Santa Maybe (The Duchess Hotel #1)

Chapter 17

Seventeen

Rosie knew she’d gone too far. She was alone with Drew in her bedroom, clad only in a lacy red bra and panties, an elf costume at her feet. And he was still dressed as Santa. She felt like she was acting out a scene from one of Selena’s steamy holiday romances.

He gave a short laugh. “Is this because I’m wearing the suit? Maybe it’s time you switched to another set of fantasies.”

If she wanted, she could brush off her comment or treat it like a joke. But she’d spent all week thinking about last Saturday’s kisses and aching for Drew’s touch. One time couldn’t hurt, could it?

She stepped out of the costume and pressed her hands against his chest. “This isn’t about the suit. True, you’re the hottest Santa I’ve ever seen, but I don’t want Santa. I want you, Drew Richardson.”

She was trembling all over, afraid he’d turn her down. If asking for a kiss was bending the rules, then begging for more was breaking them completely.

“I want you, too,” he murmured. “But this isn’t part of the deal.”

“It could be, right? Since we’re already friends, why can’t we be friends with benefits? At least until the holidays end?”

Seriously, Rosie? What makes you think you can do this and not get hurt?

She’d never been the type to indulge in casual hookups or one-night stands. For her, giving someone her body usually meant giving them her heart as well. But Drew was right here, and she’d wanted him for weeks. Based on the passion he’d shown her last weekend, she suspected he felt the same way.

“We’ve both been under so much stress,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be nice to shut out the world and blow off a little steam?”

“Hell, yes. But I don’t want to hurt you, especially since I can’t offer you anything more.”

She toyed with the buttons of his Santa coat. “I know. I’m not asking for more.”

Was she shortchanging herself?

No. This would benefit them both. Even if she’d felt a surge of love for him at the shelter, she could lock up those feelings tight. She just wanted to indulge in a little physical pleasure. Surely, she could make that happen without losing her heart to him.

He smoothed his hand against her cheek. “You’re worth so much more than a fling. You know that, right?”

“I do, but right now, this is all I need.” Her breath hitched, but she kept going. “If you’d rather not, I’ll let it go, and we can move on.”

He gave her a wicked grin. “If I’d rather not? Rosie, I’ve been dreaming about this for weeks.” He took her hand and led her over to the flowered armchair that occupied one corner of her bedroom. As he sat down on it, he pulled her onto his lap, just like he had last Saturday. “Now, why don’t you tell Santa what you really want?”

She settled herself against him, her whole body ablaze with longing. Dressed only in her bra and panties, she felt vulnerable and sexy at the same time. Her nipples hardened into tight peaks, demanding his attention. “It’s not about the suit, remember?”

“Maybe not, but I’m going to take full advantage.” He lowered his voice to the sexy growl she loved. “Don’t make me ask again, Rosie Gonzalez. Tell Santa what you want.”

This time, she didn’t hesitate. “I want you to kiss me. Then I want you to take me to bed.”

“That’s a lot to ask from Santa. What are you offering in return?”

“Anything you want.” She kept her voice soft and sultry. “After all, I’m your very best helper elf, here to serve you.”

When he leaned down to kiss her, there was nothing tentative about it. His mouth plundered hers with a rough, demanding kiss that shook her to her very core. If she’d had any doubts that he wanted her, they were gone now. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer and kissed him back with equal ferocity. She nipped at his lip, tasting peppermint on his tongue, barely stopping to breathe. His hard length pressed into her, and she rubbed against him until he groaned loudly.

She wanted all of him. Every inch. Every sensation. Everything. She wanted him deep inside her, pounding into her until she cried out with pleasure. Now that she’d unleashed this part of herself, she didn’t want to hold back.

Feeling bolder, she undid her bra and tossed it aside. Her panties followed soon after. The fur trim of his Santa suit felt so sensual against her bare skin.

She looked up at him, no longer afraid to reveal her deepest desires. “Ever since you showed up at my meeting dressed like Santa, I’ve been envisioning this scenario. Me, sitting on your lap, wearing absolutely nothing.”

With a chuckle, he ran his hand along her bare arm. “Good thing I had no idea, or I would have had a hard-on every time I wore this suit.”

The lust in his eyes was intoxicating. If she parted her legs for him, she had no doubt he’d willingly touch her until she came apart in his arms and shattered into a million pieces. But first, she wanted to drive him over the edge. She eased off his lap and knelt at his feet, then tugged on his pants. “Why don’t you take these off, and then I can show you what a good little elf I am?”

Was it weird to be referring to herself this way? Maybe, but she was caught up in the thrill of role-playing.

“Rosie, you don’t have to,” he said.

“Oh, but I want to. Very much.”

She tugged on his pants until he pulled them down around his ankles. His boxers followed. She inched closer, inhaling his scent before stroking him gently and teasing him with her tongue. His hands twisted her hair with just enough friction to send tingles of desire racing through her. After tormenting him a little longer, she took him into her mouth, enjoying the way he gasped in response. She could hardly believe she was bringing one of her favorite dreams to life.

* * *

Drew had died and gone to heaven. How else to explain his good fortune?

For all the fantasies he’d had about Rosie, he’d never imagined getting to experience this one. The object of his dreams, kneeling naked at his feet, going down on him while he was still dressed like Santa. He released a guttural groan as she took him deeper. Tangling her thick, silken hair between his fingers, he tugged harder until she responded with a noise that was a cross between a moan and a whimper. Fuck, that was hot. Even hotter was the sensation of watching her beneath him, her eager mouth bringing him almost to the brink of ecstasy. He couldn’t wait to bury his head between her legs and return the favor.

Just as he was close to exploding, he let go of her hair. “Rosie, stop. Please.”

She released him and looked up at him with those big, dark eyes. “You can keep going. I don’t mind.”

A tempting offer, but he wanted all of her. “Let me finish inside of you. Please. That way, I can feel your body next to mine.”

She gave him a cheeky grin. “How can I possibly say no to that?”

As she stood to face him, she wobbled slightly, then grabbed the arm of the chair. With her dark hair falling loose around her face, her flushed cheeks, and her gorgeous curves completely exposed, she’d never looked more radiant.

She regarded him with a shy smile. “You’re staring.”

“I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful.” A rush of emotion coursed through him. This wasn’t just a casual hookup. With Rosie, it meant something.

“Thanks. But now it’s your turn, Santa. Time to ditch the rest of your garb.”

“I’d love to.” His pants and boxers were at his feet, so he kicked them off and stood to face her. “Want to help me with the coat?”

She undid the buttons and slid it off his shoulders before pulling his undershirt over his head. Once they were both naked, he took her in his arms. Before they went any further, he needed to make sure this was what she truly wanted.

She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Drew? Are you having second thoughts?”

He caught a whiff of her coconut shampoo as he stroked her hair. “Not unless you are. But I only want this if you’re fully on board.”

“I am. One hundred percent. Come on.” Taking his hand, she led him over to her bed. After flinging back the covers, she rummaged in her nightstand and brought out a couple of condoms. “These should do for now. If we need more, there’s some in the bathroom.”

“Perfect.” He lowered her onto the bed so that her head was nestled against the pillows. “Just lie back and relax, okay? You know how much I love taking care of you.”

She gazed up at him with complete trust in her eyes. “Yes, please. I give you my full consent.”

He took a few seconds to enjoy the sight of her lying beneath him in all her naked glory. He wanted to touch and kiss her everywhere, but he started with her breasts, cupping them with his hands, tweaking her nipples, then sucking on them until she writhed beneath him. He could have spent hours like this, tasting and teasing, but by now, she had to be craving release. He wanted to give that to her.

When he dipped his fingers between her thighs, she was wet and slick and ready for him. He stroked her in slow circles, building up the pressure until she was twisting the sheet in her fists and begging him to keep going. He parted her legs, tasting her sweetness with his tongue, long licks that had her crying out his name. She gripped his hair and bucked beneath him, her entire body shaking as he took her over the edge. Hearing her moan in ecstasy filled him with a swell of pride. When her cries faded to soft whimpers, he trailed kisses up her stomach until he was at eye level with her again.

“That felt so good,” she murmured. “All those months, when I dreamed about you, I had no idea how incredible it would feel in real life.”

“Months?” They’d only been together for five weeks. “What do you mean?”

“I…oops…never mind.”

“Rosie.” He used his stern Santa voice. “When did you start dreaming about me?”

“Um…last year, after we first started working out together? I developed this gigantic, embarrassing crush on you.”

“Last year?” Though she’d occupied his thoughts constantly, he could hardly believe she’d wanted him just as badly.

“I didn’t say anything because I thought it would make things awkward.” She gnawed on her lip, giving him an adorably sheepish look. “Sorry about that.”

Though he was tempted to tease her, he didn’t want her to think her attraction was one-sided. “Want to know a secret? I felt the same way. In fact, I almost asked you to switch trainers because I don’t believe in hitting on my clients.”

“You wanted me, too?” She started laughing. “I never caught on—not once.”

Just knowing they’d shared the same feelings made tonight even more significant. Like they were meant to end up together.

She gave him a goofy grin. “Are we completely clueless or what?”

“We’ll have to make up for lost time.” He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a condom. “Okay if I use this?”

When she nodded, he tore open the foil and put it on. He nudged her legs open a little wider and slid into her, groaning at how satisfying it felt.

She buried her face in his neck. “Yes, Drew. I’ve waited so long for this.”

He moved slowly at first, not wanting to rush her. The sensation was incredible. Her bare skin pressed against his, the alluring scent of her sex, the way their bodies lined up so perfectly, as if they were made for each other. Even better were the little noises she made. Gasps and moans and cries of, “Yes, right there.” He loved that she wasn’t afraid to express herself.

When she dug in her nails, he gripped her butt harder and increased his pace. But as much as he wanted to drive in deeper, he didn’t want to hurt her. “Does that feel okay?”

“Yes, but I want it even harder.” She laughed. “Not like caveman-wild, since this is a cheap bed from IKEA, but don’t be afraid to let go.”

“Fuck, yes.” His breath came in gasps as he thrust into her with more force, and she wrapped her legs around him.

“I’m coming,” she cried out. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

“I’ve got you.” He kept going until she gave a loud wail, and her entire body clenched tight around his. Then the pleasure crested over him in waves, so intense that he was still shuddering when he collapsed on top of her. He couldn’t remember the last time sex had felt this unbelievably satisfying. Not just physically but emotionally as well.

“Oh, Drew.” She let out a blissful sigh. “That was amazing. All the week’s tension, now magically gone. You’re a miracle worker.”

He kissed her forehead. “Glad to be of service.”

Before getting too comfortable, he eased off her, removed the condom, and wrapped it in a tissue. He tossed it into the wastebasket and then settled back in bed beside her.

Pulling the covers around them, she nestled against him. “Can you stay for a while?”

“I’d love to. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

As he held her, a pang of yearning shot through him. He wished this fake-dating, friends-with-benefits setup could turn into something real. A relationship where he could trust her enough to give her his whole heart and know she’d treat it with love and respect.

But he couldn’t quite take that leap.