The Billionaire Athlete’s Christmas Fling - Leslie North Page 0,32

onto her feet.

Tana let her head fall forward so that her forehead rested on Chase’s collarbone. “I wish I didn’t have a lesson,” she mumbled against his chest. “My legs are going to be jelly.”

“There are worse things.”

She laughed, her shoulders shaking against him. The mood had lifted, lightened, and even though Chase hadn’t come here to have sex with Tana, he was glad he had. They needed it. At least, he needed it. Tana? He wasn’t so sure. But he felt too satisfied to debate all of that again now.

His legs were jelly, too—and he needed to be able to drive his car. Chase stretched his arms above his head and felt her watching him. “Better than coffee. In fact, better than everything.”

“Better than everything?” Tana arched an eyebrow at him.

“Look.” He bent down to kiss her again, trying to memorize the heated softness of her lips. “If I had a few hours with you...a whole night, even...”

“Don’t tease me,” she breathed into his mouth.

“That would be the best.”

Tana put her hands on his neck and let herself lean into him while they kissed, tongues coming together, exploring, dancing. Then she broke it off and put her fingertips to her lips. “I’ve gotta go,” she said, and he could tell she didn’t want to. “Help me get dressed?”

“Absolutely.” He turned on the charm he used for guests and ushered her out of the bedroom, making a small detour into the bathroom. Then he knelt in front of Tana in the hall and tugged her panties back into place, kissing her hipbones for good measure while she pulled on her bra. He helped her back into her base layers, which made him inexplicably jealous—why should that fabric get to touch her when he couldn’t? He pulled on his own clothes and came back to guide the snow pants back up her legs. Sticking his feet into his boots made him feel like he was stepping out of a hot shower into a cold room. But it had to be done.

“Come on. You can walk me to my car,” said Tana, laughing.

“Just one thing.” He went to the kitchen counter, grabbed one of the gifts and tucked it under his arm. This would be better to give her somewhere private, not leave under the tree.

Tana watched him curiously. “Are you taking back the presents? Was the sex that bad?”

“No, it was perfect. Like you. I’m saving one for later,” he said, going to the door and opening it wide. “After you, my lady.”

13

Lindsey’s birthday party was a hit. Tana stood in the back room of a small local restaurant called Pizza Mike’s, surrounded by twelve screeching, gleeful six- and seven-year-olds from Lindsey’s class. Pin the Tail on the Donkey had turned out to be a pretty good party game, though she’d worried about it the night before. All the girls were having a killer time spinning each other around and stumbling dizzily toward the wall. It was worth being late to the employee happy hour. Tana took a deep breath and reminded herself not to get stressed over the noise and the rush of the party. It was almost over.

There was a party later at the Elk Lodge, and she couldn’t have been more thrilled. Every time she thought about it, her heart pounded. An adult happy hour, with actual adults. Chase was going to be there. Even Lindsey was getting picked up tonight, so she would have the evening to herself.

Tana’s parents came into the restaurant, talking to each other, and Lindsey waved to them through the glass that separated the party room from the restaurant. They picked their way through the tables—on Friday afternoon, the crowd wasn’t at peak yet, but plenty of people were dining in.

“Where’s the birthday girl?” Tana’s mom asked, drawing her in for a hug.

“Yeah. I need to wish Lindsey a happy birthday. Seven years old!” Tana’s dad looked all around, a smile crinkling his eyes.

Tana laughed. “She’s right here, Dad. I think she was—” The sentence died before it ended. Because Lindsey wasn’t about to take her turn at Pin the Tail on the Donkey. She was off to the side of the room, Tana’s phone pressed to her ear. Not something she’d authorized.

She made a beeline for her daughter, who moved the phone out in front of her. On speakerphone, no less. Who had she called?

“I had to tell you I love my gift. It’s the best. It’s awesome.”

“Every girl needs a good