Page 5 of Merry Little Wedding

Her eyes fall closed, and I take a slow pull from her lips. When my tongue begs for entrance, Aurora spreads that mouth for me. Her fingers dig in deeper into my nape. Fuck, I want more. And that’s exactly why I have to break the kiss. I do it slow, too.

I press my lips to the shell of her ear. Her body responds with a fast shiver in my arms. “I don’t think you’re getting married. I don’t think you’re even engaged, Aurora.”

“Wh…”

I peel her left hand off my neck. “You’re not wearing a ring.”

Her eyes double in size, and she tucks her ring finger into her fist.

“A fake bachelorette party.” I smirk. “Pretty cool trick, hun.”

“I wasn’t trying to trick you. I really didn’t expect to get free drinks.”

“You should pay for those.”

“I know. I can.” She reaches for the purse resting against her hip. I fetter that hand and squeeze it in mine.

“Tell you what. I can let this slide, if…”

“Iiif?” she says warily.

“Come with me to an actual wedding?”

“Oh. Um… When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!”

“You don’t have plans,” I point out, twirling her around.

“No but I have…somany questions.”

“I’ll answer all of them on the way.”

“On the way where?”

“Someplace…Christmassy.”

Three

Aurora

“Who has a wedding on aSunday?” I squawk into the phone. “Why would you say that?”

“Oof, I’m sorry!” Liz pouts, putting on her most pitiful voice. “I was distracted with, um…”

“Care bear?” I breathe out.

“What, don’t judge me. He’s soo cute. Next time we’ll get our story straight first—”

“Next time!” My voice is shrill as I wheel around on the private airstrip, where Mr. Tall, Dark, and Blue Eyes is deplaning a single-pilot Cessna and headed toward me. “I gotta go. My…ride is here.” I hang up.

Boone reaches for my bag and the heavy coat I couldn’t dream of putting on in this heat. Holding both, he bends down to brush a kiss on my cheek. “You ready, Aurora?”

“It’s a private jet.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says casually as we fall into step toward the waiting plane.

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