Page 122 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

Mara started to nod but stopped. “Wait. First. About me dating Dan.” She dropped her head and stared at the floor.

“Yes?”

“It was totally to get back at you for breaking up with me. It was all so sudden. One minute, we’re dating and the next, you won’t even look at me. Dan asked me out again and I said, yes. Then your parents died and I didn’t want to make things worse by telling you. Then your house sold and you moved to the City and I never saw you again. In person that is.” Mara sucked her lip in, worrying at it with her teeth.

Chris’s body began to shake and she froze. Looking up at him, she was relieved to see that he was laughing. Wait. Why was he laughing? “Is there something you want to share?” She tried to frown but his amusement was contagious and she found her heart lightening.

“I forgive you for all of that.” He kissed both her hands and Mara’s heart began to pound.

“And I forgive you for being a jerk to me in high school and not listening to what I had to say.” He kissed her hands again, mouthing thank you, and Mara had to lock her knees because she had the sudden suspicion that she might collapse.

Chris began to tick things off as he said, “And I’m sorry that I allowed my erroneous thoughts about our past shape my opinion of you in the present. I should have trusted you. I should have been upfront with you with what my intentions were and what my plans were. I should not have been an asshole to you, again. I should have fucked you more.”

Mara grinned at that. “I forgive you for being a jerk to me but I don’t think I can forgive you just yet for not fucking me enough. I think you’re going to have to offer some sort of restitution and we really should take care of thatright now.”

Chris’s face grew serious and I worried that I’d gone too far and before I could apologize, again, he dropped his shoulder and scooped me up in a fireman’s carry. Mara shrieked and smacked him on his butt. “Dammit, Chris. Put. Me. Down.”

His voice remained serious as he demanded, “Bedroom!”

“Down the hall on the left.” As he walked, she reached down and slid her hand under his waistband to grab his butt cheek. He faltered and practically growled at her, “That’s enough, you’ll get yours soon enough.”

He tossed her down on the bed and Mara laughed as she bounced toward the center. “I feel like I’m dreaming. Maybe you need to pinch me,” she confessed.

Chris put one knee on the bed and braced his arms on either side of her. Leaning forward, he said, “I’d rather kiss you,” and he did just that. Gentle and cautious at first, she opened to him, inviting him to do more and he intensified the kiss making her moan. Pulling back, he asked her, “Still feel like a dream?”

Mara frowned, biting her lip to keep from smiling. “Maybe a little. I think you should kiss me again, just to be sure.”

“Good plan.” He shifted, so he could stretch out on his side and tugged her down, so she was lying next to him. Leaning up on one elbow, he began kissing her face. Starting on her forehead and slowly working his way over her face. Each kiss felt like a zap to her heart and she felt all of the anger and angst start to break apart and float away. When he finally got to her lips, she was reaching for him, unable to keep her hands away. They kissed for what felt like hours and she felt herself falling deeper in love with him.

They paused, both of them taking long, deep breaths and she asked him, “Why is it always so damn good with you? The sex is phenomenal, but these kisses…they’re like biting into the perfect brownie only to find out the baker added a secret ingredient and suddenly, it’s that much better. That must sound weird.”

Chris kissed her nose, smiling at her. “Not at all. So what ingredient am I? Are we talking espresso?” He kissed down the side of face to her neck. “Creamy and sweet with a slight bite or more like chile, bold and complex?” Mara laughed at that and then gasped when he bit down on her neck, sucking slightly before releasing her.

“I…both?” She moaned and slung her leg over his hip, pulling him closer. “Definitely sweet, providing a great balance, but also intense with a deep, full flavor.”

He hummed against her neck, his hand already under her shirt and cupping her breast. He rubbed her nipple with his thumb, making Mara moan again. “I like the sound of that, but we left out the most important ingredient.”

Mara tugged at his shirt, sliding her hand under it to stroke across his abs and up to his chest. Her fingers danced across his nipples enjoying his answering shudder. “We did? What? Cinnamon? Orange blossom?”

“Love.”

Her hand stilled and she stared at his chest, unable to look up. “Love?”

“Mmm hmm. The most important ingredient in any recipe is love.” He lifted her shirt and was kissing his way up her stomach. When he reached her breasts, he laved her nipples.

Mara tangled her fingers in his hair encouraging him to keep going while trying to keep track of what he was saying. “I’m not so sure a professional chef infuses everything they make with love.”

Chris stilled. Lifting his head, he looked at her and Mara was expecting amusement or maybe even lust. Not…Oh!She cupped the side of his face and he turned his head to kiss her palm.Oh! Oh my. Did he? Was he?Her hand trembled and he reached up to press it against his cheek.

“Well, if you’ll let me, this professional chef fully intends to infuse absolutely everything that has to do with you with love.”

Her tears from earlier were back and Mara didn’t know what to say. Did he mean what she thought he did? She choked back a sob. “Chris…I—”

He squeezed her hand in his before placing her palm over his heart. “You don’t have to say anything, not if you aren’t ready. But when you are, know that my heart beats for you. I was madly in love with you when we were teens and seeing you again made me realize that I’d never stopped. I love you, Mara Lancaster, and I always will.”

Chris rolled to his back, pulling her into his arms. She melted against him, her body trembling. He stroked her back in long soothing motions.

“Mara, I want to see your dreams come true. And if you’ll have me, I want to be there every step of the way.”

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