I park my car behind his and get out, a little spring in my step.
Jen greets me as I unlock the door, so first things first, I crouch down to give her some fuss. I never thought of myself as a dog person before, I mean, I like them well enough, but cats were more my thing. The longer I’m here, though, the less I think that’s true.
There’s the soft clanging of cutlery coming from the kitchen, and now that I think about it, the most delicious smell. One deep breath in and I’m groaning because I’m suddenly ravenous.
I glance up to see Jerry standing in the kitchen doorway, watching me, and food is all but forgotten. His eyes are dark, bottom lip caught between his teeth, and he’s looking at me like he’s two seconds away from hauling me to my feet and kissing the hell out of me.
A prospect I’m very much here for.
I also spot a familiar little something above his head.
When I stand and Jerry stays put, still watching, I walk over and come to a stop in front of him. “Tsk-tsk,” I murmur. “You’re just asking for bad luck, aren’t you?”
He frowns for a moment before glancing up and huffing out a laugh. “I forgot it was there.”
“Well, it is.” I take a step closer, feeling bold because that hungry look in his eyes is back in full force. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I whisper, “Rules are rules.”
He smiles as he slides his hands around my waist and down to cup my arse. “I’m not one to mess with tradition.” Dipping his head, he trails gentle kisses up along the side of my neck. “Especially this time of year.”
I shiver as he reaches that spot behind my ear. This close I can smell the faint traces of citrus shower gel, and the floral scent of his shampoo. He’s all clean and freshly showered—and I want to dirty him up again so we can share one together.
His teeth graze the shell of my ear, but it’s not enough. I want to feel his lips on mine, to kiss him like I’ve imagined doing all day. I tug him up enough to kiss him properly and close my eyes.
It’s as all-consuming as the first time. And every time since.
He tightens his grip on my arse, drawing me against him so that I’m very aware of exactly how much he’s enjoying this. Pretty sure I’m not hiding anything either, and I give in to the urge to grind against him.
He’s a gorgeous mix of hard muscle and a softness that makes for the best hugs as he holds me close.
Jerry kisses like we have all the time in the world, like I’m the only thing that matters in this moment, worthy of all his focus, and it’s so indescribably good I don’t want it to ever end.
But the oven timer has other ideas, the shrill beep making me jump and Jerry laugh.
“Dinner’s ready,” he says, but he doesn’t let me go straight away. He smooths my hair back and then cups my jaw. I wait for him to say more because the intensity in his gaze implies he has something on his mind, but then he blinks, and smiles, and it’s gone. “Hungry?”
“Yeah. Starving.” I’ll file that away for later. Or maybe I’ll just let it go, because if he wanted to tell me whatever was bothering him, he would’ve done.
He steps back but takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. His grip is firm and warm, his fingers slotted with mine, and I miss his touch when he lets go to get dinner out of the oven.
I add holding hands with someone to the list of things I didn’t realise I’d been missing. It’s not lost on me that I only startedthat list after meeting Jerry. But that’s something for future Reed to worry about.
Right now I have food and an evening with Jerry to enjoy.
“What do you want to watch?”Jerry passes me a glass of water and settles on the sofa next to me. Watching TV wasn’t on my list of things to do when Jerry kissed me under the mistletoe, but with a full belly, Frank on my lap, and the day catching up to me, I need a minute—or thirty—to just relax and sit. Judging by the groan Jerry let out when he sat down, I’m guessing he feels the same. Probably more so, considering the dark shadows under his eyes.
The living room is warm and cosy, the fairy lights on the tree giving it that magical feel that you only get at Christmas. Given how comfortable Jerry’s sofa is, I think the pair of us are in danger of falling asleep if we’re not careful.
When I still haven’t answered, Jerry nudges his knee against mine. “Well?” His leg stays pressed against mine, and I’m instantly aware of every place we now touch. Even through two layers of clothing, that small area of contact is enough to send a thrill through my veins.
“Um...” I’m still not ready to move yet, so I try and think of something I’d like to watch, but honestly? Right now I don’t care. “Do we have to turn the TV on? I can’t be bothered to concentrate on anything.” I yawn as if to prove my point, making Jerry do the same. It always amuses me when that happens. “I’m happy to sit here and just talk, if you want?” My head’s resting against the back of the sofa, and I turn to face him.
He’s got this soft look in his eyes as he smiles at me. “We can do that.”
“Okay.” I take a sip of my water, then hand it to Jerry to put on the coffee table. He does it with a raised eyebrow.
I gesture to Frank, stretched out lengthways like a long blacksomething. I’m too lazy to think of an apt description. “I can’t possibly move now.”
Jerry shakes his head at me, but he’s still smiling when he reaches over to stroke down Frank’s back.
