Page 17 of Lights, Camera, Christmas

“My turn,” he says, before raining kisses over every inch of my skin, chill bumps rising as he licks and sucks. My body throbs, pulsating with each thud of my heart, as he eases my panties down my thighs. I kick them off and now we’re naked.

“Hang on.” Maddox jumps up, grabbing a condom from his wallet and sheathing up. “Just to be on the safe side.”

Then he joins me in the bed, his hands roving over my bare skin. His fingers trace up and down my thigh, inching toward my core, finding my most sensitive spot. He presses, sending hot pulses of desire racing through me. I can barely breathe, stars dancing at the corners of my eyes as he strokes, then dips into my wet heat with his fingers.

I shudder as he stretches me, moving in and out as I writhe beneath him. Delicious tension builds inside me and I arch up to meet his hand, craving the connection, the touch.

“Come inside,” I say, gazing at him.

He lays me back against the pillows, kissing me soft and slow on the lips as he eases into me. Just the tip at first, then more as I adjust to the feeling of his long, hard length inside me. He fills me up, and we lock eyes for a moment, breathing together. Then he starts to move and I rock with him, undulating as he presses into me, harder and deeper. I take everything he gives me, our fingers laced together as he drives into me.

“Let go, Ivy.”

That’s all it takes to send me crashing over the edge, my body shuddering beneath him. Then he chases his own release, exploding inside me.

“You’re perfect,” he whispers, his lips brushing my ear. A shiver races through me and he pulls me onto his hard, warm chest. His hands trace over my skin, and I haven’t been this happy, this content in years.

“That was wonderful, thank you,” I murmur into his neck, and I feel his smile as he smooths my hair.

“You’re the best thing that’s landed on Candy Cane Key in a long time. Maybe ever.”

Maddox is the best thing that’s happened to me—maybe ever—but I can’t quite bring myself to say the words out loud. It’s like I’m afraid to shatter this perfect thing between us, as if admitting it will break the magic spell.

Instead, I rise up and kiss him softly, feathering my hand over his chest and wishing we could stay like this forever. Knowing full well that I’ll be heading back to L.A. in a few short weeks and this will all be over.

10

MADDOX

I can’t believehow lucky I am. I thought I had an amazing existence before—I mean, I fish for a living. But now that I’ve met Ivy, my life is absolutely freaking perfect.

I need to buy Scott a beer. Hell, I need to buy him an entire brewery.

Because Ivy Winters is magnificent. Wonderful. And hands down, the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

We’ve spent every second with each other since that first date, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her—her smile, her soft skin, the light tinkle of her laugh that sends my heartbeat into overdrive.

I’m falling hard.

Part of me knows I should pull back instead of hurtling full-tilt into a relationship with a Hollywood starlet, but I can’t help myself.

And it’s too damn late, anyway.

Because I’m already wildly in love with Ivy.

“Bro—you’ve known her like three weeks,” Levi grunts as I idly scroll through a top ten list of the most romantic honeymoon destinations.

“It’s been almost four,” I protest, not looking up from my cell. “Besides, when it’s right you just know. Ya know?”

“Feels impulsive to me.”

I shrug. “I don’t think so. More like living. You should try it sometime.”

Levi scowls at me, his dark brow furrowing. “She’s nice and pretty and all. But she lives in L.A. You moving? Do I need to find a new boat captain?”

“What? No!” I throw my palms up. “I’m not moving. Maybe she’ll stay.”

Levi’s scowl deepens, his brows scrunching together. “And do what, Mads? She’s an actress. How’s that going to work?”

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