Page 119 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
“We would have made history. They would write Kringletown history books about us.”
“It wouldn’t be Cupid Christmas Night anymore. It would be the Christmas Cosmic Kiss Night.”
“Ooo, that has a nice ring to it.”
“I thought so too.” He cutely smiles up at me.
I rub my thumb over his cheek. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you this before, but you’re very handsome.”
“Thank you. I grew my face myself.”
I laugh. “I’m very impressed. It’s symmetrical with a great nose, sharp jaw, and beautiful eyes. Oh, and I can’t forget the bushy eyebrows.”
“I could say the same thing about you. I mean about the symmetrical face, not the bushy eyebrows. You have nice eyebrows and a nice face. All in all, really fun to look at.”
“It’s astonishing you don’t have women hanging all over you from the way you so effortlessly compliment me.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I would like to think that I’m smooth, but I’m really not. I’m fucking awkward.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed, but I find it endearing and comforting, because I’m the same way.”
“Which I like a lot.”
I smile softly and then kiss his lips one more time, just a feather of a kiss though, before I pull away and lie back down, but instead of resting my head on his shoulder, I turn away.
“Uh, what do you think you’re doing?” he asks in a cute protest.
“Hoping that you would get the hint and spoon me.”
“Oh, right.” He chuckles and then turns as well, and he scoops me into his large arms and plasters me against his heated chest. “There. Comfortable?”
“Very.”
“Warm?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Good,” he says as he buries his head in my hair.
“Thank you again for tonight, Atlas.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” he says as he nuzzles me.
“I keep thinking about what would have happened if you didn’t come and get me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be wrapped around you right now, that’s for damn sure.”
“I’m being serious,” I say.
“I know,” he whispers. “But I honestly can’t think about it. I just... I just want to hold you, knowing that you’re not in your cottage, nearly freezing to death. I like knowing that you’re here, next to me. Safe.”
“I like it too,” I say as I sigh into him, wanting him closer.
So much closer.
For a moment, I consider maybe having some skin-on-skin contact, allowing myself to truly feel his warmth, but that seems bold.
Isn’t that bold?
