“Crikey!”

“That was an appalling accent, by the way. I thought you we supposed to be a good actor.”

“Oh, you’re in trouble, you are.” He stood and before she knew what was happening, he had scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed, where he deposited her unceremoniously with a plop and climbed on top of her. She was giggling so hard she didn’t have time to escape.

“Archer, stop, stop!” His legs straddled her hips and, hovering over her, he peppered kisses over her face and neck, before finally sitting back and regarding her with a grin.

“Do you really want me to stop?”

She shook her head and he dipped his to capture her mouth in a delicious kiss, then raised it just enough to meet her eyes. One finger trailed the features of her face and she watched as his gaze followed. “You have the most extraordinary eyes,” he whispered. She lowered her lashes and smiled softly, flattered by his appreciative gaze. “And mouth and cheeks,” he added, then nuzzled her ear and kissed it. “And ears …” She giggled again, his breath tickling her.

He sat back, his smile revealing that he was both playing with those cheesy words and completely serious. “You know, we could skip Winter Wonderland and stay here, let me make love to you all day, show you just how much I adore you.” he said.

Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. He adored her! And no man had ever said they wanted to “make love” to her before. It was all achingly romantic, and she was almost swayed. Yet, she really did want to go to Winter Wonderland.

“Come back,” she said, tugging on his shirt. He complied, nestling in next to her. She rolled onto her side to face him, her turn to take him in. As she revelled in the sculpted features of his face, she mentally pinched herself; he was just so beautiful. She kissed him, his lips moving against hers instantly as the tip of her tongue sought out his. The taste of him was incredible, almost sweet, and she found herself lost in the sensation of not just his mouth, but the feel of his body pressed against her, his hand splayed on the small of her back pulling her close to him and the scent of his spicy cologne making her heady.

Chloe had never wanted anyone more.

“How about this?” she murmured against his lips. “How about we mess up this perfectly made bed and then go to Winter Wonderland?”

He grinned at her from an inch away. “You really do love Christmas, don’t you?”

Not as much as I love you.

The thought startled her so much, she nearly said it aloud. “Yes,” she said instead, her lips resting against his. “It is my second favourite thing in the world.”

“And the first?” His eyes were alive with mischief.

Chloe pulled him closer and answered the question with another kiss.