Page 117 of Not Looking
Randy tucked himself beside me again as soon as I sat, and I wrapped an arm around his back.
“Is this something you do every year?” I asked as I leaned my head against his.
“More often than not,” he replied. “Sometimes I’ll get invited to a party. And Dale and Simon always invite me to celebrate at the resort. But… this is how I like to do it.”
I turned my head to kiss his cheek. “It’s nice.”
“Mm-hmm,” he murmured. Then he turned, and his lips met mine.
Condensation from his breath had settled and frozen on his beard—the tiny stings of ice against my face made the kiss sweeter.
My cock twitched in my pants as I wondered how it would feel to sink into his heat even as our skin tingled from the chill.
“I love you, Beautiful Randy,” I murmured as we came up for air.
“I love you, too.”
Warmth blossomed in my chest every time I heard him say it, and I couldn’t help myself as I captured his lips in another kiss.
Conversation was sporadic between us as we settled against each other. We didn’t need words to enjoy our fire or the flickering of the bonfires across the lake. We were in our own private bubble, and just having my omega by my side was more than enough.
The kettle started steaming a few minutes before midnight, and I extricated myself to pour us each a mug of cider.
Randy wrapped his gloved hands around the blue-and-white mug as I handed it to him and blew off the steam.
Part of me wanted to taste the sweetness of the apples from his lips as he sipped his cider, but I settled for sitting beside him and drinking from my own mug.
Another cheer echoed across the lake as the first of the fireworks started.
“It must be getting close,” I mused.
“Probably,” Randy agreed. “They like to get started about ten minutes early, then a big display right at midnight.”
We were about to start the new year together, and if I had my way, it would be only the first. I wanted to enjoy that chill air and the crackling fire with him at my side every new year for the rest of my life.
Another cheer from across the lake as more fireworks went off, then the distinctive sounds of a countdown.
I tucked my omega against my side and listened to him whisper a countdown of his own.
Trails of sparks rose from the resort at almost the same time the crowd cheered.
“Happy New Year,” I said against Randy’s temple as probably a couple dozen fireworks exploded—casting brilliant colors that reflected off the lake and combined with the flickering firelight to dance against his skin.
“Happy New Year,” he echoed before he kissed me.
The sound of several more fireworks echoed across the water before we parted. I spent a moment enjoying the grand display, then it was time.
I shifted, and Randy gave me a confused glance as he straightened. I took his mug and set it beside mine on the grate. Then I knelt in front of him.
“Randy,” I started. “First, I don’t want your answer tonight. I understand you’ll want to think about things, and I don’t want you to feel pressured. But I do want you to know where I stand.”
I took a deep breath, then clasped his gloved hands in mine as I looked up into his eyes.
“Randy Quinn, from the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You called to me like no man before.”
His eyes widened, and light from the fireworks continued to dance across his skin.
“The more I learned about you,” I continued, “the more I realized just how wonderful you are. You’re strong and independent, and the kind of sassy that makes me smile. But that guarded exterior also hides pain, and I’m honored that you’ve trusted me enough to share it with me—to be weak with me.
