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Taylor

H e watched her. Something happened. He thought he knew Alice Wagner, had always been captivated by her. So clearly, he remembered their dance at the gala, the way she lit up when she talked about her volunteer program. This was why he’d chosen that charity that night.

She seemed so effervescent, full of joy and energy. But maybe something else was there because he felt like he was seeing beneath the bubbly surface into something deeper. Maybe he could give her a deeper look, too.

“Well, in the name of honesty, I’m also kind of hiding away on Christmas,” he said slowly.

“What do you mean?” she asked, reaching for another handful of popcorn.

“I called my mom to tell her that my flight got canceled, and she told me to get on a plane to Florida because her new husband was taking us and his kids to Disney.”

“Disney at Christmas could be fun.” She smiled.

He leveled her with a look.

“What?” she chuckled. “It could be.”

“It would also be busy and loud and so many people,” he said, trying not to wince at the thought of being there.

“Wow, I didn’t see you as a hater of fun.”

Her face lit up as she gave him a hard time. The captivating woman he was used to had returned, the one he had danced with at the gala. This was the dangerous woman who pulled him in.

“Hey, now, I love to have fun. Just quiet, one-on-one fun.”

Her mouth fell open, and a blush covered her cheeks. Only then did he hear what he had just said, Quiet one-on-one time ... Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“No. No, not like that?—”

“No,” she said, still laughing. “One-on-one fun is great... but does even that have to be quiet?”

“No, I just meant I don’t like crowds,” he said, shaking his head.

He had a feeling his cheeks matched her blush but from embarrassment.

“Yeah, it’s hard to have one-on-one fun in a crowd. People shouldn’t kink in public,” she said, still laughing.

He couldn’t decide if he was humiliated or if he was happy because this rainbow of a woman next to him finally lit up like she always should be. It was probably both.

“No, I’m not sure if you know, but I’m autistic, and I guard my downtime. The season can be a balancing act, trying to play and stay out of sensory overwhelm. So, while there is nothing wrong with Disney, it isn’t something I can do right now. Part of why the cabin sounded so appealing.”

“That makes sense,” she said, regaining composure. “You came here for some solo fun time,” she said, laughing again.

“Or some one-on-one fun time.”

Her mouth snapped shut, and she turned back to the movie.

Fuck. He took it too far when he thought they were flirting. He was so bad at this stuff.

“Fuck, Alice. That was inappropriate. I’m sorry. I was just kidding.”

“I know you were kidding.”

Her eyes focused on the movie.

She sat there, straight as a board, and tension emanated from her. Fuck. He’d messed this up.

“I think I’m going to go to bed,” he said before standing.

“Wait,” Alice said, reaching for him. Her hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him back down onto the couch. “Don’t go. It’s fine.”

He turned to her and her upturned eyes and soft smile, and they fact that she was still holding his wrist lit him up like the fucking Christmas tree next to them. Slowly, he sat back down.

“Okay, sorry for making it weird,” he said.

“No, it’s fine. I know you have no interest in a girl like me.”

He eyed her. He didn’t think he liked that. “Because your dad is my coach?”

“I guess, but I know I’m not your type.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he said, flabbergasted.

“I’m well aware you’re out of my league. You don’t have to worry about me catching feelings. I know I’m a hot mess.”

“Are you serious?” he asked, gaping at her.

Her brow crinkled as she looked at him like he was from the moon. It was starting to make him angry.

“What are you talking about, out of my league? The only thing keeping me from not hitting on you right now is the fact that you’re Coach’s beautiful daughter... Well, that, and we’re trapped here together, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

Her mouth, once again, fell open, but she didn’t lose that look of bewilderment. She just sat there, gaping at him, and that was doing nothing to stop the physical need he had for her.

She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and caught it between her teeth. His hand slid up and tucked a colorful lock of hair behind her ear. He was going to kiss her. He was going to kiss his coach’s daughter. What the fuck was he doing?

But before he could kiss her, a tear streamed down her face. Panic hit him. He’d made her cry. How the fuck did he make her cry?

“Hey,” he said, wiping the lone tear away. “What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever called me beautiful before,” she said softly.

“That can’t be true.”

She gave a rough chuckle and shook her head. “It can be. Thank you for your kind words. Let’s just watch the movie,” she said, turning back to the TV.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” He continued to look at her until she finally turned to him again.

“Taylor... I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not necessary. You’re a great guy and really the only one of my father’s players I don’t mind being here. But you don’t have to pretend you’re into me because... Well, for whatever reason, you’re doing it.”

“I am into you. I’m not pretending. You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes got big. “What?”

Shifting closer to her, he cupped her jaw. Her tongue licked her bottom lip, and he was done. He leaned in slowly, giving her every opportunity to back away. Yet she stayed right there, with her eyes on him. She closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath.

Then he pressed his lips to hers and had never felt anything like it before. His body lit up with want and desire. From the inside out, he was fucking glowing at this simple kiss. Then she opened to him ever so slightly. That was it. He was fucking gone for this woman after one kiss.

He scooted even closer to her, slid his hand up into her hair, and let his other hand wrap around her waist, pulling her close. Her softness under his hand undid him. He grabbed at her soft waist, pulling her even closer as he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth. She tasted like hot chocolate.

This moment was one of those rare, perfect moments. The sweet taste of hot chocolate while kissing a beautiful woman next to the glow of a Christmas tree while the snow piled up outside listening to Bing Crosby crooning. Perfection. All of it.

Then, all of the sudden, she stiffened and pulled back. Taylor let her go and opened his eyes to find her face drawn and tight.

What the fuck just happened?