Page 72 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

And he would be so, so gentle.

Julian stroked his hand through her hair, shifting them so she was lying on her back and he was lying along her side. Then he pushed her bound hands back over her head, the ribbon dangling in pretty red curls over the arm of the couch. Charlie’s chest heaved. She was like his own personal gift, and he intended to enjoy every inch of her.

He traced the lines of her face first, the arc of her brow, the straight bridge of her nose, the curve of her chin. When he was satisfied that he’d memorized each freckle, he let his hands drift down her neck, stopping at the hollow at the base of her throat. He angled his head, letting his tongue follow. Charlie’s next breath stuttered, and he sucked gently at her skin.

She squirmed as his hand shifted, tracing the buttons along her shirt. With deft fingers, he popped one open, giving himself better access. He slipped another open, then another, tracing the valley between her breasts.

Charlie groaned.

He nuzzled at her, breathing in the fresh scent of her skin, while his hand traveled farther. She wore loose sweat pants and Julian tugged at the drawstring, searching her eyes for permission. “Is this okay?”

Charlie nodded, closing her eyes and swallowing hard enough for him to see her throat work.

Julian snapped the waistband gently. “Charlie?”

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, it’s okay.”

He slipped his hand into the waistband of her pants, into the warmth there, and skimmed along her underwear. She was already wet for him, and he ran careful fingers over the place she wanted him most.

Charlie made a whiny, desperate noise, and Julian kissed her until they needed to part for air. Then he slipped his fingers into her underwear, sliding into wet heat, taking his time to explore just like the last time. Charlie’s hips bucked, and her hands came up briefly. He saw the moment she registered that they were still bound with the ribbon. She sighed, pressing her head back into the sofa as he stroked her.

Charlie squirmed some more, brow furrowed in frustration.

He knew what she was desperate for. Julian removed his hand, and she complained loudly. “Hold on,” he laughed, shifting down the couch. Charlie lifted her hips so he could drag her pants and underwear down her legs before burying his head between them.

“Mmm, yes,” Charlie hissed as Julian flicked his tongue over her clit, drawing tight circles and sucking until she was arching off the sofa. Her body tensed, and he could tell she wanted to use her hands to touch him. To guide him. But she was at his mercy, and he set a deliberately slow pace that had her panting.

“Julian,” she said, her voice raspy.

“Yes?” He grinned against her stomach. “Do you need something?”

She bucked her hips, and he lapped at her some more. “I need that.” He dragged his tongue over her clit again, and her body twitched, looking for friction. “More. More, please!”

“Please will get you so far,” he said, refocusing his efforts before working her into a panting, squirming frenzy.

Charlie cried out suddenly, rutting against his tongue as her orgasm took her. He stroked her trembling legs, letting her descend from the high, then crawled up the sofa to untie that pretty little bow around her wrists.

“God,” she said, lifting her head to look at him. “That was new. You definitely didn’t know how to do that the last time.”

He snickered. “Maybe I’ve studied up in our years apart. Did you like it?”

“I think we both know I did.” Charlie reached around him, running her hands over his shoulders. “Maybe we should move to the bedroom?” She pressed a kiss to his chest. “More space.”

“I like where this is going.” Julian sat up, reaching for her hand.

Charlie led him down the hall to the spare room she was using and plopped down on the bed, watching him with a cheeky smile as he shrugged out of his shirt and unbuttoned his jeans. His pants hit the floor, and Julian leaned over, fishing his wallet out of his pocket to retrieve the condom he’d stashed there recently.

Charlie’s eye flickered over him appreciatively, amusement etched into her features. “Did you think you were going to get lucky when you came over tonight?”

He flashed her a grin. “I think it’s important to be prepared for all possibilities.” He stepped closer and smoothed a piece of hair away from her face. “Did you not think this would happen again?”

She kissed his stomach, and the muscle twitched beneath her lips. “I hoped it would happen again,” she admitted. “I’ve missed you.”

She shifted back on the bed, reaching for him. Julian didn’t need much convincing and climbed onto the bed as they wriggled out of the rest of their clothing. He let her pull him close, stroking his hands over her breasts, his touch gentle as he rolled her nipples between his fingers.

Charlie closed her eyes and hummed at the touch, then she tilted her head back and looked at him. “I hadn’t realized how much until we were together again.”

Julian’s heart lobbed into his throat. She’d asked him to stay tonight, but was he a fool for wanting more? Stay with me in Elm Springs. You could be happy here. We could try again. He stared into her eyes, into the glassy reflection he saw, searching desperately for the answer to a question he’d been asking his whole life. Am I enough? Because for once in his damn life, he wanted someone to choose him.