SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOME

Darwin caught her upper arms, not tightly, gently, letting his thumbs brush over the soft cotton of her robe, feeling her arms tense beneath. He deepened the kiss, opening to her tongue, meeting her with his, tasting the sweetness of her and memorizing it as best he could. They backed together toward his bed, and he shivered. It had been a long time since he’d been able to take his time with her. Tonight, Darwin intended to do just that. He broke the kiss and backed up, looking at Sonya in the dim light of his dying fire. Sonya smiled, just the slightest expression, and Darwin was lost. He was hers, heart and soul. He never wanted to be anyone else’s. But he squashed that thought and instead reached out to untie Sonya’s robe. When he parted the fabric, he gasped. She was naked beneath. Utterly, beautifully and completely naked.“Sonya? Darling…” he groaned. She smiled again. “If I found the courage to knock on your door, I couldn’t

“Look, Star, I haven’t slept in a few days, Star. I’d appreciate one night in my own bed. I’m not here much… As you can see, the empty fridge and pantry can confirm that. I’ll stay out of your hair, I promise.” Elijah did look tired. His blue eyes were bloodshot and there were bags under his eyes.“I don’t even snore.”“Elijah…”“I can move into your room,” he offered. He was sleeping in her parents’ room. Which was good… she wasn’t ready to go there. Any and all memories of her mom could wait behind that closed door for a few more days.“No!” she said. “I wouldn’t… couldn’t sleep in there.”“I’m sorry about your mom,” Elijah said, grabbing her attention. Starlight nodded. She hadn’t visited Smithville since her mother’s death, three years before.“It’s strange to be here and have it so quiet.” She shrugged, not wanting to share with him. But Elijah had known better than most about her mother and her… fits of temper. When she’d been on a real te

          One second, she was sitting there, facing him, her touch tentative… The next, he was lying back on the pile of pillows, Starlight’s hesitation replaced by desperate curiosity. He watched her expression, aware of every move her hands and fingers made.          Starlight bent over him, her long dark hair spilling onto his stomach as her lips and tongue explored the super-sensitized flesh of his nipple. He reached up to thread his fingers in her hair, absorbing every caress and stroke.          She took her time, exploring every inch of him with her soft hands and mouth. Her teeth nipped his side, her nails ran the length of his arms, and she kissed and sucked her way down his abdomen.          Elijah could barely breathe. Her tongue dipped into his belly button

Starlight stared at the room decorated for Christmas… The wreath hung over the fireplace, its colored glass balls aglow from the white lights inside. The Christmas village was arranged on the side table and she’d unpacked the train that would go around the Christmas tree. Sweet memories… from long ago… Now all she needed was a tree. The repairman had arrived first thing. Nothing like working heat and electricity, Christmas decorations, carols, and a solid night’s sleep to help dispel some of her moodiness. Or the mind-blowing orgasms… courtesy of Elijah. But last night had been a huge mistake. He’d caught her when she was vulnerable and needy... And it had been the single most erotic moment of her life. Not that it would ever happen again. She’d been arguing with herself all morning. What had she been thinking? Why had things gotten so carried away? And then she’d remember the feel of him, the things Elija

        Starlight’s smile touched his heart. He’d missed that smile. He’d missed her.“Now let’s get some food,” Meghan said. “Need anything, EJ?”“No, I’m good.”          Meghan nodded and headed out the door. Starlight smiled up at him.“You sure you don’t want anything?”“You know I do. But we’ve got all night,” Elijah promised, his gaze shifting to her full red lips. “And I plan on taking advantage of that.”          She shivered.“Who said last night’s offer was still on?”          Elijah smiled.“It’s still on.”          Starlight opened her mouth, then closed