Let It Snow...

by Leslie Kelly

  “Philip?”

  “Yes, love?”

  “I think I’m ready for you to take me home now.”

  He smiled, knowing what she wanted. She was as ready to make love as he was. What she didn’t realize was that they didn’t have a long car ride between them and ultimate pleasure.

  “Let’s go,” he told her, reaching out once more for her hand.

  She glanced around, looking for their waiter. “Is this how you could afford to take me here?” she asked with a chuckle. “Are we doing a dine and dash?”

  “Not at all. Everything’s taken care of already. They’ll bill the meal to my room.”

  Surprise and excitement flashed in her eyes. “You mean we don’t have to ride all the way back to my place?”

  “No, Claire. We just have to ride up in an elevator to our suite.” He slid an arm around her waist. “I’m not letting you get away from me until morning.”

  * * *

  THEY DIDN’T EXCHANGE a word as they left the restaurant and crossed the lobby to the elevators. The sexual tension that had been building between them for days was about to erupt. She kept herself in check, not touching him, though they walked closely enough for their legs to brush. If he reached for her, or she for him, they’d be making out in the elevator, not giving a damn about who might walk in on them.

  And, of course, someone did step in—an older couple and two businessmen, forcing them to the back corner. Claire wondered what they must think, given the tension between Philip and her. Musk and desire seeped from every one of Philip’s masculine pores, and her own body had to be giving off all kinds of pheromones. She felt practically in heat around this man.

  He nearly sent her through the roof when he reached into his pocket, retrieved the black silk panties she’d given him at the start of the evening, and brought them to his lips. To anyone looking over a shoulder, he might appear to be wiping his mouth with a black handkerchief. But Claire felt her legs sag, and had to lean against the back wall, clenching her thighs together as moisture welled from her aching sex.

  For the past twenty-four hours she’d been wanting to be filled by him. If they were alone, she’d hike up her dress and take him right now, mirrors and cameras be damned.

  She only hoped he’d brought that entire box of condoms, because she intended for tonight to be one she would never forget.

  Theirs was the first stop, thank goodness, and Philip twined his fingers in hers and pulled her after him the moment the doors swished open. Claire caught the stare of the one woman in the group and would swear the older lady, who looked long-married and content, gave her a surreptitious wink.

  A few steps, the flash of an electronic key and they were inside an opulent room. But Claire wasn’t even curious enough to look around. She just wanted him.

  He seemed every bit as frenzied. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, he bent and picked her up in his arms, carrying her across the huge suite to the massive bed that dominated the bedroom. The covers were already pulled down and, she was shocked to see, red rose petals were strewn over the silky sheets.

  “You arranged all this?”

  “Of course,” he said, as he lowered her onto the bed and followed her down.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, looping her arms around his neck and pulling him down for a sultry kiss.

  Their tongues thrust lazily and the kiss went on and on. They shared each breath, and their bodies melted together, angles welcoming curves. Philip never moved his mouth from hers as he began to touch her, stroking her arms, her neck, her throat, her hair. When his fingertips brushed the top curves of her breasts, she arched toward him, ready for him to intensify his caresses.

  Instead of ending the kiss so she could unzip her dress and pull it down, he kept his mouth on hers and slid his hand farther, past her stomach, her hip, her thighs. Until he reached the hem and began to tug it up.

  She quivered, anticipation making her hold her breath as his fingers worked her nerve endings. Her legs were shaking before he was anywhere near their apex, and when he finally did reach the curls covering her sex, she cried out against his mouth.

  “Do you know how much I loved tasting this?” he asked, finally pulling away to kiss her jaw, her neck, her ear.

  “As much as I loved tasting you?”

  “More,” he insisted, finally reaching around to unfasten her dress. She sat up a little, helping him, watching his eyes grow nearly black as he uncovered her body. The dress had a built-in bra, since it was so low-cut in the back, and when he realized she wasn’t wearing a stitch underneath, he growled in approval.

  “I want to feel you pressed against me,” she said, pushing his jacket off his shoulders. “Every inch of you.”

  He got up from off the bed, his eyes never leaving her face as he stripped out of his clothes. Claire lay there watching him drop the jacket, the tie, the shirt. When he reached for his trousers she nibbled her lip, eager to see him naked.

  Of course, she wasn’t totally naked herself; she was still wearing a pair of black, spike-heeled shoes. When she reached down to unbuckle them, he shook his head slowly, suggestively.

  She left them on.

  “I’ve never seen a more perfectly built man,” she admitted, her eyes devouring him as he unbuttoned his fly. He was gorgeous, all broad and lean and sculpted.

  The trousers fell, as did his boxer briefs, and she swallowed hard. Seeing that huge erection reminded her of how he’d tasted, how just the thick tip of it had filled her mouth.

  She didn’t have any worries about taking him into her body now—first, because she wanted him desperately and was more wet and aroused than she’d ever been in her life. Second, because she knew that, no matter what, he would take care of her.

  As if reading her mind, he reached for her and cupped her cheek. “I’ll never hurt you.”

  She extended her arms, pulling him down to her. “I know.”

  They began kissing again, and this time, with the press of their naked bodies—her bare leg slipping between his, her breasts crushed against his chest—she groaned at the rightness of it.

  “Please, Philip,” she whispered as he kissed his way down her neck, “don’t make me wait. I’ve been waiting long enough.”

  He knew what she meant, and reached for his pants. “I packed us a small bag,” he admitted. “The rest of the condoms are in it. But in case we didn’t make it here, I tucked one in my pocket.”

  “Smart boy,” she said, laughing softly.

  She watched greedily as he tore open the packet and slipped the condom over his rigid cock, noting that his hands shook the tiniest bit, as if he was just as affected by the importance of this moment as she was.

  It was important. Vitally so. Because for the first time in her life, she was about to make love with a man she loved.

  She’d never been in love before, never experienced anything like this, but Claire had no doubt that’s what she felt for Philip.

  “Now, please,” she begged, spreading her legs, arching up to welcome him.

  He settled himself between her thighs and she wrapped her ankles around his hips, pulling him closer. Wonderfully restrained, Philip gently nudged into her channel, giving her time to adjust to him. He groaned when he found her hot, wet and ready for him, and began to sink deeper.

  “Oh, yes,” she whispered as he filled her, making a place for himself in her body the way he had in her heart. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pressing kisses against his throat and chest, wanting to wrap herself around him and never let go. “Fill me up, Philip, so I’ll always remember what it’s like to have you as a part of me.”

  “Oh, Claire, you always will,” he promised as he bent to kiss her. Their mouths locked as he plunged deep, filling her so thoroughly, so perfectly, she wondered how she’d ever lived this many years without realizing she’d been incomplete.

  They began to move, first with slow, gentle thrusts, then with harder, more intense ones. Every stroke was both
a question and a promise, every touch had many meanings, every kiss was like a vow. At one point, Claire rolled him over and climbed on top, wanting to look down at him, to see him helpless with desire for her. He gave her all she wanted and more, gazing up at her adoringly.

  She didn’t know how long it went on, just knew that they made love for what seemed like hours, until he’d become so much a part of her she didn’t think she was ever going to be able to let him go.

  She climaxed again and again, each time more intense and blissful than the last. When he finally came, he whispered the sweetest words against her mouth.

  “I love you, Claire.”

  And she could say absolutely nothing but the same.

  “I love you, too.”

  7

  THE NEXT TEN DAYS passed in a blur and were among the happiest of Philip’s life.

  Since their night at the hotel, he and Claire were inseparable. He slept with her in her bed each night and awakened to her smiling face every morning. Several times a day he found an excuse to end up in the kitchen of her shop, sometimes just watching her whip up some fantastical treat that would delight a child on Christmas morning. Sometimes helping her by unloading boxes, cleaning bowls or even stirring batters.

  He even, as he’d threatened, got Teeny to help. When it became obvious that Claire’s business had become popular, and that she wasn’t getting much rest, he made sure his friends lent a hand wherever possible. To his shock—and Claire’s amusement—his bodyguard had a keen eye and a steady hand, and took real delight in creating intricate flowers made of icing, or delicate cakes.

  It was now just a few days before Christmas. Just a few days before he needed to leave for home. While he and Claire had talked about tomorrow and the month after and the year after that as if they would still be together, he had not yet asked her to be his wife.

  He couldn’t, not until he told her who he really was and where he was from. Philip only hoped that when he did, she wouldn’t decide she wanted nothing to do with a world she might consider backward, since it lacked many of the amenities of hers. Of course, it had its own delights, and so much beauty, but until she experienced it for herself she might not realize just how magical it could be.

  They had just finished decorating a small tree in Claire’s living room. He suspected she’d been putting it off in hope that she would see or hear from her brother, as the tradition had been one she’d shared with him in recent years. So Philip did all he could to make the evening a memorable one, wanting her to have new, good memories to replace those that made her sad.

  They’d listened to jolly music, shared ginger-flavored cookies, and laughed together as he tried to figure out how to hang a blasted strand of tiny lights. Frankly, he preferred candles, but she insisted that would be a fire hazard. The two of them finally ended up curled together on the floor in front of the tree, looking at the light reflecting off the beautiful red ornaments as a long, silent night descended.

  “Ready for bed?” he asked, kissing her temple.

  “Yes, except I just realized how fabulous those ginger cookies were, and decided I’m going to make some for the shop tomorrow,” she said with a light laugh.

  “Huh, always thinking of your work,” he teased.

  She tickled his ribs, rolling over and getting to her feet. “Go on to bed. I’ll be right behind you. I just want to run back to the kitchen to see if I’m going to have everything I need, or if I’ll have to go out to the restaurant supply place in the morning before we open to pick up more cookie cutters.”

  He frowned as he stood up. “I’ll accompany you.”

  Rolling her eyes, she pushed him toward the bedroom. “Don’t be ridiculous, it’s twenty feet away. Go get the bed warm and ready for me.”

  Thinking of all the things he could do to be ready for her, he leered. “As you wish.”

  She was giggling as she left, and he went into the bathroom to wash the sap from the tree off his hands. He intended to touch her everywhere tonight, and wouldn’t want to get that piney goo anywhere it wouldn’t easily wash off.

  Heading to the bedroom, he glanced at the clock and realized it had been at least ten minutes since she’d left—more than long enough for her to check on some cookie cutters. A hint of tension crawled up his spine. Though he’d been with her every day and had seen no sign of trouble, Philip couldn’t help worrying.

  Deciding to check on her, he left her apartment and walked down the hallway toward the shop.

  He was a few feet from the door when he heard a man’s voice.

  “Listen, lady, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll sign. My boss is offering you one last chance. You sell him the building at a fair price, and he throws in your brother’s markers to sweeten the deal.”

  Philip’s whole body stiffened at the gruff, threatening tone, not to mention the words. Anger roared through him, and not even considering taking the time to go upstairs and get Teeny, he flung the door open and burst into the kitchen. Casting a quick glance around, he saw Freddy Hoffman standing by the sink, his shoulders slumped, his expression stressed and unhappy.

  Claire was near the counter, a shaking hand over her mouth. Next to her stood a scar-faced, burly man who towered over her. He was leaning toward her in an intimidating way, and growled like a thwarted bull when Philip appeared. As if knowing Claire was about to run to him, the man grabbed her by the arm, his grip punishing.

  Rage took over. With a cry of pure fury, Philip tore across the floor in two long strides, lashing out and striking the man’s jaw. The thug stumbled back, releasing his grip on Claire, who went spinning. Seeing that she was all right, Philip focused entirely on the ugly stranger, who was curling up his fists for a brawl.

  Philip hadn’t trained with the best fighters in Elatyria for nothing. He was the head of his country’s army, had fought nomadic warriors and thieves and pugilists. He knew how to handle himself.

  “Philip, watch out!” Claire cried from the corner.

  He ignored her, leaning forward defensively as the hulk came swinging. One uppercut to the jaw, a hard left to the midsection and a final right in the kidneys and the other man went down.

  “Crawl out of here right now, scum, and don’t ever come back,” Philip snarled at the man, who was hunched over in pain.

  “You don’t know who you’re messin’ with, or who I work for! I’m tryin’ to make a deal!”

  “Make it with the punk who owes you money,” he snapped, glaring at Freddy, who was watching wide-eyed in shock. “If you ever lay hands on this woman again, I’ll make sure they don’t find your body. And believe me, I know how to do it.”

  The rough-looking man staggered to his feet and stumbled toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at Freddy. “You have twenty-four hours to make good. Then you’re mine.”

  Philip was no longer paying attention. He hurried over to Claire, who was leaning against the counter, gasping and rubbing her arm where the beast had grabbed her. Philip ran a hand over her to ensure it wasn’t broken. When he’d confirmed she was more shaken up than hurt, he pulled her hard against him. “It’s all right now, Claire. He won’t ever bother you again.”

  “Philip! Oh, God, thank you for coming. I didn’t even hear them until I walked in.”

  “You weren’t supposed to be here,” Freddy cried, finally rushing over to his sister. “I was planning to get him in and out without you ever knowing.”

  “Were you going to sell the building out from under her the way you rented the upstairs?” Philip snapped, unable to hide his disgust with the weak young man.

  “No!” he said. “I just... Louie the Rat King tried so hard to get Claire to sell last month. I think that’s why they kept giving me lines of credit. So I agreed to show his guy around.”

  “The Rat King?” she said, sounding confused. “You mean he was that investor who kept coming in here?”

  Freddy nodded miserably. “I didn’t know, I swear. And I was just trying to buy time, t
o pretend you were thinking about selling, while I figured out how to get the rest of the money.”

  Philip didn’t know if Claire believed her brother, but wasn’t nearly ready to give Freddy the benefit of the doubt himself. “What happened to the money I paid you?”

  “I gave him most of it, I swear. I paid off the first debt! The extra five, well, I figured I’d try to build it back up so I could totally give Claire every penny. Only...”

  “You lost it. And then some.”

  “Right.”

  “You selfish fool,” Philip snapped.

  Claire was openly weeping now. “How could you, Freddy? After everything we’ve been through? After Dad...”

  “I just didn’t want to be a burden on you anymore,” her brother insisted. “I thought if I could make some quick money, I could take care of you for a change.”

  “She has me to do that now,” Philip said. Claire glanced at him, visibly startled by his words. “Now, here’s the bargain I will make with you,” he said to Freddy. “I’ll pay off your debt under one condition. You go do something useful with your life, and don’t come back until you’ve grown up.”

  “Philip...”

  “No, Claire. You can’t keep coddling him. He has to stand on his own two feet.”

  “Look, I appreciate the offer, but this is our problem.”

  He turned to look down at her, seeing the sadness on her face. She seemed to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. “No,” he told her. “It’s mine, too. You’re my family, Claire. I intend to marry you. That makes your brother’s problem my problem.”

  Her jaw fell. “What on earth are you saying?”

  Not the right thing, obviously. Some romantic suitor he was. The most eligible prince in the kingdoms and he’d completely mucked up the one and only marriage proposal he ever intended to make. Not only was the timing bad, given the audience and the situation, but he still hadn’t told her the entire truth about himself. He would shortly, but not until he’d finished dealing with her brother.