12 Christmas Romances To Melt Your Heart (56 page)

S
he felt
her face heat as he held up the condom. A shiver of excitement raced through her body as he pulled her close. His mouth trailed kisses down her neck. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled him close. He sucked on the sensitive spot in the crook of her neck.

He found her mouth again and skirted his fingers under her sweater. She pulled back and lifted the hem and tugged the sweater over her head. His eyes widened with desire as his gaze dipped to her pink, lacy bra.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and sunk into his embrace as he kissed her.

It was a flurry of shedding clothes and inhibitions. She tugged off her shoes and jeans as well as her bra. He took off his jeans, boots, and shirt. When it was done, they stood before each other in nothing but boxers and panties.

She took a breath and stepped into his warmth. They were flesh against flesh, and she arched her hips into his, feeling his erection against her stomach.

“Jake,” she whispered as his fingers slipped inside her damp panties. She clung to him as he teased the sensitive flesh between her legs. “Now.” She tugged his underwear down past his hips. His erection sprang free, and she wrapped her fingers around the length.

“Jesus,” he moaned and thrust into her palm. “Easy, sweetheart.” He moved her hand and grabbed the condom. In one swift move, he sheathed himself. Tugging her into his arms, he kissed her. His hands slid to her bottom and lifted.

She wrapped her legs around his waist. His mouth found hers as he teased her with his tongue. She reached between their bodies and guided his erection to her wet entrance. She looked into his eyes as he slid inside her body.

Pleasure shook her body as he stretched and filled her. He clenched his jaw as he tried to go slow. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders as she moaned out his name.

“Jesus, Eliza.” His breathing was labored as he gripped her hips. “You feel so damn good.” He slid out before thrusting back in.

“Yes, don’t stop,” she whimpered as she found his mouth and sucked on his tongue.

It was more than she’d imagined and better than she could dream. Pleasure tingled and sparked through her body like a live wire as he continued to thrust. His mouth licked and sucked her taut nipple into his mouth as he leaned her back against the seat of the booth. She held his head to her breast writhing underneath his hard body.

In a blizzard of pleasure, her orgasm washed over her, cresting so hard she cried out as she dug her nails into his back. An explosion of sound seemed to echo in the room. He continued to thrust, harder and deeper, until she’d ridden her own climax out and she was nothing but a puddle in his arms.

She looked into his eyes as he groaned out his own orgasm, thrusting deep inside her and gripping her hips.

He clung to her, their bodies both glistening with sweat.

He frowned as the shrill noise continued to wail.

“Damn. I think that’s the smoke alarm. We forgot about the lasagna.” He chuckled and looked back at her.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. The tenderness she saw had tears welling up in her eyes.

“Don’t cry.” He brushed an escaped tear from the corner of her eyes with his thumb. “Did I hurt you?” His eyes narrowed in horror and concern.

“No, of course not.” She shook her head and blinked. “I’m just really overwhelmed.”

“I know.” His expression relaxed, and he kissed her lips. “I need to tell you something.”

“What?” Her heart froze. Did he think this was a mistake? That she was a mistake?

“I don’t want you to date anyone else. I want an exclusive relationship with you and you alone.” He caressed her cheek as he stared down at her.

“You do?”

“Yes, I do. I’ll settle for that for right now. But I want you forever. I’ve always wanted you. And if I didn’t think you’d freak out, I’d pop the question right now.”

Her eyes widened. She wasn’t sure what to say.

He laughed. “Don’t worry. I don’t have a ring in my pocket.” He winked. “Yet.”

She laughed and pulled him down for a kiss. He held back and looked into her eyes.

“You didn’t answer my question. Will you date only me?”

Her heart swelled with so much love she felt she could fly. “Yes, Jake. I promise to date you and only you.”

He grinned and covered her mouth with a breath-stealing kiss. Her body stirred to life as the kiss grew more demanding.

“Anyone in here?” A male voice from the kitchen called out.

Eliza grasped and tried to shove Jake off to gather her clothes. He cursed and stood up. She managed to grab the nearest article of clothing, his shirt, and to shove her arms in the sleeves before Mitch and Sloan burst through the swinging kitchen doors.

“Jake, what are you and Eliza…” Sloan Jackson’s voice trailed off just as Jake slid his jeans over his hips.

“Well, looks like they are doing more than just trying to burn the kitchen down with lasagna.” Mitch snorted.

Eliza turned ten shades of red as she tried to cover herself with Jake’s oversized shirt.

“Shut it, Mitch.” Jake narrowed his eyes and shoved her behind him.

“What are you two doing in here, anyway?” Sloan kept his eyes to the ceiling, while Mitch didn’t attempt to conceal his amusement.

“We got trapped. Mrs. Wentworth put a padlock on the door and the electricity and phone line went out. Neither of us had our cell phones, so we couldn’t call for help.” Jake cocked his head. “How did you know we were here?”

“We didn’t.” Sloan shook his head. “We were driving by and we saw the candles in the window. We were going to cut the padlock off the door, but the fire department beat us to it.”

“The fire department is here?” Eliza croaked out.

“Yeah, apparently someone burned lasagna and the smoke alarm went off alerting the fire department.” Sloan nodded toward the kitchen. “They’re in the kitchen unsuccessfully resuscitating burned lasagna. Better get dressed before they bust in here.”

The two headed back into the kitchen, and Eliza wasted no time putting her clothes back on. Jake followed suit.

She looked around for Miss Kitty and froze when she saw that Jake was holding her cat in his arms.

“I think that since we will be snowbound for the next few days, you should stay with me.” He grinned, making her heart melt like caramel.

“Hmm. What about Miss Kitty? All her stuff is at my house.”

“Good thinking. Then I’ll come to your house. That is, if you don’t mind.” He stepped into her space and captured her hand in his.

Her heart caught in her chest as she stared up at him. “I don’t mind, but you don’t have any clothes there.”

He grinned and pulled her close. “I don’t plan on needing any clothes.”

She reached up on tiptoes and kissed him hard. Miss Kitty let out a loud meow, letting Eliza know she was being squished. When she pulled back, she nodded.

He grabbed his coat and put it across her shoulders before walking through the kitchen. A few of the firemen gave them curious stares, but she ignored them.

She was headed for a different future, and she knew it in her heart. Stepping out into the snow, she didn’t really notice the cold as Jake held her close.

This Christmas given her something she would never forget.

The promise of love.

J
odi is
the author of the RISE OF THE ARKANSAS WEREWOLVES series and writes paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance. Born and raised in Mississippi, her deep Southern roots and love of the paranormal led her to write Southern Paranormal novels. When she is not conversing with characters in her head, she can be found at her home in Northeast Arkansas with her handsome husband, brilliant son, a temperamental swan, and yellow lab that is fond of retrieving turtles when duck season is over.

A
ll books available on Amazon
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http://jodivaughn.com
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