“You’re a lovely woman. I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding a man of your own.”
Lyric looked stunned although her chin had tilted a notch. “Ummm, thank you.” There was another prolonged silence before she summoned a shaky smile. “I feel really stupid for what I did but I had to come down here and tell you your husband had nothing to do with what happened. I kissed him.”
Berlin sat forward in her chair, eyeing her intently. “I appreciate you being woman enough to come here and tell me that, but listen and listen good. I better not ever see you near my husband again. Do I make myself clear?”
“You won’t… I promise,” Lyric said, meeting her hard stare. “The two of you are having a baby and the last thing I want to do is break up a happy home. It’s obvious your husband really loves you.”
“Yes, he does,” Berlin began. “Now get out of my office.”
Lyric flinched, but nodded. “Well, again, I’m sorry.” She had already turned to exit the room when Berlin spoke again.
“How did you find out where I worked?”
Looking over her shoulder, Lyric shrugged and said, “I went back to the house to apologize and Trey told me how to find you.”
Good ole Trey.
Long after she was gone, Berlin gazed out the window of her office. Snow was falling again but she was too emotional to appreciate it.
Reggie had been telling the truth.
Panic tightened at her chest and her hands were shaking. She should have trusted him. Closing her eyes, she replayed the scene again but this time she saw the stunned look on her husband’s face and the pain in his eyes while he pleaded with her to believe him. She had refused to listen to what he had to say, only to discover how wrong she had been. Shaking her head, Berlin didn’t even want to think what might have happened if Lyric hadn’t been woman enough to come forward and admit her guilt. There was no telling how long the tension and feelings of betrayal would have gone on.
Boo, it isn’t what you think.
Why hadn’t she believed him? Berlin scowled and brought a hand to her forehead. If she had been feverous for the last few days then maybe that would have explained it. Dumb move, Berlin. She had almost sacrificed her marriage and happiness because of pride.
Hearing infectious laughing, her eyelids fluttered open and she gazed out at the young children frolicking around on the snowy lawn, and couldn’t resist a smile. Last winter, she and Reggie made snow angels in their front yard. The afternoon had ended in a snowball fight that sent her laughing and screaming into the house. Soaked, wet and shivering, she and Reggie had rushed into the bathroom where she had drawn a hot bath. They spent the next hour, beneath the water, talking about having a baby.
Their baby.
Tears clouded Berlin’s eyes as she brought a protective hand and rested it on her belly. She loved her husband and their life together, and nothing was ever going to come between them again.
Now she just needed to call Reggie and tell him.
CHAPTER 9
This feels like déjà vu.
A cluster of silver bells over the door jingled as Reggie strutted inside. It was almost noon and the clinic was hours away from closing for the season.
Patients filled the waiting room, and as soon as he strutted past the playroom, the area grew quiet as all eyes were in his direction.
“Mommy, look! Santa Claus!” the little boy cried, his green eyes bulging.
Reggie waved and swung the big black bag over his shoulder. It was snowing and barely twenty degrees outside yet he already felt sweat beneath the red coat and pants he wore. A quick glance at the clock on the wall over the water fountain made him scowl. Not enough time to sneak by his wife’s office and steal a kiss. That’s if she was ready to forgive him. She had contacted him yesterday wanting to talk about the incident but after a long uncomfortable moment they both decided to save the discussion until after he had returned home. Unfortunately, Reggie had arrived back in St. Louis with just enough time to change into the Santa suit and hurry to the clinic.
“Man, you make that costume look good.”
He swung around and glared at his homeboy Dr. Cameron Clarke. His lips twitched. “I see you got jokes.”
He chuckled. “My bad. But hey, ever since you filled in for me five years ago they keep asking for you back.”
Reggie struck a pose. “Yeah, I guess I am good at everything I do. If you don’t believe me, ask my wife.” Reaching up, he gave him a fist bump.
They chatted about the holiday then Cameron’s pager went off. He glanced down at it then frowned. “Look, I gotta go. I’ve a family to see.” Reggie could tell by the expression on Cameron’s face that whatever it was, he wasn’t looking forward to it. After years of practicing pediatric medicine, terminally ill children were one part of Cameron’s job he couldn’t seem to get used to. “I’ll catch you before you leave.”
Reggie nodded then swung the thick sack further onto his shoulder and moved down the long corridor.
“Good afternoon, Santa.” He was greeted by the nurses behind the reception desk. They were each wearing reindeer antlers. He noticed the way they were batting their eyelashes and grinning like it was a Colgate toothpaste commercial.
“Whassup, ladies,” he said, grinning beneath the itchy white beard.
He moved to the end of the hall until he reached the giant black chair, awaiting him, beside a nine-foot Christmas tree that was brilliantly decorated.
Children started lining up, obviously eager to see what Santa had inside his bag.
Reggie took a seat then patted his thigh and signaled for the first child to climb on and tell him if he’d been naughty or nice. Speaking of naughty… When the third little girl scrambled up onto his lap, Reggie spotted his wife. His mouth went dry. There Berlin was in a black sweater dress that hugged her swelling stomach and shapely ass. She had worn her hair down. He loved her hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. While smiling, over at him, she sauntered across the corridor. Reggie shook his head. His wife had no idea how sexy she was, or how much her pregnancy turned him on.
“Santa,” he heard, the small child now tapping him on the chest.
Looking down, he grinned. “My bad. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas?”
Reggie half-listened while he watched Berlin out the corner of his eyes. She was also watching him, her lower lip caught between her teeth. And he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. In fact, he had to force his gaze away long enough to hand the little girl a present then signaled for the next eager child. When he finally looked over again, Berlin waved and then departed.
The next hour was the longest of his life. Children shared their Christmas lists while sitting on his lap and Reggie listened to every single request. The entire time he was keenly aware of each and every time his wife sauntered up and down the corridor. There he was with a child on both knees while his hands ached to drag Berlin down onto his lap. Whenever she drew closer, Reggie tilted his head and allowed his gaze to track her movement.
By the time he had given the last child a gift and he scurried off to grab his father’s hand, the clinic had closed, and Berlin was standing several feet away.
And Reggie was now all alone with his wife. Lust jolted at his crotch and his penis stiffened.
“C’mere.” He patted his lap and signaled for her to come closer. “Have you been a good girl?” he asked when she was finally standing in front of him.
Berlin licked her lips. “Nope. Never.”
“Good.” Grabbing her hand, he dragged her down onto his lap. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he added then kissed her soundly on her full, pouty lips.
“I missed you,” she cooed as she yanked the beard away for better access.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he murmured. Clasping his hand behind her head, he brought Berlin’s mouth to his, determined to devour her with his demanding tongue, but instead, he teased her mouth until she parted her lips. “That’s what I’m talking
about.” He slipped inside, touching and teasing until she released a moan from deep in her throat. While he licked and sucked at her mouth, he reached up and allowed his fingers to thread through her hair, drawing her closer and yet it still wasn’t close enough.
“I missed you so much,” she murmured while he licked at her mouth then nibbled a path down along her jaw to her neck before she dragged him back to her mouth again. The kiss suddenly became wild and desperate to the point his body was aching for him to bend her over Santa’s chair and slide inside. He had been without his wife for far too long. However, Reggie planned to take his time making love to her. He wanted make-up sex that was slow and sensual. He wanted to feel her pussy tightly surrounding him, then slowly stretching to accommodate him. But the way Berlin was squirming on his lap, grinding her ass along his erection, if she didn’t stop, he was going to lift up her dress and take her right then and there, and to hell with who saw them.
Desperately, he drew back. Berlin was breathing heavily. Reggie gazed up into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts as he whispered, “I love you.”
She gave a soft smile then looked over her shoulder toward the end of the hall before sliding off his lap and then standing up. “Come with me.” She signaled with a crook of her finger.
Reggie stood, removed the hat and wig from his head, tossing them onto the chair, and followed the click of her heels down the long hallway to her office at the very corner. And he couldn’t resist a grin.
It’s about to go down.
As soon as they stepped inside, Berlin shut the door then turned the lock and once again she was in his arms, kissing frantically.
Reggie took her breasts in his hands, his thumbs coaxing her nipples to harden for him.
“Reggie.”
The sound was a desperate cry from deep in her throat. The yearning and need he heard pushed him on. Almost frantically, he released the side buttons to her dress and slipped a hand inside. Without breaking the kiss, he squeezed and pinched at her nipples, while his mouth continued to ravish her lips. Gasping, Berlin reached behind and unfastened the clasp to her satin bra and Reggie tossed it away.
“Put it in your mouth,” she cried as she arched into his touch.
Reggie backed her against the wall until her shoulder bumped the wall then he took one straining nipple into his mouth, and slipped it between his lips.
“Yes,” she sighed while he gently pulled on the delicate flesh. She moaned while he sucked, and her hand traveled down to unfasten the belt holding up the red trousers.
Berlin arched into his mouth while his tongue flicked out to caress her hardened nipples. And when he bit down gently, she shivered against his lips.
“Oh, Reggie,” Berlin moaned while Reggie swept sensual fingers down across her stomach and around to her back and he felt the goose bumps that flickered against her skin with each touch. When he reached her ass, he squeezed and dragged her closer so he could feel the heat of her pussy grazing his thighs.
Desperately, Berlin popped the last of the buttons from Reggie’s trousers, then reached inside and held his length in her hand.
“You want some of that?” he growled as his lips teased her erect nipple.
“You know I do,” she whined.
“Stroke me. Show me how badly you want it.”
“You got it, Santa.”
* * *
Berlin took him in her hand. Her husband was large and hard, and felt so good between her fingers. She rubbed the head against her throbbing mound in an ill attempt at soothing it.
“That feels so good,” she purred, enjoying the way the head grazed her clit. She swirled the wetness that seeped out the tip around the entire head, causing Reggie to groan with appreciation.
“Take those tights off,” he demanded and the desperation in his voice caused her to smile. She stepped out of her shoes. With her other hand, she reached under her dress and yanked the cable tights along with her panties down to her knees. Using his foot, Reggie maneuvered them down to her ankles. She stepped out of them and pushed them away with her toes.
“Now touch me,” she whispered, frantic to feel his fingers between her wet folds.
“Touch you where?” he asked as he brought his mouth to her neck and shoulders.
“Reggie, please,” she whimpered. Opening her eyes, she met the challenge blazing in his eyes. “You know where.”
“Tell me,” he demanded.
She groaned while he stared at her with laughter teasing his mouth.
“Reggie, baby, please. Bury your fingers inside me?”
“That a girl. See how easy that was,” he chuckled while his hand slowly grazed the top of her kitty, his fingers sliding sensually through her hair.
She exhaled when Reggie slid one finger along her folds, then parted her, slipping one finger, followed by another deep inside her.
“Oh,” Berlin gasped while her thighs quivered.
“You’re so wet,” Reggie growled, and met her eyes. “I can smell how aroused you are.”
“No, you can’t,” she denied.
“The hell I can’t,” he groaned then removed his fingers long enough to bring his hand to his nose and sniffed. The act caused her kitty to throb with anticipation. Berlin watched him thoroughly lick her wetness from his fingers before lowering his hand between her thighs again.
With his other hand he lifted one leg up around his waist. Berlin leaned back against the wall to keep from falling.
“Yes,” he groaned, probing her deeper. “That pussy is so warm and wet.”
“Ohhh, yess,” Berlin purred. Reaching up she ran her hands along his cornrows while her hips rocked, matching the rhythm of his fingers. “That feels so good.” She sighed. As she stared into his eyes, she wondered how she'd endured the last few nights without him.
There was no way in hell she could live without Reggie tasting her, making love to her, watching her come apart in his arms, listening to her soft pleads for release. There was no way she could go without him pumping inside her, making damn sure she knew she belonged to him and only him.
She wanted everything he had to offer. Everything he was willing to give and after five years there was plenty and she was certain there was even more to come. There had never been a dull moment in their relationship… ever. How in the world did she think she could live without him? Before she had a chance to explore the question further, Reggie’s thumb grazed her clit. Berlin’s head jerked backwards and she cried out as her body tightened around his fingers. An orgasm shook her to the core. “Yess, yesss!” she whimpered softly, trying to keep anyone still in the building from overhearing.
As soon as her breathing slowed, Reggie lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the desk where she found herself on her back with him positioned between her legs.
“It’s been too long,” he said as he slid the trousers down off his ass and without a second to lose he pushed hard inside, penetrating her eager body.
Berlin gasped then moaned as he filled her and then he began to move, slowly at first. She watched as he gritted his teeth fighting to maintain control.
“You feel so good,” he moaned between pumps.
Berlin wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper. Her hands skimmed along his tight ass where she dug her nails into his dark flesh, causing him to growl.
“Yes,” he whispered, as he reached down cupping her butt, lifting her off the desk then they both focused on the way their bodies were joined. The sight of him sliding in and out of her kitty caused her body to quickly become aroused again. Reggie continued to stroke and she felt her wetness surrounding him.
“Berlin?” he said, while every muscle in his arms tightened with tension and manly strength. “Look at me.”
She met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. His eyes were deep and so dark, dangerously black.
“This is yours and only yours. There is no other woman I want to make love to but my wife.” He managed between thrust. “Do you believ
e that?” he asked as he pumped harder.
“Yessssssss,” she panted breathlessly. “I believe that.”
“Believe what? Tell me what you believe,” he demanded and sounded almost desperate.
“I know I’m the only woman you want. The only woman you’re making love to.”
With one quick, deep thrust, her eyelids lowered and she moaned as he continued to pound into her body.
“That’s what I’m talking about. This is my pussy. All mine,” he growled.
The desk squeaked as he thrust harder. Berlin moaned and began to squirm beneath him. Each stroke was deeper and better than the last. Each thrust brought them both closer to the edge. Reggie’s breathing suddenly became heavier while she rocked her hips matching his rhythm. She felt his body tense and another hard pump, Reggie cried out her name.
And she didn’t give a damn who heard them.
Breathing heavily, Reggie staggered around the desk and lowered onto the chair. Berlin rolled onto her side and grinned at him while she struggled to catch her breath. He looked sexy as hell with his pants still down at his ankles.
“Boo,” he finally said between breaths. “I’m sorry about what went down at the house. But I was telling the truth about me and Lyric.”
Berlin gazed into his worried eyes and shook her head. “I know. Lyric came to see me yesterday,” she confessed in a husky whisper. “But you are never to keep secrets from me again.” As soon as she managed to sit up on the desk, Reggie slid her down onto his lap.
“I promise,” he said while trailing lazy kisses along her neck and jaw.
She drew back and frowned. “Good, because I can’t raise this baby alone.”
“Like hell you will.” He looked so serious it frightened her. “I’d never let that happen. I told you before… my children will never grow up without their father.”
Grinning, she replied, “Well, good. I’m glad we got that straight.” Leaning in, she brought her lips to his again, and was given a hungry kiss. “No more secrets or beautiful women trying to get my husband’s attention,” she teased and was relieved that things were finally getting back to normal between them.
Naughty Before Christmas (Decadent Delight Series #3) Page 9
