Chapter Nine: Brendan
As my lips close over Harper’s again, I take a moment with my eyes closed, and her warm body wrapped around mine, to accept that I actually feel happy right now. Happy and lighter. Telling her what happened to my mom, knowing how deeply she understood my loss, was like being set free. I don’t have to hide behind my bah humbug front anymore. She’ll understand why I can’t look at family pictures, or even why sometimes my eyes tear up when I hear certain Christmas songs. She gets it. More than most could.
My thoughts shift to what’s going on in my lap. Harper grinds her hips into mine, moaning softly and sucking on my bottom lip.
“Whew, babe, you gotta stop doing that.”
She flashes a sexy smile as a lock of hair falls over her eyes. I reach up and move it, not wanting to ever block that view. “It just feels so good. You feel so good.”
“Yeah?” I brush my fingers over her flushed cheeks. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
A soft laugh leaves her lips. “A gentleman, huh? You didn’t even ask me out before busting in here and locking lips with me.”
“You want to go on a date with me?”
“Yep.”
“I’d be honored to take you out.” I tilt my head, studying her face as she gazes back at me. “It’s a little surreal what’s happening right now. I’m glad you found a way to see beyond what an ass I was. I want to apologize for—”
Harper puts her fingers over my lips. “You don’t need to apologize. What you did for me when I fell was all the proof I needed that you were a good guy. I’m surprised honestly you were attracted me, but it’s awesome.”
“Why would you be surprised?”
She shrugs. “I figured you’d be into super glamorous women. Supermodel types. Not someone normal like me.”
“Normal.” I laugh. “You are anything but. I’ve never met a person more into Christmas. Always smiling. Showing me kindness even when it wasn’t returned. I think you’re amazing, Harper.”
With a gorgeous smile, she runs her fingers through my hair. “Your hair is amazing. Your eyes are so nice. Your face is, well, you’re hot.” I grin. “But your kiss, Brendan…” Her smile fades. “Your kiss is how I always dreamed of being kissed. It’s the nicest one I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll give you as many as you like.”
“Starting now.”
~~~
I open my eyes to the sound of Christmas music wafting into the room. And coffee. Thank god she made coffee. I sit up, rubbing my forehead. What a night. Talking about everything until three in the morning, but it was the best night of my life. I think…I smile…actually, I’m pretty sure I fell a little bit in love with her.
I climb out of bed and go downstairs to find her. As I approach the kitchen, I can hear her singing along to the music playing. Her voice is sweet, girlish, angelic. I could get used to waking up to that sound. I walk around the corner to see her rolling out something on the counter.
“What are you doing?”
She looks up and smiles. "Ah, you're up. How were your two hours of sleep?"
“Not as good as the hours I spent awake talking to you.”
I walk over to her and pull her by the waist into my arms. “My hands are dirty.”
“Don’t care.” I nuzzle her neck as she laughs softly. “What are you making?”
“Gingerbread. I want the dough to rest while I’m at work.”
“Are you making cookies?”
“No. A gingerbread house.”
I close my eyes as a memory rushes back of mom and me…
“Are you okay?”
I glance down at her. “We used to do that together. Me and mom.”
Harper smiles. “Us too. Then we smashed it on Christmas day and ate pieces of it. This is the first one I’ve ever made in my own home.”
I swallow hard. “I’d like to help you. You know, decorate it. Unless you want to do it alone.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “Yeah. I think it’s time I started making some new Christmas memories.”
“That’s why I’m making it. I wanted to start my own tradition. I don’t want to wait for a husband and kids. I can make a gingerbread house. I can smash it on Christmas morning. I can make new memories with a handsome man named Brendan.” I feel overwhelmed. Just like the day my feelings for her scared me, except this time, it feels good. “Brendan?”
I lean down and kiss her lips softly. “Last night was awesome for me. For a minute I was thinking I should’ve tried this sooner. You know, trying to be happy.” I cup her cheek. “But I couldn’t have done it before now. I needed you.”
“That makes me feel really good. You deserve to be happy. We all do. You deserve love and affection and laughter. All of it.”
“So do you, Harper.”
“I know.” She laughs and dots my nose with a flour covered finger. “Now let me finish so I can shower for work.”
“Mmm, shower, huh?”
She laughs. “Yep. As nice as it would be to lie in bed with you all day. We should probably be responsible.”
I wiggle my eyebrows at her. "I'm always responsible. I think it would be fun to be reckless. I think," I pull her closer, "We should lie in bed all day. We should sleep in each other's arms, and later we'll get up, and we'll make a gingerbread house. Then I promise I'll let you go to work tomorrow if you promise to have dinner with me after."
She grins up at me. “Really? You want to stay home and hang out again?”
“I do. More than anything in the world. Will you get in trouble at work?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’m caught up. It’s slow this time of year.”
“Then you’ll do it?”
“I’ll do it.”
I smile big. “Awesome.”
She drags a finger down my arm. “We didn’t get to the story of the tattoos. We can do that today.”
I nod. “I’ll tell you about each one.”
“It surprises me that you have some. You seem so, I don’t know, pristine.”
I laugh. "There's an adjective I've never been called. I got them a few years ago when I went through some stuff. I don't regret it though. I love them, and they mean a lot."
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She sprinkles some flour on the dough. “You never told me what happened to Ron, your stepfather. Is he around?”
"He lives across the country. After my mom passed, he wanted to keep me, but my grandmother insisted on taking me. We stayed in touch, and he would send gifts and cards for holidays and important events." I lean on the counter. "I should call him. I haven't in a while."
“That’s what Christmas is for. Family and friends are important.”
I nod, considering my next statement. “I know you have family here, but…” I look away, not wanting to impose on her.
“But what?”
“Maybe we can hang out a little on Christmas day?”
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Hang out a little? Brendan, you’re invited to be here. All day. If I’m lucky, I’ll wake up next to you. We’ll have coffee and make breakfast, and then later I’ll introduce you to my family. As long as you’re in my life, my family includes you.”
“I’m not imposing?”
“Now you’re just being silly. After everything we discussed last night do you really think I would let you be alone on Christmas day?”
“No.”
“Right. So get used to me, Mr. King.”
I smile at her. “Happily.”