The Anti-Social Season (First Responders #2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Seven

“T his okay?” Simon asked as Thea pulled a necklace out of a jewelry box on her dresser. She turned, her face softening as she took in his corduroy trousers, open-necked shirt and navy blazer. He tugged at his lapels and rocked his head from side to side, muscles tight. “Not too casual for Mrs. M’s Boxing Day party? I didn’t pack a tie for my folks’ Christmas.”

She shook her head, abandoning the necklace to reach up and massage the muscles in his shoulders and neck. “No, it’s perfect. Mrs. M may be rich, but her party is kind of eclectic in terms of what people wear.”

“Want me to get that for you?” he asked, sighing with relief as the knots dissolved and gesturing at the necklace still on her chest of drawers, a cascade of glittery silver snowflakes.

“Yeah, thanks. I’m pretty garbage at these stupid clasps.” She gave him a kiss before she tweaked his muscles one more time, then turned her back to him. He looped the chain around her neck, pressing a kiss behind her ear as he met her eyes in the mirror. She shivered and smiled, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, closing his eyes and letting himself—just for a moment—envision the future spooling out in front of them. At one point he’d only been able to see to the end of her training. Then without even realizing it, he’d seen next Christmas. But now he could see even further than that. A life together.

Because he could envision it. And as much as it scared him, he wanted this. Wanted her. Wanted their life to continue together. It felt so incredibly right.

“Ready?” she asked, turning to him, her eyes bright. Maybe a little too bright.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?”

He ran his hands up and down her arms, relishing the moment. “Because you seem kind of emotional.”

She sighed. “I have no chill. I’m sorry. I was just thinking that yesterday was so perfect and wonderful, and I guess I feel like it was so great that there’s no way to go but down from here.”

“Hey.” He captured one flailing hand and brought it to his lips. Her obvious nerves made his own zing with anxiety, but it was his turn to be the sure one. “What we have is wonderful. And it’s only the beginning, so I happen to think it can get even more wonderful. What do you think about that?”

“You really think that?” Her eyes looked huge, her face pale.

“I do. In case you haven’t noticed, I think you’re pretty goddamn awesome, and I want to see just how far all this can go.”

“How far do you think it can go?” Her face had gone a little shy and like she wasn’t quite sure what was happening.

“If we keep talking and supporting each other and doing what we’ve been doing? All the way.”

She smiled, her lips trembling. “You really think so?”

He released her hand to slide his arms around her waist. “Hey. I may be a pretty grumpy perfectionist, but that just means I know a good thing when I see it.”

“Well. I think you’re a pretty good thing too,” she said, lifting a hand to trace one of his cheekbones.

He kissed her again, then pulled back, his gaze solidly on her. “Let’s get to this party. I’m ready to show the world my hot girlfriend.”

It wasn’t the first time Thea had attended Mrs. M’s Boxing Day party, but it was the first time she’d ever come with a date.

No, not even a date. A partner. Someone who was committed. The idea sent a thrill of electricity up her spine.

The big house smelled like spiced hot cider, evergreen and expensive perfume. A shifting mass of people moved from room to room, sampling finger food, sipping drinks and chatting. She’d worried a bit that Simon might retreat into a corner, but he was surprisingly adept at small talk with strangers.

They were just getting their champagne glasses refilled by a passing waiter when Thea heard an exuberant, “There you are!” from across the den with its cozy fire and tree. She looked up to see Mrs. M’s youngest daughter, Katrina, launching herself across the room to give her a huge hug.

“Hey,” Thea said, laughing as Katrina disentangled herself. “Katrina McAnally, this is Simon Osman. My boyfriend.” Another thrill shot through her. Simon had given her so much. A launching pad to her new career, affection, trust...

And, let’s face it, great sex.

Katrina’s face lit up, and she thrust out a hand for Simon to shake. “Oh my god. I am so happy to meet you!” Her expression went serious, and she leveled a finger at him. “You better be good to my friend.”

Simon shook her hand and gave her one of his cautious smiles. “Definitely working on it.”

“Good.” She gave his hand a little businesslike pump before she released him.

“How have you been?” Thea asked. “I haven’t seen you in a while. The job keeping you busy?”

Katrina made a face. “Yes. Kyle has been a total pain lately. The countdown to our CEO retiring is probably going to start any minute, and Kyle thinks he’s the only choice to replace the man. I’ve been putting in the hours to show the board that he’s not.”

“That stinks,” Thea said. She had no real conception of what went into running the McAnally empire, but Kyle’s brand of officious shittiness was not a good quality for any kind of leader.

Katrina sighed. “It’ll all come down to whether the board thinks someone who heads operations,” she said, pointing at herself, “or someone who heads finance has the best qualities to take over the biggest corner office.”

“And I’m guessing that your brother is the money guy,” Simon said.

“Yeah,” Katrina said, flicking an approving glance at him, then she flapped her hand dismissively. “Anyway, enough about that drama. Put out any good fires lately?” she asked Thea, obviously trying to defuse the current situation and not realizing she’d stepped into an entirely different situation.

Thea straightened her shoulders, summoning all the pride in her new role, knowing Katrina would understand. “Nope. I’m the county’s Emergency Services social media manager now.”

At least, she was for now. She hoped she still was in the New Year.

Katrina’s jaw dropped open. “Shut the front door! That’s awesome.”

Thea gestured at Simon. “Yeah, it’s how I met this guy. Well, reconnected with him. We knew each other in high school.” She explained the arrangement the county had struck between the library and ES, and Katrina beamed. “What about you? Anyone new in your life?”

Katrina hooted. “God, no. Too busy to do anything but work. You’d have to knock me out to get me to take my eye off the ball these days. But I love your story. The county thought they were getting some synergy, but they were also fostering a love affair.” She folded her hands over her heart and tilted her head to the side. Then something caught her attention across the room and she hastily excused herself. “Oops. Mom’s calling me over.” Her attention briefly refocused on Thea. “We should get coffee in the New Year. Tell me all the things about your new job and everything else.” She winked at them and dove into the crowd.

“Wow. She’s a lot,” Simon said.

“Too much?” Thea asked, worried that her personality was a little too close to Katrina’s if he did think that.

He took her hand in his, his expression telling her he had an inkling of what made her nervous. “No. In fact, I think Katrina’s apple didn’t fall far from the Mrs. M tree, and you know how I feel about your landlady.”

She tapped her wineglass against his with a gentle chime. “You’re a good egg, Simon Osman.”

They left the party before it started to wind down, trudging across the snowy ground to Thea’s cozy, quiet little home.

“Do you mind if I stay?” he asked after they’d pulled off their boots.

She turned wide eyes his way. “Yeah. If you want to stay, please do. I love having you here.”

He padded over to her, his stocking feet noiseless on the hardwood floor. “And I love being here. But I never want you to feel like you can’t kick me out and have alone time if you need it.”

She reached up, feathering a hand through his hair, and he nearly purred and leaned into it like a cat. “I don’t need so much alone time. But I know you probably do. So, let’s just keep using our words like grown-ups and we should be great.”

“We are great,” he said, grinning and bending to press a fleeting kiss to her lips.

“That we are.”

“Let’s be great in your bed,” he murmured against her lips.

“Good idea.” They started to move like a single clumsy being, still kissing, teeth clicking and Thea giggling as they made their slow way toward her bed. But it was perfect. Messy and raw and tender and perfect. Their clothes came off with soft touches and murmurs, their mouths parting only long enough to peel off a shirt or focus on a recalcitrant button. Then they fell onto her duvet, her breath leaving her in a whoosh as Simon pressed on top of her. She hooked her leg over his hip, and they ground against each other, Thea delighting in the familiarity of his touch, the way his tongue curled into her mouth, his groan and the tightening of his closed eyes as she rubbed against him just that way.

They broke apart just long enough for Simon to get a condom and roll it on. He slid into her, their mouths fusing again, their bodies writhing and rocking. The constant fullness and pressure against her clit was intoxicating, and Thea dug her fingernails into his back and moaned into his mouth. She’d never gotten so close to coming so fast.

“You like that?” Simon murmured, pushing even harder into her.

“Yeah.” She gasped as bright pleasure flared. She bore down around him, seeking that final tipping over, that spangled release, but he slowed, his mouth leaving her to nuzzle her neck, his hips slowing. “Simon.” His name came out as almost a whine.

“Mmm?” Lips and tongue teased the side of her neck, making her shiver, but the imminence of her orgasm was ebbing.

“Simon I was right there .”

He chuckled. “I know.”

She smacked his ass, the noise ringing in the quiet room. “Bastard.” But she was laughing too.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice smooth and seductive in the dimness as his hips began to roll more firmly again and her arousal started to build again, teetering so close...

And another retreat. She groaned and her head thrashed back against the pillow.

“Trust. Me.” This time, his voice was commanding and the tone itself was enough to make her body wind up again. He moved softly inside her for a few more moments, and she willed herself to relax, to give up.

To trust.

“Good girl,” he said, kissing her again and starting to move in a way that made her pant and writhe, and then suddenly she was flying, soaring into the most intense, shattering orgasm she’d ever experienced. Gasping and shuddering, she barely registered Simon following her over the edge with a shout and a rapid pumping of his hips. When she could move her slack limbs again, she clutched at him as he moved off her.

“No sweetheart, I need to deal with the condom,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead while she whimpered as visions of IUDs danced in her head.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good fucking night was her last, loopy thought as Simon returned to the bed and slid in behind her, spooning her close.