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All He Wants For Christmas

Page 31

by Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Laura Wright, Skye Jordan


  “Not coming in your hands.” His jaw was tight, his expression warrior-fierce as he shucked his jeans.

  When his erection was freed, her eyes widened. Long and thick, he was definitely big all over. She wanted to trace every inch of it with her tongue. Even the thought of that had her nipples tightening even more.

  “You on the pill?” he rasped out as he grabbed a condom from his discarded pants.

  “Yeah, for years.” For health reasons, none of which she wanted to talk about right now. She just wanted to feel him inside her.

  At her words, his hands stilled. “I’m clean. I was tested over six months ago and I haven’t been with anyone since then.”

  “Me too.” And it had been a lot longer than six months. “We don’t need to use the condom,” she said, answering his unspoken question.

  “You sure?”

  “If you are.”

  He dropped it like it was on fire. “I can’t go slow this time.”

  “Good.” She didn’t want that, not now, not when she felt like a giant mass of trembling energy.

  Then he was on her, his mouth covering hers as he reached between their bodies. Despite the fact that he’d just felt her climax against him, he cupped her mound and tested her slickness—and shuddered. She loved the feel of his callused hands on the most sensitive part of her.

  She spread her legs wider for him, wrapping them around his waist. The feel of his bare chest against hers was the most erotic sensation. She wanted to rub up against him like a cat in heat. She knew she should be sated, but as he shifted slightly, nudging his thick erection between her folds, she wanted more.

  “Nora,” he groaned out her name as he looked down at her, his gaze full of too many emotions for her to filter. His muscular arms caged her in on either side.

  She lifted her hips, not wanting to wait a second longer, impaling herself on him.

  He hissed in a breath as he filled her. All his features seemed sharper as he kept his eyes pinned on hers. To have him watching her so intently felt incredibly intimate. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t look away. Then he started thrusting inside her, slowly at first until his movements were unsteady and wild.

  She met him stroke for stroke, savoring the way he completely filled her with each thrust. His jaw clenched tight and though she’d never seen him come before, she guessed he was close. She ran her fingers up his abdomen, over his chest then his strong arms. It was as if the man had been carved from stone, everything about him utter perfection. The scars and nicks covering his body only added to his ridiculous sex appeal.

  And he was all hers.

  That knowledge pushed her over the edge again. She simply let go of any semblance of control and let the orgasm rip through her. Just like that, he came too, with a shout that sounded a lot like triumph as he buried his face against her neck.

  She wrapped her arms around him, clutched him to her as he emptied himself inside her. She wasn’t sure how long it took before they both came back to themselves, but eventually her breathing evened out. And Jackson hadn’t made any attempt to move off her.

  He just nuzzled her neck as he stroked those big hands over her breasts and hips. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of touching her. And it didn’t seem to matter that he was half-hard in her now, he just wanted to touch her. Definitely fine with her. She couldn’t wait to explore more of him. She wanted everything from him, to move in with him, maybe…even more one day.

  “Merry Christmas, baby,” he murmured, sounding surprisingly drowsy.

  She grinned, stroking her fingers down his muscular back. “Best Christmas present ever.” And she was never letting him go.

  Epilogue

  Jackson wiped his palms on his jeans as he sat at one of the high-top tables waiting for Nora to lock up her shop. Tonight was it. He was proposing because there was no way he could go another day without claiming her forever for everyone to see. Dating wasn’t enough for him. He wanted everything and he wanted his ring on her finger so the entire world knew she was his.

  Caveman attitude? Yep. He didn’t care.

  He’d gone on countless missions where he’d been sure he would die and he’d never felt an ounce of the fear he experienced now. What if she said no? Things between them were incredible, and the sex… He couldn’t think about that now. Otherwise he’d start kissing her the moment she joined him and they’d end up naked in her storeroom.

  Again.

  The past two months had been the best of his life and he couldn’t imagine not having Nora in his life forever. He wanted to move in with her but she’d told him not until Sasha was out of the house. Which he respected. He liked that she was setting a good example for her sister, but if they were married, they didn’t have to wait. And he wasn’t waiting any longer.

  “You okay?” Nora asked, her expression worried as she walked up to him, her boots clicking softly on the tile of the café floor as she reached him. In just a couple months it would be spring and she’d be wearing those sexy dresses again. He couldn’t wait.

  Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Yeah, just want to make those reservations.” He’d booked a table for them at her favorite place and planned to propose afterward once they had privacy. It was almost Valentine’s Day so she didn’t seem suspicious about the reservations. He was going to suggest they take a walk down Main Street since it was a perfect moonlit night and it wasn’t far from her favorite park. Tonight needed to be perfect.

  She let out a light laugh. “We’ve got plenty of time.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before moving through the throng of high-top tables. “You want some tea or something? I’ve just got to run the end of the night reports. It won’t take long.”

  “I’m okay but I’ll make you something.” He slid off the stool and trailed after her, rounding the counter as she did.

  Nora gave him another curious look as he practically ran into her. Turning, she placed her hands on her hips. “All right, what’s going on?”

  He kept his expression blank. “Nothing.”

  “Are you breaking up with me?”

  “No!”

  She snickered and he realized she hadn’t been serious. “I didn’t actually think that, but jeez, what’s going on?” Gently, she ran her hands down his upper arms and forearms. “You’re all tight… Is something wrong at work? Or with your family?” She sounded horrified at the last question.

  “No, nothing like that.” He tried to force himself to relax but he simply couldn’t. God, he’d never felt like this in his life, as if he could crawl out of his own skin from raw fear that she would say no.

  Jackson hadn’t even realized he was moving until he’d pulled the small jewelry box from his jacket pocket and was on one knee before her. But hell, he couldn’t wait another second. The desire to see his ring on her finger, to officially start their life together, was overwhelming to the point he could barely think straight.

  She blinked down at him, her green eyes filled with confusion until he held open the box.

  With trembling fingers, he flipped it open. “Marry me?”

  When tears filled her eyes, panic set in, but only for a moment. Her smile was blinding as she nodded. “Yes!” She practically tackled him as she threw her arms around his neck.

  They would have both tumbled to the floor if he hadn’t steadied them. Relief like he’d never known flowed through him, hot and fierce. He had the ring out and on her left hand ring finger as she wiped tears from her eyes with her other hand.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, not even looking at it as she cupped his cheeks. “I love you so much, Jackson.”

  “I wanted to do it right, take you to dinner and—”

  She shook her head. “This is right, it’s perfect.”

  “You’re perfect.” They argued like any other couple but she was everything he’d been looking for when he hadn’t even known he was looking.

  Laughing, she shook her head. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
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  “Right back at you.” He was never letting her go. “I love you, Nora. And I don’t want to wait to get married, I want to do it this year.” Living apart the past two months had been sheer torture. He’d stayed over at her place, sure, but it wasn’t the same thing as waking up to her beautiful face every morning.

  “It’s only February, that leaves a lot of months to plan—”

  He shook his head. “A spring wedding.”

  Her eyes widened so he crushed his mouth to hers, taking away any argument she might have had. He wanted to go to bed with her every night and wake up with her every morning. When she tightened her grip around him and groaned into his mouth, he figured they were probably going to be late for their reservation after all.

  He didn’t mind one bit. Not when the woman he loved had just agreed to become his wife.

  From the Author

  Thank you so much for reading our Christmas anthology! Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year, though I admit to listening to holiday music year round, something my four year old finds hilarious. I’m also slightly obsessed with the movie A Christmas Story.

  Starting in December, everyone always seems to be in a more giving spirit and if Holly actually existed outside of fiction I would definitely move there. I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and I hope you enjoy this anthology!

  Happy reading and happy holidays!

  Katie

  About the Author

  Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

  However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. For more information on Katie please visit her website: www.katiereus.com. Also find her on twitter @katiereus or visit her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please join her newsletter. Direct link: http://eepurl.com/jEABv

  Books by Katie Reus

  Red Stone Security Series

  No One to Trust

  Danger Next Door

  Fatal Deception

  Miami, Mistletoe & Murder

  His to Protect

  Breaking Her Rules

  Protecting His Witness

  Sinful Seduction

  Under His Protection

  Deadly Fallout

  Sworn to Protect

  The Serafina: Sin City Series

  First Surrender

  Sensual Surrender

  Sweetest Surrender

  Dangerous Surrender

  Deadly Ops Series

  Targeted

  Bound to Danger

  Chasing Danger (novella)

  Shattered Duty

  Edge of Danger

  A Covert Affair

  Non-series Romantic Suspense

  Running From the Past

  Dangerous Secrets

  Killer Secrets

  Deadly Obsession

  Danger in Paradise

  His Secret Past

  Retribution

  Paranormal Romance

  Destined Mate

  Protector’s Mate

  A Jaguar’s Kiss

  Tempting the Jaguar

  Enemy Mine

  Heart of the Jaguar

  Moon Shifter Series

  Alpha Instinct

  Lover’s Instinct (novella)

  Primal Possession

  Mating Instinct

  His Untamed Desire (novella)

  Avenger’s Heat

  Hunter Reborn

  Protective Instinct (novella)

  Darkness Series

  Darkness Awakened

  Taste of Darkness

  Beyond the Darkness

  Hunted by Darkness

  Into the Darkness

  SINFUL IN SNOW

  by Laura Wright

  Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.

  –Joan Mills

  Prologue

  Christmas Eve, 2005

  Carol walked out of the Habers’ Evergreen Way house into still coldness, and the prettiest snowfall she’d seen all year. After one insane blizzard in November, the town of Holly, North Carolina was just begging for more of the white stuff. Not only because it looked so festive, but because it brought in double the tourists. And the town of Holly needed all the tourists they could get. Especially this time of year.

  A wind kicked up around her and she stuffed her hands in the pockets of her coat. She felt the already crumpled cash she’d just earned. The Habers were super generous. Normally she didn’t babysit on Christmas Eve, but this year she really needed the money. For two months now, she’d had her eye on the brick Victorian house figurine that would complete her town set. Tonight, she was bringing that gorgeous thing home.

  A thrill of excitement shot through her as she glanced at her watch. Gah! She had to hurry. Silent Nights Gift Shop closed in fifteen minutes. Good thing she was nearby. Evergreen Way was only two streets off Main, and though it wasn’t the fanciest street in the world, it was super charming. All the homes were small and cute. And this time of year, decorated with every shade of twinkle lights.

  As she hurried down the sidewalk, she saw families through picture windows. They were hanging out by their trees, fires blazing, lots of food and laughter. It was all straight-up happiness. Except for the Diamants, of course. That house…well, that house was never happy. Winter, summer, spring or fall.

  Carol frowned. It really sucked. One would think those two pretend parents would at least try to put on a show—make the town think they cared about their meal tickets. Aka the three foster kids who lived with them. But instead they bought a new truck every year and some fancy designer label stuff, while the kids walked everywhere and wore clothes that were two sizes too small. Carol didn’t know the three teenagers all that well. Sure, they went to her school and everything, but none of them were in her grade—and they really kept to themselves, never spoke to anyone. One time, she’d asked her parents about them. Turned out, she wasn’t the only one asking. Or caring. Supposedly the authorities had been called out to the Diamants several times. But unfortunately, there was nothing to warrant taking the kids out of there.

  Sucked.

  Carol’s frown deepened as she drew closer to the house. The place was always so creepy. Not in a rundown sort of way. Just…never a light on at night. No decorations. That kind of thing. In fact—

  “Ooof!” she blurted out as she ran into a figure sitting on the bottom step of the Diamants’ front yard. She backed up instantly. “Excuse me. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” came a soft male voice.

  The snow accumulating around her offered a little clarity. Short, dark hair, long, lean body. She knew who it was. The oldest boy who lived with the Diamants. Gabriel. He was seventeen, two years older than her, and what she and her girlfriends called Scary Cute. As in, you couldn’t look away when he walked by—but you were afraid if you didn’t, something bad would happen. A bad you didn’t quite understand yet.

  Breaking the rules, she let her eyes move over him. His head was down and his shoulders were hunched. He was in worn jeans, a black t-shirt and his feet were bare. Her brows drifted together. He sure wasn’t dressed for sitting outside on a snowy winter night. Her heart lurched. What was going on here? Concerned, she took a step closer. But before she could say a word, his head snapped up, and blue frost eyes slammed into her.

  A gasp escaped her, and something moved in her belly. Something she’d never felt before. Was it fear? She didn’t think so.

  “What do you want?” he growled at
her.

  She swallowed, shook her head. “Nothing.”

  His eyes were wet from crying, and there was a bruise on his cheek. “What are you looking at?” he demanded.

  Her lips got lost under her teeth as she tried not to stare. The bruise was fresh.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  His lip curled. “No idea what you’re talking about.” He jerked his head away, staring at the newly fallen snow on the front yard. “Get out of here.”

  But she didn’t. Didn’t even move. “Did they do it?”

  Gabriel didn’t ask who she meant. He just cursed under his breath. “This is none of your business.”

  “I know, but—”

  “If you know, then go.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Goddammit,” he ground out fiercely. “Get the fuck out of here!”

  She inhaled sharply. Not at his language. After all, she was fifteen. She’d heard worse than that. But it was the way he’d said it. Not angry exactly. More like…desperate.

  Her head lifted to the dark house. “What happened?”

  He swore again. “Not getting rid of you, am I?”

  “Tell me.”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course it does.” She turned back to face him. That Scary Cute face, and those eyes that were soulful and hate-filled all at the same time. “It happen before?”

  “Nothing’s happened.” Frustrated, he shoved a hand through his hair, disrupting the hundreds of snowflakes that had collected on his head. “Just go, okay? Please. I don’t need this right now. Go before—”

  “Before they come here and catch you talking to me?” she finished.

  A shadow of fear moved across his eyes.

 

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