Page 58 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

21

JOY

Icouldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Every rational thought I ever had about keeping things professional evaporated the moment Cooper’s hands settled on my hips.

“We shouldn’t,” he whispered against my lips, but his grip on me tightened, pulling me closer instead of pushing me away.

“I know,” I breathed back, even as I threaded my fingers through his hair. “We really, really shouldn’t.”

But then his mouth was on mine, and nothing else mattered.

It wasn’t like our chaste kiss at the tree lighting. This was desperate, hungry, ten years of pent-up want and need finally breaking free. Cooper kissed me like he was drowning, and I was air. His hands tangled in my hair as he deepened the kiss.

I shifted on his lap. The sound he made against my mouth sent liquid heat straight through me. I could feel him hardening beneath me, and when I rocked my hips experimentally, his hands flew to my waist to hold me still.

“Joy,” he groaned, his voice strained. “If you keep doing that…”

“What?” I asked innocently, doing it again just to watch his eyes flutter closed. “This?”

His response was to flip us, pressing me back against the table as he settled between my thighs. I gasped when his hips thrust and his hard length rubbed between my legs. Cooper took advantage, his tongue sliding against mine as his hands roamed over the ridiculous Santa pants I was still wearing.

“These have to come off,” he muttered, tugging at the red velvet pants.

I helped him, shimmying out of the oversized costume until I was left in just my leggings and sweater. Cooper’s Santa coat came off next, leaving him in that fitted long-sleeved shirt that had been driving me crazy all day.

“Now this,” I said, pulling at the hem of his shirt.

He obliged, yanking it over his head in one smooth motion. I nearly whimpered at the sight of him. I had imagined what Cooper might look like without his shirt—had spent more time than I cared to admit fantasizing about it—but the reality was so much better than anything my imagination had conjured.

His chest was broad and defined, with just the right amount of dark hair trailing down his stomach. Scars dotted his torso, evidence of his dangerous job. I traced one with my fingertip, making him shiver.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, and watched his cheeks flush.

“That’s my line,” he said, his hands finding the hem of my sweater. “Can I?”

I nodded, lifting my arms so he could pull it over my head. His eyes went dark as he took in my black lace bra, and when he traced the edge of the cup with one finger, I arched into his touch.

“I’ve thought about this,” he admitted, his voice rough. “God, Joy, I’ve thought about this so many times.”

“Just thinking?” I challenged, reaching for the button of his jeans.

He caught my wrist, his grip gentle but firm. “Are you sure about this? Because once we cross this line…”

“I’m sure,” I said without hesitation. “I’ve been sure since I was seventeen years old.”

Something shifted in his expression at that admission. The last of his resistance crumbled, and suddenly his mouth was on my neck, my collarbone, trailing hot kisses down to the swell of my breasts above my bra.

I fumbled with his belt, my fingers clumsy with want. When I finally got his jeans undone and slipped my hand inside his boxers, he made a sound that was half groan, half prayer.

“Fuck, Joy,” he breathed, his hips jerking into my touch.

I stroked him slowly, reveling in the way his breathing became ragged and the way his hands tightened on my hips. He was bigger than I expected, thick and hard in my palm. The thought of him inside me made me clench with need.

“I need you,” I whispered against his ear. “Cooper, please.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice. His hands were on my leggings, peeling them down my legs along with my panties like he was unwrapping a present. The cold air made me gasp, but then Cooper’s warm hands were on my thighs, spreading them wider as he settled between them.

“You’re so wet,” he marveled, his fingers finding my center. “Is this all for me?”