That Christmas Kind of Feeling

by Hannah Bird

Sometimes no matter how hard you’re hiding, it feels really good to be seen. Maybe especially then.

“You’ve been drooling over him forever. This is the perfect first step toward pound town!” “I hate you,” I whisper, but there’s no heat to it. “And besides, have you seen the man?” I sweep a hand over my body. “He’d crush me.” Another eyebrow wave. “Yeah, he would.”

My heart is hammering in my chest, a thousand thoughts that I hope aren’t painted on my face passing through my brain. Like being stuck here in this cabin with a guy I’ve spent months avoiding at all costs because I can’t trust myself to behave in his presence.

“I’m telling you, don’t quit your day job.” “Is that because you’d miss me too much?”

“There can be a million other problems in the world, and not a single one of them makes yours less important.”

“I’m so happy to see that coffeepot, I could kiss you right now.” He glances over his shoulder at me and smiles. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

“Amelia, I hope you know that if I come in there and you aren’t clothed, it’ll be like sixth grade all over again.” He sighs heavily. “Probably worse.”

His breath is hot on the most sensitive spot of my neck when he growls, “I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted this,” into the shell of my ear.

“What?” I shake my head, feeling the shampoo slide a little. “Nothing, just wasn’t what I was expecting.” He uses a hand on each side of my head to face me forward and then delves into my damp waves, lathering the shampoo against my scalp with massaging fingers. “What were you expecting?” “Something debaucherous.”

What did I do to deserve this moment? With this man? Because I’ll keep doing it forever, I swear. Anything to keep this. Him.