Chapter 109: Exchanging Gifts

ELLIE

I was speechless as a wave of heat spread deep inside me, reaching the surface and making my skin warm.

Damn. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of some erotic Christmas fantasy. Maybe out of a dream. Okay, maybe one of my dreams.

My eyes trailed back down to the line of his hips, trying to determine if he was truly wearing nothing underneath that apron.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, with a shy yet sexy smile, drawing my attention back to his face.

His brown eyes gleamed with a wild, sensual light. A few strands of dark blonde hair fell across his forehead, trapped beneath the Santa hat. His broad shoulders and defined chest were fully on display.

I blinked several times, releasing my bottom lip and swallowing the saliva pooling in my mouth. *Sexy as hell.*

“Do you need an invitation... Or would you prefer I throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside?” he asked, raising one eyebrow and crossing his muscular arms over his chest, reminding me of the night I knocked on his door and he’d threatened to do the same if I ran.

“Are you assuming you're a brute?” I teased with a smile, repeating the words I’d used that night.

“I prefer caveman,” he said, leaning against the doorframe and giving me a wink that made my insides stir. “So, what’s it going to be?”

I pursed my lips, pretending to think it over, then smiled before walking past him.

“I can walk.”

I inhaled deeply, letting his scent envelop me as I stepped inside.

A second later, I heard the door close behind me. Before I could take another step, one of his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me backward.

With a firm grip, he drew me back, pressing me against the wall. I gasped as his hand gripped my hip possessively, and he leaned in to kiss me.

His tongue invaded my mouth, seeking mine with urgency, and he pressed his hips against me with crushing force, pinning me against the wall.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I responded by grinding against him. I lost myself in our fiery kiss, feeling his arousal pressing against my stomach.

His tongue left me breathless, devouring even my moans. He seemed ravenous, overtaken by some wild need, and I felt the same.

His hands slid from my hips down to my thighs, his fingers digging into my skin as they moved beneath my coat.

Beneath the thick fabric, my breasts were already heavy, my nipples swollen and sensitive, aching for his touch, just like the spot between my legs.

His hands kept moving upward, dangerously close to my ass. I didn’t want to, but I had to break away for air.

I met his tormented brown gaze as desire burned through my skin. We were both panting.

Suddenly, the smell of something cooking reached my nose. Looking over his shoulder, I saw the kitchen. Something was definitely cooking.

*Of course*, that was the deal—he was going to cook for me.

“If we keep this up, dinner’s going to burn,” I whispered, still breathless.

“It’s for a good cause.”

“Now that you’re wearing that, do you really think I won’t want to see the full show?” I said, stopping his hands.

“I can finish it later.”

“You want to ruin the food?”

He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply in frustration.

“Fine,” he agreed, forcing a smile as he opened his eyes.

Releasing me, he stepped back and turned away, heading toward the kitchen. At that moment, my jaw dropped again.

My eyes locked onto his bare ass, then trailed up his muscular back and back down to his ass again. I couldn’t look away.

My lips curved into a smile.

*So hot.*

“Looks like you really took that whole ‘irresistible offer’ thing seriously,” I said, following him into the kitchen, still unable to take my eyes off his ass until he moved behind the counter.

He looked at me, just in time to catch me staring at his butt.

I bit my lip, trying to stifle a smile.

“Did you like what you saw?” he asked.

“Like isn’t quite the word I’d use,” I replied, moving to sit on one of the stools at the counter.

The bulge at the front of his white apron caught my attention.

I blinked, trying to ignore the desire that pulsed within me.

“Where’d you get that hat?” I asked, curious.

“That’s your question? Not, ‘What’s for dinner?’” he teased, grabbing a spatula from the counter.

“Whatever it is, it smells amazing,” I said, inhaling deeply.

“Thank you. Would you like something to drink while the chef finishes dinner?”

“Maybe a little of that wine behind you,” I suggested, trying to hide my grin.

“Is that just an excuse to check out my ass?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not. I’m just thirsty,” I lied, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“Good, because the chef deserves respect,” he joked, turning to grab the wine and another glass.

I watched the way the muscles in his back flexed as he moved, but my eyes inevitably dropped to his firm ass again. The sight made my mouth water.

Turning back to me, he set the full glass and the bottle in front of me.

“Here. Anything else I can do for you?” he asked, meeting my eyes, trying to sound casual.

“Maybe I’ll have some ideas after dinner.”

“Just a few more minutes,” he said, the intensity in his gaze making me press my thighs together.

I picked up the glass as he turned his attention back to the stove. I took a sip and automatically relaxed a little, feeling the anxiety that had been consuming me begin to fade.

Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder echoed outside.

“Looks like it’s going to rain,” I observed.

“Just like our first night.”

“How do you remember that?” I asked, surprised.

“Don’t you?”

“Yes, but that’s not as surprising as you remember. I mean, back then, you were just a bastard, only interested in sex, so I expected you to remember the sex, but not those details.”

He shook his head, looking offended.

“You’re wrong. I remember everything, every detail, and the sex too…” His eyes focused on something over my shoulder. “Everything I did to you on that couch. Do you remember?”

I turned to look at one of the white sofas. Scenes from that night flashed through my mind, making me even more aroused.

Shifting in my seat, I took another sip of wine. It was starting to feel warm under my coat.

Eventually, my eyes met his across the counter, where he was watching my reaction closely.

“Are you wet right now?” he asked suddenly, leaving me speechless.

I looked away. He was playing dirty, as always.

“You should focus on finishing dinner.”

“We’re almost there,” he said, turning back to the stove.

Facing away, he grabbed the glass he’d poured on the counter behind him. Inevitably, my eyes were drawn to his ass again.

Then he turned back to me, taking a sip, his brow furrowing as if something had just occurred to him.

“I just remembered you mentioned a gift. But your hands are empty, so I’m guessing it was just an excuse?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“You can open it after dinner.”

“Why not now?” His brows knitted together.

“I don’t want to interrupt your work,” I said, gesturing to the stove.

“Why would it interrupt me?”

“Because… I’m wearing it,” I confessed, feeling a stirring deep inside me.

His eyes swept over my body, and then he turned off the stove and walked around the counter, stopping behind me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, turning to face him.

“I’m going to open my gift now,” he said, placing his hands on my waist.

“Ethan...”

“Shhh.”