Page 59 of Her Purr-fect Christmas Mate

Mordecai groaned. “Don’t give it ideas.”

“Speaking of ideas…” She had that look in her eyes again. The one that made it very hard to concentrate on anything except how fast he could take her clothes off. He slid one finger beneath her collar, and she licked her lips. “This is a very quiet sort of hiding place you’ve parked us in. Anyone might think you had nefarious intentions, Mr. Leith.”

“They would be correct.”

“How terrifying.” She grinned at him, smug and cat-like, and cupped him through his straining trousers. “I should remind you that we’re already running late. Or… maybe I’m the one who lured you out here, to have my wicked way with you.”

“What way would that be?”

“A way that puts you completely in my power.” She worked his fly open and pulled him out, her grip intoxicatingly sure as she stroked along his length. “I promise not to bite.”

He wasn’t sure what noise he made, but it certainly wasn’t words. Her mouth was hot and wet. She sucked him in. His thoughts dissolved. The things she was doing with her mouth, her hand, her tongue…

He bunched a hand in her hair. The reply that shot through their connection was instant and white-hot with desire.Yes.

He controlled the pace, and she controlled everything else. How hard, how deep, the hot suction of her mouth or the teasing stroke of her tongue. She kept him on the edge until white lights blinked behind his eyes. All his defenses were down.

And so were his mate’s. Peony’s desire enveloped him, hooked him, drew him in, and wound around him with relentless, urgent need. Her want, her wonder, her sheer joy at the noises he was making and the taste and feel of him and the fact that he washerswas too much.

He clenched his fist in her hair. “Peony—”

She took him in to the hilt as his hips bucked. Her heat and joy and eagerness pulled his climax from him, and she swallowed him down, leaving him breathless and floating and empty-headed.

Thoughts slowly returned.Mine. She’s mine.

*Yes. And you’re mine. And now that I’ve got you, there’s no way I’m letting you go.*She nestled against him. Her kisses were light as a feather and hot as fire, and soft and sweet as the flowers she was named for.

His hands found their way under her dress and found her soaking wet. She came, shuddering, at the first explorative press of his fingers.

“Merry Christmas, my love.”

They missed dinner by hours.

15

Peony

Forgetworryingaboutgettingto her family Christmas and having to deal with all their questions aboutnotfinding her mate.

Now she’d found him, she got all new worries! Like getting to family Christmas at all.

Andthendealing with their questions. All new, exciting, embarrassing questions.

Fucking half the evening away in the car had seemed like a great idea at the time. After the post-coital haze had faded (for the fifth or sixth time—she’d lost count)? Not so much.

“They’re going to know,” she wailed as Mordecai drove up the path to her family home. “My parents are going. To know.Exactlywhy we’re late.”

He shot her an entirely too smug look. “Aren’t you a little old to be this embarrassed about your parents knowing you have a sex life?”

“Just . . . shh. Don’t be sensible. Let me have my horrible emotions.”

Wickedness flickered in his eyes. “You’re sure you wouldn’t prefer a distraction?”

“Behave.” She let out a bone-deep sigh that started off annoyed and ended up languid and satisfied. “For a few hours, at least. Until we can bunk off.”

Mordecai chuckled. “Any last warnings before we arrive?”

“Can’t remember. Sorry. If you wanted warnings, you shouldn’t have screwed my brains out in the back of the car. Or the front of the car. Or . . .” She waved a lazy hand. “All the places. You remember.”

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