Page 39 of Christmas in Quincy (The Edens 0.50)

“You had a smudge of chocolate on your cheek and your fingers were purple.”

I’d been making blueberry pastries that day and the moment Austin had walked through the door, I’d chastised myself for not wearing gloves. I’d been so embarrassed that he’d seen me with purple fingers. “You were so gruff. You said five words to me.”

Hi. Good to meet you.

“One look at you and I was tongue-tied. I wished I had come to the bakery before taking the job with your dad. I wished I had met you first.”

I sighed, my heart squeezing. “If my father finds out, you’ll lose your job.”

“I will.”

I unwound my arms from his neck and expected him to put me down, but his hold only got stronger and he lifted me, my toes dangling above the carpet. His eyes searched mine, waiting for me to decide.

Because that look of confidence, of complete surety, told me that Austin had already decided. He didn’t care if he lost this job.

If all we had was this trip, then I didn’t want to think about what happened tomorrow. I wanted to be with Austin. Just this once.

“Kiss me anyway.”

He didn’t have to be told twice. Austin crushed his lips to mine and the heat in the room spiked. In only a towel, I was burning up

and so desperate to feel his skin against mine, I yanked and tugged at his shirt.

His tongue plundered my mouth, leaving no corner untouched. His fingertips dug into the curves of my hips as he turned us and walked us to the bed.

“Damn, Cleo, how I want you.” He tore his mouth from mine and dropped it to my neck, trailing wet kisses along my skin.

“Yes.” My fingers dove into his dark hair and I threaded them through the strands.

He growled against my skin, then dropped me to the edge of the bed.

I stared up as he reached behind his head and yanked off his shirt. Oh my abs. Was this the reason he didn’t eat baked goods? Because a six-pack was a good one. I’d forgive him for every missed bite of my food if he just let me run my hands over his washboard stomach.

My mouth watered and I reached for the button of his jeans only to have my hand swatted away.

“Not yet.” He dropped his gaze to the front of my towel.

I lifted a hand to undo the tuck in the terry cloth only to have my hand swatted again. “What was that for?”

“It’s rude to unwrap someone else’s gift.”

And there it was—the puddle. It pooled between my legs.

Austin took my hand and pulled me to my feet. His finger trailed across the bare line of my shoulder, causing a shiver to race down my spine. That same finger skimmed my collarbone before dipping into the hollow of my throat. He moved slowly, taking each inch deliberately, until I was panting beneath his touch.

“Austin.”

His focus was entirely on his finger as it finally reached the line of the towel. Then with a flick of his wrist, it was gone, forgotten at my feet.

I held my gaze on the hard plain of his chest, taking in the dusting of hair on his pecs. I studied the contoured muscles of his arms and how the ropes of his biceps and triceps wrapped around one another, all while he studied my body with the same intensity.

His eyes traced every curve of my breasts and the swell of my hips. They dropped to the apex of my thighs. When I dared look up, there was so much appreciation and lust in his gaze, it stole my breath.

Austin lifted a hand to cup one of my breasts as he shuffled closer, the heat from his chest hitting mine. He rolled my nipple between his fingers, and his eyes never stopped wandering, leaving tingling trails on my skin.

“My turn.” I reached between us for the waistband of his jeans. He didn’t stop me as I opened the button and dragged the zipper over his straining arousal.

I ran my palm along his length, pressing hard as his erection filled my hand. He was long and thick and perfect. An ache bloomed in my core, the throb of desire matching my thundering heartbeats.