Chapter 8
Kelly
Igroaned as I climbed into my car and headed home.
Today had been the day from hell, dealing with clients and their bullshit, especially with holiday orders, and I was over it.
Getting into my pjs, ordering Chinese, and curling up to Josh while watching sappier, holiday movies sounded like the perfect way to end this day.
Maybe this was part of the reason I disliked the holidays.
Don’t get me wrong, being with my friend and family, and spoiling them, was amazing. And I loved the cooking, the festive times, and the lights. But people, when you were in retail, were always so much meaner around this time and it sucked.
There were also a pro and a con to being the manager of a department store; dealing with the biddys and the dickheads all day long was one major con.
“A bath also sounds really good. Maybe I can convince Josh to do all the other stuff while I take a long soak. He’s always good about spoiling me.”
I headed to your place, about ready to appeal to his better side when I opened the door, and my mouth dropped open in shock.
He stood there in those freakin’ gray sweats that had every woman going crazy, with his chest and abs on full display. And on his head was a mistletoe, which had me smiling.
I sat my purse down and crossed my arms, walking around him as I took in every angle.
“Just what is this?”
“You said you had a rough day.”
“I did, Josh. I meant a takeout and movie kind of night. So, what is this?”
“Well, we are friends, right Kelly?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“And we always help each other out.”
“We do, Josh.”
“So, I figured this view, a kiss, some cuddles, would make it all better. And, ya know, if it morphed into something else, I was game for it too.”
“Oh, I had no doubt you’d object. So, this thing,” I said, flicking the red berry on his head, “just a peck? Like so,” I said, standing on my toes to brush my lips against his.
I was shocked, yet again, at the sparks that raced over my skin every time my lips connected with his.
And I wanted to ask if he felt it, but had no courage to, which was funny given what all we’d done and been through.
“No, no, no, not like that,” he told me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Though it’s a good start. This is meant to bring passion.”
Without warning his lips took mine in a no nonsense kiss, leaving my mind spinning and my heart pounding. And I didn’t mind in the least.
Because it was perfect.
Because it was him.
Because he was showing me a side of himself that I really don’t think others saw. Or even cared to see.
And I was glad that I got to bring this out in him, that I gave him the space to show him he could be this way.
His hand moved from my back to my ass, squeezing it before he pulled me flush against his body, and I lost it.
I moaned against his mouth, my tongue swirling around his, and he lifted me, easily carrying me to my room. And while I expected him to dump me on my bed and have his way with me, that’s the last thing he did.
Okay, well, he did dump me on the bed, but he pulled away.
“What? Did I do something wrong?”
“Not by a long shot, Kelly. You had a rough day, and before I ravish you all night long, like you’re demanding of me right now, I want to help you relax.”
I narrowed my eyes at him because I do not think I was the one ravishing him. He was the one who had that damn thing on his head to begin with. Of course, I really didn’t mind and could walk into that any other night and love it too.
“What were you going to do?”
“Strip, woman. Then I’m going to give you a massage, all so I can make sure you’re wide-eye awake for all of my plans.”
I was not about to say no to that!
Josh had done that plenty of times before, gave me a massage, and his hands were magical.
They could detect and get out any knot on my back or neck, then he could find all my stress spots, and within minutes, I was melting on my bed.
I had no doubt tonight would be any different.
Which means he had planned a long night, and I was just as excited to get a jump start on that too.
“You’re so demanding,” I told him, yanking my clothes off ungracefully and tossing them on the floor. I flopped onto my stomach, laying my arms down next to my body.
“I am. But you know, you also seem to like it.”
I couldn’t tell a lie, and if I did, my body would betray me.
I shrugged, but I could feel the grin.
“Just relax,” he told me. He ran his hands down my shoulder and over my arm to my hand, grabbing it and then slapping something on the wrist. When I lifted my head to look at it, he had slapped something on the other, then lifted them up to connect them to my headboard.
I was handcuffed to my own bed.
And though I wanted to fight, there was something arousing about it and I was rubbing my legs together, which had him chuckling.
“Soon enough. Just relax and let me take care of you,” he whispered, his hands sliding along my back. His soothing words and magical hands soon made me relaxed. My eyes closed of their own accord, my mind drifting off to nothingness.
I moaned as he worked out a kink, thinking that him doing this every night could quite possibly be the best Christmas present he ever got me. Or gave me. Hell, he wouldn’t even have to waste time wrapping it.
Although, he could put a bow on his dick and I probably wouldn’t mind. Just like I didn’t mind the mistletoe he had.
I chuckled to myself, causing him to stop, and I groaned.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking you could do this every night and I won’t say no. And that it would be a really awesome Christmas gift. Then I thought you could even put a bow on your dick.”
“Huh, that’s a future mental image.”
“Yes, a good one. Now, get back to work please. There are a few spots you missed.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, please.”
I closed my eyes again, feeling the bed shift, and then I felt a smack on my ass, making me squeal. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the smirk on his face, and the paddle in his hand.
And the pain that I just felt morphed into pleasure faster than I could blink.
And damn it, did I want it again.