“There’s nothing wrong with making a play for the woman you’ve fallen for. But I?—”
“You fell for me, too.” His grip tightened. “There’s also nothingwrong with wanting to make love with the man you’ve fallen for. Give yourself a break for being human, Lani-lou.”
She gulped. “I…I need to tell you something. I don’t hate that nickname.”
“I know. And it’s not just a nickname. It’s an endearment.”
His soft tone and the warm light in his dark eyes made her throat hurt.
“I care about you so much that I need to call you something that no one else does. And when you show up with that husband you’re gonna find, I intend to call you Lani-lou right in front of him.”
Her breath caught. “You’re giving up?”
“That would be dumb, wouldn’t it? We’re just four days away from Christmas. I’ve been very good this year and Santa knows what I want. That ol’ boy might just find a way to give me what I asked for.”
“You believe in Santa?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He said it with complete seriousness, without a hint of a smile or a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “Don’t you?”
“I guess I… sort of do.”
That got a smile out of him. “I’ll make allowances for that lukewarm endorsement. You’re a city girl and this is your first country Christmas. Trust me, it’s easier to believe in Santa when you’re surrounded by pine trees and starry skies.”
“That I can totally agree with.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m about to break a promise.”
Her heart thumped faster. “I can guess which one.”
“Please don’t make me take you home. Let’s wait for the fire to die down.”
“It’s an electric fireplace.”
“That’s not the fire I’m referring to.”
“I know.” Leaning forward, she brushed her mouth against his. “Your mom’s right. You need to talk less.”
With a soft groan, he let go of her hands, cupped her head and held her still. His warm breath tickled her lips. “Thank you.”
Then he began making sweet love to her mouth. He took his time building the tension, teasing her with nibbles and licks. Gradually the moist press of his lips grew more urgent. Pressing his fingers into her scalp, he tilted her head back and shifted to his knees, ravishing her with deep thrusts of his tongue.
Without touching her anywhere else, he created havoc in her trembling, aching body. But she could touch him… anywhere. Instinctively she reached for what she craved.
When she wrapped both hands around his solid length and squeezed, he gasped and lifted his lips a fraction from hers. “Careful.”
“You said I could play with anything in this room.”
“I don’t want to come.”
“Then don’t.” She swept her thumb over the sensitive tip, making him shudder.
“I’m…out of practice.”
Because he’d been celibate for months, saving himself for her. “Then I’ll find the condom.” She kept one hand on the object of her desire while she patted the mattress in search of the small package. “Got it.”
“Let me.” He reached for it.
She put it behind her back. “I want to. I’ll be quick.” Or as quick as she could be when she was shaking with excitement.
