The Christmas Dare Read online

  “You look red hot in that dress, woman.” His tone was husky as a cornfield.

  Delighted, she shivered. Her toes curled inside her stilettoes as she quelled a runaway urge to pull his head down and French kiss the hell out of him right there in front of God and everybody.

  Decorum. Filomena’s voice clanged in her head.

  Flipping screw that.

  Kelsey followed her impulse for once. Wrapped her arms around Noah’s neck, pulled his head down, parted her lips, and kissed him. She flicked out her tongue and boy, was he on board! The next thing she knew, he was kissing her with wolfish primal hunger.

  People were staring. She could feel their gazes. And for some kinky reason, that only made her hotter.

  This was so not her. These wild displays of public affection. But her body ate it up. Clenching and tightening and yearning for more.

  So very much more.

  Maybe it was her. The new and improved her. The sexually adventuresome Kelsey.

  His buttery lips tasted sweet. His scent filled her nose. She drank him in. Finally, he broke the kiss, so they could dance.

  Cash Colton and his band struck up a slow, romantic song. The lights dimmed. Couples embraced. Danced closer.

  She and Noah couldn’t get any closer with their clothes on. Moving as one unit. Step for step. Kelsey could feel the ripples of his muscles beneath his tux. Perspiration dotted his forehead and she realized she was perspiring too. Not so much from exertion, but from the sheer heat of desire.

  With each step, each breath, their passion for each other ramped higher, rocking them on a river of need. His arms tightened around her and she could feel his heart drumming inside his chest as crazy as her own.

  When the song ended, Noah took her hand and led her off the dance floor. She hadn’t noticed a spiral staircase at the back of the room before. He guided her there and he went up the staircase first, but kept firm hold of her left hand with his right. Interlaced their fingers.

  “Where are we going? she whispered.

  “To the casino.”

  She teetered a bit as she tucked her clutch purse underneath her arm, while lifting her dress hem with her free hand to keep from tripping on the stairs.

  He looked down with an indulgent smile on his face. She felt like Cinderella at the ball. Full of joy but aware of that ticking clock at the back of her mind. Eventually, she was going to have to leave this fantasy Christmas world and head back home to Dallas and her real life.

  Not now. Don’t think about that now.

  On the upper deck, they found the casino packed. Guests in formal attire gathered around the roulette wheel. There were blackjack and craps tables. Three other tables housed poker players. All were vying to win various prizes that local merchants had donated, arrayed on a long table.

  Which game were she and Noah going to play?

  Kelsey didn’t gamble, so she had no clue how to play any of them. But it was for charity, so she didn’t mind looking foolish. But to her surprise, he did not stop at any of the tables. Instead they bypassed them all and went down a narrow hallway similar to the corridor on the Rockabye that led from the lobby to the dining room.

  “What games are back here?” she asked.

  “Our game.”

  That thrilled and intrigued her. She wanted to ask questions, but she trusted Noah, and she didn’t ask, eager for the surprise. After the massage and the mani-pedi and the giant kismet cookie and amaryllis, who knew what else he had up his mysterious sleeve?

  Whee!

  “What do you want me to do?” she asked.

  “Take down your hair.”

  “What?”

  “Let it loose. You cut it for a reason. Don’t keep it pinned up.”

  Boldly, she plucked the pins from her hair. Tucked them into her purse and let her hair cascade around her shoulders.

  His grin was reward enough, but then he took her hand again and off they went. As they walked past the long wide window that looked out over the lake, Kelsey caught a glimpse of her reflection and almost did not recognize herself.

  Who was that woman with the wide blue eyes enlarged by the artful application of mascara, the bouncy blond hair floating about her shoulders, her body wrapped in scarlet velvet, lips puffy from the pressure of Noah’s red-hot kisses?

  She was a fox.

  A hottie.

  A bodacious babe.

  No longer the buttoned-down conservative woman desperate to manage her image for the sake of her mother’s career. Tonight, with Noah, she could let her sexuality out of the bag. Tonight, she was no longer straightlaced Kelsey James worrying about what the constituents would think. Tonight, she was a woman who fully embraced her sexuality.

  Her pulse spiked.

  She was loving this. She felt free. Was this what Clive had felt like when he ran off with Kevin? Her discovery of her true self was just as profound as Clive’s had been.

  “Here we go.” Noah grinned at her, winked, pushed in on a wooden bifold door and took her into the provocative cubbyhole. Closed the door, sealing them into the small space together. It looked like the space might have once been a wet bar converted into a storage closet, except the closet was empty.

  “What—”

  But that was as far as she got.

  He scooped her into his arms, picked her up, and settled her bottom on a narrow counter. Then he wrapped his arms around her and proceeded to kiss her senseless.

  Chapter 23

  Only a thin paneled wall separated the storage area from the casino main room. She could hear bets being taken and wheels turning and excited voices rising above the strains of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” the Bruce Springsteen version.

  She thought about Noah and how he’d looked in his Christmas Bard costume, and thought, Oh yeah, Santa, come.

  Slowly, he drew back, pressed an index finger to his lips. “Shh.”

  Sitting on the counter in front of him, they were eye to eye. Giggling, she leaned in and dropped her forehead on his shoulder. His cologne, an exotic blend of yeasty French pastry and Thailand spice market, startled her. Kelsey’s first thought, What is this scent? The second: he smells handsome.

  What a rush!

  “Shh.” He purred the sound. “They can hear us.”

  Those four words shot her arousal skyward. Her body instantly softened, moistened. Got ready for him.

  The slit of her dress had fallen open to reveal her bare leg. A wicked gleam came into his eye as he ran a hand up her thigh.

  Kelsey shivered. Closed her eyes. His touch felt so good.

  “How does that feel?” he whispered, his calloused fingertips belying his sophisticated attire.

  “Mmm,” she purred.

  He bumped against her knees with his pelvis, urging her legs to part. He settled himself between her legs. The material of his trousers rubbed against her thighs.

  His hand crept higher, tickling her skin. Her eyes flew open. His chocolate brown eyes were wide, filled with awe.

  When his fingers found her G-string panties, his grin overtook his face. He pushed the skimpy piece of lace to one side.

  Her heart tripped over itself.

  His hips were still wedged between her knees. She squeezed him tighter. He made a guttural sound and his eyes turned murky with need.

  The room was hot, but Kelsey was hotter. Her blood practically boiled. Her head spun with the heat and for one moment she thought she might pass right out from the scalding temperature of their escalating lust.

  Noah leaned in closer, dipped his head, pressed his lips to the pulse throbbing at her collarbone. Kelsey threw back her head, barely managed to contain her groan. They were not tentative kids anymore. They were full-grown adults, ready, willing, and able to explore every inch of each other’s bodies and revel in the process.

  He slipped off his tie and wrapped the silky black material around his fingers.

  “What are you going to do with that?” she whispered, excitement raising th
e hair on her arms.

  “Trust me?” he murmured.

  She nodded mutely.

  “Close your eyes.”

  She obeyed.

  He wrapped the tie around her like a blindfold, and it felt like a scandalous dare. He tied it at the back of her head. The man was whimsical even in his sex games. But of course, that was Noah.

  She sucked in her breath. Nerves jangling. She wanted this so much, and yet she felt so vulnerable, not being able to see him while he got to watch—and control—her every move.

  He gets to control you only if you allow it, whispered the bold voice in her head. You can stop this anytime you want.

  Yes, she was nervous, but her eye did not twitch.

  Victory!

  Maybe good stress did not trigger the tic. Maybe when she was in control of the stress it was okay.

  His mouth was on hers again, halting her wayward thoughts and pulling her back into the sweet, hot moment. His hands cupped her breasts. He hissed in air.

  “What is it?” she whispered.

  “Shh.”

  Stay quiet. Yes. People were in the other room. Milling. Talking. Gambling. She was taking her own kind of gamble right here, right now. If anyone opened that bifold door . . .

  “Santa Clause Is Coming to Town” had turned into “O Christmas Tree.” She heard someone say “All in.”

  Yes, that was her. Smart or not, she was all in.

  He stopped kissing her, his hands still at her breasts.

  “Noah?”

  When he spoke, his voice was thick and clotted. “You’re wearing a bustier?”

  She nodded.

  “Damn, Firefly,” he said. “That’s so freaking sexy.”

  It pleased her that she’d turned him on even more. She could hear the escalating tension in his voice. Feel the steel of his shaft pressing against her thigh through the thin material of his trousers.

  She was just as hard. Her nipples beaded like pebbles beneath her lingerie.

  Noah slipped his palm up her nape, fingers splaying through her hair, cupping the back of her head in his hand. Held her in place while his hot, wet mouth nibbled at her throat.

  She’d never done anything remotely like this. Make out with the risk of such public discovery. The closest she’d come had been with him on the dock that summer night so long ago. And despite what had happened then, this felt more dangerous than that.

  And far more erotic.

  Adulthood added a whole new spin on things.

  If she didn’t trust him so much, Kelsey wouldn’t have been able to do this. But she knew Noah had only her best interest at heart.

  Grinning, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulled him even closer to her, flexed her thigh muscles to show him just how much she wanted him.

  He made a helpless gurgling noise.

  She squeezed tighter.

  His breath was raspy and warm against her skin as he stroked her collarbone with his tongue. Mind blown!

  She heard voices in the corridor, people passing by. Her stomach contracted and her breath stilled. Just a thin bifold door stood between them and public humiliation. At any moment, someone could push in on them.

  His hand moved from the back of her head to cup her chin in his palm and spread his fingers out along her jawline. His skin was hot, his hand firm and powerful. He ran his thumb over her lips and she bit down, not too hard, but not lightly either. He tasted slightly salty and delicious.

  Noah groaned softly and arched his back so that he was fully pressed against her. His pelvis lodged right between the V of her legs. If it wasn’t for clothing, he would have been inside of her.

  Her desire rocketed. She was cocked and ready to go off.

  Voices again. Right outside the door. Someone mentioned Noah’s name. Asked if anyone had seen him.

  Momentarily, Kelsey’s heart stopped. She couldn’t see a thing. The cubbyhole was already dark, and the blindfold blocked out any remaining light.

  The voices faded. Footsteps walking away.

  Whew. Safe.

  Except, without warning, Noah lifted her up, set her down on the floor.

  She was disoriented, barely balancing on those thin high heels, but Noah’s hands were still on her, guiding her. He turned her away from him, gently bent her over the shelving she’d just been sitting on, slipped the hem of her dress up over her bottom.

  She gasped. Thrilled to her core. Mystery and excitement filled her. What was he going to do to her?

  He leaned over her, whispered in her ear. “Is this what you want, Firefly?”

  She nodded, unable to speak, aroused beyond measure.

  “Say yes,” he said. “Say yes to adventure.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, terrified and thrilled all at the same time. What was he up to?

  He kneed her legs farther apart.

  Kelsey balanced precariously on her stilettoes.

  Noah wrapped one hand around her waist to hold her steady, furled the hem of her long dress until it lay across her midback, revealing her naked buttocks. With a flick of his finger, he pulled the G-string to her knees.

  Her pulse was a wild thing, beating like a rabbit running from a fox.

  He stroked her bare cheek with a knuckle, sending ripples of desire pooling through her in waves. His other hand, the sinful thing, slipped between her legs touching her in all the right places.

  With her eyes covered, blocking out her sense of sight, all her other senses blasted into hyperdrive.

  Then his mouth was on her bare butt. Hot and wet.

  She hissed in air through clenched teeth.

  He chuckled. “More?”

  “Please.”

  He nibbled, his teeth taking small erotic bites.

  Holy sex machine. She whimpered, squirmed. Arched her spine and pressed her bottom up to him. She wanted more of that mouth!

  His tongue danced over her skin, playfully drawing a figure eight. Or was that an infinity sign?

  To infinity and beyond!

  Yes.

  He kept the one hand at her waist, the other doing mind-blowing things between her legs, and his mouth trailed down her backside.

  The pressure inside her built.

  She whimpered, aching for release.

  “You are so gorgeous,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. There was such admiration in his tone. Such reverence.

  Her heart reeled, drunk with anticipation of what was to come.

  Where is this going? the part of herself that Tasha called Comfort Kitty cried. You’re playing with fire. You’re going to get burned. Back off. Back away. Go home before it’s too late.

  But it was already too late.

  Had been too late from the moment she’d seen him standing there on the dock in his adorable Christmas apron.

  You’re falling in love with him and what if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if he breaks your heart? What if you break his? What if, what if, what if . . . her cautious side repeated like a computer glitch.

  Heavens, the last thing she ever wanted was to hurt him again. She couldn’t begin to imagine how hurt he’d been when she hadn’t responded to his texts and phone calls ten years ago. Why had she allowed Filomena to control her life and keep her away from Noah?

  You were seventeen and scared. You didn’t know how to handle your feelings.

  That was rational, yes, but was it also a rationalization?

  Get out of your head, interrupted her body. Be here now.

  Yes, stop missing out. She should concentrate on the wondrous things that Noah was doing to her. Forget thinking. Come what may, she would handle it. She was good at managing outcomes and consequences.

  Resolutely, she brought her awareness back to his mouth.

  That wicked, skilled mouth.

  Immediately, goose bumps carpeted her skin.

  Carefully, he eased one tender finger inside of her. “Firefly, you are so wet.”

  The goose bumps turned into an all over body shudd
er.

  His pinky finger gently stroked the hooded head of her throbbing clitoris while a second finger joined the first one inside of her. His pinky flicked that tender spot with just enough pressure to send her straight into orbit.

  She was so sensitized she felt everything. The gentle rocking of the paddle wheel boat in the water, the heat of his breath on her bottom, the slightly musty smell in the cubbyhole, the steady movement of his hand sending her higher and higher.

  The smooth friction, the climbing pressure, the exquisite surge of sensation as he strummed her like guitar strings.

  Her head spun, a crazed carousel of commotion.

  It was too much. He was too much. Like eating an entire chocolate lava cake in one sitting. She wasn’t prepared for this.

  For him.

  Faster and faster his hand caressed her.

  She grasped the counter with both hands. Held on. Her knees were so wobbly, she feared they would give out and send her tumbling noisily to the ground.

  He tightened his grip around her waist as if sensing she was about to fall, but he never stopped what he was doing with his other hand. His ability to multitask astounded her. And that’s what worried her.

  How easy it was for him to mold her.

  Each hot kiss, each calculated stroke, pushed her nearer and nearer to the brink of her sanity. His masterful fingers manipulated and controlled her. While his pinky kept up the steady rhythm, his two middle fingers sank deeper inside of her.

  She sighed. If she died now, she’d die utterly happy.

  He picked up his pace, and her muscles went rigid. He was magic. Electric. A right sexy Santa gifting her with pleasure beyond measure.

  How special she felt. Pampered and cared for. For too long, she’d been the one doing the caretaking and nurturing. How good it felt to let go and let Noah take the reins.

  And that alarmed her almost as much as it soothed her.

  She floated in a sweet limbo land. Joyously hung out on the narrow strand of time. Dangling here and now. For this moment, she accepted everything, just as she feared that as soon as the moment was over, she’d snap back into her old, worrying ways.

  They were down to the nitty-gritty. She was close, so very close to losing her mind.