Page 16 of Say Merry Christmas, Boss

Monday came around way too damn fast. I wasn’t ready to let her go just yet, which was…odd. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted nothing more than tokeepsomeone in my orbit.

These past two days were the best of my life, and not just because of the sex…though that was otherworldly. She was quirky and fun, and her laugh…it was magic.

She was pulling on her green tights over those smooth golden brown legs that I had kissed, bitten, and licked.

“Stay,” I blurted.

She whirled around, almost tipping over and I jumped up to steady her. Her eyes found mine, and I swear I saw something in her gaze. It felt like electricity shot through my body every time her eyes landed on mine, and I wanted this feeling to last forever.

I wasn’t naive enough to think one weekend with me would make her feelings that strong, but a part of me hoped it would, that she would feel just as fiercely for me as I did for her.

Laughing, she rubbed my arms up and down, “we have to go into the office today, remember?”

Fuck.

I totally forgot about the gift exchange.

“You forgot, didn’t you?” She smiled even wider and sighed dramatically like she didn’t know what to do with me. “Good thing I got an extra present, huh?”

My eyes widened and my brows went sky high. “You did what?”

“I got an extra because, you aren’t exactly the most cheerful man I’ve ever met,Boss. I figured you would have too much on your mind to remember the exchange. Even though Becks sets it up every year.”

“But you don’t know who I drew out of the pot of names.” I argued.

“Have you ever heard of gift cards?”

We both laughed, and damn it, I knew, I knew I had to keep her. I had to confess how I felt, and if she didn’t feel the same…well, at least I’d tried.

“Ashtrid,” I began, and her eyes immediately filled with tears, “I really, really, probably way too much, enjoyed this weekend.”

She nodded, “me too.”

Her words were a broken whisper, and I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to make her feel the same way I did, like together we could be powerful and strong.

“Could I…” I began, and cleared my throat, “see you again?”

Her eyes flickered away and she bit the inside of her lip, the skin sucked in and puckered, as if she had to really think. Maybe I was the fool, maybe this was only about sex for her, and I don’t know how I would feel if that’s all this was.

“Of course you’ll see me again,” she responded, “you’re my boss.”

“That’s not…”

She laughed and placed her palm over my heart. “Tell you what, if you come to the gift exchange, I’ll give you my answer.”

She pulled away and threw her dress on, over her messy hair she had thrown up into a bun. She smoothed the skirt, grabbed her purse and walked to the door.

“I really hope I’ll see you there.” She said before giving me a wink and walking out.

Oh, I’d be there, and I was going to have the best gift.

Becks somehow had the converted hotel, which served as M&W Enterprises headquarters, altered into a Christmas wonderland. It was decorated even more seriously thanThe Barnwhere I’d seen Ash for the first time.

I walked through the lobby, smoothing my button down over my stomach nervously. I was queasy, anticipating seeing her again. She wasn’t hard to find, wearing a dress made of sparkles, or sequins, or whatever they were called.

The red dress made her look like a Christmas goddess and I wasted no time crossing the room to where she stood with Becks.

“Hi,” Ash said, allowing me to press a kiss against her cheek.

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