Lovers by Christmas: Read Online Free PDF Page A

head back while the orgasm tore through every nerve in her body, stealing her soul, triggering a detonation of pleasure.
    “Thea…” He grunted, locking his mouth on her nipple and sucked hard, coming inside her. “You’re mine…you’re mine,” he whispered.
    When she released her grip, he brought his mouth to hers, both trembling from the aftermath. Breathless, she continued rocking her hips while the intense orgasm ebbed away, little by little. Her eyes were watery, her heart thundered, and she was covered in sweat, but she was lost in a state of lingering euphoria. She had the insane urge to weep, and thank him.
    Sex never made her want to do that before.
    Kenner wrapped his arms around her, setting the side of his face on her breast. Something that good shouldn’t make her want to cry, but a tear escaped anyway. She smeared it away on the top of his head. He’d never know how much he moved her.
    When they finally cooled down and disentangled themselves, her senses returning, she gasped when she realized they hadn’t used protection. How could she forget? How could he?
    As if he could hear the exclamations of worry in her head, he kissed her shoulder and whispered, “Shh. Come here.”
    She briefly closed her eyes against the despair of carelessness. It wasn’t wise to have sex with a virtual stranger without condoms, even if she did use birth control. Too exhausted to think of the possible penalty of that huge slip-up, she let Kenner maneuver her into a spooning position, and slide his foot between hers, holding her so tight, she didn’t think she could escape even if she wanted to.
    And she didn’t. For the moment.
    Thea woke up hours later, forgetting for a second where she was.
    The bedroom was bright with morning light, the sheer curtains letting in what sun the ever-moving Bay clouds would allow.
    With a sleepy moan, she sat up and realized she was alone in the giant bed. She bit her bottom lip, blinking, and raked a hand through her tangled locks. “Kenner?”
    His bathroom door was open and empty. There were no sounds of feet shuffling on the floor or clangs from the kitchen. Where did he go? Had he left her alone in his apartment? Talk about trust.
    Sudden panic gripped her. The kind only the morning after a night of impulsive decisions could bring.
    She should leave.
    Isn’t that what people usually did after a one-night stand? Left before either of them had to endure any awkward goodbyes? Last night was incredible and unforgettable and…never to be repeated. Maybe he left so he wouldn’t have to talk to her?
    She scrambled to get dressed. Grabbing her shoes and clutch, she rushed down the hall, glancing at the clock to see it was barely seven a.m.
    Heart racing, she shoved one shoe on her foot, then the other, and walked quickly to the door, hand on the doorknob.
    She stopped, and closed her eyes.
    What was she doing? She didn’t want to leave. How could she bail like this after what they’d shared last night?
    The things they’d said to each other, even though there were very few words, seemed significant and sincere. They weren’t words of lust or command. He’d call her “mine” and she’d shockingly uttered that she could love him. But…those were said during and after passion. Words that couldn’t be trusted.
    And he couldn’t be trusted either. He’d lied about himself and so had she. Last night had been a game between two people attracted to each other, ending in pleasure like she’d never known, but she couldn’t hope for something more. That wasn’t how this worked.
    If she left now, then they would each have nothing but the wonderful memory of what they shared.
    She unlocked and opened the door. She sent his apartment once last glance before she left, heart already aching with regret she wasn’t staying.
    ***
    When Kenner returned to his building with some bagels and coffee, he was practically dancing his way to the door. From the second he woke up and saw her in bed