Page 169 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

I press a kiss between her breasts, then trail down her abdomen to the waistband of her leggings. Hooking my fingers under the elastic on both sides, I slowly tug it over her hips, snagging her panties too. She lifts up so I can get them down toher thighs. Then I rise from the bed and pull them off the rest of the way.

She’s lying naked on her bed, her creamy skin standing out against the sea of her beige comforter, her short red-brown hair splayed around her head in loose, lovely waves.

“You look like a painting,” I say, looking down at her from the foot of her bed.

She flushes, and her hands lift. I can see that she’s dying to cover herself.

“Don’t you dare hide yourself from me,” I growl as I pull my shirt over my head and chuck it to the floor.

Her hands flutter to her sides.

I go stock-still and watch her face. “Mary,” I say gently. “We don’t have to do this.”

She raises herself up on her elbows, her expression one of affront. This is what Mary must look like in the courtroom, laying out a case. “No!”

“No, you don’t want to do this? Or, no, don’t stop?”

“Don’t stop,” she says, looking embarrassed to admit it.

“You know you can stop this at any time,” I say. “Right?”

Her expression softens, something flickering in her eyes. “I know, Jace.”

She trusts me. So few people do anymore, and the realization tightens something in my chest. Suddenly, I find it hard to take a breath.

I crawl onto the bed next to her, then slip a hand into her glossy hair and lightly kiss her lips. Even if I’m just her rebound, I’ll take this as a gift. Though I already know that tonight won’t be enough for me.

When I pull back, she stares up at me with a questioning look, as if realizing something has shifted.

I take in the view of her naked breasts and the mound between her legs. My blood turns molten again, and I look deeply into her eyes. “I need to taste you, Mary.”

She starts to say something, then stops. Nods.

Slowly, so as not to startle her, I move to the foot of her bed and spread her legs open before I lie between them. I place a kiss on the curve of her inner thigh, then trail my way up to the junction between her thighs. With a quick flick of my tongue, I lick her sensitive spot, and she releases a surprised moan. Grinning against her, I do it again, taking my time as I experiment to see what makes her squirm and whimper.

“Jace,” she calls out in what sounds like equal parts pleasure and bewilderment. I plunge two fingers into her slick heat, and her soft sounds rise an octave. “Oh…oh…”

I lick and suck, and Mary’s writhing like I wanted, but after several minutes, I can tell something’s holding her back. Pressing a kiss to her inner thigh, I give her a moment before I ask what she wants me to do differently, but she lifts her head with tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

Pressing another kiss to her soft skin, I look up at her. “Why are you apologizing?”

“It’s just…I’m taking so long…maybe you should just…”

I slide up her body, letting my bare chest skim up her soft skin, and give her a slow, leisurely kiss. Her head falls back against the pillow, and her body relaxes beneath me. Then I lift my head and brush my finger over her full bottom lip. “I’m in no hurry. We’ve got all night, and I’m learning what you like. Just relax and don’t worry that you’re taking too long to come. I love tasting you.”

She looks up at me as though I’ve just announced I have the cure for cancer.

“Do you like what I’ve been doing?” I ask with a grin. “Do you want to offer critique?”

Her eyes fly wide. She looks horrified. “You want me to critique you?”

“Going down on you?” I tease. “If it helps. My ego can take it. Just tell me if I need to move in one direction or the other. Faster or slower. Harder or softer. I want you to feel good, Mary. So tell me if I’m getting it wrong.”

“Oh,” she says breathlessly. “You’re getting it all right.”

I grin, my chest puffing up with pride. “Good to know.” I caress her cheek. “I know you have a lot on your mind—Aidan, work, and probably a million other things. Don’t add worrying that I might get frustrated to the list, because trust me, Mary—” I give her another deep kiss. “—I’m enjoying every. Single. Minute.”

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