Christmas Holiday Husband by Kris Pearson Page A

smile.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER NINE
 
    They strolled from Honeymeade Lodge’s illuminated heli-pad across a lush lawn bordered by low flower beds. All of Ellie’s senses were tuned razor sharp as she anticipated what lay ahead.
    The spicy scents of carnations and aromatic catmint infused the soft summer air with sweet fragrance. She breathed it in. “Do you remember that jasmine vine in Sydney?” she asked as they walked. “Whenever I’ve smelled jasmine since then, I’ve thought of that garden.”
    “Jasmine?”
    “White jasmine winding through the trees at Darren’s auntie’s place.”
    She heard his soft laugh. “I was too busy smelling you. Your hair. Your skin.”
    A million stars now paid court to the crescent moon which had helped bring them safely here. It was a magic night, just made for lovers.
    Temporary lovers, her prickling conscience reminded her. Only temporary.
    “I always thought you smelled like the sea,” she said. “Sunshine and the sea.”
    xxx
    Tony snapped on the light in their suite. One tall lamp and a small decorated Christmas tree sparkled to life.
    “What do you want for Christmas, Ellie?” he growled.
    “You—early.” As many times as I can have you.
    He closed the door with a soft thud, then spun her around into his arms and kissed her with ever growing hunger.
    Ellie could have sworn flames rippled between them. Hot enough to melt her so she flowed into every crevice of his flesh.
    This is what she’d craved with such desperation, all those cold years alone.
    They staggered across the huge room, mouth on mouth, giving and taking deep drugging kisses, moaning incoherently.
    “What a bloody awful night,” Tony rasped when they broke apart. “For once in my life I didn’t want to be flying. I simply wanted to be alone with you.” His mouth sought hers again and they crashed together into another explosive kiss.
    Ellie thrilled as his hands yanked her aqua top and camisole up, sliding them between their faces so they had to pull apart for a few seconds. “Wait, Tony!”
    “Can’t. Want you.” He peeled his shirt away so they embraced skin-against-skin.
    “Now?”
    “Hell, yes. Right now. Feel how much?”
    She did, and he was magnificent.
    “Pretend we’re in Sydney again,” he said. “Keep your pretty mouth closed.” He moved to nuzzle at the junction of her nose and top lip. Ellie drew a sharp breath of surprise and remembrance. Her skin was hyper-sensitive there, nerve endings so awakened and astonished that it was the sweetest of tortures. He hadn’t forgotten!
    She burned with a flickering fire which scorched its way down through her breasts, her belly, and thighs. A frustrated moan broke the throbbing silence. Undoubtedly hers.
    “Yes?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she groaned, waiting, waiting for him to resume his savage assault. But instead he reined back his passion, and his very restraint became a powerful aphrodisiac for her. “You’re so lovely,” she whispered, running her hands over his face, under his jaw, down his neck... learning again the curves and textures of him. She watched his black pupils become huge as her fingers ran across his collarbones and downward to explore his broad tickly chest.
    “You’re the lovely one, Ellie. Twice as lovely now. Beautiful.”
    She murmured her dissent and leaned close, breathing in the scent of his skin. The thrilling muskiness of aroused male filled her nostrils, drowning out the spicy sweetness of the carnations wafting through the open windows. She fastened her opened mouth onto his neck, sucking and licking and moaning, wanting to draw the essence of him deep into her soul.
    “I remember the first time I kissed your breasts,” he murmured. “You were so surprised. You were shocked—but not for long.” His big hands cupped her up, and her breath rushed out in a long voluptuous sigh.
    “There’s more to play with now,” he said, weighing her tenderly, making her