Page 41 of Secret Santa

That’s when I felt it, felt the truth that I could be–that I was–falling for this man. I was falling hard, and I didn’t think I wanted to stop. I wanted to hit the bottom, having fallen for him completely.

Slowly, he lowered his mouth to mine and gave me the gentlest kiss. His hold on me tightened, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

“We need to get this inside,” he mumbled against my lips. I smiled and pressed harder into him.

“Later,” I said, and tugged him toward the front door. “It’ll still be here when we’re done.” His brows lifted as he kissed me again.

“Done?” He followed me through the door, and we both sighed at the warmth that enveloped us.

“Done, you know.” I grinned at him, trying, and failing, to be sexy. He chuckled and pressed his lips to my forehead, then kissed my cheek.

“No,” he said, kissing my nose. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, Danica?” He pulled away to grin. My face heated painfully, and I pressed my cold palms into my cheeks.

“You know,” I said again, but he just grinned wider.

“Nope. I don’t know.” He folded his arms over his chest. He should look more ridiculous, but he was so fucking hot, it was unfair. “You can’t say it?” I shook my head, and he gave me a sympathetic look. “Nothing will happen until you say it.” I glared at him, and he quickly kissed my cheek. “If you want my cock, you have to say it, Danica.”

My stomach tightened at his words, and I inhaled sharply. He pulled away again and dragged his bottom lip through his teeth, staring at me with heated eyes as he waited.

I couldn’t say it.

I don’t know why the hell the words wouldn’t come, why I couldn’t just ask him to fuck me, but they stayed stuck in my throat.

He laughed softly again, then pulled the front door back open. “When you’re ready, you know what to say.” I stared after him as he moved back to the tree. What’s wrong with me? Who can’t ask their boyfriend to fuck them?

I groaned and dropped my forehead to the wall. That would be my goal this weekend–I’d say the words, ask him the magic question, and I’d lose my virginity.

Anxiety swirled inside me.

Maybe that’s why I couldn’t say it. I wasn’t ready to give him everything yet, no matter how much I thought I was.

Soon. Maybe later, or tomorrow, but soon, I’d sleep with Aiden, and he’d own every part of me.

19

AIDEN

“What’s this?” Danica stared down at her plate as if it had live snakes on it. I laughed and kissed her head. I couldn’t stop doing it–kissing her, touching her, just reminding myself she was mine.

“Sugar cookies.” I sat beside her on the couch, settling in for whatever terrible Christmas movie she chose. “I thought we were watching a Christmas movie.”

“We haven’t had dinner yet.” She slid her plate onto the end table beside her. “And it is a Christmas movie.”

“Do you always follow the rules?” I teased as I took a bite. She huffed out an irritated breath.

“It’s not following the rules,” she muttered, sounding sassier than usual. “You’re not supposed to eat dessert before dinner.” I threw my head back and laughed.

“You’re not a child, baby. You can do whatever you want.” She glared sideways at me, and I grinned as I took another bite.

“I know that.”

“Then eat a cookie.” I held one out to her, and she stared down at it. Her lips twitched as she chewed on the inside of her cheek, and I gently nudged her with my elbow. When she looked at me, I lifted my brows, silently telling her to stop. She huffed out another irritated breath but stopped the anxious chewing.

I didn’t understand why she did it or why everything made her do it, but I’d break her of the habit if it was the last fucking thing I did.

She hesitated before reaching out and grabbing the little tree-shaped cookie. Her eyes flicked from it to me, and I gave her a small, reassuring nod. I thought I had her, but she shook her head and slid it back onto my plate.

“I’ll have one later.”

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