Page 18 of Holiday Hijinks

“Just this once,” he teased. “Pretty sure you’re the only one who can attempt to order me around, Ash.”

She blew him a kiss and then disappeared, coming back down the hall a moment later. She was still dressed only in the red, satin robe and diamond necklace he’d given her, a wrapped gift in her hands.

“I brought your present,” she said, smiling seductively.

“You?” he quipped. “I’m a damn lucky man.”

She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. “You can have me after you open your real gift.”

Slate leveled her with a look. “You are my real gift, Ash.”

She handed it to him anyway, and he took the rectangular present from her, carefully unwrapping it. He guffawed, trying to cover his shock as he stared at the novel with his bare torso on the cover instead of a male model. He’d seen her name on dozens of books, but this one hit him straight in the heart. “SEAL’s Command,” he murmured, reading the title of it. “Written by Ashleigh Moore.”

“I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you embarrassed,” she teased.

“You put my photo on one of your romance novels?” he asked with a chuckle, shaking his head.

“I cropped your face off,” she said, running her hands over the image. “And it’s a special edition—one copy, written just for you. Do I need to tell you that you’re the hero in the story?” She moved closer, her delicate hands gripping his forearm.

Slate’s blood heated as he breathed in her warmth and scent. “This is gonna be good,” he said, flipping through the pages. “My favorite book ever.”

“You haven’t even read it yet,” she replied with a laugh.

His eyes slid to hers. “Do I get the girl?”

She bit her lip and nodded, a pretty blush spreading across her cheeks.

“Then it’s my goddamn favorite,” he growled, moving closer. “Can we read it together in bed?”

“Umm-hmm,” she agreed.

Slate took her lips in a kiss, sliding the satin robe from her shoulders. His big hands fumbled with the sash at her waist, and he moved in, nuzzling her breasts, suckling her pink nipples as she squirmed. Ashleigh was breathing heavily as his hands skimmed down her body, gripping her hips. “Ash,” he breathed.

The robe fell to the floor, and Slate could see she was already flushed and aroused for him. He wasted no time, backing her to the sofa before feasting on her, showing her without words how much he desired her. After her cries filled the living room, he stripped down, and they made love in front of the fire again, the rest of the world forgotten.

Chapter 8

Ashleigh smiled leisurely on Christmas morning, Slate wrapped around her in bed. They’d had a cozy dinner together in front of the fire the night before, sharing a bottle of champagne, and then reading a few chapters of the book she’d written for him. Afterwards, they’d made love in front of the fire before turning in for the night, Slate promising another surprise today.

“Merry Christmas,” he said, kissing her bare shoulder.

“Mmmm. Merry Christmas,” she replied. “Is that your north pole I feel?” she joked as Slate’s erection pressed against her bottom.

He chuckled. “Those damn condoms,” he mumbled, referring to the stocking gifts from Anna. He let his hands roam, one palming her breast as the other slid beneath her hip, holding her more tightly to him. “After I make you breakfast in bed and we open the rest of the presents, I thought we could head into Seattle.”

“You want to drive to the city now? On Christmas morning?”

“We’ll leave later. Humor me,” he murmured.

She twisted around so she was facing him. A slow smile slid across his face as his gaze dipped to her bare breasts and then back up to meet her eyes. “What do you want to do today in Seattle?” she asked. “I thought the plan was to head there later this week.”

“I booked us a nice hotel room. We’ll have dinner there tonight. Enjoy the hot tub. Spend some time in the city tomorrow. I told you I can be very persuasive,” he said huskily.

“Wait, is this why Anna flew in to Seattle?”

He pressed his lips together, trying not to smile. “It’s a surprise. We’ll pack a bag after breakfast and drive up there.”

“And you won’t give me any hints at all about whatever is going on?”

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