Page 49 of Christmas Criminal

"I'm so glad you're looking forward to it. I think this program is really going to bring positive change to our community."

She throws her hands out in front of her. "This town doesn'thavetroubled youths! Who the fuck is Hank trying to recruit?"

I shrug. "Honestly, I don't know. Hank is going to do what Hank is going to do. He seemed like he was at a bit of a loss when I asked him for suggestions for what to do with you."

She lets out a long breath as she takes a step closer to me, the front of her coat brushing against mine. "I could give you some other ideas of what you could do with me." She raises an eyebrow. "Ortome."

Fuuuuuck. My dick twitches. I know I should take a step back, stop her from getting any closer with that devilish tongue of hers.

But I like the proximity. I like that she wants me as badly as I want her.

It's intoxicating.

"Like what?" I ask, feigning innocence and cocking my head to the side. I keep my hands tucked in my pockets to stop myself from touching her.

She shrugs. "You could kiss me like you did last night. And then maybe just... see what happens after that."

"See what happens?"

She nods, biting her lip. "I think that might be a good use of our time. And I mean, teachers do so much for this little community of ours." She rests her hand on the front of my coat and I'm simultaneously angry and relieved that I can't feel her fingers on my chest. "It feels only right that we give a little something back. Makethemfeel good, too."

I nod, falling into her trap for only a moment. My jobishard. And sometimes it wears me down to the point where I wonder if I can keep it up forever.

And when I have dainty little brunettes smiling up at me like they want to rip my clothes off, I wonder whether a little bit of indulgence is reallythatterrible. This palpable tension between us could probably be solved with an afternoon between the sheets. I could throw her around a little bit, make her come on my face and again on my dick.

I've had what I thought was love, and losing it ripped out a piece of me.

And now Noelle has me thinking all sorts of inappropriate thoughts about her. While I tell myself it doesn't have to be a long term thing–that we can have some fun and continue on with our lives–I know that Noelle would stick in my mind and worm her way into my heart.

She hates this town. Wants nothing more than to be done with community service. And the second that happens, she'll be gone.

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. I'm already reeling over my future heartbreak when the reality is, we'd have to explore something first to evengetto the heartbreak.

All I have to go on is what I feel right now, and that is mind-bogglingly attracted to someone who really shouldn't inspire these sorts of feelings in me. I ultimately want someone to spend my life with–to spend this time of year with–but having Noelle standing one step below me, her hand on my chest and that snarky little grin on her face, makes me want to throw all of that out the window and show this woman a good time.

We just have to get through this weekend. And then... well, maybe something will happen between us.

Or maybe she'll run back to her little apartment with her sister that's three hours away and never come to this town again.

The thought inspires an ache in my chest that I brush away with a quick shake of my head.

"You don't want me to make you feel good?" she asks, her eyebrows crinkling.

I shut my eyes, resting my hand on top of hers and gently removing it from my chest. "Noelle, there is plenty that I want but can't have."

She purses her lips, quiet for a moment. "You can have me."

I take my glasses off–partially to obscure my view of her, pink cheeks and playful smile–and run my hand over my face.

"Noelle," I say, my voice cracking in a way that probably tells herexactlywhat I'm thinking about doing to her at this moment.

"Nick," she parries.

"Behave."

She bites her lip, a grin spreading across her face. "And what if I don't?"

"I will sign you up for more community service with Hank, handing out fliers that only get more and more cringeworthy."

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