Christmas Is for Lovers: 6 Hot Holiday Romances

by Box Set

  Not exactly romantic talk, but considering their lines of work, Trish imagined they’d have a lot more conversations about laws and such if they continued to see each other once they returned to Washington.

  Unfortunately, they had reached the door to her room. It was time to say goodnight. “This is mine.”

  “Seats aren’t assigned at meals after tonight,” Rider said. “Can I pick you up for breakfast tomorrow?”

  She couldn’t contain her grin. He wanted to be with her, even though she’d ignored his calls last week. Luckily, he didn’t seem to hold a grudge. “What time will you be here? I’ll need to get up early so I can look extra pretty for you.”

  He shook his head, bending slightly to place a fleeting kiss against her forehead. “You always look extra pretty. I like the brown hair, by the way.”

  She glowed with happiness at the compliment.

  He looked down the hall. “If you need anything, I’m clear down at the far end, room 704.”

  “So, what are you saying? If I get scared in the night, you’ll come to my rescue?” While she normally felt capable of taking care of herself, it was nice having her own personal knight in shiny trench coat.

  “You strike me as the kind of woman who doesn’t scare easily, despite your recent string of bad luck,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be against another rescue mission if it ended with a kiss like tonight.”

  “How about I kiss you now as a down payment for future rescues?” She walked her fingers up his chest and then stroked his supple lips with the tip of her index finger. “Just to make sure you come running if I need you.”

  Rider grabbed both her wrists in a swift motion, pushing them over her head and pressing her backward into the room’s door. His face neared hers, his hot breath exciting against her skin. “I’ll always come running,” he promised, before crashing his mouth into hers.

  “Well, well, well,” a female voice said, startling Trish from her kiss-induced stupor. “I guess we’re not the only ones having a good night, Malcolm.”

  Rider released her from the pinned position, turning to face the newcomers. “You’re the ones who had dinner with Trish, right?”

  Sara nodded. “Thanks for sticking up for us with that cad. I can’t believe Ryan would be such a jerk as to spike our drinks.”

  “Yeah,” Trish agreed, suddenly feeling miserable instead of excited by Rider’s touches. “Unfortunately, no one believes me, so he’s free to try it out on the next dinner companion he has.”

  “Not true,” Malcolm said, his teeth flashing in a feral grin. “Maybe ship security didn’t want to deal with him, but after you left, Sara and I made it a priority to warn everyone else what happened. No one will let him near them, and he won’t be allowed to bring another lady a drink. Everyone is on guard. You did a good thing by standing up to him, Trish.”

  Trish heaved a grateful sigh. “That’s good to know. It’s better than nothing.”

  Sara nodded her agreement. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. Malcolm wants to see the view from my balcony.” She giggled, giving them a wave with just her fingers as she stuck a key into the door next to Trish’s room. “Oh, and since you seem to share a wall with me, don’t worry if you hear any noises.” She softened her voice and leaned closer to Trish, “I’m a screamer.”

  As the couple disappeared into Sara’s room, Trish shared a wide-eyed look with Rider.

  “I had no clue people would be this informative,” she said.

  “No kidding,” he agreed. “Looks like anything goes on this trip.”

  “Almost anything,” she said, thinking again of Ryan trying to spike the drinks.

  “Almost anything,” he agreed, giving her a peck on the cheek. “I won’t ask you to have a threesome or anything kinky.”

  As she sputtered trying to find something to say, Rider’s sexy chuckle followed him down the hallway.

  Chapter 8

  Since Trish had failed to tell him what time she wanted to eat, Rider showed up at her room for the second reserved breakfast time the next morning, the one most singles would attend. Not that everyone had to go when the schedule said, but the activity coordinators highly recommended sticking together as a group. Later in the day, they would attend a concert on the ship, followed by an outdoor movie.

  If he had his way, he and Trish would find a lot of private time to get to know each other. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could play the role of a noble hero who didn’t have any sexual appetites unless the woman was completely ready. Not that he wanted to take advantage of Trish, but if she offered again, he wasn’t sure he could say no.

  Pushing thoughts of love making from his mind, Rider tapped on her doorway. “Good morning, beautiful,” he called against the closed door. “Ready for breakfast?”

  The door opened within seconds. A tired and grumpy-looking Trish stared out at him through bleary eyes. “Sara is, in fact, a screamer. A freaking loud one. And, apparently, Malcolm can keep the screams coming all damn night.”

  Her brown tresses were not done up in a twist like last night, nor were they smoothed against her head as she normally wore it. Her hair stuck up in places, as though she’d spent a restless night pulling at it... or maybe putting a pillow over her ears in an attempt to block out Sara’s nighttime activities.

  “I could pick us up something to eat at one of the ship’s bakeries,” Rider offered. “After breakfast, you can take a nap since it sounds like the screaming has stopped. Nothing says we have to go to that pool party before the movie tonight.”

  “You should still go. I don’t want to keep you from having fun.”

  Rider shook his head. “My idea of fun is spending time with you. I can hardly picture even talking to another woman now that I know you’re here.”

  That provoked a smile from her despite how tired she must be. “I’m not a picky eater. I think I actually sort of like it when you take charge and choose for me. Get whatever looks good, please. Hang on a sec.”

  She stepped into her room and grabbed something from the edge of the TV stand. She came back, handing him a key. “Just come on in. If I’m asleep, wake me. I’m going to crawl back under my covers since you aren’t making me go out into public. Thanks for that.”

  In some respects, it surprised him that she trusted him with her room key, but it wasn’t as though she offered more than eating together. Even if he had woken up with an image in his mind of her being naked in his bed, Trish was too tired to think about that stuff.

  “I’ll hurry,” he promised, turning to go down the hall.

  Searching a map near the elevators, he found the decks listed with food shops and then hopped into the elevator. Following the directions, he found himself in a part of the ship he hadn’t yet toured. Gold inlaid woodwork adorned the shops with vines and leaves carved intricately into each surface. Light from both the overhead lamps and streaming sunlight from the outer deck glowed brightly on glass surfaces everywhere.

  People bustled about, going between shops that sold nearly anything a person might want on vacation. There were also food places and eateries, reminding Rider of a food court at a mall—if that mall was full of fancy places to sit, beautifully crafted designer foods, and boasted prices that rivaled the finest restaurants he’d ever visited.

  All in all, it was visually stunning. Rider had to bring Trish back to the shops later. They’d spend Stacy Baker’s blackmail money on whatever Trish might want. After that, they could sample the specialty dessert shops all on that hateful woman’s dime. The thought made him feel marginally better about being forced into this trip and forced to lie to Trish. He’d spend every last cent available on the credit card Mrs. Baker had provided, using it to lavish Trish with the finer things in life that Rider normally couldn’t afford.

  Making his way toward the only place serving breakfast-type foods, Rider practically ran into Carrie, his tablemate from last night’s dinner.

  “Hey there, Romeo.” She flashed a grin. “I guess you didn�
��t need help to reunite with your lady. Standing up for her to that creep must have earned you a spot in her bed last night, huh?” She wiggled her thin eyebrows suggestively.

  Carrie would definitely condone him back to the dud category for not closing the deal, but Rider shook his head. “I walked her home but didn’t go into her cabin. She’s special. We’re taking things slow.”

  Carrie’s eyes widened, and then she let out a soft sigh. “That’s so romantic. Why aren’t more men like that?”

  “Romantic? Really?” Rider chuckled. “I kinda figured you’d call me a pansy.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you could have warmed her bed if you’d decided to take advantage of her.” She shrugged. “I saw the glint in that woman’s eyes when she looked at you. Whatever reason she dumped you to come on this cruise ceased to matter as soon as she realized you were here. The fact that you respect her enough to take it slow...” Her words trailed off and she sighed again, sounding more than a touch wistful. “It’s what we all dream of.”

  Rider thought about last night and the kiss with Trish that Sara and her boy toy had interrupted. “So I might have screwed up by pushing her against the wall and kissing her until she was breathless?”

  Carrie’s eyes glowed, and she seemed a bit breathless herself. “Oh, no. That’s perfect. You didn’t need my help at all. You’ve got this down.”

  Rider nodded toward the line of people waiting for food. “Why are you here instead of eating with the singles? Did your night not go as planned?”

  “Not exactly.” Carrie shook her head. “I met a nice guy named Carl, and we had a good time. He was supposed to stop by my room on the way to breakfast this morning. He never showed up. Honestly, I didn’t want to eat alone, maybe end up watching him have breakfast with another woman.”

  He had to wonder if Carrie didn’t go slow last night and that was why she envied Trish so much. Carrie had probably taken Carl back to her room, given him what he wanted, and then he had lost interest. Truthfully, Rider felt bad for her.

  “Trish had a rough time sleeping last night,” Rider said. “After she takes a nap, I bet I can talk her into coming out of her room for dinner tonight. Do you want to join us? You wouldn’t have to be alone, and we’ll find someone better than that Carl jerk.”

  “Really? You wouldn’t mind.” Carrie looked uncertain. “I was a bitch to you last night at first, and you’re such a decent guy.”

  “I don’t mind, and neither will Trish. Let’s exchange room numbers so I can call you later and let you know what time we’ll be ready to meet.”

  As much as Trish wanted to sleep, seeing Rider at her door looking hot as hell in a black T-shirt and tight denim jeans made her realize that no matter how tired she was, she needed to be somewhat presentable. There were plenty of women on this ship to take Trench Coat’s attention off her. She needed to make an effort.

  Although brushing her teeth in the tiny cabin bathroom seemed like it should have been enough of an effort to be presentable with as tired as she felt, Trish also ran a brush through her tangled mane of hair and dabbed a bit of makeup on her face.

  Hurrying back to the main part of the cabin, Trish pulled a turquoise silk blouse from a drawer in the wardrobe, also snagging black lace panties and a black pushup bra that matched. Of course, those were all items Lucy had insisted Trish buy, but now that it was Rider who would see her wearing them—or maybe taking them off—Trish didn’t begrudge the purchases as much as she had while making them. Black jeans that showed off her rear end in a way Lucy had proclaimed ‘perfect’ completed the ensemble, and she dressed quickly.

  Just in time, apparently, because the beeping of a key being inserted into the room’s lock echoed throughout the space as she finished adjusting her now larger-appearing breasts and tucking in her shirt.

  The door swung inward and Rider stepped inside, struggling with carrying a drink holder and a paper sack. “Trish, I’m back.” He looked up from his hands, spotting her in the center of the room. “Wow.”

  Despite her tiredness, Trish had to grin at his obvious admiration and the way his eyes traveled up and down her body. “Do you like what you see?”

  “Like might be too mild of a word. I would have been happy finding you in bed too, though.” He winked. “Guess I’m happy no matter what you do.”

  Trish grinned, liking the sound of that. It seemed her hero might really be as into her as she was him. To think she almost ruined it all. At least he hadn’t been upset with her for ignoring his phone calls. Her ex would have complained for days if she’d done that to him.

  Which proved why Rider was already a better person to have in her life than David had been.

  However, she didn’t want to think about David anymore. He cheated, and that was his loss. She wasn’t going to sit around moping about it. Life moved on, and maybe it was a bit fast, but she would enjoy the heck out of this trip and see how far things could move with Rider.

  “I figured we could eat on the balcony,” she said, crossing the room to take the drink holder from his hands. “It’s warm out this morning, and I wouldn’t mind some fresh air.”

  With an agreeable nod of his head, Rider led the way to the sliding glass door on the far side of the king-sized bed. “This might be the only meal we get to have alone today, so I’ll do whatever you’d like.”

  “I don’t know,” she said, following him out onto the patio and setting the drinks on the wrought-iron table that was bolted to the balcony floor. “We could just hide out here all day if you wanted. I wasn’t thinking properly when you showed up, but we should order room service next time and save you the trip.”

  “Stay in your room all day, huh? Just the two of us and nothing pressing to do.” Rider puffed out a long breath and shifted his weight from leg to leg, seeming uncomfortable.

  Trish smiled, lowering herself into one of the chairs and staring out at the deep blue of the ocean water. Apparently, the thought of being in her room all day did things to Rider. She knew she shouldn’t torment him, but it wasn’t all flirtation and teasing. Everyone on the ship seemed to be here for a hookup, and Trish wouldn’t keep Rider celibate for long. While she’d planned for a vacation-only fling, somehow the thought of sleeping with Rider was even better than a random man on the cruise. After the trip, they could work toward something real if they both felt a continued attraction. She could no longer worry about whether she was on the rebound. She couldn’t resist Rider.

  A brisk breeze swirled around the balcony, carrying the salty scent from the ocean spray against the ship. It also picked up Rider’s cologne, something Trish was quickly coming to love. She could imagine his strong arms wrapping around her in bed tonight, with nothing between them except that scent and any hair he might have on his body.

  “I didn’t know what to get,” he said, breaking her from the short fantasy. “I ended up finding breakfast burritos and stuffed pastries. I figured even if you didn’t like bacon and egg burritos, the pastries have all sorts of different fruit and cream fillings.”

  The bag he set on the table was jammed full of different foods, and he pulled them out one by one to set them on a napkin.

  “They all look so good,” she said, mouth watering with sudden hunger when the smell of warm dough reached her. “It’s like you know me so well, always picking things to eat that I enjoy.”

  He looked up, a smile clear in his sexy brown eyes. “It seems we’re extremely compatible. I’ve been picking the things I like, so I guess we never have to fight about what to choose for our meals. We’ll both be happy with what the other wants.”

  Trish retrieved one of the foil-wrapped burritos from the table and took half the wrapper off, trying a small nibble. She wasn’t sure what spices had been used in the eggs, but it was delicious and she tried another taste.

  “As far as staying here all day, that could be a problem.” Rider opened his own burrito and leaned back in his chair. “I ran into one of my tablemates from dinner, a woman named Carr
ie. She spent some time with a guy last night, but he stood her up for breakfast. She felt too foolish to go back to the singles’ events by herself. I told her she could have dinner with us.”

  Trish tried to take that news in stride. Rider was being nice, not asking for a date with both women. After all, he’d promised not to do any kinky stuff. Her face grew hot thinking about that.

  “Are you upset?” He glanced at her, concern apparent in his partial grimace. “I should have asked first, but I figure we have to share tables at meals anyway, and we might as well help her out. She was all gung ho about helping me win you over and finding a way to get you to notice me. I feel like I should return the favor.”

  “I wasn’t upset,” Trish hastened to assure him. “I...”

  What could she tell him? She’d embarrassed herself and that’s why her face turned red. Not something she wanted to share with a man she dreamed about bedding.

  “I’m happy to have your friend join us,” she finished. “Maybe we can find another guy to sit with us. Who knows, she might like him better than the jerk who stood her up.”

  “That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy being alone right now,” Rider said. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold out being this good guy if we spend all our time in your room, so you’d better start telling me everything about you. We’re on a crash course of getting acquainted.”

  It pleased her that he could admit he desired her. David hadn’t made her feel particularly wanted or needed, especially over the past year.

  “A crash course sounds like a good idea, Trench Coat.”

  Chapter 9

  Rider couldn’t believe how open Trish seemed to be. Over breakfast, she’d told him all about growing up with demanding parents who wanted the best from her and her sister. She lamented the time she’d spent being a jerk to Lucy instead of befriending her.

  In fact, she had even told him about how driven she was to become a partner at her law firm but expressed her fear that Thomas Baker wasn’t a very good boss. It was odd, hearing from the other side how Lucy had been denied a position because Mr. Baker had a hard time keeping it in his pants. Now, Trish worried she’d be the next to lose her job because, as she put it, “If the creep comes onto me, I’ll have to kick him in the nuts.”