Christmas with My Enemy (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

Chapter 5

five

BEAST

"Jamal?"

"Sorry, I was a little distracted," I admit with a slight shake of my head, forcing myself to focus.

"Yeah, I said I plan to go somewhere else. Out of the city, start over fresh. Never come back to this place."

I sigh, scratching my jaw as I consider her words. The thought of her leaving, of never seeing her again, sits like a lead weight in my gut. Just moments ago, I was worried about having her intoxicating presence under my roof for too long. But now, the idea of her being gone...it doesn't sit right with me at all.

With Tati, my sense of clarity blurs, the sharp focus I usually pride myself on slipping through my fingers like grains of sand.

"I could help with that, if it's really what you want," I offer gruffly.

Relief washes over her features. "I'd really appreciate that."

But I can't just let her go without exploring every avenue. Once she's out there, who knows if I'll ever see her again? The thought is like a vise around my chest.

"Or maybe you could go back, and work things out with your folks," I suggest. "Show your family they can't keep controlling you, calling all the shots in your life."

Tati throws her head back with a bitter laugh. "There's no way. Next time my father sees me, I'll be walking down the aisle whether I want it or not."

"Damn, that's crazy." I shake my head slowly, feeling the weight of her words.

The idea of never seeing her again, of losing this connection, twists something inside me. With her, everything feels off-kilter, yet more right than ever before.

"You're safe here, though," I assure her, my voice low, intense. "No one's gonna get to you under my watch."

She meets my gaze head-on, holding it for a beat too long. "Thanks, Jamal. I owe you."

"Nah, there are no debts between us." I shake my head firmly. "I hate that shit."

A slow, sly smile curves those full lips, and she rises from the couch with a newfound energy rippling through her movements. "Then I'd better repay you properly."

Her tongue darts out, wetting her lower lip, and my dick is standing at attention in my sweats.

I’m down to fuck, but something tells me there’s more to this offer. And I don’t want to be that nigga that takes advantage of a woman when she’s going through some shit.

Tati closes the distance between us, her lips brushing against mine in the barest whisper of a kiss.

Her lips part, allowing me to explore her mouth with my tongue, drinking in her soft moans as we fall into a rhythm, our bodies pressed together in a dance of lust and prolonged longing.

When her tongue brushes against mine, it sends a fresh wave of blood straight to my already-hard dick.

The kiss deepens, and my fingers find their way under her sweater, trailing over her smooth skin. Then she pulls back.

"How's that for a thank you?"

The challenge in her tone, the defiant spark in her gaze—it's like lighting a match to the flames of my arousal.

"Not enough," I rumble, holding her stare as I give her a deliberate wink.

She doesn't hesitate, leaning in again, her mouth slanting over mine in a heated kiss.

The blanket falls from her shoulders as she shrugs out of that oversized sweater in one fluid motion, revealing the lacy bra that does little to conceal her peaked nipples straining against the fabric.

Tati pauses, as if to pull away, but the smile playing on her lips tells me she's testing me, pushing the limits of my restraint.

I'm not having it. I pull her closer and she climbs over, straddling my lap.

Wrapping my hands around her waist, I pull her flush against me, our bodies aligned from chest to hip. My lips crash into hers with a hunger I can no longer contain, and she melts into me with a soft sigh.

I groan, gripping her hips as I deepen the contact, tasting the wine on her lips.

On a cold night like this, there's nothing more intoxicating than the warmth of bare skin, the slide of hands over curves, the mingling of breaths in a heated exchange.

My hands roam freely over her body, feeling, kneading, savoring every inch of her softness contrasted against the hard planes of my chest.

Her palm is warm against my face as our lips move in a sensual dance, the room filling with the smacking sounds of impatient kisses.

My dick strains against the confines of my pants, pushing for freedom. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in the moment. Not realizing how much I've wanted this moment, to feel her against me.

My hand cups her plump ass, squeezing, and her moan is like music to my ears. I don't know how much longer I can keep it locked down.

Tati and I stumble from the couch to the floor, our kisses growing more frantic, more desperate. After months of staying celibate, I'm getting down to business, and fast.

We’ve sent pictures.

Her breasts. My dick.

Her pussy with her fingers inside. My dick with me jacking off.

But none of that compares to right now. I grip her neck, holding her close with my tongue down her throat.

She rocks against me, and the heat of her pussy penetrates my pants. I need to be balls deep inside her.

My shirt goes over my head, and I don't miss Tati's eyes widening as she takes in my muscled torso. I kiss a path down her neck, circling my lips around her nipples through the lace as she arches into me.

I think of raising her legs, giving her head, and then fulfilling every fantasy I’ve had about her. Tati's hands rub my chest, charging me up. She stares at the large claw tatted on my chest.

“A wolf claw?”

I nod.

“Why a beast?” Her finger traces the edges, burning the heat of her touch in my skin.

“It’s my twist on a wolf. A symbolizes courage,strength,loyalty, andprotection.” She shivers beneath my intense gaze. “It reminds me of who I am to myself and the people under my care.”

Her beautiful brown eyes round. “And what’s that?”

“I’m a protector, baby.”

She glances away, but not before I feel the soft whisper of her exhale. Her hand continues down the valley of my stomach and brushes the tip of my head.

The room is crackling with sexual tension. I pull Tati's blue jeans off and reach for her panties. In my head, I'm already thinking about how I’ll feel inside her. And I feel I need to play safe here.

I reach for my back pocket for a condom, and Tati freezes.

“You good, ma?”

"Yeah," she whispers. "But you have to be gentle.

An awkward silence descends. It takes me a moment to figure out what she's talking about.

"You're a virgin?"

"Nah," she whispers, a twinge of embarrassment on her face.

“Fuck…” I lean over her and cradle her chin. “Talk to me, Tati.”

She closes her eyes, shaking her head.

All the enthusiasm to make her scream my name goes away. I want to comfort her and protect her more than I need to fuck her.

How is she still a virgin?

“Beauti we don’t have to do this. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.” She’s still shaking her head and a tear slides down her cheek. I catch it with my tongue, and her eyes open.

“There you are.”

“I’m sorry, Beast. I should have…”

I kiss her silent. “This shit don’t change nothing.”

“Then why did you stop.”

"I need you to think about this properly. No pressure." I sit back and bring her up with me. “I think I got some Uno cards around here.”

“Are you fucking serious?”

“Yes, I’m fucking serious. And tomorrow, you’ll thank me.”

She stares at me and drops to the couch. "Are you really gonna leave me hanging?"

I shrug, hiding a laugh. "Let's not rush anything, okay? It's one thing to have casual sex. It's another having casual sex with a virgin."

Tati rolls her eyes and folds her arms on her chest. I lean forward and kiss the tip of her nose.

“I’ll get the cards. You can start the popcorn. The kitchen’s that way.”

Disappointment is boldly written on her face. I head to my junk drawer to find a distraction because we have to take things slow.

Real slow.