Page 35 of Everything Christmas

“That’s much better,” he murmured, his hungry gaze tracking up her shapely legs to the triangle of red curls at eye level. Reese knew from tasting her on the hood of her car that the warm, sweet haven between her thighs was silky smooth. He couldn’t resist gliding his hands up the backs of her legs to cup the full globes of her backside, and he nuzzled her belly, inhaling her spicy womanly scent.

“Make love to me instead? Please, Reese.”

He groaned, sorely tempted as he spread kisses over her smooth, fragrant skin. Moving down slowly to her sultry mound, he flicked his tongue out to tease just the top of her slit.

“I plan to,” he groaned, his voice thick with desire. But contradictory to his words, because down deep he must be a masochist, Reese rose to his feet, his fingertips grazing her soft curves. He gazed down at her, captivated by her beauty, while noting her justifiable disappointment. “We’ll take care of this little lesson first. Afterward, I intend to worship every inch of you. But the lace stockings and heels stay because you look sexy as hell in them.”

“Spank me, Reese, but hurry,” she pleaded urgently, her hands clutching his lapels as she pressed her body against his. “Because this endless waiting is killing me.”

His fingers threaded in her hair, pulling her head back so he could taste the fullness of her scarlet lips. She opened readily for his tongue, pulling him down as she rose on tiptoe, fully engaged in the steamy kiss.

Reese forced himself to end it and turned them both to her showroom. They were just a few feet away from her centerpiece, the huge two-story Christmas tree. Surrounding it was a split-rail fence decorated with evergreen garland and lights; it was the perfect height for his purpose.

He dipped his head, lips brushing her ear, and quietly issued his orders. “Grab the rail and bend over. I want that naughty behind high and ready for your punishment.”

Her eager compliance both surprised and delighted him. Once she was in position, he searched for something light and flexible. He saw wooden wall art, which was the right length and width, but too thick. And there was a lot of glass; that was definitely out. As he picked up one item and discarded another, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder, her teeth worrying her plump lower lip, a mix of anticipation and impatience enveloping her.

“Eyes forward. I’m looking for the perfect pervertible to use on your glorious backside.”

“The perfect what?”

“Pervertible. An everyday object I can use in lieu of a paddle.” With a raised finger, he motioned her to turn around then continued his search. “Ah, here we are,” he said a moment later.

He was beside her in a blink. One hand swept up her spine until it settled on her upper back, pushing her gently until she was in the desired position. “Spread your legs a bit and we’ll be ready to begin.”

She shifted her feet, rising on her toes out of necessity to maintain contact with the rail, which angled her bottom exactly how he wanted it. When the first swat landed, she jumped and let out a little yelp.

“Easy. That was just my hand. I’m going to warm you up a little first.” Although he offered his words as reassurance, she trembled, and her hands gripped the top rail tighter. “You’ll feel warmth and sting from me, Merry. Maybe a little tenderness, but nothing more. You trust me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she gasped. “I’m just afraid I might...”

Come.

That explained the tremor. A spanking, or the thought of one, at least, turned her on. Was there ever a woman more perfect for him?

“Back in position,” he urged then continued until her upthrust bottom was warm and blushing with a hint of pink. Afterward, he smoothed his hand over her sensitive skin, surprising a moan from her when he dipped between her thighs and tested his theory. His fingers gliding through her wetness, one finger sliding easily inside her, made them both groan.

“Quit torturing me please, Reese.”

“Sorry, baby, but you don’t get to dictate how fast or slow we go about this. I’m in charge of the punishment, the sex, and the relationship. You get that now, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir. But I want you inside of me so bad.”

“I want that, too. But we can’t let your recklessness go unchecked. The unlocked door tonight, leaving your purse and keys in your car last week, opening doors without checking, climbing broken down ladders, are all actions that threaten your safety. I mean to put an end to this, before something worse happens. That would be unacceptable.”

Merry didn’t like the sound of any of that. And he usually spoke with more passion. “Merely unacceptable?” she challenged.

“I misspoke,” he corrected, his voice turning husky with emotion. “I refuse to lose you after only just finding you. In a word, it would devastate me.”

Suddenly, a whooshing noise sounded, followed by the crack of a firm object landing against bare skin. Fire blazed across Merry’s right cheek. Whoosh. Another swath of heat ignited her other cheek.

“Ow! Reese!”

“I warned you. If it takes a daily paddling, I will do it to keep you safe.”

A half dozen resounding smacks rained down unimpeded. The sting and burn were ferocious, and she couldn’t help but wiggle beneath the warm, supporting hand on her back.

“I swear I’ll do better.”

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