“Not a chance.” I chuckle, running my fingers through her hair. “They might pretend to grumble, but they love it. Just like I do.”
She lifts her head, her eyes sparkling. “You love my Christmas cheer?”
I grin, brushing a thumb over her lips. “I love everything about you, Ivy. Even if it’s taken me a while to admit it.”
She smiles, and it’s the kind of smile that makes the whole damn world feel brighter. And as we stand there, wrapped up in each other, I realize that maybe Christmas isn’t so bad after all—especially if I get to spend it with her.
“Come on,” I say, taking her hand and leading her through the snow. “Let’s walk for a bit.”
She nods, her fingers laced with mine, and we stroll through the town square, past the Christmas lights and decorations that she’s worked so hard to put up. She leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder, and for the first time in a long time, I feel…at peace.
“Thank you, Ivy,” I murmur, squeezing her hand. “For bringing all this…bringing me back to life.”
She looks up, her eyes shining with something warm and unspoken. “I think you did most of that on your own, Cole. I just helped you remember what was already there.”
I pull her closer, feeling the truth of her words settle over me. Maybe she’s right. Maybe she just reminded me of the parts of myself I’d forgotten. But I know one thing for certain—I don’t want to forget again. And as we stand there, watching the snow fall under the glow of the Christmas lights, I realize that Ivy’s not just a part of my life now. She’s become the best part.
Chapter Thirteen
Ivy
The crisp night air nips at my cheeks as Cole and I make our way back to his truck, the snow crunching underfoot. Christmas lights glow around us, casting a soft, warm light that only seems to intensify the hum of energy sparking between us. I glance over, catching the hint of a smile on his face—an expression I’m coming to crave more than anything else.
Once we’re back at his workshop, he opens the door, letting me step inside first. The familiar scent of wood and oil wraps around me, grounding and warm, but tonight it feels different. There’s a tension here, a pulsing undercurrent that’s been building between us, reaching a point where holding back feels impossible. I look up at him, and he’s watching me with an intensity that makes my pulse spike.
“So…” I manage, trying to keep my tone steady. “I see you’ve accepted being on the Naughty List this year.”
He chuckles, low and deep, the sound rolling through me like a challenge. “Pretty sure I earned my spot.”
“Oh, I know you did.” I step closer, feeling the air between us thicken. “All that resisting and Scrooge attitude?—”
“Which I don’t plan to do anymore,” he cuts in, his voice rough, eyes dark with intent. He reaches out, hooking a finger around my scarf and pulling me closer, his gaze flicking between my eyes and my mouth. “You look like a cute little holiday elf…I might need you to remind me what happens to people on the Naughty List.”
I bite my lip, feeling my heart thunder as I tilt my chin up to meet his stare. “You can call me Kandi Kane the Christmas elf,” I grin, thinking back to our candy cane shenanigans the first time I stayed the night with him. “And maybe boys on the naughty list get what they’ve been waiting for.”
The next second, his mouth is on mine, a hot, urgent kiss that leaves no room for doubt. His hands settle on my hips, pulling me flush against him, and I feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, echoing against my own. I sink into him, my fingers finding the edges of his jacket, tugging him closer as his mouth moves over mine with a hunger that has me breathless, lost in the heat of it.
His hands slide up my back, rough and possessive, and he breaks the kiss just enough to look down at me, his gaze intense. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this all day. How much I’ve wanted you.”
“Then show me,” I whisper, my voice thick with need. I slide my hands up his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his plaid shirt, my fingers tracing the outline of him, savoring every inch.
He growls softly, pressing me back until I feel the cool surface of his workbench against my back. His hands trail down my arms, his fingers curling around my wrists as he pins me there, his mouth hovering just over mine, teasing. “You’re so beautiful…my festive little Kandi Kane.”
I giggle, meeting his gaze. That’s all he needs. He leans in, claiming my mouth again, his kiss turning deeper, rougher, as his hands explore, pulling me closer, like he’s trying to memorize every inch. His mouth trails down my neck, leaving a heated path of kisses that make me shiver, my skin lighting up under his touch.
He slips my coat off, his fingers deft and unhurried, and I feel a thrill as he slides his hands over my shoulders, down my arms, taking his time like he’s savoring every second. I arch against him, my hands tangling in his hair as he pulls me closer, pressing me against the bench that’s strewn with Christmas garland and shiny bulbs. I lose myself in the feel of him, in the taste of him.
“Cole,” I breathe, my voice shaky, caught between laughter and desire. “You know this isn’t very… professional in your place of business.”
He laughs against my neck, a warm, delicious sound that makes my skin prickle. “Good thing I’m off-duty,” he murmurs, his lips grazing my collarbone. “And tonight…you’re all mine.”
The words send a thrill through me, and I wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer, needing more, needing all of him. His hands slide under my sweater, the heat of his touch setting my skin alight, and I shiver as he traces slow, deliberate patterns up my spine, his fingers leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
“Cole…” My voice is barely a whisper, but he hears it, his head lifting to meet my gaze, his eyes dark and filled with something raw, something real. He steps back just enough to pull off his own jacket, his movements deliberate, and I watch, captivated, as he lets it fall to the floor, his gaze never leaving mine.
Then he reaches for me again, his hands firm as he lifts me onto the edge of the workbench, stepping between my legs and pulling me close, his mouth finding mine in a kiss that’s as fierce as it is tender. There’s no hesitation, no holding back, and I match him, kiss for kiss, my hands exploring the lines of his shoulders, the strength in his arms, the rough warmth of him.
I laugh softly against his mouth, the sound turning into a gasp as he slides his hands down my thighs, his grip possessive, like he’s staking a claim. “You’re a cute little Santa’s helper.” He adjusts the Santa hat that was sitting on his workbench on my head. “You should get on your knees and put Santa’s dick in your mouth.”
