Page 31 of Pining for Christmas

Ali nods, so nervous and excited. “Uh-huh.” Is she worried I’ll say no? Worried I’ll push her away? She thinks more highly of my self control than I do, that’s for sure.

“You kept it,” I say stupidly, pointing out the obvious, and when Ali beckons me closer, I step forward on leaden legs.

And Christ, I’ve tried so hard to keep away over the last week. Tried not to even look in her direction if I can help it. Been kicking myself endlessly, cursing myself out for taking advantage of this sweet girl, kissing her like that—even if it was just an innocent peck. Even ifsheinitiated it.

But here I am again, clearly learning no lessons, because I’m hungrier than ever for another taste of those lips. Don’t know if a peck will be enough this time; don’t know if once I start, I’ll be able to stop. I’m jonesing for more. Have been since the second I dropped her home last week.

“One kiss,” I say as I crowd her against the bookcase, just in case Alison has more control than I do. Maybeshecan pull the brakes on this for us. “Just one, okay?”

Because… fuck. Ali is so young. So sweet and perfect and off limits, and I’ve got no business putting my scarred hands on her. No business obsessing over her the way I do.

So Alison needs to pull the brakes. Needs to pullmybrakes, or else I’ll crush her against this goddamn bookcase and lose my mind over her, just as bad as those party guests downstairs.

“One kiss,” she promises me sweetly, turning around briefly to place the mistletoe at my eye level, next to us on the shelf. “I’ll behave, I swear.”

And it’s not her I’m worried about, not really, but when Ali turns back and starts unknotting my tie, I make a strangled sound. Maybe I should be wary of her after all.

Because Ali’s smarter than a whip, and for some unknown reason, she’s clearly decided that what she wants for Christmas this year… is me.

It’s a phase, I tell myself as she drops my tie to the floor, then starts flicking my shirt buttons open, one by one. Air washes over my chest, cooled by the ever-present AC, and my nipples harden beneath my white shirt. Is that a hint of gray in my chest hair? Does she see it? Does she care?

It’s a phase.

It’s a phase.

She’s chasing a thrill. Notyou.

“You said one kiss,” I grit out as Ali hums, pushing my shirt open wide. She leans forward, rubbing her cheek over my tattooed chest, her lips dragging over my overheated skin… but not kissing. Not yet.

Ali leans back and winks, her blue eyes sparkling behind her black kitten mask. Her dark hair is mussed, tumbling over her shoulders, and her neck is tinged pink with excitement.

So this was her plan.

I don’t hate it.

But goddamn, I’m harder than marble already; so hard my gut aches.

Ten fingertips trail down my throat, my chest, my belly, all the way down to rest on my belt. My cock swells impossibly harder, pushing against the layers of my clothing. Reaching for her.

“I know.” Ali wets her lips, and her hesitation is the first sign of nerves. “One kiss, I know. But I didn’t saywhereI’d put it, did I?”

Holy. Shit.

I wait, heart thundering, but she doesn’t move again. Ali gazes up at me, waiting for permission. Waiting for me to go along with this; to take an equal part in what we’re doing here tonight.

As if I could stop this now. I’d sooner tear out my own spine.

“Be a good girl, then,” I hear myself say, finally breaking out of my statue-still posture.Yes.This is happening. Her dark hair is silky and warm when I pet it; her little sigh when I trace her bare shoulders scrambles my brain. “Be a good girl and give me your kiss.”

Ali beams at me, lit up from the inside like I’ve just gifted her a bouquet of gorgeous flowers, and moves to kneel at my feet. I stop her first, one hand on her elbow.

“Wait.”

Her eyes widen with disappointment, but that’s not what’s happening here. I’m not changing my mind.

“Take this off.”

Her mask comes off easily, slipping off her glossy hair, and I toss it on the floor by my tie. You’d better believe—if Ali’s gonna touch me like that, gonna taste me like that, I want to seeherdoing it. Not some anonymous woman.

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