Grayson stood in her doorway—okay, he filled her doorway—and he had flowers in his hands. He had…
“Forget-Me-Nots,” Grayson murmured as he strode toward the counter. “I stopped by Silver Bells and got lucky. They had these in, and I knew I had to bring them to you.”
Because he remembered me saying they were my favorites. Though she didn’t buy for a moment that the florist had just happened to have those flowers in stock. Silver Bells was amazing, but it wasn’t standard for them to keep these flowers, not right before Christmas. So how many strings did you pull in order to get these for me, Gray? She leaned forward, kissed him, and took those precious flowers into her hands. “Thank you.”
It was the day before Christmas Eve. The whole town was in a frenzy, and she’d been seeing customers one after the other all day. She’d brought in extra help to deal with the rush, but everyone was gone for the day then.
She was all alone with Grayson.
“Have I mentioned…” Grayson asked her as he tilted his head to the side and grinned at her. “That this place smells like heaven?”
“Only a time or two.”
He kept staring at her and his smile slowly faded.
Jemma tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Gray? Is something wrong?”
He glanced toward the door, then back at her. “Will you walk with me?”
“Of course.” Didn’t the guy get it? She’d pretty much do anything with him, even face down a crazed spy. She put her flowers in water, hung up her apron, and secured the shop in record time. Then they were outside, strolling down Main Street, seeing the lights sparkle, hearing the laughter in the air…
“I was supposed to leave the day after Christmas,” Grayson said. His glove-covered fingers had twined with hers.
Gray leaving? Her heart did a quick stutter, but Jemma shook her head. No way was he taking her on a walk to break up with her. Couldn’t happen. Wouldn’t happen.
I know what I have with Gray is real.
He turned to the right, and they walked in silence. Snow had fallen again. Light. A dusting of white that made Holly seem even more beautiful.
They were away from the crowds now. Away from everyone else.
Grayson stopped walking. He turned toward her. “I was supposed to leave, but I want to stay.”
Yes! But she didn’t let her smile spread, not yet.
“I want to stay with you, Jemma.” He exhaled and a small cloud formed near his lips. “I never expected to find you when I came here. I thought I’d get a refuge, but then I walked into that chocolate shop, and I saw you.”
Every muscle in her body was tense. She was so nervous. She wanted to throw her arms around Gray and hold him tight.
She also wanted the man to keep talking. After all, there were some things that a woman needed to hear.
“I started falling for you the minute I looked into your eyes,” Grayson confessed. “I know it’s been fast, but Jemma…I love you. I want to stay here in Holly with you. I want to build a life…with you. Because when I think about my future, you’re all I see.”
She couldn’t hold back any longer. Jemma launched her body at Gray. She wrapped her arms around him and held tight. Their lips met and that kiss…It was the sweetest kiss she’d ever known.
And that kiss was the start of their new life—together.
***
She hadn’t said she loved him.
Grayson paced in front of Jemma’s Christmas tree. They’d gone back to her place—she’d carefully put her flowers right in the middle of her dining room table and—
She hadn’t said she loved him.
Because maybe she doesn’t. Things had gone at hyper speed with them. And he’d nearly gotten her killed. Not exactly the best aphrodisiac ever.
His hands were fisted at his sides.
He could fix this, though. There was plenty of time. Endless time. He’d woo Jemma. Treat her like the freaking angel she was. Give her anything, everything that she wanted.
I can get her to love me. As long as I have time. I can convince—
“Merry Christmas, Gray.”
He whirled around. Jemma was there. Jemma…wearing the sexiest red negligee he’d ever seen. And it took him about two minutes to pick his jaw up from the floor.
She smiled and walked forward. Oh, dear God…she had on spiky red heels.
His eyes narrowed on her. “Tell me you didn’t just have this lying around…” Because he would kick the ass of any man who’d—
She laughed. “No. There’s this great little shop in Holly. Been wanting to go there for years, but finally had a good reason to try out some things.”
She could try out anything she wanted.
Her steps were slow and seductive as she closed the distance between them. Jemma put her hands on Grayson’s chest and looked up at him.
His cock was about to burst right out of his jeans.
“I love you, Gray.”
He shook his head.
But she nodded. “I love you.”