Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

December 25, 6:53 pm

JACK

“ T hat depends on what you want,” Nessa says.

She’s standing in front of me, looking mouth-wateringly delicious, completely bare except for a black lace bra and matching panties—scratch that; a matching black lace thong, I realize as I sneak a quick look over her shoulder at her backside.

“It’s not obvious what I want?” I glance down at myself; I’m so hard I could probably dent a tin can.

All through the game, I tried to remind myself that I’m not going to rush this, that I want more than one night together. But I’m now finding it impossible to even remember why. Very little blood supply to my brain at the moment.

Not that I’m complaining—it’s crystal clear Nessa wants me as much as I want her. She reaches out a finger and trails it down the bulge in my boxers like she did before, but now I’m so sensitive my hips jerk involuntarily. Somehow, I’m on the verge of coming and I haven’t even touched her yet.

Copying her movement, I reach out with one finger and trace down one bra strap, across the cup of her bra, then let my finger dip into her cleavage. Goosebumps spread across her skin, and she sucks in a shaky breath. Then I hook my finger around the tiny bow in the center of her bra and tug her toward me.

In response, she hooks a finger inside the waistband of my boxers and gives me a little tug closer. Now we’re inches apart, her chin tilted up to meet my eyes, her pupils dilated and her cheeks pink.

“Your move,” I say in a rough voice, and she nods. We both seem to have agreed that we’re playing a new game now.

Slowly, she slides her hand inside my boxers and wraps it around me, heat and softness and a sharp wave of pleasure. My heart pounds. I’m aching with the effort of holding back. Keep it together , I order myself. Do not fuck this up.

It’s my move now, so I slide my hands up her ribcage to cup her breasts, feeling her nipples harden as my thumbs drift over the lacy cups of her bra.

She lets out a low moan that somehow makes me even harder, and I lean down and kiss her, rough and urgent, letting my hands roam where they’ve been wanting to go, sliding them down to her ass, up into her hair, kissing her deeper and deeper until her breaths are quick and shallow and desperate.

“My turn,” she says, pulling away.

And before I even have a chance to think, she’s kneeling at my feet and sliding down my boxers just enough so she can take me in her mouth.

“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 my boxers 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 been thrilled. ”

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.”

Her smile widens, eyes lighting up. “Then maybe you should finish unwrapping.”

“Merry Christmas to me,” I murmur before capturing her lips with mine.