“God! Just do it,” he muttered, walking back to the door. Raising his fist, he knocked.
Fate was about to take over.
Tessa was curled up on her couch with a book in her lap and wine in her hand. She’d gotten home, showered, and became a Christmas couch potato. She wasn’t hungry and wine sounded so much more promising.
Yeah, and so was the cheesy romance where the man rode into town, kicked in the door, and rescued the woman.
In life, seldom did a sexy man just pop up on your doorstep at all hours of the night. At least, it didn't in her life. The only man she was interested in wasn’t even thinking about her.
It wasn’t as if she didn't try. Tessa had planted a big lip lock on him and nada.
Oh well. Romance novel and booze it was. At least she knew that it would have a happy ending.
As she flipped the page, there was a knock on her door and she found that beyond odd. Her neighbors never came over here, and there weren’t many people in her life to stop in for a cup of eggnog on Christmas Eve.
It confused her.
Walking to the door, she placed her wine on the table in the hall beside her book. As she peeked out the hole, there stood her partner.
She took it back. It was a Christmas miracle. Santa delivered her a sexy, neurotic agent.
Jingle bells.
Opening the door, she stared at him. “Paris, are you okay?” she inquired, unsure what was going on with the look on his face.
“No, I’m not,” he muttered, stepping towards her. Once inside, he slammed the door before grabbing her roughly. When she didn't even try to stop him, it made the fire in his gut burn hotter. “I’m not okay at all. For once, I don’t want to overthink things.”
And with that, he stole that one, innocent, measly kiss.
Chapter Eleven
Saturday Night
Greyson Croft had danced with his wife for a while, and he made sure to catch her beneath every mistletoe that he could find. When he got her there, he kissed her like it was the last chance he would ever get in life. There was one more bunch hanging from the ceiling, and then he could call it a night.
Sweeping her over to it, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, Emma.
“I love you too, Grey,” she purred, just as his mouth met hers. Carefully she stroked him through his pants. His body reacted instantly, going harder and kissing her more and more. When her hand really wandered, he broke the kiss.
“We’re out of here,” he said, practically dragging her across the floor. It had been a night full of temptation and teasing, and now he wanted his reward. Greyson had every intention of opening his gold wrapped present.
Randall observed them from across the room and began laughing, since he was well aware of the man’s desires.
Emma had enough time to kiss him on the cheek, laughter in her eyes as her husband rushed her away.
Through the door and out into the night, he found his driver. Thank God, there were privacy screens in the cars, because he didn't think he was going to make it home.
All night, he had suffered with her caresses, or peeks down her dress and it made him wonder if he was the only one looking. That thought alone drove his blood pressure up and made him crazy.
How out of control was he? Greyson was insane enough to have sex in a company car with his wife. That said it all.
Ushering them in, the driver looked down before closing the door. “Traffic’s snarled due to an accident, sir, I have to go the long way.”
He was definitely screwed.
Emma licked her lips, and then moved in towards his. “Tell me about this conversation you had about the masseuse, Grey,” she questioned as her hand slid down his chest to his belt.
Croft swallowed. “Booker offered me a woman who would give me a massage and blowjob in my office. It’s the girl he frequently uses. She was recommended, in case my wife stopped putting out,” he muttered, trying not to focus on her fingers undoing his belt.
“Is that so, Greyson? Does your wife sufficiently supply everything that you need?” Now, the buckle was open, and her hands were adeptly working on the button.
“Yes, she really does,” he answered. Part of him wasn’t sure if he wanted her to prove a point or wait until they arrived home. “Emma, this is a company car,” he warned as he heard the hiss of a zipper. It didn't seem to deter her either way.
Then, he was free.
“Yes, it is, Greyson. As I believe you were offered something in your office too, so what’s the difference?”
He swallowed, watching her lift her dress enough to allow her to get on her knees.
There was something enthralling about his wife holding him in her hand, licking her lips, and on her knees in the back of their driven car. It was just so damn erotic, he couldn’t help it.
“I think I’m going to have to take care of my husband a little better,” she whispered, blowing warm air across his erection.
He actually jumped at the sensation.
Emma didn't give him time to object, she moved towards him, taking him in her mouth.
“Oh God,” he whispered, trying not to alert their driver. All he needed was the man catching him with his wife on her knees and her head in his lap.
She only paused for a moment. “Like this, Greyson?” she purred, before going back to it.
The entire world spun, as she worked him hard, trying to push him over the edge. “Honey, trust me, I don’t want another woman doing this to… Oh God,” he moaned, as she did something creative with her tongue.
His hands went to her hair and pulled out the pins, letting it cascade down over them. Yeah, that was definitely worse. Now his brain was on overload as silky strands of hair brushed against his heated flesh.
“Did you enjoy me in your lap tonight, Grey?” she asked while stroking him with her hand.
“Mmmmm Hmmmmm,” he answered. “I love you perched there. I’d keep you on it all day if I could.”
Emma licked him from base to tip before climbing up his body to give him what he wanted.
He finally got the picture.
His wife was back in his lap all right, but she wasn’t planning on sitting. “Emma, Christ,” he muttered, as she straddled him, dropping her dress around them.
“I can’t wait, Greyson,” she said, sliding him home. “I’ve wanted to feel you in me all night.”
His whole body rocked at her words and the hot, wet glide into her. It was like coming home, after being away a long time. “Oh Emma,” he pleaded, dropping his head back and closing his eyes.
“This is why I didn't wear panties, Grey.”
Automatically, his hands were on her hips. “Stop teasing me, Emma! Ride me and give your husband what he wants,” he ordered, staring at her with stormy eyes.
Gone was the control.
A man only had so much patience before he became crazed and out of his mind with lust and want.
“Grey,” she whispered in his ear, as she began moving. “There’s only you.”
He heard the words, but he was too far gone into the need. Roughly, he began pulling her down his erection, pulling a gasp from her lips each and every time.
“You teased me all night, my little vixen, and now you’ll give me what I’ve earned.”
Her body was on fire at his touch. He was right. Emma wanted him wild and now this was the end result. Bouncing in his lap, she was so close to breaking apart.
When he pulled her down one last time, she shattered around him.
His moan filled the back of the car, as she quivered in his arms. “Emma,” he muttered, barely holding on that time. “I want more,” he demanded, pulling down the front of her dress to expose her breasts. “You’ve been giving me little sneak peeks all night, so I might as well see the whole package.”
Emma shivered at his words. “Grey,” she whispered, as his hands claimed his prize.
“So perfect, honey. So, damn right and all mine!”
She practically purre
d under his hands like a kitten being stroked.
“Be a good wife and finish me off,” he ordered brusquely.
Emma began the slow steady ride again, staring into his eyes, sharing her heart and soul with the only man who would ever own either. “I love you.”
Greyson would never love anyone more, as she built herself back up and took him with her.
“So close, Emma,” he said softly, as his eye caught the glint off the ‘C’ of her necklace. She wore his ring and she bore his initial.
“You’re mine,” he vowed, feeling her shatter apart once more, taking him with her when he went.
“Greyson!” She collapsed against him, as he remained buried in her body. Time stood still, as they stayed connected.
“Merry Christmas, Emma. I love you.”
She didn't reply, only giggled.
It earned her a loving swat on her behind. “I think you just used me.”
Now she was laughing. “I certainly did and as usual, you were fantastic.”
He kissed her while laughing, and then gazed into her eyes. “You’re my all. Thank you for finding your way back to me.”
“I promise that I always will.”
He helped tuck her back into her gown and fixed her the best that he could. Croft found it entertaining that what took five hours to put together, only took one twenty minute sweaty bout of sex to destroy.
“I hope there are no reporters out there.”
She never even thought about that. “Oh crap!”
Now, he was smugly smiling. “They’re going to know what you were doing back here with your husband.”
“Yeah, if you smile like that they will!”
He couldn’t help it. His wife brought out the caveman in him and always would.
Once the car came to a stop, Greyson tipped the driver and wrapped his arm around his wife. It was turning out to be a pretty memorable Christmas.
“This is the best holiday ever,” he continued, “because I have you in my life. You’re my present, Em.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m the happiest woman ever,” she replied, patting him on the ass as they cleared the doors to the lobby.
Croft snorted. “Emma, behave or else.”
She simply laughed, knowing anything he threatened her with would just make the night even better. “Yes, Grey,” she replied, waving to the night security.
Riding up in the elevator, there were kisses and words of adoration between them. Both knew that it had nothing to do with Christmas, and everything to do with their love.
Walking into their condo, they were assaulted by the Christmas spirit. Someone had most definitely been busy, and they couldn’t believe it. Music was softly playing, the tree was lit and all the presents sat beneath it wrapped and ready to be opened.
There were even cookies.
“Someone’s been busy while we were out,” Emma said, walking towards the kitchen counter, where there appeared to be a note and present waiting for them. “It’s from your partner.”
Croft joined her as he read over his wife’s shoulder.
Thank you for always being there for me. I appreciate and love you both. Tonight’s all yours. Champagne is in the cooler.
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.
~ Curtis
“He’s incredibly sweet,” Emma said, as her husband popped the lid off the festively wrapped box addressed to them. Inside was tissue paper, and then they saw it.
“Oh it’s beautiful,” she murmured, picking up the silver frame that housed a picture of her and Greyson.
It was one that she had never seen before. They were in his office at the FBI building, and she was kissing him as she perched in his lap. “Curtis must have snuck this picture of us.”
He ran his fingers over the wording on the bottom, admiring it.
True Love Never Dies.
How could he not smile at that? Briggs was right. When you found the one, it lived forever and ever. “I’m very glad he took it. I’ll cherish it forever.”
“We shouldn’t celebrate tonight alone, Grey. He should be here with us.”
Croft couldn’t agree more with his wife. “I think we should go get changed and open some presents. It’s after midnight, and that means it’s technically Christmas.”
She hugged him. “Okay, come on.” Racing down the hall, she helped him get out of his tuxedo, and then he returned the favor. They laughed and giggled together like children. Once in their pajamas, they tiptoed to Curtis’s room to get him.
“Do you think he’s asleep?” she whispered.
“Yeah, but that’s not stopping us. Let’s wake him up.”
Opening the door slightly, they found him passed out with a book lying on his chest and lamp on beside the bed.
Emma giggled more. She reached out and touched his arm. “Curtis, wake up.”
He came awake quickly, caught off guard. “What’s wrong? Who’s dead?”
Croft laughed at that. “There’s no victims, but it’s Christmas and we have celebrating to do.”
The man looked over at the clock. “It’s ten after twelve.”
“Yeah, and that means we can officially open presents and start the holiday.”
He wasn’t sure why they were in his room. Curtis had set everything up for them to have a romantic night. This was their first Christmas together, and they should be able to celebrate without him in the way. “I don’t understand.”
Emma grabbed his hand. “Come on! I want to see what’s under the tree.”
Curtis let her drag him from the room and out into the living room where the tree was sparkling. When Emma went to kneel beside the presents, he plopped down on the couch.
“Thank you for trying to give us a night alone,” his partner said, patting him on the arm, “but Christmas is about family and we’d rather spend it together.”
The man grinned, because his day was looking up. When he went to bed, he was feeling down after just getting his heart handed to him on the holidays. Now, his surrogate family was giving him it back.
Emma patted the floor, signaling for the men to join her. Croft came, carrying the plate of cookies.
“Were you baking cookies too?” he asked, popping one in his mouth.
Briggs laughed at the absurdity of that. “Uh, no. My grandmother sent them. She makes the best cookies in the world. They have a baking day at the retirement facility.”
He held the plate out to Emma, and she selected a festive one with sprinkles. Biting into it, she grinned. “Yeah she does. Grandma can bake me cookies any day.”
Curtis grinned. He was more than happy that he could share them with Emma and Greyson.
The men sat on the floor.
“Thank you for the picture frame, Curtis,” she said, holding out a box for him. “This is from us. We hope you like them.”
He took the pretty box and pulled the ribbon, watching it fall from the package. Opening the lid, he stared inside. “What the…”
Emma began giggling.
Pulling out the protectively wrapped comic books, he stared up at them. “How did you know?”
Croft smiled at his partner. “We called your grandmother and she told us that you borderline hoarded them, and you had a few missing in your collection. It was a matter of finding them.”
“Do you like them?” Emma asked, hopefully.
He ran his fingers over them and couldn’t believe it. “Yeah I love them. I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid. I used to do all the yard work in the neighborhood just to save up my money and go blow it all on them.”
Croft patted his friend on the back. “Merry Christmas, Curtis.”
He didn't know what to say. “Thank you, this is pretty awesome.”
Emma hugged him and dropped a kiss on his cheek. “I’m glad we got you the perfect gift, and we love you too.”
Greyson enjoyed the look on the man’s face. It was happiness awash in peace. “Now, let’s see what I got for Emma,” he said
, handing her some boxes.
She tore through the wrapping paper while laughing. In one box, she found some hair clips that he had found at the vintage store that she loved. They sparkled in the light as they sat in the palm of her hand. “So pretty,” she murmured, placing them lovingly back into the box.
Then, she opened the second one. Inside, was a bracelet that held different charms.
“Each one signifies something on our honeymoon week,” he stated, as she touched each one.
Emma examined the bracelet. There was a tiny bottle of wine, a palm tree, sunglasses, a book, her new initials, a glittering red ruby heart, and finally two rings interlocked together.
“It’s beautiful,” Emma admitted, holding out her wrist for him to clasp. “I love it.”
“The last one is something I’ve been working on for a while,” he admitted.
She tore into the box, finding a leather bound journal. Opening it, she read the first entry.
Today, I met the woman I’m going to marry. Ironically, she was standing in a field where a dead woman had once been. The second I saw her, I just knew. I don’t know what it is about her, but somehow my life just feels complete. I think I’m already in love. Now, I just need to get her to love me back and be my wife. It’s my new mission in life. I already know I can’t live without her.
Emma glanced up at him, unsure what she was holding, but it staggered her heart.
“I started a journal the day I met you to write down my thoughts as we began our life together. Yesterday, I finished it.”
Emma looked back down at it and flipped to the final entry to read it out loud.
Oh, Emma. How do I even find the words to tell you what lives in me for you? Each day, my heart grows more for you. When I think it can’t possibly get bigger, it does. From your smile, to your deep well of kindness, I’m completely in love with you. Not a moment goes by that I don’t believe that I’m the luckiest man in the whole world. Because of you, I found life and a reason to wake up each day. I will never love anyone like I adore you.
Christmas is Killing (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 3) Page 27
