by Alexa Riley
I stand there in shock, not sure what to say. When I realize what he means, my mind goes straight to Dasher doing that with the beautiful woman that was on his arm tonight. Has he been kissing her tonight the same way he kissed me?
She was elegant in a tight-fitting black dress, and if someone told me she’s a movie star I wouldn't be shocked. Would it have killed her to put on a little holiday flair? It’s a Christmas party, but maybe I’m being petty.
“Well?” Rich prompts, but it wasn't really a question.
“I’m leaving.” I turn for the door and realize that there aren’t other men like my father out there. He would have done anything for my mom because he loved her so damn much. For them it had only been each other. Their lives might have been cut short, but they had something I don’t think many ever do.
I let out a small scream when Rich grabs me by the arm and pulls me back. He steps into me and I walk backwards, trying to get space between the two of us. Of course my heel catches on something, and I start to fall. When he grabs me, my body instantly rebels and I push at his chest, not caring if I take a tumble to the floor. The need to get away from him outweighs anything else.
“Damn, you’re fucking soft. I’ve never been with a girl with some meat on her bones. I’m really seeing the appeal.”
I push at Rich’s chest, and he goes flying across the room like a rag doll being tossed away. I’m shocked because there’s no way I’m that strong, but as I see Rich scramble to his feet, Dasher looms over him.
“You motherfucker,” Dasher growls, going for Rich.
Rich swings on Dasher, and I’d bet my life on it that Dasher lets him get the hit in. The look on Dasher’s face after the blow hits him in the jaw confirms my suspicions. A smirk pulls at Dasher’s mouth right before he swings on Rich fast. Two blows to the face and a third to the stomach. I cringe when I see Rich crumble.
People rush into the room, making a grab for Dasher to pull him off Rich. Dasher’s date stands there watching with a smile on her face. Now I’m the one wanting to punch, which is horrible. She didn't do anything, but she can be the one to make sure Dasher is okay. I steal the opportunity to make my escape.
Someone shouts my name, but I keep on moving, grabbing my bag and coat from where I’d tucked them away. When I exit the house I remember that I don’t have my car. Crap. I glance over my shoulder, wondering if I should call for an Uber.
“Miss Eve, are you ready to leave?”
“Thank you, yes.” I let out a sigh of relief when I see the driver from earlier standing outside with a couple of the valet men.
“I’ll grab the car. You stay under the heaters so you can keep warm.” He nods to one of the tall metal heaters they have set up outside in front of the house.
“I could use a walk.” I put on my coat. “Please,” I add when he opens his mouth to try and stop me.
“Take my arm.” He offers it to me. “I know they cleared the snow, but you can never be too safe.”
“Thank you.” I take his arm as he leads me to where he parked the SUV he brought me here in. I’m silent as we make our way back towards Dasher’s so I can get my things. How the heck am I going to handle tomorrow?
I start to realize I could be fired by tomorrow morning after what happened at the party. My heart starts to slow down from the rush of emotions I was having, and then there’s a hollow pit in my stomach.
The Mills party went to hell, and I’m right in the center of it all. This day started off as one of the best days I’ve had since losing my parents, but now I’ve made such a mess of things. This is why I told Jewels I shouldn't go on a date with a client. I’ve not only messed up one but two parties because of this.
I reach up and press my fingers to my lips, remembering the kiss Dasher gave me. It was everything I thought a first kiss would be and more. Now I’m wondering if that’s how all kisses are and I’m just naïve about the whole thing. The flood of emotions that hit me when his mouth met mine had me throwing all judgment out the window. I was ready to go all in with Dasher, that’s how much I believed in the kiss.
When we pull down Dasher’s driveway, I smile at the pink lights and all the decorations. My smile slips when I remember how all afternoon while I was at the Mills’ getting everything together for tonight I was thinking not only of Dasher but his family too.
My mind had begun playing out fantasies of what it would be like if Dasher and I did fall in love. I even imagined the Christmases we’d have with our children. Dasher would probably run from me if he knew I was already thinking about this stuff after only one kiss. I couldn't help myself, it meant that much to me.
I’m out of the car before it stops fully and rushing inside to get my stuff. I’m not sure how much time I have or if he’s even trying to catch me. Doesn't matter. I’m not going to be here when he finally returns home.
When I get inside, I shoot straight to Dasher’s room to get my stuff. I toss everything into my bag and make it back downstairs in a couple of minutes. When I get to the entryway, I start looking for my car keys in my purse, but they aren't there.
Crap! Did I toss them in my luggage? I open a bag and start digging through it. The driver comes into the house and gives me a strange look. I can’t blame him. I’m on my knees in the entryway of the house pulling everything out of my bags. It looks like a closet exploded in here.
“I can’t find my keys. Have you seen them?” I ask when I see Jillian and Rae coming down the stairs wearing matching Christmas pajamas. It’s so adorable I have to stop myself from bursting into tears. My emotions are all over the place.
“No,” the driver answers.
“Me either.” Jillian adds.
Okay, screw the keys, I’ll worry about them later. I have a spare at home and I’ll come back later for it.
“Can you give me a ride home?” I ask the driver, but Rae steps forward and gives me a sad look.
“I thought you were staying the night? I decorated a cookie for you to have in the morning. On Christmas we get cookies for breakfast.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Rae.” I force a smile onto my face.
“I can’t take you home,” the driver answers.
“Okay, is there a car I can use? Never mind, I'll call for a ride. It’s Christmas Eve, you all should be watching Christmas movies or something. I’ll get myself handled.”
“I’m sorry, Eve, but I’ve been told to close the front gate. No cars in or out until Mr. Sleigh returns.” The driver gives me an apologetic look. I don’t fight him on the issue because I know he’s only following orders, and Dasher is his boss.
“I tried to warn you, Eve.” Jillian shrugs one of her shoulders.
She didn't warn me that her brother was dating someone else. I think that would have been better information to pass along. Before I can try and think of another way out of here, the front door swings open, revealing a pissed-off Dasher.
Yeah, I’m totally fired.
Chapter 12
Dasher
“Thank you, I’ve got it from here,” I say to the driver. There’s a moment of pause as I keep my eyes on Eve, and I hear him leave out the front door.
“Come on, Rae, let’s go get the movie room ready for The Grinch,” I hear my sister say to my niece.
“Okay, but I’ll be really disappointed if Eve isn’t here in the morning,” Rae complains while they walk away.
“Oh, I have a feeling she’ll be here,” Jillian answers as they disappear down the hallway.
“Dasher,” Eve begins, but I hold up my hand.
“You’re coming with me.” I take her by the hand, and for a second she tries to tug it away from me. “You’re going to come with me and let me explain.” I stare into her eyes, trying to control myself. “This is not a request.”
She swallows hard as I leave all her things strewn on the floor and lead her up the stairs to my wing.
“Dash—”
“No.” I shake my head, cutting her off. “I want a cha
nce to explain.”
She presses her lips tightly together until we’re in my bedroom. Once I release her hand, I close the double doors and bolt them.
“Am I not free to leave?”
“Absolutely not,” I answer, turning around to face her. “Eve, you have no idea how close to the edge I am right now, and if I even have a hint that you might try to escape, I’ll lose it.”
“Okay, that’s not scary at all.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to protect you.” I take off my jacket and loosen my tie until it’s undone. I toss it on the floor with my jacket and then unbutton my sleeves. “You ran from me.”
“I ran from the party.” She takes a step back as I take one closer to her. “I ran from a fight, and why do you even care if you were with that woman?” she snaps, color rising on her cheeks.
“You think I was with her because you saw her try to get close to me.” It’s not a question but a statement, yet she nods anyway. “I could never touch another woman after meeting you.”
Eve rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest defensively. I stalk closer.
“I wasn’t with her. It was the only way I could get into that party. Rich Mill is a dick with some kind of vendetta against me that I don’t even know about. It’s been simmering for years, and tonight when he put his hands on you, it came to a head.”
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye, and I see her brows pull together as she tries to process this new information.
“I used her to get close to you, and that may make me an asshole, but I won’t apologize for it.” I’m only a few steps away, but I stop and hold my hands out with my palms up. “I’ll scour my skin clean where she touched me if that’s what you want. I’ll do whatever it takes to erase it from your memory, but I’m not sorry for it. I would do anything, anything, to be near you, and that includes using someone that I don’t care about.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be at the party?” The hurt in her voice nearly breaks me in two.
“Because I didn’t know if you’d want me to be there.” I shake my head. “After that kiss…” I trail off and look into her eyes. “After that kiss I couldn’t think straight.”
She nods slightly as if in understanding.
“From the moment we met I haven’t been able to breathe without my eyes on you at all times. I’m obsessed with you, Eve, and I can’t control myself. I’ve never been this way before with anything in my life.”
I move closer now, close enough to touch her.
“Please, Eve. Please don’t shut me out, I won’t survive without it.” I bring my hand slowly up to cup her face, and to my relief she leans into it. “I love you.”
Her eyes widen in shock, but I just shrug my shoulders. I don’t know what else to do except confess what I feel and be honest with her. I may not give her all the details of just how crazy my love for her is right this moment, but she has to know that this is it for me.
“Oh God, Dasher, this is all so much.” She bites her bottom lip and looks up at me.
“There was never anyone else from the moment we met, and there won’t be anyone even after I’m done.” I bring my other hand up to her waist and wrap it around her to pull her close. “You’re mine, Eve, and I’m yours. This is forever.”
Before she can answer, my lips are on hers, and she’s opening for me. The passion we share ignites like never before, and suddenly we’re frantic. Her hands cling to my shirt while I grab at her dress. I tug the bottom of it up so that it’s around her waist, and then I lift her in my arms. Her legs automatically go around me, and I walk us over to the bed. Without hesitation I place her in the middle and cover her body with mine.
“I need you,” I say between kisses, and she nods as she bites my lip.
Our hands are pulling at clothes, and I feel her rip the front of my shirt open as buttons fly across the room. I’ve never been so turned on before, and my cock is practically ripping through the zipper of my slacks. When I feel her fingers at my belt, I nearly come undone. I groan as she opens them and reaches inside to palm my length.
“Fuck,” I hiss, pulling my hips back, and it falls out of her hand. “Not yet. I won’t last.”
“Dasher,” she moans while I peel off her dress and kiss my way down her body.
I take my time on her breasts, pulling down the cups of her bra and sucking on her nipples. The tight peaks are proud as I move my mouth back and forth, loving each of them equally. By the time I make it to her stomach, she’s writhing under me. I toss her dress on the floor and then pause when I look at her panties.
“Is this for me?” I let out a small laugh when I see the mistletoe embroidered on the front of them.
“It was a gag gift last Christmas from the girls at work.” She covers her face with her hands. “I didn’t think anyone would ever see them.”
“Hey.” I tug her hands away from her face until she looks at me. “Nobody but me will ever see them again.”
With her eyes locked on mine, I place my mouth on top of the mistletoe and kiss her there. She moans, her head falling back, and I pull the panties to the side. Her soft curls make a little triangle above her wet lips, and I bury my nose there and inhale. The scent of her is so ripe and sweet that my mouth waters.
“Mine,” I growl just as I cover her pussy with my tongue.
Chapter 13
Eve
I gasp at the sudden pleasure that races through my whole body. Dasher’s fingers dig into my thighs, spreading me wider to make room for his broad frame. A dark part of me hopes I see his mark on me come morning. I don’t know where the thought comes from, but I can’t stop it.
When Dasher told me how he felt about me, it should have sent me running. This is all so fast, but his confession ripped the lid off of my feelings for him. I’ve been pushing them down, scared to fall for him and get my heart broken. With each word he said, I knew Dasher would never break my heart because he wants it for himself.
Dasher licks and sucks between my legs, driving me insane. I had no idea oral would feel this good. Sure, I’ve heard girls talk about it before, and I’ve read it in books, but I don’t think anyone gave me the full understanding. It’s magical.
“So damn sweet,” I think I hear Dasher say. “Perfection.”
My hips jerk, and I try to press myself harder into his mouth. His big hands slip under my ass and he grabs ahold of me. Lifting me partly off the bed, he feasts on me like a starved man. All I can do is lie there and moan his name.
When he looks up and his eyes lock with mine, I lose it at the intensity I see there. He wants to devour me so that only he can ever have me. My orgasm is a hot wave of pleasure as I cum, crying out his name. I’m starting to understand why I’ve never been told how amazing this can be, because I don’t have the words to explain it either.
Dasher doesn't stop there. I try to wiggle away from him but my whole body is too sensitive and still tingles from the release. I’m not sure I can take more, but I don’t want to stop either.
“Dasher. I don’t think I can—”
“You will.” He lowers my ass back down onto the bed, but his mouth doesn't leave me.
After a moment, the feeling of it being too much fades away, and it’s replaced with want all over again.
“Don’t stop!” I find myself pleading, digging my fingers into his short hair.
His tongue slides down and presses inside of me. He thrusts it in and out, mimicking sex, and my hips start to move on their own. When his tongue slides out, he replaces it with one of his thick fingers as his mouth goes back to my clit.
“Dasher!” I tighten my hold on his hair.
I can feel I’m about to go off again just as a second finger joins in, stretching me. He sucks my clit into his mouth while his tongue flicks back and forth across it. When he hooks his fingers inside of me, I’m done for.
I start to orgasm, and Dasher’s mouth doesn't stop. I feel a small sharp pain f
or only a second, but it fades quickly as the climax takes over, and it’s the only thing that I can feel. I lie in the center of Dasher’s bed, not sure I’ll ever be able to move again.
My eyes flutter open when Dasher shifts and gets up from the bed. I expect him to go for his slacks, but I watch as he bends down to pick something up off the floor. When he comes back up, I see he has my panties in his hand.
He wipes his fingers across them, and then I realize he’s bleeding. I sit up to take a look and stare down at the stain.
“You’re hurt?”
“It’s not mine, sweetheart.” He bends down, kissing me softly as I wrap my arms around his neck. I try to pull him back into the bed with me, but he picks me up. “Let's get you in the bathtub.”
“What?” I ask, dazed. As wonderful as it sounds to take a bath with Dasher, I want him in bed with me more. The man told me he loved me. Now I want him to make love to me.
He easily carries me into the bathroom and places me on the counter before he turns on the water in his giant tub. He grabs a hand towel and soaks it in the warm water and wrings it out. I try not to fidget and cover myself because I’m full-on naked sitting in front of him. The bright light of the bathroom shows every inch of me, but when his heated gaze meets mine, I know there is no reason to be shy. The look in Dasher’s eyes says that he likes what he sees.
“Spread your thighs, baby.” I do without question, and he brings the towel between my legs.
It’s then I realize it’s me that was bleeding because he’d taken my virginity with his fingers. He’s so gentle as he cleans me, my eyes start to sting with tears, and one escapes.
“Eve.” He tosses the hand towel away and kisses my cheek to stop it. “Did I hurt you?”
