Blame It on the Mistletoe (13 page)

She kissed him wherever her lips found skin, her hands roaming over his body. She loved the feel of his scruffy face on her; it tickled and aroused her at the same time. Every touch lit her senses on fire, and she wanted to return that feeling to him. She reached down and wrapped her fingers around the hard length of him, not surprised to find that he was perfect. His hot skin was soft to the touch under her palm, and she loved how his body shuddered in response.

He held most of his weight off her, leaning on one arm, allowing him access to her breasts, his mouth giving each one expert attention. She continued to stroke him, and finally he lifted his head and spoke quietly. “I want this to be good for you.”

Was he kidding? There was no way in hell it could be anything else just for the mere fact that it was
him
. “It
will
be good for me, as long as you don’t stop.”

He let out a strangled groan and maneuvered his free arm down between them, his fingers slowly finding her. The lightest touch and she bowed up, moaning against his neck, her mind going fuzzy. She needed to focus because she would want to remember every bit of this night for the rest of her life. His fingers stroked her slowly while his tongue continued its slow perusal of her breasts, slow and light, then rough and hard. It was maddening, but she knew she would die if he quit.

“Everything about you is perfect. You’re warm, wet.” His fingers entered her as he adjusted his face and pressed it against her neck. “You smell amazing. God, the way you touch me. Shit, do that harder.”

She obeyed, squeezing and stroking him as his fingers pressed inside her over and over, but it wasn’t enough. “I want
you
inside me.”

“I want you to come first, Brooke.”

“Oh god,” she moaned. Everything about him—his skilled touch, his words, and his concern for her pleasure—was pure perfection. If her past experience had taught her anything, it was that she shouldn’t get used to that, most men were not like Alex. That was no surprise at all really, he’d always been that guy. That guy that no man would ever live up to.

Alex could barely breathe. Just the sight of Brooke, her neck arched back, her pale skin exposed, and her mouth parted, nearly had him going off in her hand. Never before had he felt such an overwhelming emotional or physical response to a woman’s touch. To her mere presence, scent, taste.

She had asked him to stay, and there had been no going back the minute the words were out of her mouth. As if that hadn’t been hot enough, she’d stripped down naked in front of him like some sort of sex goddess. He couldn’t have been more shocked. Or more turned on.

Every nerve in his body was instinctually telling him to get inside her, claim this beautiful woman that was so willingly offering herself up to him. It was a primal urge that was hard to ignore, but his brain was trying to do the right thing, and right now he knew the most important goal was to make her feel good. He didn’t know the details about her previous relationship, but he was almost sure this needed to be special for her. Shit, he wanted it to be special,
unforgettable
, and at this very moment his whole life’s happiness seemed to depend on hearing and feeling Brooke’s release at his touch. He twisted his fingers inside of her, using his thumb to bring her closer, and the light quiver of her thighs made him smile.

“Let go, I’ve got you.”

She began panting. “Don’t stop …”

“Look at me, Brooke.” He kept up the rhythmic stroking, and when she brought her face level with his he covered her lips, their tongues meeting and tangling. Instantly he felt her fingers tighten on him, urging him closer to his own completion. God, he didn’t want to finish on her hand, couldn’t believe he was that close because he wanted to be inside her so bad, but her stroking was relentless. When she started breaking apart underneath him he was gone, unable to control his own body. His teeth lightly clamped down on her jaw as he came, and she let out the sexiest little moan he’d ever heard.

After a moment they each slowed down their hands and fingers, and he placed a soft kiss on the spot his teeth had been.

“That was amazing,” she said catching her breath.

He lifted his head and smiled down at Brooke as she slowly opened up her eyes. Even in the dim light, he was certain she was blushing.

“Obviously I agree, since you got me off with your hand alone.” They both laughed quietly and he leaned up, bracing his weight off her with a palm at her side. He should be embarrassed, but he wasn’t at all; in fact the sultry grin on her face let him know she was pretty pleased about what she’d done. He spotted a box of Kleenex on a side table and awkwardly maneuvered himself off of her and the sofa in order to retrieve it.

“It’s like we’re in high school,” she said as he attempted to clean them both up.

“That was better than anything from high school.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t know.” She laughed. “Now, if the rumors are true, you certainly had your share of high school conquests.” She was quiet for a moment but met his gaze.

“Brooke. I’m not the same guy I was when you knew me.” He wasn’t sure why he said it; he knew the truth, but he needed her to know it also.

“I know. I’m not the same girl either.”

He definitely knew that for sure. “I’m glad. I liked that girl, but I really like this one.” And he did, liked her too damn much.

**

Brooke wasn’t sure she’d ever woken in bed with a man
and
with a smile on her face. Certainly not in a long time, but last night had been the best night of her life. They hadn’t even had real sex, and it was still the most amazing intimacy she’d ever experienced. She rolled over on the bed and came face to face with the man who had put the smile on her face. His eyes were closed but she knew he wasn’t sleeping by the way his eyelids fluttered a little.

She snaked her hand up between them, her fingernails circling over and over against his firm chest. She couldn’t get enough of him, like she needed to commit every surface of his skin to memory.

“Hmm, that feels good.” His first words of the morning were low and gravelly, the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard. They were both still naked after coming straight to the double bed after leaving the couch last night. She’d been shocked when he pulled her into his arms—obviously content with what they’d done—and they’d fallen asleep that way. Who would have thought that he’d be such a romantic—fancy dinners, little presents, and cuddling. She’d been a little surprised with herself, too; in the morning light she had a hard time believing that just a few hours ago she’d stripped nearly naked in front of him. It had been so unlike her, and yet so wonderful.

He pulled her out of her thoughts when he placed a large hand on her naked backside under the sheets and yanked her body against his once again. Her breasts pressed again the hairs on his chest, the friction sending a needy ache through her abdomen.

“Trying to manhandle me?” she teased and snuggled into the crook of his neck.

He tensed against her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be too rough.”

“Alex, I was just joking,” she said, turning her face up to see him.

“You sure?”

She laughed, a little uncomfortable. “Yes, I’m sure.”

His arm curled around her back leaving her enveloped by the warmth of his body, and his scent. Why would he be so worried? She’d never felt so safe with a man in her life.

“What time do you open?” he asked as he shifted and dragged her half on top of him. The easy way he lifted her body, like it was no effort at all, made her feel feminine and cared for, and it wasn’t hard to see why he was capable of such a feat. His torso was rippled with muscle.

“Ten,” she said.

He picked up his phone off a side table, and she could see it was 8:45. “What are we going to do with all this extra time?” he asked sarcastically, setting his phone back down.

She laughed and ducked her chin into his chest. “Nothing if I don’t brush my teeth.”

He laughed and pulled her fully on top of him, nothing separating skin from skin. “Like I really care if you’d brushed your teeth when you’re straddling me like this.”

She set up straight, and he ran a hand up her stomach and cupped her breast. Why did he always seem to know what to say? And why did she always have to like what he said so much? When he left, she was going to be a mess—there was no way around it. In fact the minute she’d invited him up last night she’d given her heart permission to break, now it was only a matter of dealing with the aftermath. It was going to be worse if they kept touching each other. She rolled off of him and grabbed her pillow, holding it to her body as she got off the bed and backed up toward the bedroom.

“Are you really hiding yourself after the striptease you put on last night? Which was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen by the way.”

“I doubt that,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Why do you doubt that? It was fucking phenomenal, and I wouldn’t lie about it.” His eyes narrowed, like her words had really insulted him. She didn’t mean to … but surely in all of Alex’s days he’d seen much more enticing displays than her taking her clothes off.

She shrugged because he was clearly waiting for an answer. “I don’t know. I’m not really the super sexy type.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Brooke. You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you for saying that.” She stopped backing up just outside the bathroom door, their eyes never leaving each other. “I’m glad you stayed.”

“Me too.” He was sprawled out on her bed, his head resting on his hand. With his sprinkling of chest hair and scruffy beard, he looked rugged and manly. And while she wouldn’t have thought herself the type who liked that, it was really working for her right now.

Quickly she ducked into the bathroom and into the shower. It was impossible to not replay the previous night in her head, and she was relieved to realize that not for even one second had she felt a moment of fear with him. He hadn’t put her down or made her feel inferior, and not once had she flinched at his touch or cringed at his words. He was a genuinely good guy, and sexy as hell.

Fifteen minutes later she came back out in her robe and was shocked to find Alex in just jeans, standing there with a fully uniformed Ryan.

The latter of whom was glaring at her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Brooke?”

His tone pissed her off immediately. “What do you mean, ‘What am I doing?’ ” What the hell does it look like?”

“His car has been out back for the past four hours.” Ryan was practically shaking with fury. On some level she was touched by that kind of love and concern from her brother. She owed him so much for helping her through the past year, but she was an adult and he had no right.

“Four hours, huh? Have you been timing it? Well, let me inform you that you must be falling down on the job because his car has been here since
last night
. You wanna know why? Because I invited him in.
My
idea.”

“Perfect! It was a stupid idea.”

“Hey, that’s enough, Ryan,” Alex said. His voice was low and controlled, and Brooke couldn’t really tell how he was taking this invasion. Was he pissed? Embarrassed? She hoped not that.

“That’s enough?” Ryan stalked up to Alex, standing only a few feet away. “Really, asshole? You promised me you’d stay away from her.”

Alex flinched and glanced at Brooke, his eyes pleading. And now there
was
embarrassment.

Her mouth dropped open, then she quickly shut it. “You did what?”

“Brooke, it’s not like that,” Alex started.

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Ryan, did you really tell him to stay away from me? What the hell?” The love she’d felt for him a minute ago was replaced with rage.

“I did it to protect you.” Ryan took a step toward her, but she held out a hand.

“Protect me from what? Experiencing a little pleasure for once? Because I do deserve that you know? Normal grown-ups have sex, Ryan. I’m sure you’re overly familiar with the concept.”

“Shit, Brooke, stop.” He ran a hand through his hair. Obviously she was making him uncomfortable. Well, too bad. He was the one who’d invaded her personal space, insinuated himself in something that was none of his business. He looked at her now, his eyes full of concern. It wasn’t working this time. “What do you think I wanted to protect you from? You’ve gone through hell the past few years. Coleman’s a player and you deserve better.”

“Fuck you, man,” Alex said under his breath as he walked over to the couch and started pulling on his shirt. Brooke felt her heart splintering as the scene unfolded. She’d expected things to end, but not like this. Not at all like this.

“Don’t even try to deny it,” Ryan went on. “I was your best friend. I was a witness to everything. Shit, I was right along for the ride.”

“You’re damn right you were, but for some reason your sorry ass is worthy of being in her presence but mine isn’t? Your teenage fuck-ups are forgiven but mine aren’t? You know what, just forget it. The only part of what you just said that applies to us now was that you
were
my best friend. You have no clue who I am now.” Alex sat down and began pulling on socks and shoes.

“Both of you, shut up!” Brooke yelled. This wasn’t about them. “You’re both assholes, you know that? The two of you don’t get to make decisions for me. I’m not an idiot, I’m fully capable of being a grown-up all by myself. And right now Ryan, I want you to leave.”

“Brooke, I’m sorry—”

“No, I want you to go. Don’t say anything else.”

Ryan stood there for a moment, she would not back down.

With a muttered curse he strode over to the door and his boots clomped down the stairs. The back door banged shut behind him. Brooke and Alex were quiet. She wasn’t even sure which emotion was winning inside: Anger? Sadness? Hurt? She was so overwhelmed, she could feel the weight. When she looked at the couch, she found Alex staring at her. He’d dressed completely and was preparing to go.

“How did he get in here?” she asked.

“First your phone rang a couple times, then he started pounding on the door downstairs. The minute I let him in he ran up here like I might have”—he looked down, shame and embarrassment on his face. He had been about to say something, something about why Ryan had been worried for her. And he’d promised to stay away because Ryan had spoken to him.