"I want you, Tamzin. The question is, do you want this?"
"Yes," she breathes, tilting her head so my lips press her neck. "Yes, I want this."
"Tell me what I need to hear."
"I"m yours."
Tamzin.
With just one kiss he takes all my power and makes me fall, losing myself within him as he holds me to his firm body. His proposal should have been one that sent scenarios racing through my mind. That this random guy that walked into my home now wanted my body for his taking while he supposedly brings back" the gift that left me years ago. This whole situation is laughable. Yet I find myself agreeing to his request like I"ve been waiting on it for years. And if that hasn"t convinced me enough, his blistering touch on my bare skin does everything to make my knees weak and hungry for more. His embrace is just as confident as his vocal cords. He knows exactly what he wants and won"t stop until it is achieved. His presence sends electricity through my veins, I"d be a fool not to want to spend a month with him. I can feel him hard against me and thirty-one days with him seems a lot more interesting than spending it alone and hating every hour that pa.s.ses.
"I want to touch you everywhere," he breathes, kissing my neck as I become weaker, he lowers our bodies to the floor. I crave him. I am so hot. Delirious that this stranger I"ve known all of a few small hours can have this kind of impact on me. "It almost killed me last night knowing I couldn"t put my hands on you." He says against my lips.
"Then what"s stopping you now?"
He smooths his hand over my waist. I rise into him when his tongue swirls my nipple through the opening of my robe, biting and sucking, giving each one faultless attention. His hand jerks to untie my belt while his mouth works over my skin. My own hands trail down the thickness of his sweater wanting to see the muscle I"ve missed looking at. "Take it off," I demand. Once removed the heat from him is intoxicating, the need to feel him on me too great to handle.
"f.u.c.k, Tamzin" he hisses, sliding the black material open. I"m stripped bare, hungry and on the verge of desperation. The tip of his tongue descends from my navel to my pubic bone as he spreads my legs wide, my breathing is irrational, the heat of the open fire on my bare skin bubbles my blood like hot gold. "Christ, you"re beautiful."
"Please, Noel." I"m so wet, my core aches for him. I"ve never felt desire like it. His lips trail a smouldering path up the inside of my thigh, teasing and tormenting me more. He peppers kisses back down to my knee, tracing with his fingers to where his lips have just been. "You"re not removing my socks?" I question.
"I like them too much."
I can"t help the soft giggle. I"m wide open and ready on a dangerous level as he spreads me wider and I watch him through hooded eyes move in to feed his appet.i.te. "You have a beautiful p.u.s.s.y, Tamzin." His breath hits my tender skin. "I can"t wait to make it mine."
"Noel, please." I"m practically begging.
With one controlled sweep, his tongue runs full length, working me at his pleasure. "Oh, G.o.d!" He is relentless. Tingles of temptation send sparks throughout my body. My fingers grip his hair and pull him closer, needing to feel him harder against me. A groan vibrates from his throat as he repeats the trails over my hot swollen s.e.x. I cry out with the invasion when two thick fingers thrust inside me, f.u.c.king me hard whilst his tongue continues its a.s.sault.
I"m delirious. My legs tremble, and my veins are on fire as I rotate my hips to his vigorous moves, my core burns with the o.r.g.a.s.m that"s about to hit like a thunderstorm as sheen glistens my skin from the heat of the winter fire. "Noel, I"m going to..." I can"t finish. He sucks my c.l.i.t and sends my body rocketing.
The greed of his tongue doesn"t end there; he continues his invasion, working me all over and pumping his fingers harder as a second o.r.g.a.s.m ripples through me. My entire body is lax, panting like a crazed animal as he takes every last drop. I"m broken. There aren"t many men that have done that to me and there"s no going back from it. "That was crazy."
He comes back to capture my mouth. His kiss is hungry, raw and almost painful. "You still up for spending time with me?"
"h.e.l.l, yeah," I gasp, still trying to catch my breath.
Noel lies beside me, watching me as he rests on one arm. The crackles of the fire reflect in his chocolate eyes. Minutes pa.s.s as I lie looking at the ceiling, his fingertips tracing circles over my stomach. I feel content, more so then I have done in a long while. Maybe this ridiculous plan of his may work?
"What are you thinking?" He asks softly.
"That you"re going to ruin me over the next few weeks." I smile. "And I don"t think I even care."
"That"s good to hear. I plan on turning your world inside out." He kisses my shoulder and stands, walking over to get his top and slipping it over his head.
"Are you leaving?"
"We"ve an early start in the morning, you need the rest."
I sit myself up in shock. "So, you"re not going to f.u.c.k me?"
He comes back and leans over me, lifts my chin and smirks. "I never f.u.c.k on the first date."
"Such a gentleman," I grunt in frustration. "You"re also a complete tease, Noel Thompson."
His brows lift with an amused smile on his face, "I"ve just given you a mind-blowing o.r.g.a.s.m, yet I"m a tease?"
I follow him into the kitchen, not bothering to fasten my robe. Leaning into him, I cup my hand firmly on his arousal that"s fighting against his jeans. His eyes close and that low s.e.xy groan leaves his throat. "So you"re telling me you"re going to walk out of here and not give this guy what he"s shouting for?" He takes my hand along with the other and pins them behind my back, our lips a breath apart as he presses himself into me.
"Yes."
"d.a.m.n, I almost feel sorry for you."
"It"s nothing a cold shower and thinking of something else other than you won"t fix."
My desire is rising for him at a fast rate at the thought of him hard and wet. "But why do that when you can shower here and have me? Or I could help you out before you leave." I rise on my tips toes and whisper. "All I have to do is drop to my knees."
I don"t hold back my satisfied smile when he clears his throat, his voice hoa.r.s.e. "Next time." He is fighting. I can"t understand why he won"t stay but I can"t help but torment him a little more.
My teeth graze his earlobe. "Well, while you"re in the cold shower all alone, I"ll be in bed... hot, naked and h.o.r.n.y, imagining you deep inside me." I flick my eyes to his. "I might even have to touch myself."
He groans. "Now who"s being a tease?" He takes my phone from the counter, still holding my hands behind my back as he punches in his number. A quick kiss on my lips, and I"m released. "Good night, Tamzin. I"ll see you tomorrow." He heads to the door and leaves me standing in the kitchen biting my lip. He turns with that delicious grin on his face. "I hope you"re ready to start finding Christmas? I want this house full of it."
"Is that so?"
"d.a.m.n right! You don"t do Christmas you don"t get me."
I bl.u.s.ter out a soft chuckle. If December is going to be anything like tonight, then I"ll welcome it with open arms.
Noel.
I"m hard as steel under the warm spray, one hand on the shower wall, the other firmly around my rigid length. I never wanted to leave. I wanted to f.u.c.k her, G.o.dd.a.m.n I wanted to. I just got carried away, lost in the moment of her and knowing I was out of condoms was my signal to leave. The pregnancy scare I had with a girl years ago s.h.i.t me up big time and now I"m extra careful. I wasn"t prepared to go any further unless it meant being deep inside her.
Tamzin"s gorgeous face appears in my mind, her cries playing back like a beautiful recording, creating my hand to pump harder. The way her body quivered under my touch, her sweet p.u.s.s.y glistening as heavy silver-grey eyes looked down at me, face flushed as she panted with pleasure. She was perfect. Everything about her is perfect. And as I bring myself to climax I wish it were Tamzin taking me and not my hand.
"f.u.c.k."
My night is restless. The bed feels colder than it has in years and Tamzin hasn"t even been inside it. The girl"s consumed me in one encounter and I need more. So much more. Throwing back the covers I stretch my body, slipping on my lounge pants and walking to the window. The air in the house is chilled, the heating hasn"t kicked in yet as it"s before six. The morning dawn is crisp, soundless on the other side of the curtain. Frost glazes the back garden gra.s.s and rooftops like icing sugar, leaving a layer of white as chills creep up my body from the cold breeze that seeps in through the small vents of the window. December has well and truly hit and I am determined to make it one to remember.
As I head into the kitchen I switch on the heating system to boost the house with warmth, the cold flooring freezes my bare feet. I prepare myself a coffee thinking of what I can do with Tamzin today. By that, I mean practical, not physical. I meant what I said and I keep my promises. I want her to find her Christmas, enjoy the magic of it all like she did as a child and like she should continue to do in adulthood. Just because her grandparents are gone doesn"t mean that her life has to stop. And hers had. I finish up and head for my morning shower, getting ready for the day before looking over some paperwork until it"s a reasonable time to call Tamzin.
I am just heading back to my office when I hear my phone beep with a message. I smile when I see her name.
Tamzin: You"ll be pleased to know for some insane reason I"ve put up a Christmas tree. Much to my disgust!
This surprises me some. First, because she"s clearly making the effort which is what I wanted, and secondly, because after seeing her almost eight hours ago the tree is obviously artificial.
Me: At this hour? Why up so early?
Tamzin: Couldn"t sleep. I thought I should at least try" and get into the spirit.
Me: I"ll inspect it later. I"ll be over around eight, don"t have breakfast. I hope you"re prepared for a busy day of Christmas adventures?
Tamzin: Can"t wait! **Eye roll**
This causes me to chuckle.
Me: Less of the sarcasm, Miss King.
I decide to take the car. With work only being a short distance from my place, I often take the tube to avoid congestion charges. That is one thing about London, everyone wants to be everywhere at the same time, leaving the roads stacked with traffic, enraged people blasting on horns and throwing abuse through the window. It drives me crazy. Then again the compacted carriages of the underground aren"t much better either.
I stop off at Cafe 12, a little Coffee Shop in Hackney that supplies great food and a rooftop terrace seated area, and collect coffees along with hot bacon rolls and savouries to enjoy at breakfast. The morning chill still bites in the air as I pull up outside Tamzin"s house. The Victorian building has large bay windows and a cream carved archway, rich red bricks paved from the black iron gate to the black painted door. Small terracotta pots line the walkway with winter shrubs and the hint of frost tips the edge of the leaves. A smile ticks my lips when I knock at how homely the exterior is. I wonder if she got her technique from her grandparents.
The girl never fails to take my breath away and today is no different. In skinny jeans and a soft pink jumper that hangs off her right shoulder, she beams back at me with a bright white smile and big eyes. Her hair is fluffy, yet has light controlled waves, her makeup natural and refreshing with black ticks on her lids and a clear shimmer on her lips. Stunning.
"Breakfast and a visit before eight, I"m honoured." She smiles. I step inside but before she has a chance to shut the door, I push her up against the wall and take her mouth in surprise, chasing my tongue with hers as her hands fist my coat.
"Good morning," I whisper with a satisfied smile before her eyes slowly open.
"I see you"re on fine form with this be mine for the month" rendezvous."
"Yes. Although something also tells me you won"t be backing out anytime soon."
"Sure about that?"
"Absolutely." I kiss her nose. "Come on the bacon is getting cold."
I place the bag of food on the counter, the delicious smells that linger is making my stomach growl. I raid her cupboard for plates, getting a c.o.c.ked brow from Tamzin as she watches. I don"t know why I do this, never in my life would I walk into another"s house and look through their things but with her it"s different. It feels comfortable. Placing the food on a plate I pa.s.s it over to her as she sits at the table, crossing her legs and tucking the hair behind her ear as I take the napkins out the bag.
"This looks amazing," she says. "But you do realise I"m vegetarian?"
I look up. "What?"
She points to her bacon roll, parting the bread gingerly with her fingers as though it"s going to bite her. "I"m a veggie."
"Really?" I"m literally gutted. But then a little mischievous smile places her lips.
"Your face is priceless." She giggles. Relief flushes back into my system as I scrunch the napkin and throw it at her.
"Not funny."
We eat in a comfortable silence. An odd moan leaves Tamzin as she devours her breakfast. I can"t work out if she"s doing it because she"s actually enjoying her food or whether she"s trying to get my attention in other ways. Whichever way it is, it is working.
"Jeez, I enjoyed that?" she says, wiping her mouth on the napkin.
"I hadn"t noticed."
She gets up and clears the table, placing the plates in the sink and turning down the radio that"s just started to play Step into Christmas" which reminds me why I"m here.
"So come on then, let me see it."
"What?" She turns, looking confused.
"Your tree."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. It"s nothing spectacular but it will serve its purpose. It"s in the living room." I leave my spot at the table and head into the living room, a s.p.a.cious area with an open fireplace, light wood units and tanned leather sofas. The large mink rug floods my mind with memories of last night, as pictures in gla.s.s frames hang randomly around the light walls. Even though the room provides a stylish feel, there are qualities that bring an edge of history. The 50"s style lamp being one of them.
I stop dead. In the far corner, where there is room for a huge tree with bright lights and colour, is nothing more than twigs in a white jug. Literally about eight twisted sticks with a handful of lights with the odd heart hanging from the edge. It is a poor excuse for a tree. My mother would have a break down if she saw this.
"What the f.u.c.k is that?"
"My Christmas tree."
"Tamzin, it"s twigs."
"It"s rustic."
"It"s ridiculous." I lift the tip of the twig, inspecting it with more detail. It"s pitiful. Now I know for certain what today"s plans involve. "If we"re doing Christmas, we"re doing it my way. Get your coat, we"re going out."
"Where?" I"m surprised she has to ask.
"Tree shopping."
She folds her arms, popping her hip out as she stands with att.i.tude. "Noel, I"ve already got a tree."
"No, what you"ve got is a disgrace."
Tamzin.
Once Noel opens my side of the car door, the smell hits me like a freight train. I am taken back in the most overwhelming way. First, because it is so strong and second because it causes my gut to twist with remembrance. The deep, rich woody smell of Christmas pine engulfs my senses as rows upon rows of all sized trees stand in lines. Like a field full of dominoes and with one hit they"d tumble down into a carpet of dark green. I can"t remember seeing anything like it.
"First rule of Christmas, Tamzin. Always have a real tree. Now we just have to find you one." Noel beams, heading in the direction of the small cabin where two men in boiler suits, padded coats and winter hats sit drinking from flasks. The weather is cold to the nose and ears, the light frosted breeze filling the air as the sun tries it"s best to ignite the ground with warmth. I stand immobile at the car, my insides overflowing with anxiety as visions of Christmas tree shopping with my grandparents plays my mind. When Noel said he"d find me my Christmas, I didn"t realise he would literally redecorate my house with the whole aspect of it. I was happy with my lame branches and glow lights, least then I could pretend it"s just an everyday house feature.
"Tami, you ready?" He notices my hesitation, striding back to me as I continue to fight my feelings and scan my eyes over the large forest. "You ok?" he asks softly.
I swallow and blow out a breath. "I"ve not bought a tree in years. Apart from the obvious, I can"t even remember what you do." His hands rest on my shoulders, a sympathetic smile on his lips.
"You just find the one you want in your home. That"s all."
We"re silent a few more beats before I break the connection, wanting to get it over with before I change my mind and demand him to take me home. A large barn gate separates us from the sea of green, the two men in the cabin I now know as Ben and John nod in approval as we head on through.
Reaching out I take Noel"s hand in mine, wanting some added rea.s.surance. His large hand is warm against the coldness of mine, his body firm at my side, still wearing his shades from our drive as the glare from the low sun is blinding.
We"re not the only ones in this wonderland, couples of all ages study trees to perfection, circling the different firs and spruces. "Do you always come here?" I ask curiously.
"We"ve been using this woodland since I can remember. We always use to come out here every December 1st as a family and pick out the tree we wanted. My brothers and I would f.u.c.k about playing hide-n-seek in between the trees whilst our parents argued over which one they wanted."
"My grandparents were the same. They never really fought but when they did it was over stupid stuff like travel directions or Grandpa not having his best shirt washed so he could go to the local on Sat.u.r.day"s." I run my hand along the branch of soft needles, checking to see if they"d fall into my hand. A trick my gran taught me. If the needles fall the tree is too dry and won"t last until the New Year.