CHAPTERFOUR
“Whoa. Heavy.”
“In every sense of the word.” -Me to Viv, about my AA coin (Once Upon a Billionaire)
Walt
If spending a year without the woman I’m in love with didn’t tempt me to use, nothing will. I’m certain of it.
I don’t know why Dee’s here. I don’t know why she’s wearing a slouchy Santa suit, her adorable nose poking out from under a hat that keeps slipping down her forehead. All I know is that she’s here, and spending time with her on Christmas is suddenly my number-one priority.
“To Chicago?” she answers, her eyebrows vanishing beneath the fur lining of the hat. God, she looks good. Her long, dark hair is flowing over her shoulders, her pale blue eyes as clear as I’ve ever seen them. She’s put on some weight, and the look is good for her. Her cheeks are full and rosy. Her lips pursed and pink.
She smells good too. Like vanilla and sugar. I want to rush in and hug her close, kiss her lips, and drop to my knees and beg her to stay, but not here. Not in front of Viv and Nate. Although, since they were clearly in cahoots with Dee, I’m sure they’d love to see how this ends.
Too bad. I’m not making a move until I have her alone. Why is she in Ohio on Christmas Day?
“I don’t live in Chicago any longer. I live in Clear Ridge.”
Her mouth forms a cute O, making me want to kiss her more. I resist. Turning to Nate, I offer my hand. “I’m sure you won’t mind me bailing on you two.”
His eyes crinkle at the corners like a proud father, something I know next to nothing about. He’s like a brother to me, another thing I knew nothing about until I met him. “No, Walt. I don’t mind.”
I feel Vivian behind me, and I turn, catching her in a hug. She whispers, “Be nice and call me as soon as you can,” into my ear before letting me go.
I nod, say goodbye, and tip my head toward the door. Dee shuffles, holding her red pant legs up so she doesn’t trip over them, and walks outside ahead of me. Cold envelops us as we wade into a sea of fluffy white snow beneath a navy sky.
I’m lost.
“Walt—”
I don’t let her finish.
I rush in, lips first. My mouth hits hers, and I have to remind myself to slow down. Appreciate the moment, give her time to push me away. The second I ease up on the pressure, she hooks my neck with one hand. Her lips are warm and damp, her tongue insistent as it comes out to play.
I’m transported back to the first time I saw her. At rehab. She was on one of those uncomfortable metal chairs, like I was, as part of a circle. She sat directly across from me, talking about how much she loved horses. Once she was done talking, someone else spoke up. Dee met my gaze. And held.
I knew, then and there, that I was screwed. Not only did I have to stay sober for me, but for the person I was going to fall in love with. I knew I was going to fall in love with Dee Morgan.
I capture the back of her head in my hand and run my fingers through those lush, silken locks. In the process, I knock her hat to the ground. Her lips leave mine with a soft suctioning sound, and my lips chill in the wintry air.
My eyes open slowly. I’m high on her after only one kiss. The best high ever.
We stare at each other for a beat before she concludes, “You’re not mad.”
“I’m not mad.” I’m brokenhearted, buoyed by hope, and praying to every entity overhead that she’s here because she wants me. Her smile, as much as the kiss she returned, hints she might be.
“I took an Uber from the airport,” she explains. “I’ll need a ride to your house.”
“Right this way.” I take her hand and lead her to a black Audi. She whistles.
“Nice ride. I thought this was Nate’s.”
“Company car.”
“The construction guys are given Audis?”
I open the door for her. “No, but corporate guys are.” I shut her in, witnessing her awestruck face through the tinted windows. Her eyebrows jump, her smile impressed. Goddamn, I missed her. More than I knew.
On my way to my side of the car, I scoop her hat out of the snow. Then I climb in next to her, start the car, and drive her to my place.