Page 37 of Hostile for the Holidays

“Okay, I asked Sadie last night. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I’m surprised you went to that much effort. I’d expected you to get me a black coffee and tell me it’s the color of my soul.”

I lift my cup in her direction. “Touché.”

She laughs, loud and carefree. And fuck if I’m not enraptured by the moment.

Stella St. James laughing in my passenger seat is something I could get used to. The last time she was sitting there we were negotiating a fake dating arrangement.

She’s dressed in dark jeans and a cropped red sweater. Her blonde hair is tied halfway back with a big white bow. Another pair of glittery holiday earrings hang from her lobes. Todaythey’re candy canes coordinated with her sweater and bow. She looks like a candy cane. She looks good enough to eat.

I’m debating asking her details about her sex dream because we might end up in a ditch. That would be unfavorable with the day I have planned. All I know is it better have been me servicing dream Stella or I’ll fucking pull this car over right now and make damn well sure she knows who she belongs to.

“You were saying about your dream?” I coax, knowing I won’t be able to focus if I’m running every possible scenario in my head.

“You were in it.”

“Damn straight,” I mutter.

“What was that?” she asks, distracted.

“Go on.”

“You tied me up,” her eyes flick over to me before adding, “You were rough with me, but I liked it. A lot. I’ve never had hate sex but I imagine that’s what it was between us. Pent up frustration from all the years of competition.”

I clear my throat, the crotch of my jeans much tighter than it was a moment ago. I’m going to need to calm down before we get to the warehouse.

Stella’s quiet until we come to a stop at a street light.

“Jasper, have you had sex dreams before?” she asks.

I can’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, quite a few.”

I pull into the parking lot of our destination.

“Hmm. Any of particular interest?” She wiggles her brows.

I let her question hang between us as I navigate my vehicle to a parking spot and turn off the engine. With an arm draped over the steering wheel, I turn in my seat to look at her.

“Stella, are you asking if I’ve had a sex dream about you?”

She licks her lips, her boldness from earlier lessening a notch. “Maybe.”

“Let me tell you a little secret,” I motion her closer with a crook of my finger and she leans in conspiratorially. “They’ve all been about you.”

THIRTEEN

STELLA

I should have knownthat Jasper’s idea of a good time would be to get me all hot and bothered, then take me somewhere that it is absolutely not appropriate to be hot and bothered.

Like the Toys for Tiny Hearts fulfillment center where Santa’s elves are busy wrapping gifts and spreading holiday cheer to underserved communities and children. I’ve been given a number and a group to stand with but I’m still not certain what we’re doing here.

They’ve all been about you.

Jasper had delivered that line then promptly opened my door like a gentleman and escorted me inside this lovely holiday workshop filled with the most wholesome volunteers.

I’ve been assigned to Sandy’s group. She’s cheerful and sweet and in her sixties. Her innocent demeanor only makes me feel like more of a pervert.

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