Page 22 of The Bad Boy's Secret Santa

“Gorgeous,” Eli says into my ear, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me.

“You like the tree?”

“Oh, the tree is gorgeous, too.”

I turn my head over my shoulder and give my husband a long, thorough kiss. One that quickly threatens to make us late for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

This year, the town is going all out. Several local vendors have set up booths, including the bakery. There’ll be a hot cocoa stand, a booze cart for the adults, and there’s even going to be live music.

Thankfully, it’s thirty degrees outside. Just cold enough to keep the snow from melting, but warm enough to encourage a large turnout.

“The animal shelter has a tent, too,” I tell Eli as he nuzzles my neck.

“Does it?” His hand starts to gather my skirt at my hip.

“Do you think we should?—”

“Adopt a fur child?” His fingers discover the waistband of my leggings and dip inside. His touch is fire against my soft skin.

“We should at least meet them. Don’t you think?”

“It’s a big step, Pipes.” There’s no trace of hesitation in his tone. In fact, he sounds…convinced. But then his fingers slide beneath my panties, finding their favorite spot, and I get a little dizzy with pleasure and forget what I was saying.

The tree lighting is only a quick two-block walk. We won’t bethatlate.

Eli swirls his index finger around my button, causing wetness to saturate my panties. He slides a hand up my sweater, messing up my bra. I reach behind my back, undoing his belt buckle in record time. It was the best gift I could have gotten him last Christmas—one that miraculously stayed within the strict Secret Santa budget. He wears it all the time, and it’s so easy to get off when we’re in a hurry.

And when it comes to the lust between us, we’realwaysin a hurry.

“How do you want it, Pipes?” he asks as I squeeze his cock.

I meet his gaze over my shoulder and give him a devilish grin. “Bend me over the back of the couch and treat me like I’ve been a naughty girl this Christmas.”

“How naughty?” he asks, pulling my leggings down to my knees.

“Verynaughty.”

Bonus Epilogue

THAT SAME CHRISTMAS …

WILMA

Snow glistens from every tree branch in the park as I quietly slip my way into the crowd of Alpine Valley residents eager to be a part of the Christmas tree lighting this year. Many took the event for granted until it nearly didn’t happen last year. Only after my granddaughter got engaged in front of this very tree—after a group of residents came together to use whatever decorations they could spare last minute—did anyone seem to notice.

Now, the park is filled with vendors, live music, food trucks, and hopeful couples. I smile, comfortable in the knowledge that no one will take the local tradition for granted again.

“Wilma, how lovely to see you.” Becky Sue offers me a cup of hot cocoa.

“Thank you, dear.”

“How have you been?” she asks. “Heard you retired the Secret Santa event. You regretting that decision?”

With only a quick scan of the park, I spot several familiar happy couples. Successful matches I’ll never lay claim to making. Piper begged me to tell her how I did it, especially afterthe person she least expected to be her match turned out to be her true love. It just took a little…convincing.

That’s when I decided that some special secrets are best left a mystery. It’s what keeps the magic alive. There’s nothing more important than preserving Christmas magic. My granddaughter agreed with me.

Besides, the townsfolk were getting a little suspicious. Nine new couples in two years. Seven weddings. One engaged couple slotted to be married in the spring. There’s only one couple left to tie the knot. Though notallparticipants were setups—dozens weren’t—a sly grin spreads across my lips. If the townsfolk only knew how many more matches there’ve been, right under their noses.

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