His Christmas Gift ; Decadent Holiday Pleasures

by Janice Sims

  He continued to move the warm sponge on her shoulders, down her sides, along her spine and her lower back. “A lot can happen in a year.”

  Her soft laughter was a delight to his ears. “We produced a human being in a year,” she said. “Well, God did, but we helped.”

  While he sat in the tub, he recalled the past year: how he’d been afraid to make love to Alia Joie the first month and a half he was back home. Then his breakthrough, which had been aided by both Dr. Klein and a man-to-man talk with J.Z., who was still a good friend. Now he and Em were like an extra set of grandparents for A.J., whom they adored.

  He’d had many successes in the past year. His team had been acknowledged and rewarded for their work on the new technology that was already being used by the military to defuse enemy missiles. And their research on time, although still a work in progress, appeared to be going well. Arjun had been right about the Nobel Peace Prize. They’d been nominated, but had not won.

  It had been an honor alone to be nominated. Calvin had been right, too, and their discovery had translated into extra money in their bank accounts. All four scientists were set for life where money was concerned. That didn’t mean they’d ever be so satisfied with wealth that they’d neglect their work. Work was still the ultimate rush.

  Arjun and Madhuri had gotten married in a traditional Hindu wedding, which Adam and Alia Joie had enjoyed tremendously. Calvin and Evie were waiting until spring to go to Surrey to be married. Alia Joie’s friend June and her fiancé, Tony, went to Vegas and got married, then had another ceremony in Tony’s family’s New Jersey church to appease his angry mother. He and Alia Joie had attended the church wedding.

  And last he’d heard, Brock and Macy were still sneaking around with each other and keeping their relationship a secret.

  He was brought back from his ruminations when Alia Joie stood up and turned around in the tub. Mesmerized by her wet, lithe brown body, he dropped the sponge and carefully got to his feet, too. He enjoyed the view as he rose, her gorgeous legs and thighs, the dark glistening hair covering her vagina, her belly and her gorgeous breasts, more voluptuous after pregnancy. She was beautiful. She was fuller, lusher, like one of those Birth of Venus paintings he’d seen by Botticelli, or was it Bouguereau? He couldn’t remember. Art was Alia Joie’s thing, not his. His was science, and right now, he was caught up in a chemical reaction of opposites attracting. Her feminine curves were sending out a siren call to him.

  He stepped onto the bath rug. Gentleman that he was, he lent her a hand and she emerged gingerly from the tub, her golden-hued gaze sweeping over his hard, masculine form. He grabbed a fluffy towel and began drying her off. She let him. After, she returned the favor.

  Neat freak that she was, she hung the towel up to dry before giving him her undivided attention again. “I have some good news and some bad news,” she said as they left the bathroom to enter the master bedroom.

  He was aroused already, so he hadn’t been listening closely.

  “Mmm?” he asked absentmindedly.

  Both of them nude, her nipples hard, his member growing harder by the second, he only wanted to feast his eyes on her enticing form.

  “The good news is, I feel as if I’m at my sexual peak and I want you more than ever. The bad news is, you’re going to have to use condoms until we figure out a better form of birth control because, despite your mother’s desire for more grandchildren, I’d like to wait awhile before we have another baby.”

  His brain fog lifted. That’s right. They’d agreed to wait three months after Alia Joie had given birth to A.J. before resuming sex. The waiting was over. He’d been so immersed in fatherhood that he’d put it in the back of his mind. Yes, he’d wanted Alia Joie before now, but he’d seen what she’d gone through to give birth to A.J., and that had been a sight to behold. If men had to give birth, they’d give up sex altogether to avoid it. Women, the wonderful creatures, were much braver, thank God.

  “Baby, whatever form of birth control you want to use is all right with me,” he said, his gaze back on her body.

  Alia Joie smiled. “Your nightstand drawer has a supply of condoms that should last us a while,” she said with a coquettish smile. “I’m yours, Professor.”

  Adam took that as the green light and started the countdown in his head. He sometimes felt obsessive-compulsive because he liked to do things in the same manner. Especially when those steps achieved satisfactory results every time. He’d done it with experiments when he was taking chemistry. Proper steps, expected outcome. He did it with his baking. Right recipe, right temperature of the oven, right amount of time spent in the oven invariably produced good results.

  Sex wasn’t like that, though. No, they were human beings with brains. Therefore, sex should be relished, the act extended as long as possible for the maximum pleasure of your partner.

  So he laid Alia Joie on the bed and began kissing her from her fragrant neck to her lovely breasts to her stomach. He made sure to lick her belly button. She moaned and smiled. He worked his way down to her thighs and went all the way down to her toes, which he also licked. She giggled a little but was able to restrain herself.

  Then he got up on his knees, gently encouraged her to spread her legs for him and proceeded to use his tongue to render her absolutely pliant and weak after a climax of a magnitude he’d never witnessed her experience before. Maybe it was true what she’d said, that she was at her sexual peak, because her body trembled and she bit her hand to hold back a scream, probably afraid she’d wake A.J., or give J.Z. something to talk about the next time he ran into him. He’d never felt so proud.

  She was panting when he stood up and gathered her in his arms, placing her farther onto the bed because she’d slipped to the edge of it as he’d been pleasuring her. She was putty in his hands. He smiled at her as he walked over to the nightstand and got a condom from the drawer, tore it open and adeptly rolled it onto his engorged penis.

  She was hot and tight when he entered her, and she began contracting her vagina around him. Squeezing him, working him up to a sweet frenzy, which was overkill because he didn’t need the stimulation. He was already at the point of wanting to explode inside of her. He realized how much he’d missed her. Being inside of her. At this moment, he was so grateful that she hadn’t given up on him when he’d been gone. He couldn’t imagine what his life would have been like if she’d abandoned him like Calvin’s girlfriend had dismissed him.

  “I love you so much,” he told her. “But I want you to stop doing that because I want to stay inside of you for as long as possible.”

  She smiled at him and desisted. Under control again, Adam enjoyed moving in and out of her, his penis hot while inside of her, cooling off when it hit the air. She moaned quietly when he went back inside and hit a sweet spot. Her body was glistening with a thin layer of perspiration, her nipples like moist dark cherries that he wanted to taste, but this felt so good he didn’t dare change positions right now.

  Alia Joie wrapped her legs around him and held on to his hips, her pelvis thrust upward. He could tell she was rapidly approaching another climax and he wanted this one to be memorable, too.

  “You’re okay?” he asked, this being the first time they’d made love since A.J.’s birth.

  She must have guessed he was asking if she could take all of him, because she whispered, “Feels so good. Deeper.” And she thrust upward, encouraging him to let go.

  He was so hard, the sides of his penis very sensitive as he pushed. He was in pain as the need to come gained momentum.

  Yet he refused to come until Alia Joie reached her second climax. He longed to feel her body convulse beneath him, to feel her tremble in his arms, to know that she could feel the magnitude of his love for her.

  Alia Joie suddenly grabbed him by the neck and pulled him close to her. She clung to him and rocked forward. He leaned back with her attached to him, and it was
at that moment that he came, and the climax was so powerful that he howled with the release. Alia Joie laughed and covered his mouth with a hand.

  They stayed in that position, both of them coming down from a shared climax that he knew had their muscles protesting from the exertion, but their pelvises going through delightful orgasms.

  Alia Joie removed her hand from his mouth and grinned at him. “Promise me that when we’re old and gray and A.J. and our other kids are long out of the house and living their own lives, that you and I will still be loving each other like this.”

  Adam chuckled. “Like this,” he promised. “But maybe a little slower.”

  Then he kissed her passionately and thoroughly.

  After lying in each other’s arms a few minutes and talking and laughing together, they got up, put on their robes and went across the hall to peer at A.J. in his crib. He was sleeping peacefully. Adam looked from A.J. to Alia Joie, whose waist his arm was around as he pulled her close to his side. His life was perfect. It didn’t matter if he never discovered the nature of time. It was times like this when it simply didn’t matter. That we were allowed to be in the moment, to appreciate it, was what mattered. That, and to give love and receive love.

  Three months ago, his son wasn’t here. Now he was. That was a miracle in and of itself.

  * * *

  Decadent Holiday Pleasures

  Pamela Yaye

  He listened as Rosario spoke, but his gaze strayed to Elise.

  It was hard not to lust after her, to imagine himself kissing her. Giovanni slammed the brakes on his thoughts. Mad at himself for fantasizing about the know-it-all chef, he tore his eyes away from her. He didn’t want to see Elise at the club every day. Not because he despised her, but because he was scared his desires would get the best of him one day, and he’d cross the line—or worse, jump over it and into her bed.

  Worried Rosario would offer Elise the job on the spot, Giovanni realized he had to take control of the interview, and plotted his next move. The Southern beauty had an impressive résumé and outstanding cooking skills, but she’d rubbed him the wrong way from the moment she’d opened her mouth, and Giovanni had to get rid of her before it was too late.

  Pamela Yaye has a bachelor’s degree in Christian education. Her love for African American fiction prompted her to pursue a career in writing romance. When she’s not working on her latest novel, this busy wife, mother and teacher is watching basketball, cooking or planning her next vacation. Pamela lives in Alberta, Canada, with her gorgeous husband and adorable, but mischievous, son and daughter.

  Books by Pamela Yaye

  Harlequin Kimani Romance

  Mocha Pleasures

  Seduced by the Bachelor

  Secret Miami Nights

  Seduced by the Tycoon at Christmas

  Pleasure in His Kiss

  Pleasure at Midnight

  Pleasure in His Arms

  Decadent Holiday Pleasures

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank Kimani staff, past and present, for your knowledge, professionalism and support over the past twelve years.

  Special thanks to the Yaye and Odidison families for your love and encouragement.

  Sha-Shana Crichton, you are the best agent an author could have, and I’m grateful for everything you have done for me since I signed on with your agency.

  Last but not least, I want to thank Kimani readers for buying, sharing and reviewing my novels. I am humbled by your unwavering support and I appreciate all of you.

  Dear Reader,

  I love Christmas (especially the delicious, decadent desserts) and so does executive chef Elise Jennings. The pain of losing her parents overwhelms her at times, but Elise knows she has a lot to be thankful for. She has fantastic friends, a great new job and a bright future in the culinary field. Elise only wished her boss, Giovanni Castillo, didn’t look like People’s Sexiest Man Alive because every time their eyes meet her knees buckle, and Elise has to remind herself to breathe!

  Giovanni hates Christmas, and wishes he could sleep until the New Year. Life sucks. His polo career imploded, his father is pressuring him to take over the family business and he can’t stop fantasizing about Elise Jennings. Driven by lust, Giovanni kisses Elise in the restaurant kitchen, but one kiss isn’t enough, and soon they’re enjoying a secret Christmas fling. Elise and Giovanni’s story is filled with tender, heartfelt moments, and I hope that it reminds you what matters most this holiday season.

  All the best in life and love,

  Pamela Yaye

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 1

  Giovanni Castillo sat inside the award-winning restaurant at his family’s polo club in the Hamptons on Friday morning, bored out of his mind. Auditions for the executive chef position at Vencedores had started three hours earlier, but none of the candidates they’d interviewed yet had impressed him. They were all stiff and uptight, and their entrées had lacked originality, flavor and presentation. Giovanni was an elite polo player, not a New York food critic, but he knew what exceptional cuisine tasted like, and the entrées had all lacked the wow factor.

  Giovanni wondered what his mother, Constanza, would think of the tasting menus prepared. He was still full from the elaborate Argentinian meal he’d had last night at his parents’ East Hampton estate, and none of the candidates were in his mother’s league.

  Rosario was hopeful they’d find a suitable replacement for Chef Cruz, but Giovanni didn’t share his sister’s optimism. And he didn’t have to. He was the acting CEO of the polo club while their father was recovering from knee surgery, but Rosario was the chief operating officer, who ensured everything ran smoothly. The polo club had hundreds of employees and Rosario knew them all by name, even the cleaning crew. Dressed in a floral-print suit, she looked youthful and pretty, but she was a tenacious businesswoman and no one would dare cross her. Giovanni had four younger sisters and although Rosario was the smallest in stature, she was the most feared.

  Giovanni smoothed a hand over the base of his ponytail. He was due for a haircut and was looking forward to his trip to the barbershop tomorrow with his best friend. He’d met Jonas Crawford, a successful entrepreneur born and bred in the Hamptons, at an international car show years earlier and they’d bonded over their love of vintage automobiles, winter sports and horror movies. Jonas was the brother he’d always wanted, and even though they were polar opposites who butted heads on a regular basis, he valued their friendship. Jonas was the twin brother of popular app developer Chase Crawford, and Giovanni enjoyed spending time with the entire Crawford family.

  For the second time in minutes, Giovanni glanced at his diamond watch. If it were up to him, he’d be working out in his home gym with his personal trainer, not sitting around with the restaurant staff interviewing candidates for the executive chef position. He’d promised to help Rosario out during their dad’s absence, and Giovanni wanted to be a man of his word—even though his dad thought he was irresponsible. They’d never been close, never had the father-son relationship he’d secretly longed for, but he wanted to make Vincente proud.

  Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, blinding him, and Giovanni winced. Since his concussion, he’d become sensitive to light, and had migraines on a regular basis.
Over the course of his polo career, he’d suffered several injuries and his neurologist, Dr. Kaddouri, was worried he’d done permanent damage to his health. Giovanni disagreed with him.

  Crossing his legs at the ankles, he watched the waitstaff wipe the tables, set them with silverware and adjust the furniture. Sleek and stylish, with glitzy chandeliers, gold accents and designer seating, Vencedores was the trendiest restaurant in the Hamptons, and Rosario was the reason why. Energetic, hardworking and insightful, she was always on the lookout for the next big thing in pop culture and wasted no time implementing her ideas at the club.

  Hearing his cell phone chime, Giovanni glanced down at the table. Reading the text message from Chef Cruz made him chuckle. A week ago, the head chef had collapsed while preparing breakfast and Giovanni had feared he’d die on the kitchen floor. After emergency surgery to repair a blocked artery, Chef Cruz, now on the road to recovery, had decided to retire. Finding an executive chef who was as talented and affable as Chef Cruz was a daunting task, but Rosario was excited about the last audition of the day and Giovanni hoped candidate number six lived up to the hype.

  “Next up is Elise Jennings,” Rosario announced, consulting the résumé she was holding in her hands. “Elise Jennings graduated from the top of her class at the International Culinary Center of New York, and spent five years working as a sous chef at By the Bay restaurant. Best of all? She’s a seasoned traveler who’s explored culinary delights all over the world and incorporated them into her scrumptious recipes and decadent desserts...”

  Thank God, he thought, cracking his knuckles. One more interview and I’m out of here.