Page 82 of Mistletoe Kisses

I gently dragged my finger across the box. “You remembered.”

“I listen to what you say because it matters to me.”

If I hadn’t already been sitting down, I would’ve swooned. I leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you. I love it. Think it’s okay to start an advent calendar on Christmas?”

“We can make our own rules.”

I carefully pushed in the edges of the day one window and pulled out a truffle wrapped in black and gold foil. I peeled the foil away and took a bite. I wasn’t too savvy about hard liquor, but it tasted of rum and decadent dark chocolate.

As I chewed my half, I held the rest out to Lucas. Instead of taking it, he kissed me.

“Mm. Delicious.”

I ate the other half, then kissed him, the need for him propelling me. I would’ve climbed onto his lap if the box wasn’t in my way. Instead, I composed myself and gave him his gift. The presentation wasn’t much, but at least I’d been able to print the tickets off in the bookstore office.

Lucas shimmied and grinned at me as he opened the envelope. He smiled softly as he read the card I’d picked out, then he unfolded the paper. His eyes grew wide. “No way! How’d you get these? His Portland book tour stop is sold out, and there’s been nothing on ticket resale sites.”

I let out a relieved breath. “It helps when you know a few people in publishing. One thing my old job was good for.”

“Look at you, bigshot. Getting me tickets to meet my favorite fantasy author. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” My cheeks were on fire.

“Will you be my date?”

“Of course!” Before I’d decided to stay in Oregon, I’d let my daydreams run away from me and had imagined flying back in March to go with him.

“I’ve got an idea of a new tradition to add.”

“Oh?”

He waggled his eyebrows. “After the swapping of gifts, we can swap fluids.” His face pinched. “Hmm. Need to workshop that one.”

I laughed and moved the advent calendar before pulling Lucas onto me.

* * *

LUCAS

The puffy ball at the end of my hat fell into Arlo’s face as I leaned over him. He laughed, and I reveled in the cheerful sound. I couldn’t get enough of his laughter—or him.

I kissed him like we had time because, by some Christmas miracle, we did.

“Doesn’t it feel like our first mistletoe kiss was a long time ago?”

Arlo smiled. “It does. It feels like I’ve known you for a lot longer than two weeks. In a good way.”

I laughed and leaned in to steal another kiss, and another, and a few more. We might be tired as hell tomorrow, but wehadtomorrow.

I kissed all the sensitive spots on his neck that I’d learned he loved before pushing up his shirt to watch the flush overtake his pale chest. He squirmed as I teased my tongue around his nipples, then gently used my teeth, and I pulled a gasp from him that went straight to my dick. His responsiveness to my touch was more potent than any drug.

“Let’s go to the bedroom. I need more space to play.”

Arlo smiled eagerly and let me pull him to his feet. Once we reached my room, I plugged in the twinkle lights we’d hung over my headboard to create the right ambiance.

The blinking white lights shone in his eager eyes as I stripped him and reveled in each inch of skin I uncovered. Goosebumps popped across his body, and I wasn’t sure if it was from my touch or the cool air. “Let me get you under the blankets.”

He climbed under the covers, and I followed, shucking my clothes. I sprawled out over him and soaked up his body heat.

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