Page 18 of Yours to Ho Ho Hold
“Cheers to winning the bet,” I say with a cheeky grin.
She sips her cocoa and eyes me over the rim of the cup. When she pulls away, there’s a dab of whipped cream on her nose.
“You’ve got a little …” I swipe my finger and suck the sweet cream off, never taking my eyes off her. Her brown eyes brighten, and she bites her lip. I know she feels it, too. This connection. But will she let herself go there? Will she let herself have something she wants just because she wants it?
“Walk with me.” It’s less of a question and more of a demand. Her eyes flare with curiosity, and she holds the crook of my arm falling into step beside me as we stroll along the cobblestone path as the sound of Christmas music fades in the distance.
“I’ve enjoyed our date today.”
“You mean, dates?” she corrects.
“The lines are pretty loose considering the timeline.”
“Yeah? Why do I have a feeling you’re used to bending the rules to get what you want?”
We make our way to the Christmas tree garden area outside the inn. I take a sip of my cocoa, then look her right in the eyes. “You’re right. I am used to getting what I want, but it’s not because I cheat.” I move closer, and this time, she doesn’t back up as she meets my eyes in a challenge.
“Then why is it? You’re just lucky, then?”
I bend down, bringing our mouths closer, and whisper, “I get what I want because I’m not afraid to ask for it.” I glance up at the mistletoe hanging over our heads, and her eyes drop to my lips before wetting hers. “And right now, I can’t think of anything I’ve ever wanted more than to kiss you.”
ChapterEight
Holly
I suck in a breath,but my feet lock in place, and I don’t dare move. I lift my chin ever so slightly as if my body’s giving him the okay all on its own.
Drew’s eyes lock with mine, and once again, I get the strangest feeling of déjà vu, like our souls have done this time and time again. Everything about this just feels right, even though my mind can’t seem to understand why. Maybe I don’t need to know why. Maybe I’ve spent my whole life searching for the answer to that never ending question, and it’s only led me to the point of exhaustion, frustration, and a lackluster existence. Maybe what I really need to start asking is why not?
I glance up at the mistletoe and wet my lips. “Then what are you waiting for?”
Drew’s lips crash into mine, and I feel a tiny explosion ignite in my chest. All our sexual tension comes flooding out, and it feels so good. His lips are commanding and possessive as he slides his tongue gently inside my mouth like he’s savoring every taste. I press up to my tiptoes needing to be closer to him, needing to deepen this kiss that lights me up brighter than a Christmas tree in places I didn’t know existed.
“Fuck, baby.” He takes my chin between both hands, separating us, and I let out the tiniest whimper of protest, which only makes him smirk. “Fuck, even just kissing you is too indecent to do in public.” He stares into my eyes and smiles. “What do you say we take this back to our room?”
“Yes.” My voice is the faintest whisper, but that’s all it takes before he’s grabbing my hand and pulling me along behind him through a side door.
We barely make it up the stairwell before he’s pressing me against the wall and stealing another kiss because he’s too desperate to make it ten more feet.
I’ve never been kissed like this, never felt so desired and needed the way Drew needs my lips on his. His massive body brackets me in, and I feel so small underneath him like he could break me in half using only his hands. I have no idea why I find that so sexy, but I’m done asking questions for the night. I’m done thinking with my head. Tonight, I’m giving into my body.
He stifles a growl under his breath like it pains him to stop kissing me as he walks us backward to our room. My skin is on fire burning from the inside out. I need his mouth on mine, his hands on my skin. I need friction and relief from this pressure building inside of me.
He kicks the door open and shrugs off his coat before helping me out of mine and tossing them in a pile on the armchair. And then he’s on me again, pressing my body against the wall and pinning my arms above my head. His body is all hard lines and sculpted muscle, and when he takes control like this, I feel as though I could melt into a puddle at his feet.
“I hoped it was peppermint,” he says between kisses. He moves from my lips to my neck like he wants to taste all of me at the same time.
“What are you talking about?” I ask in a breathy gasp, loving how he takes control, still pinning my hands with one hand as his other slides underneath the hem of my sweater.
“Your lip gloss. It’s been driving me nuts all day.” He kisses along my neck, tracing his tongue along my collar bone, and it’s almost too much. I have to force myself to remember to breathe because I’ve never been this turned on in my life.
“I couldn’t decide if it tasted like berries or peppermint.” He bites my bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth, then releases it with a gentle swipe of his tongue that turns into another mind-numbing, breath-stealing kiss.
His hand sneaks up my waist a little higher, tracing along my rib cage as he presses his hard length against me. “You are so fucking perfect. I want to take these layers off one by one like I’m opening a Christmas present.” He pauses his movement and looks to me, and I realize he’s waiting for permission.
I don’t know if it’s the hormones or the rush of adrenaline from doing this with an almost stranger, but a wave of boldness washes over me as I look him in the eyes. “I trust you, Drew. I don’t know why or how, but I do. Tonight, I’m all yours. I don’t want to think, can you just … I don’t know … tell me what to do?” A warm blush creeps up my neck, and I can’t believe I just said that out loud, but I don’t look away from him. I need him to hear me and know I’m serious, that I want this just as badly as he does. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever needed anything more.
He lifts an eyebrow, and there’s that cocky smirk again. “Oh, Holly. You have no idea what box you’ve just opened.” He releases my hands and cups my jaw as he plants a soft, gentle kiss on my lips. It’s a wildly different energy from before, but I melt into him all the same.
