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"Why, hello there, stranger," she says, her sweater covered arm brushing against the brown suede exterior of my coat. Despite the layers between her skin and mine, the heat travels up my arm and nettles…you guessed it, right in my dick. I’m standing here waiting for a Christmas tree to light up with a massive hard-on. Yay, me. Also, the girl smells like candy canes and hot cocoa—how does a person even do that?
“Hey.” The sound comes out as more of a grunt than anything else. I’m having trouble forming words.
“How’s your head?”
A smirk forms on my lips. "It’s fine. But I almost didn't recognize you with your clothes on."Whoa there! Am I fucking flirting right now?
She pretends to take offense, placing a hand on her bountiful chest. "There are children around to hear you talking like that, soldier boy. You barely know me. Mind you, you've already seen more than most."
I can’t fight the chuckle that bounces out of my chest. "I feel like I know you well enough, Miss. Publishing House." Her mouth gapes open and her eyes narrow in confusion. "You're the only thing your mom talks about whenever she brings me dinner." I bounce a shoulder in a shrug. "Small town. You know how it is."
"Of course, she does. I'm themiracle baby, don’t you know?"
I smirk as I fold my arms in front of me. “I did hear something to that effect.”
“Everyone does.” She rolls her eyes, yet the smile remains on her lips.I bet those taste delicious. "But speak for yourself, Ryder, the ex-military, town handyman who moved in next door three months ago." My eyes widen in surprise. I'm pretty sure I ran out of the house without even mentioning my name, let alone that litany of information. She notices this and gives me a knowing smile. "My mom tells all—and my dad. Small town. You know how it is."
"That's very true." I can't help but smile, which broadens hers in response. My soul elevates at the sight—a goddess on Earth smiling at a mere mortal. The turmoil within me rises again. My soul wants her, but my mind believes otherwise.
She's too young, too innocent.
Yes, but she'smine.
You’ll ruin her…
"So… ex-military. What was that like? Being in the army?" Her voice breaks through my thoughts, and just like that, everything shuts down. The world goes quiet, and I’m numb.
"It’s the military," I grunt, shifting my eyes away from her as I focus on the stage where the mayor is making a big to-do about Santa coming out on stage. The kids in the audience go nuts.
If she's taken aback at my coldness, she doesn’t let on. But she doesn't push the subject further, either, and I appreciate that.As respectful as she is beautiful.I’m struggling to keep coming up with reasons why I’m supposed to be walking away.
"You think Santa is buff under that big suit?" she asks suddenly, tilting her head as a solid-looking man ho-ho-ho’s his way around the stage. “I mean, I doubt his guns have anything on yours. But a girl does have to wonder.”Wait. Is sheflirting?Orteasing?
“You have a thing for older men in big red suits?” I ask, quirking a brow.
She meets my eyes with a mischievous grin. “Maybe I just have a thing for older men…”
I automatically scoff. Meanwhile, my dick gets some fresh blood flow. "That’s, ah, good to know."
"You left your tools in my bathroom, by the way."
"I’m aware."
"You still have a leaky pipe to fix, too," she continues without missing a beat. "Maybe next time you’re in my bathroom, I won’t be wearing a towel..." My cock surges. Fuck, this girl is killing me with her innuendo. She’s too young. She’s too…too…She’s mine.My brain short circuits, and I can’t even find a reason to keep my distance anymore.
"Keep chatting that way, and you might need to help me fixmyleaky pipe," I growl as I stare into her eyes intensely, moments away from humping her leg like a fucking dog in heat. Her face immediately goes red, and she turns away from me.
"Oh, my. OK.” She clears her throat and lets out a steady breath, her cheeks burning brighter than the Christmas lights above us. “Guess you win that round.” She lets out a nervous laugh. “Thought I was holding my own there, but I’m not experienced enough to go up against the big guys."
“You have no idea howbigI am, honey,” I say, meeting her eyes before I let my gaze drop to her luscious lips then down to her snug-fitting sweater, stretched across that buxom chest of hers. It’s like I’ve crossed a line with her and I can’t stop. All I can think about right now is either fucking her, or scaring her so much she runs away. There is no in between. “Whether you find that out or not is gonna depend on what comes out of that dirty little mouth of yours next. What’s it gonna be?”
"Oh,god,” she gasps, her eyes closing as she swallows hard and looks to be just about as wet as I am hard. It’s hot as fuck, but then she starts whispering to herself, and I take pause. I can’t quite make it all out, but it’s something like, “Oh my god, this is really happening. Take a breath. Calm down. You can handle this, Bella. You’re in control.” Fuck.I’m a giant asshole.
Her little self pep talk has me sobering immediately, giving me that reason I couldn’t manage to find just moments ago—she’s too innocent. I’ll ruin her.
“Shit, honey. I’m sorry,” I say, placing my hands on her upper arms. “Forget everything I just said. I was being a total jerk, and I made you feel uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to scare you.Fuck.”
Her eyes pop open and she takes a deep breath. “Skating,” she blurts.
