Page 139 of Holiday Hire

I take the star from Ace and climb three rungs of the ladder.

Alexander steps right behind me, putting his arms on each side of it.

I glance down at him.

The mischievous expression I've grown to love is all over him. He adds, "I'll make sure the ladder's secure."

I refocus on my task, and attach the star to the top branch and plug it in.

It lights up and Ace declares, "Now it's Christmas!"

Wilder informs, "Time to go to Grandma and Grandpa's. Sebastian and Georgia just arrived!" He points out the window.

"Go on, you two. We'll meet you over there," Alexander orders.

They race out the door.

I get off the ladder and turn to face Alexander.

He puts his arms on both sides of the ladder again, caging his body against mine. He murmurs, "Thank God. We're finally alone."

My butterflies take off. Before I know it, his lips are pressed against mine, his hand is in my hair, and his tongue urgently explores every part of my mouth. My knees buckle, and he holds me to him, his cock hard against my stomach.

He groans. "We better get going, or they'll be knocking on the door."

Disappointment fills me. I'd rather go into his bedroom right now, but I nod. "All right."

He helps me into my coat, and I put on my boots, gloves, and hat. He leads me across the yard to the main house.

When we get inside, a stocking with my name on it is already on the mantel next to Alexander's.

"Did you do this?" I question.

He shrugs, then disappears, returning with two boxes, followed by his brothers.

The Cartwrights decorate for hours, which is funny because there were already so many decorations up around the ranch.

I excuse myself to the bathroom. When I step out, Alexander's waiting for me.

"Hey," I say.

He doesn't reply. He moves me over into the cubby hole under the staircase. He shuts the door. It's dark, and there's only a small portion where he can stand up, or he'll hit his head.

"What—"

His lips press against mine, his hands sliding into my pants, his erection pushing into my stomach. He mumbles, "Fuck, I've missed you," then slides his tongue back into my mouth, spinning me against the wall. Before I know it, my pants are down, as are his. He steps on my jeans and orders, "Lift your foot."

I obey, and my foot frees itself from the denim.

He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He enters me in one thrust, grunting, "Jesus, my stallion's been dying to get inside your tight pussy all day."

He thrusts in and out of me until I'm shaking so badly and moaning, I'm afraid others are going to hear us.

He keeps his lips pressed to my ear, his breath ragged, ordering, "Quiet, baby girl." He thrusts faster.

Every cell inside me rages with adrenaline until my bones feel it.

His erection pulses deeper and harder, then he groans, feral, in my ear, vibrating as hard as I'm convulsing against him.

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