“No! I mean, I just wasn’t sure. I don’t want you to leave.”
He kissed her once on the lips before moving off her body and resting on his side next to her. Dropping his hold of her fingers, he reached across her waist, pressed the middle of her back, and slid her closer to him until her body molded against his.
He continued to situate her like a rag doll until her head rested on his bicep, the muscles reminded her of bulging pillows. Deckard moved her arm to rest along his waist while his arm remained around her, trailing soft paths up and down her spine.
“This is nice,” she told him after pressing a soft kiss to the middle of his chest.
“It is.”
“Maybe we could stay like this a while longer? I’m sure you’re tired.”
Deckard didn’t respond with words, he lightly rocked his hip and January could feel his rock hard length press against her stomach.
“Oh my. Already?” she asked in surprise. She had never met a man so willing to go for another round of sex immediately after. Usually, she had to initiate hours later if she was lucky to have her lover wake up.
“You’re naked and have your perfect breasts pressed up against me. Believe me, he was ready right after.”
January didn’t need any convincing, she was as ready to go as he was. And with a lift of her leg over his thigh, January guided him to her entrance, where he slipped inside effortlessly this time. Her body was ready for him.
Unlike the first time that had been rough and fueled with their desire and chemistry, this round was slow. Deckard took his time with her body, learning which spots gave her shivers or had her clawing at his back for more.
His kisses were soft, but no less powerful, leaving her lips swollen from all the attention he was paying her mouth. Deckard wasn’t a selfish lover. He took his time to make sure that January was as lost in the sensations of their lovemaking as he was. She found her release three times before he gave in to his own.
They both had to work the next day, but neither cared as he spooned against her back for the night. January typically didn’t allow men to stay the night, but Deckard was different. He already held a special place in her heart and earned it in record time.
She could feel Deckard’s soft breaths on her neck as he slept peacefully, but January’s mind was awake with worry. She was certain now that she had fallen in love with him. Three words that she knew she had to keep to herself because he had plans and a life to return to in Atlanta. But that was the least of her worries.
January’s mind kept asking one question.
Would he have ever loved her enough to stay if she hadn’t wished Christmas away?
Chapter Eight
Waking up next to Deckard was a something that January would never tire of. Since he slept over after the sleigh ride, it seemed just as natural for him to stay the next night as well. The transition between boyfriend and lover was always something that had bothered January, but with Deckard, it had
been seamless. Just like it seemed to be with everything involving him.
It was strange to be back at work with no celebrations looming. New Year’s Day didn’t draw the excitement as Christmas. The Pineville Winter Solstice Celebration had gone on without a hitch, but now there was nothing festive or cheerful happening to report on. She was left researching the addition of new slopes at the local ski lodge.
It all seemed wrong, especially with Christmas only two days away.
She and Deckard were going to host her family the next night for Christmas Eve dinner. It was a tradition her mother had always insisted upon, but with January’s screw up, January planned to do it instead. She was thrilled Deckard offered to help even though it meant that their last night together was going to be shared with others.
“Someone is thinking about you,” Samantha said as she carried in a large bouquet of Poinsettias, pulling January away from her mindless task. The red was bright and lush against the stark backdrop of her office walls.
“Hm. . .I wonder what someone would have to do to get such a lovely surprise.”
January shrugged her shoulders not wanting to share her personal business with her best friend at their office. Samantha was already aware that she and Deckard had made love on the night of the solstice celebration, but she didn’t know that he had been sleeping at her house every night since then. Her best friend knew the limitations January put on her relationships.
“It is very lovely indeed,” January teased as she turned back to her computer to type up her notes regarding the ski lodge. But, of course, her friend couldn’t let her drop the topic as if receiving flowers was a daily occurrence. The only time people received gifts like this at the office was when it was a birthday or someone died.
Samantha reached over and pressed the power button on January’s monitor to get her attention.
“Tell me.”
“There isn’t anything to tell,” January lied and as Samantha’s smile grew. Unfortunately, that meant January was going to have to spill every dirty detail.
As Samantha tapped her fingernails musically on January’s desk in anticipation, she finally gave in. “Fine.”