Greatest Gift

by Moira Callahan

  He stood, and set her on her feet. Taking her hand, he grabbed his jacket in his other, and tugged her toward the door. “Among those other items up for discussion in the near future will be you going on a date with me.”

  “Who said I would go on a date with you, Nichols?”

  “Well I did, and you will agree. After all, you want to know about my growling technique. Plus, we need to see if this spark we have going will fizzle, or burst into something hotter. Because, for the record, I plan on getting you naked one day soon. And it won’t be my winnings for our strip poker night.”

  Holland shook her head at him, and poked him in his chest. He sure was a cocky fucker. “Who says I’ll be the one naked? I may never have played poker before, but I have the Net and I’m a quick study. I could kick your ass.” She would keep the fact she’d paid for college with her poker winnings a secret. Right up until she had him naked and at her mercy.

  His smirk sealed his fate. “Keep those hopes alive, sweet cheeks.”

  A quick pull to her hand had Holland plastered up against his chest. Damn, but he was built like every wet dream she’d ever had. Points for her subconscious for getting those details right.

  “I plan on kissing you right now, Holland. Will you let me?” he asked his tone perfectly serious.

  Biting her lip, she nearly whimpered when his attention focused in on her mouth. “Okay,” she managed.

  Jakob’s lips curled slightly into a smile, and then his head descended toward hers. The first brushing contact had her curling her fingers into his shirt. When his lips settled fully to hers she nearly came right there.

  He kept the kiss light, but it sent charges right through her. By the time he lifted his head her clit was throbbing hard in time to her heart beat. She knew all she’d have to do was touch herself and she would get off. But not until he was gone, and she was damn sure he was gone.

  “Goodnight, Holland.”

  “Night, Jakob.” Loosening her hold on his shirt, she swallowed hard when he stepped away. He slipped out her door into the hall, and then stopped. Knowing he was waiting to hear her throw the deadbolt, she eased the door shut, and turned the lever.

  A quick run to the windows in her bedroom allowed her to keep watch on the parking area. She could barely make out the bumper from his truck. Two minutes later, the lights went on, and then he reversed out and pulled away.

  Collapsing back onto her bed, Holland undid her jeans, and slipped her hand in under her soaked panties. Her clit ached with need, the nub swollen and slippery under her fingers. She closed her eyes, and stroked the nub hard with Jakob’s face held firmly in her mind’s eye. Then she squeezed the nub and screamed out her release, her back arching off the bed while her entire body shuddered.

  If the man could do that with only a kiss she would never survive anything more. Her lips curved into a grin. But she’d damn well enjoy the ride. A giggle broke free. Oh hell yeah, she would.

  ****

  A sound woke her from a dead sleep. Groggy, Holland threw out a hand trying to find the lamp. The next sound had her grabbing for her phone instead, and up off the bed into the bathroom seconds later. Locking the door behind her, she dialed for help.

  When it was answered she didn’t pause for breath while explaining the situation. Assuring the operator she was in a secured room, Holland sat listening while the man updated her on the cops’ progress to her apartment. She chewed on her thumbnail and waited.

  When the police arrived, she hung up with the operator after thanking him profusely. Stepping out from the bathroom, she eyed the cops up and down. The woman officer held out Holland’s robe, and then waved her toward the living room. Following after them, she cursed at the damage.

  “Can you see anything missing?” the male officer asked.

  She shook her head, and looked around. “No, my TV’s still here, same with the laptop. My purse was back in the bedroom on the side table. Whoever it was must have bolted when they heard me talking on the phone.”

  A knock on the door had them all turning to look. It was another patrol officer. “Sorry to interrupt. This wasn’t the only place hit tonight. We have three other doors busted open that we’ve found to this point. We called in the detectives, there was no one home in the other apartments.”

  The woman officer nodded, and turned to look at Holland. “They’ll want to talk to you, but you shouldn’t stay here tonight. Do you have anyone you can call?”

  Holland didn’t know anyone in town except a few acquaintances. There was only one person she wanted to call. Only problem was she didn’t have his number. She knew someone who might have it. “Yeah, I need my purse. Can I grab that, and maybe put on some pants?”

  The officers conferred, and then nodded. “Yeah, there doesn’t seem to have been anyone in the bedroom, go ahead. Try not to touch anything but the closet, and your purse.”

  She gave them a thumbs-up, and made a beeline for the bedroom. A look to the clock showed her the time. Holland felt mildly bad about waking up her new friend, but there was no other choice.

  Chapter Six

  Pulling up outside Holland’s apartment, Jakob’s heart was in his throat. There were five cop cars with their lights going, and several dozen people standing outside either trying to see what was happening or talking to officers. Slamming the truck into park, he jumped out, and began to look for Holland.

  His name being called had him jerking around in time to catch her when she dove his direction. “I’ve got you, sweet cheeks.” Jakob said against her cheek. Holding her tight, he leaned his back to the truck bad and released a shaky breath. He’d been fucking crazy with worry.

  She tightened her hold around his neck. Lifting her higher, Jakob rubbed her back. “Talk to me, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but my door is wrecked. And don’t you dare say I told you so. I would likely have to give into the urge to smack you, especially right now.”

  He hadn’t even been thinking it. “Wasn’t even a thought, I swear. All I was worried about was you, Holland.” Taking another look around, he turned his face into her neck, and breathed deep. “Can you leave now, or do they need you for something more?”

  “No, I’m done. They’ll process my apartment, and then the super will have to replace the door tomorrow. They said they would have an officer stay by any broken doors to ensure only the tenant gets in before the doors are changed out. I’ll need to pick up keys before my shift or I’ll be bunking on someone’s sofa tomorrow night too.”

  Jakob was fine with her bunking with him for however long she wanted. Not on his couch though, he planned to get her into his bed. Tonight to sleep, the nights to come, for something a lot more pleasant. “One night at a time. Let’s get you into a bed. Don’t need you being off your game tomorrow for your shift.”

  She gave a snort. “It’s not like I’m a doctor, no lives are at risk if I’m sleepy. But I also don’t want to be fucking up anyone’s order either. The regulars tip better when they don’t have to correct me. Believe me, it makes a huge difference.”

  He didn’t have anything to say to that, nothing that wouldn’t get him in trouble anyway. “Right, then let’s get you to bed.”

  Twenty minutes later, he let her into his house. It wasn’t a huge place, but it had a couple bedrooms, a couple bath, a good sized kitchen and living room, and some decent yard space. It suited him fine, which was all that mattered. Or had until he suddenly had the woman haunting his every dream walking into the place.

  Jakob ran a quick check list through his head. Dishes were done, laundry day had been put away yesterday, which meant no socks or underwear laying around, and the cleaning service had been in early that day for their bi-monthly run at the place. Wasn’t going to get any better.

  Holland was looking around curiously, he noticed. “I like it,” she commented. “Not exactly what I was expecting I have to admit.”

  “Sorry, the den of iniquity is currently closed for renovations. We should have
it back up and running later this month if you want to come around to be truly horrified.”

  She shot him a look, and rolled her eyes. It always amazed him how a woman could say so much without ever opening her mouth. Fucking freaky thing that. “I meant it doesn’t exactly scream bachelor pad.” Holland bit her lip. “You aren’t married are you?”

  “Didn’t think to ask that earlier, did you?” he teased. When she fisted a hand, he held up his own in peace. “Sorry, I’m messing with you and I shouldn’t. My bad. No, I am not married, not engaged, and not involved in a relationship. Haven’t been in a long time.” These days, Jakob preferred to find a woman to bang for a couple hours, and then come home to his own space without all the fucking drama. He’d dealt with that years ago, now he was looking for something more fulfilling relationship wise.

  “Okay,” she said slowly. “Figured it was best to check now rather than worry about ducking some other woman’s wrath for poaching on her turf.”

  “Poach away, sweet cheeks.” Putting a hand on her lower back, Jakob walked her through the kitchen to the hall and down to the bedroom in the back. His room. He might break it to her later, or let her figure it out all on her own. She was one smart cookie after all. “Bath is through there. I’m going to lock up and shut things down. I’ll be back in a couple to check on you.”

  “Thank you.” Turning, she put her hands to his chest, and pushed up onto her toes. Her lips pressed softly to his jaw and had his entire body sitting up ready for action. “Mainly for taking my call.”

  Unsure what to say, he shrugged, and waited until she was tucked into the bathroom. Blowing out a breath, he adjusted his dick in the vain hope he wouldn’t end up with a zipper impression down the length. Fucking thing kept popping to attention every damn time Jakob came across her. He hadn’t had this many erections since he first hit puberty and jacked off nearly every hour on the hour.

  He gave her a solid fifteen minutes to get cleaned up before he returned to the bedroom. Walking in, he found her sitting cross legged dead center on his bed.

  “It took me a couple seconds to figure it out, but I realized this happens to be your bedroom, and your bed. Sneaky, Nichols.” She shook her finger at him. “Shame on you.”

  Chuckling, he shrugged. “If you’re uncomfortable I have a guest bedroom you can use. The bed’s quite comfortable.” Jakob sat on the only chair in the room to tug his boots off, and dropped them underneath. “Completely up to you, sweet cheeks. But if you do decide to stay we’re only sleeping tonight. You’ve had a rotten night thus far, and we’re both exhausted given the hour. Sleep is all I have energy for currently.” Not completely true, but he didn’t feel like scaring her off.

  Holland leaned her elbow to her knee, and propped her chin on the fist she made. He couldn’t read the expression but he had a feeling his words were being weighed and judged. “I still say you’re one sneaky bastard, Nichols. But I’m too fucking tired to argue, and this bed is damn comfy. I’ll need an extra pillow though. If I don’t prop my arm up on it I end up with a sore shoulder come morning, and then I’m pretty much useless for my shift.”

  “We can handle that.” Up on his feet, Jakob went to the closet, and pulled a spare down. After grabbing some old sweat pants to wear to bed, he tossed her the pillow and headed for the bathroom. “Get comfortable, I’ll be out in a minute or two.”

  He was pretty sure she blew a raspberry his way, but being pleased with her decision to remain where he’d put her, he let it pass. No need to start stirring shit up when they were both running on fumes. He could set her straight on her sass later.

  Quickly changing into the loose pants, he tossed the clothes back into the hamper where he’d scrounged them from when she’d called him. Splashing some water to his cheeks, Jakob stared into the mirror. Grey orbs stared back. Fuck, he’d been worried when she’d called him. He’d been ready to tear some fucker a new asshole for calling him at that hour. To hear her shaky voice had thrown his world off its axis. Only Holland could do that.

  Hanging the towel back up, he hit the lights, and went to join her. He paused a moment to take in the view. Her sunny blonde hair was braided down her back with a few strands pulled free to curl around her ears and neck. Slipping into the bed behind her, he turned off the lights, and then wiggled in closer.

  When she didn’t throw the arm he wrapped around her waist off, Jakob relaxed. “Goodnight, sweet cheeks,” he said pressing a kiss to her honey skinned shoulder.

  “I really hate that sweet cheeks shit, Nichols,” she muttered. She sounded adorably sleepy. “I’m letting it slide because I don’t have the energy to set you straight.”

  A smile pulled at his lips. “Shelf it for tonight, tomorrow’s a new day to attempt this straightening out shit, Holland. Sleep now.”

  “G’night, Jakob.”

  “Night.” He laid awake for a time listening to her breathing, and enjoying the heat her body gave off where it pressed to his. Burying his nose in her neck, he breathed her scent in deep. Hell yeah, he could get used to having her in his bed. Maybe she’d let him talk her into it if he appeared contrite enough. It would need to be a Grammy award winning performance, but he knew he could pull it off. She was worth it.

  Chapter Seven

  Holland woke disoriented and warmer than she ever had before. And the male scent surrounding her was straight from her dreams. She jolted, and blinked her eyelids to focus on her surroundings. This was definitely not her bedroom. And she had absolutely not gone to bed with someone last night.

  Her brain kicked over the memories from the previous evening and she had to adjust that last thought. Technically she had gone to bed with a specific someone, in his bed, in his house. Jakob Nichols had his thickly, muscled thigh pushed between her legs, his arm wrapped around her tight, and his large, masculine hand cupping her breast.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d woken up in a man’s arms. It was the first time she didn’t have the urge to make a break for the door. She liked having him wrapped around her. Moving her arm, she flexed her hand, and then her elbow and shoulder. She rubbed her fingers over his hand lightly, and let her eyelids fall closed again.

  His hand flexed a minute later, and then shifted to lace his fingers with hers. Smiling she lifted her head and let him slip his arm under her head. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said quietly.

  “Don’t you dare apologize. I don’t mind waking up early with you in my arms.” Warm lips pressed to her neck. “How did you sleep?”

  “Better than I thought I would. I felt damn jittery last night, but I fell asleep because you were here.” Rubbing her cheek to his arm, she let his hand go, and wiggled around until he let her roll over. His arm wrapped around her again, his hand pressing to her back to draw her closer. Holland put one hand on his chest, and wrapped the other around his torso. “How about you, did you sleep well?”

  Jakob gave a nod before resting his forehead to hers. “I did,” he said. “Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time. Definitely something I want to repeat often. Not saying that to put any pressure on you, merely giving you my end goal.”

  She was tempted. Exceedingly tempted to tell him yes right there and then. Something held her back. She couldn’t say what it was, but she held her tongue for the time being. Lifting her hand to press against his cheek, she scraped her thumb nail lightly to the scruff he was sporting. “You working today?”

  “Nope, two days off. I should go in and do the books but I hate paperwork. It’s the only part about owning my own shop that makes my brain hurt. Bikes, cars, and trucks can’t keep a secret from me. Those fucking books though are destined to give me some disorder that will have me locked in a padded room one day soon.”

  “It can’t be that bad.” The look on his face said otherwise. “All right then, I suppose it could be. Don’t you have an accounting program to use?”

  “It hates me,” he said seriously. “Every time I try to use the program it eats whatever I pu
t in, and usually tries to take the computer with it.”

  Holland was attempting to keep from laughing, but damn it was hard. She was also torn between offering to help him, and letting it be. After some internal debate it came down to one detail, she wanted to help him. She wanted to spend time with him, and to get to know him better. Holland knew she could be stepping out on a shaky limb, but if she didn’t make the attempt she might end up kicking herself in the ass down the road. “While I haven’t used my degree, I do know a thing or two about computers. I took a few accounting courses in college because it seemed reasonably easy. If you want I could take a look at the program, and see what might be up with it. Maybe even get it running like it should be.”

  Jakob stared at her long enough, she felt about ready to squirm. It also had her second-guessing her offer to help. “Seriously? You would be willing to help me out?”

  “No promises, but yeah, I’ll take a look and see if I can. I’m not making any guarantees here, Jakob.”

  “I get it, shit that would be great, thanks.” A huge smile turned his sinfully handsome face to panty melting hotness. Then he laid a kiss on her that would have had them flying off had she actually been wearing any.

  Pulling back, she sucked in a breath. “I haven’t done anything yet.”

  “You offered, that was a good enough reason for me. Besides, I’ve wanted to kiss you since I woke up. This was the perfect excuse.” Another kiss to the forehead happened before he drew back, rolled over, and pushed off the bed. “Up you get. I’m taking you out for pancakes. Then we should likely head by your place to get your new key, and some clothing.”

  Holland sat up, and scrambled off the bed after him. She followed him right into the bathroom, quickly realizing he’d gotten her where he wanted when he shut the door, and leaned up against it. Turning, she put her hands on her hips. “Why would I need to get clothing, Jakob?”