Page 21 of Christmas Escape

“After the moose…um, incident…last year…”

“It was an accident. Clarence was just…well…you know.”

We both snorted as we recalled the animal getting pretty friendly with the inflatable this past January. I was surprised we hadn’t needed to replace the decoration.

“I made cookies,” she said, changing the subject. Her hand drifted to my stomach—my flat stomach, despite her trying to fatten me up. “But don’t ruin your appetite for dinner. We have to leave for Mom’s in an hour.”

I growled. “I could think of a few ways to work up more appetite.”

“I’m sure you could, but we don’t have time.”

She giggled as I clasped her hand and spun her around to my front. “Baking, huh? Still have writer’s block?”

“Maaaaaybe…”

“How about we leave the kids at Mom and Dad’s, and I help you with some inspiration when we get home?”

I’d already arranged it. My wife just didn’t know it yet. My parents adored having the kids over, and it was mutual. And I liked alone time with my girl from time to time. It was a perk to living so near my family.

“You don’t think they’ll mind?”

“Already said yes. I know you’re under deadline. I figured it would be good to have a weekend—”

“The whole weekend!”

“Yep. Just you, the words…and lots of loving from me.”

“That sounds even better than our cruise.”

“I promise there will be really great room service.”

“Mom! Kale just spilled his drink, and Liam is splashing in it. They won’t stop,” Aria bellowed from the front door, sounding one-hundred percent like the annoyed older sister.

“This might be why I’m having trouble writing that sex scene,” Melody muttered as we laced fingers and headed toward the house.

“A few more hours until were home alone,” I promised.

She grinned and peered up at me. “Oh, there will be no words written tonight.”

Quickly, she jogged up two stairs then turned and stepped in front of me. Her body leaned into mine, and my arms went around her waist while she looped hers around my neck. “I fullyintend to spend hours and hours filling up my inspiration bank, husband.”

“Funny…I’ll be filling up mine, too.”

“Caleb Hollister!”

“Melody Hollister,” I replied, unrepentant. Nothing I’d said was untrue. Nearly eight years on, shy a couple of weeks, and I was just as turned on by her as I was the first day. No, actually, more so. Now, I knew what her little secret smiles meant and could read her body language. And right now, I knew she’d be willing to drop the kids at their grandparents’ house and run, because she was as into me being in her as I was.

Damn it, I was going to be hard for the next four hours

By the little smirk on her lips, she knew it, too.

I leaned in, brushing my lips over her ear. “I don’t want cookies. There’s something sweeter I want. I’ll take care of the kids. You go upstairs to the bedroom and wait. Pants off. Fingers playing with that sweet little clit, getting nice and wet for my mouth.”

Her lips popped open then closed, and a dimple appeared in her cheek as she turned away.

“Better hurry. We have to leave in less than an hour.”

I hustled up behind her, so my front pressed to her back. “Plenty of time to make you scream into your pillow.”

“Promises, promises.”

“Mm-hmm.” And I didn’t need to say more, because Melody knew Ialwayskept my promises to her. The most important one being, she was mine forever, and I’d love her just as long.