Page 6 of The Naughty List

“You’re what? No, no. Absolutely not!” I say as I take the toast from him and take a bite. I continue to shake my head as I swallow it down.

Damon leans back against the counter across from me, crossing his arms over his chest as I continue eating. I stare at him, his silence and direct eye contact making me uncomfortable. Dammit, why does he look so sexy standing there like that?

“Are you going to say anything?” I finally ask, overwhelmed by my discomfort.

He doesn’t say a word, just hands me three Advil. I take them and finish the rest of my toast as he reaches forward and takes the plate from me. He places it in the sink and then slowly walks over to me. He spins the barstool around so that I’m facing him and then reaches down, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. He wordlessly leads me down the hallway and into the bathroom.

“This is weird; what are you doing?” I ask as he reaches his arm into my shower and turns the water on.

“Your parents’ house is just over three hours away. We have about twenty minutes to get on the road before we’re behind schedule. So get in the shower while I pack you a bag.”

I point a finger in his face. “You are not packing my bag! Creep, you’ll probably touch all my underwear or something.” I narrow my eyes on him as he takes a step toward me and I take a step back. My back hits the countertop and I reach my hands out behind me to brace myself.

“Am I going to have to help you undress too?” He cocks his head to one side as his eyes lazily roam up my body.

What the fuck? I instinctively throw my arms over my chest to cover myself as if this giant turtleneck isn’t already doing that for me.

“Get out!” I bark at him as I point toward the door. Once he exits, I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding and lean against the door. A smile involuntarily spreads across my face and my lower belly tightens when I think about the look that was on his face as he looked me up and down. The way my body responded was a surprise too, the tingling between my thighs.

“Oh God. Ew! Nope,” I say to myself before clamping my hand over my mouth and shaking my head back and forth. I will not be another woman to fall prey to Damon Wells and his manwhore ways. Gross!

I pull my shirt over my head and slide Marge’s skirt down my thighs. I finish getting undressed before stepping into the shower and scrubbing myself from head to toe. It’s only now I realize that I never showered after being covered in coffee, Chicago street slush, and train germs.

After I shower and feel somewhat human again, I crack open the bathroom door and look around to make sure Damon isn’t creeping on me before darting across the hall into my bedroom. I pull a pair of oversized jeans on and one of my favorite holiday sweaters, a cat wearing a Santa hat that says ‘Meowy Christmas.’

“Did you borrow that from Marge too?” Damon asks, eyeing me over the lip of his coffee cup.

“Did you make coffee?” I ignore his comment and walk over to the fresh pot of coffee on the counter.

“Here, poured you a cup already. Has milk, a splash of creamer, and a Splenda in it already.”

I eye him suspiciously as I bring the cup to my lips, hesitating before I take a sip. “You poison this? How do you know how I take my coffee?”

“We’ve worked together for over three years now, Kate; I know how you take your coffee.” He lets out a little snort and just shakes his head like I’m being ridiculous.

“And in those three years you’ve never once made me a cup of coffee.”

“No, that’s your job,” he says, pointing a finger at my chest. There it is, the elitist attitude I’ve come to know and hate from him.

“So anyway, about driving me home. While I truly appreciate the offer, it’s just unrealistic. Are you going to drive me there, then come all the way back here, then come pick me up again? That’s like twelve hours of driving over a few days and that’s without holiday traffic and Illinois snow. Plus, I cannot take you away from your family and holiday plans. And most importantly, I don’t want to spend the holidays with you. I’m afraid that you’ll suck all the joy out and get us permanently blacklisted from Santa’s nice list.” I tack on the last part just to remind him that spending time with him is about as much fun as getting a pelvic exam.

“Come on, let’s go,” he says, completely ignoring everything I just said and taking my only half-drunk cup of coffee right from my lips.

“Hey, I’m drinking that!” I say as I lunge for it but he blocks me with his forearm.

“We’ll get more on the way.” He rinses both our cups out and then marches over to the front door, pulling it open. “Kate,” he barks loudly and gestures for me to walk out the door.

“Are you hearing me right now? What the hell is your problem, Damon? I told you I’m not going and I don’t even have a bag or anything ready.” I place my hands on my hips and dig my heels into the ground.

“I told you I would pack your bag and I did; it’s already in the car with your purse and I have your keys. So I’m not going to tell you again.” He dangles the keys in front of me, his voice lowering with his last statement. I don’t respond; I just stand there with my biggest fuck you expression on my face.

Before I can register what’s happening, Damon takes two large strides toward me and picks me up, tossing me over his shoulder before spinning around and marching through the door.

“Put me down, you psychopath!” I scream as I beat against his back. It doesn’t faze him; he slams the door and locks it before heading down the stairs. He tightens his grips around my waist and I feel his bicep flex against me. I’ve never seen Damon out of clothes, but damn does he feel built. His imposing six-foot-three frame lends to his dominant demeanor but knowing he’s rock-solid as well… My thoughts come to a screeching halt when I remember what’s actually happening right now.

“This is kidnapping! Help! I’m being kidnapped!” I wail as he kicks open the door to my building and marches us out onto the sidewalk.

“Nobody cares, sweetheart,” he says, smacking my ass and causing me to yelp in response.

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