Page 103 of The Holiday Ex-Files

Noah must have agreed, since he let go of Luna and tangled his fingers in my hair while his tongue danced right into my mouth, making my holidays merry and bright. Oh, merry Christmas, could the man kiss. He walked us over to the kitchen and set me on my new butcher block counters while he decimated my hair and did magical things inside my mouth. I think I was going to start calling him Lucky Charms because he was magically delicious.

When he’d done a thorough job of taking my breath away, he groaned against my lips. “You are so handsy.”

“I thought you liked that about me.” I smiled.

“It’s one of your finer qualities.” He kissed my nose. “Did you get the water turned off like I told you to?”

“Wow. That’s so sexy. If you’re trying to woo me, considered me wooed,” I teased.

He nuzzled my neck, his stubble giving me all the feels. “Water damage is no joke.”

“Would you think it was funny if I told you I’m not having any plumbing issues?” I stuttered out. Kisses on the neck were my weakness.

His head popped up. “You lied?”

“Lie is such an ugly word. I just wanted you to hurry over here. I have a surprise for you.” I pointed to the tree behind me.

Noah’s eyes widened. “I thought you decided against a tree since you’re leaving in a few days.”

“Well . . . ,” I purred. “What if I decided to stay?”

His eyes lit up like I’d hoped my Christmas tree soon would. “Merry Christmas to me.” His lips crashed into mine and we started the entire dance over again, breathing the same breaths and tasting each other, like a fine meal you never wanted to end but that wasn’t able to quite completely satisfy the hunger. It was a beautiful thing—Noah always left me wanting more, but in the best way.

My fingers danced in his curls while his slow hands took a trip down my curves. I wasn’t the only handsy person in this relationship. All while every inch of my body tingled.

When the kisses eventually slowed to a heated simmer, he ran a finger down my cheek. “You know, you didn’t have to make up an emergency for me to come rushing over here. I’ll come anytime you call.”

I peered into his eyes. He was so, so good. “Thank you, Noah.”

He grinned his charming grin. “Should we decorate your tree?”

“Let’s call it our tree.”

He sighed a happy sigh. “Cami Jenkins, I love you.”

“I know.” I jumped off the counter, took his hand, and led him to the living room.

Our dogs were already cuddled up on Neville’s bed. I really needed to have a talk with Neville again. I thought I had explained to him that it wasn’t right for him to ogle other dogs and then take Luna to his bed. Totally bad form.

Noah eyed my tree. “She’s a beauty.”

“Yeah.”

“This is kind of a big deal for you.” Noah held up my hand and kissed it. “Speaking of big deals, I read your post before I walked up here.” He choked up. “It was perfect, except you honored me more than I deserve.”

He knew, more than anyone, how I had stressed about how to address my fans the last couple of weeks. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to honor you enough. You gave me back my Christmas.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Now let’s get tangled up in some tinsel.”

His eyes popped.

“Not that kind. The real kind.” I winked.

“Okay, fine. Where do we begin?”

“With the lights. It needs its sparkle,” I said with meaning.

We went to work and wound the white twinkle lights from top to bottom, intertwining them on top of and underneath each branch. Next came the glittery burlap, which made us literally sparkle. After that, we carefully placed each dusted pinecone, bright-white ornament, snowflake, and bauble with care, until the tree was a work of art.

Noah did the honors and put the white glittered star on top.

We stood back and admired our handiwork. Neither of us spoke of the last time we had decorated a tree together. The Ghost of Christmas Past no longer haunted my memories. I wanted to live in the present and look forward to the future. A future with Noah. Which reminded me.

“I want to give you your present.”

He wrapped his arms around me. “Mmm. Now we’re talking.”

“Not that present.” I giggled.

“Fine,” he dramatically sighed.

“Don’t be disappointed,” I whispered in his ear. “You never know what will come later.” I used all the seducing tones. I pranced away while he stood there with his tongue wagging like Neville. Men.

Noah’s gift, beautifully wrapped in stark-white paper with a gold bow and ribbon, sat squarely in the middle of my snowflake comforter, waiting to be given. I snatched the gift off my bed and hurried back to Noah.

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