Page 20 of Taylor

“Cocoa,” she said, motioning to the mug before walking over and setting it on the coffee table.

He walked over and sat next to her. Reaching out, he cupped her face. “Your cheeks are still red. Are you cold?”

“No, I’m not.”

And while her cheeks were cold, the rest of her was on fire.

“Which one now? Do remakes count? Like could we doScrooged, or is it straight upAChristmas Carol?”

“We can watchScrooged,” she said, taking the remote from him. “Everyone needs a little Bill Murray in their Christmas.”

She pulled up the movie, but she really needed to do something to get the pitter patter of her out-of-control heart in control before they were further than this and she was a messed-up lump of feelings and unrequited love. That was not how she had envisioned her new year going. Maybe ground rules would be helpful... Doubtful, but it was worth a go.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked, trying to push nerves out of her voice.

“Of course.”

“How long do you plan on staying?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” he said, facing her. “Is there a time you would like me to go? I mean, I can leave as soon as the road clears. Do you think they will have the plows out here by tomorrow?”

“Oh... I don’t know when the plows will be here. I imagine soon, but I mean, tomorrow is Christmas...” She stopped and took a deep breath, floundering. “I guess I’m asking how longcanyou stay? I kind of like having you here.”

“Oh,” he said, relaxing a bit more. “I’m enjoying myself, too,” he said, putting his hand on her knee. “We are starting practice backup on the twenty-eigth. So, I could stay until the twenty-seventh, if that’s okay with you. But I mean, kick me out whenever you want.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about getting kicked out. You’re surprisingly easy to be with.”

“I feel the same about you.”

“Okay, and I mean, there does seem to be a mutual attraction,” she said. As if he could sense the nerves, he rubbed her leg. She couldn’t believe she was being this brave with him but something about him made her feel safe. “Maybe while you’re here, we could ummm... ya know... have that kind of fun, too.”

Well, so much for having an adult conversation about hooking up, but this was new for her.

“You mean a little one-on-one fun,” he said, wagging his eyebrows.

She laughed and batted at his chest.

He caught her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to her palm. “Sorry... but yeah, in all honesty. Let’s do that.” He pressed a second kiss to her palm.

She could do this. He had just said he was into her.

She moved across the couch and straddled his lap. Keeping his hands by his side, he stilled. But she did notice his sharp intake of breath and how his mouth parted when she crawled over him.

She bent down and kissed him. The moment her mouth met his, his hands found her hips, and he kissed her back. She opened her mouth, and he slid his tongue against her. He groaned as his hand came to her hips, pulling her down on top of him. Then he slid them up her back, holding her close as he kissed the fuck out of her.

She broke the kiss, panting as he kissed down her neck. The feeling of his roaming firm hands and his warm, wet mouth kissing her neck had her on fire. How did this man undo her this easily?

A moan escaped her mouth, causing him to pull her closer to him. Unaware of her own body, she grinded against his fully hard dick.

“Fuck. Not that I’m complaining, but what changed your mind?” he said between kisses on her neck.

“After I read your note, I decided I should believe you.”

“Good decision,” he agreed as his hands slid to her ass.

This is where things had taken a turn last night, and she did tense up.

Did he think they were going to have sex? Did she want to have sex? Maybe losing her virginity to a handsome hockey player she was snowed in with was perfect.

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