Page 107 of The Holiday Heartbreaker

He stepped into her house and looked around. “White Christmas” was playing over a speaker on the counter, and the Christmas tree was glimmering even more beautifully than it ever had before.

“I want to make you a big Christmas dinner tomorrow. And tonight, there’s cookies and cider. And there’s presents for tomorrow morning. I’m going to make you breakfast.”

“I...”

“And tonight sex. Lots of sex.”

“Okay,” he said.

“You look a little bit shell-shocked.”

“I’m not sure what I did to deserve this.”

“Just... Everything since I’ve met you.”

“Including the hangover?”

“Okay. Maybe everything except last night. But, that’s a minor experience in the grand scheme of things.”

“I guess so.”

“Now we’re going to be merry,” she said.

“Is that what’s going to happen?” he asked.

“Yes. It’s what’s going to happen.”

“Typically, I don’t like being told what to do.”

“Well, typically, I don’t go around demanding what I want. But in this case... I’m going to.”

“Doesn’t sound like much of this is for you.”

“I love cookies.”

“Anything else?”

“Sex. With you.”

“I’d like to hear more about that.”

“Cider and cookies first.”

He grimaced. “Now they feel like a punishment.”

“It’s called delaying gratification. What do you know about that?”

He looked at her, for too long. “Way too much.”

She actually believed that.

“Well, a little more won’t hurt you.”

“I guess we’ll find out anyway,” he said.

“Yes,” she said.

She brought a mug to him, filled with steaming liquid, and a plate with warm cookies. “I can’t believe nobody ever makes you these.”

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