Deck the Halls

by Cynthia Eden

  So not completely naked. Still so sexy he hurt.

  The lace rode low on her round, perfect hips. Hips that he’d grab and hold tight while he drove into her. Hips that—

  Her eyebrows lowered. “Jonas, is everything—”

  “Perfect. Everything is perfect.” He took two steps and stood before her. Stood and just stared. Damn. Her skin was so smooth. Smooth and creamy and he had to touch her. His hands lifted and skimmed down her shoulders. She shivered.

  She wants me, just as much as I want her.

  “The bedroom,” Christie began. “It’s behind me and—”

  He shook his head, caught her right hand with his and pulled her with him. Not toward her bedroom but back across the room. Back toward the glittering Christmas tree. A thick rug was spread between the tree and the fireplace. The rug would do nicely for what he had in mind.

  “Are you going to—to take off your clothes?” Christie asked. Her voice was husky. Sensual. A little hesitant. “Y-you should—”

  He gently pushed her down onto the rug. “Not yet.”

  Her breath blew out in a rush. He lowered onto his knees. Stared more and realized he had to touch. Not just with his hands. With his mouth.

  Jonas knew exactly where he wanted to start.

  “Jonas, are you—”

  Her words ended in a gasp when he licked her breast. She arched up toward him. Just as responsive as last night. So, no, he hadn’t been imaging things. Hadn’t made it better in his memory. One touch—fire.

  He spread his lips wider and took her breast into his mouth. Tasted. Sucked.

  Jonas heard the rasp of her breath. Her hands rose and locked around his shoulders. The faint edge of her nails bit through his shirt.

  “Easy,” he whispered as he lifted his head.

  But his “good” girl shook her head. “I don’t want easy. I want you.” Her hand went to the buckle of his belt. “And I want you now, Jonas.” Demanding.

  She unhooked the buckle, went for the snap and the zipper—

  He backed away from her. “Not yet.” He wasn’t going to let the first time be too fast or too hard. He’d promised her the best sex she’d ever had, and he was damn well going to deliver on that promise.

  Even if it killed him.

  “Spread your legs,” he ordered, his voice dropping to a growl.

  Her legs shifted on the rug, then parted.

  Jonas realized his zipper was probably making a permanent imprint on his dick. He was so turned on by her that he hurt.

  He positioned his body between her legs, letting his jeans brush her thighs, and giving him a perfect view of her body.

  She stared at him. Her eyes were wide. Her lips were parted, and Christie’s pink tongue darted just behind her teeth. Waiting.

  He stretched over her and took her mouth. Jonas kissed her long and deep and let his tongue take and claim. He took her mouth the way he’d soon be taking her body.

  Mine.

  He’d make sure she didn’t forget him, not any time soon. Not ever.

  Jonas licked his way down her neck. When he came to the spot just under her left ear, her hips rocked up against him. He stilled. Then licked her again.

  Another fast rock.

  So his lady had a sweet spot. He bet she had more, and he was ready to find them all. But first…His fingers eased under the scrap of lace. Sweetest spot of all. He found her already wet and so incredibly hot. A moan trembled in her throat as he stroked her.

  He bit lightly on her neck, and when her hips arched again, he let his index finger dip inside her.

  She shuddered beneath him. Fuck, yes.

  But…not yet. Jonas pulled his hand from her and kissed his way down her body. Jonas took his time with her breasts, licking and sucking those tight nipples. He loved the feel of her nipples on his tongue. The taste—still strawberries—still drove him crazy.

  Her thighs lifted and squeezed him. “I can’t—more!”

  He’d give her more. He’d give her everything she could handle and everything she couldn’t.

  The curve of her stomach tempted his mouth. When his lips pressed just under her belly button, she gasped his name. Another sensual spot. A weakness for her, a temptation for him. He bit her, then sucked the skin. Jonas marked the area, and she trembled beneath him even as her hands clutched his shoulders.

  His head lowered more. He licked down her abdomen. His breath blew over the lace.

  “Jonas…”

  Sweat beaded his brow as he looked up at her.

  Lust and need burned in her eyes. “Jonas, I want you to—”

  Taste me.

  The words hung in the air between them. But she bit her lip and her gaze dropped.

  He blew against the lace once more. Her hips lifted helplessly. “You want me to touch you again?” he asked.

  A jerky nod.

  His fingers caressed her through the lace. He traced lightly over her sex, and the lace grew damp. Christie was ready for him. He was insane for her.

  He lowered his mouth to the lace. Jonas kissed her through the fabric and felt her body go bow tight. It wouldn’t take much to push her into a climax. Not much at all.

  His fingers pulled on the lace. His control slipped away. It broke from him as her scent teased him and—

  And the lace ripped.

  “Buy you more,” he promised as he tossed the panties aside. He put his mouth on her and tasted her like he’d wanted to do for so long. When his tongue pressed against the center of her need, Christie came. He felt the orgasm roll through her. She shuddered beneath him and whispered his name.

  Jonas figured that was a good start. And he was only starting. He didn’t stop. Wasn’t close to stopping. He tasted and he took and he got drunk off her. He would never get enough of Christie. Every lick had him wanting so much more. When she came against his mouth a second time, he growled his pleasure. Love the way she tastes.

  “Jonas! Jonas, what about you—”

  He pushed away from her. The drum of his heartbeat filled his ears. It took two seconds to ditch his jeans. Two more to slide on his condom and then he was plunging into her. Driving as deep as he could go. The ripples of her release teased his cock, and he drove into her, faster, harder.

  His hands caught hers. Their fingers threaded together. Their eyes locked.

  Thrust.

  So blue, so dark…her eyes held his. Her gaze had gone wild with lust.

  The tree lights glittered down on them. Shining bright.

  Thrust.

  Her legs wrapped around his hips and held on tight. Her ankles pressed against him, and she met him, thrust for thrust. He drove into her. Deeper. Harder.

  “Jonas!”

  He climaxed with her—and it was fucking incredible.

  ***

  Eventually, they made it to her bed. Had sex again. Slow and tender this time. Christie was pretty sure there wasn’t an inch of her body that Jonas hadn’t kissed. She felt so good. No, better than good. Better than she’d ever felt in her entire life.

  “You sure know how to deliver on a promise,” she murmured as her hand trailed down the muscular expanse of his chest.

  His eyes opened, and he turned his head toward her.

  “That was definitely the best sex I’ve had,” she told him. Her voice was very, very serious.

  His lips parted, but she leaned forward and kissed him before Jonas could speak. Don’t tell me any lies. Don’t tell me I’m the best. Don’t.

  Jonas wasn’t like her. Sheltered didn’t enter his vocabulary. She knew the guy had been with more sexual partners than she had. She didn’t want to hear lies from him. Not now, not ever.

  “Another rule for us,” she whispered as she eased back and smiled at him. Christie smiled so he wouldn’t see that it mattered to her. “No lies, okay?” She’d had plenty of those from her other lovers.

  From Benjamin, her first lover. He’d sworn he loved her, but really, he’d just loved her family’s money. Yes, s
he’d found out about that. Thanks to Jonas. When Ben had started talking about an engagement, Daniel had used Jonas to dig up background information on the guy. It hadn’t taken long before they found out about Ben’s debts. When her dad had offered Ben ten grand to walk, well, Ben hadn’t just walked. He’d run.

  And now the dust was still settling from Charles. Another lover who’d lied. Another mistake.

  “I’ve never lied to you.” Jonas’s deep voice rumbled beside her.

  No, he hadn’t.

  “Then let’s not start.” Her hand stilled on his chest. “I don’t want you to promise me forever.” Ben had done that. Forever had lasted two months. “I don’t want you to tell me I’m the love of your life.” Ronnie had done that. He’d told her she was great. Wonderful. They’d had sex—the sex that had just been…bad. The great love affair had ended fast. “I don’t want to hear sweet words that don’t really mean anything.”

  His hand caught hers. “Didn’t realize you were so cynical, Christie.”

  She laughed. “I didn’t realize I was, either.”

  He brought her hand to his lips. “Then let’s go ahead and clear the air.”

  Her brows rose.

  “I’m not sleeping with you because I want a slice of the Tate money.” He bit the pad of her palm. “Yeah, I remember that dick Ben. He thought he’d hit pay dirt when he found you in college.”

  Had she really been so naive? It hurt to remember. But Jonas was wrong about one thing. It hadn’t been college. She’d been in grad school then. “I never agreed to marry him.” She hadn’t loved him. Even then, she’d—

  “I didn’t want Ben using you. I know it pissed you off the way that scene went down.” Another bite, then a lick of his tongue. “Daniel and I wanted you safe.”

  “And here I didn’t think you’d ever cared.” She tried to sound flippant.

  His hold tightened on her hand. “There’s a lot you don’t know.” His breath feathered over her fingers. “When I’m with you, I’m with you. There’s no one else for me.” He paused. “Or for you. I’m not the sharing kind.”

  “Neither am I.” But how long would they have together? Just how long would her wish last?

  “This holiday is mine,” he told her gruffly. Jonas moved even closer to her. “You made your wish, and this year, you’ll get it—me—as many times as you can handle.”

  His lips were so close to hers. “I think I can handle quite a lot.” Everything.

  This holiday. She’d take him, she’d take the pleasure he gave, and when the new year came…well, she’d deal with the end then.

  For now, she’d deal with the big, bad, sexy detective in her bed. She’d enjoy every moment they had. Christie parted her lips and kissed her Santa Claus.

  ***

  The beeping woke her hours later. A long, steady pulse of sound. She threw out her hand, reaching for her alarm clock, and her hand hit warm, male flesh.

  “It’s mine,” a deep voice rumbled.

  Her eyes flew open. and she saw a dark shadow pull away from her and rise from the bed.

  What—The grogginess vanished as her memory flooded back.

  Jonas. Sex. Pleasure.

  Christie blinked a few times. Those first few moments after waking were always a little fuzzy for her.

  But—what was his? What had he been talking about?

  “North and Byron. Right. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” His voice didn’t sound so sleepy. He seemed completely awake. Aware. And…a little distant. Christie squinted as she tried to force her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Jonas was on a phone. That was what the buzzing had been—his phone ringing.

  She sat up in bed and pulled the covers to her chest. A glance at the alarm clock told her it was only a little past four a.m.

  Callused fingertips brushed her cheek. “I have to go.”

  She jerked a bit, surprised to find him so close.

  His hand dropped.

  She reached out at once as she tried to fumble and catch his hand. “What’s happened?”

  “Baby, you don’t want to know.”

  She found his hand and held tight. “I told you. I’m not some princess in a castle. I can handle your life.”

  He exhaled, the sound a rough sigh that drifted to her. “A man shot his wife and turned the gun on himself. They need me at the scene ASAP.” He pulled away from her, and she missed him instantly. “You know that I transferred to homicide.”

  No more undercover missions for him. Daniel had told her that. But Jonas still dealt with blood and death every day. Every night.

  Clothes rustled. He was dressing. He’d be leaving soon. She jumped from the bed and rammed her thigh into the nightstand that she’d known was there. So why hit it? That was just what she always did in the dark. “Wait!” Christie tugged the sheet with her and rushed to meet him at the bedroom door.

  “I have to go. It’s my job. You know—”

  “Come back when your work’s done.” The words slipped out. She didn’t want him going back home alone after this case. His voice had been too cold when he told her about the crime. Too emotionless. It wasn’t a case that didn’t matter to him. No, this one would matter too much.

  Jonas kept saying he knew more about her than she realized. She knew a heck of a lot more about him, too. Far more than he suspected.

  She flipped on the lights and saw his face. The tight lines. The hard mask. “Come back to me when your work’s done,” she said again. “I’ll be here. I don’t care what time it is.” I’ll be waiting for you.

  “I have to secure the scene. Talk to witnesses. I have to—”

  “I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll be here.”

  He kissed her. Too fast, too hard, and she knew he had to go. Christie followed him to the garage door. He’d pulled his car inside earlier.

  She watched him leave. When the garage door opened, she saw that it had started to snow again. Soft, drifting snowflakes floated in the air.

  She pulled the sheet tighter around her body and felt the chill seep into her bones.

  A man shot his wife and turned the gun on himself. A horrible crime. So terrible. So brutal. And it was Jonas’s worst nightmare. She knew it. After he’d dug into Benjamin’s past, she’d wanted a little vengeance. So she’d dug into Jonas’s life. She’d found out his life wasn’t nearly as perfect as she’d thought.

  Not even close.

  When Jonas had been sixteen, he’d come home to find his mother’s dead body. She’d been killed by a man she knew and loved—Jonas’s father.

  “Come back to me,” Christie whispered, but Jonas was already gone.

  Chapter Five

  He didn’t come back. Christie stared at the clock on her bedside once more. Ten p.m. There’d been no call all day long. No call and no sign of Jonas as the hours had slipped by.

  She should go to bed. Okay, she was in bed, but she should go to sleep. She needed to stop thinking about him. Stop worrying. Only she couldn’t because she’d seen a picture of him years before when she had done her vengeance digging. A grainy photo of him at his parents’ funeral. He’d been alone at the funeral. Standing all by himself.

  She shoved back the covers. She’d be damned if she left him alone now. She wouldn’t—

  Something thudded against her front door. Her heart raced even as she jumped to her feet. Thudded? No, wait that was knocking—pounding—at her door.

  Christie ran down the hallway. She almost fell when her socks slid across the foyer floor. But she made it to the door and pressed her eye to the peephole. The porch light fell across Jonas’s stark face.

  She wrenched open the door as fast as she could.

  No present waited in his hands this time. No smile lit his face. He stared at her with glittering eyes. The snow had turned into icy rain and it pelted down behind him. She grabbed his hand. “Come in, Jonas! Hurry!”

  He let her pull him across the threshold. “It’s late. I shouldn’t be here.”

&nbs
p; “This is exactly where you should be.” She shoved off his coat.

  His gaze dropped. “I worked the case all day. I stopped at my place a few minutes ago to change. I should have”—his hands flexed, balling into fists—“should have just stayed there. Not intruded here. You don’t need to—”

  “I need you.” More than she’d realized. So much more. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  His hands caught hers and held too tight.

  “Jonas.” Her chest hurt. “It’s okay, I know—”

  He kissed her. Not the sexy, hungry kisses he’d given her before. The kisses that had teased and tormented and made her want more. No, this was different. He was different.

  The kiss was rough. Demanding. His tongue drove into her mouth even as he lifted her into his arms. The bite of his fingers stung her skin, but she didn’t stop him. She wrapped her arms around him and held on as tightly as she could, her grip as fierce as his.

  They made it to the bedroom. He put her on the bed and stripped off his clothes while watching her with his too-bright stare.

  Christie yanked off her T-shirt and shimmied out of her shorts and panties.

  He grabbed her ankle and tugged her to the edge of the bed.

  “Can’t wait this time.” There was a dangerous edge to his words. Tension held his body tight. A muscle flexed in his jaw. “Can’t wait.”

  She parted her thighs wider for him. “I don’t want you to wait.” She’d told him before that slow and easy wasn’t what she needed from him. “I just want you.”

  “Careful what you wish for,” he muttered. He had a condom on already. She hadn’t even seen him pull out the packet.

  He plunged into her, driving so deep in a thrust that stole her breath. She’d said she could handle it, handle him, but she hadn’t realized…

  Her hands pushed against his shoulders.

  Jonas froze. His gaze held hers. Rage boiled in his stare. Lust.

  Fear?

  “Christie…”

  She rolled her hips beneath him as she tried to find a better position. Then his hand was stroking her. Pressing in just the right spot. His mouth went to her neck, and when his tongue licked beneath her ear, a moan slipped past her lips and the tension eased away from her body.