Page 26 of Flirting with the Scrooge

“Honestly… the best I’ve ever had. It was an orgasm trifecta. Fingers. Tongue. And cock.” I hold up a finger for each one I tick off.

“Damn, he really wanted to impress you. Well, why are you here talking to me? Get your ass over there and do it again!”

I flop onto the couch without spilling my wine. “It all feels so complicated.”

As she walks into the living room, she sets the box on the end table and drops to the cushion next to me. “Why is it complicated? You’re both adults.”

“Okay. Maybe not complicated, but awkward.” I take a sip of my wine and then rehash all of yesterday’s events. Starting with the power outage, him inviting me to his house, talking, the kiss, the sex, and then the most awkward goodbye known to man.

“If you ask me, the best way to get over an awkward situation is to go do it again, so you stop thinking about the awkwardness.”

“Maybe.” But I can’t deny all I want to do is kiss the scroogeness off his face. Again.

“No maybe. Just do it. But I gotta go.” She rises to her feet. “Dinner with Ledger’s fam. Also, those are all the invites to our Christmas party. Thanks for stuffing them.” She points to the box on the end table.

“No problem. I don’t have anything else to do anyway.” Besides sit here in self-pity and fantasize about my neighbor. I climb off the couch and walk her to the door.

“We’ll chat later.” The door softly clicks behind her.

I eye the box. Might as well put on a movie and get to work. While Hallmark Christmas movies play in the background, I sit cross-legged on the floor stuffing all the invites for our charity gala. Stuff the envelope. Wet the flap. Seal it closed. Repeat. With each action, my mind wanders. Stuff. The way his long, thick cock stretched and stuffed me full. Wet. How aroused I was when Connor spread me out on his couch. The scrape of his beard on my inner thighs as his tongue lapped at my pussy. Seal. How he crawled up my body and sealed his lips to mine in a scorching kiss. Repeat. And I want a repeat. All of it. I continue to daydream while stuffing the rest of the invites.

When I’m finished, I lay down on the floor. Ugh! This is sexual frustration at its worst.

FIFTEEN

WHO’S THE STALKER NOW?

Tatum

Twinkle lights dance in front of me as I come to a stop. My gaze travels from the base and zigzags over the gold, red, and green sparkly ornaments all the way to the bright gold star at the top of the fifteen-foot Christmas tree. One of my favorite things to do when I come to the mall during the holidays is stop and admire the tree. Next to it is a smaller tree with Stocking Wish Lists where local kids get to wish for presents and community members fulfill those wishes. I pluck two tags off the tree. Since I’m buying toys for The Lilith House toy drive, might as well buy a few more.

The gleaming holiday lights and tinsel fill every storefront window, casting a warm and colorful glow down the walkway. Iridescent white and blue snowflakes hang from the ceiling, simulating falling snow. Echoes of laughter and joyful chatter are accompanied by the festive melody of Christmas music playing in the background as children race from one side of the walkway to the other in a race to get to the next toy store. Most people hate the mall during the holidays, but I love it. This is my happy place. Nothing can ruin it.

“Tatum?”

I whirl around and all the holly jolly drains from my face. This isn’t what I need right now.

“Adam. Hi.” Damn it. Why does he have to look so good right now? Why can’t he be wearing sweatpants and a hoodie instead of pressed slacks that pair perfectly with his wool peacoat? While I’m not wearing pajamas, if I knew I would run into him, I would have picked something better than leggings and knee-high boots. Especially since I know how much he hates them.

“It’s good to see you.” He flashes me his dazzling half smile. It’s the same one that made me fall for him all those years ago.

“You too.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “You look good.” I inwardly cringe. Really, did I just tell him that?

He chuckles. “Thanks.” There’s an awkward pause. “So, we got your mom’s invite to her Under the Mistletoe event at the office, but we can’t make it.”

“We?”

“Me and Lindsey. Her parents are in town for an early holiday.”

“Oh, gosh.” I wave my hand between us. “Don’t worry about it. It’s only one of many events. Speaking of which, you must come to the event my sister and I are hosting.” I mentally punch myself. What the hell am I thinking? Am I having an out of body experience and it’s someone else who’s talking? No way in my right mind would I willingly invite both Adam and Lindsey to my event.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yes. Both of you. You and Lindsey.” I pull open my purse and pull out an invitation. “You definitely have to come.” What the hell? Why can’t I stop talking? More importantly, why isn’t there anyone around to supervise me right now?

Lindsey strolls up behind Adam, wrapping her arm around his waist. “Hey honey. What do you have there?” Her voice is smooth and seductive and perfectly matches her flawless skin.

I tug my coat tighter around me.

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