Page 31 of Enduring Christmas

"All's fair in war?" She noticed he’d left out the word love.

No sooner than they'd entered the cabin, Luke said. "Look, I need to head out sooner than planned."

"But, it's Christmas Eve," she insisted. Why was he being so ornery? She thought they'd gotten past this phase.

"Yeah, well life doesn't stop for Christmas. Some of us don't get to have a happy holiday."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

“Look, I don't want to argue with you. I'll take Shiloh with me. You can do whatever it is you want."

"If you have to go to work on something, I'll take her to the Christmas party at No Limits. You can meet us there."

"Yeah Daddy I want to stay with Miss Xenobia."

Finally, his daughter had gotten Xenobia's name correct and it was over between them.

"Grab your Kindle™, Pumpkin. You're coming with me."

Shiloh started to cry. Xenobia scooped up the little girl she thought of as her own, into her arms, and cradle her head. "Shh, stop crying."

"Give her to me," Luke said, holding out his arms.

"No," Xenobia said putting her foot down, "she's staying with me and we’re going to the party to have a good time. All three of us."

"You sure I'm not bossing you around, making you do things you don't want to do?"

Xenobia's eyes widened. "You were eavesdropping."

"It's Endurance. Of course I was."

"Luke," she protested. “I just...” What could she say?

She trusted him, but she wanted to guard her heart. She felt more for him than the man she’d vowed to love forever, and that scared her.

"If you can’t see that I want you here, that Shiloh loves you. I feel sorry for the both of us. We could be a family, have more children.”

Xenobia’s eyes widened, she couldn’t hide her shock. “You want to have babies with me?”

Luke blew out a harsh breath, obviously frustrated. “I want everything with you.”

When he moved to turn away, she grabbed his hand. Strong hands that had held her so gently, that possibly loved her. “Do you love me, Luke?”

The muscles in his face tightening and he went ridge as stone. He looked down at their interlocking fingers. “I need to clear my head."

"You do that,” she said releasing him, “and then we need to communicate."

"I'm done talking. I told you straight up what I want. You are not the only one who's been mowed down by love. When you're ready to admit we are your home, then we talk."

Ugh, Luke Cole. He hadn’t said he loved her. They both had been betrayed by the ones who had sworn to love them forever. Xenobia was ready to unburden her life, excise Rook's lies and the pain they caused, from her future. But Luke didn't look ready to hear any of that.

He kissed Shiloh on the head. "See you at the party, Pumpkin."

And then he disappeared into his bedroom, Meow trotting after him. Even the cat was upset with her.