Becca’s eyes slid shut at the first touch of his lips. Oh!

They were soft, but full, as they pressed against her mouth once, then twice. On the third touch, she puckered the slightest bit, kissing him back. And oh, did he notice. She felt his breathy sigh against her face. He stepped closer, deepened the kiss, and then his tongue slid against her lower lip. And it was the most divine moment of her life.

She was kissing Jase Beckford. The man she’d dreamed of as long as she could remember. Her hands slid up his warm back, loving the feel of muscle beneath his shirt. This man was solid, tough. So, not soft, like . . .

Becca froze and then reluctantly pulled her arms from beneath his coat and stepped away from his warmth. The cold was suddenly unbearable. “We need to stop,” she whispered. “I can’t.”

“Why?” he asked, his hand reaching up to cup her face, pull her back in.

Oh gosh, she was not supposed to want to curl into him so badly, or kiss him all night. Those were fantasies she’d learn to suppress. What was she going to do now that she’d had a taste? “Because . . .”

“Oh shit, Becca, I’m sorry. I forgot you . . .”

“Yeah.” She smiled regretfully up at him. “I’m seeing someone.”

Jase nodded. “I shouldn’t have done that. But I can’t really say I regret it,” he said quietly.

“I wouldn’t want you to.” And she meant it. “But . . . maybe you should take me home.”

“You don’t want to go back inside?”

She shook her head. “No. Hannah’s friends were buying a round of shots. I’m not part of their group. I doubt she even notices.”

Jase stared at her for a long moment and then pulled his keys from his coat pocket. “She’ll notice. But all right. Let’s go.”

Within moments they were in his quickly heating truck and pulling back onto the highway. The drive home was quiet, except for the faint sound of the radio. Was he reliving that kiss over and over in his mind the way she was? Had he really been staring at her in that bikini so long ago? Obviously, she knew the answer because he’d described it in detail, down to the strings in the back. It had felt scandalous to walk out in that suit. Her parents had even argued over it, her daddy calling it inappropriate. But her mother had defended her, saying that the boys would just have to learn to look and not touch. They’d bought it together at the mall, and Becca had wanted one specific boy to look. A last-ditch effort to have him notice her, for once. Facing the passenger-side window, she bit back a smile. Funny how satisfaction could still be sweet nearly fourteen years later.

When Jase pulled into her parents’ driveway thirty minutes later, she immediately turned to him. “You don’t need to help me out.”

He frowned, hand on his door. She knew he’d planned to get out, open her door, and help her inside. She didn’t want it.

“Please. I’m fine,” she said, going for light and confident. No reason to make things weird.

“Becca, wait. This is not what I wanted to happen tonight.”

Her smile faltered.

“I don’t mean it like that. I said I don’t regret kissing you and I don’t. But I hate that you do, so I’m sorry. I don’t want things to be awkward between us.”

“Things have always been awkward between us.”

He hesitated. Glancing out the front windshield for a moment, he turned back to her. “But they don’t need to be anymore. I also don’t want you to be upset with Hannah. She was just a kid. And plus . . . she’s had a rough time since your mom passed.”

Becca’s eyes went wide in shock. “Right. And she’s the only one.” Shaking her head, Becca jerked her door open, ignored Jase calling her name, and got out of the truck. Carefully making her way to the back door without falling, she kept expecting to hear him behind her, and when she made it all the way to the house without it happening, tears pooled in her eyes.

Unlocking the door, she stepped inside, kicked off her heels, and ran up the stairs to her room. By the time she ripped off the black dress, the tears were coming in a steady stream. It was so typical of Jase to bring everything back to his feelings for Hannah. She’d had a rough time? Please. They’d just found out that her sister had lied and manipulated them. Yes, she’d been a child, but she’d known that Becca had a crush on him, so it was calculated. Hannah had seen the rift it had caused firsthand, and not once along the way over the past eighteen years had she thought maybe she should come clean?

No, because Hannah did what was best for Hannah. Becca had always known that to some degree, but she’d never been aware of the lengths her sister would go to have all the love and attention for herself. It was never enough that every boy in school clamored for her smile and her laugh. No, she had to play one against the other, and Jase was always somewhere in that mix. Hannah had kept him on the hook for so long, Becca figured the two of them didn’t know any other way. And shame on him for being so fucking stupid and clueless. He deserved whatever he got.

Somewhat pulling herself together, Becca threw on a T-shirt and tiptoed out into the hall. Her father’s bedroom door was shut so she quietly made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth and prepare for bedtime. Five minutes later she was curled up in her childhood bed, vowing to put her obsession with Jase behind her. She’d spent far too many moments of her life wishing for one look. One word.

Tonight, she’d had that pleasure of that and more. And the guilt was beginning to eat her alive. She’d have to tell Brian what she’d done. Right away.

But unfortunately, her mind was more powerful than her will, because the minute she closed her eyes, she was right back in that bikini, dreaming of Jase Beckford’s soft lips on hers.

* * *

By late Sunday afternoon, Jase had checked on all his cattle, made himself and his mom some soup from a can, and thrown away the empty wine bottle she’d left sitting on the counter. He was also done wondering if Becca was okay, so he got in his truck and made his way down the road to find out for himself.

He’d received a text from Hannah late the night before, asking why he’d left the bar without talking to her again. There’d been no good answer, and of course she’d known he’d probably been shocked, so when he didn’t reply to her text, she tried calling. He hadn’t answered, because he wasn’t ready to hear her voice. Didn’t want her asking if she was making the right decision, or if he’d still be her best friend even though she was marrying someone else. He could easily imagine all the things that she’d say, and the fact that she was probably drunk had made it even easier to turn off his phone and ignore it.

As he pulled into the Walters drive, his thoughts went back to Becca. He’d thought of her as he fell asleep. The way her sweet lips had kissed him back, and how soft her breasts had felt pressed up against his chest. He still had a hard time believing that she’d actually had a crush on him for all those years. Never in his life could he have imagined that. And while he should be mad as hell at Hannah, he wasn’t. Not too much, anyway.

She had her own issues, and besides, what would he have done with the knowledge that Becca liked him? She had never been the kind of girl you easily put the moves on. She was guarded, quiet, and always seemed so above the rest of them. Like a princess. The two twins were very different in that way. Hannah was reckless, wild, and in your face. So much the opposite of Becca, who had been reserved, prissy, and always assessing. That aloofness was what had kept the guys in check, because Becca had always been gorgeous. Both had, but Hannah had felt obtainable, although even that was an illusion, because no one ever officially caught her.

Until now. Fucking Jonas, what the hell.

Jase shook his head thinking about it as he got out of his truck. If what Hannah really needed was a softy hipster to sing her love songs in a throaty voice, then fine. Jase hadn’t been lying when he’d described his relief after watching her get engaged. At first, he’d felt raging jealousy, but almost in the same instant his body had exhaled at the knowledge that he no longer had to worry about reining her in. Rescuing her. Making her happy. It didn’t have to be him. Wasn’t going to be him. He was free to move on.

Jase gave a quick knock to the Walters back door but immediately opened it, as was his way. Besides, if Becca was sporting only underwear this time of day, she should expect to be caught.

“Hello,” he called out, finding the kitchen empty, but smelling amazing. He noticed a lightly bubbling Crock-Pot on the counter.

“In here,” Tim said from the living room.

Jase hadn’t worn a coat over so he wiped his boots on the rug and headed through the house. Tim was sitting in his favorite spot, reading. “Howdy,” he said without taking his eyes off his book.

“Lazy Sunday?” Jase asked, sitting down on the sofa.

“Of course. Nothing better than sitting right here. Becca even made my dinner before she left.”

Jase’s stomach dropped. “She’s gone?”

Tim turned the page, eyes still on his book. “About twenty minutes ago, actually. Just missed her.”

Damn. He hadn’t even seen her car go by when he was out in the field. “Didn’t she just get here late Friday?”

“Sure did, but since Brian couldn’t join her, she said she was missing him. Who knows? You know better than to question my daughters.”

“True enough. Just seems kind of odd to drive back so soon after she got here.” Jase scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling irritated. So, he’d kissed her and she’d quickly headed back to her boyfriend. He couldn’t blame her, really. She was probably feeling guilty. And she was likely blaming him, and she had every right to. She’d told him she was seeing someone, but in that moment all logical thoughts had skipped his mind. All he’d wanted was to kiss her. It wasn’t right, but still . . . he wouldn’t take it back even if he could.

“You talk to Hannah today?” Jase asked. He wasn’t sure if she’d shared her news with her father, so he wanted to be careful.

“I did.” Tim set the book down and removed his reading glasses. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Matter of fact she should be here in a few minutes. Said she’s bringing her boyfriend. Hope you can handle that.”

“I can handle it. I’ve met him.” Although he’d really prefer not to handle it. But at this point he needed to get his congratulations out of the way before Hannah lost her mind. She’d tried calling again earlier today, and if they didn’t talk soon, she was going to show up at his place. Or even worse, start calling his friends.

Matter of fact . . . he pulled out his phone and checked his text messages. Yep. Sure enough he had one from Reeve. Dude. Please Call Hannah. And one from Tyler. Call your girl. She’s blowing up my phone.

She was definitely not his girl, and never really had been, but he understood why they felt that way. The question he had was why in the hell wasn’t she basking in the glow of being newly engaged instead of worrying about talking to him about it. A sure sign that they really needed to lay the ground rules on this new development in their friendship. Things had to change. He quickly replied to his friends: On it.

“So, what’s he like? This . . . Jonas,” Tim asked.

“You haven’t met him yet?” Jase asked, surprised.

Tim shrugged. “Hannah’s never brought him around. I only see her with you.”

Jase ignored the implication in that phrase. “Honestly, I haven’t officially met him, either. Last night we saw him perform with his band, which was okay I guess. Just not really my style.” Jase had a few other things he’d like to say, but knew better than to insult a man’s future son-in-law. It would be petty. And cruel. He needed to be better than that.

They heard the gravel pop out front. “This will be them, I suppose,” Tim said, getting up from his chair. “Stay for dinner? I hate to face this alone.”

Jase laughed. “Sure. I’ll stay. Smells good.”

“That Becca, she’s a good cook. Spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her mama. Brian’s a lucky man. Needs to put a ring on it. Isn’t that what the girls say these days?” Tim said with a chuckle.

Jase hesitated as he followed Tim to the kitchen. “Yeah they say that. But do you think that’s likely? Between Briand and Becca?” Jase asked, hating the idea.

“Better be. Becca said she’s almost positive she’s getting a ring for Christmas.”

“Really? Wow. I had no idea.” Now he felt like an asshole. He’d pushed her too far, and now pushed her away. All because he’d been selfish and impulsive. The Becca he’d spent years building up in his mind thought herself too good for a guy like him, so when she’d shown her vulnerability last night, he’d taken advantage of it.

When they stepped into the kitchen, Hannah was just walking in. “Hi, Daddy,” she said, giving her father a hug. When she pulled back, she introduced Jonas to Tim, and then turned to Jase, who was leaned against one of the kitchen cabinets.

“There you are, you turd!” she said, rushing toward him. She gave his shoulder a weak punch then immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. “Why did you abandon me last night?” she whispered.

Jase glanced over her shoulder at Jonas, who was laughing at something Tim said. The dude was wearing another scarf. With fucking stripes. God, no. Was Tim going to let Hannah marry a man who wore a striped scarf as part of his outfit? Men were only supposed to wear a scarf for utilitarian reasons. Period.

“Sorry, Han,” he said in her ear. “I didn’t abandon you. Becca just wasn’t feeling well. I took her home.” He held off reminding her that one couldn’t be “abandoned” with her fiancé.

Hannah pulled back. “Is she okay?” She glanced around. “Where is she?”

“Drove home for a night or two,” Tim said behind them.

Hannah’s shoulders slumped and she looked visibly hurt. “Drove home? Why would she do that? We haven’t gotten to hang out.”

“She wanted to see Brian,” Jase said.

“See Brian? She sees him all the time.”

“Calm down, Hannah girl. She said she’d be back tomorrow or the next day,” Tim said as he lifted the lid on the slow cooker. It appeared to hold a pot roast with vegetables. It smelled like heaven. “She did make us dinner, so we can’t complain too much. Can we?”

“I just wish she’d told me she was leaving,” she mumbled. “But I guess I’ll have to do this without her here.”

“What’s that?” Tim asked, looking through the cupboard for something. Hannah held her hand out, smiling. “Daddy. Surprise.”

Tim turned around, instantly spotting the diamond on Hannah’s finger. His mouth dropped open. “You’re shittin’ me,” he said, smiling.

Being the amazing father that he was, Tim rushed over to his daughter and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Well, I’ll be. Wasn’t expecting this tonight.” He pulled back and kissed the top of Hannah’s head.

Jase quickly realized that watching this exchange was harder than the proposal had been. He felt like an interloper, and once again he really wanted to run out. But he forced himself to stand his ground. He could do that for Hannah.

Next Tim hugged Jonas, who seemed slightly weirded out by the display but graciously hugged his future father-in-law back.

“Jase,” Hannah whispered, walking over to him. She grabbed his hands, gripping his fists in hers. “I’m engaged.”

“Yes, you are,” he said for her ears only. “I’m happy for you.”

“You promise?” She looked right into his eyes, pleading.

“Absolutely,” he said. And he meant it. She grinned and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, and although he’d decided this was as it should be, it felt like the end of something.

The three soon-to-be family members discussed Jonas’s proposal while Hannah helped her father plate dinner up, along with some cheese rolls that Becca had made that morning. Once they began to eat, Jase was grateful the chatter had toned down.

“This is really good,” Jonas muttered.

Everyone moaned their approval.

“Becca loves to cook, and she’s very good at it. It’s one of my favorite things about the holidays when she comes to visit,” Hannah said, and Jase didn’t miss the pride in her voice or in her expression.

“Looks like I chose the wrong twin,” Jonas said, chuckling. And it was all Jase could do not to grab the back of his striped scarf and choke him to death. It would be easy with his mouth full of pot roast he suddenly didn’t deserve.

Jase stole a glance at Tim, who just raised an eyebrow in his direction. Hannah appeared to be hurt by the comment. And who wouldn’t be? It was a dick thing to say to your fiancée’s family that you barely knew.

“Hannah has plenty of amazing qualities.” Jase smiled at her, but although the corners of her lips lifted, she was obviously not appeased.

“So, uh . . . everyone going to be here for Christmas morning?” Tim asked, trying to change the subject.

“Of course.” That helped Hannah perk up. “Did you finally put up the tree, Dad?”

Tim sighed. “Not yet. Just haven’t gotten around to it.”

“Would you like us to do it tonight? I bet—”

“Babe, I really can’t be out that late. I have to work in the morning,” Jonas said, interrupting her.

Jase stared at them, fork halfway to his mouth. Was she really going to cave? It would be so unlike her. Hannah did what Hannah wanted, that’s the way it had always been. But this time, Jase watched as she demurely smiled.

“That’s fine. Maybe I’ll drive up in a couple of days and Becca and I can do it.”

“That sounds like a good plan.” Tim smiled at her. “I know Becca will want the tree up. She’s hoping this is the Christmas that Brian finally pops the question. Wouldn’t that be something? Both my girls engaged before the year ends.”

Jase felt his heart twinge at those words. Things were happening quickly. Things he’d never considered, but probably should have. The Walters had become his chosen family that Christmas Eve night so long ago, and now they were all breaking apart and creating their own families. Without him. Someday Tim would die, and this property would go up for sale. Or one of the girls would move in with her husband. Her children.

It had been special being a part of the Walters family for so long, and a little part of him had thought maybe he always would be. But he’d never found the nerve—or desire, if he was brutally honest with himself—to make it official with Hannah. That was for the best, he knew that. But the thought of losing this family was painful. Maybe it would be best if he spent Christmas away from them this year.