And there she is. Seraphina, bent over a large brown box, her skirt riding up, revealing her thick thighs covered in lace.
I stride into the room, batting Hollywood away with the sprig of mistletoe. “Careful with that. Bear hasn’t kissed anyone in years.”
Sera straightens, cheeks flushed, lips red, long dark hair falling around her shoulders in waves. Firecracker. “Hi Chiefy.”
The guys erupt in laughter.
I give them a death stare. Grip Seraphina’s elbow and guide her into my office.
Hollywood hands her the mistletoe with a wink as we pass.
I roll my eyes and close the office door behind me, making sure the blind is shut on the door window. The last thing I need is this lot knowing my business. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. Am I in trouble?” She pulls her red bottom lip between her teeth. Teeth I want to feel scrape along my shaft. Fuck,I’min trouble.
“No, of course not.” I run a hand over my face, willing my dick to go down before she notices. “Just shocked to see you here, that’s all.”
A smile curls the corner of her lips as she saunters towards me. She unhooks the tinsel garland from around her neck and tosses it over my head like a lasso. “I had lots of Christmas decorations left. Thought I’d jazz up the firehouse. Add a bit of sparkle to Chief Sparks’ office.” She wraps the garland around my neck like a scarf.
My lip twitches as if my mouth wants to match her smile, but the darker part of me wants to dip my head to meet her lips.
“Oh, look.” She lifts the mistletoe above our heads. “I’m better looking than Hollywood, right?”
“You have no idea.”
Her grin widens, that cheeky, knowing spark lighting her eyes. “Then prove it.”
My breath catches. “What?”
“Kiss me,” she says like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her voice is soft, teasing, but raw. “It’s tradition, Chiefy.”
“Seraphina—”
“What?” She lifts her chin, all challenge and mischief.
I should laugh it off. Tell her I’m twice her age, her ex’s father. But all I can see are her lips—red and full and inches from mine.
I exhale slowly, trying my best to resist and be the adult here, but damn, she makes me feel like I’m young again—and reckless. “You shouldn’t be here, sweetheart.”
Her smile falters at that, and damn it, I hate that I put that look on her face. “I just thought…” She fiddles with the tinsel garland around my neck. “You didn’t seem yourself last night, and I figured you could use a bit of cheer. I wanted to repay you for cheering me up. I’m sorry.”
The guilt engulfs me like a backdraft. “I appreciate it, I do. But you can’t just show up here. The guys?—”
“Think it’s funny?” She cuts in, eyes flashing. “So what if I wanted to make you smile for once?”
“Sera—”
“Don’t.” Her voice wobbles, the humour fading. “Don’t ‘Sera’ me like I’m some kid you have to pat on the head. I know you feel it too. You look at me like you want to kiss me, but then you pull back like I’m poison. Why won’t you just take what you want?”
My pulse pounds. She’s close enough that I can feel the heat from her skin, smell the cinnamon and lavender clinging to her clothes. Every muscle in my body screams to close that tiny gap.
“What I want,” I say hoarsely, “is the one thing I can’t have.”
Her eyes search mine, and for a heartbeat I think she’s going to cry—or worse, kiss me anyway.
Instead, she steps back, shoulders squaring in defiance. “Then maybe you don’t deserve it.”
Her words slap me in the face. She spins on her heel, yanks open the office door, and storms out past Hollywood, who whistles low, and Bear, who wisely keeps quiet.
