Page 10 of A Christmas Kiss

“You taste like the sweetest heaven,” he murmured, leaning his forehead against hers. “I can’t believe I’m touching you like this. I’ve dreamed about it for so long.”

Emma covered the hand still holding her breast, her face turning up to his. “I’ve dreamed of this too, Maddox, but what if….”

His lips touched hers gently, cutting off her words. “No buts or ifs, Emma.” His hand moved from her breast to capture her fingers in his. “I’m in love with you. I have been for a very long time. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid of ruining our friendship.”

Emma nodded, tears forming in her eyes at his declaration. “I feel the same way, Maddox. I…” she closed her eyes briefly, “I’ve loved you for so long.”

Maddox stood, holding out his hand. “Will you come with me, Emma? Will you let me love you the way I’ve dreamed about for so long?”

On shaky legs, Emma stood, taking his extended hand. She could only nod, following silently with her heart beating wildly as he led her to his bedroom. She couldn’t believe this was finally happening. Finally, her wildest dream was being realized.

She stopped him when he reached for the light. “I like the moonlight.”

Outside, the snow had stopped, and a brilliant three-quarter moon shone through the bank of windows overlooking the city lights. The big bed in the center of the room was just as Emma remembered, although the covers were slightly crumpled.

Maddox followed her gaze. “I wasn’t expecting company.” He shrugged. “I haven’t been sleeping well lately.” His hand grazed her arm. “I’ve been having these…dreams.”

“Yeah,” Emma stepped closer, reaching up to push a hand through his thick hair like she’d always dreamed of doing. “Was I in them?”

“You were the star, honey,” he said huskily, reaching for her.

“So kiss me, Maddox, before I explode.”

There was nothing sweet or slow about the kiss this time. It was pure need. Long awaited need. His mouth captured hers, his tongue exploring at will.

Emma lost all sense of time and place. She was overwhelmed by the sheer essence of the man in her arms. His smell—slightly woodsy and all male. His feel—powerful, passionate, and confident. His taste—slightly sweet from the champagne they’d had downstairs and something that was indefinably intoxicatingly Maddox.

She snuggled closer into his arms. He groaned and pulled her tighter. They bit, nipped, and dove into each other’s mouths, taking, tasting, and sharing.

His hands raced up and down her back, his hips pressed so intimately against her waist that she could feel the evidence of his arousal burning into her. “I need you naked, Emma. Now,” he gasped.

In a giddy blur, they undressed one another, fumbling with buttons and zippers. Kissing, touching, stumbling, they made it to the bed, where he lifted her with ease. Depositing her in the center of the bed, Maddox stood back, gazing down at her with the look of a man suddenly present with everything he’d ever wanted.

“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Emma, for the first time in her life, reveled in her curves, allowed herself to be seen. She couldn’t feel anything but beautiful as Maddox worshipped her with his eyes. Holding open her arms, she reached for him. “Love me, Maddox.”

He joined her on the bed, letting his hands worship her as his eyes had. Lowering his head, his lips found her breast, feasting on the tender flesh like a starving man. He traced the rounded underside, then teased the hard nipple with his tongue and teeth. Her hips bucked up, grinding into him.

“Please,” she begged.

“Oh, I intend to please us both, honey.” His mouth switched to the other breast, and he repeated the arousing torment. Under him, Emma writhed and moaned, her hands sliding over his body in a way that had him near the breaking point. His hand moved down her body, between her legs, pressing the heel of his palm against her mound.

Emma bucked, almost coming off the bed. She placed her hand on his, begging for more of his touch. When his hand moved further between her thighs, his finger finding and circling the small bud, Emma lifted her leg over his, allowing him deeper access. With a groan, she reached for him. Circling his strong erection, she closed around him, gliding her hand up and down his hard length.

“Oh, Emma!” His hips lifted off the mattress. “I can’t take anymore. I’m going to explode.” He reached for her, dragging her under him. “I need to be inside of you when that happens.” He lowered his body slowly, achingly, until he was seated at her entrance. With barely held patience, he slid inside her, groaning at the achingly sweet sensation of finally loving Emma.

Emma drew in a sharp breath, savoring the stretching, burning sensation of being filled by Maddox and surrounded by him. Closing her eyes, she moved with him, matching the slow pace he set. They moved together, their breath raspy, their groans of delight breaking the silence. Faster, faster, they moved, sweat pooling on their bodies as they strove together for the pinnacle.

She was growing tight, her body pulsating. Maddox reached between them, where their bodies joined. His fingers found her sensitive nub and massaging it, he pounded into her harder.

Emma shattered, screaming his name.

Maddox kissed her lips, her eyes, her mouth, loving her until she calmed. When she opened her eyes to look at him, he smiled down at her. “Hold on, baby.”

He lifted his hips until only the tip of his erection was still inside her. Emma reached up at the loss, pulling him back to her. She cried out as he entered her, climaxing all over again. Maddox groaned her name, falling into her, joining her in a pleasure so intense, it went beyond anything he’d ever experienced.

Emma woke slowly, the watery sunlight filtering through the windows, making her close her eyes with a groan. With a yawn, her lids lifted once more, and she focused on keeping them open with effort. She was still sleepy—she certainly hadn’t slept much last night.

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