Page 31 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“Of course. I love him. He’s precious and I can’t wait to get home to him every day. So what’s our schedule here, Nick? Are presents opened tonight or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow morning. We’ll have the Christmas meal tonight and Dad will go to bed early. This has been great for him, Grace. He’s trying to make it nice for you because he appreciates having Michael more than you can guess.”
“It’s easy to do this now while Michael is a baby,” she said, wondering what the future held. Her problems had diminished with Nick’s presence because she was so aware of him. He was close, tempting. She would be alone with him later and the prospect was exciting.
When they joined Eli again, Megan was with him. Dinner was served in a large dining room that could have easily accommodated twenty at the table. It was a lavish spread and the food was delicious, but it was difficult to eat with Nick seated across from her, his smoldering dark eyes on her, holding promises of hot kisses later.
After dinner, Vanessa brought Michael in his pajamas to play in the great room. At his bedtime, she scooped him up, promising to rock him to sleep, and Grace kissed him and let Vanessa carry him to bed. Half an hour later, Eli apologized, saying he had to turn in for the night. Megan held his arm as they left the room.
Nick tossed another log on the fire, crossed the room to close the wide double doors and came back. “Let me show you something,” he said.
She stood to go with him and they headed toward the doors he had just closed. He stopped in front of them, but didn’t reach to open them and she gave him a puzzled look.
“You haven’t noticed,” he said, glancing up.
She looked up to see the mistletoe tied with a bright red velvet bow hanging above her head.
He shook his head. “I’ve been waiting since the last time we were together. We’re under the mistletoe.” His arm circled her waist and he leaned forward to kiss her, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
“Since when do you need mistletoe?” she whispered, before their lips touched. She slipped her arms around him and stood on tiptoe while her heartbeat galloped.
Pressing against his hard body, she felt his erection thrust against her. She ached for him, wanting him, knowing each time they were together she was becoming more involved with him. This holiday was going to bind her closer than ever. While he kissed her, nothing else really mattered. His kisses fanned desire to greater heights. She needed more, wanted his hands and his mouth on her. All evening the looks he had given her, the slight contacts had increased her longing until she felt she would burst.
“Nick,” she whispered, and crushed her mouth to his for more kisses, moaning as her hips plunged against him. He held her tightly with one arm, his other hand trailing down her back languidly, a sensual caress. His hand slipped over her bottom, following her curves and then slid around her waist.
Slipping beneath her red sweater, his large, warm hands pushed away wispy lace and cupped her breasts. She moaned with pleasure as her tongue thrust deeply over his.
She heard his deep-throated groan while his thumbs circled each taut bud. Waves of pleasure washed over her. Eagerly she ran her hands over his powerful shoulders, removing his jacket, to unbutton his shirt. His sculpted chest was rock hard with a thick mat of black curls. She tangled her fingers in black, wiry chest hair, relishing touching him.
He leaned over her, his passionate kisses going deep, heightening her response. Within minutes they had to stop or they’d be beyond stopping. She tore her mouth from his while caressing his chest, her signals as mixed as her feelings.
“Nick, we have to stop,” she whispered.
“Why?” he asked, raising his head. He continued to caress her breasts while his gaze slowly devoured her. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his thumbs rubbing each nipple.
Fighting her own desire, she clutched his hands. “No more,” she whispered, unable to find a strong voice.
“Why? We’re alone. No one will disturb us,” Nick said.
“I didn’t come here tonight to sleep with you. I’m not ready for intimacy. I’m not making love at your father’s house,” she said. “Lust isn’t the point of this visit.”
“It’s what we both want,” Nick said bluntly.
She stepped back, slipping her bra into place as he watched her. While she straightened her clothes, her heart raced. Nick stood inches away, his hair tangled from her fingers. His shirt was open and his muscled chest captured her attention. His trousers indicated his arousal. He wanted her and he looked seductive, appealing.
Her heart hammered loudly. With an effort to break his spell she intended to stick with what she had told him.
“You and I shouldn’t make love. Not tonight. Most likely not ever. I don’t care how great the kisses are,” she whispered. “We’ve got Michael, different views and opposing goals between us. I’m not succumbing to desire, because it will only complicate everything between us a thousand times over. We’re not in love. We’re not in agreement. Your family, you because of your dad, wants Michael. I don’t want you to have him. It’s that simple, and seduction would be an emotional disaster.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” Nick stated, studying her.
“This has been a nice evening, but we should each go our separate way now.”
“If that’s what you want, Grace,” he replied. As he buttoned his shirt, she struggled to get a grip on her emotions. Resisting the urge to walk right back into his arms and toss aside her declarations, she shook her head, smoothing her hair away from her face.
“C’mon, I’ll give you a partial tour and show you where you’ll sleep. You and I are in the east wing, where the nursery is.” He led her down a large hall.
“How did you ever get used to this?” she asked.
