Mistress Christmas by Lorelei James

slipped from her body.
    “Where you goin’?”
    “To get a drink.” She winked. “All that ridin’ worked up a powerful thirst.”
    Nick grinned. “Would champagne quench it?”
    There was that owl-eyed expression again. “You bought champagne?”
    “Came with the room. You up for a glass or two?”
    “Absolutely.”
    He hopped off the bed. “Let me clean up while you take the bottle of bubbly out of the fridge.”
    As soon as he stood, Holly wrapped her arms around him from behind and nuzzled the middle of his back. “Thank you.”
    “For?”
    No response, but as she’d burrowed deeper into him so sweetly Nick didn’t press her for an answer. He merely squeezed her arm and said, “You’re welcome,” before continuing on to the bathroom.
    When he returned, soft music drifted from the TV through the closed cabinet doors. Holly had donned a complimentary hotel robe and was curled up in the corner of the couch with her feet tucked beneath her. Strange. He’d expected nakedness wouldn’t bother her. To set her at ease, he snagged the other robe she’d draped over the back of the chair.
    She pointed to the bottle and glasses on the coffee table. “I’m not so good with things that have the potential to explode. It’d be just my luck if the cork hit me in the eye.”
    Nick loosened the wires and peeled the foil back. A couple of deft twists, a loud pop sounded and the cork released. A thin tendril of steam ghosted from the neck of the green bottle as he poured the sparkling liquid into the glasses.
    “You’re good at that. Popped a few tops in your day?”
    Handing her a glass, he sat beside her. Right beside her. “The only top I’m interested in blowing is yours, darlin’.”
    Holly blushed and ducked her head. “I think we’ve established you’re an expert in that area.”
    “Hey.” He tipped her chin up. “Regrets?”
    “Not a single one.”
    “Good. Then let’s toast. To Christmas wishes coming true.”
    “I’ll drink to that.” She chinked her glass to his and downed every golden drop as he struggled to finish his mouthful.
    “Like champagne, do you?”
    She held the glass out for more. “Mmm-hmm. I tend to be a glutton since I never get it.”
    “Don’t you have guys clamoring to buy you whatever drink your heart desires every night at Sugar Plums?” After Nick said it, he wished he’d kept his fool mouth shut.
    Her cute freckled nose wrinkled. “No offense, but can that place be off the topic for discussion tonight?”
    “Sure. As long as you answer one question for me first.”
    She squinted at him suspiciously. “What?”
    “Is Christmas your favorite holiday?”
    “No.”
    “No?”
    “I mean, it’s okay, and my attitude isn’t because of work. There are so many expectations with that time of year. Buying the perfect gift for everyone on your list. The pressure to sacrifice vacation time to be with your family, and then once you get there you’re sorry you ever came. The constant temptation to eat too much, to drink too much, to spend too much.”
    Nick stared at the liquid fizzing in his glass. “Or you end up spending it alone, wondering if everyone is having terrific family bonding time and you’re some kind of pathetic loser because no one wants to spend Christmas with you.”
    “Exactly.”
    Their eyes met in perfect understanding and it floored him. Holly was the first person he’d run across who didn’t wax poetic about the joys and wonders of the holiday season. The first person who’d understood his ambivalence.
    “I take it you’ll be alone this year?”
    “Yes. You?”
    “The same.” He lifted his glass. “So what is your favorite holiday?”
    “The Fourth of July,” Holly said without pause.
    “Really? Why?”
    She shrugged. “The weather is hot. The beer is cold. Kids get just as excited seeing a fireworks display as they do seeing Santa Claus. It lasts one day and there’s usually a fair around.”
    “You like country