by Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Laura Wright, Skye Jordan
“Well come on. Get that coat off and give me that bottle of wine.”
“That’s for your mom and she better get it,” Nora said, laughing.
“No promises. Now come on, give me the coat.” Fallon held out a hand as Nora slid her black coat off to reveal a red dress that would have been way too expensive if she hadn’t gotten it on sale at eighty percent off.
Formfitting, it had a lace overlay and fit all her curves to perfection. It was like the thing had been made for her. With her four-inch heels and their thin straps wrapping around her ankles, she knew she looked good. It gave her the confidence she needed to put herself out there completely for Jackson.
Fallon let out a low whistle. “My brother’s totally a goner. If you guys get married I better be one of your bridesmaids—and the dress better not suck.”
Nora probably should have been taken back by that statement but the truth was, she could see a future with Jackson. And she wanted it more than she’d wanted anything. “Deal. And I want to know who you kissed.”
Fallon mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
“I’ll find you later after you’ve had a few glasses of champagne and we’ll see how quiet you are then,” she said as she opened the door.
“Ha, ha. I’m going to put your coat in the front closet, okay? I saw Jackson in the living room earlier.” She pointed to the nearest open entryway, also decorated with garland and lights. Man, the O’Connors didn’t mess around with Christmas.
“Yeah. Oh, wait.” She reached into the pocket and pulled out the sprig of fake mistletoe she’d brought with her. If she lost her nerve she just planned to hold this over his head.
Fallon just laughed and headed for the foyer. Now Nora was on a mission.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered the second she stepped into the packed room. Nolan and Maguire, Jackson’s two brothers, were in a lively debate about something to do with beer, the elderly Baker sisters were definitely on the way from tipsy to having to be carried out and Angelia had her manicured nails brushing up against Jackson’s forearm as they stood next to the fireplace.
For the briefest moment, stupid insecurities flared wild and hot inside Nora…
Until she read Jackson’s body language.
His jaw was clenched and his shoulders were stiff as he took a small step back from the petite blonde. It was almost imperceptible but she could practically see him making his getaway.
Well, she could help with that. Someone called her name but she ignored them and made her way across the plush, festive room, smiling at the Baker sisters, who were perched on the edge of a couch, talking animatedly to each other.
Jackson looked up and saw her when she was about three feet from him and the mixture of relief and hunger in his eyes was almost enough to make her stop in her tracks. Yeah, she had nothing to worry about. Never with Jackson.
She didn’t even bother to look at Angelia, just held up the mistletoe and grinned at Jackson.
He murmured something that sounded a lot like “hell yeah” before he crushed his mouth to hers. She felt the claiming—and that’s exactly what it was—all the way to her toes. His tongue flicked against hers with a heated urgency, probably a little too long in a setting like this before he pulled back, his breathing erratic.
“You’re mine,” he murmured, his expression hard, as if he was daring her to argue.
“I know.”
He blinked those beautiful blue eyes as if he’d been expecting an argument or something. “Officially.”
“I know,” she murmured, sliding her hands around his waist. She was vaguely aware of the people, music and pretty lights, but all she could focus on was Jackson. She couldn’t wait to be alone with him later.
He narrowed his eyes. “As in you’re my girlfriend now.”
A laugh bubbled up inside her and it felt so damn good. “Do you think I need convincing? I’m agreeing with you.”
“Good.” His expression was as fierce and possessive as his grip around her. “I don’t even care if my mom wins the bet—”
“Bet?”
He snorted. “Apparently there was a bet—that I just found out about—that started at Silver Bells on when we’d make things official. The pot’s over six hundred bucks, I think. Plus some other stuff.”
“We should have gotten in on that action!”
He blinked once before that wicked grin that had completely stolen her heart—and breath—widened. “God, I love you.”
Before she could respond his mouth was on hers again, teasing and delicious, until one of his brothers told them to get a room.
“That’s not a bad idea,” she murmured, pulling back from him. Angelia was thankfully long gone now and Nora didn’t care where she was. “But first, champagne.”
“Sounds good to me.” He slid his arm around her shoulders in that familiar, possessive way and it felt like the most natural action in the world.
Being with Jackson felt like coming home.
Chapter 8
Nora rolled over in bed at the incessant ringing. What the heck? It took her a moment to realize it was her phone. She grabbed it from her nightstand after two tries and barely made out Jackson’s name and picture on the screen. Gah, the screen was way too bright in her dark room. She held her arm over her eyes.
“Hello? What’s wrong?” Because there was no reason he was calling for anything other than an emergency at four in the morning.
“I’m downstairs. Let me in.” His deep voice had the usual effect even if she was half asleep.
“What?”
“I’m freezing out here. Come on, I’ve got a present for you.”
“Is that like a euphemism?”
His laughter warmed her straight to her toes. “No. Come on, it’s cold.”
“Hold on,” she mock grumbled.
Forcing herself out of bed, she snagged her robe from the back of her bathroom door and cinched it around her waist—then quickly brushed her teeth for good measure. If he was here, there was a good chance kissing would be involved. They’d spent most of the party last night together, then a little after midnight he’d had to head back to his place to get the rocking chair he’d made for his dad. She’d taken Sasha home and had finished wrapping up the last few presents for her sister. Nora knew she’d gone a little overboard this year for Sasha but she didn’t care. Next year she’d be eighteen and likely off to college so Nora wanted to spoil her just a little more. Besides, it made up for all the years of their mom doing nothing.
Downstairs she turned off the alarm. Jackson barreled inside on a gust of icy wind with a cloth bag in his hand. As soon as he’d shut and locked the door his mouth was on hers, his cold, gloved hands cupping her cheeks.
Even that couldn’t chill her, not with his tongue invading her mouth, teasing and taking. She clutched on to his shoulders to steady herself until he pulled back. Though she still didn’t let go.
“I missed you,” he murmured, his eyes raking over her face as if he could devour her.
She’d missed him too. “It’s only been a couple hours.”
He winced slightly. “Sorry for waking you up.”
“No you’re not. And I’m not either.” She slid her arms around him, the chill of his body against hers and just his presence making her nipples tighten. She’d wanted some private time with him earlier, but between the party, and then getting Sasha home it just hadn’t been in the cards.
The grin slid right into place, making her heart melt. “I’m really not,” he murmured. “You want your present?”
If it involved him naked in her bed, yes.
She nodded and after he tugged his boots off, she pulled him into the living room. She’d left the Christmas tree lights on, but turned on one of the lamps. She was finally going to get to experience all of Jackson—and she didn’t plan to let him go. “Did you get the rocking chair to your parents’ house?”
“Yeah, my mom helped me sneak it into the garage.�
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“I’m sure your dad will love it.”
“I hope so.” Without warning, he tugged her into his lap as he sat on the couch. The cloth bag he’d brought was next to him. “I like being able to touch and kiss you any time I want.”
“Me too.” She brushed her lips over his, savoring his taste. She liked that he could touch her and kiss her anytime too. No more denying her feelings. If things didn’t work out between them it would shred her up, but she couldn’t go into this relationship expecting the worst to happen. That was a complete recipe for disaster and the truth was, she saw something real with Jackson.
He was the first to pull back, much to her surprise. “I didn’t have time to wrap this one,” he said as he reached into the bag, “And I probably should have just waited until nine to bring this but I needed to see you.” The raw hunger in his voice mirrored her own feelings.
“I’m glad you didn’t wait.” She let out a little gasp as he placed the hand-carved jewelry box in her hands. “This is beautiful. What kind of wood is this?” She ran her fingers over the intricate ivy and vine carvings along the top.
“Walnut.”
There were so many details it was unbelievable. The ‘N’ in the middle with butterflies somehow intricately carved as if they were flying through the letter made her smile. It was even more special because he’d made this with his own hands. “Thank you feels inadequate. This is amazing,” she said, looking at him now. “Thank you for something so thoughtful and beautiful.”
His cheeks flushed slightly and he gave a half-shrug. She’d noticed he didn’t take praise well. “Open it.”
It opened up to two compartments, both lined with a soft, pale blue velvet.
“If you slide this panel out…” He moved the front lower panel to the left, and another panel inside slid open to reveal a small secret compartment. “You should put expensive stuff in a safe anyway, but I thought you’d like this.”
“You’re amazing, Jackson.” Cupping his cheeks, she intended to just brush her lips over his and pull back so she could give him his present, but the moment they made contact she swore she could feel something shift inside him.
He let out a sort of growling sound and crushed his mouth to hers. All her nerve endings flared to life as his tongue teased against her.
She was vaguely aware of him moving the jewelry box off her lap before he suddenly stood, scooping her up in his arms. She let out a soft gasp, realizing what he intended—and what she wanted. “My sister’s here.”
“She’s asleep upstairs, right?”
Nora nodded. And her sister was a heavy sleeper too. She wouldn’t be up for at least a few more hours. “I’ve got a present for you too though.”
“Give me another present first,” he murmured, a question in his eyes. Did she want this?
That was an easy answer. “Upstairs, now.” The words were barely out before he’d moved into action. “Second door on the right.” Luckily the bedrooms were across the hall, not next door to each other.
His mouth was on hers again by the time they reached it. She didn’t have time to think or care that her room was a little messy before she heard the snick then lock of her bedroom door.
Jackson moved with an incredible efficiency, carrying her as if she weighed nothing, until he had her splayed out on the bed. “Tell me if you want to stop.” His voice was surprisingly unsteady as he stood back.
Her heart was pounding. She was glad to know she wasn’t the only one so affected. “No way.” Moonlight and streetlights streamed in from her two windows to give them more than enough illumination. “Now strip.” Because he’d already seen her naked once and she desperately wanted to see all of him.
As he started stripping off his jacket, then his long-sleeved sweater, she sat up and slid out of her robe—but pretty much froze when he tugged the sweater completely over his head. Washboard abs that should be illegal tightened under her scrutiny. He was like a work of art, all those stark lines and striations absolute perfection.
She wasn’t sure how long she stared until he cupped her cheek, then slid his fingers back into her hair. The way he swept his gaze over her face was so full of lust and hunger, her breath caught in her throat. He tugged her hair slightly as he tilted her head to his. The tiny bite made her suck in a breath. His expression was intense as he looked at her, his blue eyes seemingly darker in the dimness of her room. It was so quiet right now, the only sounds permeating the room their harsh breathing. The intimacy of it made her feel as if they were the only two people in the world.
“I wasn’t kidding what I said earlier. I love you, Nora.”
She’d been wondering if it had been just one of those slips at his parents’ place earlier. To hear him say the words now with a look of such love on his face, made her throat tighten with emotion.
“I love you too.” Saying the words out loud was a little terrifying. Meeting and falling for someone like Jackson had never been in her plans. Heck, she’d never imagined there was someone as wonderful as him out there.
His mouth was on hers again, demanding and taking everything she had to give. She fell back against the sheets as he climbed on top of her, his body covering her with all that warmth.
She slid her fingers down his chest and abs, tracing her fingers along the ridges of his abdomen, moving lower and lower until he grasped her by the wrists. Before she could ask why he was stopping her, he held her hands above her head, his mouth hovering right over hers.
On instinct she arched into him, wanting more skin to skin contact.
“No touching me until you’ve come against my mouth.” His words were a soft order she felt all the way to her toes.
If it had been possible to physically melt, she would have done so on the spot. That was probably the hottest thing anyone had ever said to her. Combined with the expression on his face that said he meant every word, and yeah, she was a goner.
Moving with that sexy predatory grace, he released her wrists and shifted down the bed. When he tugged her pajama pants and panties off in a quick move, she couldn’t stop the thrill of hunger that shot through her.
“I’ve fantasized about this,” she murmured.
He froze, his big palms stilling on her inner knees as he crouched between her legs. But for only an instant. “My mouth on you?”
She nodded and shimmied out of her top, completely baring herself to him. When their gazes connected she felt insanely powerful at the lust practically vibrating off him. All that hunger was for her and her alone. He’d seen her before when she’d been on his lap straddling him after that first date. He’d licked and teased her nipples with his mouth and made her come with his oh-so-talented fingers.
But then he’d put the brakes on, not wanting to rush. Now to be stretched out for him, completely bare like this, was exhilarating. She hadn’t been naked in front of a man in years other than him, and she didn’t feel an ounce of anxiety with Jackson. Because he would never hurt her. She could see that promise in his eyes.
“I’ve also thought about my mouth on you. A lot,” she continued, her voice dropping a few octaves.
His fingers tightened around her knees. Cool air rushed over her exposed body. She loved the way he stilled, loved seeing that she affected him as much as he did her. Her nipples hardened even more and heat flooded between her legs as she watched him. He was still crouched between her legs but those words seemed to light him on fire.
Groaning, he took her by surprise when he buried his face between her legs with no warning. She arched into him, her hips rolling instinctively. “Jackson,” she rasped out his name as he tongued her clit with enough pressure to drive her crazy.
He moaned against her, the vibration increasing her sensitivity to his teasing.
She slid her fingers through his inky black hair, holding onto the dark strands as he flicked his tongue up the length of her folds. She was already so wet for him she knew it wouldn’t take long for her to come. But she felt almost empty inside,
desperate with the need for him to fill her.
He’d yet to take off his pants so she still hadn’t gotten a look at him—and she had definitely fantasized. Just the thought of seeing him completely exposed to her as well, of getting to stroke him with her hand, then mouth—
“You’re so wet,” he murmured as he slipped a finger inside her.
“Because of you.” He groaned again at that. She couldn’t respond when he slid another thick digit inside her. Her inner walls tightened around him as he pushed deep, his tongue working magic against her clit. The sensitive bundle of nerves ached and throbbed, her release just out of reach.
When he began moving his fingers inside her faster, she pushed right over that edge. “Jackson.” His name came out like a prayer as her body bowed tight under the onslaught of that first cresting wave.
Streams of pleasure spiraled out to all her nerve endings as he curved his fingers at just the right angle, dragging them against her inner wall as he wreaked havoc on her clit. Her climax punched through her, completely taking over until the only thing she was aware of was Jackson’s face between her legs and his wicked, wicked tongue.
She wasn’t sure if she cried out too loudly or what she said, she was too lost in her pleasure. By the time she collapsed back against the sheet, panting and sated, she looked down to find him watching her intently.
Wordlessly he withdrew his fingers from her and she immediately felt the loss. The empty ache between her legs was even worse now. She needed to feel him inside her like she needed her next breath. When he slid his wet fingers between his lips she sucked in a sharp breath.
If what he’d said earlier was the hottest thing she’d heard, then this was the hottest thing she’d ever seen.
“Love your taste.” He closed his eyes for a long moment, seemed to savor her.
Oh yeah, she’d completely fallen for Jackson O’Connor, no doubt about it. Now it was her turn. Her body buzzing with the aftereffects of her orgasm, she sat up and reached for the button of his jeans, but he moved fast, sliding off the bed.