A Mistletoe Affair (Mills & Boon Kimani) (Wintersage Weddings - Book 3) Read online

  Vicki stuck her chest out, dying to feel his hands on her, but he held back, his hands stopping just short of the place where she wanted them the most.

  “Is this payback?” she panted.

  “I just don’t want to move too fast.”

  “You’re not moving fast enough.” She caught the hem of his sweater and pulled it over his head. Then she trailed her fingers down his muscled chest, her nails leaving faint streaks.

  The guttural moan that crawled from Jordan’s throat was the very definition of agony.

  “Do that again,” he said.

  “Not until you do it to me,” she returned.

  Her nipples hardened from mere anticipation, the achy peaks reaching for him, waiting for him to touch her. Jordan pushed her shirt over her head, taking her bra with it and flinging them both to the floor. Vicki climbed on top of him, straddling his lap. She hooked her arms around his neck and tilted her head back as his lips and tongue swept up and down her throat.

  “Oh, my God, you taste good,” he whispered, his warm breath heating her blood.

  The rasp of his tongue against her skin set off a mass of powerful sensations along her nerve endings. He cupped her breasts, his palms squeezing them, massaging them. He rolled her nipples between his fingers, pinching the rock-hard nubs before flicking his thumb across them.

  Moisture pooled between her thighs as desire surged throughout her bloodstream. Every fantasy she’d ever held, every night she’d lain in bed, wishing, dreaming, praying that this one day would become her reality... It all coalesced into this delicious, momentous moment in time. It was so beautiful, so incredibly earth-shattering, Vicki wasn’t sure she could handle it.

  Jordan dipped his head low and lapped at her nipple, and she decided she could handle it just fine.

  A moan tore from her throat as he sucked the rigid peak into his mouth. She undulated in his lap, rubbing her swollen sex against his hardening erection.

  That was when Vicki decided there were too many layers between them.

  She needed him stripped bare, his naked body displayed for only her eyes to see. She tugged at his belt.

  “Take this off,” she said.

  “Soon.” He returned his mouth to her breasts. He molded one mound in his palm, cupping the underside, holding it up so that his lips and tongue could have full reign over her nipple.

  “Jordan, please,” she cried.

  Mercifully, he finally decided to put them both out of this sweet misery. He grabbed the condom he’d tucked into his pocket before levering himself up and pulling his pants down his legs as Vicki took hers off, too. Together they quickly rolled the condom over his hard flesh, and then, taking it in his hand, Jordan guided his erection inside of her.

  Vicki’s entire being seemed to scream with pleasure. The delicious give as her body stretched to receive him made her wetter, hotter, more turned on than she had ever been in her life. She welcomed his hot, solid length into body, sliding slowly along his erection until she was fully impaled.

  Jordan dipped his head forward and sucked her breast into his mouth, his teeth nipping and biting, his tongue swirling and lapping at her nipple, before moving over to the other one. Vicki curled her fingers around the top of the love seat and held on tight while she rode his lap. Down she moved, taking his entire length inside of her and rolling her hips before she pulled back up.

  She rode him hard and fast, then easy and slow, changing the pace, driving them both wild. The groan that tore from Jordan’s throat reverberated around the glass-enclosed room.

  “I...I have to,” Jordan said seconds before he clamped his hands against her waist and guided her up and down. He pumped his hips in rapid thrusts, pounding inside of her until Vicki exploded in a haze of hot white light.

  She fell against him, her breaths coming in short pants.

  She’d waited half her life for this. Never had she imagined it would surpass even her wildest fantasies. But it had. He had. Jordan Woolcott was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more.

  As she lay against his naked chest, Vicki knew with certainty that what she felt was no longer the dreams and fantasies of a lovesick schoolgirl. What she felt was love.

  *

  Jordan looked up at the back porch’s ceiling, staring blindly as the thick snowflakes continued to shuttle down the slanted glass. He ran his fingers lazily up and down Vicki’s back, trailing lightly along her smooth, moist skin. He could spend the next week in this very spot, with her naked body spread out on top of his.

  Yet even as he luxuriated in having her here with him, something uncomfortable pulled in Jordan’s gut.

  Was he moving too fast?

  Vicki and Allison could not be more different, but Jordan couldn’t deny that this scenario felt like déjà vu. He’d been swept away by Allison, caught up in a whirlwind romance that had him married and expecting a baby all within a few months.

  With Vicki it hadn’t even been months, only a few short weeks. And the feelings he’d started to develop for the woman cradled in his arms went so far beyond anything he’d felt for Allison that it wasn’t even worth comparing.

  Was he setting himself up for another fall?

  “No way,” Jordan whispered. Vicki would never do to him what Allison had done. Forget the new, sexy hair and makeup. Strip all of that away and she was still Vicki on the inside.

  And that Vicki was the one he found himself falling in love with.

  Jordan’s chest tightened at the word, but how could he deny it? He’d been in love before; he understood what that intense, all-consuming feeling felt like.

  He was there, neck deep in it. And he didn’t want to get out anytime soon.

  “You’re thinking really hard,” Vicki murmured against his chest.

  “You’re awake,” he said.

  “Barely,” she said before yawning. She twisted so that she could look out the glass walls surrounding the deck. “It’s still snowing.”

  “Hasn’t stopped for hours,” Jordan said.

  She looked up at him from where she lay on his chest. “Have you checked on Mason?”

  “Kind of hard to do that with a hundred pounds of satisfied woman draped over me.”

  “A hundred pounds?” She laughed. “You’ve already scored, Jordan, there’s no need for flattery.”

  She started to rise, but Jordan clamped his palms on her naked backside and pulled her against him. He grew so hard so damn fast it hurt.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.

  “To check on the baby.”

  “He’s almost a year and a half, Vicki. He’s been sleeping through the night for months.” Jordan brought his hand around and slipped it between her legs. “You can stay right here. I’m still trying to atone for my sins, remember?”

  He slipped one finger inside of her and quickly added another moving in and out; he nearly came when she began to undulate against him in rhythm to his thrust. Capturing her mouth, Jordan removed his fingers and held his erection steady so that she could glide her body on top of it. Their twin moans of pleasure echoed against the walls as he slid his hard length into her hot body.

  They started slow, but Vicki soon quickened the pace, flattening her palms against his chest as she pumped her hips up and down. Her head flew back, exposing her neck and breasts to his lips. Jordan pulled a nipple into his mouth and sucked hard. He couldn’t get enough of her, and he didn’t want to.

  After several long, deep thrusts, he felt her body shudder around him. He followed quickly on the heels of her orgasm, his body jerking with the power of his release.

  “My God,” Vicki breathed against his chest. “You’ve totally changed the way I see lawyers.”

  Jordan’s head dropped back with his breathless laugh. “How did you see lawyers?”

  “Serious and conservative. Definitely not the kind to let loose in the bedroom the way you do.” The edges of her lips tipped up. “You probably felt the same way about me, didn’t you?�
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  “You have been a surprise,” he said. “A good one, but a surprise nonetheless.”

  “What were you thinking about...you know...before?”

  “Before what?” he asked.

  Her cheeks turned beet-red. It was the most adorable thing he’d ever witnessed, especially when he took into account where they were and what they’d just done. “Come on, Vicki,” he encouraged. “I want you to say it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Before we made love,” she said. “For the second time. I want to know what you were thinking before we made love for the second time.”

  “I was trying to think of how I could convince you to do it a second time, and then maybe a third.”

  “You were not,” she said with a laugh, pushing up from where she’d been draped on top of him. Jordan instantly missed her weight and warmth.

  She grabbed the afghan that he kept on the deck furniture and wrapped it around herself. A tiny part of him died as she covered up her nakedness. If he could, he would keep her naked for the next week.

  “Tell me,” she said. “What were you thinking?”

  He blew out a sigh as he realized that she wasn’t about to let this go.

  “I was thinking of how fast this is all moving.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “And of how it all turned out the last time I allowed things to move so quickly with a woman.”

  In a soft, slightly accusatory voice, Vicki said, “You’re still comparing me to her.”

  “It’s hard not to make comparisons,” Jordan said. “She was my last serious relationship.” He moved over to her and pulled her onto his lap. He didn’t miss the way she stiffened against him. “But also know that things are different with you, Vicki. Because you’re different.” Jordan pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. “I can’t help this fear. It’s been a part of me since Allison walked out, but I’m determined to fight through it, because you’re worth it.”

  “We’re worth it,” she said. “I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to prove to you that I’m better than Allison.”

  “You don’t have to prove anything to me. These issues I have over what happened with Allison are just that—they’re my issues. I don’t want you to feel that you need to compete with my ex-wife. You’ve already won that battle.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “I’m going to admit something that I’ve been too ashamed to admit to anyone.”

  Several moments crept by before Vicki prompted him. “What is it?” she asked.

  In a voice that was barely a whisper, Jordan said, “I don’t think I ever really loved her. I was enamored with her, some might even say enthralled, but if Allison had not gotten pregnant with Mason, I doubt our relationship would have lasted more than a couple of months.” Jordan shook his head. “When I think of my parents’ long, loving marriage, I feel ashamed that I made such a mockery of the institution by marrying a woman I wasn’t in love with.”

  “You thought you were doing the right thing. Giving Mason a two-parent home.”

  “And just look how that turned out. I probably scarred him for life.”

  Her expression softened. She cupped his jaw in her palm. “To quote the great Dr. Seuss, ‘Oh, the things you can find if you don’t stay behind.’ The mistakes you made with Allison, the hurt she caused you, it’s in your past, Jordan. Leave it all behind and look toward the future.”

  “I’m going to try my best to take that advice,” he said. He pulled her more firmly against him. “Who would have thought Dr. Seuss would come to the rescue yet again tonight?”

  “You’d better pay attention to those books when you read to Mason. Dr. Seuss was filled with those little nuggets of wisdom. Whenever things start to get overwhelming, I read it and remember that I’m continually striving to make my business the best that it can become.”

  Jordan trailed his finger along her temple and down her cheek. “You’re amazing, you know that? You have the ability to change my entire perspective with just a few words. I don’t know if I can ever find a way to thank you for everything you’ve done, Vicki.”

  A wicked smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “If you think long and hard enough—” she wiggled on his lap “—I’m sure you can come up with something.”

  Jordan barked out a laugh. He pressed a swift kiss to her lips. “I think I may have found it,” he said as he flipped her onto her back and inched his mouth down her body. “Give me just a second. I’ll show you.”

  Chapter 9

  “You mind sharing whatever it is that put that smile on your face?”

  Vicki jumped to attention at her mother’s question. She knew the heat creeping up her face was turning her fair skin red, but how in the heck was she supposed to prevent that when thoughts of the night she’d spent in Jordan’s arms invaded her mind every waking minute?

  “I’m not sure it’s something a mother would be all that comfortable hearing from her daughter,” Vicki replied.

  Christine Ahlfors’s eyes narrowed as a smile drew across her lips. “Who is he?” her mother asked.

  “Just because I’m smiling a little more than usual today, you automatically assume there’s a man behind it?”

  “Yes,” her mother stated. “Now, tell me who he is?”

  “How many centerpieces will you need for the senior citizens’ Christmas luncheon?” Vicki asked.

  “Don’t even try changing the subject on me,” her mother said.

  Vicki arranged the poinsettia in the brass pot and set it in the center of the table in her mother’s informal dining room.

  “Vicki!” Her mother screeched.

  She whipped around. “What?”

  “Tell me who he is,” she practically whined.

  With a sigh, Vicki finally relented. “Jordan Woolcott.”

  She watched as her mother’s mouth formed a perfect O. He eyes grew just as round. “Really,” she said. “After all these years.”

  It was Vicki’s turn to stand with her mouth agape. “Was it that obvious?”

  “Honey, I’m your mother. Do you really believe I could miss those longing looks you would send Jordan’s way whenever he was around? I’m just happy he finally caught a clue.” Her mouth curved with a coy grin. “As far as catches go, he’s a good one.”

  “He has some issues,” she said.

  “The election?”

  “And the ex-wife.”

  “Ah, yes.” Her brows arched. “She is a bit of baggage, but she hasn’t really been around, though, has she?”

  “No, but she left her mark on Jordan,” Vicki said. She fingered the poinsettia’s silky petal. “To say he’s gun-shy about trusting another woman is an understatement.”

  “He just needs a good woman to show him the right way. At least he’s finally opened his eyes to the possibilities. I’m grateful for that.”

  “So am I,” Vicki said with a grin. She kissed her mother’s cheek. “I have to go. I’ve got several arrangements to complete for the Williamses’ holiday party and a lot of work to get done on the float. The kids have been working on it everyday, but I need to be there to make sure it’s all going according to plan.”

  Her mother caught her by the wrist. “Vicki, you know it’s not too late to pull out of this float competition, don’t you?”

  Vicki’s heart deflated. “Really?” she asked. “Are we back to this? What is it, Mom? Are you afraid that I’m going to embarrass the family or something?”

  “Of course not,” her mother said. “I just don’t want you to be hurt if this doesn’t turn out the way you think it will.”

  “Oh, so you think I’m going to come in last place? Is that it?”

  “Vicki, you know that’s not the case.” The sting of her mother’s chastising tone was softened by the gentle smile on her face, but it didn’t do much to assuage the disappointment Vicki felt at the realization that her mother still didn’t believe in her. Would her family ever take her seriously?

  “I have to go. I’ll see you later,” she sa
id, giving her mother a kiss on the cheek.

  Three hours later, Vicki began to wonder if there wasn’t something to her mother’s concerns. As she stared at the planks of particleboard littering the ground around the base of the float, Vicki had to stop herself from crying.

  “Are you okay?” Jasper Saunders, one of the high school students she mentored through Mass Mentors, asked.

  “No,” Vicki answered. “This is not good.”

  “It’s just a setback, Ms. Vicki. They can probably cut you more particleboard in a day.”

  She looked over at Jasper and smiled at his attempt to make her feel better. “What have I told you about calling me Ms. Vicki?” she asked. “It makes me feel older than I really am.”

  He grinned. “Sorry.” He hitched a thumb at the door. “Since we can’t do any more on the float today, do you mind if I go? A few of us are heading to the mall to celebrate being off for winter break.”

  “Sure,” Vicki said. “Have fun. I’ll text you when I get the new particleboards.”

  Once she was sure Jasper had left the building, Vicki thought long and hard about indulging in a much-needed cry. But she wasn’t going to do that. This was a setback—a big one, but not insurmountable.

  She unrolled the float’s design plans and cursed. She acknowledged that she was the one who’d made the mistake in the calculations. The particleboards she’d had custom cut for her float were short by several inches.

  “A math whiz, you are not,” Vicki said.

  If she had the pieces shipped to her, it would cost her another two days that she couldn’t spare. She would have to drive down to the lumberyard in Cambridge where she’d ordered them and hope that they could cut her all new boards today.

  “You can still do this,” Vicki said. But she was not relying on her own math skills to get it done this time.

  It was a good thing she was dating a self-proclaimed math nerd.