“I love the note you wrote me,” I say.
God, that note. Who knew Crew Lancaster could be such a romantic? I didn’t realize he had it in him.
But that’s what he’s been doing. Romancing me for the last couple of weeks. Making me feel special. As if he thinks I’m special. That he cares for me. Maybe he even loves me.
I think he does.
I really, really do.
“I’ve been on the hunt for it since you told me about it,” he admits.
I’m gaping at him. “You hated me then.”
“I did not,” he retorts.
I laugh, all the sadness leaving me at hearing him get all growly and grumpy. “You found it all on your own?”
“Actually, Grant helped me locate the owner.” He smiles. Shakes his head. “He’s such a dick.”
“The previous owner?”
“No, my big brother. He put me through some shit while we were trying to get it. But all I cared about in the end was owning it, and now it’s yours.”
“It’s such an extravagant gift,” I murmur, my gaze returning to the piece, drinking in all of those kisses on the canvas.
“You gave me something you can never give anyone else, and I wanted to do the same for you,” he admits, his voice low.
Oh God. When he says stuff like that, I don’t know what to do, or how to react.
Now I really want to jump him.
“Thank you,” I whisper, smiling at him when he enfolds me back into his arms. “I’ll cherish it forever.”
“Just like I’ll cherish you.” He doesn’t add the word forever, but I think I know what he means.
A realization hits me and I glance up at him. “Weren’t you supposed to go to your uncle’s house today?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “I came back when I got your text.”
“What?”
“When you sent me that text and it said your dad got you that piece, there was no way I could spend Christmas Eve with my family while your dad was lying to your face.” His expression is fierce. “I had to tell you the truth. In person.”
Rising up, I press my mouth to his, kissing him with everything I’ve got. His lips part and I tangle my tongue with his, until his hands are roaming and I’m whimpering, shoving him away from me.
“We can’t get carried away,” I say, breathless.
His grin is devastating. “Always my good girl.”
My cheeks go warm. “Stop. We’ll take things too far and you know it. I don’t want to break my mom’s trust.”
He runs a hand through his hair, blowing out a harsh breath. “Let’s go and hang out with her then.”
I frown. “You want to hang out with my mother?”
“Sure. We need to get to know each other. And I get the feeling she approves of me. I mean, look what I got you. Pretty impressive.”
Joy flows through my veins and I laugh.