I watched her move around the small kitchen measuring whiskey and honey, heating water, adding a cinnamon stick and slice of lemon. When she handed me the steaming mug, I smiled at her.
I took a sip. Warmth spread through my body. “Perfect,” I murmured.
Sylvie settled beside me on the couch with her own mug, snuggling close to me. We sat in comfortable silence, both savoring our drinks and the quiet intimacy of being alone together.
It was crazy because it was these kinds of moments that I had been thinking about all week.
I couldn’t stop looking at her. The curve of her lips as she took another sip. The way she fit perfectly against my side when I set down my mug and pulled her closer.
“Kent?” she asked, setting her own mug on the coffee table.
I didn’t answer with words. Instead, I cupped her face and kissed her, slow and deep, pouring everything I felt into that connection. She melted against me with a soft sound that made my blood heat.
“Bedroom?” I murmured against her lips.
“Yes,” she breathed.
I stood, pulling her up with me. She led me down the short hallway to her room. More Christmas decorations twinkled from the dresser and windowsill.
But I barely registered any of it. All I could focus on was Sylvie. I knew how lucky I was to have her in my arms. I thought I lost her for good.
I kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the taste of honey and whiskey on her lips. My hands found the hem of her sweater, and she lifted her arms to let me pull it over her head. The sight of her in just her bra and jeans made my breath catch.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, tracing the line of her collarbone with my fingers.
She reached for my own sweater, tugging it off and tossing it over my shoulder. Her hands explored my chest, mapping the muscles there with a touch that was both curious and reverent.
We undressed each other slowly, taking our time, learning each other’s bodies all over again. When we were finally skin to skin, I pulled her down onto the bed, covering her body with mine.
“I love you,” I said, needing her to hear it again. “I love you so much it terrifies me.”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “I love you too.”
I kissed her again. My hands tangled in her hair as I pressed her into the mattress.
I kissed my way down her body, taking my time, worshiping every inch of her skin. When I reached her breasts, I circled one nipple with my tongue, drawing it into my mouth while my hand cupped the other. She arched beneath me, her fingers threading through my hair.
“Kent,” she breathed. Hearing my name on her lips like that made me want to make her say it again and again.
I continued my descent, pressing kisses along her ribs, across her stomach, pausing to trace patterns with my tongue that made her shiver. When I reached the top of her thighs, I looked up at her, meeting her eyes.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” I said.
“Don’t you dare stop,” she replied, her voice husky with need.
I smiled against her skin and spread her legs wider, settling between them. The first touch of my tongue made her gasp. Her hips lifted off the bed. I gripped her thighs, holding her steady as I explored her with my mouth, learning what made her moan and what made her fingers tighten in my hair. I paid special attention to the places that made her tremble.
She tasted incredible. Sweet and warm and utterly addictive. I could have stayed there for hours, just listening to the sounds she made, feeling her body respond to every stroke of my tongue.
I found her clit and circled it slowly, building the pleasure gradually. Her breathing became ragged, punctuated by softwhimpers that drove me crazy. When I slid two fingers inside her, she cried out, her body clenching around me.
“Oh God, Kent,” she gasped. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
I had no intention of stopping. Not ever.
I worked her with my mouth and fingers, establishing a rhythm that had her writhing beneath me. Her hands fisted in the sheets, then found my hair again, holding me against her like she was afraid I might disappear again. Not a chance.
I felt her getting close. Her body tensed. Her breathing turned shallow and desperate. I increased the pressure and speed, giving her exactly what she needed.
