SANTA’S HOME - Chapter 1

I can do this. My hand hovers over the Grants’ front door, heart hammering against my ribs. Ten years of military service and combat tours, and I’m sweating like a goddamn teenager about to see his crush again.

Sarah. Just her name has my cock twitching. Those curves that used to haunt my dreams in the barracks. Her warm brown skin I’d imagine under my hands. The way she used to bite that full bottom lip when she looked at me. Stop torturing yourself, Jensen.

The door swings open before I can knock. Mike’s grinning face appears.

“Jensen! Get your ass in here!”

I return his bear hug, pounding his back. My best friend since we were kids, the only one who saw past my family’s reputation.

The house smells like cinnamon and pine, decorated for Christmas, just like I remember. But all my senses zero in when I hear her voice.

“Mom, where do you want these—”

Sarah freezes in the kitchen doorway. Sweet fucking hell. She’s even more beautiful than I remembered. Her sweater dress hugs every lush curve of her hourglass figure. Wild dark curls escape her messy bun. Those big brown eyes go wide, her full lips parting in surprise.

“Matt?”

“Hey sunshine.” The old nickname slides off my tongue like honey.

Her radiant smile hits me like a punch to the gut. Then she’s running across the room, throwing those soft curves against my chest. Jesus Christ. I wrap my arms around her, barely holding back a groan. A decade of fantasizing about this woman, and reality is so much sweeter.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispers against my neck, her warm breath making me shiver.

When she pulls back, her hands linger on my chest. I swear I can feel the heat of her touch branding my skin through my shirt.

“You look good, Sarah.”

Understatement of the fucking century. My best friend’s younger sister looks fucking edible. All woman now, confident and sexy as hell. Not a trace left of the teenager who used to turn away every time I caught her staring.

“You too. The Army agreed with you.”

“Marines,” Mike corrects, smirking.

Sarah rolls her big brown eyes. “Once a jarhead, always a jarhead, right?”

“Oorah.” I can’t help grinning.

Her gaze burns into mine, and for a moment, it’s just us. That same electric connection that used to crackle between us, only stronger now. More dangerous.

I watch her hips sway as she walks back to the kitchen, throwing me a heated look over her shoulder.

Ten years ago, I left to escape my shit life and make something of myself. To become someone worthy of Sarah Grant.

Now I’m back. And this time?

This time, she’s mine.

Keep reading now: https://amzn.to/4g21Rzi