Page 86 of All I Want is You this Christmas Final

Anna Beth’s eyes fluttered open when she heard a drawer opening and closing and the sound of a wrapper ripping. Jared came back over her, his hard body pressing into hers, and she looped her arms around his waist, cradling his hips with her thighs.

As Jared sank into her, Anna Beth tangled her legs with his, closing her eyes when he filled her. Her mind drifted as he moved inside her to their first kiss in the snow, the joy as she’d lost herself in him, forgetting everything but the way he made her feel. Loving Jared was more than an all-consuming passion and need. Feeling treasured. Protected. Loved.

Anna Beth opened her eyes, her gaze locking with Jared’s and she saw it. Love. Jared loved her.

When his rhythm picked up, she held on, burying her face in his shoulder, whispering, “yes,” in a husky chant as she came again. Jared joined her moments later, the sound of her name on his lips like a little prayer and she almost told him.

I love you, Jared Cross.

Instead, she curled up against his side, her hand splayed over his abdomen, watching his chest rise and fall rapidly at first before slowing to deep, even breaths.

“So…” she said.

“Yes?”

“That was amazing.”

Jared laughed, his lips brushing her forehead. “I knew it would be.”

“How?” Anna Beth asked, her eyes lids heavy.

“Because it’s you.”

Anna Beth’s eyes drifted closed, a small smile on her face. “That’s really sweet, Jared.”

“Are you falling asleep on me, A.B.?”

“Mmmmm. A little bit.”

Jared tightened his arms around her and she snuggled close.

“Go ahead and rest, sweetheart. We got all the time in the world.”

Twenty-Seven

After fifteen minutes of watching her sleep, Jared extracted himself from Anna Beth and went to the bathroom to clean up. He disposed of the condom in the waste basket and took a quick shower, whistling while he lathered and rinsed his body.

Being with the woman you loved was a completely different experience than having sex just to get off. Every look they shared, every moan of pleasure or shiver of release flowed like a song. Something he wanted to replay over and over.

Jared shut off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist, thinking about what came next. Talking to her about staying in Snowy Springs. Finishing her list. Ian’s letter. There were only a few more things she needed to accomplish and after that, he’d have to give her Ian’s letter. Nervous didn’t begin to cover it, but he wouldn’t let a ghost come between them. She’d loved Ian, but Jared was here. He loved her and would do anything to make her happy.

That had to count for something.

He came back into the room to find her propped up on one elbow, the sheet pulled over her chest. Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders, onto the sheets, and despite her claim of color stay lipstick, her lips were no longer red.

“All cleaned up?” she said.

“Yeah. I would have asked you to join me, but you seemed to be tuckered out.”

Anna Beth yawned. “I didn’t mean to be, but it’s the good kind.”

Jared leaned over the bed, his lips brushing hers. “That’s what a guy loves to hear. Do you feel like watching a movie now? Clothing optional?”

Anna Beth giggled. “Hmmm, naked Netflix and chill? Sounds fun, but can I at least borrow some socks. My feet are like ice cubes.”

“Sure. I think I have a pair of sock slippers my mom got me last year. They have big foot on them.”

“Let me guess, because you have big feet?”