That Mistletoe Moment (24 page)

“Oh God.”

The driver cocked his head, but didn't turn. “Cold back there? I can dig out another blanket from under your seat if you'd like.”

“No,” both she and Gabe said together.

Gabe added a second finger, the palm of his hand rubbing against her clit with each plunge. “That's all right. We'll keep each other warm.”

The driver chuckled. “I hear you. Would you two like to learn a little about the history of St. Louis?”

Clearing her throat, Rachel prepared to say yes. If the man was talking, there would be less of a chance of him hearing anything.

Gabe disagreed. “We're fine. We just want to sit here and enjoy the beautiful night, if that's all right with you.”

The man lifted his shoulders. “Same price either way. Too bad it's a cloudy night. No stars.”

Gabe's lips curved against her temple. “I don't know,” he murmured. “I think you'll be seeing stars soon enough.” He turned his wrist, scraped his fingers along her inner wall.

Rachel's hips flew off the seat. This was crazy. Gabe was crazy. She wasn't an exhibitionist. She didn't do things like this. His palm ground into her mound, and she bit back a moan.

Why didn't she do things like this? It felt freaking amazing. She sank against Gabe, letting her legs fall open a bit more. They were probably violating a couple of different laws, but Rachel didn't worry about getting caught. Something about Gabe made her feel safe. Probably his confidence.

He grabbed the back of her knee and lifted her leg across his, spreading her wide. He positioned her like her body was his to command.

Cocky, she amended, not confident. Gabe was all cocky swagger.

He pistoned his fingers faster, adding a twist. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest. His cockiness was well-deserved. Her muscles clenched, winding tighter and tighter. She dug her fingers into his coat.

“Breathe,” he whispered.

Rachel shook her head. She couldn't breathe. If she opened her mouth she would scream. Her hips rocked against his hand, out of her control. A vise squeezed her lungs. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, Gabe thumbed her clit, pressing hard, and she was gone.

Biting his sleeve, she rode out the orgasm until she was gasping for air.

Gabe withdrew his hand, and tucked her other leg over his lap so they both dangled over his knees. Gathering her close, he kissed her behind her ear. His lips curved against her skin. “Any stars?”

Well, she couldn't let that smugness go unchecked. As soon as she caught her breath, she said, “No stars.”

He snorted.

“Okay, the light show was decent,” she admitted. “But I think
I
might owe
you
a coat now. I might have bitten a hole through yours.”

“No worries. My triceps took the brunt of the attack.”

She lifted her head and caught his grin. She wanted to be annoyed, but her sated body wouldn't allow it. She settled for a harrumph.

Her pulse settled into the steady pace of the horse's clopping hooves. The tips of Gabe's ears were dark, and she pulled the edges of his scarf up high around his neck. Her body temperature had yet to cool, but he must be freezing.

She sighed. He was giving, he was funny, and he was smoking hot. This holiday fling might be going a little too well. A man like Gabe could become as addictive as her grandmother's spiced apple cake.

But Gabe also didn't seem to be looking for anything long-term. He was busy with his work, too. He'd keep the fling on track. His indifference would remind her to stay focused on her career. But while the fling lasted, she had a feeling it was going to burn hotter than any supernova.

She placed a hand on his thigh. “I live about two miles away. What do you say we take this indoors?”

His muscles jumped under her palm. He tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Time to head back.” Taking her hand under the blanket, he placed it on his groin. He was hard and thick, and Rachel's core fluttered in anticipation. Just like that, she was hungry again. “I've got somewhere I need to be.”

CHAPTER 7

G
abe took the stairs two at a time, eyes focused on the luscious ass swaying a couple of steps above him. Damn, Rachel had curves in all the right places. And he was just minutes away from sinking inside this sweet woman.

It was quite the Christmas gift. He'd never taken for granted his past women. Even though he didn't stick around long, he tried to be a respectful lover. But something about tonight was different, and Gabe couldn't put his finger on why. With all his blood pooled low, it was no surprise he couldn't think. Didn't even want to bother trying.

Fumbling with her keys, Rachel tried to unlock her door one-handed. Her other hand was busy burrowing under his shirt. He pressed into her body, nudging his erection against her soft stomach. Taking her mouth, he explored its depths, curling his tongue under the roof of her mouth.

Rachel dropped the keys.

“I need to get those,” she said, her voice breathless.

He leaned in deeper. “Yes.”

Her lips curved beneath his. “We need the keys to get in my apartment. Where there's a bed.”

“Beds are overrated,” he said, but reluctantly stepped back, looking for where the keys had landed.

Rachel spied them first. Turning, she bent over. Gabe groaned, his hands drawn to her hips like metal to a magnet. “I used to say this as a teenager, but now I mean it. If you change your mind, I think I might actually die.”

Laughing, she straightened, wiggling her pert ass in his crotch. “I believe that even less now than I did when I was a stupid teenager.”

Gabe slid his hand from her hip to the top of her mound, circled over just the right spot.

She sucked in a breath. “Right. Inside. Now.” She threw open the door and dragged him into her apartment by the front of his pants.

Gabe kicked the door shut, his fingers already peeling up her sweater. Her head popped free from the top, and her hair slowly drifted to her shoulders, static electricity making it stand out like a halo. In her red lace bra, she made a very naughty angel.

His lips tipped up.

She paused, her hands at the side of her skirt. “What's funny?”

Brushing her hands aside, he finished the job of unzipping her. “Your hair just got really big. It's cute.”

Her skirt pooled around her ankles, and she stepped out of the fabric. She stood before him in her bra and black tights, a hint of red lace peeking out at her waist. Her skin was creamy against the red and black underwear, her chest heaving beneath the semi-sheer cups of her bra. Gabe stared, becoming fully aware of each of his heartbeats as they pounded blood through his body.

Running her fingers through her hair, she rolled her eyes. “Last month we ran an article on proper hair care for the winter months. Obviously, I didn't follow the advice.”

Gabe's smile slowly faded. Right. Her magazine. The job she loved so much that she was using his company to get a promotion.

The company that he hadn't told her he owned.

He had just intended to get to know Rachel as part of the bet. Sleeping with her wasn't supposed to be on his agenda.

His chest clenched. Was he as big an asshole as his friend thought?

Her eyes never leaving his, Rachel stuck her fingers in the waist of her tights. Bending over, she slowly peeled them down her legs, giving him a fucking fantastic view of her tits.

Screw it. Rachel had made it clear her career didn't leave room for a boyfriend. She just wanted a fun fling. It didn't matter what his job was; a little lie or two wouldn't hurt. He ran a finger along the tops of her bra cups. As long as he treated her well—and he would treat her very well—she would leave this temporary relationship satisfied.

Trailing his fingers alongside her bra straps, he made his way over her shoulders and to the clasp at her back. She shivered beneath his touch, and his cock throbbed in response beneath his pants.

The bra joined her skirt on the floor, and she filled his hands. Her nipples were as pink as her lips, and Gabe couldn't resist bending down for a taste.

She dug her fingers into his skull. “That feels so good.” Her head fell back on her shoulders, exposing the length of her neck. All she wore was a teeny scrap of lace, the rest of her body unprotected, ready for the taking. But that scrap of lace covered some of his most favorite bits, and it had to go. One quick tug at the thong, and she was completely exposed.

He let his fingers roam everywhere his eyes had. Light freckles dusted her arms and chest. A small scar over her ribs demanded his kiss. And the neatly trimmed thatch of hair at her vee begged for his attention. He already knew the feel of her, how eagerly she clutched at his fingers, but Gabe couldn't take his eyes off of her core as he eased two fingers in and out of her body.

Grabbing his shoulders, she wobbled on her feet.

Her apartment wasn't large. It wouldn't take more than a couple of glances to understand the layout, but he couldn't tear his eyes off of her. “Where's the bedroom?”

“Too far.” She gestured vaguely behind her. “Couch.”

It was long and green and looked like a thrift store reject. But it appeared sturdy enough. The back was at just the right height to bend Rachel over, take her like his body demanded, but that was usually more of a second fuck position.

Standing, he swept her up and tumbled her onto the couch. His hips settled between hers, his mouth finding the sweet spot on her neck. She tasted like strawberries and cream. Delicious. He wanted to taste her everywhere.

She unzipped his pants and grabbed him through his boxers.

His mind blanked. Later. He'd taste her everywhere later. Right now, he just needed in.

“Back pocket. Wallet. Condom.” That was all the instruction he could give.

“Take off your clothes and I'll get it,” she said.

Clothes? Who gave a shit about clothes? His important parts were already uncovered.

She paused, condom in hand, to tug at his shirt. “I want to feel you. Skin to skin.”

Well, okay, that sounded good. Gabe pulled his shirt up and over his head, not caring that a button popped off. Tugging his pants and boxers down his hips, Rachel slowly rolled on the condom.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, she was going to kill him. Grabbing Rachel behind one knee, he brought her leg over his hip, and pressed his way into heaven.

* * *

The stretch was delicious. Rachel opened her legs wider, wanting him deep. He eased his way in until his hips rested flush against hers.

Rachel sighed in contentment. She was so full, felt so connected, that she didn't even want Gabe to move. She could just lie this way for a long time, with him thick and heavy inside her, his chest pressing her down into the cushions.

He brushed his lips over hers. With his fingers, he tucked a piece of hair around her ear. The tender action surprised Rachel, and she kissed the inside of his wrist.

As slowly as he'd sunk into her, Gabe eased back until just the crown of his cock remained notched at her entrance. He set the pace, languid, easy, until it became excruciating. The muscles of his ass flexed beneath her hands, and she tried to urge him faster.

Chuckling, he nipped at the tip of her breast, resisting her efforts.

“Gabe . . .”

“Patience.” Bracing himself on straight arms, he looked down to where they were joined. “You have the prettiest pussy I've ever seen. I love watching my dick sink into you. I'm not going to rush it.”

Rachel followed his gaze. It was entrancing, his cock, dusky beneath the condom, disappearing into her body. His hardness enveloped by her softness.

Whimpering, she dug her heels into his back. Whereas Gabe wanted to drag out the moment, the sight of him fucking her only enflamed Rachel to want more.

“Please. Faster. Now.”

Leaning down, he bit her earlobe. “Are you asking or demanding?”

“Whatever gets the job done.” As an added incentive, she fluttered her muscles, practicing every Kegel exercise she knew.

Gabe groaned. “Oh, fuck me.”

“No.” Rachel licked around the shell of his ear and whispered, “Fuck me.”

One hand at her hip, Gabe slammed into her. “Anything you want, baby.” He buried his head in the crook of her neck and pounded into her, again and again.

Rachel held on and took everything he gave her. She needed it rough and dirty. Sweet was for relationships, something Gabe wasn't offering. This, the sweating and moaning, the slapping of skin against skin, this was what he had to give.

Rachel arched her back, took him deeper. The fullness in her body would have to compensate for the tiny hole opening in her heart. The hole where dreams went to die and whispered pleas of “
what if
” went unheard. What they had right now was going to have to be good enough.

And, damn, but it was good. Her lungs squeezed, her air caught in her chest. Her internal muscles rippled, every thrust bringing her closer. Gabe was close too, his jaw tight, sweat rolling down his temple. At this point, Rachel would usually help herself out, add her fingers to the mix so she wasn't left behind. But her arms felt too heavy to move.

Gabe drove into her, his movements growing frantic. His hand tightened in her hair. “Rachel . . .” he growled.

The deep rumble of his voice did it. Throwing back her head, she exploded around him.
Gabe!
She wanted to scream his name, but she only thought it, too busy gasping for air. Her core clamped down on his cock, and Gabe groaned, giving in to his own release.

Their breathing was loud in the silence. Rachel glided her hand up and down his spine, her body still twitching around him. She loved this moment, when you were still connected but no longer driven by primal urges. A moment when she could pretend that this might be the start of something wonderful.

Gabe lifted his head. His eyes were heavy-lidded, satisfaction oozing from every pore. “I hope you weren't thinking of kicking me out. Because we're doing that again.” Lowering his mouth to hers, he whispered across her lips, “And again.”