Free Christmas In Silver Bell Falls by Samantha Chase Page B

start the editing process.  The book isn’t the only reason I’m here.  It’s just something that’s going to help pass the time.”
    Walking across the room, Josiah came to the kitchen and slowly pinned her against the cabinets.  “What about me?” he asked softly.  “Is that what I am?  A way to pass the time?”
    She shook her head.  “No, that’s not what you are.”
    “That’s good.”
    Before he knew it, she had her arms draped over his shoulders and was slowly pulling him in close.  “You are a most unexpected surprise.  And I still can’t believe I’ve only been here two days.”
    “I know.  I feel the same way.”
    “Do you have to work tomorrow?”
    He nodded.  “My schedule changes from week to week.  Most of the time I try to keep it the same but my assistant had some family things to attend to so I try to be flexible.  Was there something you wanted to do tomorrow?”
    She shook her head again.  “I was just curious about you.  We spent a large part of the night talking about me.  You know what my work schedule is like so I figured it might be nice to learn about the work habits of a sheriff.  Maybe I can use that information in a future book,” she teased.
    “Very funny,” he said and simply enjoyed the feel of her pressed against him.  It was the oddest form of foreplay they had going on but he couldn’t help but give in to it.  “This particular sheriff goes into the office around eight in the morning and my day ends at five.  I’m kind of a creature of habit—I come home, make myself something to eat and enjoy the peace and quiet of the land.”
    “I’ll try to keep my loud music down for you,” she said with a grin.
    “I think we both know I’m not opposed to breaking in and putting a stop to it.”
    “Aha!” she cried.  “You just admitted that you broke in!”  She raised her hands in the air in a victory move.  “Woo-hoo!”
    He couldn’t help but laugh.  “I thought we weren’t going to bring it up anymore.”
    “Technically, you brought it up first.  I was merely commenting on your comment,” she said saucily and wrapped her arms around him again.  “I think it’s only fair that I get to say something about it if you’re going to talk about it.”
    Josiah rolled his eyes.  He wanted to be annoyed but Melanie was so damn cute.  Her eyes twinkled and her smile just made the entire room light up.  Hugging her close, he debated on whether or not he should finally do what he’d been wanting to do since he first saw her. 
    Kiss her.
    Slowly Melanie’s smile faded and her expression turned thoughtful, serious.  Maybe she was wondering if he was going to be the one to make the first move.  Maybe since he had essentially put a stop to them doing it earlier she was a bit hesitant about it happening now.  Normally Josiah was a confident man, a very confident man.  And even though he knew with every fiber of his being that he wanted Melanie—possibly more than he had ever wanted a woman—now that the time was here and he knew they were on the same page, he was nervous.  There was something in the back of his mind whispering that maybe he was moving too fast or maybe he had built this attraction up in his mind simply because he had seen her naked before anything else.
    All of which were valid points but it didn’t stop Josiah from wanting her. 
    Melanie whispered his name and broke him out of his reverie.  “I had a really good time with you today.”
    “Me too.”
    “I appreciate you spending your day off showing me around the town.  That doesn’t mean I’ll remember where everything is, but it was nice to get a good look around just in case I need something and you’re not around to help.”
    “I’m only a phone call away,” he said.
    “I can’t rely on you for everything.  Believe it or not I’m normally a very independent woman.  I thrive on being self-sufficient.”
    He remembered her story earlier about how she was