Page 14 of Auctioned to the Mountain Man

“Ethan and Lilyadoreyou,” Jazzy says of the littles. “I really hope you’ll be coming to more family holidays,” she adds. “Do you want kids?”

“Jazzy, back off,” I warn.

“Why? Alida doesn’t scare easily, do you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I ask automatically.

She pins me with her gaze, a flirty smile gracing her lips. “Scare easily.”

“If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t think you scare at all,” I say, lowering my voice so Jazzy’s eavesdropping ears can’t hear me.

“I guess I never did say thank you,” Alida admits, her forehead grazing the side of my cheek as she snuggles closer. I guess she’s concerned about overheard confessions too.

“No, you didn’t.” I press my lips to the shell of her ear and add, “But you could tell me what you want for Christmas, and we can call it even.”

Alida locks her eyes with mine for several beats, the debate dancing in those baby blues. “You really want to know?” she asks, her cheeks flushing a little deeper. Maybe it’s the cold, or maybe it’s the dirty thoughts she’s hiding. If I had any sense, I wouldn’t play this game.

But if Alida wants to be on Santa’s naughty list this year, fuck it. I do too.

CHAPTER

NINE

ALIDA

Will I regret this?

Yes.

No.

Maybe.

Fuck, I don’t know.

But it’s too late to turn back. At least, I’m not letting myself chicken out now that I’m standing in a silk robe that barely covers my ass cheeks. At Fox’s request, there’s nothing underneath it and the kiss of cool air against my skin is…exhilarating. My heart races, too many emotions to pin them all down. But there’s definitely a fear, excitement, and anticipation cocktail happening throughout my entire body.

“You’re sure this is what you want for Christmas, Alida?” Fox stands behind me, combing back my long hair to expose my ear.

“I told you it was.” I’ve been thinking about this ever since he made the claim at the mansion. But that mistletoe induced kiss has only heightened my desire to make this fantasy a reality. Though I’ve yet to dig into the reason Fox was at the auction,I know he wouldn’t have received an invitation if he wasn’t talented where a woman’s pleasure was concerned.

“You need to trust me. Because if you don’t?—”

“I trust you, Fox.” Though I haven’t spent a lot of time with him, I’ve always known I could trust him. Even three years ago. My brother was shockingly good at reading people. If he put his trust in Fox, I can too.And that’s enough thoughts about my brother. “Do we need a safe word or something?” I joke.

“Do youwanta safe word? It’s just one flick of my tongue. I doubt you’ll have much opportunity to use it.”

“I’m good.”

“I’m going to blindfold you,” he says against my ear.

The control freak inside me tries to rear her objectionable head, but I shove her right back down. When I took that silk blindfold from the mansion of sex horrors, I secretly hoped I’d find an opportunity to use it. I just didn’t think it’d happen so soon. “Okay.”

He lowers the black silk scarf to my eyes from behind, pressing it gently against my eyes. My body tingles, suddenly more aware of every sensation, scent, and noise. My nipples pebble in anticipation.

“One more thing,” he says, pulling the blindfold away, his arms dropping to the tops of my shoulders.

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