The Forgotten Christmas Letter (#opennovellacontest)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Her hotel bedroom seemed so much smaller with him in it. As soon as she removed her coat and hung it up in the side closet she turned to see that he had removed his own coat and had placed it on the chair by the door.

"Would you like some coffee?" She waved a hand towards the room's small kitchenette. The bed and dresser were off to the side in an alcove so that the middle and main part of the room was the living area.

"Sure, I'd like that." His gaze on her flustered her to the point that she was all thumbs as she prepared the coffee. Which there really wasn't much to it. All she had to do was pop a flavoured coffee pack into the coffee machine.

As she pressed the button to start it she felt the heat of Nick's presence behind her. "So did you remember anything?"

She turned around and gave a sharp intake of breath at how close he was. Again that gleam of awareness sparked in his eyes as he gazed down at her. "Ah, no, not yet."

The gleam dulled a bit until she put a hand out to touch and stroke the side of his cheek, and this time he was the one who gave a sharp inhale. "Callie."

"Nick." She continued to trace her finger down to his chin then over to his lips to watch in fascination as they moved when he spoke.

"You said you had a present?"

"Oh, yes, so I did. I mean, do." The moment their gaze met she forgot about the present as his lips descended on to hers. Instantly she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and pressed closer, loving the feel of his arms as they wrapped around her waist, deepening the kiss. That same warmth she felt when he first held her swamped over her. She was home.

Until he dragged himself away, running an agitated hand through his hair. "I think I should go."

"No, wait." She ran over to the bed where she stored the wrapped gift alongside it. "Here," she held it out to him.

He gazed at it, his mouth tilted up in humor before he took it from her. "Very thoughtful of you." She watched his hands as he carefully unwrapped it, wondering if he'd be as careful if he unwrapped her like that.

She was watching his expression carefully to see how he'd respond and hoped he would like it. Surprise seemed like the first reaction but when he carefully schooled the rest of his expression she couldn't feel a little anxious.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I do." His enthusiasm sounded a bit forced to her.

"No, you don't."

"Of course I do." He frowned as if annoyed she didn't believe him.

"Then what's wrong?"

He sighed. "You gave me the same picture when you were last here. At least on a subconscious level you remember." Then studied her. "I hope."

She looked from him to the picture. "The exact same one?"

"Yep."

"This is so frustrating." She started walking back and forth, wringing her hands. "If only I could remember one small detail. Why can't I?" The agitation she felt as she faced him again made her cross her arms as if he could somehow magically give her the answers.

"I'm afraid I can't help you, Callie. Your memory will come back or it won't." He still had a guarded expression.

She heaved a sigh. "What if it doesn't?"

A brief flicker of pain crossed over his features indicating that he was deeply affected by her loss as she was. "Would you kiss me again?"

He gave a surprised start but didn't step forward. "I doubt a kiss or two would suddenly cure memory loss."