Page 14 of Starstruck with the Krampus

Behind the tree, Mr. Webber drones on and on about our company’s many accomplishments this year.

When Dominic moves his hands to my right thigh, I sway in place and clutch at his shoulder in support, groping blindly behind me. I’m panting, my heartbeat racing, but do I stop him? No, I do not.

He pulls the second stocking in place, but he doesn’t remove his hands from me. Instead, he squeezes my thigh more firmly. “I want to taste you. If we don’t leave this party in the next five minutes, I’ll have you right here. Is that what you want, Gianna?”

I think about it—him spinning me around and pushing me into the wall, then hiking up the skirt of my dress and sinking his cock into me—and he groans, his mouth hovering right over my shoulder. He presses a hot kiss to my skin, then bites me gently, not enough to hurt but a warning, nonetheless, to stop teasing him.

“I think he’s finally at the end of his speech,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “We can go straight after.”

His clawed hand slips up to the crease of my thigh. “This party would end much sooner if I dispatched all the sinners, you know.”

I let out a soft laugh. “No dispatching.”

He doesn’t agree with me, and the thrill of knowing that he’s barely leashing his violent side shouldn’t have such a powerful effect on me, but it does.

The guests and the hosts are saved by the end of Mr. Webber’s droning. A polite applause echoes around the room,chatter starting up again. Dominic slowly removes his hand from where it was skimming my ass and lowers the hem of my dress.

“There,” he says, “all better.”

I glower at him over my shoulder. I’m far frombetter. If he so much as touched my clit, I’d likely self-combust, and now I have to smile and nod at my coworkers as if nothing happened.

“Let’s go,” I growl, taking him by the cuff of his sleeve and tugging him in the general direction of the front door.

His low chuckle is for my ears only, but he allows me to lead him on. When we reach a cluster of slightly drunk partiers, he takes over, his hand hovering at the small of my back as he finds a path for us. From the corner of my eye, I see a flash of green, and when I meet Stacy’s gaze, she gives me a not-so-subtle wink and a thumbs-up. I can’t help but grin in return, becauseyes, this situation definitely deserves it.

We don’t stop to chat with the hosts. I was seen by most of my coworkers, I stayed here for the speeches, so I did my part. It’s Christmas Eve, after all, and I’m human. I should have had this evening off by all accounts—but I’m glad now that I attended this party, even if it started off so badly.

Dominic takes the cloakroom chip from me and collects our coats, then holds mine out for me like an old-school gentleman. I want to tease him for being so old-fashioned, then realize it’s an excuse for him to sniff my hair, which sends another wave of lust through me.

Then we’re out the door. The snow hasn’t let up one bit, and the snowflakes flutter around the torches lining the driveway. I shiver in the cold air, but it does nothing to dampen my need—it only serves to sharpen my senses and chase away the fug of the stale party air. Dominic notices me wobbling on my heels on the path, which is now covered with an inch of snow, and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“My car is just down the street,” he tells me. “Are you okay to walk or do you want me to get it while you wait here?”

I press myself closer to his side and glance around, wondering if Brandon has already left the house. “I can walk.”

My foot slips out from under me the moment I say this, and I cling to Dominic’s coat for support. He stares down at me for a beat, then turns so we’re facing each other, dips down, and scoops me up into his arms.

“Oh!” I scrabble to hold on to his shoulders. “You don’t have to?—”

He gives me that smirking smile and a little squeeze. “But I want to.”

And he carries me off into the night.

CHAPTER 7

DOMINIC

Gianna feels like heaven in my arms. For a mad second, I consider leaving the car where it is and carrying her all the way to my house so I can indulge in holding her like this for longer. Then I trace my thumb over the sheer fabric of her tights, and I give myself a firm mental smack. She’s human, and I need to get her out of the cold as soon as possible. My kind were made for this weather, for snow and ice and darkness, but Gianna needs warmth.

I can give her that at least.

My car materializes out of the gloom, covered with a layer of white. I set my precious charge on her feet by the passenger-side door and open it for her. Then I dip in on the driver’s side and turn on the heat for her, including the seat warmer. I’ve never used the function before, but I’m glad my German-made machine has it.

She looks so cute, wrapped in her thick scarf and cloak, her nose pink, that I can’t resist kissing her again. Her lips part in surprise, but a second later, she responds with that passion Iknew she has in her—she grips the collar of my coat and tugs me down, then meets my tongue with hers, licking me shyly.

When I lift my head, I’m breathing hard, and Gianna’s eyes are glossy with need. I growl, then shut the door on her because I need to get us moving, not devour her right here, where she could get chilled and catch a cold.

By the time I slide into my seat and start the car, I’ve cooled down enough. But when I glance at Gianna, she’s staring at me, her head cocked to the side, as if she’s listening to the engine.

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