“Book the flight. I’ll reimburse you.”
“Thank you.” She reached out to hug me and stopped herself. “Merry Christmas, Ivy.”
“Yeah.” I caught Saint prowling my way. He’d just finished talking to the restaurant manager.
Glaring, he stopped in front of me. “You had one job, Ivy.”
“She was good until Emma spiked the coffee with tequila during dessert.”
“Emma?” He tilted his head to the side. “Of all people you think I will believe that Emma spiked the coffee?”
“It’s the facts.”
Saint looked at Park.
Park nodded. “It really was Emma.”
“Hmmm.” His serious expression broke into humor. “A bar fight in winter wonderland. Only Holly and you.” He gestured to Park. “My father will take you back. I’m still reprimanding Ivy.”
“Cool.” Park yawned again and walked off. “See you later, boss.”
“Don’t forget to book the flight.” I winked at Saint. “See. I’m letting her off.”
“You’re still on my shit list.” He studied me, lifted his hand, and took something out of my hair. “Why are bread crumbs in your hair?”
“Who knows where that came from.”
He laughed.
“Not funny.” I gestured to the manager who was now smiling and waving goodbye. “What did you tell him? He’s in a better mood.”
“He wanted to press charges. The police didn’t want to do the paperwork or have the news report in the morning that they arrested an American tourist. Then I showed up.”
“The manager recognized you?”
Saint nodded. “I promised him that his restaurant, Ice, will now be featured in our next season. How was the dessert?”
“The small piece I had was delicious, but it was chocolate. After all the boozy cocoa, I don’t think I want to even hear the word chocolate again.”
“Too bad. You owe me. If I have to come back to this town again for the show, you’ll be with me, smiling and eating all the damn chocolate that is provided.”
“What?”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Fine. That’s clearly better than jail.”
“Let’s go.” He guided me forward. “Did you get to all your festivities?”
“We missed the strip club. I paid a lot for VIP.”
“Aww. Poor strippers.”Chapter 7
Christmas KissWe made it back to my villa in no time. When I thought Saint would say goodnight and leave, he walked right in.
I eyed him. “And what are you doing?”
He shut the door behind him. “I saved the princess tonight. Surely, I get some sort of reward.”
I smiled. “What do you want?”
“Your heart.”
I frowned. “Really, Saint?”
“Really.” Fast, he closed the distance between us. “I guess it’s stupid to ask for your heart when I already have it.”
I snorted.
“I do have it. You just won’t admit it. That’s what makes this so difficult.”
“Oh. Is that what the problem is?”
“It is.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine.
A soft moan left my mouth.
“Hmmm. I love it when you moan for me.”
That ache returned in strong, intense waves. It rose in my chest, deep and yearning for him. The sensations were like fireworks, sending sparks into the darkness of my soul—my mind. I closed my eyes, trying to control the reaction, but it was all flashing lights behind my lids.
“Any new thoughts since our last conversation?”
I opened my eyes.
Saint moved his hand and grazed my wrist with his finger. Tingling sensations zipped up and down my spine. “Are you going to say the words I want to hear?”
“What words?”
“I love you.”
“I do love you.” I bit my lip.
“Hmmm.”
My heart kicked against my chest. “I want to fuck, Saint.”
He gave me a wicked smile. “I’m not one of your fuckboys.”
I sighed.
“Speaking of your fuckboys.” He leaned his head to the side. “What color are you on now?”
“Does it matter?”
He spoke through clenched teeth. “What color?”
I blinked. “Red, but I canceled him before this trip.”
“Why? Did he hurt you?”
“No. He wanted more.”
“Hmmm.”
“Do you want to fuck or not?”
“I told you I won’t be playing with your pussy unless you’re ready to stop the bullshit.”
“Then you’re in my villa to tease me?”
“I’m showing you the possibilities in front of you.”
“What’s wrong with sex between friends?”
“At this point, we’re more than friends.” He moved his hand to the back of my head and fisted my hair.
My breathing picked up. My heart hammered in my chest. I didn’t move out of his grip, loving how he could manhandle me in the most tender way. “Fuck me, Saint.”
“I don’t like that you fuck other people.” He yanked my head back, exposing my throat to him. “That ends after this trip.”
“Oh really?”
“This Christmas changes everything.” He pressed his nose to my collar bone and inhaled. “I have faith. Do you?”
My breath hitched as he touched his tongue to my throat and drew a long, wet line to my chin. I trembled against him. My hormones shifted into overdrive. Again, his warm tongue licked the hollow of my neck. He tasted me and I melted right there, craving for him to sample even more of my body. Need poured over me.