Her finger presses over my lips.
And fuck, her touch is so damn soft, it’s torture. Her fragrant floral-and-cinnamon scent shrouds me. Her deep brown eyes take their time traveling my face as if taking stock.
“We can’t kiss here. Mistletoe, remember?”
Relief and desire tangle into a heady concoction.
Her bag drops to the floor as her finger slips from my lips. I slide my arms around her waist, hauling her onto my hips. With a giggle, her hands find my face, and she whispers, “Hi.”
“Hi, CC.”
“Quin—”
I stride for the kitchen doorway. And when we find six clusters of mistletoe my daughter apparently managed to hang all by herself, both of us burst out laughing.
“Oh my god, she really, really wants you to kiss someone.” CC’s eyes are lit with amusement.
But the amusement fades when she notices my stone look. “Not someone, Celeste. You.”
“Oh,” she mutters, glancing up at the mistletoe assault hanging overhead. “Well, we wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”
“No,” I rasp.
I lower her to her feet, and she looks up at me. It’s then I see the desire darkening her gaze. The way her chest rises and falls too quickly.
“Put your arms around me,” I say.
“Like this?” Her arms slide around my neck.
“Just like that. Now move closer.”
“We’re not close enough?” Cheekiness lines her tone.
“Not nearly.”
“You are so bossy.”
“You have no idea.”
She scoffs an amused, slightly nervous sound. I can only imagine what she would feel like...
Heat flushes her face and neck as she drops her forehead to my chest. I could get used to this. Having her this close.
Having her, period.
When she peels off my chest and her gaze swings up to mine, I can’t wait a second longer.
Palming her face, I drop my mouth to hers.
“Qui—”
I brush my lips over her silky, plump ones, barely tamping down the groan that wants out when her hands crawl into my hair. I coax her to open for me.
And she does.
I claim every part of her she gives up.
Head buzzing with an intensity I’ve never felt before, I break away, each short, useless breath burning its way through my chest as I study her face.
