A Million Kisses or More (32 page)

She snorted as her lips curved up into a slight smile, “And when he’s taken before the judge, he’ll just tell them he replaced it with a car that cost three times more. God, Harrison, he’s so arrogant. I thought I made it crystal clear that he was never going to get me back. You were there; wasn’t I clear enough?”

“Oh, you were. I thought the wine was a very nice touch,” he said with a grin. “Do you want me to put out a warrant for his arrest?”

Her chuckle washed over him and he fell in love with her all over. Sighing, she said, “It’s Christmas so I doubt a warrant would be easy to get. I think I’ll call him.”

Slipping past him, she crossed the room to the dresser where she kept her phone. She picked it up and frowned a moment before she looked at him, “Do you have his number?”

He let out a breath he hadn’t even realized he had been holding, though he wasn’t sure why it bothered him to think she had his cousin’s number. Grabbing his phone, he read off the number and then leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest to see her in action. She grinned at him as she hit the speaker and said, “Asher Kingston, I want my car back.”

“Anavrin,” his cousin’s smooth voice came over the line loud and clear and in that moment, Harrison wanted to punch him in his smug face. Again. “Don’t you like my Christmas gift?”

“I don’t understand why you gave it to me,” she said, turning away from Harrison and grabbing one of his shirts. Sliding her arms into the sleeves, she kept her back to him as she continued, “It’s ridiculous and I want my car back.”

“It’s also an early birthday gift,” Asher said as if Ana hadn’t spoken. “I figured it was too extravagant for one holiday so I combined the two….”

“It’s too extravagant for any reason,” Ana interrupted. “I don’t want it.”

There was silence for a moment before Asher asked, “Would you accept it if it came from Harry?”

Harrison watched her shoulders tense as she glanced over her shoulder at him, heightened color along her cheekbones. His stomach clenched in dread because he’d never be able to afford a car like that. Running her tongue along her lower lip, holding his eyes, she shook her head no, “I wouldn’t.”

At Asher’s derisive laugh, she continued, “He doesn’t need expensive gifts to buy my love, Asher. I love him as he is. We’ve had this chat before: I don’t like you trying to buy your way into my bed because it’s never, ever, not in a million years, ever going to happen so stop. And give me back my car.”

The words were exactly right but why did he still feel like shit that he couldn’t afford a fancy car for her?

“Ana, take the car,” Asher ordered.

“I can’t afford the taxes or the insurance,” she bit out.

Another heartbeat of silence before Asher asked, “Is that the real reason you don’t want the car? Because if it is, I’ll pay for everything.”

Ana let out a little scream of frustration, spinning around and letting Harrison see the fury in her eyes, her face. “Give me back my damn car.”

“Be reasonable, Ana,” Asher tried to cajole.

“Harrison,” she ground out. “Issue that arrest warrant. This bastard stole my damn car and he won’t give it back.”

He arched an eyebrow as he uncrossed his arms and grabbed his phone. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding her head with fierce determination.

Heaving a loud, wary sigh, Asher said, “Fine. I’ll give you your fucking car back but don’t think that this is over, not by a long shot.”

“Thank you,” Ana said, her voice still tight. Her eyes moved over Harrison’s still naked body and her lips curved up into a wicked grin. “And Asher? As soon as I hang up, I’m going to fuck your cousin seven ways from Sunday. That’s my Christmas gift to him.”

Clicking the phone off without bothering to wait for a reply, she sauntered over to where he stood and slid her hands into his. Grinning up at him, she said, “That’s not really my Christmas gi….”

He didn’t give her a chance to finish before he claimed her lips in a kiss. Being fucked seven ways from Sunday was a perfect gift, one that he’d enjoy as often as she’d give it. It didn’t matter that they had already made love that morning and she had drained him dry, he was good to go again. There was just something about Ana that infused him with the horniness of a pagan god and the stamina of a raging bull elephant.

*****

Pulling her damp hair back into a low ponytail, Ana headed down the stairs, a slight smile on her lips. It had been a crazy month since her mother had been there and she was still reeling from everything her mom had told her. Harrison had spent many nights simply holding her as she worked through her conflicting feelings. It had been interesting trying to figure out what it meant to have a famous father, though her relationship with her mother was improving now that all of the secrets were out in the open. Heather had called a few times to give updates on Maddox Cooper’s condition but she didn’t really go into too much detail. Ana always asked if she should make a trip to Arizona to see him but the answer was always the same: no. Apparently, Maddox wanted his daughter’s first meeting with him to be after he had a clean bill of health, just as Heather said.

Harrison had been amazing, spending more time with her than he did writing, since he couldn’t quit his real job to write full time. Ana was okay with having the next Justice novel delayed because she found she much preferred the attentions of the author. It was a fair trade off. Besides, he’d have plenty of time to write once she was gone. But it was Christmas and she wasn’t going to think about leaving until she was in her car and on her way to California. Until then, she’d focus on Harrison and Jolie and their remaining time together.

For his gift, she had bought him a couple of shirts since she had accidentally borrowed… okay, stole, seven shirts already and she doubted he had many more to lose. She’d be happy if Harrison just gave her some of his old shirts for Christmas or for her birthday, as long as they smelled like him. She had also gotten him two plane tickets for him and Jolie so they could spend next Christmas with her out west and then drive back with her. She had purchased them the day after her mom left because she knew with every fiber of her being that this was where she belonged. After she was done with her internship, of course.

She had to pause halfway down the steps, needing to take a moment to catch her breath, to stop the sudden sob that wanted to break free. Pressing her hand against her tight chest, she rubbed her aching heart as she tried to blink away the tears that were blinding her. She could hear Harrison and Jolie talking in the living room, trying to guess what was in each package. Harrison’s low voice rumbled up the stairs followed by Jolie’s sweet, sweet giggles and Ana didn’t want to go. She was afraid that if she left, Harrison would find someone else and she’d lose the very best thing that had ever happened to her.

Maybe she
should
have kept the damn car and then sold it. It might not have been quite enough to pay off her strings-attached scholarship but it would put a huge dent in the amount she’d owe. But then she would have been indebted to Asher, which was far worse than being indebted to her mother and it was a place she never wanted to be. It didn’t matter that he said it was a gift because he would have held it over her head. He would have seen it as encouragement of his pursuit and he never would have stopped.

He was being so childish continuing his pursuit of her when she was with Harrison. It was unfortunate because Asher was a good guy, or at least he had been before he went all stalker on her. It didn’t change anything, though, because her mom
would
have paid it back if Ana had only asked, if there hadn’t been the soul deep need she had to fulfill the terms of the scholarship. If only she could bring Harrison and Jolie with her.

Squeezing her eyes shut, trying to think about the day ahead, about Jolie opening her gifts, about going over to Harrison’s parents for Christmas dinner, she took a few breaths. Running the tips of her fingers beneath her eyes to erase any moisture that might have leaked through, she pasted a blinding smile onto her face and bounded down the rest of the stairs as if she hadn’t just had a minor breakdown.

“Hey, guys,” she said, sitting down next to Jolie and draping an arm around the little girl’s shoulders, giving her a sideways hug. Smiling up at Harrison, she said, “The shower was exactly what I needed. Thank you.”

She had to blink her eyes when she realized Angelico was sitting on Harrison’s lap, purring contentedly. Harrison’s long fingers were stroking through the white fur and Ana was actually jealous of the furry beast. The demon cat squeezed one eye open and seemed to smirk at Ana, as if he had laid claim to Harrison when she wasn’t looking. If necessary, she’d battle the asshole to the end because Harrison was hers.

Harrison’s chuckle brought her out of her cat fighting fantasy. “What is going through that head of yours, Ana? You look so fierce?”

She debated whether or not to grab the cat off Harrison’s lap and take his place but decided that would be ridiculous. Giving the cat one last glare, she shook her head, “I just want the cat to know that his place on your lap is not permanent.”

He chuckled harder, the warm sound soothing her ruffled feathers. “Don’t worry, love, he was just keeping it warm for you.”

“Just so long as we’re clear,” she grumbled, unable to keep the smile from her lips. Her heart still ached but it was impossible to remain depressed when she was with Harrison. Turning to Jolie, she asked, “So, have you decided which present you want to open first?”

With a beaming smile, she pulled out the huge gift that Ana had bought and spent way too long wrapping. “This one.”

“Are you sure?” Harrison asked, glancing at Ana. “Don’t you want to save that one for last?”

“Nope,” Jolie countered with a huge grin. “This is the one I want to open.”

Ana didn’t want to wait either, excited to see Jolie’s reaction to the present. She also wanted Jolie to open her gift first in case someone else got her the same gift. It was admittedly a selfish reason but she had been so excited when she found the Monster Mash dolls that she had splurged and bought six of them. Christmas was so much better when one had people for whom to buy gifts. It was even more exciting to watch them open the gifts.

“Good choice,” Ana beamed. Leaning closer, speaking in a stage whisper, she held Harrison’s eyes as she asked, “Do you want to open it now?”

Jolie’s eyes widened in her head as she asked, “Can I?”

“Ana,” Harrison growled in warning.

“Harrison,” she returned, grinning at him. Wagging her eyebrows, she asked in a sing-song voice, “Can she?”

He grimaced, or least he tried to but then it turned into a smile. Shaking his head, he looked at Ana and murmured, “I can’t deny you anything. Yes, Jolie, you can open it now.”

Letting out a triumphant sound, the little girl tore into the gift. Paper flew everywhere and when she opened the box to find still more presents inside, Jolie let out a little scream. Intrigued by the paper and the boxes, the cat slid off Harrison’s lap and sauntered over to Jolie to investigate.

While she was unwrapping the six smaller boxes that were inside of the large box, Harrison scooted over to Ana’s side and handed her a small gift. With a confused smile, she looked at the package and then back at him. With his lips against her ear, he whispered, “I want you to open this now.”

Struggling to keep the tears at bay, she kept her smile on her face as she slid her finger beneath the tape. Her hands trembled as she saw the name of a jeweler on the velvet box. It was too big to be a ring, not that she expected him to propose, but it was still jewelry. Slowly, she opened it to reveal a beautiful necklace that was simple and elegant and perfect.

This time, she let the tears fall since no one would know that there were a few sad tears mixed in with the happy tears. When she tried to speak, her voice cracked, “Harrison.”

“Do you like it?” he asked, sounding so unsure that she wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him until he knew how much she loved the gift, how much she loved him.

“It’s perfect,” she managed to whisper through her tight throat. Turning around so her back was to him, she handed him the necklace, “Put it on, please?”

His warm hands moved over her neck after he clasped the chain, smoothing the links against her skin. Keeping his hands on her shoulders, he put his lips against her ear, “Done.”

Reaching up, she touched the entwined gold figures and choked back another sob. “It’s you and me, isn’t it?”

She felt his smile against her ear as he nodded, “It is.”

“I love it,” she murmured. Twisting around, she hugged him, “I love you.”

“Ana,” he whispered, his words cut off by Jolie’s cries of excitement.

“Oh, Ana!” Jolie squeaked. “I love them! You got all of my favorites! Thank you so much!”

Sharing a smile with Harrison, she turned back and leaned against his chest. His arms wrapped around her from behind as she said, “You’re welcome, Jelly Bean.”

Her fingers moved back to the necklace, needing to touch it even though Harrison was sitting right behind her. Her gift to him seemed so lame compared to the necklace. At least she had the plane tickets, but she wasn’t going to give that to him until tonight after Jolie was asleep. Looking at him with regret, she whispered, “I only got you some shirts.”

He blinked and then burst into laughter, hugging her to his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he said, “That’s the perfect gift since I seem to have fewer shirts than I used to.”

Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks as she admitted, “That’s my fault, too.”

“I am aware,” he chuckled, kissing her again. Reaching up and running his fingers along her temple, her throat, resting them against her pulse, he said, “The idea of you wearing my shirts turns me on more than you could ever know. I’d give all of my shirts to you if I didn’t need to keep some to wear myself.”

“Hmmm,” she purred, her lids heavy as she imagined a shirtless Harrison running around town. The sound of Jolie ripping open boxes and chattering about the dolls brought her back to the present. Straightening her spine, she smoothed her hands down the front of her shirt and tried to get her libido back under control. She was well and truly addicted to Harrison and withdrawal was going to suck.