Page 18 of Merry Kissmas

“I called on you because you were the smartest one in the class.I called on you because you were up for the challenge, and I enjoyed hearing your take on things.”

“Whatever,” I say, not wanting to hear what he’s saying.Who knows if it’s a lie or not?“We’re stuck on this holiday together, so let’s just keep our distance from each other.”

“And if I don’t want to?”He arches an eyebrow.

A sound of excitement comes across the aisle, and I look over to see Kenzie staring directly at us.Great, we have an audience.An audience who is probably going to tell my brother and Tessa everything we say here.

“It’s too late, Pierce.I can’t deny it, our time was…” I shake my head, not wanting to relive that memory.“But it’s over.It’s been six years, and this isn’t some sign from the universe giving us another chance.Like the first time was the wrong time, and this is the right time.When we first met, I was Tre’s sister, and you were Andrew’s cousin.No cosmic force planned to have Andrew meet Kenzie and in turn Tre to meet Tessa in some weird plan to get us back together.So, just put your AirPods in and enjoy your flight.”

I open my book.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t say anything, but he reaches into his bag, pulls out a bag of Skittles, and places it in my lap.

My shoulders sink, and I murmur, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He puts his AirPods in his ears, presses his thumb to his screen, and scrolls.

We take off, and the airplane remains dark except for the light of screens and Andrew reading under the overhead light, Nolan asleep in his arms.Kenzie watches a movie on her phone propped up in the holder.

I turn my body toward the window, giving Pierce my back, but I feel his presence.I’d never tell him, but I so desperately want to feel his body against mine again.My mind drifts to that night for what feels like the millionth time since we ran into one another at the hotel.

His body pressed me against the door, caging me in.He took my hands, raised them up over us, and clenched his fingers through mine above my head, while his lips remained on mine.

I’d never been kissed the way Pierce kissed me.At that time, I thought it was my innocence, but now, six years later, I know that isn’t true.

Pierce was just an exceptional kisser.I’d never felt so wanted and desired as I did that weekend with him.Never felt so hopeful about what the future could bring.

His hands tightened in mine, and he ground his hardened length against me.The knowledge that he was that hard for me was an aphrodisiac I wasn’t prepared to feel.It spurred my own hunger for him.

He stripped his lips off mine, not letting my hands go, and trailed his lips over my jaw.“God, I want to take my time with you, but I’m not sure I have the patience.”

I knew how he felt.I didn’t want it to end.I wanted to savor this, us, the first time I’d feel his fingers on me, in me, his lips over my body, his cock inside me.But I also wanted to sink to my knees, unbutton his pants, and get him so hot that he’d lose all control.

He nipped at my neck, and my eyes fell shut, allowing him to take me out of my thoughts and justfeelhim.He was perfect in every way.Eventually, his hands unwound from mine, and his fingers glided down my arms, wrapping around my waist and tugging me against him.

“Bedroom, okay?”he whispered.

All I could do was nod.His mouth didn’t stop exploring my neck as he turned me around and walked me backward down a hall.I allowed him to lead me blindly, trusting this man I had just met.As though he couldn’t stop himself, he stopped halfway, and again my back was to the wall, his hands on the hem of my shirt.

“Tell me if you’re not ready,” he said.He’d done that all night.Asked and questioned if I wanted this.

“I’m ready.I want this.”I tried to make it clear, and he raised my shirt.Once it was off, he dropped it somewhere and drew back, his eyes soaking me in wearing only my bra.

“How in the bloody hell did I get you to agree to come home with me?”He took my hand and led me the rest of the way to his bedroom.He placed me on the edge of his bed, and we both toed out of our shoes.I reached back to undo my bra, thinking this was the moment we’d strip and have sex, but he surprised me by stepping forward, reaching around and placing his hand over mine.“May I?”

I slid my hands away from his and lowered my arms down to my sides.

“I’ve thought about nothing all night but what it would be like to strip you down.”With one hand, he unclasped my bra, and it loosened around my chest.His hands rose to my shoulders and lowered the straps as his eyes followed their path, eventually leaving my chest bare before him.“As perfect as I imagined.”

God, who was this guy?I was jealous of his word choices, the way he made me feel so beautiful while never actually saying the word.

I thought he’d reach for my breasts, but he broke the distance, his hand cupping my cheek and his lips finding mine again.He nudged me until I fell to his mattress, but he came along with me, his delicious weight pressing me into the softness.

From there it was a blur—clothes off, hands searching, touching, and caressing.His sweet words of how much he’d wanted all night to be right where we were.That the moment he saw me in the bar, he wanted to know how I tasted.

He pulled a condom from the nightstand and situated himself between my thighs.With his eyes on me and his hand on my hip, he pushed and slid inside me.Nothing had ever felt that good.I circled my hips, getting used to his size.

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