Page 56 of A Festive Surprise

‘Does that mean we can watch Christmas movies tonight?’

‘Oh, get a grip,’ said Holly. ‘I definitely won’t last through one of them.’

But Farid’s powers of persuasion were almost as good as his under-the-covers skills… and his barista skills, and his coding skills. Seriously, was there anything he couldn’t do? Reluctantly Holly agreed to watch A Christmas Carol, on the strict instruction Farid wouldn’t refer to her as a Scrooge afterwards.

Lying in his arms as he stroked her hair, kissed her and caressed her was distracting enough to make the film bearable.

‘How about Mrs Scrooge?’ he whispered.

‘Shut up.’

He chuckled, rubbing his hand down the inside of her pyjama bottoms and teasing her thigh. Two could play at this game. She mirrored the move and he shifted, trying hard to keep his eyes on the TV, but she had his attention.

He groaned. ‘Jamilati, patience, please.’

‘I told you before, that’s not my best virtue.’

‘Do you have any?’ He smirked.

‘No, I’m much better at sins. Wrath, greed, envy… lust.’ She kept her eye on him as she spoke.

‘Holly, stop it.’ He clamped his hand over hers to prevent her from moving it. ‘Let’s watch the end. It’s nearly done.’

She nuzzled into him. The end of the film couldn’t come soon enough. The second the credits started rolling, she pounced on the remote and switched off the TV. Flinging the remote away, she straddled Farid’s lap. ‘Can I have you now?’

‘I’m all yours, Mrs Scrooge.’

‘Don’t call me that.’ She pushed his shoulders back, pinning him to the sofa.

He laughed. ‘I love it when you talk like that, jamilati.’

She dipped in and kissed his neck. His skin was rough with stubble against her lips. ‘You’re such a hot bastard.’ She continued up his neck and nibbled his earlobe.

Farid shifted underneath her, then wrapped his arms around her bottom, and she squealed. Then, to her shock, he pushed onto his feet, taking her with him.

‘Christ, you’re so strong.’

‘You’re like a twig,’ he said. ‘And I’ve been lifting logs all day. I promise you weigh nothing, jamilati.’

‘Where are we going?’

‘Bed.’

∞∞∞

Wrapped in Farid’s arms, Holly didn’t want to move. His hot slab of a body beneath her was perfect, like he’d been cut to fit her exactly. And not just his physique, his soul was a perfect match for hers too. The physical pleasure of their encounters was intense but so much more was going on here. He sighed and his hands moved over her back; one grasped her shoulder and the other cupped her bottom.

‘Bahebek,jamilati,’ he whispered.

‘Merry Christmas.’ The words tripped off her tongue. Hmm. They weren’t the ones she really wanted to say but they’d have to do. The others were… Well, no. She couldn’t. She mustn’t even think them.

‘Holly.’

‘Yes.’

‘I must tell you something.’

With an effort, she prised herself off him and rolled onto the bed beside him. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it over them, pressing her against his hot skin.

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