Page 33 of Sinful Santa
Except…
“I can’t say no to that job,” she whispered. “It’s everything I’ve dreamed of.”
Matt opened his eyes and pulled back just enough for Tahlia to see the soft smile lifting his mouth.
“When I said I wanted you to stay, I didn’t mean that you should give up your career.”
“What did you mean?” she asked.
He lifted one hand to cup her cheek. “I want you to stay because I…” his eyes drifted away and he paused. “You didn’t like it?”
Tahlia frowned and followed his eye line to the box that held the necklace. “Oh, no. I mean yes, I did. I was worried after last night that…” she blushed. “I didn’t know if you still wanted me to have it.”
His jaw set determinedly, he reached past her, easily done with his long arms, and plucked the box up. Tahlia watched him remove the necklace and unclasp it. With a slow, deliberate movement, he placed it around her neck. His hands cupped her throat afterward, his thumbs drawing tiny circles into her skin.
“I want you to have it,” he murmured. “I want you to work for that company. And I want you to be with me.”
“Be with me,” she repeated in a whisper and rested her palms over his hands. “I want to be with you.”
Matt kissed her again, lightly and lovingly. “Will you?”
A grin spread across her face; Tahlia didn’t think she’d ever experience pure joy but that’s what this was. It had to be.
“Yes.”
This time, their kiss was gentle, but also short-lived, because only seconds after they embraced, a chorus of giggles floated to them from the kitchen doorway. Gasping, Tahlia stepped away from Matt to be met by the happy, grinning faces of the twins, Jed, and Ophelia.
Oh no. Matt was not going to like this. For his kids to find them kissing surely was a major issue. They would need to explain it and there might have to be therapy and…
“Tahlia.”
She swept her eyes back to him. Matt’s crooked smile greeted her and before she could say anything he kissed her again. In front of everyone. On purpose.
At first Tahlia was too stunned to respond, but she quickly melted into the embrace. Sliding her arms around his neck, she smiled against his lips while a cheer erupted from their audience.
From the sound of it, the kids were going to be just fine.
26
“I’ve dreamt of this.”
Her face went so hot. Whatever color she turned must have been a mortifying shade of red. For goodness’ sake was she developing a praise kink because of this man? Tahlia tugged him down and kissed him, nipping at his lower lip. She was rewarded with a low groan and a deeper kiss. His hands glided over her sides and tugged at her blouse to pull it out of her skirt’s waistband, allowing him to dance his fingers over her skin. A thick thigh made its way between her legs and she rubbed herself on it to alleviate her need for friction.
“Fuck, Tahlia,” his breath was hot and ragged on her cheek, “I can feel you…you’re soaking through my pants…”
“Mhm…” she took the lobe of his ear between her teeth and tugged.
He made a strange, choked noise and Tahlia wasn’t against the wall anymore. He picked her up, hands on her ass, and strode down a dark hallway to an open door. Not until Tahlia was deposited on a mattress did she realize they were in his bedroom. There was enough sunlight left in the day, streaming through a wide-window, that when she looked around. Shedidn’t have much time to take it in because he stripped off his clothes.
He was built like Adonis. Pale and sculpted; the moles that decorated his face continued across his chest and shoulders and Tahlia had the urge to kiss every single one. Her eyes followed the planes of his abs down to the line of hair below his navel and finally to his proudly erect - and proportional - cock. She’d already had him inside her but looking at him now had her wondering how he’d ever fit. When she managed to drag her eyes back up, she found him staring at her, waiting with some anxiety, which puzzled her at first.
He needs me to say I want him.
The realization he was waiting for her consent (and maybe approval) despite their deal and the fact it had to be blatantly obvious what she wanted, warmed Tahlia more than it should have. She smiled and stretched out her arms toward him in unmistakable invitation.
His response was enthusiastic.
Tahlia yelped when he threw himself onto the bed - how did it not break? - and resumed kissing her senseless. Somehow, she wasn’t crushed by his massive body, but instead he rolled them over so that she was laying on top of his firm - yes, very firm - upper half. A welcome groan met her ears when she slid her hands across his chest and abdomen, feeling for every divot and muscle and tucking away his sensitive spots to a special place in her brain.
