Judith Gilbert - The Mistletoe Affair

She closed her eyes as his fingers moved lower, touching the center of her dampness. His palm cupped her, rotating. The weight made her desire spike. His fingers entered her, rubbing against her warmth. She closed her eyes as the tension built in her body.

He poised his naked body over her. She caught her breath and clutched at his back. “You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” His knee separated her thighs and she felt his arousal near her center. “I want to watch you come apart the first time, Katherine. Open your eyes."

She glanced up at him as he entered her. His eyes bathed her in love. It felt so good to have him inside her. She sighed. “Please, don't move. I want it to last."

For a moment, he lay still, and then he lowered his head to suckle her breasts.

Her tumult built.

She couldn't control her need for release. She moved and gasped from the pleasure. “It feels soooo good."

Their gazes held.

He thrust, meeting her movements. She arched toward him, wrapping her legs around his hips, pulling him deeper with each thrust.

When they reached the peak of pleasure, they fell together, each one called out the other's name as tremor after tremor rocked them. They had stepped beyond friendship, beyond a perfect affair into closeness neither of them wanted to end.

Later, when their hearts beat in unison, Jared pulled her into his arms. Her head rested on his chest. “Katherine, you're the best thing that's happened to me in my entire life. I'm so glad I found you."

She entwined her bare legs with his under the cover. “I'm glad you found me, too. Well, you could say I fell for you right from the start. So you're glad I talked you into this?"

He chuckled. “Yesss.” Holding her in his arms, he whispered, “I almost forgot.” He kissed the top of her head. “I promised Thomas you'd do something for him and Grace."

She yawned, drawing nearer to him. “What did you promise?"

“It'll help your mother,” he suggested. “You would do anything for Grace."

She quirked an eyebrow. “Jared Randall, stop beating around the bush. What did you promise Thomas I'd do?"

“Talk to Grace about sex."

“Are you crazy?"

Jared couldn't believe Katherine had spent last night in his bed. His gaze lingered on every inch of her lovely naked body as he untangled sheets and recovered them.

“Wake up, sleepyhead.” He pushed a lock of silky, dark hair behind her ear, gave into temptation and nibbled her lobe.

A throaty whimper came up in reply, her slim arms slipped around his neck. He rolled away, rested his head on his elbow and stared down at her. “Oh, no. I want to talk.” He smiled at her closed eyes and relaxed face. “Last night I tried to talk to you several times about our relationship and the future, but we got carried away."

She opened one sleepy-eye and wet her lips. “Which time are you referring to?” she teased.

He shivered when her fingertips trailed down his stomach into dangerous territory. He groaned with frustration. Oh, Lord. “I'm trying not to think about any of them, but you aren't cooperating. How about helping me out here?"

“Yes, sir,” she said, saluting him military style. She sat up with her eyes full of mischief, exposing her full breasts.

“Cut that out.” His gaze riveted on her beaded nipples, poised, begging him to fondle them. “You're trying to distract me again."

She smiled at him, flopped back down and pulled the covers obediently over her chest.

He snatched what dignity he could and held the edge of the sliding sheet over his full erection.

“Is this better?” she asked, ducking underneath the covers and holding the pillow over her head.

“Stop playing games,” he pleaded, moving away from her.

Maybe Katherine didn't realize they were at a crossroad in their relationship, but he did. He knew it the minute he had made love to her. She had surrendered her sweet body to him, but he had surrendered his heart and soul to her. After last night, he wanted to bind her to him so tightly that nothing this side of heaven could rip them apart. Was she ready for total commitment? Would she trust him with her life and Matt's?

He shook his head. “I'm serious. We need to talk to Matt and Grace."

She peeked out, tossing the pillow aside. “What about?"

“Katherine Marisa Cahill, if you think I'd settle for last night and not have you and Matt in my life forever, you better think again. You're not running from this relationship. Matt needs a father, I know you want more children, so do I, and they aren't going to be born out of wedlock like I was."

She threw her arms around his neck and laughed. “Do I feel like I'm running, darling?"

God, he loved everything about this woman.

“You little vixen.” He swatted her bottom, his hand staying to reward it with caresses.

She glanced up at him. “I needed to hear you say you wanted the same things I do."

“I do, I do, I do, except I was thinking we'd get married and have five more children."

He loved the shocked ‘O’ her mouth formed. “Five! Jared Randall, I'll have three, you can have the other two. Not me."

He chuckled. “It's a deal.” He winked. “It might be fun trying to talk you into having the other two, anyway."

“Oh, you,” she said, punching his shoulder.

He studied her face and the warmth and desire reflected deep within her jade eyes. “I'm not Paul. I won't ever hurt you or Matt."

She nodded and pressed her lips to his chest. “I know."

He wove his fingers through her long hair, caressing the ends as they curled around his hand. “I needed to hear you say that."

“If I keep lying here with you, we're never going to get out of bed, and we have a lot to do today.” Rolling onto his back, he glanced at the clock on the wall. “It's eight. Let's get up and have breakfast. Is it okay if we give Matt that collie he always wanted for Christmas?"

She nodded and smiled. “You found one?"

“I found several. I thought we'd visit three kennels today and pick out one with just the right personality. After we take care of all that, I'll come back over to Grace's house around five. I thought I'd talk to your mother and Matt. To celebrate, I'd like to take everyone out to dinner before we drive around looking at Christmas lights."

Katherine angled her head to the side. “What do you mean, you want to talk to them?"

He smiled. “Well, I guess I mostly want to talk to Matt. I want to have a man-to-man with him and ask for your hand."

Tears filled her eyes. “You're wonderful,” she said in a choked voice.

“Hey, don't go crying on me,” he said with a chuckle.

“I won't,” she said, giggling. “I had the strangest dream last night."

“Was I in it?” he said, cuddling her in his arms.

“Yes, but here's the weird part. You said you promised Thomas I'd talk to my mother about sex.” She giggled again. “Isn't that the most ludicrous thing you've heard in your life?"

He coughed. “That wasn't a dream. I did promise Thomas you'd talk to Grace about sex."

She shook her head. “My mother was married for thirty-four years. Why in the world would you think I needed to talk to her about that?"

“I'm convinced Thomas and Grace love one another. When you came home for your visit, Grace told Thomas she couldn't see him again because you didn't approve."

Katherine sat straight up in bed, spilling the sheets down to her waist. Jared forced his gaze away from her body as she replied, “I think Mother told Thomas that because she believes I wouldn't approve of her marrying anyone again. I'll talk to her and straighten it out."

He shook his head. “I think it's more than that. Thomas had been pushing for more closeness and she kept backing away from it. You came home and I think Grace used you as an excuse."

Her hands clutched at the down comforter, tugging it back to her collarbone. Jared sighed with relief.

She reached out and slapped his hand. “Do you know how uncomfortable this conversation is making me, Jared Randall? You're talking about my mother, for goodness sake."

He chuckled. “Darling, Grace is a woman, too. With the same needs as any woman. Do you think you were hatched?"

She blushed and put her hands over her ears. “I don't want to hear this. Children don't think of their parents as sexual entities."

Jared reached and took her hands in his. “Don't you want her to have the same happiness we have?"

Her chin lifted indignantly. “Of course I do."

“Thomas and Grace have had so much pain in their lives these last four years. Let's help them find their rainbow."

Her brows lifted. “Why doesn't Thomas talk to her about it? That's so personal."

“Grace won't see him or talk to him.” He nodded when her eyes widened slightly. “Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The guy's miserable. He came to my house and begged me to help, so I promised him you'd talk to Grace.” Jared released her hands and nuzzled her neck, his teeth nipping at her skin and his tongue lapping a warm path to her lips. “You promised."

Her eyes narrowed. “When did I promise that?"

His hands covered her breast, teasing her nipples to hard peaks and rubbing them between his fingers.

“Ohhh,” she arched her back, writhing as his mouth closed over her breast and his tongue explored her nipple.

He groaned low in his chest when her hand circled his erection and moved up and down the length of it, grazing the tip with her thumb. “Katherine…"

“Make love to me,” she whispered.

“Sweetheart, I can't think of a better way to start the day. Do you want me to remind you when you agreed to talk to your mother about sex?"