All I Want For Christmas Is You - Penelope Ward Page 0,27

Cass was out cold, face pressed to the back of the sectional. Evan had removed her own coat and scarf and stood up from sitting at Cass’s hip.

My eyes lowered and I felt my hot blood travel south.

I’d never seen Evan wear anything so daring.

But then I guessed I didn’t know everything about her.

The red velvet dress was perfect to celebrate Christmas. But it wasn’t the kind of dress she could wear at her family Christmas get together, that was for damn sure. The dress had long sleeves, but that was where any demureness ended. It had an exaggerated deep V-neck that Evan might have assumed wasn’t overtly sexy because she was so small breasted. She’d be wrong. The hemline hit her mid-thigh and the velvet clasped tightly to the curves of her hips. For such a small woman, she had great fucking legs. Strong thighs, slender legs, shapely calves, slim ankles.

All lengthened by sexy, gold strappy heels.

“You look amazing,” I blurted out without thought, dazedly handing her a bottle of water.

Evan’s eyes widened a little at the compliment. “Uh, thanks.”

I had to drag my fucking eyes off her hips. Trying to focus on Cass, I asked, “She seems okay.” I placed the bottle of water on the coffee table near her.

“Aye, she’ll be fine,” Evan muttered. “Thanks again.” She looked around the room, her gaze stopping on the bank of windows. “Your place is fantastic.”

I was pretty pleased with my flat. I was glad she liked it. “Thanks.”

She turned to me and teased, “Pity you don’t spend more time here.”

If I had you in my bed, I might.

Thankfully, I didn’t say that out loud, but I might as well have for the thick sexual tension that sprung between us as we gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Tea,” I blurted out.

Evan blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

“Do you want a cup of tea?”

“Oh. Yeah, sure.”

Grateful to have something to do, I busied myself in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, when I returned, Evan was sitting on the opposite arm of the sectional to Cass, the coffee table between her and her unconscious friend whose soft snores now filled the room. That wasn’t the unfortunate part.

The unfortunate part was that sitting down caused the velvet dress to strain across her thighs and shift upward, revealing more of her olive-toned legs.

She wasn’t wearing any tights.

Fuck.

Even though it was tempting disaster, I sat down close beside her, inhaling the oriental perfume that I’d bought her. Feeling territorial, I couldn’t meet her eyes as I handed her a hot mug.

“Were you at work when Patrick called?” she asked.

I nodded.

Silence fell between us. Usually our silence was comfortable.

Not now. The air crackled between us with that tension.

I wasn’t even shocked when Evan said bluntly, “Did I do something?”

I forced myself to meet her gaze. “What?”

She wrinkled her nose in consternation. I wanted to press a kiss to the tip. “You’ve been aloof with me lately. Even a little irritable.”

Hearing the sadness in her tone, I cursed myself for being such a bastard. “It’s not anything you’ve done. It’s me. I’m sorry.”

“Has something happened? Can I help?”

For a moment I couldn’t speak. The overwhelming need to pull her into my arms and tell her just holding her would do the trick was intense. And hard to fight. I felt huge next to her on that couch. She’d be light and fragile in my arms. Except for those luscious thighs. I could almost imagine them gripping my hips as I thrust up into her as she straddled me.

God, she’d be small and tight.

Would she even be able to take me?

Feeling myself grow hard and almost dizzy at the thought, I stood abruptly and wandered over to the window. Willing the heat out of my body before I lost control, I sipped at my tea and tried to think of things that disturbed me. Like the time Pat and I walked in on Pat and Evan’s parents fucking in the kitchen when we were twelve.

We were supposed to be staying at my house that night and had surprised them.

Scarred for life.

All four of us.

“Reid.” Evan sidled up next to me, her perfume driving me nuts.

She was driving me nuts.

This was ridiculous.

I was seconds from grabbing her up in my arms and taking her into the bedroom.

“How’s Pat doing?” I asked, trying to distract myself.

If the subject change confused her, she didn’t say anything. “Haven’t you two spoken recently?”

“I’ve been busy. I keep meaning to call …”

“He’s fine. In Aberdeen for a medical conference. And