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I dropped onto her, hooked her legs over my hips, and drove inside her. Her hot, wet arousal coated my cock as she clawed at my shoulders and back. She arched off the bed, holding my stare as she breathed against my lips.

“I can’t be without you,” I said in a sex-induced craze. “I’ll lose my fucking mind.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” She gently kissed me, slowing my rhythm and calming the raging storm inside me. “I’m here for all of it.”

“You won’t regret it.”

I lowered her onto the bed, taking my time to move inside her. Holding her face between my hands, I caressed her lips with mine. Keeping a steady but leisurely pace, our breaths became less frantic and our hold on one another wasn’t as tight. The mood shifted from uncontrolled passion to something else. Something more.

“What are you doing to me?” she whispered.

“Just go with it, baby. Just be mine.”

“I can’t imagine being anything other than yours.”

“I’m yours too.”

We both let go at the same time. One long, intense kiss released us both, mingling far beyond a physical level. There was more to us than this moment, and I intended to take it further than either of us could comprehend.

“Huxley.” She kissed my neck. “How do you do it?”

“You inspire me.” I rolled off her. “I can’t get enough of you.”

“The feeling is mutual if you couldn’t tell.”

“I have something for you.”

“Can you give me a few minutes to recover?” She scooted to the top of the bed and wrapped herself in the sheets as I pulled on my boxer briefs.

“I’m not talking about more sex.” I got off the bed and opened the top drawer of the dresser. “But I’m definitely not finished with you.” Not by a long shot.

“I’m pleased to hear that.”

“I bought this at the craft fair.” I handed her the ornament. “We can hang it on the tree at my house when we get back to Connecticut.”

“You’re so sweet.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners and a sudden warmth broke across her features. “This is beautiful.”

“Now we’ll always have something to remember our first night together.”

“I like the use of our aliases.”

“I like you.” I joined her on the bed. “I have from the moment you ruined my shoes.”

“I’m never going to live that down.” Her melodic giggle melted my cold, cynical heart. “I want to spend the holidays with you and your family.”

“You do?” I brushed my finger along her cheek. “That makes me happier than you know.”

“Merry Christmas, Mr. James.”

It will be.

Trying to focus on my book became a task. Reading before bed had always been a staple, but now that Ivy slept peacefully curled against my side, it created a welcomed distraction. I never realized I had been missing anything until I met her. The fact that she was snuggled up in the new Christmas pajamas we bought yesterday wasn’t helping with my concentration.

Adorable.

As I snapped the book shut, my phone vibrated on the nightstand next to me. After glancing at the screen, I quickly answered it so it wouldn’t wake Ivy.

“Alan,” I answered.