Page 21 of Joy Ride
“Of course not. Are you okay? Maybe you should get off your feet for a while. We can all handle the rest of dinner.”
“You know what? Sitting down isn’t a bad idea.” The doorbell rings again. “I think I’ll waddle my way to the sofa, maybe sip some of that nonalcoholic eggnog.”
“And I’ll be right back.”
I traipse through the living room in front of the large blazing fire. Feeling extra festive, I snag one of the spare Santa hats off the back of a chair and slip it on while I head to the foyer.
Poor guy was going to spend Christmas all alone. I open the door with a big smile and a “Merry Christmas,” and almost choke.
Chapter Ten
“Jolene?” I sputter, and she looks as shocked as I am.
“Oh my God! What are you doing here?” She bursts out laughing. “This is amazing! I was just about to text you. I thought you were spending Christmas at a friend’s house.”
“Thisismy friend’s house. I’ve known Chase West for years.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She giggles, grabbing my hand. “Come in, come in.”
When I step inside, I set my gingerbread cookies on the nearest surface and pull my angel into my arms. “If this isn’t a Christmas miracle, I don’t know what is.”
She laughs and whispers, “I want to kiss you so badly but not here. Everyone will see us.” She tugs my hand, hurrying me into a mudroom around the corner.
“I don’t care who sees us.” I growl, backing her up against the wall and kiss her like a wild man. Her taste, the feel of her silken skin and her scent, all come rushing back, setting me on fire. It isn’t long before my tongue finds hers, and we’re clawing at each other’s clothes.
“You’re a vision.” I trace a finger down her cheek and run it across her quivering bottom lip. “This whole time you were still in West Palomino?”
Jolene nods. “It’s probably best if we keep this a secret. My cousins will have us married in days,” she says, rocking against me with a devious grin.
At this point, I’d have zero qualms about marrying her right now, but I promise to keep quiet. Hold on. “I thought you said your name was Woodman.”
“Oh, right. Sorry about that,” she says softly, checking behind us for prying eyes. “You know Chase is such a private man, and he’s so protective of his family, especially now that Lexi’s pregnant again. I didn’t know you knew him. We all have this standing rule to never give out his address because he has so many crazy stalkers.”
I cock a brow. “Is this your way of telling me I look like a stalker?” I chuckle, kissing down her cheek toward her succulent neck. “Truth is, you might just turn me into one.”
“No, no, no.” She laughs as I pull her flush against me. There’s no doubt she can feel how hard I am for her.
“You were the one who broke into my place, snuck into my bed like an X-rated Goldilocks, and then lied about your name,” I tease.
She smiles coyly, and fuck she knows she has me wrapped around her little finger. “What can I say, cowboy? When you are a West, you can’t be too careful. Trust me, you haven’t even met my brothers. They’re even worse than me and my cousins put together.”
“Under the circumstances,” I whisper. “I think I’ll forgive you as long as you promise to never lie to me again.”
She solemnly salutes me. “I swear. I promise.”
“Is that Travis?” Lexi’s voice comes barreling down the hall.
“Oh shit, we’re busted,” Jolene says under her breath before calling out, “Yep, Travis is here…” She gives me a private smile. “And he brought cookies. I’m just showing him where to hang his coat.”
“Guess that means I should take my coat off,” I say shrugging out of it and hanging it on a hook.
“We better get out there and say hi.” Her eyes are as big as saucers.
“Don’t look so worried, darlin’. I can handle whatever comes our way.” I give her another kiss before we head out and grab the plate of cookies off the credenza by the door.
She sashays down the hall, swaying her spectacular hips in front of me, while acting all prim and proper. I can’t resist giving her ass a little squeeze.
She swats my hand with a giggle. “I’m so happy you’re here. This is the best Christmas ever.”
