Page 21 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

She was propped up on the pillows when he came and stood inside the doorway.

And was a sight for sore eyes. He had shed the tie and opened the top two buttons of his snowy white shirt.

Oh, the man looked so damn good in a tux!

His hair was disheveled as usual and there was a stubble.

He looked so sexy, she felt her bones melting.

"Hi."

"How was the party?"

"Boring as hell. Did I wake you?"

"No." She tried very hard to quiet the fluttering of her heart to no avail. The need for him was rising to incredible proportions. "I was drinking tea." She gestured to the cup, but he kept his eyes on her face.

"You look great."

She smiled skeptically. "You look better and overdressed. Why don't you come on over and let me change that?"

His smile was slow and sweet.

"That's actually a very good idea. You know how I hate these things."

He crossed the room and came to sit on the edge of the bed.

"You smell terrific."

"Took a warm bath."

"I wish I had been here." His hand lifted to tug at a strand of hair. "Tired?"

"Not anymore. You?"

"Revved."

"Good."

"You did promise to divest me of my clothing."

"I did, didn't I?" Shoving away the quilt and went on her knees in front of him. She got rid of the jacket and he simply tossed it to the floor, mindless of the cost. Then she attacked the small pearl buttons.

"How many single and unattached women did you dance with?" She slid the shirt off and he tossed that too.

"Too many to count." He sat still and let her pull the undershirt up and over his head. "Some attached ones as well."

She ran her fingers over his chest, diving through the sprinkle of hairs and felt when his flesh quivered.

"How many invitations to take one to your place?"

"Several. I was fighting them off with a bat." He sucked in a breath when her fingers skimmed his flat belly before unhooking the belt and his zipper. "My sister felt sorry for me and came to my rescue."

"Hmm." Her eyes lifted to his as she dipped in to curve her fingers around the already hot and throbbing flesh. "Is that so? Trying to make me jealous?"

He could not form words. In fact, they were stuck inside his throat. And his brain wasn't functioning.

"What?"

She simply smiled and reminded him of a sultry seductress who knew damn well she had him beat.

"Never mind. You're going to have to stand."

"Why?" He stared at her puzzled and wondered if he should just drag her on his lap and begin the task of devouring her. The scent of her was driving him completely insane. Not to mention what she was doing with her fingers.

"Your shoes." Now she was leaning forward and nibbling on his lip. He was toast.

"You need to take off your shoes."

"Shoes?" His mind was blank, and he wondered why for a man of more than average intelligence, he kept repeating what she said.

With a low husky laugh, she eased back. "Stand and take off your shoes darling."

"Oh." He stared at her blankly for another few seconds before it registered.

As soon as it did, he was off the bed like a shot and his shoes and trousers in a pile next to the rest.

Shucking his underwear, he slid in next to her and got rid of her shirt.

"Uhm." The sound was unintelligible as he stared at bare skin. "Were you expecting me?" Eager hands cupped her breasts and watched the nipples harden even more.

"I was hoping and praying. I believe in the power of prayers." She arched her head as he skimmed his thumbs over her rigid flesh.

"So do I." One hand went to the back of her head. "I could not stay away."

"You wanted to spend the holiday with Gracie," she murmured.

"And I will. In the morning." He drew her towards him and started to destroy her with his tongue. Slow, steady nips and tugs with his teeth that sent heat pouring through her.

"Tomorrow. I just had to be with you tonight. I did not want you to spend the night alone." He suckled and took his time. "It did not feel right. I did not feel right being without you."

"Neither did I." Her hands gripped his shoulders as she tried to anchor herself. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." He muttered before pushing her back and covering her body with his. "Any time."

*****

He spooned her, the moisture still on his skin. His breathing was harsh, and he swore his brain was still fried.

But for the first time since she left his place that afternoon, he felt contentment stealing over him.

This was what he had been yearning for. This was why he had been so restless and unhappy, except for the pockets of time he had spent with his little girl. He had a hard time being away from the woman curled into him.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder, the silence between them comfortable and warm.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the soft sound of their breathing and the steady beat of his heart against her back.

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, savoring the feeling of her body nestled close.

Tonight, nothing else mattered. Just the two of them, sharing the quiet peace that came after longing and reunion.

"Sleeping?"

"No. Just loving this." She curled her fingers around his wrist and closed her eyes. "I love your daughter."

Relief poured through him like a flood.

"I'm happy for that. She loves you too. I think it might have to do with the fact that you got down to her level, literally and helped set up that doll's house or rather, doll castle. You brought her over."

"I never played with dolls when I was little."

He turned her face around, a quizzical expression on his.

"Why not?"

"I was too busy going places with my dad.

" Her eyes misted. "He taught me how to fish, how to shoot, throw darts and all of that manly sports.

" She smiled in remembrance. "And before you ask, no, it was not because he was longing for a son.

I just expressed interest in whatever he had going on.

In between that, mother was trying to turn me into a lady. It was a very confusing time for me."

"I can just imagine." He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "You were a tomboy."

"A combination of that and a society princess. I actually had a debutante ball."

"I always knew you were one of them." He laughed when she jabbed him in the belly with her elbow.

"I much preferred spending time with my dad. More fun and less pressure." She turned all the way around so she could snuggle. "I bought her a present."

"Who?" He was distracted by the parted lips and the sleepy, sexy look in her eyes.

"Gracie."

"Oh?" He blinked as it registered. "Darling, there was no need."

"Of course there is. It's under the tree." Her brows lifted. "I'm surprised you did not see it when you put your gifts there."

He gave her a sheepish look. "Busted."

"Hmm. I told you no gifts."

"I did not listen."

"What did you get me?"

"You're going to have to wait like a good little girl to find out."

Her brows arched and a slow seductive smile curved her lips. "Bet I can get it out of you in under two seconds."

"Bet you can." He nodded sagely. "With your womanly wiles and that amazing power you have over me. But I'm guessing that you're the kind of woman who always plays fair."

He had that patient steady look on his rumpled attractive face that had her rolling her eyes.

"Well played."

"I thought so." A grin broke over his face as he hauled her on top of him. "Now it's time to claim my reward."

"I have to point out that I have not received my gifts yet."

"I can guarantee you're going to love them."

"Them as in plural?" She placed a hand over his mouth before he could claim hers.

"Hmm." Brushing the hand aside, he wrapped his fingers around the strands of her hair and brought her head down. "I just could not resist. Now be quiet and let me claim my reward."

She had no choice, but to acquiesce.

*****

Her eyes flickered open as the sun's weak light flickered through the drapes and bathed the room, taking away the shadows. She woke to find him already dressed, the shirt untucked and his hair damp and untidy.

"You're leaving." She could not help the pang of acute disappointment running through her.

Brushing back the hair off her forehead, he nodded. "As much as I hate to do so. Go back to sleep."

"As if I could. Did you make coffee?"

"I did. One of the gifts I bought was a basket of food. From the party last night. So, you don't have to cook."

Her heart turned over and her throat clogged. "Gunning for the boyfriend of the year award?" She sat up and went into his arms.

"More like boyfriend of the century." He framed her face between his hands. "You don't want to come to my place, so I figured I would make sure you have something to eat and won't have to cook."

"I wasn't planning to." She looped her hands around his neck. "IHOP delivers."

"Now you don't have to go that route." He kissed her and could not keep it light. Not while she was naked and sexily rumpled right here in his arms.

"I'll miss you. Miss me back, will you?" he murmured roughly.

"Oh, absolutely." She leaned her forehead on his and took a deep breath. "And I'm keeping you from that beautiful child. Merry Christmas darling."

"Won't be the same without you." He kissed her again before setting her aside. "Promise me that you'll not allow anything to spoil it."

"I promise." She had told him of the conversation with her mother. "Now go, before I find a way to hold you here."