Page 79 of Christmas Criminal

She huffs. "Man, I really thought I had you there."

I keep my lips pressed against her ear. "But I look forward to watching you struggle to swallow my cock down that pretty little throat of yours afterward."

She rears back, her eyes wide, and gently fans herself. "Wow, is it hot out here or is that a math teacher with a filthy mouth?"

I reach out and tug the zipper on her coat a little higher, giving her my best goodie two-shoes smile.

"Come on, Criminal," I say, grabbing her hand and dragging her across the parking lot.

There are a number of people ahead and behind us who also parked at the high school, and we meld easily between groups ofthem. I tuck Noelle under my arm, pleased that the only person I'm walkingwithis her. She smiles up at me, wrapping her arm around my middle and squeezing.

We head to the far end of the town square to avoid the crowd in the middle.

And then we wait.

We can see the parade in the distance, but they're not actually moving yet.

"Do you want coffee?" Noelle asks, eyeing the hut behind us as she rubs her hands together in front of her.

I take them in mine, trying to warm them with a bit of friction. "What, the dirty mouth wasn't enough to keep you warm all this time? Want me to come up with something else salacious?"

She snorts. "No. I'm already wet enough as it is imagining choking on your dick."

I'm momentarily rendered speechless, my mouth flapping about in the wind like I'm going to say something but nothing coming to mind.

She grins, cocking her head to the side. "See? I can do that too."

I let out a long breath. "I really do have my hands full with you, don't I?"

She nods, throwing me an indulgent grin. "So, coffee?"

"I can get it."

She shakes her head, stopping me. "I wouldn't want you to chance missing your parade. Save our spot."

I roll my eyes, but I take a moment to press a twenty into her begrudging hand and let her flit off to the coffee booth alone. She reaches for the heaters just outside as she passes them, taking a second to warm her hands. A moment later, she falls into conversation with the elderly woman manning the booth, who smiles at her sweetly and pours two cups of coffee. They chat fora moment, and after Noelle pays, the woman steps around the register to hug her.

I cock my head to the side, immensely confused at how she managed to befriend the coffee hut lady in the space of two seconds.

And then I hear a voice from behind me that reminds me viscerally of nails on a chalkboard.

"Nicky!"

I grimace before turning toward her.

"Wow, look at you without your glasses," she says, except her eyes are anywhere but my face

"Delia," I say, taking a step back from her so she doesn't get any ideas.

"I'm so happy I ran into you." She takes a step toward me, squeezing my arm. "How have you been?"

"Same as last time we spoke," I tell her, trying to gently move her arm away and only succeeding in pulling her closer. I very intentionally move my arm down and to the side so she can't pull that move on me again.

But she doesn't let go.

"Oh, well, I'm happy to hear you're still well," she says.

And then she smiles at me. That one she uses when she's going to be quiet until she gets her way.

---