Page 15 of Santa's Pretty Helper

He nods and sits down on the couch beside me. “Why don’t you start at that end, and I’ll work on this part,” he says, and I nod, swallowing as I start to work on the knot. I’m keenly awareof his big body beside me, the scent of his cologne, the warmth of him. My skin is buzzing at having him so close.

I know what he sounds like when he comes. I know what his cock looks like. I know exactly how his balls draw up when he’s about to erupt.

I shift in my seat, trying to alleviate some of the throbbing between my legs, but it’s no use.

As we slowly unravel the knot, our hands brush against each other again and again, sending sparks dancing up my arm every single time.

At one point, our fingers weave together as we both try to detangle the same section. We look up at the same time, fingers still intertwined. My entire hand is tingling, and I can’t look away from his gaze this time.

“Sorry,” I breathe. My face is hot, and my heart is like a hummingbird in my chest.

“Don’t be,” he says softly. His blue eyes hold mine, and a small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth. There’s something unreadable in his eyes, something similar to the look I saw earlier. We stay like that for a moment, and then he gently takes the lights from me, making quick work of the remaining snarl with deft fingers. “There. All set.”

Once the lights are on the tree, everyone takes a break for more wine and food, and I chat with my parents, with our neighbors, with Eric. I want to talk to Gabe, but I also don’t know what to say. All I can think about is how much I want him. How badly I want to be his. How incredibly hot his videos are.

Best if I just stay quiet and don’t do anything to embarrass myself.

Nine

Bella

We start decorating the tree slowly, everyone taking their time placing ornaments high and low. I glance over at Gabe as he reaches up to place a shiny red ornament high on the tree. His sweater pulls taut across his shoulders as he moves, and his sleeves are rolled up, showing off the defined muscles of his forearms. I bite my lip, my pussy fluttering as I remember the way those muscles flexed as he stroked his cock. As I imagine those arms wrapped around me while he whispers sweet, filthy words in my ear.

I reach into one of the boxes and pull out a beautiful crystal snowflake ornament that I’ve loved since I was a kid. It belongs high up on the tree, where the light will catch it and make it sparkle. I reach up, extending my arm, but this year’s tree is even taller than usual, and I can’t reach where I want to put it. I know Mom keeps a step stool in the kitchen, but before I can leave to go get it, I feel a warm, firm body press up behind me.

“Here, let me help, sweetheart,” Gabe says, his voice low and soft. Before I can react, his big hands grasp my waist and he liftsme up effortlessly. I suck in a surprised breath as my feet leave the ground. At the feeling of his hands on me, his big body so close behind me, my skin goes hot and tight, my nipples pebble almost painfully, my stomach fills with butterflies, and my pussy clenches, all at once.

I’m going to combust. I’m going to burst into flames, right here, right now.

For a moment, I forget what it is I’m supposed to be doing. But then I remember the ornament dangling from my fingers, and I quickly hang it on a branch near the top of the tree.

Gabe lowers me slowly, his hands lingering on my waist. As my feet touch the floor, he doesn’t let go, instead flexing his fingers into me in a way that has me melting. I can feel the warmth of his hands through my sweater, his breath stirring my hair, the heat radiating from his body behind me. I glance down at his scarred hands, and I can’t stop myself from leaning back into him. From thinking about when he told me he was beautiful and I thought he might kiss me. From wanting to give him every single part of me, body, heart, and soul.

We stand like that for a long moment, neither of us moving. My skin tingles everywhere he’s touching me. His grip tightens and I hear him inhale deeply from behind me, as though he’s smelling me. I hope he is.

I don’t want the moment to end, but it does when Eric bumps Gabe’s shoulder, laughing. “Hey, get your hands off my baby sister,” he crows. He’s grinning, but there’s an unmistakable edge to his voice. He’s kidding around, but he’s not, not really. “She’s way too young for you, man. It’s been such a nice day. Don’t make me have to kill you.”

He’s joking, but barely. The awkwardness is palpable.

Gabe’s hands drop from my waist immediately, and I feel a chill where his hands used to be. My heart sinks, disappointment flooding through me. Gah, why did Eric have to notice? Whycouldn’t I just have this little moment? But no, he had to notice, had to say something. I get that he’s just being a protective older brother, but he has no idea what he just did.

“Just helping her with the ornament,” Gabe says, gesturing up at the snowflake now glittering near the top of the tree. He shoves a hand through his hair, lines digging in between his eyebrows.

I don’t care that he’s almost forty. I don’t care that he’s almost twenty years older than me. He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. The only man I’ve ever wanted.

Eric rolls his eyes and makes a face, then turns back toward the tree. The awkwardness dissipates, but the damage is done. Whatever moment Gabe and I were having, it’s over.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold in the warmth he left behind. But it’s already fading away, no matter how tightly I grip myself. I sneak a glance at Gabe, but he’s studiously avoiding looking in my direction as he hangs ornaments on the other side of the tree.

My chest aches, and I bite my lip hard. I wish I could go back in time to just moments before, when it felt as though my dreams and fantasies were possible. But now that fragile hope is crushed. I feel cold. Empty.

Oh god, I might cry.

I suck in a breath, hoist a wavery smile onto my face and retreat into the kitchen. It’s empty and a bit quieter in here, and I let out a shaky breath as I lean back against the counter. My heart is still pounding, and my face feels hot. I probably look like a tomato. I can’t stop feeling the ghost of Gabe’s touch, the heat of him behind me. I don’t think he has any idea what he does to me. How could he? I’m just Eric’s little baby sister, and Eric made sure to remind him of that.

Eric has always been protective. He’s ten years older than me, and because of that, he’s always seen me as little Bella, hissweet baby sister who he needs to look out for. What would he do if he knew how much I want Gabe? How would he react?

Will Eric ever see me as a grown woman?

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