Page 25 of Holiday Surprise

I grinned and nodded. “I can feel our bond growing already, Luke. I’m pretty sure it’s too late for reconsiderations.”

He frowned and I reached up to stroke the wrinkles across his forehead.

“It’s never too late. I just want you to be happy, and if I can’t do that, if you can’t accept my pack, then we’ll find a way to break the bond,” he promised, and my heart melted even more.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him once more. “I won’t lie and say I’m not terrified about this change of events but getting to know you these last few days has certainly changed my perception. We’ll make it work, somehow.”

“What time do you have to be at work?” he asked in that growly voice.

“Soon,” I admitted.

He looked so torn on what to do. I didn’t think we’d seal our bond right away, but with my mind made up, it wouldn’t bother me if we did.

The bathroom mirror was fogged, and a thick steam hung in the air around us. I needed a shower and to get ready for work, but I wanted my mate. I took his hand and led him to the shower. With other thoughts on my mind, I grabbed the shampoo and quickly got to work washing my hair.

Luke groaned as he took the bar of soap and lathered up his hands. As I closed my eyes to rinse the shampoo, his large calloused hands began to rub across my body, washing me. A moan of pleasure escaped as his hands became more certain with their explorations.

It wasn’t long before my legs began to wobble. He snaked an arm around my waist to hold me upright. His mouth started to move where his hands had been, and I withered at his touch. He started at my neck, down my shoulder, then lower to capture my breast, first one then the other. I thought I was going to explode, and then his hand slid down along my stomach, dipping lower until every one of my senses was on high alert and at his mercy.

His mouth made its way back up to find mine. Our tongues swirled as his hand continued its ministrations. I threw my head back and moaned again. He smiled against my lips.

“You have no idea how sexy you are right now. It’s taking everything in my power not to claim you right here.”

“What’s stopping you?” I asked in a ragged breath.

“Our first time together won’t be rushed in a shower, and I’m damn well going to take my time when I finally do claim you.”

I sobered slightly and my eyes widened as I stared into his. “So what? This is just a tease then?”

He laughed and I could feel it vibrate through his body. That alone was almost my undoing. He leaned down and kissed me again.

“I promise you sweetheart, I’m no tease,” he said with equal parts warning and promise.

A shiver ran up my spine as his hand picked up speed. “Oh,” I whimpered as my breathing turned to short pants.

He gave me a devilish grin. “Come for me, sweetheart,” he said in a strained voice.

My fingernails dug into his back as I clung to his body. My muscles coiled tightly until he hit, just the right spot, and everything released. It was so intense I thought I might black out. He kept working my body until my spasms subsided, drawing out the biggest orgasm of my life.

He rinsed me off, then carried me out of the shower. My body was still shaky, and I was breathless and unable to speak.

He laid me out on the bed. I was fully exposed to him. He looked torn on what to do as he glanced at the clock and then back to me half a dozen times.

“Shit! This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, and that’s saying something, but you need to get dressed and get to work.”

I smiled at up at him and burst out laughing.

“You looked so pained just saying that.”

“Sweetheart, seeing you like this is taking every ounce of self-control to do what’s best for you, and not just take everything I want right now.” The intensity in his voice set my body on fire again and I understood that if things went any further, I was not going to be opening the store today, at all.

“Dammit, why today of all days? I’m only open until noon, which means I might get my last customer out before five. Christmas Eve is always a big sales day. I can’t not open,” I whined.

Luke was already reaching for his jeans to get dressed. I groaned in disappointment. With his clothes back on, he reached down and took my hand, yanking me up off the bed and pressing me into his body. He tilted my chin up and kissed me.

“No regrets. Get dressed and ready for work. I’ll make coffee.”

With one last chaste kiss, he left the room.