Page 60 of Jerk Neighbor

“But that’s changed as of now.” He stepped towards her, his intentions clear.

Whoops.

“Five minutes is up,” she breathed. “Watch those hands!”

“One kiss, no hands.” He held them out at his sides. Damn, even they were gorgeous. But not as gorgeous as his hungrily parted lips.

“Kisses weren’t in the agreement.” She repeated it two more times as a mental refrain. Wondering all the while how the softness of those lips would feel with that late-night stubble, on her cheek, her breasts. Her thighs….

“You sure?” Stepping closer still.

“Sure enough.”

“You must be stronger than I am,” he whispered, very close now but stopping short of actually touching their mouths.

“Hercules strong.”

“You don’t sound so sure.” He licked those lips, and she could almost feel their wetness on her own.

“Dammit, I’m trying not to want this and you’re not helping right now.” Speaking brushed their lips. Together they groaned. She pulled back sharply.

He straightened. “Sorry. You’re right, it’s a bad idea. If I do kiss you, I’ll want it all. I want it all now.”

“I do too,” she grumbled. “This is entirely your fault.”

“I’m not the one looking edible in a dress, honeycrisp.”

Oh, but I am edible! Yes, lick me everywhere!

“So now apparently I have no clothing options that aren’t a problem.” She ticked her fingers, looking at him through her eyelashes. “Going without a bra, not allowed. Not wearing a suit, not allowed. Blue dress, not allowed. But you can wear a tux, which by the way is not your worst look.”

“Paula.” The way he stared at her mouth put an end to her playful flirtatiousness. “I want to see you tomorrow.”

“Uh, that’s Christmas Day.”

“Dinner. I’ll get something catered. What do you like?”

“Did you not hearChristmas?”

“If you want to celebrate the holiday, we can. I’ll cancel my plans if you cancel yours.”

“Oh, god, you are….” She shook her head and marched out to find her coat.

“I’ll call you then?”

“Yes! Okay! Yeesh. Yes.”

“Thank you, Paula Raymond.”

“Hmm.” She gathered up her coat and clutch and made a little bow. “All right, going now. Appreciate the invitation, Bastian Spencer. I had a surprisingly good time. You are forgiven for your past insults. Good-night.” And she opened the door and left before her urges made her do something she might regret.

Or worse, not regret.

PAULA LIFTED HER HEAD AND OPENEDher eyes to a blur of colorful lights. She rubbed her sore neck. Where on earth was she?

Slowly her blinky eyes focused. The only decorations in her condo were strings of lights along the ceiling of her living room. And she’d hung them way back in September, just because. They were gold and blue but programmed to add red on Christmas Day.

The sparkling red announced the date. But why was she here in the living room and not in her bedroom?

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