Ghosts of Christmas (Steamy Bwwm Holiday Romance)

I blushed under his attention.

“I like your outfit. Very sexy.”

“Thank you.” I took in his clothes. “You’re wearing Phillippe this evening. New designer that’s making a hot reputation for himself. Is that more of Serenity?”

“It is.”

Bitch.

“Hmmm.” I grabbed my own menu.

“You’re annoyed.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re jealous that she’s dressing me.”

“Why would I be?”

“Because apparently, you usually dress me.”

“Excuse me?” I looked up from the menu. “I only suggest items to your stylists.”

“You’ve secretly been dressing me for these past years.” He picked up his wine and took a sip. “You love me.”

“We already know that I love you.”

“Yeah. Like a brother.” He grinned. “Have you thought about our earlier conversation?”

“It’s only been a few hours, Saint.”

He checked his watch. “You don’t even have a few days.”

“Oh really? Is there a timer?”

“There is.” He dropped his gaze to my breasts. “I’ve been dying to touch you all day. Did you have to wear that dress?”

I smirked.

“Was it intentional?”

“I dress for myself.”

“In my favorite color? And so form-fitting with just the right amount of cleavage to tease me.”

“I never considered that.”

“But you knew I would like it.” He kept his voice low. “Knew my cock would get hard from seeing it.”

Need rose in me.

I licked my lips. “Are you hard right now?”

He pierced me with his gaze. “You know I am.”

“Then how about you be good tonight and give me my present early.”

“Hmmm. Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

“Very naughty.” I tilted closer to him, showing him more of my cleavage. “And I want to be even naughtier this evening.”

He moved closer to me and brushed his lips along my ear, but said nothing. When he leaned back, he winked.

I frowned. “You’re a fucking tease.”

“And you’re dragging your feet on something that could be so beautiful, it could warm your cold heart.”

“My heart is not cold. I just don’t have one.”

“Is that what you think will keep you protected? You pretending to not have a heart. Too bad, every time I’m near you I hear it beating loud and strong.”

I turned away from him.

“Ivy.”

Frowning, I looked at him.

“There’s nothing to think about.”

“There is when I’m. . .” I closed my mouth and shook my head.

“When you’re what?”

“Broken, Saint. Come on. You know that.”

“Are you broken?”

“I’m damn sure not whole.”

“Fine.” He glared at me. “You’re broken. And I apologize on behalf of your mother for doing that.”

I flinched.

“And I wish she could return and help you gather all those shattered pieces and glue them back together.” He touched his chest. “But I’m here and I have glue.”

“Glue for my heart and soul?”

“Tubs of it.”

I kept my voice low. “I don’t deserve you.”

He hissed. “Shut up.”

“Whatever.” I turned away from him. This conversation was too much to handle. Already, I could feel him wearing me down, making me rethink all my thoughts on love.

Thankfully, he gave me a break from the intensity. His cousins pulled him into a conversation.

After we ordered, chatter mingled with lots of giggling and laughing.

Mrs. Ingram talked about my charity event. “I couldn’t believe my local news picked it up. I am so proud of you, Ivy.”

I beamed with pride. “I worked really hard on it.”

“I could tell.”

Saint whispered in my ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful. And you know it. Don’t you?”

I blushed again but kept my back to him.

Mrs. Ingram raised her glass. “To all your accomplishments, Ivy.”

I raised my glass. “Thank you. And to your family becoming large and blessed.”

Mr. Ingram also nodded and raised his glass.

While I sipped my wine, Saint whispered in my ear again. “Due to you, I’ve had my hand in my pants the whole time, stroking my cock.”

I coughed on my wine, set the glass down, and turned his way.

A wicked grin spread across his face.

I tilted back and peeked under the table, making sure no one suspected what I was doing. The waiters brought the food out. Everybody was too busy looking at their newly arriving plates.

I arched my brows at the view. Sure enough, Saint had his hands in his pants.

I bit my lip. “Can I help you with that?”

“Every time you take a sip of wine, I stroke the tip, thinking of how skillful those lips are.”

“My lips would like to make that fantasy a reality.”

Annoyance crept at his eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that, Saint. You’re starting it.”

“I’m so fucking hard right now. If no one were in here, I would have you bent over this table and your legs spread open.”

“I’m so wet, I’m close to asking you to do it anyway. People here or not.”

He groaned.

Both of our plates were placed in front of us.

Saint’s cousins gestured for his attention.

I grinned. “Randy is calling you.”

“I don’t want to talk to them right now. They’re standing in the way of me eating what I really want.”

“Your food is right in front of you.” I widened my eyes.