Later On We'll Conspire (Christmas Escape)

by Kortney Keisel

She deepens the passion again, taking this kiss to the next level. We’re at a Christmas Eve magic, stars sparkling in the sky, snowflakes falling on the ground kind of level. And I’m here for it. All of it. She’s Rudolph, and I’m Santa Claus—she’s guiding this sleigh ride.

Needless to say, Park looks handsome. I’m fighting the urge to take him out back, shove an axe in his hand, and force him to chop firewood so I can sit and watch him do it. I have a feeling he’d look ridiculously sexy carrying a log over his shoulder like some kind of lumberjack. Just add some flannel and the fantasy is complete.

My heart’s on fire, and it’s the best kind of combustion I’ve ever experienced.

It’s not much, but spending time with her is like being on chapter one of a thousand-page book and trying to read as fast as you can so you can get the entire story as soon as possible.

Easy. That’s how I would describe my time with Park. Everything comes easy with him—the conversation, the chemistry, the feelings. For once, it’s nice not to have to work so hard for a connection. One year ago, when I was in the trenches of things with Nicholas, I remember hating how difficult everything was with him. It was exhausting and took a bigger toll on me than I ever realized.

One minute I was starring in my own version of a Hallmark Christmas movie, but now we’ve moved onto the Lifetime network or maybe even Netflix with this level of violence. I’m no longer TV-G.

“Have you ever worn a mask of someone else’s face that looks super real and then snuck into a party and secretly killed the bad guy just before he’s about to strike a deal with another bad guy and then taken the mask off and surprised everyone?” “Lacee, are you just naming everything you’ve seen in Mission: Impossible movies?” “No!” I puff out a laugh. Okay, maybe I am.

It’s like James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Ethan Hunt combined together to make some delicious Christmas spy strudel.

“Park?” “What?” I graze my lips over hers. “There’s something else I have to come clean about.” “What’s that?” “I’ve been lying about one other thing this entire time.” I pull back to look at her. Lacee smirks. “The first kiss we shared was a level ten kiss, and every single one after just got better and better.” “I know.” The corner of my mouth lifts, and I press her body against mine once again. “How did you know?” Her expression turns pouty. I flash her my most charming smile. “You’re not the only one who knows a thing or two about chemistry.” Then I give her my own kind of chemistry lesson.