Page 72 of Wait a HO HO HO Second!

“Can’t have that,” she said, releasing him, only to dip beneath the water and press a kiss to his tip. Pure pleasure exploded behind Joy’s eyelids as she wrapped her lips around him and tasted him. Pleasured him. She watched as the tension in his thighs tightened. Reading his signs, she released him and rose slowly back to the surface for air. Once there, Kian pulled her up by her shoulders and took her lips in a kiss that told her exactly how much he’d loved her version of foreplay. Their lips crashed together and their tongues tangled as their moans filled the room, meant only for them to hear. There was something erotic about being in a cabin in the woods, secluded from everyone and everything but each other.

As he kissed her, he pulled her onto his lap. The moment had come. It was time to show Kian that everything he used to be was gone and the new man he’d become was one that Joy could love. It was true. She’d let her guard down with him and fallen completely, but she wouldn’t say it first. She’d give him time to decide if being with her, making love to her, was enough to last a lifetime for him.

At the thought that it might not be, she was driven to feel him inside her just once. If he left, at least she’d have the memory of him to keep her warm at night. When he thrust upward, she lowered herself over him, locking them together with her legs wrapped around his back.

“Joy,” he moaned, matching her rhythm, thrust for thrust. “Where have you been all my life?”

“Right here,” she whispered when he leaned forward and stole her lips. With his hands on her hips, he shifted, thrusting deeper, absorbing her moans as they aimed for that highest peak. “Kian,” she cried, his name falling from her lips as she spasmed around him, her body quivering from the emotion and release.

“There you go, baby,” he whispered just before he let go, thrusting against her as the water crashed around them. “I’m a goner for you, Joy!” he cried. As their bodies shuddered, he gathered her to him, holding them together as they relaxed into each other’s arms. “You’re mine, Joy Brady,” Kian whispered into her neck.

Holding him tighter, Joy said nothing, but his words filled her heart with hope for tomorrow. She had learned to follow it, and it led her straight to Kian. Joy would never understand how it happened, but she realized with clarity that she’d never been happier. Kian wanted her, and for the first time in her life, she planned to grab that golden ring and hold on for dear life.

36

#TheSabrinaofhisworld

Floating on cloud nine was all Joy had done since making love to Kian. It had been forty-eight hours, but she still hadn’t come down from the high of being loved so thoroughly. Occasionally, worry about what would happen after Christmas would sneak through her euphoria, but she’d shut it down, refusing to believe they couldn’t find a workable solution. Had she talked to Kian about it? No. That was a discussion for when they decided where their relationship was headed. She knew where she wanted it to go, but that didn’t mean he did. They had to be on the same page. There was too much at stake.

Tonight, the mall closed early because it was Wednesday, so she hoped to spend a few hours with him before bed. They’d only seen each other in passing since Sunday, as he prepared for the light show at home and she finished the holiday season strong at the mall. Tomorrow, Kian would be Santa at the hospital for the kids, so she’d definitely get to spend time with him then, since she was slated to be his elf.

The coat is waiting.

No. She tossed that voice out the window. Kian could do the job just fine without her. All she had to do was hand out presents and candy canes while he ho-ho-hoed.

Joy checked her watch and was glad to see it was almost six. They’d close up and get a bit of breathing room before those last-minute shoppers who put everything off until Christmas Eve found their way to Snowcap Ridge Outlet Mall.

When she walked into customer service, Marci was behind the desk, humming a Christmas carol. “Everything in order?”

“For now,” Joy said, nodding. “We’ll close in about twenty minutes, and then we’ll have a few hours of downtime before the busiest days begin.”

“I can’t believe today is already the 22nd of December. This month just went…” Marci made a poof motion with her hands.

Joy nodded as she checked the list on her phone to make sure she hadn’t forgotten any props for Christmas Eve. “You’ve been a lifesaver this year, Marci,” she said, leaning against the counter.

“You wouldn’t have had nearly as much time to shag your new boyfriend if I weren’t here picking up the slack.” Marci flashed her the finger guns and a wink. “Kidding. This has been the best Christmas season in years, both financially and emotionally.”

“Who’d a thunk it, right? I guess Lorelei still has pull in this mall after all.”

“Excuse me,” a voice said behind them, and Joy turned to face a blonde woman whose expression told her this was going to be an interesting conversation.

“Do you need help?” Joy asked, motioning the woman inside.

“I’m looking for Kian Van Adler,” she said, as prim and proper as the Coach purse she carried and the wool coat she wore over boots that probably cost Joy’s monthly salary.

“He’s not here right now. What is this about? I can reach out to him with your name and number so he can call you.”

“Kian doesn’t need my number, nor do I need his. My name is Sabrina Grigsby. He told me he’d be here.”

Joy’s insides gelled. This was the infamous Sabrina Grigsby? Taking a hard look at her, Joy saw it. Fake lashes, overdone makeup, and nails long enough to poke an eye out. The woman before her was the one Lorelei had hated with a passion. Joy couldn’t help but wonder why she was looking for Kian.

“Sabrina, so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard all about you from Lorelei and Kian,” she said, leaning forward to shake her hand, but the woman simply looked at it and turned up her nose.

“Excellent. You know why I’m here, then,” she said, setting her purse on the counter.

Joy glanced at Marci, who shook her head and shrugged. “I’m afraid we don’t. Kian hasn’t filled us in. Do you have a meeting with him?”

“Yes, I’m his fiancée. He hasn’t mentioned it?”