Page 14 of A Little Christmas Jericho
I worked really hard at trying to keep my best professional face on, even though I wanted to puff out my chest and beat it like a Neanderthal for being claimed by Colter like that. I also did my best to charm the donors, though small talk has never been my strong suit.
At least when a kind woman from the animal rescue committee complimented my hat, I managed a joke about it being my emotional support fedora, which got a quiet, yet genuine laugh.
Eventually, we drifted toward the silent auction tables. I trailed my fingers along the edges of a few bid sheets before stopping at one.
A commissioned pet portrait.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, placing my hand on Colter's chest in excitement. "This one is perfect. Do you think they'd be willing to do all four of my babies?"
Colter leaned close enough that his breath ghosted my cheek. "I think you can talk anyone into anything if you just flash them that sexy grin of yours."
My breath caught again, but this time I managed a wink before responding. "At least you're starting to recognise my charms, Doctor Daddy. Soon I'll be getting you to give me everything I want, too."
Even though my words were brave and sassy, my hand still shook slightly as I picked up the pen and wrote down my bid. Imight have gone abitoverboard, but if I won it would make a perfect Christmas gift to myself.
It was a pretty great first date, all in all. We mingled, wandered, sipped on cider and I personally basked in all the light touches being shared. There was something addictive about the small intimacies and I was so there for it. If only we could just get asmidgemore intimate.
That's when we stopped near the big tree, admiring the stunning ornaments and the oversized bow on top. Someone brushed past me, laughing, and I looked up.
"Oh," I muttered, my voice doing that breathless thing again.
Colter followed my gaze, then smiled slow and wicked. "Oh, yes."
Mistletoe.
Dangling right above our heads.
Were my hands clammy?
Did my heart skip a beat?
Why on earth was it so hot in here?
"It's tradition," he said softly. His hand came up to tilt my chin, his touch warm and gentle. "But if you really don't want to, we don't have to."
I swallowed hard. My voice cracked embarrassingly. "Oh, I want."
His grin turned even sweeter. "Good."
Then he leaned in, and everything went silent.
No joke.
Like a Christmas movie.
The sounds of the room blurred into soft background noise. I knew everyone carried on with their evening, but all I could focus on was Colter and the feel of his lips against mine.
The kiss was soft, innocent and beyond sweet.
And then I opened my lips on an audible moan, and his tongue delved in, immediately tangling with mine as he pulled me tight against him.
Doctor Daddy was plundering my mouth in the middle of a Christmas fundraiser for needy animals and I couldn't care less.
When he finally pulled back, I let out a strangled moan of protest that had him chuckling as his finger traced the corner of my mouth. "That's one naughty mouth you have there, boy."
I just stared at him in response as I tried to get my brain back online.
"Wanna get out of here?"
