Page 39 of Baking it Merry

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he murmured, pulling her closer.“I think it’s a fabulous idea.Possibly the best idea.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to mention how he’s always disagreeing with her, but Tristan claimed her lips in an almost brutal kiss.Most of their kisses had been for an audience and a little chaste.The kiss in the parking lot earlier had been steamy.But this?This had Daphne wrapping herself around him with a passion she didn’t know she possessed.

Ugh…why him?

At the moment, it didn’t matter.All that mattered was getting closer—feeling the heat of him, the muscles, smelling that citrusy cologne he wore…

Madness.It was madness, pure and simple, and as his hands roamed up and down her back and then cupped her rear, she decided she didn’t care.She just wanted more—more kissing, more touching, more everything.

Of course, that’s when the doorbell rang.

They breathlessly broke apart—something that was becoming a common occurrence—and the look of pure lust on Tristan’s face almost had her begging him to ignore the doorbell.

But…she couldn’t.

“The servers,” she said quietly, taking a step back.“I’ll go and…”

“I’ll let them in,” he told her as he closed the distance between them again.“Your lipstick is a little smeared.You can go into my bedroom and use the en suite to freshen up.”

Looking up at him, she used her thumb to gently brush his lips.“You’ve got a little on you too.”

His groan was part growl this time.“You’re killing me,” he said gruffly, nipping at her thumb.“Go.”

Glancing around, she spotted her purse as the doorbell rang again.Racing into his bedroom, she immediately went into the bathroom and, with a racing heart, shut the door.Her reflection showed a woman who was thoroughly aroused—flushed cheeks, swollen lips, plus the smeared lipstick.Daphne allowed herself a solid minute to catch her breath before letting out a long one and fixing her appearance.

Smoothing a hand over her blonde hair—which she opted to wear long and loose tonight—she wondered how she was supposed to go back out there and act like everything was fine.Because it wasn’t fine.Tristan Knight had unleashed something in her that she both loved and hated.

And right now it was too hard to figure out which emotion was stronger.

“And not enough time,” she murmured before turning and walking out to Tristan’s bedroom.Images of him in the king-size bed flashed in her mind and she had to force herself to think of something else as she sprinted from the room.

“Hey, boss!”Marcus called out.“Mr.Knight said we’re doing the hot chocolate bar here on the kitchen counter, but I can’t find the red mugs anywhere.”

“I put them in the pantry,” Tristan said as he made his way in that direction.“Sorry!”

“Ooh, look at you!”Jackie gushed as she set up dessert cups on the dining room table.“You look gorgeous!That dress looks amazing on you!”

Self-consciously, she smiled.“Thanks.”

“You don’t normally dress so fancy for these parties.You almost look too pretty to be the caterer!”Then she laughed.“I’m just kidding.You always look amazing, but this is definitely a new look for you.”

Daphne walked over to help her set everything up.“Tristan asked me to act as hostess again, so I decided to be a little more subdued than I was last weekend.”

“Pfft…that red dress was totally you!Personally, I love how into the holidays you get and so do most of your clients.”She shot a look in Tristan’s direction.“If anything, you spread joy with the way you dress and how you embrace all the festive stuff.You shouldn’t have to change who you are because someone’s uptight.”

That was completely accurate, but her change in wardrobe wasn’t so much because of anyone being uptight.This was because she was feeling a little desirable and was hoping to entice Tristan.

Mission accomplished judging by that last kiss.

Okay, that was getting her nowhere, and she needed to focus.So for the next few minutes, she walked around tweaking everything until it all looked exactly as she wanted it to, and when Tristan’s parents arrived, she was ready.

“Oh, Daphne!”Cynthia said as she hugged her.“You look stunning!”Then she glanced around.“And everything is just as festive as it was last weekend!”

“Well, there are some changes—a few different items on the menu and no ornaments on the tree—but I know everyone’s going to enjoy themselves.”

“How could they not?”Tristan asked as he sidled up beside her, wrapping his arm possessively around her waist.“There’s something sweet on every surface.”When his parents walked farther into the house, he added for Daphne’s ears only, “That applies to you too.There’s a surface or two I wouldn’t mind placing you on.”

His breath was warm and sent shivers of delight down her spine.Before she could comment, the doorbell rang again and the rest of his guests began to arrive.Tristan gave her a sexy grin before walking away to answer the door.

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