Page 20 of Santa's Pretty Helper

I take a step toward him, feeling braver now that I’ve ripped the proverbial Band-Aid off. “Don’t worry, I’m not judging you. At all. It’s actually really hot, and you’re very good at what you do. And I’m not going to tell anyone.”

“Okay,” he says slowly. “Then what—“

“I heard you, the other night, when you were performing. It was after the Christmas tree decorating party, and you talked about having feelings for someone you can’t have and then…” I stop to catch my breath, my words spilling out of me. “I heard you say my name when you were coming.” I blush furiously at the admission that I’d been watching, that I’ve seen him come, that I heard him moan my name.

Gabe’s eyes are wide, shock and fear written all over his face. “Bella, I—“

“No, let me finish,” I say quietly, my voice shaking a little. It’s taking everything I have to do this. I might collapse when the truth is finally free. I take a deep breath, amazed that my pounding heart hasn’t pushed right out of my chest. “I have feelings for you, Gabe. I have for a long time. Years. And I know it’s complicated, with your friendship with Eric and the age difference between us, but hearing you say my name…I knew I had to tell you the truth. To take a chance and tell you that I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. To tell you that I…I’m in love with you.”

Gabe stares at me, his eyes bright as they hold mine. He sucks in a ragged breath, his features a mask of lust and wonder.

“Bella,” he whispers, and before I lose my nerve, I lift my hands to the belt of my coat. My fingers are trembling as I work to undo the tight knot.

“I have an early Christmas present for you,” I say, my voice shaky. The coat falls open and then I shrug, letting it slide slowly down my arms. It lands on the floor with a soft rustle of fabric, pooling around my ankles. Cold air washes over me, making goosebumps erupt across my bare skin.

Gabe’s eyes are dark and molten as they rake over my body. He looks hungry, barely restrained. His jaw is tight, his fists bunched at his sides, knuckles white. I’m wearing nothing except a bright red satin bow teddy, the silky fabric looped in a bow across my breasts and then dipping down between my legs to cover my pussy, imitating the wrapping on a present. The back is nothing but red strings, one across my back and the other dipping down between my ass cheeks.

“It’s me,” I say, my voice unsteady. “I’m the present, if you truly want me.” I shiver. My skin feels warm and exposed, the satin barely covering me.

“Bella, fuck,” Gabe says in the husky tone I recognize from his cam shows. He almost looks as if he’s in pain, even as his palm goes to the front of his pants, rubbing absently at the massive bulge there. The butterflies in my stomach are having a rave, going crazy.

I take a small step toward him, my bravery almost gone, like an energy force that’s being drained out of me. “You can have all of me,” I say, my voice quiet, my cheeks hot, my heart jolting. “My virginity, my body, my love. If you’re willing to take the risk with me, everything I have to give is yours.”

I’m shaking now, partly from the cold and partly because I’m so nervous I might actually pass out.

His expression is unreadable as he stands from the couch and crosses the distance between us, not stopping until he’sdirectly in front of me. I can feel the warmth of his big body, can smell the scent of his skin. My pussy throbs at being this close to him, this exposed. He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch dancing like electricity over my skin.

“Bella. My sweet, beautiful girl.” His voice is low and rough, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “I’m so fucking in love with you that I don’t know what to do with myself.”

I let out a small gasp, my gaze flying to his. “You are?” I’m breathless. I’m floating. I’m melting. I’m coming apart completely.

He nods. “For a long time now. It first hit me the night of your nineteenth birthday. The beautiful woman you’d become, how sweet and smart and lovely you are. And since that night, I’ve wanted you. This obsession has been like a disease, one I never want to be cured of. I think about you constantly. I crave you constantly. I stroke my cock to thoughts of you every single day.”

“On camera,” I add, licking my lips and swallowing thickly.

“Does it bother you?” he asks, one eyebrow arching up.

I shake my head. “No. It doesn’t. I…” My face flames and I look down. “I like the idea of other people watching you.”

He exhales sharply, his hand cupping my cheek. “I need you to understand what you’re offering me, Bella.” His eyes rake over my body again, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “If I accept your gift and everything you’re offering me—and I want to, Bella—I’m going to make you mine in every single way. I will never, ever let you go. You’ll belong to me, body, heart, and soul, consequences be damned. So I need you to tell me you’re sure.”

I exhale shakily and nod, not trusting my voice. His gaze drops to my mouth, and for a second, I think he might kiss me, but he stays where he is, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me against his body. I moan softly at the contact, at the feeling of my aching breasts pressing against his chest.

“I’m sure. I want to be with you. I’m in love with you.”

“And you’re a virgin.” I don’t miss the flare of excitement, the possessive way he grips my hip when he says it.

I nod, blushing again. “I haven’t…I haven’t done anything. I’ve never even kissed anyone. I only ever wanted it to be you.”

“Christ,” he groans, shoving a hand through his hair, leaving it slightly disheveled. “Tell me one last time you’re sure,” he says gruffly. “So that I can give you everything. Teach you everything. Tell me one last time, because as soon as I give in to this hunger inside me, I know I won’t be able to stop. I don’t give a shit that you’re almost twenty years younger than me, or that Eric’s going to murder me. How can I when I’ve got all of this sweetness in front of me?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He groans quietly. I can feel how hard he is against my stomach, and my pussy flutters, knowing what he’s hiding away inside his pants. His forehead rests against mine.

“Then I think it’s time for your first kiss, sweet girl.”

Thirteen

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