Merry Ever After (Under the Mistletoe Collection, #2)

by Tessa Bailey

My gaze zips back down to the tuxedo-dress design I’m sketching, and I continue to shade beneath the collar.

A pet boa constrictor roaming freely about his house.

Oh hell no

“Evie Crowe.”

“Luke Ward.”

“It’s very straightforward. I’d only need a minute.”

My son takes that indecision out of my hands when he starts to cry from inside the Pack ’n Play where he’s sleeping in the rear office. Luke’s eyes widen as if to ask Is that yours?

His expression darkens, and he’s out the door before Sonny’s next wail.

LMFAOOOOOOO OMG ITS NOT FUNNY BUT IT IS

“Apparently, drifter–single mothers aren’t his type,” I murmur to my son

Silly. So silly. I only learned his name ten minutes ago.

Textual proof of how quick I fall for someone

What in the hell? It’s her. Evie Crowe. How did she find out where I live?

A married woman. Of course I told a married woman

She's not married boy

Ah, Jesus, she’s got nice sturdy hips.

lol?

And the fact that she already has a man should make me ashamed that I fucked my fist in bed this morning to thoughts of her bent over the counter of her shop, moaning while I gave it to her good and proper from behind, one hand gripping her hip, the other tangled in her hair.

That is crazy

A single mother made those jeans, okay?

Now he knows finally

She’s a single mother. And I’m . . . an unbelievable idiot.

“I didn’t dismiss you, Evie. When I heard the baby crying, I assumed you were married.”

She’s young and sexy and good God, she’s full of fire and spirit. Talent.

“Carrying the baby all this way must have been hell on your back.” Finally, I locate the first aid kit, then set it on the counter so I can check the contents. “Do you want to lie him down on my bed?” A small hesitation. “Maybe just for a minute or two.”

Aweee

And I reckon that tells me a lot about this woman: she’ll bleed to make a point.

“You said you don’t enter strangers’ homes where you come from. Where’s that?” “Chicago.”

“If someone looked interesting to me,” she starts, voice husky in a way that makes my skin hot, “I guess I’d propose a casual arrangement.”

“Friends with benefits.”

No. Always leads to feelings.

“Could I what?” he asks, definitely stealing a look at the fly of my jean shorts and getting distracted. Can he see me clenching through the denim?

Oop

These feel like they were made for me.” The gratitude in his tone distracts me from the high-cut muscles of his hips. “They were made for you.”

Okay talent

“Do you want to be kissed, or am I dreaming?”

Teaaaaa

“Try it and find out.”

Bold

“I like the look of you in my house, Evie.”

“What are you interested in?” he asks, looking me in the eye. Tugging my waistband.

Fire

“Friends with benefits is for boys,” he says, backing me against his refrigerator. Planting his erection right there and grinding lightly, then harder. Harder. “I ain’t no boy.”

OKAYYYYY WE LOVE THAT

“Fucking my woman,” he rasps into my neck. “That’s what I want to call it.”

Period

“They don’t make jeans that fit me, and they don’t make many women that fit me, either.”

Omg teaaaa

“Try me on for size.”

Whatdahelly

He grips my butt

Childish

“Going to get all of me inside your wet cunt, are you? Good girl.”

Okay luke

Wreck me forever.

Crazy work

I totally forgot my son was asleep on this man’s bed. I lost myself. I forgot about my top priority. Is that what this man is going to make me do? If so, he’s dangerous. He’s what I vowed to avoid.

“But I’m going to say something for the record one time, just so it’s clear: you’re a package deal with your boy. I’m not scared of that.”

He's a good man Savannah

Did I ever really believe I’d find jeans that fit at the thrift shop? No.

Finally, I find myself outside her apartment door, knocking. The TV is muted inside, hesitant steps approaching.

“It’s . . . it’s Christmas Eve. What are you doing here?” “I brought you a present.”

Love this

“Been getting lots of compliments on them, too.” “Really? From whom?” “Mostly the chickens.” She sets loose the most incredible laugh I’ve ever heard in my life.

LMFAOOOOOOOOO

“Oh,” she breathes. “That’s a bike.” “It’s a bike.” “With a . . . with a baby seat on the back.”

AWEEEE HOW THOUGHTFUL

“I’m hoping you’ll use it to come see me at the farm, Evie.”

“Thank you,” she says finally, a slight tremble in her voice. “Thank you.” She turns, cradling the baby’s head against her chest. “That was really thoughtful, Luke.”

Literally

“I might need a custom suit, if you know a good tailor.” Another one of those pretty lip twitches. “I might.”

Lol cutie

“I keep waiting for you to ask me what happened with Sonny’s father, but you never do. It’s usually the first question people ask.” “I reckon you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

Okay king of minding the business that pays him

When I make myself grilled cheese sandwiches, I usually eat four of those suckers, but I’m not going to tell her that. One will have to suffice tonight—but thank God there’s soup, too.

“How many grilled cheeses should I make you?” Evie asks me then, totally nonchalant. “Three or four?” That seals it. I’m marrying her, come hell or high water.

Aweeee

Luke holds the baby all through dinner. He eats with one hand and cradles a sleepy Sonny against his shoulder with the other, and I’m starting to wonder if this man is even real.

“Baby’s asleep,” Luke rumbles quietly. “You want to lay him down?” I nod and stand, alarmed to feel my legs are a bit like jelly. “We share a room,” I say needlessly, waving him toward the single bedroom in the apartment. “When he gets bigger, I’ll have to figure something out.”

Awe :(