Page 31 of Bought By Santa

Ignoring the sliver of fear running down my spine, I huff, “You said that if I fuck up, my sister will pay the price, and you said that for a reason.”

“Which is?” he clips.

“You know I’ll do anything for her,” I admit. “So you know I won’t put her in danger.”

A pregnant silence falls over us like a suffocating blanket, and I know it’s because I haven’t answered his question.

“Yes,” I say softly. “You can trust me.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before he slams his lips to mine, kissing me roughly. The scruff on his face makes my skin burn, and each swipe of his tongue makes my pussy contract.

“Nicklas,” I whimper.

I feel myself relaxing as our lips and tongues continue to move together, and before I know what the hell I’m doing, I’ve twisted on the couch and thrown one of my legs over both of his. With a growl, he lets go of my neck and palms my hips, lifting me onto his lap with ease.

My fingers rake down the front of his shirt, eagerly tugging at the fabric until it’s free of his suit pants. Then I snake my hands underneath the fabric so I can feel his skin. He’s hot and hard. A surge of feminine pride races through me as his abs tense when I slide my hands over them. I love knowing he isn’t indifferent to my touch.

Nicklas tangles his fingers in my hair, tilting my head to the side so he can deepen the kiss. Gyrating my hips, I moan into his mouth when his rigid length hits my clit just right. “God!” I hiss. I’m so lost in our making out that I can’t focus on anything but the need building inside me.

Using his grip on my hair, he forces my head backwards while looking up at me through hooded eyes. “You have to stop,” he groans, sounding like that’s the last thing he wants me to do.

“I don’t want to,” I admit. I barely recognize my own voice. It’s husky and thick with need.

He lets out a deep chuckle. “Are you going to make your sister wait while I fuck you?” My cheeks flush hot with guilt for allowing myself to forget about Willow. “That’s what I thought,” he smirks as his thumb runs across my tender lips.

Needing to compose myself, I place my hands on his shoulders and force myself to breathe deeply. I’m not aware that I’m watching his scar until he takes my hand and presses my fingers against the marred flesh.

“How did you get that?” I ask, running my fingers along the length of it. Up close it looks intimidating as hell. It tells that someone got close enough to injure him, but he lived to tell the tale.

I’m surprised when he answers. “Let’s just say I had a disagreement with someone I considered a friend.” There’s zero emotion in his tone.

Staring into his dark eyes, I notice the gold flecks around his irises. They create a beautifully hypnotizing pattern. If I didn’t know better, I could almost fool myself into believing he’s opening up to me. After all, the eyes are said to be the window to the soul, and if that’s true, then Nicklas is allowing me more than a peep right now.

“I didn’t know you had friends,” I quip, breaking our intense eye contact.

He chuckles. “I don’t anymore. But once, I did, and it almost cost me my life.”

Swallowing thickly, I brazenly cup his cheeks, running my fingers along the roughness of his scruff and up his smooth skin. “I’m glad you’re alive,” I admit.

Nicklas moves so quickly I let out a startled yelp. Before I know what’s happening, he pushes me off his lap and stands up. “Of course you are.” His tone is smooth but his glare is so intense I squirm inwardly. “You stand to make a lot of money from our arrangement, and all you have to do in exchange is spread your legs for me.”

I don’t know why his cold words surprise me, but they do. Hell, they do more than that. They cut me deeper than I like, and I realize I’ve let this monster get under my skin. Squaring my shoulders, I absentmindedly run a hand through my hair, finger-combing the tresses back into submission.

Although I try my best not to watch him tuck his shirt back into his pants, I can’t make myself look away. Every minute in this man’s presence is like playing with fire. He’s the proverbial flame, and despite my best attempts, I’m the moth drawn to its undoing.

“I want a contract,” I snap, surprised by my words.

“What?” Nicklas bites out.

Refusing to back down, I get to my feet, hoping he can’t see how badly my legs are shaking. “You heard me,” I say, glad my voice holds steady. “I want a legally binding contract between us.”

To my surprise, Nicklas throws his head back and laughs. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” When I nod eagerly, he smirks. “Be careful what you ask for, Hellcat. But I’ll take care of it.”

“You will?” I ask, stunned he’s giving in so easily.

“Absolutely,” he confirms.

I gnaw on my bottom lip and ponder his words. Something about the way he suddenly shut down and his reaction now doesn’t sit right with me. Although it’s beyond tempting to try to dig deeper, I don’t want to risk him taking my phone back.

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