Page 33 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

Her fingers touched the back of his hand. “Make love to me.”

Christmas music blared in the vehicle. He swore that he hadn’t put it on holiday music, but at this time of the year, all the stations were pretty much playing Christmas music non-stop. And because of the loud music, Jake could not be sure that he’d actually heard True say what he hoped she’d said.

She pulled her hand back.

He turned down the radio. Then his head swung toward her. “Say that again.”

She bit her lower lip.

“True?” Say it again. I need to hear those words again.

“You asked how you could make it better.”

His heart slammed into his chest.

“Will you make love to me?” She seemed to hold her breath.

No, dammit, he was the one holding his breath because holy shit, was this real? True wants me to make love to her? Now?

“I shouldn’t have asked—forget it,” she rushed to say. “I’m not myself. I just?—”

He leaned forward. Caught her chin with his fingers. And kissed her. Soft. Careful. Because she deserved every care in the world. “I will make it so better,” he vowed against her mouth, “that you will be screaming for more.”

Chapter Eight

“Oh, I can jingle all the way, all night long.”

– Jake Hale

* * *

I will make it so better that you will be screaming for more.

Somehow, Jake had arranged for her clothes and toiletries to be brought to his place. Maybe his assistant, Perry, had brought them over while they’d been at the museum? However the magic had happened, True was extremely grateful. When she exited the shower—feeling semi-normal once again—she slid into the blue silk pajamas that waited for her.

Then she kind of froze in the bedroom because…

How exactly did she go about collecting on Jake’s promise? Did she just walk up to the man, stare into his deep, dark eyes and say something like, “I’m ready to scream now, please.”

Yes, so, that didn’t feel right. Felt far too bold for her. Far too out of her comfort zone. But everything she was doing with Jake was beyond her comfort zone. Maybe that was a good thing.

She crept toward the bedroom door. She’d rushed down the hallway and into the bedroom after they arrived. He’d stayed in the den. And…

Just go find the man. Kiss him. You don’t have to say a word.

Her hand curled around the doorknob. She yanked the door open, and, not giving herself time to think any longer or hesitate, she hurried toward the den. Only when she was halfway to her goal, True paused because she was sure she heard the sound of…Christmas music? In Jake’s home?

With slower steps, she continued on her mission. True followed the music into the den. Flames flickered and danced in the fireplace. Two glasses of wine waited on the coffee table, and, as soft, instrumental Christmas music played in the air, Jake stood with his back to her. He seemed to be focusing very, very hard on the dancing flames.

“Feel better?” he asked without looking back.

She jumped at the rumble of his voice. Settle down. Ha. That was an impossibility. “Well, I no longer feel like I’m trapped in a three-thousand-year-old coffin, so there’s that.” Though she was sure a new fear had been unlocked that would haunt her forever. Hello, claustrophobia. “I didn’t thank you, earlier. I should have.” Apparently, talking was necessary. No running straight to the man and kissing him as if her life depended on it.

“You don’t need to thank me for anything.” He kept staring at the fire.

“You saved my life.” She took one quick step toward him. “That’s definitely worth a thank you.”

His hand lifted and curled around the mantel. As she stared at him, his grip tightened. “I’ve never been the good guy.”

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