‘Tis the season of Wicked Deeds (A Holiday romance Book 1)
‘Tis the season of Wicked Deeds: Chapter 9

I want you.

“Downstairs, you’ll replace the living room with a fireplace and a small kitchen. We also have room service if you want to eat here. Everything is freshly baked,” Kingston says, as he carries my suitcase up the spiral staircase at the back.

I want you.

“The bedroom and the bathroom are upstairs. The room attached to the balcony has a hot tub. You’ll love the view from the floor-to-ceiling glass.”

I want you.

I smack right into him just as he abruptly turns before we even reach the bedroom. Rubbing my nose, I grumble, “What?”

“Are you even paying attention to me, darling?”

“Of course, I am.”

He taps his knuckles on the door to my right. “What’s in here?”

“Bedroom?” I utter it like a question.

Instead of answering, he twists the doorknob and shoves it open.

A blast of cold air slams into my body. I forget the momentary discomfort as my jaw goes slack at the breathtaking view from the balcony. Worth every single penny. At a loss for words, I step closer to the railing, curl my gloved fingers around it, and simply stare.

The houses of the whole village are lit up like stars in the sky, glowing like golden jewels. White snow covers the ground as well as the roofs of a few of the nearby homes. I can’t see the mountains or the tall trees in the dark, but I know they’re there.

For a minute, I think I’m standing at the gates of heaven.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

I look up into Kingston’s soft gaze and smile. “The pictures don’t do this place justice. And you grew up here?”

“I lived here till I was fourteen years old and then my parents moved to the States. We would alternate between visiting my dad’s family here and India for my mom’s family to celebrate the holidays. Now, they’ve both retired and moved back to India.”

“Wow, you’ve moved around a lot.”

He laughs. “Told ya.”

“Now that this resort is all yours, will you be moving here?”

“No. We have a manager who will run this place since I live in the States and don’t plan to move back anytime soon.”

“Oh, okay.” A sudden pang of disappointment hits my chest. Guess the white picket fence isn’t the only obstacle standing in our way. If I decided to give us a real chance, which I’m not.

“Wanna go back inside?” Kingston asks.

I take one more look from the balcony before nodding and walking inside. This time I manage to concentrate as he completes the short tour. The rustic cabin is warm and magnificent. The interior designer of this place has done an amazing job. The luxurious room with the big marble hot tub has its own sexy view, perfect for a romantic date with your partner.

My dirty mind flashes with images of Kingston and me exploring each other’s naked bodies inside it. Though I can’t see the tattoos hidden beneath his leather jacket, I haven’t forgotten about them. Especially his teasing promise of letting me see how far they go. The tiny ones on his fingertips tempt me.

“Will you be going out tonight?” he asks, once we’re back downstairs.

“I’m too excited to go to sleep, so yes, I will. The cab driver told me about this window tradition that I shouldn’t miss.”

“Adventsfenster.”

“Yes!” I nod. “Is it worth watching?”

“If you’re not too tired and don’t mind walking around the village, then yes,” he answers, smiling at my enthusiasm.

“You must’ve seen it a lot of times?”

“Seen? My grandparents participate every year.”

“Really?” I gasp.

“It’s fun. You’ll enjoy it.” Coming closer, he tenderly asks, “Since I’m already going, do you want to come with me?”

“To meet your grandparents?”

“We will run into them,” he says with a laugh, completely unfazed that his grandparents might assume I’m his girlfriend or something.

I narrow my gaze. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Will you say yes?”

“No.”

“Then no, it’s not a date.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“You can think of me as your own personal tour guide.”

Usually, I’d feel smothered when someone steps into my personal space, physically or otherwise. Kingston is turning out to be an exception.

Truthfully, I’m bursting inside with happiness that he’s here. Because not even in my wildest dreams, did I imagine to see him again.

Not even a day here, and I’ve already made out with the owner of the resort.

I’m never impulsive.

“I’ve already done my research and came prepared,” I reply smugly. “So, your services won’t be necessary.”

Yanking me against his hard body, he huskily teases in my ear, “It seemed pretty necessary when you were begging to come while riding my thigh, darling.”

Letting me go, he steps back while leaving me discombobulated. My nipples poke against my bra, which I’m grateful he can’t see through the winter clothing.

“Stop touching me as you please, Kingston.” My voice is shaky.

“But you melt so perfectly in my arms.”

I try changing the subject to tonight’s festivities. “When will it begin?”

“There’s time. Two hours or so,” he replies, not missing my subtle shifting of topics. “About your research, did you make a list of all the spots you want to visit while you’re here?”

“Umm… yes. Why do you ask?”

He holds up his hands innocently. “I’m not going to stalk you around the town, Twinkle. Just making sure you aren’t missing the must-see spots.”

“Okay.” Walking over to the couch where I left my purse, I bend to grab it. I search the contents while Kingston follows after me. Once I replace the folded itinerary sheet, I stand up and face him.

“You wrote it down?” He arches one eyebrow in shock and amusement.

“Call me old-fashioned.”

“Or a cute little nerd.”

“Whatever.” I poke out my tongue. Keeping the list out of reach, I confirm once more, “Promise you will only give me advice?”

“No nefarious purpose, I promise,” he swears again. “You’ll be asking the concierge anyway. This will save time. Plus, I’ve lived here practically my whole life.”

“Fine.” I pass him the paper.

While he peruses, I decide to get water from the kitchen he showed me earlier. He doesn’t follow me and I take the time to explore the place a bit on my own. The woodwork done around the rooms is impressive and decorated with picturesque and vintage paintings.

In the living room, there’s a big television screen hanging above the fireplace mantel. I’ll need to ask him how to get the fire going. I’ve never seen one in person.

By the time I circle back to the foyer, Kingston is still deep in reading the list with serious intent. His expression is unreadable as he absently licks the corner of his lips.

At the sound of my approaching footsteps, he looks up.

I watch a filthy glint sharpen his mesmerizing brown eyes, causing my heart to thump wildly. My gait falters and my instincts tell me to run.

And I almost do when he speaks.

“So, you want to be put on a leash and fucked like a slave?”