Page 57 of A Christmas Changes Everything

Hmm. Interesting. “When were you and Kit discussing mistletoe?”

“She called when you were putting the girls to bed. Seems we’re the topic of conversation around Hickory Ridge since your mistletoe antics at Morningstar Farm on Sunday. Even Taylor mentioned it at lunch today.”

“Taylor? Isn’t she Cole and Levi Lochran’s sister?”

“You know she is, so stop trying to change the subject.”

Chace frowned. “Why would I want to change the subject about kissing you under the mistletoe when it has quickly become one of my favorite things to do this holiday season?”

“Not about the actual kissing, but from all the attention the mistletoe kisses seem to be generating from the general public.”

“We’re not in public now.”

“Still doesn’t mean you need to kiss me whenever mistletoe is present, in public or private either,” Holly countered, moving past him.

He circled Holly’s wrist with his fingers and pulled her back toward him until barely an inch separated them. “Some legends say it’s bad luck if two people standing under the mistletoe don’t share a kiss.”

“Sounds like maybe you and Kit should compare your knowledge on the subject.”

He edged his face closer to hers. “Now, why in the world would I want to talk to your sister when I’d much rather be kissing you?”Among other things,he added sans voice.

Sighing, Holly closed her eyes. “Okay, get it over with,” she said indulgingly before puckering up.

WTF?

No way was this how things were going down. Nope, not at all. The way Chace saw it, he had two options. Lean in, kiss her on the cheek, and walk away, which was all that was necessary based on what he’d read on the legend of mistletoe the past few days.

Or he could kiss her on the lips like he really wanted to.

Nah, Chace decided. If she wanted to play games, so could he.

But then she gave a little huff, followed by, “Well? What are you waiting for?” And that was all it took to alter his initial plan.

Game on, sweetheart. Game on.

Chace slid his hands along each side of her neck, his thumbs grazing the edges of her jawline to hold her head in place as he brushed his mouth ever so lightly against hers. He pulled back a micro-inch, took a deep breath, and swooped in to suck her bottom lip between his teeth. Holly's little gasp of surprise was all the opening he needed to slip his tongue inside her mouth as he backed her up against the wall.

Though his game plan had gone from pecking her on the cheek to kissing the living hell out of her, his intent was still to walk away and leave her wanting more.

So fucking much more.

But once Chace tasted her luscious lips, her tongue greeting and tangling with his, he was a goner. Rather than ending the kiss and wishing her a jaunty good night, he lined his body flush with hers, pressed his growing erection against her belly, and plundered her mouth as if he was a dying man and she was the only thing that could save him.

And maybe she was, because the mere thought of stepping away from her, even for a second, nearly gutted him. Chace wanted her. Had never stopped wanting her. In his life. His bed. Anywhere and everywhere, no matter what.

Growling against her mouth, Chace dragged his lips across her cheek to her neck. Nipping, licking, and biting her baby-soft, vanilla-scented skin as he went. The little mewling sounds coming from her throat as her arms encircled his neck brought him dangerously close to the edge.

But it was when Holly curled her leg around his and rubbed herself against his straining manhood, over and over again, that was his undoing. And if the way she trembled in his arms was any indication, it was also hers.

For several minutes or seconds—who knew for sure?—neither said a word. They couldn’t. Not with their chests heaving to catch their breath and their hearts pounding out a synchronous staccato reminiscent of a jackhammer. When Holly dropped the back of her head against the wall, Chace dropped his face to her shoulder. It was the only move he dared in fear anything more would have them sliding bonelessly to the floor.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice low and husky as she unwound her leg and dropped her foot to the floor.

“Yeah,” he managed despite the embarrassment of creaming his jeans like some horny-ass teenager. “You?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He raised his head and met her luminous brown eyes. “I, um, should probably apologize.”

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