“Look buddy, I—”
“I miss you, Piper.” He stared into her eyes.
“You can’t—”
“I miss your laugh. The way you smile. Your bad oatmeal.”
“It’s n-not bad.” This close, she could smell the cinnamon on his breath and wanted to lick his lips to see if she could taste it there.
“I’m sorry I told you the truth. That I love you. It wasn’t meant to pressure you into saying it back or feeling any way but how you feel about me. I just wanted you to know.”
“Well, now I know.” And I wish I didn’t, because I feel things for you I shouldn’t. Wait. How am I suddenly up against the wall? “Stop stalking me.” Like a cat, she thought hysterically.
“I miss holding you after we make love.” He put an arm over her head on the wall, his face way too close to hers. “And kissing you, tasting your sweetness. Damn, Piper, I miss you so much.”
How did any woman react to hearing how wonderful she was from a man she tried desperately not to fall in love with?
“Can I kiss you, baby? Can I fuck you again?”
Just the scent of him got her wet, and now she feared she’d drench her panties.
“It’s my Christmas wish—oomph.” He staggered back as she threw herself into his arms, kissing him until neither could breathe.
His hands were on her, and hers were on him. And then he was inside her, her panties pushed aside, her skirt up, as he pounded inside her, fucking her as he kissed her, sucking hard at her neck, her collar, and nipping at her ear.
“Gonna come,” he said and surged, filling her while his finger ground against her clit, throwing her into a sudden climax as well.
She gripped his shoulders, colors flaring behind her closed lids, until the silence grew, only their harsh breathing filling the space.
“Come home with me, Piper. I swear I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable. Just you and me laughing and having fun with Jenna and her friends. I’ll be your friend. I swear.” He kissed her again. “But if you don’t let me come inside you every day, we’re going to have a major problem. I’m backed up.”
She snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“Don’t you miss me at all?” he asked, and the wounded look in his eyes bothered her. She couldn’t tell if he felt sad or was manipulating her. But no, he’d promised not to lie. He was hurt, and she’d caused it.
“Yes, damn you. I miss you all the time.” Her eyes welled. “Crap.”
He stared, wide-eyed, and hurried to withdraw from her body. After they cleaned up and straightened their clothes, he hugged her. “No, no. No crying.” Then he swept her off her feet with ease. “We’re going to have the best holiday. I’m not going to bug you or make you feel bad.”
“You don’t. I make myself feel bad pretty easily.”
“Then stop doing that, you big idiot.”
She blinked up at him. “You called me an idiot.”
“A big idiot. Yeah. You have the power to feel good or bad, and you’re choosing bad. Just feel good about life and life will be good. Unless you’ve got some kind of chronic depression or something.” He sounded worried. “Do you?”
“Oh, uh, no. I don’t think so.”
“Good. So meds are probably not what you need. I know it sounds simple, but visualizing is how I’ve managed to make it to the top. Hard work and taking control.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I know. But tonight we’re starting to decorate the house, so you have to be happy. Jenna’s invited Simon, and I need your help figuring out what to buy everyone for the holiday.” He sighed. “I’m really trying, Piper. But it’s hard to hide how I feel about you.”
“I don’t want you to hide it. I asked for honesty.” And what a terrible idea that was.
“Well, you’re being an ass, but I still love you,” he said plainly. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about you.”
