“Why shouldn’t I be here? I want to be.” He stepped closer and took her suddenly cold hands in his larger warm ones. “I thought you could use a tree, but you don’t have to put it up if you don’t like it. That’s not why I came.”
She angled her head. “So why did you?”
His beautiful eyes burned into hers. “Because I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather spend tonight with than you.”
Her wobbly heart plummeted straight to her toes by way of her lady bits. Every spot on the way tingled. “Sure you’re not just doing yo
ur holiday good deed?”
“Actually, I am. I hope to be repaid in blowjobs and eggnog. Sound good to you?”
She couldn’t help laughing as she waved at the living room. “Go on, go sit. I’ll just change.“
“No. You’re fine.” He rubbed the indent in her chin. “I’m not company. I want you just as you are.”
“Do you hear that dripping noise?” she whispered when she could finally speak.
He frowned. “No.”
“That’s me, melting.” His slow grin turned that melting thing she had going on into a total winter thaw. Especially between her legs. “I didn’t know you could be romantic, Des.”
“It’s probably because I’m getting ready to romance a veggie egg roll in extra duck sauce. It’s my one Christmas non-vegan indulgence and I’m feeling all lovey dovey.”
She laughed and went back into the hall. “I’ll serve the food and you can put up the tree.” She knelt, noticing the paper bag on top of the gift. She dug through it and shook her head, hoping the motion would discourage her tears. He really had thought of everything. “Mini lights? And ornaments?”
“I forgot the star.”
“Gonna dock your pay for that one.”
“The drugstore didn’t have much left, but I figured those would—”
Before he could finish, she shot to her feet and whirled into his arms, clamping her mouth down on his so hard that he let out a grunt. Then he was returning her kiss, his lips as icy as the frost that clung to his coat. He streaked his hands up her spine to tug on her hair, using it to pull her head back so he could plunge even deeper into her mouth. He was practically fucking her, just with his tongue instead of his cock.
She broke away and gasped for air. “You’re still my boss.”
“I don’t care about that. It won’t change anything.” His palms came up to frame her cheeks, and when his face dipped to hers, she realized he was shaking. They both were. “Just let me love you.”
He didn’t mean it the way it sounded. That wasn’t possible. But her body already missed his. So what if the word “love” from Des’s mouth for any reason made her long foolishly for more? She was a pragmatist, and she didn’t expect miracles.
Her rundown apartment and her job suddenly didn’t factor in the decision. This wasn’t about any of that. He didn’t feel sorry for her. It also wasn’t about Cole or quick office fucks, as amazing as they had been.
There was a world of secrets in his eyes and she wanted to learn them all.
“Come with me,” she murmured.
Seven
Her bedroom matched the rest of the house. It was sparsely decorated and the overhead light left the corners in shadows. Not counting her desk. That was bathed in a purple and yellow shimmering glow.
He grinned. “You have a lava lamp. You didn’t even live through the sixties.”
“No, but I loved them just the same. You should’ve seen my room back in Tennessee. I had a black light and fuzzy posters.” Biting her lip, she walked to the full bed. “Sorry, it’s kind of small.”
“That’s okay. We’ll just stack up double-decker.”
She laughed and flipped one of her ponytails over her shoulder. “Do you want a drink first? I have soda and eggnog. Coffee too.”
“I’m fine, thanks.” He came up behind her and snagged her full hips in his hands. She was rounded in all the right ways, and his cock wasn’t the least bit bashful about showing its appreciation. “I just want you.”