Falling By Firelight (Christmas Romance) Read online

  “I know,” he replied, the left corner of his mouth curling upward, “after three years, you really do.”

  Kate whacked his shoulder, the thud on the hard muscle make her even hotter. His grin remained as his hands worked, already untying the drawstring of her sweats. Nolan eased down the dark grey fabric, freeing her legs. He gazed at the wash of red lace that swathed her longing with a mix of admiration and amusement.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I was just thinking ‘of course.’ Of course you’re the kind of girl who wears a matching lingerie set just to lay around the house.”

  She shot him a teasing glare. “Not all the time. It’s Christmas.”

  “And you are the best present I could ask for.” He pressed his hand against the lace, cupping her pussy hard. She jolted up at his touch. “You like that?” he asked.

  She nodded breathlessly. “Uh huh.”

  “And you’re sure?”

  “I just said so!” Nolan looked at her more seriously, some of the heat gone from his gaze. He removed the pressure of his hand on her, running it gently along the lace waistline.

  “What I meant is, are you sure you want this?” The slightest hint of concern crossed his face. Kate leaned back on her elbows, not bothering to pull her bra up from where it now rested on her waist. She scanned his dominating form, his broad shoulders, the vee that tapered down under the the soft line of his jeans. Is anything in the world as enticing as that fucking vee? She looked up into his face and its sweetness sent a pang through her chest. A melting that soothed her from the inside out.

  Kate nodded. “I’m really sure. After all, we’re friends now, right?”

  The devilish glint returned to Nolan’s eye. He tucked his fingers down below the waist of her panties as he dragged his knuckles against her tender skin. “So this is just you welcoming me to the neighborhood?’

  She gave a quick shrug. “Something like that.” Sitting up, Kate pulled him into a kiss. The melting grew more staggering, but she didn’t mind. Even if it wasn’t very friendly at all. She curved up, inviting his tongue deeper, and Nolan pulled her across the rug to draw her close. He slid his hand down into her panties and very gently, so gently it nearly drove her mad, stroked against her wetness. Kate gasped into the kiss. She bit his lip as he skimmed his rough fingertips along her slit again. He moved them higher, gliding in a wide arc around her clit.

  The pressure between her legs grew. The urgent need for him to touch right there, right where she was most sensitive. As if he’d read her mind, Nolan gently slid the panties down off her legs. With a firm but gentle hand at the center of her heaving chest, he laid her back to the ground. He spread her legs apart, exposing her. In the cool air, she was gleaming. He lowered himself down between her legs, wrapping one hard arm around each thigh.

  “Look at that,” he murmured, kissing the inside of her thigh, making her shake like a leaf, “you’re so wet for me.”

  “I know,” she whispered. Kate glanced down as he ran his tongue up from her thigh to the spot right next to her longing. The shaking grew worse. The anticipation was pained, dire. “Oh fuck me,” she whimpered.

  “Oh I will,” he said, his breath excruciating and hot on her skin. “But I’ve got some things to take care of first.” Grasping her thighs in his work-worn hands, Nolan’s tongue spanned her wetness in one slow, smooth lick. Pleasure rocked her, arching her back on the ivory rug. Kate reached out and grasped his thick wrist. She steadied herself against him as his soft tongue spanned her pussy again. She moaned, tightening her hold.

  Casting her gaze down at him, Kate caught a smile pass over his lips as he opened his mouth and slowly began to flick her clit with the tip of his tongue. Every sensation intensified. She wriggled in his grasp, but that only made him dig his calloused fingertips deeper into her supple flesh. The more force he exerted, with his hands, with his mouth, the more flustered she became. The more needful.

  Nolan pulled the bead of her clit into his mouth and sucked. She cried out and dug her free hand into his hair. The pressure growing between her legs was like nothing she’d ever felt. The sheer strength of it. It was like she’d lost all control. Lost all power. Whatever this feeling wanted her to do, she’d do. And gladly. Nolan sucked harder and her legs came crashing up toward her chest. He smiled, releasing her clit, and began circling it with one fingertip. He pressed hard on the bead and she bucked beneath him, a whine escaping her parted lips.

  “Do you want me to stop?” he asked.

  Though the jest was heavy in his voice, Kate couldn’t help but glare. “Are you for real?” she hissed.

  “I thought I’d made it pretty clear that you weren’t supposed to move. And yet here you are, moving so much.” He swirled around her clit again and she shuddered.

  “There’s only so much I can do,” she gasped. “But if you’re trying to play some power game, you don’t have to bother. I’m gonna let you do whatever you want to me. I want you to.”

  He ran his tongue up her pussy once more and bliss returned, dropping her head back as it caressed her. “Will you beg for it?” he asked.

  She raised her head to meet his gaze, ready to roll her eyes or knock him back to earth, but found herself giving the truthful answer. “Depends how good it is”

  Chuckling, Nolan slid one finger into her heat. Kate gasped, clenched her hands in the fur of the rug. He filled her channel, moving gently in and out. Adding another finger, he lowered his mouth back to her pussy and stroked her clit with his tongue as his hand worked. The combination floored her, brought the pressure to a peak. Kate’s voice spooled out of her, filling the room with her cry. As she lost herself in his touch, Nolan picked up the pace. He took her clit back into his mouth, sucking, and he grasped up, taking one of her nipples with his free hand.

  Pleasure surged from the three points, concentrating most fiercely in her hips. It built and built until she could feel the crest forming, the intensity reaching new heights. “Please don’t stop!” she yelped. “Please please don’t stop.”

  With incredible force, Nolan secured his hands back on her thighs. He held her firmly in position and used his mouth to claim her sex. His tongue was diligent. Devastating. The more she squirmed and moaned, the more concentrated his assault became. It built and built, the urgency swelling, until the blissful release crashed through her body like an ocean wave.

  Kate keened, arching her back to the limit, her entire body stiffening as the orgasm shattered through her. Nolan’s grip remained strong as she rode out the overwhelming surge of pleasure. As she began to calm, the tension leaving her blissful muscles, his tongue grew softer. Slower. Sweeter.

  Struggling to catch her breath, she stroked his hair, pushed it back from his forehead. Nolan kissed his way back up her body and lay next to her. His gaze had lost none of its thick heat. “So, after a couple years, does that stack up?”

  Slack, splayed across the luxurious fur of the rug, a giggle escaped Kate’s lips. It grew, becoming a full laugh. Nolan cocked his head, raising a brow as her laugh grew heartier. “Oh yeah,” she nodded, her own eyes wide, “I think it was alright. I’d go so far as to say it was more than OK.”

  “Ah.” He moved his hand to her ribs, gently trailing his fingertips across her skin. At the tingling the contact induced, her voice felt silent. “You’re one of those.”

  “One of whats?” she asked in a small, breathy voice. Kate closed her eyes, soaking in the journey of his hand.

  “One of the ones who gets silly.” He trailed his hand down her stomach, between her legs, and pressed sharply on her clit. Kate gasped. She bucked up beneath him, but he didn’t let go. “It’s alright though,” he continued. “It can be fun, not letting you stay silly.” Maintaining his pressure, Nolan swirled his finger in small circles, sending her head back as she basked in the sensation. The want, the need, the deep yearning, all were back with a vengeance. He played her like a master musician, hitting every note, flooding her quaking form with
desire. Kate had had a taste, but she wanted more.

  She reached out and grasped the bulge beneath his jeans. Even through the rough fabric, the size of his member sent a shiver down her spine. Struggling to keep her focus as he continued to stroke her most sensitive spot, Kate undid the button, the zipper. The action was ravenous, unaffected. Desperate. Nolan stood and she ripped the pants down off of him. In his black boxer briefs, the shape of him was even more impressive. On any other day, in her regular mindset, Kate might have been intimidated. Maybe even nervous. But after what he’d done to her so far, after bringing her to this level of almost excruciating arousal, there was no hesitation. Kate eased down the waistband and took the majesty of him in. She wrapped her hand around the girth of his shaft, leaned close, and ran her tongue the impressive distance from its base to its tip.

  Nolan’s breath caught, bringing a sinful smile to her face. Kate watched his expression closely as she took him back into her mouth. His rigid shaft filled her, loosened her lips as she stroked him with her tongue. Nolan’s head fell back, the hard line of his jaw angling up as he gave in to her. Kate slid one hand up the hardness of his abs as she took him deeper, teasing him in and out of her mouth. His hand found her hair, pulling just hard enough that a ripple of pleasure took her. Kate pushed further, brushing the head against the back of her throat, and instantly he was on her.

  Nolan pushed Kate back against the fire-warmed fur, a new intensity in his eyes. With strong hands, he spread her thighs apart. Kate’s hands wove into her own hair, her lips parting, her breath hitching. Anticipation spiraled in her core, her sex aching for him. Nolan took her clit back between his fingers, rolling it gently.

  “Still feeling silly?” he asked, the wicked smile carrying through his voice.

  “Oh my god shut up,” she groaned. He tightened his grip and she jerked under him. Her hands covered her face, half-covered her quivering lips. The need was too much. It pinned her to the ground, spread her legs wider.

  “Did you just tell me to shut up?” His amusement was infuriating.

  “Yes I fucking did,” she gasped as he teased her, manipulating the bead of her pleasure with his dextrous hand. “And if you don’t fucking fuck me soon I’m gonna lose my mind.”

  He leaned down over her, his heat radiating into her skin. “For a nice girl, you sure get a dirty mouth when you’re—“

  “Shut up and fuck me you fucking—“ Nolan thrust himself inside her and Kate’s voice fell silent. A new, fuller pleasure swept her away as his cock plunged into her, filled her. Waves of ecstasy rolled through her body. Kate bit her lip as it rocked her. Her hands grasped at the bulging of his arms. They swelled as he cradled her waist, bringing himself harder into her sweet grip. Kate’s spine arched. Her moan came from deep inside, a dark carnal place that she barely recognized, it had been so long.

  Nolan moved one hand to the small of her back, the other to her hip, and upped the pace. He thrust deeper, harder, faster. Kate’s nails dug into the thick corded muscles of his shoulders. His chiseled abdominals glinted in the firelight as he churned against her. The sight of him was almost as erotic as the ecstasy he was stoking in her pussy. Almost.

  “Nolan,” she whispered.

  “What?” His molten honey eyes scorched through her, deepening her pleasure.

  “I really want you to make me come. I need it.”

  He moved both hands to her hips, tilting them up. When he thrust again, he hit a deeper, much more tender spot. Kate cried out, writhing beneath him. “I thought I already had made you come,” he murmured.

  As he plunged deeper, with greater strength, it was almost impossible for her to form words. Kate clutched at the rug, trying to find the will, sputtering. “You did, you did, oh my god.” He railed against her and Kate’s spine arched to its furthest reaches. The desire inside her was urgent, needing, desperate, deep. “You made me come but I want to come with you. From you. From all of you.”

  Nolan grinned. He took a fistful of her glossy hair and rode her into oblivion. Kate wrapped her arms around his hulking frame as the orgasm raged through her. She cried out, swept up in the euphoria. It took every last drop of her inhibition, doubt, and hesitation, wringing it all away. Kate locked eyes with Nolan as he followed, climaxing with her in the charged moment. They clung to one another, caught in each other’s gaze. Wrapt in the other’s spell.

  With their heavy breathing finally starting to calm, Nolan pulled himself from inside her and rolled to the side. He wrapped a strong hand around her waist and cinched her over, securing her against his own burning skin. Kate blinked up at him, emerald eyes illuminated in the firelight. Nolan leaned down a placed a soft kiss on her full lips, which curved into a satisfied smile.

  “You better not ask me ‘Oh Kate, after three years…’” The teasing in her voice was soft in itself. Nothing like the boldfaced attitude she’d put on before. She couldn’t muster that if she’d wanted to. Not in this state. She was as gooey and pliable as taffy, and, like it or not, she was mushy and sweet as it too.

  Nolan raised one of her hands, the tapered fingers limp in his firm grasp, and kissed the back of it. Her smile stretched across her flushed cheeks. “I wasn’t going to,” he murmured.

  “Oh.” She nodded weakly. “That’s good.” Nolan leaned down and kissed her neck. The sensitive skin set aflame, a gentle burn. Kate closed her eyes, let the wave of yum wash over her, then felt it turn to cold. Ice cold. I told him I wanted to be friends. That we’re just friends. The gooeyness hardened into sharp, rock-like shards. Is there any chance in hell I just want to be friends? Careful to keep a straight face, she fluttered her eyelids open to find Nolan watching her. He seemed wrapt. Entranced. Definitely pleased with himself.

  Even his prideful, dominate expression pierced to her depths. Oh fuck me. Smiling for him, she rolled to her side so that she was facing the fire. He tightened his grip on her middle, pressing the smooth plane of her back against his chest, his abs. Suddenly Kate felt stuck. Trapped. Cornered by him, or by herself, or by the overwhelming attraction that had pushed her to this point.

  Nolan nestled into her neck and she stiffened. It was a slight change, but enough for him to shift back an inch. “You OK?” he asked.

  “Yeah, of course.” She watched the flames dance. A perfectly hypnotic distraction. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He stroked her waist, the dip where her ribcage ended and her stomach began. “Would you tell me if you weren’t OK?”

  “Probably.” She shrugged a shoulder, the action drawing her skin against his and bringing another wave of warmth to the center of her chest. “I wouldn’t know though, would I, because I am OK. I don’t know what I’d do or say if I wasn’t. It’d be a guess.”

  Seeming pleased enough with her answer, Nolan settled back down on the rug behind her. He wrapped her in both arms, hugging her to his naked form. “Do you want to sleep right here? Like this?”

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “That sounds nice.”

  “Alright then,” he kissed the back of her neck, “and if the fire gets low, I’ll take care of it. You try to get some sleep.”

  “Thanks.” Kate closed her eyes.

  There was a war raging inside her, conflicting feelings taking each other head-on. But what was the point? She took a deep breath and pushed the perilous thoughts to the back of her mind. If I’m here for tonight, and he’s here, why ruin it? Because no matter how messy it might be, no matter if he could cut and run without a second thought, right now? This is nice. Gently, she pushed back, finding the place she fit the most snug against the muscular arc of his body. It almost feels like home. The admission sent one cold pang through her chest, but just the one. If it feels like home, then just for tonight, that’s what I’m gonna let it be.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  KATE WOKE WITH a start. Clutching the fuzzy throw blanket tightly around her chest, it took a few moments to piece together where she was. What had happened. Her head ached as she glanced around t
he empty living room. She was still spread before the fire, naked save for the throw that she didn’t remember fetching. And the fire was still burning bright. Nolan. A knot formed in her throat as she listened, maybe for a noise down the hall, near the bathroom, but came up with only the crackling of the fireplace.

  Well, she set her jaw in a tense line, at least he kept his promise to stoke the fire, right? What a goddamn gentleman. Kate struggled to her feet, turning the throw into a makeshift dress, and headed to the kitchen for some Advil. She stepped over her crimson panties and the empty glasses of wine on her way, wincing at every landmark of last night’s wild ride. She padded to the sink and filled a mug with cool water. Even this far from the fire, which wasn’t very far at all, she could feel the cold of the house without power.

  I wonder how cold it is over at Nolan’s, she wondered, before catching herself and issuing a sharp reprimand. Who cares how cold it is there? She slammed open the cabinet over the sink and pulled down a pill bottle with a maraca-like shake. He could have stayed here. By leaving, anyway, he’s the one who made it weird. He’s basically insinuated that last night was a bad idea. I didn’t do that. She put a pill on the center of her tongue. Didn’t do it out loud, at least. With a sip of water, she swallowed the Advil, swiftly following it with a second. Ugh, and I’m on an empty stomach. Reaching across the counter, Kate wrenched the top off a Tupperware of cookies. She ruefully shoved one into her mouth.

  Chewing in a manner that did little to hide her frustration, Kate headed for the bedroom. The frigid air made her skin tighten, coated her in goosebumps so taut that they stung. Dropping the throw and barreling toward her closet, Kate put her hands on the first, warmest thing she saw. The faire isle patterned footie pajamas her sister had given her five years before. She shoved her feet into the legs of the gag gift and zipped the thick fleece closed to her neck. The heavy fabric did its job, already getting her the slight bit warmer it took to loosen her shoulders from their fixed spots by her ears.