Page 11 of One Naughty Christmas Night

A pink stain covered his face from chin to ear, Victoria’s face on fire as well.

He cleared his throat. “No, we could not.”

A random thought popped into her head, and she tried to ignore it, but it refused to be banished.

Maybe Heath could teach me about passion. If today is any indicator, it would keep us both warm at night. Then, he’ll be free to marry whoever he wants, and I can continue in my spinsterhood.

She was free to do what she wanted, but the lack of experience from a husband made her feel as if she were missing out on something.

“In this instance, we must ask ourselves, do we want to try to put this behind us and remain friends?”

A peculiar look came over his face as if he knew she wasn’t done speaking.

She took a deep breath, the words coming out in one swift sentence. “Or we could see where this might lead us.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, his eyes rounding. “Do you mean marriage? Between you and I?”

“No, don’t be silly,” she replied, her knuckles white as she squeezed her hands together.

“You don’t want to marry me?” he asked, his brows crinkling.

“I want you to teach me about passion.”

“Passion?” His jaw dropped. “Victoria, only your husband should teach you about passion.”

She shot up from the chair, her nightgown billowing around her legs.

“Heath, I’m firmly on the shelf now, especially since Bastion. I’m the one shunned, even though I did nothing wrong.”

She crossed her arms and stood in front of the fireplace. “I feel as if I might miss out on that experience, and if I may be so bold, our encounter today opened my eyes to the possibility that you might show me the experience before I grow old.”

His crinkled brows rose high.

“Christmas is in two days. I ask that you consider this offer, for me. For your best friend, who might never experience passion between a woman and a man simply because a man made a fool out of her.”

Heath stood, tucking his hands into the pockets of his robe. He paced the floor, then halted, turning his gaze to her.

“What happens after the Christmas party?” he asked.

“We simply go back to the way things were before. Our friendship doesn’t have to be affected. Then, you’re free to marry, and I’m free to live my life however I should choose.”

She closed the distance between them, placing her hands on his chest. The heat of his body warmed her, and the solid chest beneath her fingertips only reaffirmed what she wanted.

“I only want you,” she whispered, leaning up, her lips dangerously close to his. “I couldn’t have another do this for me. I trust you. I trust that you’ll show me what passion is like, but you won’t hurt me.”

She pressed a hesitant kiss to his lips, emboldened when he sighed and slipped his hands around her waist.

Desire simmered low in her belly, tingles slipping down her spine. His hands moved to her sides, then around to her back, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

His lips took hers in a deep kiss, and he crushed her to him, a soft moan making its escape from her. She speared her hand into his hair, the silky strands slipping easily between her fingers.

The smell of sandalwood and scotch penetrated her nostrils, the familiarity of it making her feel so safe in his arms.

Placing a hand on his chest, she marveled at how hard and soft it was. The skin beneath her fingertips was soft to the touch, his heart beating steadily against her palm. The muscles under her hand were firm and strong.

Heath cupped her cheek in one hand and pulled his lips from hers, Victoria releasing a small whimper before his lips returned to her skin to skim kisses down her neck to her shoulder, the fabric of her nightgown bringing him to a halt.

His teeth nipped the soft skin of her shoulder, eliciting a soft sound from her, his hand teasing the neckline of her nightgown as it made its way to her chest.