Page 47 of A Christmas For Holly

“Cuddle.”

“Like this.” He stepped into my space, slipping his hands around my waist, lacing them behind me, and staring up at me. This close, I could stare into his brown eyes, which were wide in the darkened room. I thought I saw promises in them. He rested his cheek against mine, and I felt his heart beating. I was getting hard, and I wanted him so bad.

“It’s not safe.”

“Huh? You think we’ll break the bed or something? I mean, it’s sturdy and?—”

“I’d want to do more than cuddle,” I blurted, surprising myself.

“Well, that would be fine,” he choked. “I mean, more than fine. I mean, I haven’t had sex in over a year—shit, maybe more. It’s just been me and my right hand. And the meds make me?—”

“Just because I don’t date, it doesn’t mean I haven’t had sex,” I interrupted. “I just don’t crave it; I don’t need it on a first date, but then there’s you, and suddenly…”

He released his hold on me, then reached for my hand and dragged me toward the stairs.

“Let’s start with cuddling,” he murmured, and all too soon, we were in his room, and now, I wanted to kiss Holly again. I wanted to taste him, to feel his warmth against me. My chest tightened with the thought, and I moved before I could overthink it. Slowly, awkwardly, we undressed and crawled into bed, my heart hammering as I leaned over him. I reached out, cradling Holly’s face in my hands, my fingers trembling slightly.

I kissed him.

It was clumsy, sideways, and I felt Holly smile faintly against my lips. But I didn’t pull away. Instead, I kissed him again, slower this time, trying to focus on how his lips felt against mine—soft, warm, welcoming.

Holly fell back on the pillows with a sigh, tugging me with him. His arms wrapped around me as he wriggled beneath me, shifting until I was lying between his legs. I could feel his body pressing up against mine, and my mind raced, my pulse deafening in my ears. He pulled the blankets over the two of us, so we were cozy in a cocoon and smiled at me.

“There, that’s better.”

Then he cradledmyface, thumbing my cheekbones, his touch gentle but firm, and I felt myself sinking into him, into the moment. It was overwhelming, this rush of feelings I’d never fully understood, yet I didn’t want to stop. I wanted more. His lips moved with mine, slow and sure, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t just going through the motions.

I wantedthis.

Chapter 19

Holly

Lucas’s fingerstangled in my hair, drawing me closer and deepening our kiss. A moan escaped my lips, surprising me. I’d never felt like this before, never experienced such a profound connection with another person. My body tingled with each caress, and every brush of his skin against mine sent shivers down my spine.

As we kissed, I explored his body, tracing my fingers from his shoulder to the swell of his ass. He was perfect.

“You doing okay?” he asked, his breath hot against my ear.

I nodded, unable to find my voice. It was more than okay. It was everything.

Lucas’s touch roamed my back—soothing and electrifying, and our kisses grew more passionate, more urgent. I wriggled under him. He retreated a little, and I gazed into the depths of his blue eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I blushed, ducking my head. “So are you,” I whispered back, tracing his jawline with my fingertips.

Lucas pulled me close again, nuzzling the crook of my neck. His lips brushed my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Thenhe kissed my chin, my neck, nibbling and sucking, until I was writhing under him.

I gasped, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through my body. Lucas’s lips trailed lower, a path of kisses on my collarbone. I clung to his shoulders, anchoring myself as waves of pleasure washed over me.

“Lucas,” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

He paused, lifting his head to meet my gaze. His eyes were filled with tenderness and a hint of uncertainty. “Is this too much?” he asked softly.

I shook my head. “No, it’s perfect.You’reperfect.”

He carried on kissing lower and spent too long exploring my hips, my inner thigh, his hair brushing my cock, which was so hard I thought I might come too soon.

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