Page 91 of Holiday Love
He kisses me.
Soft lips press to mine, gentle, questioning. I open my mouth with a sigh, let his tongue sweep in to meet mine, thrilling from therightnessof it. Rising on my toes, I wind my arms around his neck, thread my fingers into hishair, and deepen the kiss.
He pulls back just enough to look at me, his breath warm against my lips. “I’m sorry you thought I didn’t call. I swear, Helen, if I’d seen those texts, I would’ve run to you.”
My chest tightens, breath catching in my throat. I reach up, thumb brushing the stubble along his cheek. “I know that now,” I whisper, before leaning in again to claim his mouth.
At first, Teddy lets me lead. Allows me to set the pace, to adjust to this new, but old, dynamic between us, but soon he loses control. His hands press into the small of my back as he pulls my body to him. He takes my mouth in deep, passionate kisses, growing more urgent with each one. I’m so lost in the sensation that I barely notice him walking me backward, down the hall and into his bedroom.
A flash of insecurity hits when we reach it. I pull away, just enough so I can see his face. I hate it, that in this moment I think of Gina and the things she said, but I can’t help it. “I’m not fun enough.”
Teddy’s expression shifts, the haze clearing instantly. “What?”
“You should be with someone fun. Funny. Good with other people. That’s not me.” I place my hands on his chest, ready to shove away from him.
For a heartbeat, there’s silence. Then Teddy’s hands tighten on my shoulders. “What are you talking about?” His voice is low, incredulous. “You’re all those things and more. Jesus, Helen, you—you’reeverything. Can’t you see that? How amazing you are?”
The way he says it, with that pure, open intensity, makes my heart hurt in the best possible way. Like something inside me is breaking and healing at the same time. Like it’s expanding to make room for what he’s giving me.
I wish I didn’t need the reassurance. Wish I could believe it on my own, but I can’t help the quiet, breathless, “Really?” that escapes me.
“Let me show you,” he says, his voice low, his eyes searching mine. “If you can’t hear my words, let me show how I feel about you.”
It’s dark in his room. The only light comes from the half-moon glowing just outside the window. Without letting go of me, Teddy reaches over and flicks on the small lamp beside his bed. The light casts a golden circle, leaving just enough shadow that I don’t feel self-conscious when Teddy undresses me. He doesn’t rush. Slowly, he peels my leotard and sports bra away, as if he’s unwrapping something delicate. Then his own shirt comes off, and my breath catches at the sight of him, all smooth skin and lean muscle and that silver ring glinting at his nipple.
I let go of everything. My doubts. My worries. Gina’s voice. All of it. I let it be swept away like broken seashells, carried off in the high tide. Let those jagged shards drift away until they’re too far gone to hurt me anymore.
I focus only on Teddy. On how warm his skin feels beneath my palms. On the way his chest rises and falls under my touch. I drag my fingers over his skin, circle his nipple ring, and give it a gentle tug.
He groans, deep and low, like I’ve pulled the sound straight from his chest. “Hellcat,” he says, kissing my throat while I tip my head back, my heart racing. “You have no idea how good that feels.”
“You like this?” I ask, repeating the motion.
“Mmm,” he hums in response, “so much.”
He cups my breast, thumb rubbing back and forth across my sensitive nipple, which peaks with each touch. I get a full body shiver when he growls in my ear, “The things I’m going to do to you once this cast comes off.”
He steps back and shoves down his pants and underwear, letting his erection spring free. He’s hard, swollen with desire. A primal satisfaction comes to me thatImade him that way, that I’m the object of his need, his want.
Teddy glances at the bed, then at his cast, and frowns. His gaze moves over my shoulder, and he smirks, something dark and wicked flashing in his eyes. “Perfect.”
“What?” I turn to see what has him so entranced.
He’s looking at the large mirror that lines the wall, with my ballet bar attached to it. “I’m going to watch you from every angle.”
I whimper. He’s not even touching me, but already I ache for him.
“My pretty Helen. I want you to see how beautiful you are when you come for me.”
My stomach hollows at these words, so erotic, spoken so casually.
“Turn around,” he commands, completely in charge as he guides me over. “Hands on the bar. You’ll need to hold on for this.”
Body and face on fire, I follow his instructions and place each hand on the bar, which is cool to the touch. I let my hair hang in my face, closing my eyes as he hooks his thumbs into the sides of my panties and pushes them down with excruciating slowness. I help him pull them off. His fingers find my core.
His body presses against mine as he stands. Chest to my back, his nipple ring a small hard circle between us, Teddy leans in. “No hiding from me or from yourself. Look in the mirror, Helen.”
I’m already in a vulnerable position, with his hand between my legs, but that’s nothing compared to how exposed I feel when I slowly lift my gaze to watch not Teddy in the mirror, butmyself.
