anticipation, but I managed a small nod.

His fingers stilled on my cheeks and then, ever so slowly, moved across my skin until his thumb landed on my bottom lip. The softness of his touch was my complete undoing. And when his lips found mine, I met them with eagerness. It had been too long since I had felt beautiful and wanted, and I was here for every glorious moment.

My hands moved through his hair, and I relished the feel of the thick strands between my fingers. I relished all of it—the taste of him, the way his hands couldn’t decide exactly where to be on my body, and the scratch of his beard on my face. When our kiss intensified, Landon wrapped his arms around me and pulled me onto his lap. My body was on fire, but I wanted more. More closeness. More kisses. More Landon.

The lights flickered on.

Unbelievable.

Breaking our kiss, I glanced up with squinted eyes. “How’s that for timing?”

Landon threw his head back and groaned, obviously feeling similarly about the interruption.

The curtains were still open from earlier, and the thought of what someone from outside might see if they looked in was unsettling. Not that I expected there to be a creeper outside in the snow, waiting for the power to turn on so he could see what we were up to, but perhaps a neighbor glancing out their own window to see if others’ power had also returned.

Landon’s hands dropped to the sides of his thighs when I climbed off his lap. “Where are you going?”

I gave him a playful smile and reached for the light switch when my gaze stalled on the nearly completed gingerbread house. Now that the power was back on, I really needed to finish decorating it. Too bad I had zero inclination to do anything except cuddle up to Landon and continue where we’d left off.

“It’s fine.” Landon stood up from his place on the couch before I could flip the switch. “You have things to do. And honestly, it will probably be for the best if I leave.”

My shoulders fell in time with my hand that had been on the switch. I hated that he was right.

He stopped when he reached me, and his mouth curved upward at the corners. “Of the two real rules we had—no flirting and no touching—I’m confident we broke them both.”

“It’s up for interpretation.”

He chuckled. “How about we sleep on what transpired and reconvene tomorrow—see how we’re feeling about those rules after some time to process?”

My gaze dropped from his, and I nodded. Did he already regret what had happened?

His hand came to my chin, and he lifted my face to his. “I don’t regret anything,” he said, like he’d read my mind. “I simply want to make sure you don’t either. Okay?”