Page 4 of The Christmas Gift

“Talk during sex?” His brows wrinkled.

The base of her spine tingled. “If that’s what the moment calls for,” she said, then wished she hadn’t.

“You like kinky sex. Noted.”

Ivy gaped. Any retort died in her throat when the waitress returned. She finished her drink as another was placed on the table separating them by the flirty waitress. It shouldn’t have bothered her, but this time, the server’s look-at-my-boobs lean-in got under Ivy’s skin.

“I don’t know why I’m telling you any of this,” she said when the waitress left. “You’re a stranger—”

“Who enjoys a good one-night stand and kinky sex.” He leaned close. His fragrance filled her lungs like an invasion. “I’m Cor.”

She stared at his outstretched hand. Touching Cor seemed more intimate than sharing her penchant for list-making. Should she do it?

“Joan,” she lied, slipping her palm into his strong, sure, grip. Using a fake name was the only barrier left, since it was too late to ignore the drum of her pulse or leave the booth without seeming stuck-up. And Ivy wasn’t pretentious, she was attracted to Cor and he knew it.

“See, stranger problem solved.” His grip tightened ever so slightly. “Joan, huh. You don’t strike me as a Joan.”

She arched a challenging brow to hide her quickening pulse at being caught in a lie. If he would let go of her hand and back up a few inches, her senses wouldn’t overload. Who was she kidding, he could leave the hotel and his scent would linger. Wanting to put him in the spotlight, she closed the gap between them and instantly regretted it.He, not his fragrance, was the invading force.Drat, he was yummy.Swoony man-bun was one thing…how was she supposed to forget him now that she knew his name? But backing down now would be a show of weakness.

“No? Tell me then, how do I strike you?”

“You’re a woman who knows what she wants, enough to reinforce it with a list. You’re confident and sexy. Straight-laced.” His finger drew circles at the back of her wrist.

Any other time, being called straight-laced would be a compliment. Tonight, however, Ivy needed sinful.

“You don’t trust anyone to get shit right. I bet you started that list to raise your parents when they should have been raising you.”

She swallowed, trying and failing to pull away. He was hitting too close to home. She didn’t like this game anymore.

“I’d also say, your name gives you power.” He cocked his head. “I would have guessed, Zena.”

She laughed at the absurd turn in the conversation, then flushed when he slid across the booth. He was disarming her.

“It’s why your boy-toy wouldn’t show,” Cor continued. “He took one look at your profile, read your no-bullshit rules, and realizedhewas inadequate. But I’m equipped to handle all of you.”

Lordy.She barely caught herself before she leaned into him.

Should she flirt back? She really shouldn’t with a man she hadn’t vetted, but what was one evening if she never saw him again? And if he could deliver, wouldn’t the experience be worth it?

“Do all women find your cocky Southern charm endearing?”

“You think I’m charming?”

“I think you think you’re charming.” Her eyes raked over his tailored suit, then upwards to the five-o’clock shadow covering his jaw.Hewas why she had rules. Rules that didn’t consider charm. That and the ability to make her laugh could weave their way into her heart.

As if sensing her retreat, he said, “Do you want to know my rule?”

Why did the idea of him having a rule make her panties wet?She seriously needed to get laid. “You have rules for sexual encounters?”

His lips twitched. “You’ve got to know how to use your mouth.” His eyes dropped to her lips then back up to hold her gaze. “Your tongue.”

Her breath hitched when he leaned in dreadfully slow, giving her all the time in the world to retreat, to stop this madness. But she wanted to taste him. Lose herself in his embrace.

Cor was exactly what she needed. One night of bliss.

His breath fanned her cheek first before his lips teased the soft curve of her jaw. Anticipation curled her toes as he waited for her to turn into the kiss.Be bold.

His mouth on hers wasn’t tentative but devouring, as if he’d sampled her before, and found her delicious. Remembering his words, Ivy suckled his tongue and was rewarded with a groan. Knowing she’d provoked such a carnal sound from a confident man like Cor sent a potent jolt to the pit of her stomach.

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