Page 34 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

Another step. “Um, did you miss the part where you saved me? That definitely counts as good. Hate to break it to you, but I suspect your naughty streak is over. I think you’re making the nice list for sure this year.” Why was she trying to joke?

He looked over his shoulder at her. “You have no idea what I want to do to you.”

Say again? Her feet became rooted to the spot. Tell me. Tell me everything.

“I’ll never be on the nice list, sweets. Never in a million years. And the things running through my mind…the way I want to make you come screaming for me…” A shake of his head. “Not nice.”

Her heartbeat raced in her chest. It had raced when she’d been trapped in the sarcophagus, but fear had fueled her during those horrible moments. She wasn’t afraid now. Quite the opposite.

His dark eyes glittered. “Are you fucking me because you’re grateful?” Low. Dark. Dangerous.

Her arms wrapped around her body. “I actually don’t think we’re fucking yet.”

He whirled toward her. “We’re about to be. And I want to know…why.” A demand.

He’d ditched the rest of the Santa suit. He wore a black t-shirt that stretched across his powerful chest. Jeans that hung low on his hips. His hair was disheveled. His eyes intense. And he was—far and away—the sexiest man she’d ever seen in her life.

Okay, not on the nice list. That wasn’t the worst thing in the world. In fact…

Let me be on the naughty list with you.

“I want you,” True blurted. Did that cover the why part of the equation well enough for him?

Jake stalked toward her. His movements were so predatory that she almost retreated. At the last moment, True held her ground and lifted her chin.

“I thought I’d take you, and just be grateful to finally have my fantasy.” He stopped right in front of her. “But I want more.”

“You can have everything.” A whisper. Oh, damn. She probably shouldn’t have said that. Did she look too eager? She felt too eager. But the thing was…

A woman could get a whole lot of perspective on life when she was suddenly trapped in an ancient coffin. In my own hell. She could realize that playing by the rules just got you a broken heart and broken dreams. She could realize that maybe you should reach out for what you wanted. Take it. Enjoy the wild ride.

His hand rose. Then, before he touched her, that hand fisted and fell back to his side. Disappointment rolled through her.

Jake shook his head. “I can’t take advantage when you’re scared out of your mind.”

Was that what he thought he was doing? Taking advantage?

“I tried to set the scene.” His gaze darted around the room. “Got you wine. Played music I thought you’d like.”

Warmth spread inside of her. “The music is nice.”

“But you don’t…you don’t want to cross this line with me. Hell, last night, you were saying we were going to date. Date, not fuck. You’re scared now and you’re acting out, and I don’t want you hating me tomorrow.”

She couldn’t hate him. Utter impossibility.

“You’re safe.” His gaze came back to her. “And for once, I will not be the bastard the world thinks I am.”

So he was rejecting her? And looking all stoic about it, as if he’d just made some major sacrifice? What did the man want, a cookie for turning her down?

Not happening. “You made a promise.”

“I will keep you safe.”

“Not talking about that promise. I’m talking about how I’d scream because things would be so good.” She yanked up her pajama shirt and tossed it behind her. She hadn’t put on a bra, and she stood there, with her nipples getting a wee bit cold and pebbling.

His gaze fell to her chest. “True.”

“Everyone has always gone on and on about how good I am. Sounds boring as hell, frankly.” She shoved down her pajama shorts—and her panties—and kicked them away. “And, honestly, can’t someone be nice and naughty at the same time? Because I think it is possible.”

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