Page 12 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
The fuck is going on?
“That’s a shame. Another time,” he whispers, low and deep.
The sound goes straight to my clit, my pussy throbbing as I think of all the other things he could say to me in that tone.
Line, Maddie. Draw. That. Damn. Line.
“Uh, huh,” I mutter, swallowing.
A finger trails gently down my arm. It’s almost like the touch isn’t there, but I know it is. I can feel soft sparks igniting along my skin and know they can only be from him.
Parker chuckles softly, his breath fanning my neck. He has such a profound effect on my body, and I’m at a loss as to what to do. This isn’t something I’ve ever experienced before. I mean, I’ve fooled around with ex-boyfriends, but the way my body lights up with Parker? I’ve never experiencedthatbefore.
He takes a step back, and I become disoriented, stumbling slightly at his abrupt movements. I face him slowly, heart pounding. How has he managed to stir something inside me that no one else ever has?
“Enjoy tonight, Maddie,” he murmurs. “I’ll get my dinner date soon enough.” He gives me a wink and saunters off, leaving me gasping for air and my panties completely soaked.
So much for drawing that line.
Chapter Eight
MADDIE
“Ihate Christmas,” I grumble to Zoey as I sink my fourth shot in an hour, my mood worsening.
Tipping her glass in salute, she deadpans, “Really? I had no clue.”
“I hate you. Don’t speak to me,” I reply jokingly.
After I told Parker I couldn’t have dinner with him, I finished up at the rec center and needed to decompress. Not one for wandering around—I’m usually only ever at home or the bookstore—I saw the lights for Harry’s Bar and made my way in. I’d been sitting here for about an hour before Zoey walked in. She took one look at me sitting by myself and hasn’t left since.
“So, you gonna tell me what’s got you all bent out of shape?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“More than usual,” she clarifies with a laugh, her pink hair gleaming in the low light of the bar. “You’re like the town's version ofThe Grinch.”
I lean back in my chair,sipping my fruity cocktail. “Hey, don’t knock one of the greats. Dr. Seuss was onto something when he wroteThe Grinch. Christmas sucks.”
Now it’s Zoey’s turn to raise an eyebrow at me. “You ever gonna tell me why?”
I blow out a breath, swirling the alcohol around in my glass. “Doesn’t matter. Just wish it wasn’t rammed down our throats every year,” I mutter, downing the rest of my drink.
“You need to lighten up, get in the Christmas spirit,” she jokes, sensing my shift in mood.
I laugh, a full-bellied one. “Hell will freeze over the day that happens.”
Zoey smirks around her glass, her brown eyes twinkling with mischief. “Never say never, Maddie. Stranger things have happened.”
“Well, I’m saying never,” I state, rolling the empty glass around in my hand. “Not gonna happen.”
Zoey loves Christmas; it’s all she’s mentioned in the last couple of months leading up to it. I wish I could get into the Christmas spirit like she and so many others have, but I can’t. After one too many failed attempts at trying to enjoy the holidays, they just don’t stir up the emotions in me that they used to.
“Will you at least put up a tree this year?” she asks, but she already knows my answer from the disapproving look I give her.
I snort at the ridiculous notion. “Why? So it can be up for twenty-five days only to be put in the dumpster? I’d rather not waste my money.”
“I’ve never met anyone who dislikes Christmas as much as you do.” She giggles, one too many cocktails going to her head.
