Page 64 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

She straightened, head tilting, bangs falling to the side.“Why not?”

“Every time I closed my eyes, I saw you.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

He tucked her hair behind her ear.“Not at all.It’s why I couldn’t sleep.It’s like a movie I never want to end.”

She smiled.“That was a good line.”

“Only because it’s true.”

“You rehearsed that.”

“I did not.”

“You absolutely did.”

A laugh rumbled from his chest as he held her tighter.“You caught me.I spent the last three hours staring at the ceiling, practicing romantic speeches.”

She poked a finger into his chest.“I knew it.”

“Actually, most of them were much worse.”

Her smile widened.“Now I want to hear them.”

“Oh no, those are going to the grave with me.”

Ashley laughed softly and settled against him again.The room fell quiet except for the distant hum of the furnace and the occasional creak as the old house settled in for the night.

It should have felt strange, having her in his rooms, in the staff quarters, curled up against him like she belonged.Instead, it felt familiar, like something he’d been missing for so long he’s forgotten what it felt like to have it.

“Carter?”she said, turning her head up toward him.

“Yeah.”

“You never told me why you said what you said on our last night together.”

“I thought maybe you’d forgotten.”

“I can’t.It’s bothered me for eight years.I need to know.”

Carter’s mind drifted to that night, standing in the kitchen, filled with more joy than he’d ever felt in his life, only to turn around and see Gabe glaring at him.

He and Ashley had just lost their virginity to each other.It was the best night of his twenty-one years on earth.He didn’t want to leave her alone in the stables, but she wanted a hot cocoa, and he would do anything for her.So he grabbed his clothes and got dressed.

He could still smell the hot chocolate.

“I’ll be right back,” he had said as he leaned down and kissed her.He hurried across the property, pulling his shoulders up to his ears in an attempt to ward off the cold.

He made his way into the kitchen, glanced around to make sure the coast was clear then grabbed two mugs and the homemade hot cocoa powder Ms.Porter always had on hand.

“Walk away.”Gabe’s voice slammed into him like an unexpected uppercut.He spun around, meeting his glare.

“There’s more than enough for you.Here I can make you a cup,” he’d said, holding up the extra mug.

“I’m not talking about the fucking hot chocolate.I’m talking about my sister.”

Carter’s grip tightened on the mug.“What about her?”