Page 96 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Never taking no for an answer…” There was laughter in his voice. “And what did I tell you about that tongue? It’s going to get you into trouble one day soon.”
“That is still not an answer.”
“Alison…” Still looking at her, he brought her hands to his lips and kissed them. “Of course I love you. A part of me wishes I did not… it would make things that much easier…” His smile grew and he kissed her hands again. “But I love you with all my heart, and my only regret is that I did not tell you sooner.”
Alison’s heart swelled to hear those words finally spoken.
A warmth spread through her body, one that made the flames of the fire cold by comparison.
She had known that he loved her, so his words did not come as a surprise. But that did not mean they were felt no less because of it. Like a blanket in winter, they wrapped around her fully, safety felt and love heard in them.
Still on her knees, she thought of telling him again how much she loved him. She thought to confirm that he would stay with her. She thought about saying so many things but quickly realized the time for talking had passed. And for that reason, she did the only thing that made sense.
So it was that Alison got to her feet, climbed on top of Daniel’s lap, took his head in her hands, and kissed him in ways that were much deserved and desperately needed.
And, unsurprisingly, he kissed her right back.
His hands found her waist and held her steady as their lips finally met. Her knees sunk around him, squeezing tight and holding him in place so that he might never leave her. Still holding his face, their lips parted, their tongues dove in, and they kissed with fire and passion and, most of all, love.
It was only meant to be a kiss. A means to seal their words so the promise made between them could not be taken back. But as soon as they started to kiss, and the moment that Alison’s body melted into Daniel’s, she knew that a simple kiss would not be enough.
His hands moved down her back and wrapped around her buttocks. He squeezed them and she moaned as their kissesincreased in intensity. On instinct, she began to move her hips and pressed them into him, able to feel through his pants his manhood stiffen and push against her thigh.
“Alison…” he breathed through each kiss. “I should warn you…”
“Warn me of what?” She licked at his face and started down his neck, nibbling and sucking on his skin.
“If we do this, there is no going back…” He moaned as he spoke, leaning his head back to expose his neck.
“Good.” She pulled back and started to undo his shirt, desperate to get to his chest and bare skin. “Because I do not want to go back.”
“As you say…” He took her waist and pushed her back, just so he could look at her one final time. Their eyes met and he flashed them in warning and hunger. She did the same to him, licking her lips and grinning all the while. “But you have been warned.”
“What are you – oh!”
Daniel moved his hands under her legs and lifted her into the air, then held her back just enough so that he could get to the front of his pants. Alison, knowing somehow what he meant, hurried to beat him, her hands going to his buttons and hastily opening them.
“Alison…” He leaned in and started to kiss her neck. “I want you.”
“I know you do.”
“I need you.”
“It is about time you said as much.”
His pants came open and from them sprang his member; already erect, already hard, already throbbing with anticipation of what was to come. Alison’s eyes widened when she saw it, and her mouth salivated, just as her hands shook when she wrapped them around its girth.
Daniel stiffened and groaned, still biting into her neck.
“Like this?” she asked as she squeezed.
“Urgh…” Daniel leaned back on the couch, giving her room to work. Both her hands held on and squeezed and started to move up and down. “God…”
“Is it… is this… like this?” she asked again, loving how his body writhed and went rigid at her touch.
“No…” He groaned and somehow managed to push himself up. “Not like that.”
Alison hesitated, a moment of worry that she was doing the wrong thing. “What do you…”
