Page 32 of Hostile for the Holidays

The movement, or the quickness of it surprises her and she lets out a soft gasp, her hands lifting to my chest to brace against the impact. Beneath my palms, Stella’s body is soft and supple. I’m dying to trace the line of her curves with my hands but I need to focus on the task at hand.

Kissing her plush mouth and tasting her.

The kiss that eluded us earlier is going to happen now.

Lowering my head, my left hand cups her jaw.

“Last chance, Stella.”

“For what?” she whispers, searching my face, as the concern in her expression grows.

“To not know what it’s like for my mouth to claim yours.”

“Jasper.”

My name on her lips is a catalyst. I can’t hold back any longer. Tightening my grip on her face, I hold her where I want her and then claim what is mine. Our lips crash together with the force of two opposing magnet ends that have been flipped and finally found their connection.

Our mouths have only been used for teasing and bickering. It’s a new dance for us, but I feel the moment Stella gives in. The way her mouth opens to me, and her tongue strokes against mine, inviting me in.

The way she mews into my mouth is obscene. I wish we weren’t in the middle of a crowded bar. I wish there was a solid wall nearby that I could press her up against and explore her further.

“Fuck,” I growl.

Too soon, the cheering around us trickles in and I know I should pull back before our display becomes indecent.

When I do, Stella’s lips are still pressed outward, searching for contact, her eyes still closed.

“Stella?”

Her lashes flutter twice before her eyelids lift and she looks at me. “What?”

I comb a piece of hair over her shoulder.

“It may not seem like it, but I’ve always wanted to see you win. Whether it’s Skee-Ball or a promotion in your career.”

She’s quiet, but gives a slight nod of her head. Her soft, unfocused eyes telling me she’s still reeling from our kiss.

I drop my hand from her waist and turn to leave, but then I remember one more thing I wanted to tell her.

“Oh, and Stella?” I brush a thumb across her lips. They’re still wet from our hungry kiss. “I don’t want to hear about you and other guys. I don’t care if it was ten years ago or ten days ago, for the next two weeks, you, and these lips, are mine.”

I press a firm kiss against her mouth. It’s clear from the way her lips part and her body leans into me that she wants more. It kills me to do it but I pull away, leaving her there, breathless and aching for more. It’s how I’ve been living my life for years, Stella can feel what it’s like for one night.

ELEVEN

STELLA

Jasper Jensen is a lousy kisser.

Sadie takes the permanent marker out of my hand. “Feel better?”

I open the stall door and move toward the sink to wash my hands. My duty is now done in all three stalls of the women’s restroom at The Merry Moose. It’s a public service announcement. All women should be warned.

Jasper Jensen is a lousy kisser, so no one should kiss him…but me.

“No.”

Jasper had warned me. He’d asked if I wanted him to kiss me and I’d naively agreed. I’d been certain it would be a meaningless kiss. Another one to toss on the pile of wasted kisses. Another frog that wouldn’t turn into a prince.

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