I frown, not understanding.
‘When you kissed me, I got ... I didn’t want anyone to see.’
God, I’m thick. ‘Oh! They probably didn’t. It was kind of dark.’ I don’t really know what else to say. ‘Sorry I gave you an erection’ doesn’t seem appropriate.
We’re standing so close I can see flecks of gold in his irises. His breath is sweet and spicy. Feeling the urge to kiss him properly, I lean forward and brush my lips against his, and he pulls me to him. Our lips meld together in a warm mulled-wine-infused kiss that gives me tingles all the way down my spine. It lasts only a moment, but it feels like time stands still.
Bailey gives a deep sigh. ‘Finally.’
‘Does that make your issue better or worse?’ I ask, already knowing the answer.
‘Worse. Much, much worse.’
Chapter 15
I yank Bailey’s bauble jumper off over his head the minute we’re in his moonlit room.
‘Hey, careful! That’s got at least another two Christmases in it.’ But he doesn’t complain when my hands go up under his T-shirt and run over his smooth muscular chest. With a growl, he backs me towards the bed; and we topple onto it, kissing frantically. He snakes a hand under my top and squeezes my breast while I devour his neck and collarbone. He tastes so good. I can’t get enough of him. He unzips my jeans and pushes them, along with my knickers, down around my thighs.
I’m not sure if he means for that to happen, but I feel I should say something at this point to clarify things before they go too far. ‘Uh, maybe we should talk about this,’ I gasp as his hand moves down my stomach, heading south.
Bailey stops and looks at me. I can see his eyes glinting, one eyebrow raised. ‘Really? Right now?’
I sit up, trying to calm my breathing. ‘It’s just ... Well, are you doing this because you have to? I don’t want to force you into anything.’
He chuckles softly. ‘I’m not that much of a pushover. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t want to.’ He takes my hand and places it on his bulging crotch. I squeeze gently, and he groans. ‘See, I’m not pretending.’
Maybe it will be OK. He wants me. I want him.
‘Let’s get into bed,’ I say, making my mind up on the spot.
‘Really? You’re cool with this?’ He gestures between us.
‘Yes,’ I say, unhooking my bra.
Bailey immediately bounces up off the bed and removes his jeans at breakneck speed. I can almost hear what he’s thinking: ‘Quick, before she changes her mind!’
Before I get into bed, I run swiftly over to the corkboard, turn the photo of him and Rosalie over, and put the thumbtack through her head.
‘Why did you do that?’ Bailey asks when I’m snuggled under the covers with him. He runs a warm hand over my back, and I shiver from his touch.
‘Because I don’t like to think of her hurting you.’
‘Ah.’ He shifts closer so our bodies are touching.
‘Plus I don’t want her looking at us.’
‘Fair enough.’
Christmas morning
Soft kisses move up my thighs, and I shift my legs apart. A tongue starts moving inquisitively, and soon, my eyes are practically rolling back in my head. I gasp as pleasure racks my core. ‘Uhhh,’ I groan, squeezing Bailey’s head between my thighs like a vice.
When I’ve finished twitching, the man himself pops up from beneath the covers, hair mussed and cheeks dimpling in a grin. ‘Merry Christmas,’ he says, sliding up next to me; and I roll in for a hug and grasp his extremely nice butt, which I can’t get enough of.
Downstairs, there are squeals interspersed with dull thuds.
‘Your nieces and nephews are up,’ I murmur dozily.
