Chapter 11

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

ALIDA

When I wake with my head on Fox’s chest and my leg draped over his, it’s clear the pillow wall I built last night failed.

Despite how frustrated I was with him when he ran out of the room, rejecting my offer to have sex with me, I couldn’t stand the thought of him sleeping in that damn stiff chair again. So I built a wall down the center of the bed made of pillows so he’d know I was offering him half the bed.

As frustrated as I am with the man, I can’t seem to hate him.

Which became apparent when I scaled that wall in my sleep and crawled right into his arms.

My thigh is dangerously close to a pitched tent, and I gasp. The bulge in his pants last night led me to believe he was big, but damn. This is so much bigger than I thought. Maybe it’s a good thing Fox didn’t unzip his pants and plunge into me. He’d have split me right in two.

You’d have liked it.

For the briefest of moments, I consider climbing the rest of the way onto him. Maybe Fox just needed some air last night. I’m sure this whole thing has to be a little confusing. I was pretty sure I hated him. Until I suddenly wanted him to give me a Big O. Maybe if I returned the favor…

But the possible sting of another rejection stops me.

I slip out from beneath the dead weight of his arm draped over my shoulder and tiptoe to the bathroom so I can take a much-needed cold shower. It’s not until I’m wrapped in a towel that I realize I didn’t bring in a change of clothes. “Dammit.”

My plan to sneak back into the room and grab my bag is thwarted the second I open the door and discover Fox on the other side. He’s missing a shirt, allowing all those glorious muscles and tattoos to be on full display. “Good morning,” he says, smiling.

“I’d say you’re happy to see me, but last time you ran out the door like your ass was on fire.”

He glances down at the tent still firmly pitched in his boxers. “About that,” he says rubbing the back of his head.

“Save it,” I say, trying to maneuver around him. But the jerk cages me in against the doorframe. “What is it with you and doorways?” But the retort comes out strangled and raspy. He’s not touching me, but the heat radiates off him like a furnace. Reminding me how effectively he pleasured me with little more than his breath.

“I’m sorry I left like that.”

“Well, you had your chance.” I try to dip down beneath his arm, but he drops a hand to my hip.

“Please, Alida.”

His grip is gentle, promising he’d let me go if I wanted to move. It’s the only reason I stay, allowing myself to be pinned in place by those dangerously sexy whiskey brown eyes. God, I could get lost in them. What is happening?

“Let me make it up to you,” he offers.

“How?”

His gaze rakes up and down my body, a half smile playing at his lips. “Dealer’s choice.”

“You’re offering me control, just like that?”

He traces his thumb along my jaw. “Sometimes I like to be bossed around too.”

Dammit, what am I doing? I should say no. I should put an end to the physical stuff before it gets any more out of hand. Before I do something stupid like fall in love with the guy. Which is a total ridiculous leap considering this is just sex. But I’ve already fallen for his entire family. And his magical ability to take me to alternate universes. Would one more orgasm really be so bad before I get my head on straight?

“It is Christmas Eve.” And it’s just sex. Right?

“It is.”

I’m torn between telling him to fuck off and telling him to lose his boxers.

“I want to be on top.”

“As much as I’d love to see you riding my cock, that’s not on the dealer’s menu this morning.”

“Why not?”

He leans closer, his chest rubbing against the towel I’m barely holding in place. His beard brushes my cheek, his lips graze the shell of my ear as he says, “Because I already know exactly how I’m going to fuck you the first time.”

My breathing grows ragged. I’m intrigued and oddly relieved. Why am I relieved ? This just gets more complicated if feelings are involved. I do my best to shove those pesky emotions down deep and instead summon my inner seductress.

Pressing my back all the way into the doorframe, I release my hold on the towel and allow it fall to the floor. “Then show me what the deal is with you and these damn doorways.”

He scrapes my shoulder with his teeth. “Gladly.”

“Wait, where are you going?” I ask when he dashes toward the bed.

“Don’t move.”

“I thought I was in charge.”

He grabs a pillow from my failed wall and brings it over. “Put this behind your back. You’ll thank me later.”

“Anything else?”

“Reach behind your head with both hands and hold onto the doorframe.”

I arch a brow, refusing his directions as if I don’t fully intend to obey. “This really feels like you’re in charge.”

“You gave me an assignment. I’m just fulfilling my duty.”

“So romantic.”

“So I’ve been told.” He lifts one of my legs and drapes it over his hip as I reach back for the doorframe. “You might want to brace your foot.”

Before I can firmly plant my foot against the opposite side of the door frame, he steps between my legs, shoving one of his thick thighs against my exposed pussy. I allow my eyes to fall closed, surprised when I feel his lips brush mine.

“I didn’t think?—”

“Shh,” he says, deepening the kiss until I can’t think straight.

I don’t realize I’m gyrating against his thigh until he growls, “So fucking wet,” against my mouth. He reaches a hand between us, spreading my pussy lips so my clit has raw contact with his leg. I grind harder as he returns to kissing me. He fondles my breasts as I give up holding onto the doorframe and wrap my arms around his neck.

“That’s it, sweetheart.”

I’m so close to the edge I can practically see stars forming, one by one.

Fox replaces his thigh with his hand, his middle finger plunging into my channel. I gasp, biting down gently on his shoulder. His palm rubs tiny, effective circles against my clit. It’s all I can do to hang on as I come apart from the inside out.

“Do you forgive me?” Fox says with a low, sexy laugh.

“Yeah, you’re forgiven,” I pant.

“If you want, we?—”

A knock at the door has me shooting back into the bathroom to hide behind the door since my towel is missing in action. “You two lovebirds ready?” Elaine calls through the door. “Grandma Lola’s made a huge Christmas Eve breakfast spread.”

“We’ll be right down.”

Fox pins me in place with his gaze as he sucks my juices off his middle finger, and dammit if I don’t want more. But not just this morning. Oh no. My traitorous body wants more of this on a regular basis.

“Fox?”

“Get dressed.”

“Oh.” I feel my body start to wilt, the fireworks he ignited flaming out in rapid succession.

He hooks a finger beneath my chin, drawing me forward until my nipples graze his bare chest. The hunger in his whiskey brown eyes has my lips parted in another soft oh , but no sound leaves my throat.

He drags the rough pad of his thumb across my lips before his hand falls to the bathroom handle. “Make no mistake, sweetheart,” he says, slowly closing the door and shutting himself out. “This is definitely to be continued .”