Page 23 of Chasing Christmas

"Then you aren't giving up the career you love to be with me," he murmurs, brushing his lips across mine in a gentle pass. "It's my job to take care of you, not the other way around. You haven't sacrificed and worked your ass off for this long just to throw it away because you think I need to be protected. I'm a big boy. I can handle whatever they want to throw my way."

"We don't have to go public."

"I'm not hiding you," he growls, fire flickering to life in his expression. "They're not linking you to Abel fucking Clarke or anyone else in the goddamn press. It'll be my name next to yours."

"Is that what this is about?" I ask, biting my lip to hide an amused smile. "You're jealous?"

His scowl is dark enough to make me shiver. "I'm not jealous. I'm pissed that Clarke will have his fucking hands on you tomorrow."

"It doesn't mean anything, Kaiden," I whisper. "I have no interest in Abel. We've barely even spoken two words to one another."

"You think I don't know that?" He quirks a brow. "This is your job, princess. I know that. Of course, I know that. But I'm a possessive asshole when it comes to you. No one should touch you but me. No one should look at you but me. You're mine," he growls, dragging me closer to his body. He claims my mouth in a hot, possessive kiss that leaves my senses reeling. "I'm not rational when it comes to you. Christ, Laura, I'm so goddamn in love with you I can't think straight."

The breath leaves my lungs in a shocked exhale.

"I know you feel the same way. You wouldn't be willing to give up your career to protect me if you didn't. You're in love with me."

"I am," I mouth, barely able to force out the sound. "So in love."

He presses his forehead to mine, exhaling a shaking breath. "Fuck," he whispers, his breath washing across my face. It trembles on his lips. He's discomposed, rattled. I love that I can do that to him. That one simple truth has the ability to shake this giant to his very foundation. "I've been waiting a lifetime to hear you say that, princess."

"I love you."

"Laura."

"I love you."

"Laura," he growls.

"I love you."

"Now you're just trying to get yourself fucked," he mutters, biting my bottom lip.

"I am not." I totally am. "I'm trying to make you forget about tomorrow."

"It's not working. I read the fucking script." His mouth works against mine, his kiss possessive and hungry. "I want to break his pretty face."

"I'll make it up to you," I moan against his lips.

"Oh, you'll definitely be making it up to me," he mutters. "When we get home, you'll make it up to me by sitting on my face until I'm satisfied. And as soon as that fucking scene is finished tomorrow, you'll be making it up to me while you're bouncing on my cock."

"Kaiden," I moan.

"Come on." He kisses me hard and then drags me out of our hiding spot, gently pulling me up against his side. "Let's go before I say to hell with this movie and decide to let you start making it up to me right now."

"I like option B."

"Of course you do," he says, shaking his head. "You horny little thing."

I smile, hiding my face in his chest. "You made me that way."

Chapter Nine

Kaiden

"Ohno,"Lauracries,sitting upright in bed.

My eyes spring open just in time to see the color drain from her face. She clamps a hand over her mouth and practically launches herself out of bed, making a beeline for the bathroom.