After a couple of minutes, I step back. “Okay, I’m good.”
Ashley’s gaze dips to my dick. “I like it better the other way.”
Oh, she’s definitely feeling her eggnog.
“I spot Ester. Let’s get a ride from her.” I slide my hand in hers, and she tightens the hold, much to my male pride’s delight.
Ester agrees to drive us back to the B&B, and Ashley insists I sit in the front since I’m taller. I make small talk with Ester on the short drive home. Really, I’m only half paying attention because my mind is entirely on what I’m hoping will happen with Ashley in her empty B&B when we get there.
I’m not going to sleep with her tonight since she’s been drinking, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share a bed and cuddle and kiss.
I’m shifting in my seat when Ester pulls down the drive of the B&B and brings the truck to a stop.
“Thanks again for the ride. Really appreciate it,” I say.
“No problem at all.” She smiles, and we both look into the back seat, finding Ashley slumped over, sleeping. “Oh, jeez.”
I admire her peacefully before I disturb her. “I’ll carry her in. I hope her keys are in her purse.”
Ester chuckles. “Oh, city boy, she probably didn’t lock the door.”
Shrugging, I climb out of the truck and open the back door, reaching in and slipping my hands under Ashley’s legs and behind her back. “Thanks again for the ride, Ester.”
She nods and watches as I carefully pull Ashley from the vehicle, then nudge the door with my hip.
Ashley cuddles into my chest and sighs as I walk up the path toward the house. Ester is right—the door is unlocked. I turn the knob with my hand under Ashley’s legs, pushing with my back to close it.
I walk Ashley up to her bedroom and lay her on the mattress. She moans and turns a few times as if she might wake up. But she doesn’t and gets settled again, so I remove her boots and pull the covers over her.
Even though I want so badly to slip in beside her and spend the night holding her, I cast the idea aside. I don’t want to share a bed with her unless she’s invited me to, and although the dance and kiss were hot, she’s in no condition to ask me. So I quietly tiptoe back out of the room.
The entire night plays in my mind as I walk to my room—the mismarked eggnog, the Santa Strip Tease, all the new townspeople, and… the wish tree. Shit, I meant to go to the tree and see what Ashley’s wish was. I was vague enough in mine that no one would figure it out. As I go to my bedroom and shut the door, I kind of hope that vision returns in my dreams because it doesn’t scare me as much anymore.
Chapter Fifteen
ASHLEY
Iroll over in bed, squeezing my eyes shut from the dull throb stabbing my brain.
It takes me a moment to figure out why I have a headache, then I remember. The holiday dance, the eggnog, Carter on stage stripping as Santa… our kiss.
A pleasurable warm hum fills my body as if I’m reliving it all over again—God, that kiss.
It didn’t even come close to comparing to the kiss we shared that night of our date. Not that those kisses were bad, they weren’t. But after the kiss we shared last night, they lacked any genuine desire on Carter’s part. Last night, it was filled with passion and longing and desire. His dick pressed up against me was evidence that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
But what does it mean, if anything? I have no idea where Carter’s head is. It’s been great getting to know him better, and he’s not the asshole I once thought he was. But did he kiss me because it meant something to him, or because he was tipsy on eggnog, and I was there?
Pushing the covers off me, I rise out of bed, telling myself not to dwell on Carter and me. Not to hang my happiness on whatever Carter’s reaction might be.
When I reach my en suite, I start the shower and grab some pain medicine for my headache before stepping under the warm spray. Since I don’t have guests, and no one is waiting for me to make breakfast, I’m able to take a longer shower than usual, and I fully indulge in the extravagance. I shave my legs and use my favorite body wash with a coarse hand mitt to scrub my skin.
I tell myself I’m not doing this on the off chance that Carter and I end up in bed together, but I know it for the lie that it is. Like it or not, my hopes are invested in Carter. I hope he doesn’t disappoint me again.
Once I’ve gotten dressed, dried and styled my hair, and put on a touch of makeup, I go downstairs. Thankfully, the shower and ibuprofen chased away my headache.
As I approach the kitchen, I hear someone moving around inside it, and I draw in a big breath, trying to settle my nerves. This is the moment I’ll know exactly where Carter’s head is.
“Good morning,” I say.
