Page 44 of Hooked

“Thank you,” I say as he puts his arm around my shoulders.

“I had a lot of help. Have a lot of help.” I correct myself. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’ve been taking pictures for the website like you asked,” he says. “Feels good to be useful. I used to take pictures of your aunt’s paintings so we could sell them.”

“Are those around anywhere?” I gasp. “I’d love to see them.”

He looks incredibly happy. “Sure, honey. I’ll find them for you.”

I’m not sure what time it is and wonder if Vinny is actually going to come. I float around making sure everyone is having a good time, and that there’s enough food and drink to go around. The sound system plays holiday music. I’ve set up a playlist that starts with family favorites but slips into slower, more romantic songs as the night progresses.

Based on that I’d guess it’s close to ten, if not a little after. I look over at Kristi and Sven, and they’re getting along quite well. They’re having fun making drinks, and at one point, Sven places a sweet, small kiss on Kristi’s cheek.

Yes. Quite well indeed.

It’s so satisfying how it’s all come together. It’s almost enough to make me forget about Christmas. I walk over to the bay window and check on my reindeer family. They seem to be having an okay time too.

“If you look this stunning from the back, I can only imagine how incredible you look from the front.”

Vinny.

He’d come after all.

I turn around, and he pushes his lips into an ‘o’ and lets out a breath. The smoldering look in his eyes calls back the intensity of his gaze as he’d made me come on the kitchen counter last night.

“Damn. Sia. You’re. You look. I mean.”

He’s wearing dark slacks, dress shoes, and a nice, dark blue button-down shirt. I skim my fingers over the buttons, imagining how it’d feel to pop them open, push the material aside, and press my lips to his muscular chest.

“You look great.” Can he hear the desire in my voice? “Though I miss the pine tree sweater.”

He drags his gaze over my body and then up to my face, lingering on my lips. He moves in closer, sliding a hand over the bare skin of my back, right above the curve of my ass.

“You’re incredible.” He pulls me tightly against him, kissing me.

The party whirls around us, but right now it’s just the two of us, here, in this moment.

The music shifts toMerry Christmas Darling.

“You like this one,” he says. “I heard you singing it.”

“It’s one of my favorites.”

He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. I lean against him, his arm draped around my lower back as we slow dance to the music.

“Did I mention I love the back of this dress,” he whispers into my ear.

“It doesn’t have one.”

“Exactly.”

He’s a good dancer, and given the way he touched me in the kitchen last night, I’m not surprised. He leads easily, always knowing which way to move, how to hold me.

We finish out the song and dance to another. And then another. And a few more until suddenly the room is mostly empty.

“I guess it’s late,” I say. I look over at Sven and Kristi. “Let’s send them home.”

Vinny squeezes my waist as I leave. They’re just at the canoodling stage when I get there.

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