Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 59022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
But then, this is a novel experience for me too. I’ve never brought a woman here. I’ve never told a woman about my family before, and I’ve never felt the earth move when I set eyes on a woman in my life.
Dammit! The earth moved.
Her body trembles in my arms and I pull her even closer.
“Are you cold?”
She shakes her head against my neck.
“No,” she whispers softly.
“Then what is it?” I ask, feeling so protective of her.
“It’s nothing,” she says and if possible, molds herself into my arms even more.
I tilt her face up to mine and stare down at the perfection looking back at me. She takes my breath away. I’ve never had such a reaction to a woman before in my life. Everything about her makes my blood heat up.
My eyes race over her face. Flushed cheeks, twinkling eyes—maybe a slight buzz from Shorty’s hot chocolate.
Perfect.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I say.
“You’re the one who can read minds this time of year,” she returns cheekily. “Why don’t you tell me?”
I rub my hands up and down her back and kiss the side of her neck.
“It doesn’t work like that.”
“Then tell me how it works,” she says.
“I can see your memories from Christmas, when you were a child and whenever Christmas really mattered to you.”
The last time it meant anything was when she was thirteen years old. That was before her parents split up and she became a full-time mom for her baby brother.
I watch the emotions play across her face as she processes my words. I try to explain the gift to her as best as I can.
“I realize it’s hard for you to understand.”
“No,” she says to my surprise. “I get it. And somehow, it makes sense and feels right. Santa shouldn’t be able to read all our thoughts all of the time. Just the ones about Christmas—the ones relevant to him and what he does.”
I’d never thought about it like that.
“Agreed.” I watch her lazily. “So answer the question.”
She smiles playfully and pushes away from me and picks up her cocoa. She takes a sip and watches me in a flirtatious way. My blood heats up and again, I realize how much I want her.
How much I want her to be mine.
“Now that I know about most of all of this part of the clause,” she says as she motions around the village, “isn’t it time for you to show me the rest?”
The blood rushes through my veins and I feel like I can hear it. Yes, my dear, I think it’s time I show you the rest.
What I say aloud—
“That’s my favorite question of yours tonight.”
She smiles like the seductress she is.
“Good,” she says sweetly before she ruins it with, “after all, we only have the night.”
I think it’s time to set her straight.
“Not just tonight,” my voice is intentionally strong. “Per the extension clause, I can extend as long as I like.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Idon’t remember signing an extension clause?” I’m shocked by his words.
“It’s in the fine print,” he drawls.
“I didn’t see any fine print?” I return with wide eyes. What the actual Santa hot clause did I sign?
“Under my signature,” he says as he crosses his arms and looks down at me from his imposing height.
“Well, that’s convenient for you,” I manage to say.
He smiles widely. “How I like it. You’ll learn my ways soon enough.”
Heat whips through my body at the thought.
“And you’ll learn mine,” I return with a challenge.
I can’t believe I just said that.
“I plan on it.”
I almost fall to my knees. The way he says it, with such promise, Like it’s a sure thing. And gosh, imagine it being so.
“When do you plan on getting started?” My mouth and words strike again.
But, come on!
It’s like I’ve been waiting forever. Starving for a taste of something I’ve never even had, but somehow know I’ll be hooked on the moment I consume.
I watch the myriads of emotions cross his face.
Surprise. Appreciation. Desire.
And something else.
Something I can’t name.
Well, arctic cowboy, what’s it gonna be? I think to myself as I watch him look me up and down. Sizing me up. Figuring me out.
Maybe my boldness threw him a loop.
Maybe it even threw me a little… but hell, I signed a clause. I walked on his yacht with my toothbrush and panties in my bag, I knew exactly what I was signing up for so to speak.
Maybe not all the Santa Claus talk but the rest, yes.
“Tell me something.” His voice is different. It’s something more commanding—more alpha.
“What would you like to know?” I return before taking another healthy sip of the incredible hot chocolate.
“Are you always this bold?”
Out of all the questions. Out of all the things but, of course. He’s an alpha male looking to mark his territory.
“Not that it matters,” I raise my jaw proudly, “but no, I’m not usually so bold.”