• “All I Want for Christmas Is You” —Mariah Carey
• “Last Christmas” —Wham!
• “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” —Brenda Lee
•“Feliz Navidad” —José Feliciano
• “Jingle Bell Rock” —Bobby Helms
• “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” —Bruce Springsteen
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” —Darlene Love
• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” —Andy Williams
• “Step Into Christmas” —Elton John
• “Wonderful Christmastime” —Paul McCartney
• “Jingle Bells” —James Lord Pierpont (various renditions)
• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” —Dean Martin
I tilted my phone toward her, but she leaned closer toward me to see. The movement put her face even closer to mine. I could see the two freckles on her cheek, the mole right beneath her eye, and the bruise.
Shit. Maybe it was the dim hallway light, but the bruise on her forehead was a deep purple now. “Char,” I hissed. Using my other hand, I traced the bruise. “This looks pretty bad.”
She winced but nodded. “It throbs.”
I let my touch linger on her skin, gently outlining the bruise, and without meaning to, I continued the movement down her jaw. Her skin was so soft, and I loved how she let out a little hum and closed her eyes. She leaned into my touch, sighing in what I assumed was contentment as I stared at her lips.
My whole body tensed with desire. Attraction and lust weren’t common for me. I didn’t date, and it had been months since I’d been with a woman, but fuck, Charlotte was beautiful. Continuing my gentle caress of her face, I traced my thumb over her bottom lip and fought the urge to groan. Her mouth was so plump.
“Hey.”Jesus.My voice had come out all raspy and deep. I tilted her chin up to look at me, and she took her time opening her eyes. When she did, I was done for. Her large brown eyes and lush black lashes stole my thoughts. The words I had planned to say disappeared. All I could think wasKiss her.
Her mouth parted, and the pulse at the base of her neck raced against my finger. She licked her lips and leaned closer. My skin buzzed as my stomach tripped over itself. I dipped my head. I couldn’t think of a single thing I wanted more.
“Char,” I whispered, our breaths intermixing with only an inch between us. I needed her to say yes to this. To grant me permission. To be aware that this kiss would change the status quo of everything.
Ding.
Charlotte jumped back so hard that she smacked the back of her head on the wall. “Shit!” She set her laptop down and rubbed her head. “That hurt.”
Fuck.I ran a finger over my eyebrow, my body feeling a thousand pounds. Did she need to jump that far away with that much effort? “You alright?” I asked, my voice giving away my frustration. We were so close to kissing.
Stupid elevator.
“Hayden,” she whispered, hitting me in the side. Her tone had shifted. It was serious. “This has to be her.”
A beautiful woman with long brown hair and a red trench coat strutted from the elevator with an intense expression. She meant business. She scanned the hallway, nodding at an exit before she spotted us. A candy cane swung from her fingers.
She narrowed her gaze on us.
“Hi,” Charlotte said, standing. “Any chance you’re heading to room 300?”
“Maybe,” the woman said, her voice sultry. She pursed her lips and stared down the hall, toward room 300. “But if I were, why do you ask?”
“We’re here to stop you. If we have to beg, we will.” Charlotte smiled but it was awkward.
