Five days before Christmas and the road into town is finally clear after workers have spent two days making the highway passable.

Tanner has been amazing and we’ve survived on secret kisses, albeit brief secret kisses. I don’t think either of us trusted ourselves to take them deeper. I know I wouldn’t have been able to refrain from touching him. I’m so in love with the man it hurts something inside of me knowing that he currently belongs to someone else. Not in his heart because I truly believe I’m the one inside that beating organ, but in promise that’s something else. Not for long though.

As soon as Tanner gets out of the shower, he’ll be going into town and finishing what I think he regrets ever doing, and that’s getting engaged to Emma.

He hasn’t really spoken about her other than to tell me what she did to him by being unfaithful. From what his father and Bo have said to me, I’m led to believe Tanner only knows about the one time but it was clear there had been other times she was unfaithful. Although, I regret him being hurt, I have to admit that I’m glad she’s the way she is. It makes it easier knowing I’m in love with Tanner and that I came here to hopefully claim my man.

My body tingles at the thought of claiming him in every way possible. The night we shared has lived in my memory all these months, and I’m aching to show him with my body how much I love him. How much he deserves to be loved.

“Charlotte,” he whimpers sounding tortured, derailing my thoughts.

My eyes find him and I’m left speechless. He’s leaning against the doorjamb with a towel slung low on his hips, his body still wet from the shower…and I struggle to form words.

“All my promises are going to go out of the window if you carry on looking at me like that,” he growls, the towel twitching the more I stare.

A huge grin appears on my face while I lick my lips deliberately teasing him. His eyes don’t leave my mouth. My eyes don’t leave the growing erection that is currently tenting the towel.

With a groan bubbling at the back of my throat, I let out a deep, throaty moan. In reaction, Tanner quickly grabs himself and turns his back to me. He’s breathing heavily as time seems to be at a standstill and then he’s moving.

He teases me when he drops the towel and I get an amazing view of his firm ass and a quick peek of the heavy sac between his legs as he bends to shove his legs into boxer briefs followed with his jeans.

I let out a heavy sigh and smirk when he looks at me over his shoulder. “You like what you see, babe?”

“Mmm, and if you were already free, I’d be inviting you over here to feel how much I like what I see.”

His eyes drop to my lap as I squirm. The heat of his gaze is enough to make me burn, but when he looks like he wants to eat me, I’m about to combust. “I think I better head to my room.” I jump up and feel his arm snake around my waist when I’m at the door.

He nuzzles into the back of my neck, trailing kisses along to my shoulder. “I’m going to finish getting dressed, and then I’m going to talk to Emma.” He holds me tightly against his body, his arousal a hard, throbbing rod between the cheeks of my bottom. “Once I’m free, you are mine, Charlotte McKenzie. I hope you realize that. I won’t ever give you back.”

Turning, I rest my head against his shoulder and lift my face up to him. I hold his gaze, and admit, “I don’t want you to let me go.”

Our breathing is heavy as one of his large hands covers a breast. His eyes narrow with desire and then I feel his lips covering mine. It’s gentle and sweet, and so full of promise my heart feels like it’s about to jump completely out of my chest…but he pulls away. “I need to hurry.”

His forehead drops to mine while he struggles to gain control of himself. “I’m going.” With one final kiss to my neck, he releases the hold he has around me.

Quickly opening the door, I escape to the kitchen where I retrieve a bottle of water from the refrigerator. I move to the living room and stand at the window, watching the small flurries that whirl around in the wind. As I take a large gulp of the water, I hope the forecaster is correct that no large snowfall will occur until much later tonight.

Tanner needs to be safely with me before more snow covers the ground. The idea of being snowed in with him has a lot of appeal. We have everything we need to have a wonderful Christmas, so what more do we need?

Each other!

“Hmm.” I hold the bottle of water to my face, hoping it will take some of the heat from my cheeks.

“That’s a heavy sigh.”

Quickly turning, I smile at Derek. “Tanner’s going into town,” I admit and watch for his reaction. So far he’s been on my side, I guess, even though he did ask Tanner to behave with me until he was free. We would have regardless.

Considering what Emma has done to Tanner, I don’t really think Tanner’s vow to her should have been honored. It has been for the most part though, and that makes Tanner the better person.

“He’s giving me a lift to the airport.”

I turn and perch on the windowsill. “I didn’t know you were leaving? You’ll be back for Christmas, right?” I frown, really not wanting Derek to be alone over the holidays.

He smiles. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a couple of days.” He glances behind him and then holds my gaze. “I want to give my son some space.”

“Oh!” The moment his meaning hits me, I feel the heat and not just in my cheeks. I’m sure my neck and whole body are covered with my embarrassment.

Chuckling, Derek adds, “I’m sorry Charlotte. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m used to being blunt and to the point.”

I clear my throat and hope my voice doesn’t let me down. “I am embarrassed, but I’m more relieved that you accept me being with Tanner.”

“Oh honey.” He moves in front of me and takes hold of my shoulders. “A father can’t ask anything less but for his son to be loved by a good woman.” He smiles softly. “That’s you Charlotte. It’s been you since he laid eyes on you at your sister’s wedding. From the moment I arrived here, I noticed the change in him. He’s happy. Happier than I’ve seen him since his mom died.” He kisses me on the forehead. “I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but you wear your heart on your face when you look at Tanner…just like he does when he looks at you. It makes my heart light to see it on his face.”

“I’ve already told you that I love him, and I do. So much.”

He smiles. “I’ll call before I arrive at the house.” He grins and starts laughing when I won’t meet his gaze. “Let Tanner know that I’m heating the truck.”

I watch him go and sigh in relief.

“Why are you looking at the door?” Tanner asks, pulling his sweater on.

“Your dad’s heating the truck.”

He raises a brow. “You’re blushing.”

I shake my head and walk toward him. “He was telling me that he’s leaving for a few days to give you some space.” I smirk and raise a brow. “I wonder what he means?”

Tanner grins. “Well, little lady,” he drawls in a deep, Texan accent, “I sure have some ideas for you when I get back.” His grin widens at the same time as he wiggles his brows. “You better rest up while I’m gone,” he starts prowling closer, “because I’m going to be keeping you up all damn night,” he growls into my ear, “when I get back.”

“Is that so?” I whisper as my eyes drift closed at the feel of him so close.

“Damn straight.” He kisses me on the forehead and quickly grabs his jacket.

At the front door, he turns and blows me a kiss before it closes behind him.