“Now…” He licks his lips as he dips his head closer. “Now, I find myself feeling things I’d forgotten about.”
“Me, too.” I sigh, the weight I’ve been carrying the past few days evaporating. “I’m sorry I—“
“Will you just kiss her already, for crying out loud?”
Callum and I dart our eyes to the right, Bernie and the rest of the chess players watching with bated breath.
Hell, practically everyone is watching us with rapt attention. I hadn’t even noticed we’d drawn a crowd. Then again, that’s the effect Callum Reed has on me. Whenever I’m with him, he’s all I care about.
All that matters.
“I was about to before you interrupted,” Callum grits out in mock frustration.
“Well, get on with it already,” Harry calls out. “Unless you don’t know how.”
“Oh, I know how.”
“Doesn’t look like it,” Leonard chimes in. “In my day, we would have already found somewhere more private.” He waggles his bushy brow. “If you know what I mean.”
“What’s it going to be, Mr. Reed?” I tease, chewing on my lower lip. “Are you going to let them get away with that? Or should you prove that youdoknow what you’re doing?”
“Gladly, Ms. Holley.”
Without another moment of hesitation, he presses his lips against mine, leaving no question in my mind that this man absolutely knows what he’s doing.
When Callum Reed first showed up at Holley Ridge, I swore to do everything in my power to fight for this place. Prevent him from stealing it. From stealing Christmas.
Never in my wildest imagination could I have anticipated that the man who tried to steal Christmas would be the one who ended up saving it.
And in turn, he sort of saved me, too.
“Shall I get you checked in now, Mr. Reed?” I coo as he rests his forehead on mine. “I think you might prefer our elite package this time around, however.”
“And what does that include?” His reply drips with sin and seduction.
“All the amenities of the deluxe package, plus the benefit of my personal attention and presence twenty-four/seven.”
He nuzzles the crook of my neck. “I like the sound of twenty-four/seven access.”
“You’ll also be entitled to spa services, complete with frequent rub downs and happy endings.”
His pupils dilate, his jaw twitching. “Any other...benefits?”
“Yes. One more.”
“And that is?” he growls, his eyes blazing.
I hoist myself onto my toes. “Me. In the elf costume. With no panties.”
His hold on me tightens, every muscle in his body going rigid.
Including the one I feel pressing against my stomach, despite the layers between us.
“I’m going to need you to check me in. Effective immediately.”
“Of course, sir.” I bat my lashes. “And how long do you plan on staying?”
His expression shifts from lustful to sincere. “As long as you’ll have me, Parker. I’m yours.”
