Opening His Holiday Heart by Renee Ryan

Author:Renee Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-09-15T01:09:36+00:00

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Bulldog exchange complete, Casey breathed in deep, drawing in Sutton’s floral scent. The puppy obscured her face, but not enough that he couldn’t see the pleasure written across her features. Her beauty struck him hard. He forced a smile to hide the ache in his throat. He liked Sutton, always had, always would. No other woman engaged his mind and sparked his humor like she did, not even Victoria.

Casey had told himself it didn’t matter. But his ex-fiancée had sensed he wasn’t all in. She’d been right to break things off. Why had it taken him this long to see that? Because Sutton hadn’t been in his life like she was now. Every hour he spent with her made him want more. She captivated him, filled him with hope, made him want to be a better man. Yeah, Victoria had been right to call things off.

Sighing softly, Sutton shifted the puppy in her hands. The move gave him a better view of her face. Gone was the I’m-in-charge mayoral glower. In its place was the tender expression she usually reserved for Toby. Casey liked being on the receiving end of that look.

Time seemed to bend and shift, calling to him to take a chance. Then she took a deep breath and buried her face in puppy fur again. A lump formed in his throat as he watched her lavish the animal with unbridled affection. He wanted to go to Sutton and pull her into his arms. She’d stolen his heart when they were kids and had never given it back.

Casey had been seven at the time, Sutton six months older. She’d been transferred into his second grade class and had been assigned the desk next to his. He’d greeted her with a grin and an offer to show her how to play foursquare at recess. It was the start, as they say, of a beautiful friendship. By senior year, they were deeply in love. Promises were made. The future was discussed. And then, one fateful night, Casey’s decision to protect Jeremy, and Sutton was lost to him forever.

Desperate to lighten the mood, he said, “You’re slobbering all over my dog.”

She lifted her head. With the faintest trace of amusement shadowing her mouth, she skimmed her gaze over the puppy’s fur. “Oops.”

And then she laughed.

Casey’s heart stuttered at the sound. Laughter suited her. Her face glowed with happiness. He was pretty sure his did, too, because he felt heat building beneath his skin.

Whoa. He needed to slow things down. He needed to think. Calmly. His mind was going too fast, or maybe not fast enough. Sutton was becoming too important to him, as was her son.

“Casey?” Sutton placed a hand on his arm, bringing him back to the moment. To her. “Toby told me you’re taking him Christmas shopping. It was nice of you to offer, seriously, but it’s not necessary. I can take him myself, I don’t mind. Actually, I want to.”

“He asked me for a reason.”

“I’m sure he did, but like I said, it’s not necessary.

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