Chapter 27

Greer

A prickling sensation tickles the skin below my ear, sending me deeper into my pillow. His warm breath and tongue skim the edge of my jaw, leaving a trail of wet kisses. I don’t dare open my eyes and risk losing the best part of the dream. Every night, I slip into the same unconscious thoughts where Lawson is with me, teasing me with his lips, tongue, and seductive whispers until I’m pleading for more.

This morning is no different. My breath hitches when his fingers trace over my collarbone and ever so slowly glide down over the swell of my breast and stop to circle my nipple. Even through the fabric of my shirt, I can feel the edge of his nail as it scrapes gently around the hardened peak. A surge of desire shoots through me, sparks of heat searing my veins. I moan into the pillow, clamping my legs together to stop the quenching need building.

Soft scruff nuzzles my cheek as Lawson crowds in closer, his body curling around mine. His firm chest is to my back, his strong arms wrapping protectively, his hips pressed so close his hardened length settles at the small of my back.

It all feels so life-like and real, even the scent of him lingering in the air around us. I snuggle deeper, wiggling my hips, and throw a leg back to tangle with his.

A sharp hiss sounds, and my eyes fly open at the all-too-real hand now cupping my breast and the scorching burn racing over my skin.

I’m not dreaming.

Lawson is in bed with me.

My bed… in my room… in my family home…

“Lawson?” His name comes out hoarse.

“Merry Christmas, baby.” He shifts so I can roll into him.

Early morning light streams into my room, but I still blink several times to clear the hazy film over my eyes. His face comes into focus, and my heart speeds for a different reason than seconds before.

His NYU baseball cap is so worn the bill is ripped almost to shreds. He’s wearing his contacts, making his golden-green eyes more piercing than usual.

“What are you doing?”

“You’ve left me alone the last two nights, so I took matters into my own hands.”

“Our families are here! If my dad discovers you snuck in here, he may drag you back to the woods himself.”

“I think I’m growing on him, but I’ll take my chances.”

I wake fully and shift my eyes to where his hand is still cupping my breast and back to him. “I thought I was dreaming,” I blurt without thinking.

His lip tips in a sideways grin and his eyes light up. “Seems only fair since I dream about you every night.”

“Lawson—”

“Shhh.” He lowers his mouth to mine. “It’s Christmas, Greer, nothing was keeping me away this morning.”

I grin against his lips, sliding my hand around his neck. “Merry Christmas.”

He shifts so I have a full view of his face and the soft warmth in his eyes. My chest and stomach tighten at the same time, reminding me of the familiarity of waking in his arms. When he doesn’t immediately kiss me again, I realize there’s something on his mind.

“When I was little, Mom used to wake up early on Christmas morning, come into my room, and crawl into bed with me. She’d whisper ‘Merry Christmas, my precious Lawson,’ and kiss me on the cheek to wake me. I’d roll into her with wide eyes, excitement bursting inside with one thing on my mind and ask ‘Did Santa come?’ She’d always nod with a bright smile and snuggle close. I’d squirm and squirm, trying to get loose, and she’d smother me with kisses under protest, all while I begged for her to stop. When she had thoroughly covered my head and face, she would let me free, but only after I’d promise to wait in my room until Dad gave me the signal. She’d slip out of bed, and a few minutes later, I’d always hear Clay begging for mercy as she treated him to the same wake-up ritual.”

A lump clogs my throat as I picture the scene in my mind.

“I was always ready, waiting with my hand on the knob, and when Dad would whistle, I’d fly out of my room, straight to the tree and dive in, not waiting for Clay. He’d stumble in after me, and together, we’d demolish the living room, screaming and shouting as we ripped through wrapping paper and plastic packaging. Mom and Dad would watch, her curled into his side, and him with his arm draped over her shoulder.

“One year, I asked Mom if she was sad that Santa didn’t leave presents for her. Do you want to know her answer?”

I nod, holding my breath.

“She said ‘Joshua, you’re wrong, baby. Santa does leave me presents. Every year, I ask him for the same thing, and he always gives it to me. I have you boys and your dad and that’s all I ever want. Someday, you will understand what I mean.”

Tears pool in my eyes, and my bottom lip begins to quiver.

“I asked her the same question every year and always heard the same answer.” His voice drops to a whisper. “I never understood that answer until this morning. It’s been a lot of years since I woke up with the excitement of that young boy on Christmas Day.”

Something in the way he’s looking at me changes, and his hand moves from my chest to cradle the back of my head. “Since my mom died, I buried that memory, but you brought it back. Thank you for that,” he tells me softly.

My heart bursts, and tears spill onto my cheeks. I suck in a deep breath trying to find words.

“I love you, Greer.” He swipes my cheek with the pad of his thumb.

“I believe you,” I croak.

“Tell me you forgive me.”

“I forgive you.”

“Tell me we’re moving forward.”

“We're moving forward.”

“Tell me you still love me.”

“You know I do.” I don’t hesitate because, even though I haven’t said the words, it’s useless to deny.

His gaze locks with mine, his eyes glowing with intensity. “Tell me you’ll marry me.”

“I’ll marry— Wait!” I freeze, all the blood draining from my face and an icy chill racing up and down my spine. The tears dry instantly. My hand falls, and I push against his chest to put some space between us. He doesn’t budge.

I press harder, grunting when he still doesn’t budge.

“Back away,” I finally say.

“No.”

“Lawson, give me some space.”

“Not until you answer me.” He twirls his fingers in the underside of my hair.

“That wasn’t a question, it was a trick.”

A smug grin spreads on his lips, and he has the gall to chuckle. “It almost worked.”

I start to slap him, hoping he’ll release his grip. No such luck. All the beauty of the last few minutes disappears, and my flight instincts kick in. I flail, twisting, bucking, and writhing to get a hold on the edge of my mattress and use it as leverage.

“Stop fighting me.” The amusement in his voice spurs me further.

“Let me go.”

In a flash, his body covers mine, almost knocking the breath out of me until he braces his weight on his other hand. I stop fighting, having no choice.

“First of all, I’m never letting you go.” He bends in and kisses the tip of my nose. “Secondly, I’ll take that as a no.”

“You’re an asshole playing with my emotions like that. How can you ask me that when we’re not even technically back together?”

His face grows serious, and the shade of his eyes takes on a darker hue. “We’re back together.”

I start to argue then clamp my lips shut, narrowing my eyes in frustration.

“Don’t move. If you try to scramble away, I’ll be forced to haul you back, which may result in waking up the house.”

My already tense body stiffens further, and I contemplate the consequences. He takes my silence as my answer, kissing my forehead this time, sliding his hand from my head, and twisting his body to grab something from the side of the bed.

When he turns back, he lays a small gift beside us. “Up you go,” he says, rolling us and, in a smooth movement, knifing up to lean his back against my headboard and position me in his lap. “Open it.”

“I’m not opening it. You’re lucky I’m not blowing the roof off right now, which is purely out of respect for our families. No gift is going to make up for the games you’re playing this morning.”

His hands cup my face, and his expression takes on a tenderness that makes my stomach flip. “Baby, trust me and let me do this my way. Open it.”

I hold his gaze but pick up the present and put it between us. Never losing his eyes, I rip the paper, open the box, and slide my hand inside. My fingers skim along the soft fabric, and curiosity gets the best of me.

I break the stare and peek down.

My heart stops, and I can’t hold back the soft sob that escapes. My hand flies to my mouth, and my vision blurs as the tears return.

Inside the box is a grey onesie with the NYU emblem.

“I ordered an identical one with MIT on the front,” he tells me quietly.

I can’t form words over the knot clogging my throat.

“It would mean the world to me if we could carry on Mom’s tradition on Christmas mornings. If it’s a girl, I’ll wake her up, smother her with kisses until she squeals. If it’s a boy, will you do the same?”

I lift the outfit and hold it to my chest, nodding so hard the tears pour down my face. “Of course,” I splutter.

His eyes glow, and I melt, falling into him. “How did you know?”

He runs his hands up and down my back and places his lips close to my ear. “I’ve known for a little while.”

“I was going to tell you.”

“And I was going to let you do it on your own time, but after the scene with Enrique the other day, I couldn’t let you wonder any longer what my reaction would be. This is the absolute best gift you could ever give me. Well, that and accepting my proposal.”

I tilt my face to his, my chest tight at the mention of marriage. “Lawson, we can’t get married because of the baby.”

“No, that’s why I asked you before I gave you the gift. This is no game I’m playing. I want you to know, baby or no baby, we’re getting married.”

“I can’t think about that right now. There’s still so much to work through.”

“We’ll work through it together. My objectives haven’t changed, Greer. I’m never giving up. One of these days you’ll cave.”

“You’re pretty sure of yourself.”

His lips twitch until he can’t hold in his grin. “I’ll wear you down eventually. You can’t say no forever.”

My stubborn streak rears its head, and I know he’s throwing down a challenge. “We’ll see.”

“Every day, Greer, I’m going to ask you every day until you say yes.”

•∞•∞•

Jarod and Clay divert their eyes when I enter the living room, turning their attention to the game on TV.

“Where’s Lawson?”

“Last I knew, he was headed to the shower,” Clay answers, keeping his eyes on the screen.

“What are we watching?” I purposely walk in front of them to the corner bar and pour myself a glass of water.

“College bowls are on today.” Jarod shifts uncomfortably in his seat, refusing to make eye contact.

“Who’s playing?” I sip my water and move to stand in their line of sight.

“Let me check the schedule,” Clay rumbles, pulling his phone out.

Jarod watches over my shoulder, fidgeting nervously.

Clay reads off the schedule of games for the day, staring at his phone intensely.

I rack my brain, trying to figure out a way to make them look at me. An idea comes to mind, and I set my glass down and go to the armchair in the corner of the room. The second I start to scoot it, Jarod is at my side.

“Where would you like this?”

“Can you put it in front of the tree?”

He does as I ask, looking at me curiously. His face pales when I climb up and start to rearrange the ornaments unnecessarily.

“Greer, maybe I should do that for you.” He offers to help me down.

“Don’t be silly, I’ll just swap these around.” I bend way out of my reach and sway dramatically.

“Greer!” Clay’s arms encircle my waist, and he plants me on the floor, stumbling a bit.

Both men are sickly white, and I burst into laughter, holding my stomach.

“Baby, are you fucking with them?” Lawson struts in with my dad close behind.

“I couldn’t stop myself. The temptation was too great,” I respond.

He comes straight to me, pulling my back to his front and settling his hands on my stomach. “Even if they didn’t already know, this sweater would have given you away,” he says to me, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“That was the point.” I intentionally chose the tightest sweater in my closet to wear today to show off my growing bump.

“Funny or not, I don’t want to see you climb on a chair again.”

“I was fine.”

“I agree with Lawson. Stop with the antics,” Dad scolds me, frowning.

“It was fun!”

“Wait, what’s happening here?” Jarod’s color slowly returns to his face.

“Apparently, I was keeping the worst secret in the history of secrets,” I explain, covering Lawson’s hands with my own.

Clay’s eyes jump to Lawson’s in surprise. “You told her we know?”

“I did, right after I proposed this morning.”

Shock registers on everyone’s face, except for my dad, and Jarod’s eyes fall to my hand.

“She said no,” Lawson says rather proudly, nuzzling his lips along my neck.

“Smart woman,” Clay mutters.

“She’ll say yes eventually,” Lawson assures him confidently.

Dad rolls his eyes and grumbles under his breath, not amused.

“There is no more elephant in the room, we are having a baby,” I formally announce.

I glance at Jarod and see the questions written all over his face, the same questions Lawson asked this morning before letting me out of bed.

“I’m almost eleven weeks, which is still early, but my doctor says everything looks good. The baby’s growth is on track, and I am deemed healthy. They’d like to see me gain some weight, but it’s nothing to worry about. First-trimester testing is scheduled for this Thursday. My OB has a colleague that’s agreed to see me while I’m here.”

“See us,” Lawson clarifies.

“See us,” I repeat, rolling my eyes theatrically.

“How do you feel, Greer?” Jarod asks with a hint of caution.

“I’m great. I suffered from nausea earlier in the trimester, but it disappeared quickly. I consider myself lucky. As you saw this morning with Lawson’s pancakes, I don’t have any problem eating.”

His face lights with humor, and Dad tries to cover his chuckle with a cough.

“When can you find out the sex of the baby?” Clay claps his hand together with a wide grin.

Lawson dips his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Do you want to be the one to burst his bubble?”

“Maybe you should break the news gently.”

“We’ve decided not to find out.”

Clay’s expression doesn’t falter. “A surprise, I can live with that.”

Jarod clears his throat and slides his eyes between my dad and us. He swallows nervously. “Have you had a chance to discuss what happens next? How exactly is this going to work? It wasn’t too long ago we wondered if there was a future between you two.”

“I asked the same thing, Jarod. Wait until you hear what your son has come up with,” Dad interjects.

I open my mouth to answer that we’re taking this day-by-day until Lawson cuts me off.

“We’re moving forward—together. In the meantime, I’m staying here with her until after the new year, and then I’ll return to the city. Greer will continue to work as long as it’s safe for her and the baby. She’s agreed to train Haley completely on the inner-workings of her business so we can both have some time off when the baby comes.”

I nod in agreement as he tells them everything we discussed this morning.

“I’d like to be married before the baby comes, but I have my work cut out for me. Until she gets tired of turning me down, I’ll have to up my game.”

He says the last statement so bluntly it takes my brain a second to comprehend. “Lawson!” I shriek and try to step away. Of course, this doesn’t work and his arms flex tighter.

“Stop mentioning that.”

“No.”

“If you know what’s good for you, you won’t bring it up again today,” I hiss, my face flaming.

He’s not deterred, kissing the side of my head. “Today, I’ll give you the rest of the day.”

“The boy has no humility,” Dad grumbles.

“Don’t encourage him.”

“You’re the one who picked him, Greer. Now, we’re stuck with him. Too bad you didn’t meet Clay first.”

This gets Lawson’s attention and he growls, gripping our joined hands tighter. Clay stands taller, straightening his shoulders, and flashes me a killer smile.

I start to laugh again, everyone joining in except Lawson.

“These assholes are never getting around our baby,” he announces, which only increases our hilarity.

“Can you let her go so I can give her a hug?” Jarod quirks an eyebrow at Lawson, who releases me with a grunt.

Jarod folds me into his body, leaning into my ear. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thanks.”

“Promise me something. Remember how much he loves you.”

“I’ll try.”

“Because you’re going to need reminding—a lot.”

“What do you mean?” I tilt my head back, but he’s not looking at me; he’s staring over my shoulder.

I twist to find Lawson smirking openly in a way that causes my stomach to flip. He’s up to something, and judging by the twinkle in his eye, I better be ready for anything.