Page 58 of Mistletoe Kisses

Chapter25

Arlo

Lucas unlockedthe door and gestured for me to go ahead of him. He casually swatted my butt as he passed to put our dinner leftovers in the fridge and chatted about the gifts he still needed to get for Christmas.

I watched him move around his kitchen and pour us glasses of water as my brain tried to catch up with the pounding in my heart. The way Lucas casually interacted with me, how he treated me like we were close, comfortable with each other—it baffled me because it felt genuine. In a little over a week, we’d built a bond I hadn’t thought I was capable of having with anyone other than Keaton.

For the first time in a really, really, really long time, I could imagine having a relationship beyond friendship with someone. Was it our short time together or the nature of my being out of my comfort zone while on vacation that helped me attach to him? It had to be something unusual, right?

Or maybe it’s just Lucas.

Lucas continued chatting about his shopping plans as he handed me a glass. He kissed my cheek and let his hand drag down my arm, fingers brushing mine before he walked over to the couch. The casual touch electrified me.

He plopped onto a cushion. “Want to watch TV? What do you usually enjoy?”

I looked between Lucas and the TV and gnawed on my lip. Lucas watched me curiously but didn’t push. He patiently waited me out.

If I were bolder like Keaton, I would take what I wanted, and I wanted Lucas.

I blew out a puff of air and walked over to the couch. If only I were someone who could stride because that would’ve been much cooler. When I reached Lucas, I stopped and looked down at him and his lap. A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back on the couch and dropped his hands to his sides. Again, waiting me out, coaxing me to come to him like a scared kitten.

I want this. I want him. Just do it.

I straddled his lap and draped my arms over Lucas’s shoulders.

“Hey there, sexy.”

My skin had to be as bright as my hair, but I forced myself not to avoid his penetrating stare. “Hi.”

“God, I could eat you up. You’re so fucking cute.” Lucas wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tighter against him. My groin brushed his as I settled.

I didn’t know what to do next, so I kissed him. I didn’t have practice with making the first move, but Lucas inspired me to try new things. The press of my lips was nice but sweeter than I wanted. I didn’t know how to show the hunger I felt. My brain was still too engaged.

Lucas cupped the back of my head and maneuvered me onto my back on the couch. He loomed over me. I sighed happily as he stared down at me, which made him smile even wider. Lucas dove in and kissed me with the passion I craved.

My nerves fired under his attention. His fingertips grazed the sensitive skin over my hips as he ground into me. The way Lucas kissed me stole my breath. I wanted more, so much more, but I didn’t know how to ask for it.

“I want…”

Lucas pulled back and stared at me, running his fingers through my hair. “What do you want, Arlo?”

The way he said my name made me squirm. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“Do you want me to touch you all over?”

I nodded.

“With my hands?” He pushed his palm underneath my shirt, up the center of my stomach to rest between my pecs.

I nodded again.

“With my mouth?” He pushed the fabric until he kissed where his hand had been.

I nodded a third time, but he caught my chin. “I need your words, sweetheart.”

I melted like a snowball in the sun. “Yes, please.”

“So polite.” His confident smile sucked me in as he undid the button on my jeans.

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