Page 67 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“What are you thinking about, Little One?” I murmur, letting my hand casually slide down to her thigh. Just a light touch, enough to make her notice, but not enough to give her what she wants.

Her eyes flick up to meet mine, and that smile widens. “What do you mean?” She’s playing coy, like she doesn’t know what I’m talking about, but the blush creeping up her neck gives her away. I chuckle softly.

I’m not usually one to play games, not like this. Usually, I’m the guy keeping everything under control, keeping the edge razor-sharp, making sure no one gets too comfortable. It’s what I’m good at–staying two steps ahead. Reading the room. Calculating.

But today? Today, I feel like being...different. Something about Grace has me in a mood, and I can’t resist pushing her, teasing her. Maybe it’s the way her body melts into mine, all soft curves and warm skin, or maybe it’s the way her fingers keep brushing my chest, like she’s barely holding back from taking what she wants.

She’s horny. I can tell. The way she keeps shifting her legs, the way she’s pretending to focus on the movie playing in the background, but really, her attention is on me. I can feel it. But I’m not about to give her what she wants. Not just yet.

“Grace,” I murmur, just loud enough for her to hear over the crackle of the fire. My voice is casual, but there’s an edge to it. “What’s on your mind, Little One?”

She looks up at me, those wide, silvery blue eyes blinking innocently, like she’s got no idea what I’m talking about. But I know better. She’s trying to play it cool, trying to act like her mind isn’t racing with all the things she wants me to do to her.

“Nothing,” she says, her voice light and sweet, but I hear the tension under it. “Just...relaxing.”

I hum softly, dragging my hand lazily along her thigh. “You sure about that?”

Her eyes flick down to my hand, watching it move. She’s starts to unravel, just a little. I can tell by the way her body tenses. How her breath catches. She’s always so easy to read. I love that about her.

“Mmhmm,” she manages, her voice a little less steady now.

I let my fingers drift higher, brushing the soft skin just under the hem of her sweater. The fabric is thin, festive, and ridiculous–something with a winking reindeer on it–but it clings to her curves in all the right ways. Her skin is warm and I can feel the way her body reacts to my touch. I watch in pride at the subtle shiver that runs through her.

“Really?” I press, lowering my voice, making it rougher. “You’re not thinking about anything at all?”

She shifts, a small, frustrated sound escaping her lips. “Teddy…”

“What?” I chuckle, leaning in so my lips are right by her ear. “You seem tense, Grace. Like you’re waiting for something.”

She lets out a soft laugh, trying to play it off, but I can hear the breathlessness in it. “Maybe I am.”

I grin against her skin, my lips barely grazing her ear, and I know I’ve got her. She wants this. She wants me to push her, but she’s too stubborn to admit it.

“Why don’t you tell me what you want, then?” I murmur, my hand creeping higher up her thigh, but still not giving her what she’s craving. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

She huffs, frustrated, her fingers curling into my shirt. “You know what I want.”

I laugh softly, pulling back just enough to look at her. She’s biting her lip, her cheeks flushed, and there’s that telltale sparkin her eyes–impatience, desire, frustration. She’s worked up, and I’m enjoying every second of it.

“Oh, I know what you want, Little One,” I say, my voice low, teasing. “But I want to hear you say it.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, and I can tell she’s fighting the urge to just grab me and take what she wants, but that’s not how this works. I’m in control tonight, and I want her to beg for it. To open up to me and tell me things she wouldn’t normally say.

“I’m not playing this game with you,” she mutters, but there’s no conviction in her voice. She’s already playing it, whether she likes it or not.

I laugh again, a deep, rumbling sound that I know gets under her skin. “Come on, Grace. What’s the harm in telling me? You never know…it might come true.”

Her eyes flick up to meet mine, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She’s considering it, weighing her options, but I’m not going to make this easy for her.

I shift slightly, pulling her closer to me, and she gasps as I drag my hand slowly over her inner thigh. “Come on, Little One,” I whisper, my breath hot against her skin. “Tell me. What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever thought about?”

She squirms, her fingers tightening their grip on my shirt. I can feel her resistance, but I know I’m breaking it down, bit by bit.

“Teddy…” she breathes, her voice shaky. “Just-”

“Just what?” I cut her off, smirking. “You’re the one holding out on me. I’m just trying to figure out what’s got you all worked up. I just want to help.”

She groans softly, frustrated, and I know she’s close to giving in. “Why are you like this?”

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