Page 26 of Last Chance Seduction (Montgomery Ink Legacy #9)

In fact, most of the gifts under the tree were for Mr. Darcy.

The two others were gifts for me, from myself.

But one was a bath bomb kit, and the other was for work so I would be comfortable after a long day in the booth.

But the fact that I even had a tree at all was a testament to the love of the Montgomerys.

“Mine isn’t too grand either. I didn’t have a lot of time, but I saw it and I thought of you.”

I blinked, my throat tight, as we exchanged gifts. I didn’t open mine, afraid of what it would mean, a sense of urgency and nervousness, compounding on one another.

“I guess I’ll open mine first, I’m better at gifts when it comes to family than I am when it’s other people that are important in my life.

” He shrugged as he said it, as if he hadn’t just called me important.

As if I was more than a fake girlfriend and neighbor.

But I knew I was. Thinking that I wasn’t, was just living through denial once again.

He slowly unwrapped the gift, being far more careful than I thought he would.

He looked up at me and shrugged. “Sorry, I used to save the paper like my mom taught me.”

“I vaguely remember that from a birthday party long ago.”

“It’s funny that we have so many shared memories, even though our lives diverted from each other so often.”

“I was thinking about that earlier.”

“Life comes at us fast, doesn’t it?”

When he opened the box though, a wide grin spread over his face. “This is amazing.” He pulled out a leather notebook, one with a soft and supple texture, one that I had pet far too often before I had wrapped it. “This is gorgeous, babe. You had it stamped with my name.”

“Your initials. It’s a very long name, but they were able to make it work. And the Montgomery Iris.”

He pulled up the side of his shirt and pointed to the tattoo on his side. I tried not to swoon. “I love the fact that all of us Montgomerys, every single one, including my grandparents, have this brand, this logo, this tattoo on our bodies.”

“I mean, one would say it’s a cult, but I do appreciate the tattoo,” I said as my gaze went to his rock-hard abs.

He winked at me, and I blushed.

“So the notebook is so you can draw while on the go and constantly add papers or photographs or inspiration pieces to it. And also in the box should be pencils that the lead is special or something for that kind of paper. I know you do a lot of your things digitally, and you can fit a tablet in there easily, but I also know you like drawing.”

“Thank you.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. I sighed into him, knowing what was coming next.

At least after I opened his gift.

“Well, now I hope you like mine,” he mumbled.

I frowned at him, but slowly unwrapped his gift, giving him a knowing look as I ripped the paper. “Oops.”

“My mother won’t be pleased,” he teased.

But I ignored him as I looked down at the large black velvet box in my lap. My heart raced as I traced the edge with my finger. “I don’t know what to say.”

He tilted my chin up with his finger so I met his gaze. “You haven’t even opened it yet. I promised I didn’t go overboard.” His cheeks pinked and the part of me that had tensed at the idea of something so serious relaxed.

Nervous, I slid open the lid and smiled wide, tears threatening. The leather charm bracelet was gorgeous, lying on black velvet, and was the perfect mix between luxury and simple. I lifted up the jewelry piece and met his gaze.

“I see we were both on the same page when it comes to leather.”

“Well, if you would like to wear leather at some point so I can try to peel it off you, we can try that.”

I burst out laughing. “Really?”

“I’m just saying, you in a leather corset with your boobs up to your chin. Amazing.”

“Didn’t you just say you were an ass man?”

“Maybe. I can like both. I like every part of you,” he said with a shrug, as if he once again hadn’t thrown me off kilter. This man.

I shook my head and froze as I looked down at the tiny charms.

He cleared his throat, nervousness sinking into his tone. “I know you don’t like too much jewelry, but this one you can add or take them off as you like.”

I slid my finger over the first one, a tiny gold snake. “I’m never going to live down screaming over a venomous snake, am I?”

“I would’ve been screaming right along with you if I hadn’t been blown away by seeing you again.”

I looked up at him, mouth wide. “You are very good at that.”

“Very good at what?”

“Lines that aren’t lines and are from the heart that just make me think. Make me swoon. And I don’t use the word swoon often.”

“Well, I think you should,” he whispered.

I swallowed again and looked down at the second charm, a tiny musical note entwined around a tree. A tree of life. I frowned, wondering how he could have found this. “They just had this charm? It’s so perfect.”

“I was lucky to find it, but yes. I know you and trees. You would have them tattooed all over your body if you could.”

“And you already do,” I said with a laugh.

“True. But the musical note is for you. I love when you sing to me. Honestly, I was surprised you went into voice acting and not singing.”

“Because singing is personal, just for me. But I like using my voice to bring others’ works to life.”

“See? I learn something new every day.”

I smiled even harder, and then looked down at the third charm, one that was slightly bigger than the others.

“If I made a mistake with this one, let me know.”

I frowned before opening the tiny locket. My breath caught and tears threatened as I ran my thumb over one side filled with the image of my sister, smiling wide, and the other of my parents, not looking at the camera, but at each other.

“Damn you. I went with practical, and you went with everything ,” I rasped.

“I’m the practical guy, and you are the one who brings in the creative part, so it’s only right that we switch off on this.”

“I think we’re a mix of both.”

“You might be right.”

I set his bracelet gently to the side and put it back in its case so Mr. Darcy wouldn’t get to it, before I moved slowly and crawled over to him.

He raised a brow, but didn’t say anything as I sat on his lap, wrapping my legs around him. “Merry Christmas Eve, Lex.”

He swallowed hard, running his thumb over my cheek. “I never expected you as my gift. But I don’t mind it. If I kiss you now, please know it has nothing to do with being a fake girlfriend. I promise. Because when I kiss you, I don’t want to pretend anymore. I don’t want to pretend for Gia.”

I nodded before he pressed lips against mine once again, and I was lost. The warmth of the fire radiated off my back, as the Christmas tree to my right blinked out of the corner of my eye, but in that moment, I was all for him.

“If anybody interrupts us this time, they’re just going to have to stand and watch. Because I’m done waiting,” he growled against my mouth, and I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“I hope they’re in for a show then,” I teased as I slid my fingers along his bearded chin.

“You’re letting your beard grow.”

He frowned. “I can stop and just shave if you’d like. Though, I don’t think I can wait any longer. You’re just going to have to deal with beard burns on your thighs.”

My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to say something, but then Lex moved .

I found myself on my back with Lex’s mouth on mine.

I groaned, sliding my hands up his back. I couldn’t help but arch into him as he caressed my breasts over my sweater, pinching my nipples.

“I fucking love your tits. I cannot wait to see them covered in my cum.”

“Did I know you were a dirty talker?” I panted as he continued to play with me.

“You’re going to learn now.”

Before I could say anything, he slowly kissed his way down my body, shoving up my sweater so he could press his lips to my skin.

I writhed beneath him, wondering how I was already so wet with just a few kisses. But when he tugged on my boots, I pointed my toes so he could slide them off quickly, and before I could say anything, he had my leggings and panties off too.

Now my sweater was above my bra, and I wore nothing beneath.

“You work fast,” I said with a laugh.

“I would say something about that, but now I’m just looking at your pussy and I cannot think about anything else.

“Damn, look at you, all swollen and wet for me.” He knelt between my thighs, his thumb parting my swollen folds.

“And look at this little nub, all pert and waiting for my mouth.” He leaned forward then and sucked my clit into his mouth.

I shot up off the floor, but then he put one hand out and pressed me back down.

He continued to suck, squeezing my folds and rubbing them in turn, nearly sending me over the edge.

When he slid one finger inside me, teasing, I wiggled, wanting more.

Then, he curled that finger, pressing against that soft bundle of nerves, and I came right then and there, clamping around his finger.

But he didn’t stop, instead I looked down as he continued to suck on my cunt, and we met gazes. I nearly shot off again, but then he pulled out, leaving me wanting.

“Take off your bra and sweater. Now,” he ordered.

Swallowing hard, I did as he said, my breasts falling heavy in his hands. He molded them, squeezing them hard in between his fingertips.

“Look at these, so pretty and begging for my mouth. You’re so fucking hot.

How am I supposed to think or work when I know that you’re just next door, these breasts waiting for me.

” He sucked one into his mouth, squeezing the other nipple so hard that I tried to press my thighs together.

Only he was kneeling in between me, and the feeling of his dark jeans on my inner thighs made me shiver.

“I’m going to fuck these tits one day. And when I do, you’re going to ride my thigh, and then suck my cock. What do you think?”

“I think you’re saying a lot of words, and I haven’t seen your dick yet.”