Page 23 of The Holiday Exchange

I tremble when his fingers reach out and skim across my jaw. “And what’s that?”

“Someone like you,” I admit, nerves creating tension in my belly. “I…well…I don’t actually mean you.” Damn, that came out all wrong.

“Gee, thanks.” His laugh is hollow as his hand skirts away.

“I didn’t mean… I don’t want you to think I’m exchanging one twin for another,” I rush out, trying to explain myself. “It’s just, you’re such a good person, and you deserve?—”

“Shhh…” He places a finger against my lips. “I understand what you’re trying to say.”

We stare at each other as the room grows quiet except for our quickening breaths. He glances from my eyes to my lips as my chest aches something fierce.

And just when I think he might possibly kiss me, he turns away. “Night, Briar.”

10

DAWSON

Two days later,I still can’t stop thinking about how badly I wish I’d kissed Briar the other night. I’ve thought about going for it numerous times since then, but the occasion never felt right, and he hasn’t tried to kiss me either. What kind of creep would I seem like, trying to make out with my twin’s ex-boyfriend?

Briar is still asleep beside me. It’s Christmas morning, and something has kept me up most of the night. Well, not something. Him. He’d said he wanted someone like me, then immediately qualified it by saying not me specifically. I’d thought maybe something was growing between us, but I can’t figure out if he feels the same. It was a blow to my ego, but what did I expect? He was right. It would be weird for us to end up together since he just broke up with my twin.

But the more time I spend with him, the more I want him. We would be a good fit, Briar and me. In the beginning it was a silly crush, me being attracted to the sexy man who kept coming into Sip and Savor, but now…now I feel like I really know Briar. Where he grew up and how much he loves his family. The little sleepy sounds he makes when he’s waking up. That he loves riding snowmobiles, and that he hates ketchup and puts hotsauce on everything. I know he wants a relationship like I do and hopes to settle down one day, that he cares about others and is always a helper in every situation. Briar is… God, I’m the most ridiculous man in the world. I’m one hundred percent obsessing.

And I’m so damn glad I’m here.

A soft moan comes from the sleeping body beside me, telling me Briar is waking up. I smile into the golden room, the sun surprising me by sneaking out from behind clouds and through the window. He shifts, and I turn onto my side, watching him. He mumbles something, moans again, and then his eyes flutter. He startles slightly when he notices me looking at him.

“I’m not being a creeper. I swear. I just like the sounds you make when you wake up in the morning.”

His nose scrunches up. “I make sounds in the morning?”

“Yes. You mumble and sigh like you don’t want to be pulled out of sleep. It’s adorable.”Don’t lean forward and kiss him, don’t lean forward and kiss him.“Has no one told you before?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I don’t think anyone has ever paid enough attention to me to notice.”

That makes me frown. “Well, that’s a damn shame. They didn’t know what they had. Their loss, my gain.” Only, he’s not really mine, is he? “Merry Christmas,” I say, hoping he forgets my misstep.

“Merry Christmas, Dawson.”

I reach over, push some of the hair back from his forehead. He smells like soap from his shower last night, and damned if I don’t want to nuzzle into him. I also have to piss and have aching morning wood. Before I do or say something stupid, I joke, “I call the bathroom first.” Then scramble over him.

Briar reaches up, wrapping his arms around me. I know what this is. He’s trying to hold me down, wrestle me so I can’t get out of bed before him, but what it does is slot our dicks together,mimics us rutting together in a different way, and fuck, does he feel good.

We both freeze. I don’t move, and he doesn’t let go of me, arms around me, gaze intense on mine.

“Briar,” I say softly, breathlessly, in a husky, sex-starved voice.

“Dawson,” he says in return, and when his gaze flicks to my mouth, I can’t hold myself back anymore. I’m leaning in, holding my breath, counting down the seconds until our lips meet. Just millimeters before they do, his soft breath against my lips, there’s a knock at the door.

“Merry Christmas!” Donna calls out. “Breakfast is ready!”

We look at each other and dissolve into laughter. I drop my forehead against his, our bodies vibrating together.

“Thanks for the cockblock, Mom,” he whispers. “It’s like high school all over again.”

Cockblock. Does that mean he wants it as bad as I do? Wants more?

Unfortunately, my bladder really is full, so I say, “Aren’t moms the best?” Then climb out of bed and head to the bathroom. I immediately wish I were back in bed with him. I take a quick piss, wash my hands, and brush my teeth. When I open the door, Briar is dancing around as if he has to go as badly as I did. “Sorry. Didn’t realize you were waiting.”