Page 160 of The Holiday Clause

The world silenced with dizzying speed. She shivered but wasn’t cold. Breath shaky, she met his stare and laughed, her body humming with aftershocks.

“I’m not sure laughter’s the reaction I envisioned.”

“Sorry.” She laughed harder, and he drew back his hips with a hiss.

“What’s so funny?”

“I think we both might be limping tomorrow.”

He chuckled and pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Worth every ache.” His voice turned soft, vulnerable. “Are you okay? Really okay?”

She smiled up at him, her heart so full it might burst. “I’m perfect. We’re perfect.”

He gathered her close, rolling to his side and pulling her against his chest. The moonlight stretched across the walls. His strength cocooned her in warmth as the intimacy of his hold healed something lonesome and longing inside of her. His fingers traced lazy patterns on her bare shoulder as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

“No regrets?” he whispered against her hair.

“Only that we waited so long.” She pressed a kiss to his chest, tasting salt and satisfaction. “This was worth every year of wondering what if.”

“Every day of wanting you and thinking I couldn’t have you.” His arms tightened around her possessively. “You’re mine now, Wren. Completely mine.”

“I always was,” she whispered.

CHAPTER 24

“Everyone Knows The Christmas Lobster”

“Here, see if these fit.”Greyson handed Wren a pair of ski pants that buckled at the chest. “They belonged to Logan.”

Pulling the water-resistant material to her nose, she breathed in the scent of cedar and old fabric softener. “How old are they?”

“Probably twenty years. You might want to shake them out to make sure there aren’t any mice living in the legs.”

She dropped the pants immediately and jumped back. “Greyson!”

He laughed and kissed her head, his lips lingering against her hair. After last night, everything had changed. Even the smallest touches now carried new meaning.

“Just kidding. If anything, there would be spiders.”

Snatching the snow pants, she marched down the hall and threw them in the dryer. “There. The high heat will kill any stowaways.”

Greyson gasped dramatically. “What would Bodhi say?”

She playfully gave him the finger and disappeared into the bedroom to finish dressing.

Today brought the official Larry theLobstahlobster trap tree lighting ceremony, one that the Hawthornes had participated in for decades. This would be Wren’s first time seeing it from his perspective on the water, and the first time he’d have someone who mattered beside him.

He recalled all the times he’d pulled that old boat into harbor with his dad, each time his eyes searching the wharf for any sign of her. Now, she’d be right by his side.

“Will Mayor Locke be there?” She hopped awkwardly out of his room into a pair of his hunting socks, the thick wool bunching around her ankles.

“Of course. He’s Santa.”

She stood and chewed her lip the way she often did when nervous. “He’ll wonder why I’m with you.”

“Let him.”

He saw no point in pussy footing around the truth now. But Wren had been conditioned to keep her private life private in order to protect herself and Bodhi.