The Holiday Hoax Read Online Free PDF

one condition.”
    “Name it.”
    “The restaurant must supply wine. I’m going to need it after this.”
    On cue, the auditorium darkened and the spotlight focused on the stage. Aidan bent toward her. The delicious scent of lemon and soap teased her nostrils.
    “Done,” he whispered in her ear. “I have one condition myself.”
    “I’m a flexible woman.”
    “Dessert must be included. Hopefully something chocolate.”
    In that moment, her heart melted.
    A man who loved sweets was at the top of her list in qualities needed in a mate.
    She nodded her assent, and turned toward the stage.
    As the children began to sing “Silent Night,” and the energy of love in the crowd pulled to her, Izzy clasped her fingers within his and felt as if she was finally home.

Chapter Three
    Two weeks later, they stood together and took in the scene before them. “Are you sure about this?”
    Aidan looked down at her face and fought back his instinct to throw her in the snow and ravish her. Cheeks pink from the cold, aqua eyes bright, a frown marred her brow as she took in the giant hill before them. The sounds of screams and laughter echoed through the air.
    Instead, he chucked her under the chin and issued his challenge. “You’re not scared, are you?”
    On cue, she narrowed her gaze and slipped into teacher mode. “Of course not. Eat my dust, Hunter.”
    She slammed her butt onto the sleigh and pushed off. Aidan laughed and grabbed his own sled, doing a belly flop as he landed hard and took off down the hill. Cold wind ripped at his face as the sled picked up speed, and a shot of adrenalin warmed his blood as he zigzagged, hit a bump, and then went airborne.
    His landing was indelicate, but fun as hell. He rolled a few times in the fluffy mounds of white and came to rest on his back, staring up at the endless blue sky that reminded him of Isabella’s eyes.
    “Oh, my God, are you okay?” She bent over him, her gloved hand pushing wet strands of hair from his forehead. Aidan couldn’t resist. He closed his eyes and gave a moan of pain. “Aidan, look at me. Where are you hurt?”
    He knew a specific part on his body that ached, but it wasn’t from the fall. Tawny locks teased his cheek and he caught the scent of fresh strawberries. The hell with it. He was no saint. He muttered something deliberately low so she couldn’t hear.
    “What?” Her hands coasted lightly over his down jacket and snow pants but burned through the material like he wore nothing. She bent, and her mouth stopped inches from his. Aidan fought a grin.
    Score.
    He reached out and lifted her up and over so she sprawled on top of him. Isabella squeaked in feminine outrage and tried to wiggle away, but he moved fast and rolled her over to pin her neatly beneath him.
    “Faker!” she yelled.
    He parted her legs and pressed against her. Her eyes widened at his full, throbbing length, then darkened in sensual response. That was all he needed. His voice came out husky with desire. “No, not about this. Not about us.” Then he dove in.
    His tongue pushed through the seam of her lips with a raw hunger he didn’t want to hide. Her cold lips were a delicious contrast to her wet heat. Her sweet taste swamped his senses, and he swallowed her throaty moan, urging her to give it all back to him.
    She did. Her tongue tangled and pushed back, her hands thrust into his hair and dislodged his cap, and her hips arched up to meet him. Aidan muttered a curse, desperate to slip his fingers between her thighs and send her over the edge. Instead, he eased back, realizing the crowds of laughing kids weren’t the best surroundings for their first time. He pressed one last tender kiss against those plump lips and broke the embrace.
    Isabella gazed back at him, punch drunk, and obviously confused. Possession shuddered through him at her raw response. He needed to claim her.
    Two weeks and a dozen cold showers later, he needed to make this woman completely his.
    And tell her the