Page 57 of Second Chance Christmas

“What?”

He pointed down.

She hung her head. “These were my only pair.” Soot and grease smeared her left leg while her other was soaked with foam.

“I think you’re adorable in anything you wear. My fave is your birthday suit.”

She knew he was trying to make her smile and leaning against the wall with him leaning over her like he owned her didn’t make her want to smile. It made her want a repeat of this morning.

“I especially find the little patches of burned cookie on your face sexy as hell and have me hard under all this gear.”

Her mouth fell open.

“But we can leave how I would like to offer to help clean you up later. Right now another van just pulled up behind and I don’t think you want to greet more guests in your pajama bottoms.”

Aspen rubbed at one of the spots he mentioned and she briefly wondered how he managed to keep it all together so effortlessly while she couldn’t manage to get one thing right lately.

“I’ll welcome the new guests that just pulled up while you change.”

She followed his gaze to the entrance. “What am I going to do, Aspen? I don’t even have enough food in the house for these people. No trees. The place is a mess. More so now and I look like an old alley cat.”

He angled her to him and away from the door and her panic attack ebbed to manageable levels, but her heart rate was still skyrocketing into dangerous territory.

His lips found hers and strong hands settled on her hips, pulling her close. He wasn’t lying about the hard-on he sported. The thick ridge of his cock pressed into her and she gave a little gasp into his mouth.

She had no idea how, but he made her forget all her troubles.

“Take a deep breath. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll send a couple of the men back to the fire station with a list for Kade. He’ll bring food while you and I can take care of the rest. You’ve done this before only it’s me here to help instead of your grandparents. Go on, take a shower and change. It will help calm your nerves.”

Only if he joined her! Right now, her panties could use a change. She’d creamed them the second he’d grabbed her by the hips and kissed her like he wanted to tongue fuck her all night long.

She placed a hand on his chest and rose to her tiptoes. Eye to eye reiterated, “I don’t even have Christmas trees for the kids, Aspen. It’s three days until Christmas and the lots are all empty. I tried. I called. Nothing. I’ve ruined Christmas for kids I don’t even know.”

“What about the ones your gran ordered? Didn’t they deliver?”

“The Ivy Effect struck and you already know the rest.”

“The Ivy what?” He looked as puzzled as she felt. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out even if I have to paint myself green and wrap lights around me. ”

“Sexy,” she purred.

She turned to climb the stairs but paused as the door opened with a flurry of snow. Aspen smiled up at her “Thank you,” she mouthed.

With that, she turned and made her way to her room at the end of the hall.

Fifteen minutes later she pulled on a clean pair of socks and managed a sloppy ponytail that looked presentable enough, she supposed and made her way to where she heard lots of laughter and smelled the coffee.

Aspen stood closest as she entered the kitchen. Catching her entrance he tossed a pen to the top of her planner and fetched the coffee pot from the machine. Thank God that hadn’t gone up in flames. He topped off several guests’ mugs while offering her a fresh cup. “Ivy Sunday, let me introduce you to your newest guests.”

Aspen slipped from the stool hugging the large kitchen island she favored in the long line of places to sit and slipped a hand into the back pocket of her jeans as she came to stand beside him.

Twelve faces turned her way—six adults, three young children and three teenagers. All new to Dixen except one couple she had known since childhood. She got a cursory glance from the teenagers before they returned to their smartphones. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about entertaining them.

“The Murphys just arrived all the way from Maine on the recommendation of a friend and you’ve already met the Howards. And this year the Wilbers decided to come for a visit all the way from Ontario,” Aspen offered.

The Wilbers, who’d been visiting the B&B since her grandmother and grandfather opened the place to guests and had become dear friends of her grandparents. They often visited for other holidays and gatherings over the summer and spent enough time here she grew up thinking they were family.

“Yes. Hello, everyone. Welcome to Dixen. I’m sorry for the mess and the lack of Christmas spirit that you were promised.” Gahh. Tears threatened but she beat them back.

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