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“My sister drives me fucking crazy. And you don’t even speak to her.”

“True.” The chair creaks under us, and I hear the tick of the clock. The one I didn’t notice before. Time is mocking me. His hand goes between my shoulder blades and molds me to him. Then our lips crash together. It’s all sparks and feels. Physical and emotional. What is this man doing to me?

I yawn. He puts his forehead to mine.

“Stay with me.” He steals my breath. My body is all goosebumps. “Just say what you’re feeling right now. That’s not something you ever had a problem with, Bella.”

I blurt out, “I don’t want to leave you.”

It’s the most vulnerable and indulgent thing I’ve done in years. The last time I was reckless and impulsive it got me Ethan. And I love being the best fucking mom. But the only things waiting for me in Chicago for the next couple of weeks are Chardonnay, Chicken Hut takeout, and no Liam. I like my couch, but not as much as I like him. I want to chat about something other than Minecraft or work. I didn’t realize that gap in my life existed until he lit me up like a fucking Christmas tree with that kiss.

Do I stay here? Hotel? I’m just excited he wants me to stay. But should I?

I’m candid in my reply. “I have my event with the mayor on the twenty-sixth. And a quick ChiKid winter camp check-in on the twenty-seventh.”

“I want to hear every single fucking detail of your life with you naked, in my bed, over the next three days. Stay.”

He kisses me, and his tongue is forcing me to take him seriously. He quiets my brain. He answers all my questions and concerns with his addictive mouth. I need him like I haven’t needed someone in years.

He tucks my hair behind my ear and in a low rasp, he explains without asking, “I cancel on Lisa. You cancel baby Christmas with your friend. You stay here with me. We have Christmas together. You fly back early on the twenty-sixth. I won’t let you masturbate to the thought of me when you can be under me. I want to fuck you for the holidays. I want to taste you for Christmas dinner. I’ll unwrap you on Christmas morning. Can you cook?”

All my parts flutter and flood. My nipples perk up at the idea of wearing just a Santa hat for him. “Yes.” My heart is beating so fast.

“Yes, you can cook? Or yes, I can tie you up in bows and ribbon?”

“You can fuck me under the mistletoe if you want. The answer is yes to all of the above.” He tangles his fingers into my hair and roughly pulls me to him.

He tears himself away from me suddenly. “Are you sure because I’m not holding back under something as sacred as mistletoe?”

I speak loudly. “Yes. Yes to all of it.” His lips take mine, and I grind into his unicorn dick. I leap without looking into this manly sex god’s plans. There’s trouble in his kiss and in his possession of me, but I can’t help but tumble after him down this rabbit hole. As much as I should say no, all the parts of me are saying yes.

16

LIAM

As we enter my bedroom, she grabs a T-shirt from my laundry pile, and I nod in approval. She takes a big inhale of my shirt and moans. My scent turns her on, too. I tuck her in as the sun comes up.

I’m going to wake up and realize I’ve been way too high, and this was all a fantasy. I’m not sure I can deal with the fallout. I have to stop myself from actually falling for her. If I do, she’ll destroy me when she leaves.

Her hair is wild, and her makeup is long gone, but her face could not be more stunning. She looks directly at me with her soulful whisky-brown eyes. We’re facing each other as we both begin drifting off to sleep. She’s all things right now.

She looks at me with a concerned look. “My plane ticket?”

“I’ll buy you another one.” I never spend my money. I don’t have anything or anyone I want to spend it on. Well, until tonight.

“First a hotel room I didn’t sleep in and now an airline ticket I won’t use.” She curls her hands under her chin and smiles.

I whisper to her, “What else do you need? I’ll buy it. Not joking. A car? A cake? A pair of impractical shoes? You want Ethan here? I’ll fly him in. Well, maybe after we’ve fucked our jingle bells off. I have money. Let me spend it on you.” I grin widely. I don’t want her feeling guilty. She draws my attention back to her.

Her lips curl into a sleepy smile, “There’s only one thing I can think of.”

“Name it.”

“When do you have to work next week?” I want to taste and claim her right now. I trace her face lightly.

“The twenty-sixth I’ll file a continuance. Client meeting on the twenty-seventh. The rest of my week is negotiable. Lots of research and I have to write a couple of briefs. Things that can be done from home while fingering you. Why? Thinking of returning?” She laughs, and it fills the room and my heart. Shit. I want her to come back so we can both come more.

I’m not sure what she’s asking. “Do you have New Year’s Eve plans?” I’m in way over my head here and not sure how to pull out of the tailspin of intimacy we’re spiraling into.