Page 45 of Present Tense

“Taste of what? Me?” I’m baffled.

“Ethan.”

“I really don’t want to talk about him while I’m thinking of truly nasty things to do to you.”

“Sex will not get you out of this.”

I buck my hips under him. “Are you sure?”

He pins me down. “Oh, we’ll have sex.”

“You know keeping me waiting is ridiculously hot. Your hands hovering so close to my nipples. It’s like they’re reaching for you.” He delicately licks my left one and retreats. I groan and he laughs.

“If he interrupts us now? Will you go get the phone?”

I think about lying. “No. But I turned my ringer off after I sent a nasty text to Christopher about the girl.”

“You turned your ringer off to have sex with me?”

“Yes,” I say triumphantly.

“And if he needs you?”

“He’s with his father, and he can wait.”

“A little while?” He grinds into me, and I feel how hard his cock is already.

“At this point, I might only need a moment for the first orgasm.”

He laughs, then his tongue is deep into my mouth, and the discussion of my son ceases as we begin moving with each other. He’s not inside yet, but rubbing up and down my wet slit. He’s sucking and nipping my nipple. His hand playing with the other. The pressure on my clit from his enormous cock is quite enough to give me a tiny, but powerful, orgasm. I shiver a little under him. I flutter-come instead of blacking out. Everything is in soft focus as my fingertips tingle.

“What was that?”

“You did that.”

“I haven’t even done anything, really.”

“Jedi mind trick, then.”

“Do more I will.” He sits up and flips me over. I brace myself and he slides in without hesitation.

“Yes. All day. Jesus. The best. I love your cock. You’re so deep. This is all I want to do today.” I groan. “Wrap things, unwrap things, nog things, bake things, and get fucked.”

He thrusts into me. “That’s a perfect to-do list.”

“How are we so good every time?”

“And we’re only getting started.” He ghosts his finger over my back entrance and I’m going to lose my mind. And then the slow and gentle moments are over as he slams into me, hands clamping on my hips, holding me steady while he pistons in and out of me. It’s hard and fast and fucking fantastic. And I blackout-come very quickly.

After our mostly naked couple of days, we dressed in actual clothes today. Jeans and shirts. Our attempt at having an actual day. Not bolting to the Christmas tree and tearing open everything was a new experience. No need—no children here. I cried a little in the bathroom earlier. I ache to see my Ethan so much. I miss Christmas morning and the magic of Santa, even though he hasn’t believed for a couple of years now. But maybe the magic is here in this house. Perhaps I’ll hear The Polar Express bell ring this morning.

Downstairs, Liam shoves a cinnamon twist into my mouth. There’s also a plate of cut melon and strawberries. I smile at him as I pop a piece of cantaloupe into his mouth. He made breakfast. Not elaborate, but I didn’t make it. I didn’t buy it or think about it. He takes me in his arms, and I brush my lips over his. He doesn’t hesitate to glide his cinnamon tipped tongue against mine. His hands run through my hair, and I melt into him again. I groan a bit and pull back so we don’t go back to bed. I can’t keep up this pace. He smiles at me, then kisses me on the forehead.

“Merry Christmas!”

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LIAM