Part 2 (2/2)
”What?”
”f.u.c.king me.”
I splutter out a little giggle and shake my head, ”Oh G.o.d there is no stopping with you.” Yes, I have been thinking about it. Who wouldn't be knowing how sculpted his chest and arms are. Taking my gla.s.s to my lips I drink my wine and I watch him. Confident and controlled, yet enjoying the rush of yearning that runs through me. ”So you want to get to know me better?”
”I do.”
”My work profile not enough for you, Mr Thompson?”
”I wouldn't be here now if it was.”
We talked freely about work, what his plans are for the future once he takes over the company and who he'd really like to fire because they annoy the s.h.i.+t out of him. He makes me laugh. It feels good. Real. It makes me realise how much I miss it. ”What about Dave?” I question as he gets up to refill our gla.s.ses. ”Would you keep him?”
”Well, as dorky as he is, he's an excellent worker. I think I'll keep him but ban him from future work parties.”
”Or just chop his hands off. They have a tendency to run away with themselves when women walk by.”
”True.” He says on his return. ”So, I have a question. Why haven't you got your tree up?”
”Not everyone puts their tree up the first week in December, Noel.”
”I do.”
I roll my eyes. ”Well, I'm delighted for you really.”
I like what is happening between us, this casual banter as if we've been friends for years. Now not caring that I'm sat here a freshly bathed mess wearing only my robe and long socks. I wonder if his powerful eyes have the strength to see right through my robe, to see that under the black material, I am in fact completely nude. The thought sends a thrill through me.
”It's an old family tradition in our house. The tree's always up the first week, present shopping had to be more or less finished the second week so the rest of the time would be spent as a family enjoying the build-up and excitement to the big day.” His enthusiasm is visible.
”You still like doing that?”
”Yeah.”
I can remember a time when I did. ”My grandparents were the same. My gran was always organised. She used to say it was like looking after two kids because Grandpa was just as excited as I was.” I smile, thinking back to the happier memories. ”She was just as bad, though, I often caught her dancing in the kitchen when she baked. Singing along to Christmas music as the house smelt of homemade pastries.” It suddenly hits me that since Noel's arrived I've forgotten that they were gone. Guilt grips my stomach and my mood swiftly dampens. Then he makes it worse by asking the unbearable question.
”So what's stopping you from having that enjoyment again?”
Noel.
The more I mention it, the more I notice her irritation. There is no doubt that she finds the whole situation hard but I want her to talk. So I just keep on pus.h.i.+ng. ”What's stopping you, Tamzin?”
”It doesn't matter. Just leave it.”
”Tell me.” I move my body slightly, tipping my head to try and gain eye contact. ”Why don't you like Christmas?”
”Not everyone is a fan of Christmas, Noel. And not everyone wants it,” she snaps.
”But you do want it. I can see that you do.”
”Maybe once but not anymore.”
”What kind of explanation is that?” I scoff.
”Jesus, Noel!” She jumps up from her seat, throwing the cus.h.i.+on down and walking across the room. ”Things happen all the time. Life goes on and dreams get shattered, it doesn't all stop just because it's f.u.c.king Christmas. Yes, when I was a little girl I believed in all of it. I loved December and Christmas and the magic more than you'll ever know. Then I became an adult and I soon learned that life is tough and now there's no point in believing if they're not here to share it with me!” She is shaking, her face red but there are no tears. I keep my voice level.
”You're right. Life does go on. But, Tamzin, you can't keep punis.h.i.+ng yourself for having a good time because your grandparents aren't here. Do you really think they'd want this for you?”
”You don't know anything about them!” I feel like an a.s.s. I really do. But s.h.i.+t, she's even s.e.xier when she's angry.
”No, I don't. But what I do know is if they loved Christmas as much as you say they did, then I know enough to say they wouldn't want to see you like this.” Her glare is powerful but I can see she's fighting. I never came here for this. I came here to do the opposite. Placing my gla.s.s on the table, I go to her. I don't hesitate, I reach out and run my hand down her arm but she turns away from me. She smells like fresh flowers. I step closer to invade her warm proximity, my back to her front. ”Spend Christmas with me,” I murmur.
”No.”
”Why? What else do you plan on doing other than drinking yourself to oblivion?” She turns her head to look at me. ”Tamzin, it's just a few weeks.”
”Last time I checked Christmas was only a day.”
”That's not the way I see it. What have you got to lose?”
”My sanity!” Her sarcasm isn't working with me. I know she wants this. Her voice is no longer heated, there is optimism in her eyes, her body language has softened, and the air between us has become less tense and more desired. ”It's not that I hate Christmas, it's just I don't know how to handle it.”
I'm a man that fights for what he wants and I'm not leaving until I have just that. I place my hands on her hips, noticing her sharp inhale. ”Spend. The. Month. With. Me.”
”And you'll do what exactly?”
”Spend December with me and I promise I'll find you your Christmas.”
”What's the catch?”
”Other than being in my bed there isn't one.”
Her brows rise. ”Since when did s.e.x become part of finding me my Christmas?”
”When is s.e.x never not part of anything?” I grin. I move closer, my face losing its grin as I focus on my proposal. ”I know you want this. I know you want an escape from your hurt. From the solitude. Let me take care of that, Tamzin.”
Her response is just a heated gaze. Deep, and one that draws me in more than I already am. A slight tremble leaves her body as she falls further into my hold, as though my touch melts away all the discomfort inside of her. Beautiful grey eyes turn smoky with need as they focus on my lips. My c.o.c.k twitches in my jeans, wanting to be buried deep inside her. She's so f.u.c.king s.e.xy, even in her long winter socks and short silky robe that my eyes have been fighting with all night. I cup her jaw, bringing us closer as her breath hits mine. I knew as soon as I'd touched her lips she'd consume me.
”This is insane,” she whispers.
”Isn't that all part of the fun?” Our lips connect, hers perfectly soft just like I knew they'd be. I kiss her again, wanting her to open up for me. My other hand slides around her waist, dipping into the small opening of her robe. That's all it takes. I'm granted with the pleasure of her sweet tongue that entwines with mine. Her warm bare skin continues to greet my fingers the further I slide my hand until realisation sets in.
She's naked.
A breathless moan leaves her when I circle my thumb over her perked nipple. Her arm curves around my neck for her fingers to lace the back of my hair, sending a shock of need straight to my c.o.c.k. I move my hand down the flat of her stomach and rest just above her pubic bone.
”Noel,” she whimpers.
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