Free Her Wish Before Christmas (Holiday Hearts) by Kimberly Quinton Page A

resourceful scout.” They shared a laugh at the memories and almost broke the tension squeezing a vise around her heart. “You were going to tell me some requirements?” She set the glass on the coffee table.
    “Of course. Right. One. Since the store is closed next week, I assume you can be here with Jake a lot. I’ll need you to make sure he does some picking up of his toys. It’s never too early to learn to take care of the things that really matter to you. I learned that very late in life, and my ignorance cost me a lot.”
    Her breath caught in her throat at the implied meaning behind his words. He watched her with an unnerving intensity. And she wasn’t immune. Warm, she pulled the scarf from around her neck and shifted on the couch, fully facing him. Another sip and she drained the glass.
    “Anything else?”
    He scooted closer, thigh brushing her knees, and slowly shook his head. His weight dipped the middle cushion, causing her to lean toward him. His arm rested on the back of the sofa where Genny could feel his warmth on her shoulder. He played gently with her hair, smoothing strands through his fingers. The temptation to stay right there was strong.
    How could she fall back into this need for Connor O’Rourke so easily? She backed off the sofa and took a step toward the fire, hugging herself at her belly, willing the tremble she felt to stop. Her skin went from overheated to chilled.
    Could the hurt of the past simply be brushed aside? He rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. Refusing to close her eyes against her insecurity, she met his gaze. Could she take this step? An exciting job waited for her. The biggest of her career that could keep her employed for years while fattening her savings account. Not to mention the travel.
    “Thinking over my requirements? If cleaning up after Jake is too much, I’ll hire a housekeeper, too. Tell me you’ll be here.” His voice softened.
    “Why, Connor? Why, me?”
    “Because you were always the one.” His hand slid up her neck and into her hair, pulling her to him. His lips were warm and soft on hers, not demanding. He nibbled, stroking her with the tip of his tongue, requesting entrance. A small sigh escaped and his mouth slanted over hers, deepening, demanding. Gripping the front of his shirt, she leaned into him. Kissing him was better than she remembered. Every muscle in her screamed at her to never let go. The rush of her pulse drowned out every other thought.
    He cupped the back of her head while his other arm gathered her closer, encompassing her in an embrace that felt so right.
    She’d believed they were perfect once before. And she’d been wrong. The rush of feelings was too much, too fast. She needed distance from his desire while her own strained to be set free. Opening her eyes, she pushed at his chest until he broke contact.
    “I can’t….” She swallowed against the pool of moisture clogging her throat. “What happens when Ellen comes back and you don’t need me anymore?”
     
     
    Her words took the breath right out of him, as swift as a kick in the gut. He would spend the rest of his life making up for the pain he caused her. If she would let him.
    “Genny. I don’t need you just for Jake…. Can’t you see that?” How could he apologize for what he did? I’m sorry wasn’t enough but was all he had. “I am so sorry for what I did. I regret leaving you. I always have, and I always will.”
    “But you met someone else and had a child.” Her tears seared through him, followed by the bitter hurt in her voice.
    “I thought you were better off. You left Laurel Cove and got your first job in California. I met Sylvia, we dated a couple months before she found out she was pregnant with Jake.”
    “You knew I was in California?”
    “I knew when you graduated culinary school. I knew when you got your first international job. I knew what you were up to until my mom moved away, and by then I had Jake.”
    “What