Chapter 28
K reston
Kreston’s eyes opened upon hearing the opening strains of Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby.” Sadie stood squarely in front of him, holding her singing fish trophy and swaying to the beat.
What she wore hypnotized him, and Little Kreston sat up and took notice.
The way she filled out the red bra had his undivided attention. His eyes drifted down to the matching lacy red thong, then down to those thigh-high boots he’d jokingly hinted she should wear.
Sadie sang along with “Santa Baby,” wiggling her shoulders back and forth in a cutesy style of dance, like Betty Boop in the old cartoons, her copper hair draped over her shoulders.
His breaths caught so much he thought he might choke. Her playful performance had him collapsing with laughter at the end. But when she set the fish plaque down and straddled his lap, the laughter faded into sudden awareness of Little Kreston pushing up against her.
He swallowed. “Nice performance,” he choked out, his voice raspy.
“Thank you, Mayor Collins.” Her eyes widened, and he could tell she felt Little Kreston rising to the occasion. She leaned forward and kissed him lightly. “Merry Christmas. I haven’t had time to get you anything, so this will have to do.”
He smoothed his palm down her back, loving the feel of her soft skin. “You coming back with me is my Christmas present.” He was aware of the huskiness in his voice. All he knew was he wanted her.
She glanced at the large bear rug splayed on the floor in front of the fire. “Make love to me on the bear rug.” Her seductive smile was enough to undo him.
Right now, if she asked him to go outside and make love in the snow, he would. He’d do anything she asked. He lifted her from his lap, and she stood. But before he could rise from his chair, Sadie plunked her foot onto his thigh.
“Will you help me unzip?” She licked her lips with a comical wink.
“Do Seattle women catch the biggest fish?” He gazed up at her as his brain indicator slid to empty. He couldn’t believe this was happening.
Am I dreaming?
His eyes traveled up her leg to the rest of her, towering over him, one-hundred-fifty percent female. He locked gazes with her as he moved his hand up her leg to her thigh, where his fingers found the zipper. It took every ounce of restraint to lower his hand ever so slowly, unzipping her boot to the ankle and exposing the pale skin of her calf.
Sadie lowered her foot and tugged off the boot. She raised her other foot and rested it on his thigh so he could do the same. This time, he unzipped it quickly, and she tugged it off and tossed it behind her.
Kreston stood and lifted his long-sleeved t-shirt over his head and dropped it. Then he removed the rest of his clothes. He took Sadie’s hand and pulled her down to the bear rug with him.
The fire’s warmth was nothing compared to the heat speeding through his veins.
“Do you Alaskan guys fantasize about having women on bear rugs next to fires?” she purred.
“Well, yeah, it’s always been one of my fantasies,” he breathed, kissing her neck as she lay beside him. “Women think we’re more complicated than we really are.”
She offered him a cat-eyed look. “You know you’re a cliché, right?”
“And proud of it.” He moved his hand under one bra strap and stretched it off her shoulder.
The black, silky fur and the sparkle of the fire heightened his awareness of her. He kissed her slow, soft, and sensual. She sat up and reached around to unclasp her sexy little bra.
“I love this on you, but it looks better off.” He helped her out of it, causing his heart to skitter and increasing the ache in Little Kreston.
He kissed her smooth skin, roaming his hands over her. His fingertips found the front of her thong. He eased it down and off her legs, tossing it.
She tugged him down on top of her, breathless. “I want you inside me, Mayor Collins.”
He’d planned more foreplay because he was procedural and a linear kind of guy. But if she wanted him inside her pearly gates, he was happy to park himself inside of them .
He reached down low and massaged her center, surprised to find she was more than ready for him. He tore open a packet with his teeth, dressed Little Kreston, and moved on top of her. She yielded to him, feeling soft as velvet. He joined their bodies, moving slowly at first, then speeding up his rhythm.
When she arched, stiffened, and cried out her release, he felt her pulsating around Little Kreston. God, he loved the female body—loved pleasuring her this way. He soon joined her in his own euphoric release, then settled beside her with a contented sigh.
They intertwined like pretzels while she rubbed his muscled back. Her gentle touch had catapulted his libido to the stratosphere so many times he’d lost count. She wrapped herself around him like a soft blanket.
“We fit together like two puzzle pieces,” she whispered, her eyes catching the fire’s reflection.
He lost himself in them, brushing back her hair. “We just made a Christmas memory.”
“Yes, we did. You look sexy with that scruffy face.” She ran the back of her hand over his cheeks and chin.
“I had a beard when I first moved here, wanting to fit in. Got rid of it when mosquitoes landed in it.”
Sadie burst out laughing. “Would have loved to see that.”
This is what he’d missed. The sex, sure, but it was the shared intimacy with her that truly made him happy. Last night, she’d whispered how cherished he made her feel. If he had his way, that feeling would only grow stronger with time.
He yawned, causing Sadie to yawn. “I’ll snuff this fire, then let’ s go to bed.”
“I’m up for that.” She stood and bent to pick up the clothes they’d tossed.
“You’re beautiful in the firelight, Sadie. I could lie here forever looking at you.”
She extended her hand to help him to his feet. “Ditto, Mayor Collins.”
When they crawled into bed, Kreston knew with absolute certainty that this was more than attraction, more than affection. Every moment felt precious, sacred, meant to be remembered...no matter how this turned out.
“What are you thinking?” she murmured against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ve never had a Christmas like this.” He pressed a kiss to her copper hair. “Usually, I’m checking the generator at the hotel or seeing to frozen pipes.”
“I think Polar Creek can do without you for tonight.” She snuggled into him. “Maybe it’s time you trust others to handle things now and then?”
“I’m used to being Johnny on the spot for everyone. If you weren’t here, it’s what I’d be doing.”
“And working yourself to death. You, my friend, must learn how to delegate. Didn’t they teach you delegation at that expensive East Coast business school?”
“Yes, but when I got to Alaska, I felt like I had to be all things to all people because of my past failures.”
She traced his jaw with her fingertip. “You know, watching you with the dogs today... I realized you aren’t just the capable mayor who fixes everything. You’re an amazing blend of strength and tenderness. The way you care for everything—the dogs, the town, and me... ”
His heart swelled. “Sadie, please say you’ll stay. Not just until New Year’s. Stay for good.”
The way she looked at him, he could tell something was bothering her. “I promise I’ll think about it, but...do you realize what I would be giving up? A lifetime of building a career...” she trailed off, shaking her head.
“I gave up the same thing,” he said quietly. “Granted, not by choice, but in the long run, it turned out to be the best path for me. It’s okay not to be a hundred percent sure of our decisions. Sometimes it’s good to take a risk—close your eyes and take the leap.”
“Let’s talk about this later, okay? Right now, I want our perfect Christmas to stay perfect.” She closed her eyes, and he studied her as she drifted off.
He chided himself for pressuring her. He hadn’t meant to but couldn’t help himself.
Moonbeams came through his bedroom window, bathing Sadie’s face in a silvery glow.
That’s when it hit him—the best Christmas gifts were never the ones you planned for. They were the surprises that crashed into your life when you least expected them. Like a woman in thigh-high boots with a killer smile, singing “Santa Baby” while brandishing a mechanical fish.
He drew Sadie closer, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair and marveling at the twist of fate that had brought her into his life.
Best. Christmas. Ever.