Page 23 of One Night, Two Holidays
“Jesus,” I hiss.
“Nope, just me.”
I half-groan, half-laugh as she takes me deeper, working me with her lips and tongue and hand, warm and slick and perfect. I’m too close to the edge, though—and I’ll be damned if I let myself reach the finish line before she does.
So I reach down and lift her chin with my fingers, tugging myboxers back into place with my other hand. “Come here,” I murmur.
She stands, and I take her face in my hands. Her eyes are bright, her lips wet, and before I can stop myself, the words tumble out: “You are so damn gorgeous.”
She gives a shy smile. “So are you. I’ve thought so ever since the first time I saw you, coming in from a run. And the second time, waiting for the bus. And the third time…”
My eyebrows lift. “Why didn’t you say anything? I would’ve beenthrilled.”
She shrugs, and her eyes—those big, brown, expressive eyes—flash with a hint of vulnerability. It reminds me of our conversation earlier, about how she doesn’t like to make the first move. She’s already been so brave tonight. If anyone should initiate the vulnerable conversation before we move forward, it’s me.
“Here’s the thing, Nessa,” I say, doing my best to keep my voice steady. “I’m not a one-night stand kind of guy.”
Her eyes snap back to mine, wide and surprised. “Why does this have to be one night?”
“That’s what I’m trying to say.” I take a breath. “If we do this, you have to promise me you’ll let me take you on a proper first date.”
“First date?” she repeats, incredulous.
Heat creeps up the back of my neck. “Not if you don’t want?—”
“Jack,” she cuts me off, giving me a mock-disappointed shake of her head. “This is at least our fourth date right now.”
I blink, caught off guard. “Fourth?”
“Last night, eating Thai food by the fire? That was our first date,” she says, a playful lilt in her voice. “And this morning, opening stockings and then playing outside in the snow? Second date.”
A grin spreads across my face as I nod, catching on. “Third date: making latkes and watching the movie.”
“Fourth date: lighting the menorah and playing strip dreidel.”She smiles up at me, a glint in her eye. “See? We’re totally ready for this.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” I duck down and scoop her over my shoulder, making her squeal in surprise.
“Jack!” she yelps as I lift her.
“Where’s your bedroom?” I take off toward the hallway.
She kicks her legs, laughing breathlessly. “Second door on the left. But if you drop me?—”
“Drop you?” I give her butt a playful smack. “Not a chance. You think I’d break the best present I’ve gotten this year?”
Her laugh softens into something sweeter as I duck through the doorway, careful not to jostle her. The city lights outside filter through the curtains, painting the room in gold and silver, and I set her down on the bed with exaggerated care.
Nessa looks up at me, her cheeks flushed, her smile glowing. “You always handle your presents this carefully?”
I grin, crawling over her. “Only my favorite one.”
Her breath catches, and I swear I see the hint of tears in her eyes.
“What is it?” I ask, concerned.
She hesitates, then gives a self-conscious shrug. “It’s just…I don’t think I’ve ever been anyone’s favorite.”
Something tugs in my chest, fierce and protective. I brush a strand of hair from her face, my thumb lingering on her cheek, searching for the right words to help her understand that this moment, this connection between us, feels special. Unlike anything I’ve felt before. “You’re the gift I didn’t know I was wishing for.”
