Page 7

Nico

H olly’s smile could light up the whole damn mountain, hell, probably the entire valley too. She hugs that laptop against her chest like a kid on Christmas morning who just got everything they ever wanted, and the sight hits me right in the gut.

“Thank you,” I manage to get out, jerking my chin toward her laptop. I have to look anywhere but at her face, or I might do something stupid. “For everything you've done here. The shop runs better now.” That's the understatement of the year.

My chest aches at how right she looks here in my office, my coat still drowning her small frame. God help me, the way she looks at me… She's so beautiful. And way too young for me.

Holly's eyes burn into me, but I keep my attention locked on the bank notice in my hands, crumpling it tighter until the paper's nothing but a ball of stress between my fingers.

“I see you looking at me when you think I'm not watching,” she says quietly. “But you keep pulling away. Is it because you believe it isn't professional or because of your history with Sarah?”

My jaw clenches. Sarah's name on Holly's lips feels wrong, like oil on water. “I'm trying to protect you.” The words scrape my throat. “The age difference. The town gossip. Your family?—”

“I don't need protection.” Three steps bring her into my space. Her floral scent—jasmine and roses—wraps around me, making my head spin. “I've had feelings for you since I was twelve. And now that I'm back, watching you with your crew, with Bear?—”

I shove back from my desk, the chair scraping against the wooden floor as I put physical distance between us. My hands grip the back of the chair until my knuckles turn white. The need to touch her, to pull her close, to claim what every cell in my body screams is mine—it's torture.

“Holly.” Her name comes out rougher than I intended.

She steps toward me, and I circle behind my desk, keeping it between us like a shield. The December wind howls outside my office window, matching the storm raging inside me, rattling the glass in its frame.

“I'm not blind, Nico. I feel it too—this thing between us.” Her voice is soft but steady, each word a dangerous temptation.

Christ. The way she says my name is like honey and silk wrapped into sound. It takes everything I have—every ounce of self-control I've built over years of keeping people at arm's length—not to cross the room and show her exactly what she does to me.

Instead, I turn to face the window, bracing my hands on the sill until the wood bites into my palms. Through the frost-covered glass, I watch my crew loading trees onto trucks, trying to ground myself in the familiar sight of work and routine.

“You're too?—”

“Don't you dare say I'm too young.” The fierce determination in her voice makes me grip the windowsill harder, my knuckles turning white with the effort. “I'm not a kid anymore.”

No, she isn't. The curve of her hips when she bends to help customers, the way she bites her lip when she's concentrating, the soft brush of her fingers when she hands me paperwork—every little thing sets my blood on fire, awakening something primal I'm fighting to keep caged.

“You deserve better than this.” I gesture vaguely at myself, at the cramped office with the stack of bills burying me beneath their crushing weight. “Better than me.”

She moves closer, the subtle scent of her vanilla perfume making my mouth dry. My body tenses, every muscle coiled tight, fighting the magnetic pull drawing me toward her.

“Let me be the judge of what I deserve,” she whispers, her voice soft but determined in a way that makes my chest ache.

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing my racing heart to slow, trying to remember why this is a terrible idea. It would take one touch to shatter my carefully maintained control. One taste of those soft, tempting lips, and I'd be lost, drowning in everything she is.

Holly's fingers brush my jaw, feather-light but burning like a brand against my skin. I catch her wrist to stop her before I do something I'll regret.

Instead, my thumb betrays me, tracing circles on her pulse point, feeling it race beneath my touch like a trapped bird.

“You're sunshine and Christmas magic and everything I can't—” I cut myself off, breathing hard, the words threatening to choke me.

Her fingers brush my jaw again, more insistent this way. “Can't what?”

“Have.” My thumb continues its path across her delicate skin. “You deserve better than some grumpy bastard who can barely keep his business afloat.”

“You think you're not good enough? You're everything I've ever wanted.”

My control shatters.

I back her against the wall, one hand tangling in her soft hair, my callused fingers trembling against her scalp. “Holly...”

Her fingers curl into my shirt, twisting the fabric, holding on as if she's afraid I'll push her away. As if I could ever make myself let go now—her pulse hammers against my palm where it rests at her neck.

“I'm asking you to let me in,” she whispers, her breath warm against my jaw.

To hell with restraint. I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing her soft gasp of surprise. She tastes like peppermint and promises, her lips sweet and yielding under mine.

When we break apart, I'm breathing hard. I rest my forehead against hers, fighting for what's left of my control. “This changes everything.”

Holly's smile turns wicked, those brown eyes dancing with mischief. “Good. Why fight it?”

The last thread of my control snaps like a bowstring pulled too tight.

My growl is low, possessive, rumbling up from my chest. I lift her onto the desk, papers fluttering to the floor like abandoned confetti.

All that matters is Holly's mouth against mine, her legs wrapping around my waist, and her quiet gasp when my fingers tangle in her hair.

The silky strands slip through my fingers like water as I break away, trailing hungry kisses down the delicate curve of her neck.

Holly melts against me with a whimper that sets my blood on fire. Her fingers slide into my hair, nails scraping my scalp, sending shivers down my spine, and I groan into her mouth. She kisses me back with a desperation that matches mine, as if she's been starving for this too.

Every brush of her lips, every soft sound she makes, pulls me deeper under her spell.

“Nico.”

The sound of my name on her lips drives me wild and ignites something primal deep in my chest.

“You don't know what you do to me,” I growl against her throat. “Walking around in my coat. Smiling at my dog. Making me want things I can't?—”

She tugs my hair, forcing me to look at her. Her eyes are dark with desire, lips swollen from my kisses. “Stop telling me what you can't have. I'm right here. I want this. I want you.”

I capture her mouth again, pouring everything I can't say into the kiss. She tastes like promises I'm afraid to believe in, like every Christmas wish I never dared to make.

I'm done for. Lost. The soft little sound she makes when I bite her neck sends a shock wave straight to my dick. Hell, I've been hard since I kissed her, but this is killing me.

The office is warm, too warm, and it's just us. I could take her right here. Strip her and bury myself inside her. But I have plans, and they don't involve my damn desk.

Her legs are wrapped tight around my waist, her body arching into mine. The way she's grinding her pelvis against my cock threatens to send me over the edge.

I need her to come apart. I'm going to wreck her, make her mine.

“That's it, baby,” I rasp, my hands digging into her flesh as I hold her close. “Keep moving like that. Rock that sweet pussy against me.”

Her breath is hot against my neck, her fingers twisting in my hair, holding me captive as she melts into my touch. “Feels so good, Nico. Please...”

I tighten my grip on her thigh, urging her to move faster, harder. “I got you, Holly. You're doing perfect. Let go for me, baby. Come on my cock.”

She whimpers, her hips swirling with growing desperation. “I'm close. So close...”

“That's it, baby. Let go.” My voice is rough, the filthy words spilling from my mouth as I nuzzle her neck, my teeth scraping her skin. “You like riding me like this, don't you? Being my good girl?”

“Yes,” she chokes out, her body tensing. “Nico...”

I'm throbbing, my cock straining against the zipper of my jeans as I grind against her. Christ, I need to be inside her. But not yet. First, I need to feel her come undone in my arms.

“Come for me, Holly. Let me feel it,” I urge, my mouth trailing down to her collarbone, my tongue teasing the hollow of her throat.

Her breath catches, her body stiffening as she spirals tighter and tighter. Then, with a muffled cry, she shatters.

“Fuck, Holly,” I groan, my forehead resting against hers as I savor the aftershocks rippling through her. “You feel so damn good.”

She nuzzles my neck, her breath warm against my skin. “You too. I can feel how hard you are for me.”

I swallow a groan, fighting for control. “You have no idea what you do to me, baby. Been trying to keep my hands off you since you walked into my shop.”

Her eyes darken, a wicked smile curving her lips. “Then don't.”

My body roars to life, every nerve ending on fire. A fresh wave of need slams into me like a freight train.I kiss her again, only it's deeper this time. She meets me with equal hunger, her small hands fisting in my shirt.

I eventually tear my mouth from hers, the taste of her lingering on my tongue, addictive as hell. I could spend the rest of my life kissing her.

But reality crashes back in like a bucket of ice water. It's getting late, and Holly needs to go home. I grit my teeth, fighting every instinct that screams at me to keep her here, to claim her fully.

“Holly,” I growl, my voice rough with restrained desire. “We need to stop.”

She whimpers, the sound nearly shattering my resolve. “Nico, please?—”

“Not like this,” I manage, cupping her face. “Not rushed. When I take you, I want hours. Days.”

It takes every ounce of willpower to step back, to put space between us.

With a reluctant groan, I lift her off the desk, her legs tightening around my waist for a moment before she slides back down to the floor. Her hair's a mess, clothes rumpled, cheeks flushed, and that smile on her face... Christ, she's gorgeous.

I let out a low curse as I try to catch my breath, fisting my hand in my hair. I want to haul her back against me, bury myself inside her, and never let go.

Instead, I step back, raking a hand through my hair, forcing my body to calm down. I shouldn't have touched her. I shouldn't have lost control. But I don't regret it.

Her eyes hold a wicked gleam like she knows what she's doing to me and enjoys every second.

“Come on,” I manage to say, my voice still rough. “I'll walk you out.”

As I lock up the office, she takes my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. The simple touch sets my heart pounding again, desire coursing through my veins. I pull her close, unable to resist another kiss. Holly fits against me like she belongs in my arms.

The temperature's dropped, and the wind bites at our skin. Bear's waiting by the door, tail wagging, looking up at us expectantly. Holly leans down to scratch his ears, and the damn dog practically melts under her touch.

“You two are a bad influence on me,” I mutter, clearing my throat as I turn away and shove my hands in my pockets.

She laughs, and it sounds like wind chimes in the cold air. “Admit it, you love us.”

I snort, glancing over at her. “Something like that.”

We walk toward her car, our boots crunching in the snow. Her hand finds mine again, and our fingers entwine as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

At her car door, she pauses, turning to me with a playful smile. “So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Bright and early.”

“Yeah.” I drag my gaze from her lips and nod. “Tomorrow.”

She bites her lip, and I fight the urge to pull her back into my arms.

“You're not going to fire me, are you? For... you know.” She gestures back and forth between us.

Fire her? Ha. It's more like I'd chain her to my damn bed and never let her leave. “You think I could fire you after that?”

Her eyes widen, and she laughs, the sound warm and alluring in the frosty air. Leaning up, she brushes her lips against mine, soft and teasing. “Good. I'll keep it our little secret, boss.”

The touch of her lips stokes the fire inside me again, but I force a chuckle, shoving my hands deeper into my pockets. “Smartass.”

She grins and opens the car door, sliding in behind the wheel. As she settles in, she glances up at me through her lashes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “See you tomorrow, Nico.”

I'm frozen to the spot, unable to move as she starts the car, waves, and pulls away. When her taillights disappear down the road, I exhale a shaky breath, raking a hand through my hair.

God help me, I'm in trouble. But I can't wait for tomorrow.