“Never,” he breathed against my lips before he sealed his mouth to mine.
My brain told me to fight him, to push him away and kick him in the balls. Who knew where that mouth of his had been recently?
But my heart gave a happy little scream, and I melted against him, kissing him back hungrily. His hands cupped my ass, lifting me up. My fingers thrust into his hair, while my legs automatically went around his waist, causing my dress to hike up until his cock was pressed right against my soaked core.
“Fuck yeah, baby,” he groaned as I cried out into his mouth when he rubbed against my clit. “That sound is the sexiest thing I have ever heard. As soon as I get back, I’m going to find out exactly what you sound like when I make you come all over my cock.”
The only response I could muster was a weak little whimper as I rubbed myself against his hardness.
“Really not the sight I was expecting—or even wanting—to see tonight.”
My head snapped up at the sound of Lyric’s voice. I glanced around and saw him and Mila standing on the sidewalk. Mila had a tired but amused smile on her face, but my cousin was looking at us with a disgusted frown.
Still breathing hard from our kiss, Jordan shot him a glare. “No one told you to look, Thornton.”
Lyric snorted. “Kinda hard not to see you two going at it like that, man. Maybe you should take this somewhere else before one of the parentals sees you two.”
My body felt like it was on fire, but reality was setting in and making me cool off way too quick. I started to shiver, and Jordan set me on my feet. “I-I should go,” I stuttered.
“Night, Arella,” Mila called, tugging her husband toward his parents’ house.
“N-night,” I muttered, moving to get into my car.
Once I was seated, Jordan crouched down beside me and cupped my face. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone this time, but I swear it is going to be the last time unless you go with me.”
“Jordan—”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he cut me off. Leaning in, he brushed a kiss on my cheek, and I had to clench my hands around the steering wheel to keep from pulling him in for another deep kiss. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
Five
Arella
Since my little brother didn’t believe in Santa any longer, we didn’t have to wake up ridiculously early to open presents at my parents’ house, so I didn’t arrive at their house until lunchtime the next day. I was just in time to help Mom make a huge brunch for everyone before we gathered in the living room to exchange gifts.
Ever since Daddy had spent one Christmas in the hospital recovering from his liver transplant, I hadn’t taken spending this particular holiday with my family for granted. I wanted to make the most of every minute I had with any of them, and I wasn’t going to waste a single second.
Pushing all thoughts of Jordan and the stalker out of my mind, I enjoyed the day with my siblings, brother-in-law, and parents. Cuddling with Conrad was the best part, though, and I fell asleep on the couch with him on my chest. The sweet baby scent filled my nose, and his slight weight and the utter trust he had in me to love and protect him had my eyes drifting shut to the sight of his precious face.
“Arie.” My dad’s voice roused me from my restful sleep as he lifted my nephew off my chest. “Time for dinner, sweetheart.”
Other than the nap I’d taken the night before with Luca, this was the most I’d actually slept since I’d gotten the first package from the stalker. I couldn’t close my eyes for longer than an hour or two at a time because I was always scared someone was watching me. Even in my hotel room, I couldn’t get comfortable, thinking the stalker could possibly find me at any moment.
I could have told Nevaeh and Braxton and gotten a bodyguard within minutes, but I knew my sister would tell one or both of our parents, and I just couldn’t stomach the thought of either of them stressing over me. I wouldn’t be responsible for my dad worrying himself sick, and Mom was just starting to get back to herself after losing Pop-Pop.
Besides, I was an adult. I could deal with all of this on my own. And it was just two