Christmas Eve by Flame Arden Read Free Book Online Page A

toes and Nick was delighted to see that by the time she finished the syrupy treat, her cheerful smile had returned.
    He wasn't about to pry. Why should he? Like the many women who'd preceded Eve, she was just passing through his life. He cared little about what had put the somber look in her eyes earlier. She was fine now, her artless joy over the simple things like jazz and ice cream unaccountably refreshing to him. So much so, he found himself wanting to do more for her.
    In a class by herself,  for tonight Eve belonged to him. He watched as she scraped the last cherry-flavored cream from her bowl and licked both sides of the spoon. Her pink tongue darted out again, teasing him, as she wrapped it around the shallow curve of the spoon. She even licked partway up the handle, causing Croupier to come to attention, and he was certainly no saint.
    To Nick's disappointment, Eve's tongue disappeared back into her mouth and she sighed.
    "Want more?"
    "Maybe later," she said like a little child keeping her options open.
    Nick grinned. "Ready for another round?" he asked, taking the bowl from her, then reaching for Eve's hand.
    She looked taken aback.
    Well, what had she expected? A man didn't pay a party girl to sleep.
    He strode to the kitchen with their dishes, then hurried back to Eve.
    "Sorry," he said in a guttural whisper. "I usually pride myself in possessing a modicum of sexual finesse, but I worded that poorly. I have no intention of apologizing for wanting to fuck you, though. You'll be more comfortable in the living room."
    Taking her elbow, he helped Eve rise, then flipped the switch controlling the blower.
    A quiet hush fell in the room.
    He had discarded his apron in the kitchen, and as she placed her hand on his arm, Croupier tented Nick's robe and drew Eve's eye. She inhaled a surprised breath.
    "This is what you had in mind, isn't it?" he murmured, making no effort to hide his need.
    "It is now." Eve swallowed, her gaze warm on his face.
    She reached a tentative hand out to the tented fabric and gently fondled his dick, her eyes rounded as if she were intimidated by Croupier's length. Another good job of acting, but hot damn , her expression made Nick feel even more of a man.
    There would be no going slow this time. For the next little while, patience was a virtue he chose to ignore.
    Thanks to his rampant libido, the hall seemed needlessly long and his forbearance short. Clamping his hand over hers on his arm, he changed direction and began tugging Eve down the hall toward his room, then brought himself up short.
    He also prided himself on his smoothness with women, but tonight was making an ass of himself. At least Eve hadn't objected. Not yet, anyway.
    As they stepped over the threshold and into his room, he wondered what it was about her that made him as eager as a horny teen with a willing virgin.
    Slow down. No drive-by shootings tonight. Save those for another time .
    A sophisticated lady like Eve deserved his careful attention. He was determined to seduce her until her toes curled, making her insensate with desire before he took her this time. He'd reap his pleasure from hers.
    The belt of the robe he'd loaned her wrapped twice around Eve's waist and was as good a place as any to start. She'd secured the belt in a neat bow which he quickly dispensed with to get to the present beneath all those wrappings.
    Slow down .
    Nick rested his chin on her head, closed his eyes and inhaled Eve's seductive fragrance while he planned his sensual assault. He'd already invaded her space to unwrap the belt. Might as well let his hands brush her breast, a feather-light touch that incited a riot in his own blood.
    She inhaled sharply. He ground his hips. Made her intimately aware of his rigid cock prodding her in the navel. In all his engorged glory, Croupier wanted to play.
    So did Nick .
    He stepped back and with the gentle encouragement of his fingers, Eve's oversized robe slid to the floor. At last she stood before him,