Merry Christmas, My Love

His hand crept up her body, and his fingers unbuttoned the front of her dress.

“You can’t do that,” she moaned, not convincing anyone.

“Shh. Let me feel your skin. So soft. So sweet.” His head dipped and he kissed her collarbone, pushing the dress off her shoulders until the bodice landed in her lap. He stared in her eyes as he unhooked her corset. Separating the pieces, he removed the garment as Priscilla took a deep breath.

“I don’t know why you women wear these things.”

He slipped the straps of her chemise off her shoulders, revealing her perfect breasts. Plump, dark-tipped nipples, already pouting, aching for his mouth. He accommodated her.

She wrapped her hands around his head, making small mewling sounds that drove him further over the brink. He eased his hands around her slender back and moved her closer, the span of his hands almost covering her entire back. He kissed his way up her chest to her jaw and back to her mouth. He anchored her face with his hands and turned her head to deepen the kiss.

He’d had his share of women over the years, but never had he burned like this for a woman. Everything about her surrounded him, the scent of lemons, her soft touch, her whimpering sounds, the sweet and salty taste of her skin. His fingers wrapped around her hair, fisting the locks.

“God, I want you so much.” About to explode, he craved her with a raw desire that consumed him. He wanted her underneath him, naked and crying his name as he took her over the edge, to be the first—and only—man to teach her about the pleasures to be had between a man and a woman.

Priscilla swore all her bones had melted. Were she required to run for her life right now, she would die on the spot. Mitch’s hands were everywhere, as was his mouth. Just as she thought she couldn’t take any more, he would move his hands and mouth from one place on her body and torture her in another spot. She was restless, unable to sit still. Her clothes felt restrictive, as if she needed to tear them off.

Instead, she unbuttoned his shirt, tugging it off his shoulders. Once his shirt was loosened, he yanked the bottom from his pants and tossed it aside. Then he eased her down on the mattress and leaned over her body, once more suckling her breast as he teased the nipple on the other one, rolling it with his fingers. She shifted and moaned, tossing her head back and forth.

“Darlin’, I have to see all of you. Help me with your dress.” He shifted and tugged the garment over her hips and down her legs, dragging her bloomers with the skirt, leaving her in only her stockings and half boots. Instead of embarrassment, she relished the heat in his gaze as his eyes ate her up from the top of her head to her feet.

The flames from the fireplace cast a glow over the room, bathing them in the warm light. Sweat beaded Mitch’s forehead, and her heart pounded as if it would jump from her chest. Unknown feelings raced through her body, making her aware of places she never thought of.

Her breathing was so erratic she wasn’t sure she would ever draw another deep breath. He slipped her half boots off and stretched out, settling alongside her, braced on his elbow. His hand ran over her curves. “You’re so beautiful.”

His fingers drifted up the inside of her leg as he studied the movement.

“Mitch.”

“Yes, sweetheart. Tell me what you want.

”

“I don’t know. But I need something, I feel as if something is missing.”

He dragged his hand up until he cupped her intimately, using his fingertip to circle her opening, the moistness there making his finger slippery and her legs to shift. She pressed against his hand. “What’s happening to me?”

“Ah, honey, you’re getting ready for me. Your body is preparing for what comes next.” He smoothed the damp curls back from her face. “You do know where we’re headed, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Please…”

“Are you sure? Once we take this step, there’s no turning back.”

She reached up and cupped his face. “I need you. I need you to make this feeling end.”

Mitch sat up and unfastened his trousers. He slid them off, along with his drawers, and turned to her. She might be a virgin, but she was not unaware of what he intended to do. Gingerly she reached down and fisted his member. It was silky smooth and hard at the same time.

Mitch let out with a groan and moved over her, capturing her mouth with an intensity that only made her more frantic to have him help her reach what her body craved.

He spread he legs apart and settled between them. “Sweetheart, this will hurt, but only briefly. I’m sorry.” He covered her mouth and slid into her body. A slight pinch made her jerk, but the pain went away immediately. What she noticed more was the fullness of their joining, the pleasure as he stared into her eyes and moved his hips forward, then back.

She encircled his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss. Their panting filled the room, their sweat-slicked bodies sliding against each other. Mitch reached between them and used his thumb to tease the flesh between her legs. “Come with me, baby,” he said, his voice raspy.

The closer she came to an edge, the more frantic she grew. “Oh, Mitch, please.”

“Hang on, darlin’, you’re almost there. Relax. Don’t tense up on me.”

He no sooner got the words out than she pushed hard against his hand and a wave of pleasure as she’d never felt before in her entire life washed over her. He covered her mouth with his and swallowed her moan. Before the last ripples of pleasure faded, he threw his head back and poured himself into her. He gasped out her name and collapsed on top of her.