Renegade Path

“Stop. That’s my uncle Dex getting in your head. Forget whatever he said last night. It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not that.”

Her eyes narrowed and her mouth set in a determined line. She shoved the box out of her way and straddled my lap. I shifted my legs to hold her. With our bodies this close, the awkward feelings about the clothes disappeared, leaving room for some other feelings to grow.

She teased her fingers over the collar of my shirt. “Maybe,” she said in a low, soft voice, “I enjoyed thinking about your body.” She dropped her hands to my sleeve, unbuttoning the cuff and folding it a few times. “And how sexy your arms look with your sleeves rolled up.” She traced her finger from the crook of my elbow to my wrist, leaving behind a hot, ticklish sensation.

“You got a thing for arms, now?”

“Yours, yes.” She cupped my cheek. “I love you. I’ve never had someone I cared about to buy presents for. It made me so happy. Please don’t ruin that for me.”

“I’m not trying to ruin anything.”

“Hmm.” She brushed her lips over my cheek. “Do you like the shirts?”

“I love everything.” My lips curved, and I rubbed my hand over one of the soft flannels. “You know me so well.”

“Good,” she whispered. Her fingers strayed to the hem of my T-shirt, teasing underneath. “Let’s try one on.”

The warmth of her body so close and the huskiness of her voice sent heat blasting through my blood.

Suddenly, I wished I’d gotten her something a little sexier than a coat for Christmas.

I sat forward, allowing her to pull my shirt over my head and toss it on the couch.

She inhaled a sharp breath. “Merry Christmas to me.”

I liked the way her gaze flicked to my chest, then lower. And when she traced her fingertips over my abs, my breath caught. My cock instantly hardened.

Her gaze dropped to my lap, and her lips curled. “Looks like I have another present to unwrap.”

“I thought you wanted—”

“Are you arguing with me again?” She lifted one eyebrow.

I barely held back my laughter. “No, ma’am.”

Juliet

Maybe I was overwhelmed by our first Christmas morning together, which seemed like a miracle. But staring at Roman’s bare torso, I was stunned by how much he’d changed since the first time we’d fumbled and fooled around together. “You’re so beautiful, Roman.”

His lips quirked. “Beautiful?”

I traced my fingers over his broad shoulders and down his well-defined arms. “It’s a very masculine beauty,” I assured him.

He chuckled, rough and deep. “As long as I turn you on.”

“You always have.”

His teasing expression softened, and he brushed his knuckles over my cheek. “You have a way of looking at me that makes my heart flutter.”

What a sweet thing to admit. “Is that why you call me butterfly?”

“Maybe.” He pulled back and studied my face. “The times I’ve felt dead inside,” he tapped his chest. “You’re what brought me back to life.”

Tears stung my eyes. I couldn’t stand that he’d ever felt that way. “I love you so much.”

I pressed closer and kissed his parted lips. He groaned into my mouth and wrapped his arms around me, sitting slightly forward. Underneath me, his body shifted. I braced myself against his shoulders and kissed along his jaw. Beard scruff tickled against my lips as I kissed my way to his neck.

I slid one hand lower, right under the loose waistband of his pajama bottoms.

He sucked in a sharp breath. “What are you doing?”

“Unwrapping my present.” I pressed a hard kiss to his lips, then scooted off his lap, kissing my way down his chest. “Don’t interrupt.”

His stomach muscles quivered under my tongue. I curled my fingers in the elastic waistband of his pants and yanked them low enough to free his erection.

“Juliet?” he whispered.

“Shhh.” I closed my hand around his cock and brushed my thumb over the tip.

His body trembled. Little panting humming noises left his lips every time I teased his sensitive skin. I stroked and squeezed, enjoying the feel of him. “Is that good?” I asked.

As if his body wanted to answer, he thrust into my hand.

“I love touching you.” I stroked faster. “Your skin is so soft. But you’re hard as steel.”

He let out a shaky laugh. “You’re killing me.”

I swiped my tongue over my lips, then bent closer to take him into my mouth, sucking soft at first. His hips jerked off the floor.

He groaned and tangled his fingers in my hair.

I pulled away and pursed my lips, lightly blowing on his damp skin. “You like that?”

“Yes.”

A powerful feeling slid through me. Roman was usually so strong and controlled. But I had the ability to leave him trembling. With a few soft touches, kisses, and licks, he was mine. I savored his desperate noises. When I flicked my gaze up, I found him watching my every move with wide, adoring eyes. His breath came faster. He closed his hand over mine, helping me stroke, showing me how much pressure he liked.