Page 53 of Hold Me Instead (Elmwood Falls #1)

Charlie

Charlie tugged the hem of her evergreen tunic sweater underneath her coat, its thick neck blocking the bite of the wind.

The gray leggings and lined boots kept her warm, but she was far from overheating, considering the plummeting cold that had snapped the night before.

She woke to a chill so silent and intense, it felt like her eyeballs were frozen.

She juggled a bag of wrapped gifts in one hand and a bottle of Brunello in the other as she approached the stoop of the tan brick Tudor. Cleo had hooked her up with some last minute things for the Lee and Wang families, so while she looked prepared, she didn’t feel it.

A fresh evergreen wreath with a sparkly gold bow stared back at her from the rounded-top, black front door. Why was her heart racing? This wasn’t even the first time they’d invited her to a family holiday gathering.

She set the bottle on the ground to knock, and as she bent to pick it back up, the door opened.

The breath rushed out of her as she straightened, her eyes eagerly eating up Zachary.

The bulky gray sweater and dark jeans hugged his frame and made him look cozy all at once, especially when capped with a thick pair of gray socks with what appeared to be a face of a reindeer knit into the fabric. His toes wiggled as she stared.

“The kids picked these out for me,” he said sheepishly .

She smiled, not looking at him. Her racing heart paused long enough to skip multiple beats. This is why I’m nervous . He is what’s different .

“Come on, Harris. Get in from the cold,” Zachary said, gently tugging her by the coat.

She let him guide her into the foyer and close the door, the warmth of the house, the heat from him, burning her up instantly.

Music carried from the kitchen, a TV murmured from the living room, and the gleeful shrieks of the kids seemed to bounce around the walls.

His hand on her lapel, he tugged her closer still, leaning for a kiss.

“Charlie!” Vivi ran into the foyer, her arms flailing. “Look what we got!”

Charlie laughed, Zachary’s face mere inches from hers. He stepped back with a small chuckle, shaking his head as Alex appeared next to his sister. Beaming, the two held up their small hands, clutching tiny LEGO knights and dragons in their palms.

“Wow, look at that!” Charlie said.

“Uncle Zachy gave them to us,” Vivi said. “There’s a castle too!”

“Yeah!” chimed in a proud Alex.

“Those are pretty cool…” Charlie trailed off, as the kids cheered and zipped away. “Seems like they’re having a good day so far.”

“Yeah. For Christmas Eve, they’ve made out like bandits.”

“Hey,” Sandra said, her arrival perfect. “Don’t pretend like you aren’t partially to blame. This guy has been their personal elf.”

Zachary shrugged. “Look, it’s a bit addicting to shop for them.”

“Well, be prepared, because they won’t forget it. Are you going to let the woman in? Geez, where are your manners? Charlie, give him your coat. ”

Zachary shot his sister a look as Charlie laughed, the comfortable chaos easing her heart.

“I’ve barely said a word to her since she arrived! Keep getting interrupted,” Zachary said. Kinda grumpily.

“Well, excuse me,” Sandra said, rolling her eyes. “If you would’ve picked her up, you wouldn’t have had that problem.”

“I had to swing by my mom’s this morning,” Charlie rushed to add. She held up the stuff in her hands. “I brought a few things.”

“How sweet!” Sandra took the gifts from Charlie. “I’ll set these under the tree. Everyone’s in the living room, join us when you’re situated. I’ll keep them occupied until then.” With a sly wink, she sauntered out of the foyer.

“God, it smells amazing in here,” Charlie said as Zachary helped her out of her coat.

“Mom’s making roast pork,” he said.

“Ohmigod, amazing,” she groaned.

Zachary chuckled and hung Charlie’s coat on a hook by the door, watching as she yanked off her boots.

“So. Welcome to the chaos,” he said with a grin. “Sure you want to stay?”

“I like it. Puts the hustle and bustle into the holidays. Ooof .” The second boot took extra effort to remove, and she flopped against the wall with an exaggerated sigh, thrilled when his hand grabbed her waist, even though she didn’t need the help.

What she did need was his touch, and it seemed mutual. “It’s nice. Cozy.”

She glanced around the foyer. A narrow black console table opposite the coats and shoes had a mini-Christmas tree with fairy lights on top, propping up a plush gnome wearing a Fair Isle stocking cap.

The iron banister to the second floor had fake pine garland wrapped around it, gold bows every few feet.

The archways on either side of the stairs—leading to the dining room or the sunken living room—had holiday cards taped around them.

He hummed, stepping closer. “You look cozy,” he said, fingers toying with her sweater.

“You do too.” All she wanted was to curl up with him on the couch under a blanket. Watch snow fall. Stare at the lights on the tree.

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, but it quickly turned heated.

His hands curved to cup her ass, while her arms wound tightly around his neck.

He swept his tongue into her mouth, and she muffled a moan.

Their goodbye after the party the night before had been quick, and clearly, she was a deprived woman because of it.

Wanted him more when she learned the kids had requested he sleep over, and she couldn’t let him turn down the offer.

Her fingers gripped his hair, and she pushed closer, standing on her toes to alleviate their height difference.

He groaned, then pressed his forehead to hers, their breath quick.

“Charlie,” he whispered.

“Huhnm?” she panted.

He smiled softly, pressing a light kiss to her lips. Then he tucked his face in the crook of her neck, wrapping his arms tight. And hugged her.

Charlie blinked. The garland wrapped around the stair rail blurred from tears building in her eyes. His smell washed over her, his sweater as cozy as she suspected. Being in his arms was amazing, each time far surpassing the last. She didn’t want to move.

Her eyes squeezed shut.

She hadn’t meant for it to happen, but it had. She’d fallen in love with Zachary Lee.

** *

She was going to remember this—she, Charlie Harris, had the power to will her dreams into reality.

The thought made her chuckle to herself, mentally of course, so as not to disturb the perfect setting.

After a lovely afternoon watching the kids open some gifts and entertain the adults with mini performances, Vivi and Alex had curled up with a movie by the big Christmas tree, while the adults enjoyed drinks and snacks in the four-season room.

Garland was draped over the large windows and a second, smaller tree stood brightly in the corner, full of ornaments made by Sandra and Zachary growing up.

Jeanie regaled them with her favorite Christmas stories of the two, with Jay promising to show her some of his favorite of their home videos.

Now she and Zachary sat alone, nestled on the loveseat, with Maple curled on the plush cream rug at their feet. Christmas tree lights sparkled as snow flurried softly, surrounding them in the early darkness.

Sandra and Jay had joined the kids in the living room, where Daniel had opted to take a nap in the reclining chair.

Jeanie, meanwhile, had kicked everyone out of the kitchen.

Which left Charlie and Zachary comfortable enough to share a blanket, for him to wrap his arm around her and snuggle her close.

It felt like she was spending the holidays with her boyfriend and his family. But she didn’t dare bring it up .

Instead, she stared at the twinkling tree, breathing in pine and the hot cider in her snowman mug. The mug that was suddenly removed from her hands as Zachary stole it from her and took a sip.

“Hey!”

He smacked his lips for effect. “Had to see what the fuss was about.” He took another drink, holding the mug out to the side when she reached for it.

She watched his tongue trace his lips, her stomach doing flips of excitement.

“You have a habit of sharing my food. And drink,” she said.

He glanced down at her. “Tastes better that way.” He grinned and handed back the mug.

She peered inside, satisfied he hadn’t had too much, which would force her to leave their cozy love cocoon for a refill.

No , no , just “ cozy cocoon, ” she corrected. As though thinking the word would somehow alert the man beside her.

“Never really liked apple juice or cider growing up. But Sandra’s bragged about her recipe the last few years, I’ve just never been here to try it.”

Charlie nodded. “And?”

“Pretty good.”

“Want your own?”

“Like I said, tastes better from yours.”

Charlie bit her lip, pleased when he groaned. Zachary glanced around, then pressed his lips to hers, his hand cupping her cheek while he devoured her in a hasty, satisfying kiss.

“Maybe we should get out of here,” he said, voice husky .

Charlie shivered. “Extremely tempting. But your mom’s making dinner.”

“She has plenty of people to feed.” He bit her earlobe, trailed his nose down her neck.

“Zachary…”

He kissed her nose. “I know.” He sighed and flopped back against the couch, tugging her closer. “As soon as we’re done, though.” He threw his thumb over his shoulder. “Outta here.”

She nuzzled against his side. “Tomorrow afternoon I’ll be at Brooke’s. We’re going to watch movies in our pajamas all day. Something simple, hopefully enough to keep her and Mina distracted.” She picked at his sweater. Tried to think of an excuse to see him.

His fingers grazed her shoulder. Finally, he said, “I’ll be at Sandra and Jay’s.”

“Right.” Too much to expect they’d spend the entire holiday together. Why rush this non-relationship thing anyway?

“Maybe we could meet up tomorrow night?”

She slid her head along his chest to look at him, her heart doing a tap dance.