White Lie Christmas

by Christine Bell

  “Bed. I want bed. With me and you. No clothes.” She buried her face into his neck and groaned, “I can’t believe I just said that.”

  Her breath caught in her throat when he murmured against her ear. “I want a bed with you in it. Don’t be shy, babe, because I don’t intend to be.”

  That’s all she needed to hear. She pulled herself more tightly into him as he peeled them off the wall. She didn’t care where they went, so long as she could take what she needed and give in return. She nuzzled, found an opening, and latched onto his neck with a moan. Mick had a great neck. A strong neck, one she’d always lusted after. She took hold and sucked hard, tasted and then bit once. Twice.

  “Christ, I love how greedy you are.”

  That was the last thing she heard. Her heart raced at triple time. Her pulse beat like a drum, and killer zings of adrenaline coursed through her, stopping here and there, bursting like puffs of stardust that left her quaking and shivering. All feelings that demanded she suck harder and hold on tighter.

  “Hey Leah?”

  She heard him talking, but it sounded distant. If she ignored him, he’d stop calling her away from what she had in mind.

  “Babe, let go.”

  When she did, she was embarrassed to realize they’d not only made it to her room, but they were on her bed, and he was on top of her.

  “Sorry, I got a little carried away.”

  He smiled down at her in such a devilish way she melted.

  “You need to relax. I intend to be here all night. I want to go slow. Don’t you?”

  She really didn’t, but felt the need to lie. One look at the shadowy beard he sported and the way his eyes shone in the dim light, she would’ve agreed to almost anything to make him happy. “I’ll try.”

  “That’s real good. You do that.”

  But how was she supposed to do that when he was all over her at once? He was at her neck as sure and steady as she had been on his. And, crap, if someone had asked her yesterday whether her neck was an erogenous zone, she would have said no. Today? Hell, yes. Mick was currently proving it. She groaned.

  “You like that?”

  She clasped his shoulders tighter. God, it felt good.

  “Leah?”

  Damn. “Yes?”

  “Look at me.”

  When she did, she lost it. She brought both arms up and clutched his hair in her fists. Yanking him down, she fed on his mouth. Pulling and pushing. Moaning and groaning. Her tongue swept against his lips until he opened, and she gained access to the hottest part of him. Every molecule in her body thrummed to a delicious beat. Wanting to get closer, climb higher and burn. The fire inside her raged out of control.

  By the time she worked up enough strength to break contact, she realized her bra was off. And Mick didn’t waste any time exploring the naked terrain exposed. His warm, hard palm cupped her breast while his thumb skated over her nipple. The fact there was no other contact between them made this caress more intimate and powerful.

  “Don’t close your eyes.”

  She shivered at the sensual command.

  “Put your arms up over your head for me. That’s good. Now, take hold of the rails. It’s okay. I promise.” He bent and kissed the rise of one breast before he leaned up and gave her a look that turned her insides to jelly. Right then all her preconceived notions of Mick being a nice guy between the sheets vanished. Spying the dark gleam in his eyes assured her he could be the good kind of nasty. “I want to go slow. Just this time. Next time we’ll do it your way. Right now we’re going to do it mine.”

  She shivered again, only the quakes started on the inside and worked their way out. With a deep breath she wiggled her bottom one last time and exhaled. “I’m ready.”

  “For what?”

  Her eyes popped open, and she stared into his twinkling eyes.

  “By the look of you, one would think a firing squad.”

  “Mick, I—”

  “Shh, don’t let go of the bars.”

  That was the last thing she heard before he curled over and took a spiked nipple into his hot mouth. He sucked so hard, tingles started in her midsection and then went lower, much lower, collecting between her legs to torture her.

  …

  Mick took his time. He tasted one breast and shifted to see to the other. “You’re so beautiful. Gorgeous,” he whispered. And when she arched up, seeking more attention, lust barreled through him at a wicked pace. “Your skin is so soft.”

  He drew her other nipple into his mouth. Sucked and used the tip of his tongue to graze. She moaned and tried to twist, but he didn’t let her. Instead he splayed a hand over her stomach and pressed down, trapping her until she stilled. He waited, working her nipple and massaging her belly. When she sighed, he slid his hand lower. Eased his fingers around the button of her jeans. Tugged it free before he went after her zipper.

  The steel teeth giving way made a soft purr, but she didn’t seem to notice. He did. The sound sent warm blood rushing south, and his stomach muscles clenched. He ignored his body’s reaction because this was all about her. Christ, he’d said her skin was like silk, but he was wrong. It felt like fire-warmed velvet as he slipped his hand down the front of her pants. He almost groaned when he reached her mound. The heat and slick feel of her against his fingers nearly undid him.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re drenched already. So wet.”

  She flexed up, and he knew what she wanted. He captured her mouth, silencing her gasp, as he played with her. Rubbing and applying pressure over her sensitive flesh until her quivers turned to shakes.

  “Mick.”

  He kissed her neck before he bit and nipped his way up to her ear, tracing that delicate shell with the tip of his tongue. “I’m here.”

  This time he didn’t smother her gasp as her hips came off the mattress to meet his hand when he gently eased two fingers into her. Her body welcomed him, sleek and ready. He didn’t let up. Pleased by her frustrated moans and sigh-like panting. She was building, lifting. He could feel it happening. Her muscles tightening. Convulsing in a pulse-like beat that took his breath away.

  “I want you to see stars. Are you ready?”

  He curled his index and middle fingers forward and found the spot. Gently brushing it between the two digits with downward strokes. Patient and thorough until she reacted. Her breath caught and her hips jerked as she kept a white-knuckled grip on the bars overhead. He didn’t breathe, he just kept the pace and watched her beauty unfold for him.

  “Mick I…Oh, God, Mick. God. I—ah!”

  The sight of her falling apart. Opening up. Giving in. He almost lost it. And the feel of her, much wetter now and so ready for more, had him revved. He let go of her and leaned back to give her time to regroup. He was content just watching her as she licked her lips and pushed her hair out of her eyes. The languid way she moved pleased the hell out of him.

  When she turned to him, he hissed in a breath. She wanted him. He read it loud and clear. Without a word, he peeled his clothes off and kneeled on the bed to pull down her jeans.

  “You have great hips,” he whispered as he slowly tugged the denim down. She helped by wiggling back and forth. “Damn, look at you,” he said. “So perfect.”

  Her cheeks flushed and she cupped her hands over the apex of her thighs.

  “No, don’t cover up.”

  “I’m—”

  “Perfect.” He cut her off. Lying next to her he did no more than kiss her neck, her cheek and the tip of her nose.

  This time when he kissed her the way she liked it, fast and hard, he was prepared for the hair pulling. He reveled in the nail digging and only grunted when she bit his shoulder hard.

  His body responded to her aggression. He wedged a knee between her legs and didn’t have to push them apart. When she spread her thighs, the blood pounded in his ears…and lower. It pulsed between his legs, adrenaline raced through his veins, and need rose up, swallowing him whole.

  She pushed and flexe
d. Cried and moaned. Begged for him to enter her. “Please, I want to feel you inside me. Don’t make me wait. Please, it’s been…”

  He was so close. So ready to sink into her when he realized. “Leah? Hey.” He took hold of her chin to get her to focus.

  “What?”

  She sounded so miffed he had to bite back a chuckle. “I don’t have a condom.”

  “What?”

  “A condom. I don’t have one,” he repeated slowly.

  “I do. In the drawer.” She gave a curt nod to her right and then looked away. She was back to licking those lips as she ran a hand through her hair and stretched out, arching her back while she pushed her breasts temptingly toward him.

  He tore his gaze from her. Condom. Right.

  He opened the drawer and gave a cursory examination of the contents. “I don’t see them.”

  “It’s there.”

  He tilted his head. “It’s?”

  “Uh huh. Do you see the gold filigree box?”

  She brushed her hands over her naked torso so slowly. So sexily that he hated to look away, but the sooner he did… “Yes.”

  “It’s in there.”

  Once he had the box in hand, he snapped the lip open. Sure enough, one lone foil packet lay on a bed of light colored satin. Who was he to question the why of things? He was willing to go with “it is what it is” as long as it did the job.

  He’d just gotten it opened when she grabbed his wrist so fast he nearly dropped it. “Careful,” he said with a grin.

  “I ah, wanted to give you the heads up before you take that out of there.”

  “Okay.” He prayed this wasn’t a gag rubber that was going blow up in a big puff of confetti or something.

  “It glows.”

  “Glows? Does it work?”

  “Of course.”

  He shook his head. “I thought the neon green was passé.”

  “It’s not neon green. It glows brilliant gold and it cost me a fortune, but it’s totally worth it.”

  He held the foil up and peered at it. It didn’t look all that special. “Why?”

  “Because I swore off men three years ago, and if I decided I ever needed one of these again, it was going to be a cause to celebrate.”

  “And is it?”

  She looked him dead in the eyes. “Oh, yeah.”

  He let her drag him down for a kiss. Before he knew it he was rolling with her as the mattress creaked and gave. She slid all over him and when she tried to shimmy downward he said, “No, I couldn’t take that babe. Not now. Maybe later.”

  “Can I help, then?”

  He gave a terse laugh. “No, I got it. Although I’m not ashamed to admit, I’m a little nervous.”

  “It’s been a long time for you too?”

  “Yes, but…” He tugged on the rubber. “I’m more nervous about this.”

  He watched her eyes widen as she looked at his brightly glowing member. She was staring at it so hard he felt the need to say something. “I, ah, think the gold makes it look smaller,” he teased.

  “Smaller? Jesus Mick, you’re…”

  He hauled her in until they were nose to nose. “I’m what?”

  “Huge.”

  “I’m sure I’ll fit.”

  She nuzzled his neck and murmured, “We best give it a go and find out, don’t you think?”

  “I think.” He pressed her back against the mattress and whispered, “This is the first time I’m going to promise a woman I’ll light her up on the inside and really mean it.”

  He dipped to give her a kiss, and she was back to being greedy, pulling and pressing.

  “Leah, Leah.” He took hold of one hand and brought it to the bars on the headboard. When he got hold of her second hand, he put some distance between the two. “I want you to stay like this. With your arms and legs spread wide for me.”

  “I don’t—oh, that feels…”

  He went slow and easy. Opening up her tight little muscles. Making room for himself. Damn, she was slick and silky. Hotter than hell and tempting. He wanted to slide all the way into her. Bury himself in her heat. She moaned.

  When she completely relaxed he began sweating. She wanted him. All of him. He pressed forward another inch.

  “It’s okay, please…”

  He groaned as she flexed up and forced him deeper. When she started to ride him like she had his hand, he lost it. “Jesus.”

  He grabbed hold of her hips and took over. With their bodies slapping together, he pumped in and out of her tight channel.

  “Faster. God, don’t stop.”

  He couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to. Instinct took over as he hammered into her with long and steady strokes. His blood rushed and his heart pounded. Adrenaline surged until euphoria invaded. The heat, the solid grip of her muscles, and her moans pushed him to the finish. But it was the slip of his body against hers that took him over the edge.

  “Christ.” His whole body tensed. Every muscle trembled with sublime restraint until he came in a rush, as hot and wet as she did.

  He rolled off her to catch his breath.

  “Mick?” she gasped.

  Pulling her in close, he murmured, “Yeah?”

  “I think Bunny had it right.”

  “Bunny?” He leaned back to look down at her.

  “Yeah. You are Prime Grade A Kilpatrick Beef.” She snuggled against him with a contented sigh. “In fact, after this I might have to upgrade you to Kobe.”

  Chapter Seven

  Mick awoke to the sound of steady breathing that wasn’t his. He stirred, his thigh bumping against what felt like a soft, shapely calf and images clouded his mind. Leah. Him. Sex. Sweet Jesus, the sex. Blood rushed to his groin, and he rolled to the side of the bed, careful not to disturb her as he got up. Clearly, he needed to go on a condom run because the night was far from over if he had anything to say about it.

  He peered around in the darkness until he located the alarm clock’s iridescent numbers. Two-thirty a.m. The corner store was open all night, thank god. He crossed the room, not bothering to cover his nakedness. It took him a minute to find his pants and step into them. As an afterthought, he powered on his cell and tugged the shirt over his head. Might as well find out what Bunny had thought was so damned important.

  The phone lit bright, and four missed calls stared back at him. He recognized one of the numbers as Tucker Donavan’s. Luke’s playmate. That was weird. He hit the green button and waited for voicemail to play. The first was from Bunny requesting a call back, and he quickly deleted it. The next was from Luke.

  “Dad?” he whispered and paused as if waiting for a response. “Hi. I was ‘posed to stay at Tucker’s but everyone’s sleepy, and I don’t feel sleepy yet. And the heater keeps making funny noises so I was thinking you could come get me. I called mom but she’s still not—” Tucker’s mom called in the background, “Did you say goodnight to your dad?” Luke told her “Yep” and then said into the phone, “Gotta go,” and hung up.

  Mick swallowed the tiny morsel of guilt that had lodged itself in his throat. This was typical kid stuff. Luke was fine, and ten minutes later, he had probably forgotten he’d even wanted to go home.

  Mick snuck out of the room and listened to the next call. This one was from his ex. “Hi Mick. I know Luke called you earlier and I just wanted to let you know that everything is fine. Tucker’s mom contacted me a little while ago and said Luke’s feeling a little nervous tonight, and he wants to come home. She said she’d bring him by, now that I’m here, so no worries.”

  Excellent. So what were the other two calls? He erased that one and went on the next. It was Sheila again only this time she was screaming and talking so fast he could barely make out the words. Somehow, he managed to get the four most important though.

  Luke, car, accident, hospital.

  His heart kicked against his ribs. He clicked out of voicemail and punched in Sheila’s number. Racing out the door and across the drive, he ignored the icy winds
that slapped at him and threw himself into the car. He had the engine revving by the time Sheila answered.

  “Mick, thank God! Why haven’t you been answering my calls, damn it!” Her panicked tone sent a frozen shard of dread into his gut.

  He swallowed the wave of nausea that swamped him. “Please tell me he’s going to be okay.”

  She let out a broken sob, and it felt like forever before she was able to catch her breath to respond. “Aimee was driving him home and hit a patch of black ice. You need to get here now. To the hospital. He has a compound fracture in his femur. He’s lost a lot of blood and I’ve donated, but you need to as well, just in case.”

  “Is he going to be okay?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. Jesus, Mick, where the hell are you?”

  He tried to form the words but despair choked him into silence.

  “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. We’re at Northwest Memorial. Aimee’s with me. She hit her head, but the airbag saved her. I need you to get here. You know I don’t h-handle this kind of stuff—” She sucked in a shuddering breath and again started to cry.

  “I don’t want to stay on while I’m driving. I won’t be good to anyone if I have an accident myself trying to get there. I’ll be there in twenty minutes or less,” he promised.

  A moment later, he disconnected and glanced up at Leah’s dark bedroom window. He should have woken her, but there was no time now. He briefly contemplated calling as he backed out of the drive. No, he was in no shape for conversation and would likely only worry her, or worse, say something he might regret.

  He was working on autopilot here, shock and stress driving him while he turned this terrifying development over in his mind. For the first time since his divorce, he’d made himself unavailable to Luke.

  Memories of his own childhood flooded him as he drove. Him at the age of five, standing by the door with his suitcase, waiting for his Dad who never showed. His mother’s reaction…some toxic combination of rage and glee. Listening to her bash his father to anyone willing to lend an ear. The apology phone calls about something coming up at work. Lather, rinse, repeat. Disgust rolled through him like an incoming tide.