Page 44 of Take Me Home for Christmas

Beula was sunning herself on the bench in front of the boxed bay window. A single swish of her tail was the only tell the cat was aware of their presence. A miniature Christmas tree sat front and center on the round kitchen table. It was decorated with photos of holidays from years past. Many of them were of Elle and Hayden sitting on Santa’s lap. Hayden’s grandfather, the town’s postmaster, had played the part of Santa for a quarter of a century.

Elle pulled her arm free to get a closer look. She fingered the photos, many of them worn with age.

“I’ve never seen these,” she whispered.

He made a rough sound with his throat. “My grandmother kept them.”

“Such precious photos.”

Tears suddenly stung the back of her eyes. The man behind her had played a role in so many of her memories—good and bad. It hurt to think that part of her life could be over.

“How did we get so messed up?” she asked, not bothering to turn around.

He was silent behind her for so long, she thought he’d left her again. But when she worked up the courage to face him, it was to see him looking as wrecked as she felt. It pained her to take a breath.

“I don’t want to lose you, Hayden.”

With a slight shake of his head, he stalked across the room to her. They stood facing each other, less than an inch separating them for what felt like hours until . . . She wasn’t sure who kissed who first, but it didn’t matter. Teeth and tongues clashed as they tried to get as close to one another as possible.

Hayden’s hands were suddenly everywhere. In her hair. Along her back. Burning a path along her skin beneath her fleece. When his mouth moved to explore the curve of her neck, she tilted her head to give him better access.

Elle wasn’t going to let the opportunity to explore the body she’d been fantasizing about all week go to waste. She tugged his Henley free of his jeans and slipped her fingers beneath it. He nipped at her jaw when her fingers made contact with his ridiculously flat abs. His thumb brushed over one of her nipples, already sensitive and aroused, and her knees almost buckled. He groaned when her fingers tangled up in the happy trail of hair leading below the waistline of his jeans.

“Either tell me to stop, or tell me you want this, Elle.” His teeth grazed her ear. “But you have to decide. Now.”

She’d never heard him sound so desperate.

It will change everything.

Elle ignored the warning voice in her head, instead turning her chin so his lips met hers again. It was answer enough for Hayden. The sound of the zipper on her vest was loud in the room as he worked it down. Multitasking, he sucked on her tongue while shoving the bulky garment down her arms. She gripped the hem of his sweater and the Henley beneath and rolled them up his torso. When her palms stopped to explore the expanse of muscles lining his body, he broke off their kiss to finish shedding his sweater and shirt.

Eyes wild, he backed her toward the hallway leading to his bedroom. Elle shimmied her fleece over her head, only to manage getting one of her arms caught. He chuckled.

“Don’t laugh at me,” she said through the wad of fabric covering her mouth.

He took pity on her, untangling the fleece and pulling it free. It went flying down the hall. Elle suddenly wished she’d given more thought to her lingerie choice this morning. She was pretty sure her dingy sports bra wasn’t doing her any favors right now.

Lucky for her, Hayden seemed preoccupied with her collarbone. He stared at the blush spreading over her skin as if he’d never seen such a thing before. Then he traced it with his finger. Clearly, Elle lacked a lot of sexual experience because it felt oddly erotic.

“Hayden.”

Her moan refocused his attention. He made quick work of her bra, letting it fall to their feet. His hands cupped her breasts, and he made a guttural sound as he pressed her back against the wall.

“I’ve dreamed of these,” he murmured, surprising the heck out of her, before he leaned down to take the tip of one between his lips.

You did? She might have asked if he hadn’t just obliterated all her brain cells. Her head hit the wall with such force, a picture frame fell from the wall. The shattering glass yanked them out of their sensual haze. They were both panting when they looked down at the broken frame. It was a photo of Hayden and his older sister when they were very young.

“I always hated that picture,” he said.

Elle gasped out a laugh before his mouth returned to her other breast. She scraped her fingers over his scalp when he moved lower. He dragged a low stool with his foot, positioning it behind him. Crouching down, he let his tongue wander over her stomach until it dipped into her belly button. His hands moved from gripping her waist to the top of her leggings. He began to roll them and her panties down her legs. She squirmed against him when his lips traveled lower.

“Don’t move,” he ordered with a growl.

Swearing, he struggled to get the leggings over her sneakers. She toed them both off and stepped out of the last bit of her clothing. Elle was naked in front of him, her body pressed against the wall. The position made her feel awkward and exposed, like one of the butterflies Miles used to collect and pin to a board.

“We should find a bed,” she pleaded.

“Not yet.” His eyes wandered over her body reverently. “You are so damn gorgeous. It takes my breath away.”

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