Page 22 of Stolen Holidays
“Thank you. I appreciate the assurance.”
“Sure thing. Just make sure you don’t piss off Lucky, and everything will be fine.” Jeff turns and struts out of the inn without an explanation.
Who—or what—in the hell is Lucky?
nine
Callie
Elicarriesoursuitcasesinto the small log cabin and places them near the closet. I take a quick glance around. The inside is one big room, the living room and kitchenette connected, with lots of windows making the space bright and cozy. In the corner near the electric fireplace is a three-foot Christmas tree decorated with white lights and red ornaments.
On the other side of the room is a huge king-sized bed, calling my name. It’s covered in fluffy white pillows and a matching duvet. I swan-dive onto the cloud-like bed with a yawn. My nap in the car barely put a dent in the exhaustion I feel after the long drive.
I burrow my face into the pillows and breathe in the fresh linen scent of the fluffy white duvet covering the mattress. The material is cool and soft against my cheek, tempting me to curl up and sleep.
As the bed dips beside me, Eli’s warm hand slides under my sweater and spreads across my lower back as he rubs circles. Warm electrical current spreads through me at his loving touch.
“Are you feeling okay, Cal?” His hand drifts up, his fingers sliding across my skin like the soft strokes of a paintbrush.
Rolling onto my side, I rest my cheek on my fist and look up into his endless-ocean eyes. With my index finger, I smooth the pinched line between his brows. “I’m perfect.”
“Are you sure? We can stay in and take a nap.” “Nap” comes out all gravelly and low, making my thighs clench and my nipples harden. Eli gives my butt a little tap before squeezing it and hitting me with that cocky, all-too-knowing smirk of his.
“A nap sounds good.” Unable to resist my man’s luscious lips, I sit up and caress them with mine, not quite kissing him. “You know what would be better?” I lick his bottom lip before sucking it into my mouth.
The guttural sound of his responding groan almost has me begging for him to rip my clothes off and worship me, but I put my desire aside. For now.
I push him back, increasing the space between us so that I can see his eyes blaze with lust. “Going to see the horses in the new barn.”
“What?” Eli grins.
“Let’s…” I linger before continuing. “Go see the horses, please. I haven’t ridden in so long. My dad used to take me.” I pop out my bottom lip, knowing Eli is a sucker for the move. He finds me just as irresistible as I find him. A newfound surge of energy has me up and off the bed in a flash. At the door, I bounce on my tiptoes, waiting for Eli to catch up.
He runs his hand over his chin with a hearty chuckle. “As you wish.”
“Oh, my very own Dread Pirate Roberts,” I tease.
Eli has been showing me all his favorite childhood movies, and I have found thatPrincess Brideis my favorite. Movie nights with Eli are my favorite. Snuggling him, with my head on his chest and his arms wrapped around me, is by far the best part.
Eli winks at me as he leans back onto the bed, watching me. “Only fair. You are my princess,Buttercup.”
My chest tightens as pure love fills me to the point of bursting. “How did I get so lucky?”
He pins me in place with his penetrating stare as he replies, “I’m the lucky one.”
“I love when you do that.”
His smile widens as he answers me with one of his signature questions. “Do what?”
“Make me feel like I’m the most precious thing in the world.”
I didn’t know men like Eli existed in the world. He not only tells me how he feels, but he shows me. Every single day. From the way he gets up early every morning to make my favorite tea to the way he cares for me after taking my body to the brink of orgasmic destruction.
Eli stands to his full height, and in just a few strides, he crowds me, my back pressed against the door. I brace myself, placing my palms on his chest. With his fingers, he brushes the stray hairs around my face behind my ear. Shivers trail down my spine from his featherlight touch.
“You are precious. To me.”
I melt as Eli covers my mouth with his and his arms wrap around my waist. My lips part immediately in invitation to deepen the kiss, which he greedily takes, delving his tongue into my mouth, tangling and sliding it against mine in a sensuous twirl that makes my knees wobble like they’re made of Jello.
