Kanton.
M Y EYES TRAVELED down my chest and landed on a head full of chocolate spirals that brushed against my skin each time Noel’s head lowered enough for my dick to reach the back of her throat.
I was close, so close, and she could feel it based on the teasing look she delivered when she lifted her eyes and circled her tongue around my head.
Oh, fuck.
She was purposely teasing me. Her eyes, her tongue, and her lips were sensation overload. I lifted my hips, meeting her each time she dropped her head. I needed more of this.
Of her.
“I’m gonna come . . .” I murmured in a low growl, squeezing my fists tightly. My nails dug into my palms somewhat, grounding me, but nothing would stop this descent.
“What?”
“I’m gonna come . . .” I hissed with a little more aggression behind it.
“Yes, you are. Now, hurry up and get dressed. I’m done in the bathroom, so it’s all yours.”
My brows pinched, and I realized a horrifying detail.The voice I heard wasn’t traveling from below my waist. It was somewhere over my head.
“Shit.”
My eyes popped open to find Noel standing over me in another one of those god-awful holiday shirts, and her hair cascading around her face. The same hair that I had only moments ago enjoyed crowning her face while she swallowed my dick.
I had been dreaming.
But Noel standing over me now wasn’t all in my head. Neither was the thickness of my dick, tenting the blanket that covered my lower half. Thank goodness it was still in place.
“Sorry. I was still asleep. What did you say?” I quickly sat up, making sure to keep the quilted material pooled around my waist bunched enough to hide my erection prayerfully.
“I said we have some shopping to do, and you said you’re coming.”
I was . . . until you interrupted.
I raked a hand over my face. “Shopping for what?”
“Christmas presents. I’ve already delivered mine to those I care about in the building, and though my funds were a little tight, I managed to get it done. You, on the other hand, have not, and you never show up to someone’s house empty-handed. We’re going Christmas shopping so that you can get presents for Brighton and his wife. It’s the least you can do since you’re crashing their party. And it might improve your chances of winning them over.”
“I’m not crashing. You invited me,” I murmured, not feeling this idea but knowing she wouldn’t accept no as an answer so I could return to the dream she so rudely interrupted.
“Technically, you are crashing because it’s unclear whether I can bring a plus-one. Since his wife, Kristian, knows I’m not actively dating, she likely wouldn’t expect me to have a plus-one.”
“You’re not actively dating?”
Her expression shifted when she realized her slip, but she rolled her shoulders back and narrowed her eyes. “No, are you?”
I smirked and shook my head. “No, but it might have been responsible of you to ask that before you allowed my tongue down your throat last night.” She didn’t appreciate the smugness of my accusation or my tone, which she proved by countering with, “Shouldn’t you have been the one questioning me about my relationship status since you were the one doing the tongue shoving? You kissed me , ”
“I did, and you kissed me back.”
“And welcome back, asshole,” she muttered.
I chuckled after standing now that my situation below the waist was somewhat under control. I towered over Noel when I asked, “I thought you liked assholes. Something about the humbling he experiences after being put in his place by a savvy yet loving heroine who checks all the right boxes.”
I repeated her words from last night when I questioned why women were so head over heels for enemies-to-lovers-type plots.
“Not all assholes are redeemable.” She shrugged and then rattled off, “Now, get dressed. We have a schedule, and I like to stick to my schedules as closely as possible.”
“A schedule for shopping? How much planning can that take?”
“We’re not just shopping. I promised you a real Christmas experience, and that’s what you’re getting.”
“And I’m assuming the option of me sending you with my card to get whatever gifts you think will get me into Brighton’s party is out of the question?”
The look she gave me answered my question, and with a groan under my breath as she walked off toward her room, I said, “And, Noel . . .?”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t ask about your relationship status before I kissed you because I didn’t care. If you recall, I told you I’m a man who never shies away from a challenge, and had you been dating someone, I would have considered that a challenge.”
Her mouth dropped open and then slammed shut. She was at a loss for words, which worked in my favor because had she said anything at all, I would have had to address the fact that not only did I want to kiss her, but I wanted to do it again. Based on the dream she inadvertently interrupted, there were a few other things I wouldn’t mind experiencing with Noel.
“Don’t they sell these things in regular stores?”
I peered at the massive banner that welcomed us to the 10th Annual Christmas Extravaganza. After I was dressed, Noel and I made the ten-minute walk downtown after sharing coffee and bagels at a place near her building.
Now, we were entering a space I could only describe as an explosion of all things Christmas. Said explosion created the appearance of well-organized chaos. The decorations, holiday-themed attire, and locals willing to peddle their Christmas cheer through specialty items and treats were a bit overwhelming.
“They do, but being here gives us a one-stop shop. You can buy gifts for Brighton and his wife, and I can expose you to the finer side of holiday cheer.”
“The only reason I’m willingly going to suffer through this is because your enthusiasm is too adorably pathetic for me to rain on your holiday parade.”
“Good, because that would make you very Scrooge- ish , which is far more pathetic than adorably enthused.”
“According to you, I am Scrooge.”
She leaned into me, bumping her hip into my thigh, but then looped our arms together while we navigated to the twenty-one-or-above side of the shops. Our first stop was Flavor, where I secured a case of Cohiba Behike 56 for Brighton, along with a bottle of Black Exclusive Barrel Bourbon from Black Ops. Noel informed me it was his favorite, and the sales associate told me it was their top-of-the-line aged twenty-one years, explaining its exorbitant price.
I also got a bottle for myself based on the sample I had. I loved a good bourbon.
We were now at the specialty pop-up for Harmonious Blaze, which was one of Brighton’s wife’s favorites, and Noel’s as well, considering she had been oohing and aahing over their entire line since our arrival, which made it impossible to select something for Kristian Brighton. Noel would lock down what she considered the perfect scent and then change her mind by sampling another.
“How about the Tempt Me collection?” the sales associate, who had been graciously assisting and not once annoyed by Noel’s indecisiveness, suggested, registering that we weren’t any closer to deciding than we had been when we arrived.
“Ooooh, what’s that?” The way Noel’s face lit up with intrigue made me smile as I watched them interact, something I’d grown very fond of since this shopping excursion began.
Watching Noel.
She had such a carefree and pleasant spirit. Her quirky, weird ways resonated well with everyone she encountered. They loved her, and she loved them back. This woman had never met a stranger because I assumed she knew these people. She was familiar with a few, but most she’d never met in her life. However, the way she engaged, with kindness and acute interest in their ramblings about one thing or another, was infectious.
Noel intruded on their personal space, offering help and suggestions, which they welcomed with open arms. I had to attribute that to her nurturing spirit. Everything about this woman was impossible to deny or ignore.
I personally was having a tough time ignoring her presence, spirit, and unintended sexiness, which meant I was hard . Not a great feeling when surfing by families who were radiating Christmas cheer while I was thinking about cheerfully fucking Noel in one of those ugly-ass Christmas shirts.
“It’s a collection of our top scents, but they’re our regular thirteen ounces instead of the smaller four to six. Tempt Me has been selling well but is a bit pricey.”
Of course, it is.
“That sounds like exactly what we need. We’ll take one of those. Can I have it delivered? I don’t live far from here.”
“Absolutely. There’s an additional charge if that’s okay.”
The associate looked at Noel, who looked at me.
“Now you want my input?” I teased, and Noel shrugged.
“You told me to handle this, so I handled it.”
I chuckled and nodded, turning to the associate. “The additional fee is fine, and make it two of those.”
“Yes, sir.” She smiled, likely running the total in her head, but Noel glared at me.
“Two is a bit of an overkill. One would be good enough.”
“Kristian’s only getting one. The other is for you.”
“You don’t have to buy me candles.”
“After watching you in here, I most certainly do.”
“And what did you learn after watching me?”
“That Brighton’s wife isn’t the only one who loves these candles.”
She smiled slowly but quickly added, “I do; however, this isn’t about me.”
“It’s not, but weren’t you the one who said you never show up to someone’s house empty-handed?” I challenged.
“I did, but our situation doesn’t apply.”
“Maybe not, but the deal’s already done.” I noticed the woman assisting us approaching with a handheld card reader. I gave her mine, and Noel provided her address. Once the sale was complete, we were on our way out, but once again, Noel saved the day for an indecisive couple arguing over scents.
She stepped right in between them and pointed to the shelf of candles. “Good Gracious is my absolute favorite, with Blueberry Bliss as a close second, but if you want to try a little of everything, ask about the Tempt Me Collection. It has a few of their top sellers. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.” She offered a huge smile before walking toward me.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?”
“What?”
“That thing you do with people.They didn’t ask for your help.”
“No, they didn’t, but what does it hurt to be of service to people in need?”
I grinned. “I wouldn’t consider a couple who couldn’t agree on candle scents ‘in need.’”
“I do. What if they don’t decide, and it causes a pointless argument that ruins their day? I might have just saved Christmas for them.”
“Or prevented some amazing makeup sex.”
Her eyes shot up to mine, and they were waiting. Instead of shying away, I stood firm in my stance, which had her countering my argument.
“Who’s to say that appreciation sex won’t be just as amazing?”
“That’s not a thing.”
She paused, stopping in front of me, pausing my steps as well, or we would have collided.
“It’s definitely a thing. You spend the day with someone you care about, enjoying the vibe, getting all the feels, and the tension is so over the top that before you can make it in the door, you’re ripping each other’s clothes off and experiencing the best orgasms of your life.”
Her eyes met mine, communicating something I didn’t want to overthink. Is that how she wanted or expected our day to end? I would totally be on board with that.
“Are you speaking from personal experience, or did you just reenact a scene from one of your cheesy holiday movies?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Yes, the fuck I would.
She smiled smugly and stepped out of my way, pointing to another section near us where a man dressed in a Santa suit was smiling bigger than necessary while a line of parents and children stood fidgeting, waiting their turn to see him.
“We have to take Christmas pictures, and then we can head back.”
“Not happening.”
She turned to me, pouting, and fuck me, her lips lightly puffed, reminding me of the dream she interrupted this morning.
“Why not?”
“Because there’s no way in hell I’m sitting on another man’s lap . . .” I moved closer. “And neither are you.”
She grinned smugly. “Fine, then let me offer an alternative.”
“Which is?”
“Photo booth.” She pointed again to a spot next to the Santa line. “They have that too. The booth might be even better because they have props, and before you say no, you’re using the props, ”
I wasn’t allowed time to object before she was dragging me toward the booth. We waited in line, and when it was our turn, she took the bags from my hand and set them on the floor of the booth before pointing to the clear pocket affixed to the side.
I groaned at the assortment of Christmas props on sticks. She snagged a few and shoved them into my chest while carefully selecting hers and then dragging me into the tiny booth, closing the curtain.
Noel gently nudged me until I was seated and then stood next to me, shifting through her props, only to squeal when I hooked my arm around her waist and yanked her down onto my lap.
“I thought we weren’t sitting in other men’s laps,” she teased.
“I’m not; you are, but only mine.”
“That seems wildly unfair. Shouldn’t I get to choose?”
“Fair enough. You want to choose, then choose. Him . . .” I turned my head to the left, motioning in the direction of the Santa station beside us. “ . . . or me.”
When she shifted as if she were going to stand, I locked my arm around her waist, and Noel glared over her shoulder when she landed back in my lap. “What happened to me getting to choose?”
“I assumed you would choose responsibly. You didn’t. Now, are we doing this or not?”
A triumphant smile expanded, and she removed the deer antler prop from my hand and waved it in front of my face.
“We’ll do it, but you have to use this.”
When I frowned, she smiled wider. “Your decision. Either you be my holiday cheer, or I’ll let Santa do it.”
“Noel . . .” I warned. She had no clue what I was already thinking, and poking the bear was not going to do either of us any good.
“I’m serious, The choice is yours.”
I snatched the antler prop from her hand, and she smiled, feeling accomplished, turning toward the side of the booth where the screen that held the camera was. They had multiple options, so she tapped her finger on the glass to select and, in the process, managed to wiggle her very cute ass that I had been enjoying all day in those very tight jeans against my lap, resurrecting my dick to life. Not a good idea, but technically, I couldn’t blame him. The contact was quite nice.
And when she finalized the selection, I was even more grateful because she snuggled next to me to align our faces side by side while the screen counted down.
During the first round, I watched her make funny faces, and when she brought the playback up and fussed at me for not doing my part, I joined in on the next set.
Noel laughed and smiled freely, mostly from teasing me. By the fourth round of photos, we had a little thing going, which ended with us staring at each other for the last one, her mouth a hair away from mine, but before I could kiss her, and I really fucking wanted to kiss her again, a voice outside interrupted the moment.
“You guys about done in there? The line’s building.”
“Uh, yeah. Finishing up now.” Noel hopped up and turned away from me, stepping to the screen to enter her cell number to send the last set to her phone, and then rushed out of the booth. I lifted our bags and followed, dumping our props on a stick in the clear cubby extending from the side.
After a minute, we fell in step, walking silently through the crowd until Noel spoke up. “I was thinking about dinner; I could cook something.”
I grinned at her as she peeked at me. “You want to cook for me?”
“I’m offering to feed you since you’ve been so graciously feeding me, and besides, I have the groceries, remember? Don’t want them to go bad.”
Once I recovered from the thought of her feeding me, which had nothing to do with groceries going to waste, I managed a comeback.
“You don’t have to cook for me, but I won’t reject the offer if it will make you happy.”
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t, and besides, I figured if I’m going to convince you to help me decorate the tree later, it might help to use a home-cooked meal as a bargaining tool.”
“Wait. Before I agree, that home-cooked meal doesn’t have anything to do with reindeer food, elf stew, or Santa porridge, does it?”
She threw her head back and laughed, and damn, if it didn’t have my dick reacting again just as quickly as thoughts of her lips wrapped around it did. How was I so turned on by everything about this woman?
“You better be glad I’m not easily offended, and no, none of the above. At least, not for tonight. We’re still making reindeer food on Christmas Eve if we have time.”
“We’ll hopefully be at a party Christmas Eve with me closing the deal with Brighton.”
“Only for a few hours. That leaves us plenty of time to get home and make our reindeer food and cookies while we wait for Santa.”
She winked before tugging my arm so we could cross the street to her building, but I was stuck on how natural the idea of her apartment being home sounded.
“You will not make me a fan of Christmas, so please don’t waste your time.”
“Don’t be so sure, and maybe it’s not about you. Maybe I’m just really enjoying Christmas for the first time without my family, something I didn’t believe possible.”
As soon as we entered the building, Noel dug into one of the bags I held, removing tiny kraft paper pouches that she passed out to Lewis and the two other staffers on the clock. She purchased roasted chestnuts for them. Another Noel thing—always thinking of others.
“I have some candles that will be delivered. If you don’t mind, can you send someone up with them when they arrive?”
“I sure can, and thanks for these. You’re right on time. I was just about to hit up a vending machine and didn’t need that. Been trying to do better with my diet.” Lewis rubbed the cushion of his stomach.
“You’ve been trying not to piss off your wife is more like it.”
He smiled wide. “That too, so it’s a good thing you always come through with healthy snacks for me so I can stay in her good graces.” He held up the small chestnuts, and she grinned, nodding.
“What can I say? I’m in love with love, and since I’m living vicariously through your happy marriage, I’ll do my part to keep you lovebirds singing a harmonious tune.”
Lewis laughed lightly before kissing Noel on the cheek. “Your day’s coming, Noel. Just you wait. You’re a sweetheart. The right man will realize it and marry you in the blink of an eye.”
His words had me internally frowning at the idea of there being a right man for her if that man wasn’t me .
“From your lips to God’s ears, Lewis. I’m counting on you.”
“I got you covered.”
Lewis nodded and turned to answer the phone. Noel and I moved to the elevators and stepped inside when a car arrived.
“In love with love?” I asked, and Noel’s eyes lifted to me.
“My parents have been married for thirty-two years. It’s hard not to be. They’re best friends and the real deal. Not like many couples who stay together out of familiarity or because it just makes sense to stick it out because years have passed them by.”
“Makes sense.”
“What’s that?”
“Why you’re so disappointed about missing Christmas with them.”
“I was disappointed, but truthfully, this week hasn’t been so bad,” she said and then quickly stepped off the elevator after we made it to her floor. When we reached the door, both of us attempted to key the code and then she awkwardly looked up at me. I was far too comfortable with her and this situation, so I pulled my hand back, allowed her to do it, and followed Noel inside.
“I’m going to change. You should probably get comfy too. We’ve got work to do.” She glanced at the tree and then went left toward her room while I went right to the living room.
I dug through my luggage and found a pair of sweats and a T-shirt so I could get out of my jeans and sweater, and while I changed in the bathroom, I couldn’t help but consider the possibility of crossing lines with Noel.
She’s beautiful, smart, funny, quirky, weird, selfless, and everything I didn’t need to be intrigued by, considering she lived in Atlanta and I lived in New York. My business was there, as well as my home. Long-distance relationships didn’t work, and if I were being honest, I couldn’t see myself agreeing to one. Most certainly not with Noel. I’d want her in my life daily.
Relationship?
What the hell is wrong with me?
I quickly shook the thought and changed, gathering my things and then staring at my image in the mirror.
“Get the deal with Brighton and then return to your life.”
I needed to focus on that, but I felt it would be much more complicated than I could ever imagine.