Page 114 of Mistletoe All the Way

“Tastes even better with apricot brandy,” I call out.

And we sell all but two. Which gives me an idea for the woman who loves Christmas.

We’re the last ones to close, as we pull down the wooden awning. It’s just us inside the stall now, and I don’t waste time.

“You like Christmas, Eloise?”

“You know I do.”

I draw a deep inhale. “I smell pine cones. Cedar. Evergreen,” I say, then reach for a belt loop of her jeans. “I also smell Christmas candy, and fruitcake, and the remains of the eggnog from the eggnog stand. All the scents of the Christmas market.”

“Me too, but what are you getting at?” she asks, clearly intrigued.

“Make the most of things, right?” I ask with a shrug.

Her lips curve up. Her blue and green eyes sparkle with mischief. “Noah, are you going to do bad things to me in a Christmas market?”

“You want me to,” I whisper hotly, closing the limited distance between us.

She licks her lips, inviting me closer. “I do.”

I line up my body against hers, then kiss her deeply once more. When I break it, I breathe out hard. “I can’t get enough of you. You’ve got to know that. Tell me you know that,” I demand, cupping her cheek desperately, feeling desperate.

“I do.” But she winces, like something pains her.

Backing up, I give her some space. “You okay?”

She’s quiet. Just swallows. Rolls her lips.

I run a hand gently against her hair. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

She sighs, then like it hurts her to get the words out, she says, “You mentioned you’re leaving next week. Does that mean you’ll be here on Christmas Day?” Her voice is filled with so much naked hope.

A hope that burrows into my chest, sets up camp. “You want me here?”

She purses her lips but nods, like this admission costs her something. “I do.”

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s the most right thing I’ve felt in a long time. “Then I’m yours on Christmas.”

In seconds, her smile resurfaces. She grabs the collar of my Henley and tugs me close. “Then fuck me in the Christmas market.”

“And feed you?”

Her smile is glowing. “You know me so well.”

And the thing is… I think I do.

I spin her around. “Hands on the counter.”

She complies, but the counter’s still a little high.

Well, then. “Looks like it’s time for a step stool.”

I grab a fruitcake, set it on the floor of the stall, then give her a hand as she steps onto the veritable brick. What a sight. I take a moment to enjoy the view, murmuring my appreciation.

She cranes her neck, her lovely eyes glittering with the thrill of the moment. Maybe the prospect of getting caught. “C’mon, cowboy. Move it along.”

“Always so greedy for my dick,” I tease.