Page 34 of Sleigh Rides With St. Nick

"Oh yes," he murmured, the expression on his face full of adoration.

"What's your second reason?"

"If you're wearing my clothes, then you're going to have to get naked again before putting your own back on."

I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck."I don't think you need to try so hard for that," I assured him.

"Maybe not."He closed the gap between us and kissed me.It was slow and full of emotion and care.It was different from the kisses we'd shared in bed last night, but not in a bad way.

"Hi," I whispered as he pulled back, unable to really find any other words.

"Hey," he responded."Do you want some breakfast?"

"Breakfast sounds good."

"All right, coming right up."He gestured for me to take a seat.

"Dinner and breakfast?You really are treating me well."

He laughed and got out a frying pan."I am trying to impress you."

"Impress away, I could get used to this.Though I'm going to have to do well when you come to stay at my flat."It took me a moment for what I'd said to sink in."Erm, what I mean to say..."

"It's okay, I don't think either of us thought last night was a one-time occurrence, did we?"he asked as he poured a mixture into the pan and it sizzled.I had no idea what he was making, but it already smelled good.

"I certainly hope not.It was a lot of fun.Though I will say your flat has some perks that mine doesn't."

"It's closer to work?"he suggested.

I let out an amused snort."That hadn't even crossed my mind," I admitted."I was mostly thinking about the fact yours doesn't come with a roommate.Unless you're about to tell me that Pieter lives here too."

"Absolutely not," Nick assured me."He used to own the flat across the hall, but he sold it a few years ago to buy himself a house instead."

"See, no interruptions, that's definitely an advantage."

He laughed."I'll keep that in mind.Though I suspect your friend might worry about you if you're never home."He frowned."Is she going to be worried about you not coming home last night?"

I shook my head."I messaged her before we had dinner last night."

"Really?"Amusement shone through his voice.He pulled two plates out of the cupboard and set them on the side, emptying the contents of his pan onto them.

"You knew as well as I did that I was going to stay the night as soon as I agreed to come here with you," I said."I'd have insisted on dinner somewhere else if I hadn't wanted to."

"I didn't assume anything," he promised, finishing off the plates and bringing them over to the table.

He set one down in front of me.

"Homemade pancakes?You know I already slept with you, right?"

"I'm not trying to convince you to sleep with me," he responded."I'm trying to convince you to date me."

"Consider me already convinced.Didn't we agree to that last night?"

"In a roundabout way."There was an intensity in his eyes that I didn't expect to be there."I don't date casually, Ivy.If I want to date someone, then it's because I see something with them."

I swallowed hard."I don't want this to be casual.Just a secret from my boss.At least for now."

"I'm not going to tell her," he promised.

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