Page 40 of Naughty-ish

“Holliday,” he warns, moving me faster, delving deeper, pumping me harder. The rapidness sets off a second spark, and I ignite, coming like I’ve never come before. I scream, leaning forward as I clutch his kneecaps and cling to his cock inside me.

Nick lifts and lowers me once, twice, a third time and then he stills, growling as he lets go inside me.

“Sweet Holliday,” he whispers before lowering his head to my shoulder blade. After a deep exhale, his arms wrap around my waist. He tugs my upper body against his and presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Stay the night.”

His request is breathy and desperate, awed even, and my decision comes quickly.

If Santa does exist, he can permanently put me on the naughty list.

The lump of coal in my stocking would be well worth it.

Chapter 9

Shortly after our moment on the chair, Nick moves me, giving me his shirt to cover up. He leads me to the bathroom, where I clean up, and then he brings me a fresh T-shirt to wear. He disappears again but returns to the living room wearing flannel pajama pants and carrying a pile of blankets and pillows. In front of the fireplace, he makes a nest for us on the floor.

Pulling a blanket over my legs, I sit upright while Nick stretches onto his side, and we talk amid the quiet of the crackling fire and the soft glow of his tree.

“May I ask what your family’s business is?”

“North Pole Toys.” He glances down at the material over my lap.

“The North Pole Toys? As in the toy company?” I don’t know why I ask. The explanation is in the name. Still, North Pole Toys is a huge company, with delivery service almost anywhere, and a guarantee to find most toys, even high demand ones.

Nick falls to his back. “I try not to make a big deal about it. People assume because I come from money, I have a lot.” He rolls his head on the pillow to look up at me. “But I’m not my family. I wanted to work for what I have.”

“I get that.” Although I’d been taken care of by my parents, I worked in banking for years as a starving post-college student until I met Mitch. He had more wealth than I did.

“When most people learn who my family is, they want favors. Or think I have access to the fortune.”

You don’t? It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t ask. That’s personal and I don’t care about his family’s bottom line. I care about him.

“Good thing I’m not most people.”

His head shifts. “No, you’re quite different than most.” A smile fills his voice.

“Nah, I’m just the neighbor.” I coyishly wave.

“Don’t forget hot. You’re the hot neighbor. My hot neighbor.”

His eyes reflect the flame of the fireplace. Heat builds within them.

“So when you said you know a guy, you meant you really knew someone in the toy industry. That’s how you were able to find the Zlot 720 so easily.” I’m simply confirming facts. “Shit, I still haven’t paid you for it. I promise I will. I don’t want you to think I’ve taken advantage of you.”

He gives me a sexy smirk. “You haven’t.”

Silence floats between us a moment. The atmosphere is even more romantic with us amid the blankets and pillows, and the crackling of the fire.

“Have you thought more about the book you’ll write one day?”

I don’t miss the positivity in the question. The assurance that I will fulfill that dream someday.

“Oh that.” I shrug dismissively. “Not yet.”

Nick hums. “What’s your favorite holiday tale?”

I stare down at him, cozy and comfortable in our little nest. “A Christmas Carol is the only one I can think of.” Which is sad considering my college major from a lifetime ago.

“There are so many more good stories than just that classic.” He nods toward his colorfully arranged bookshelf.