A Fate Filled Christmas Read online

  "Mmm." Brie arched into him.

  Rye pulled back with a sudden thought. Wrapping her shirt around her wrists, he proceeded to tie her hands together, checking the tightness to ensure good circulation. Finished with the task, he stared into her face, finding a flicker of concern flash through her expressive hazel eyes. He'd never restrained her before unless you counted the time they were kids when he bound her to a tree.

  "Stay put." With both hands free, he slid down her body, one hand cupping her breast while he nibbled on her collarbone. Slowly making his way farther, he peppered kisses over her breasts, her sternum, down her flat stomach, swirling his tongue around her belly button. "Lift your hips."

  She lifted her chin. "Make me." The purred words lashed his lust like a cherry bomb added to an existing flame.

  His cock tightened to granite hardness with her reaction to the novel game. Grasping the top of the boxers, he shucked them down, rolling her from side to side before freeing them entirely and tossing them aside. He lightly smacked her rear.

  "Don't move unless I tell you." Leaning in, he resumed his sensual torture, taking her breast in his mouth, working the nipple, building her desire.

  "Rye…" She writhed but didn't move her hands from their position flat on the bed above her head.

  "Hmm?" The breast popped out of his mouth.

  "I need…"

  "What do you need?" He turned to the twin globe, sealing his lips over the tip, then gently nipping it. Tightening his reins, he relied on inner strength to draw out the game as long as possible even as the sensual play pushed him right to the edge, his cock demanding attention and release.

  "More. I need more." She panted. "Please."

  Heading south, he licked a trail downward to nuzzle her hip. "Spread, baby."

  She parted her shapely legs. He positioned himself between them in a kneeling position. Leaning over, he licked her parted feminine lips from top to bottom. Hearing Brie gasp, he nibbled around the area before centering his attention on her sensitive clit. Gently, he circled the area with his tongue before brushing directly across, back and forth, up and down.

  "Ohhhhh…"

  Glancing up, he saw her eyes close, head loll to the side. Her hands trembled, but she didn't lift them.

  "Such a good girl. You deserve a reward." He touched the entrance to her core with two fingertips, noting the abundant wetness. With a knowing grin, he slowly pushed his digits inside, feeling her inner heat.

  She sucked in air and whimpered.

  At the limits of his control, he removed his hand, lined up his erection with her core, then leaned forward. Languidly, he joined their bodies, reveling in Brie's snug warmth, the welcoming channel that delivered ecstasy every time he entered. Hitting bottom, he sat unmoving for a few seconds, savoring the sensation.

  Brie wiggled underneath him.

  He pulled back, then thrust forward, lazily at first, but gradually with more power and speed. She lifted and met him on each stroke, their bodies slapping together in an ever increasing rhythm. Moans and heavy breathing filled the room as he pushed them both to a near fevered pitch.

  "Let go, Brie. Fly with me." He lunged forward, feeling the warning tingles in the base of his spine. Covering her body with his, he assumed a push-up position, bracketing her head with his arms. Rapidly driving in and out of her willing body, he nibbled her ear.

  With a groan, Brie went taut, her core clamping down then milking him in a series of strong contractions, each one in distinct timing. Echoing her cry, he fell over the edge with her. Slamming into her a final time, he rode out the short visit to nirvana, delighting in every millisecond.

  When the moment passed, he quickly untied her hands, wrapped her in his arms, and rolled so she now rested on top of him. They both tried to catch their breaths from one of the best sexual experiences he'd ever had.

  Brie lay flush over his body, her breath warming his shoulder as she trembled now and again in aftershocks. He lightly rubbed her back, easing her back down to earth.

  "Damn, vixen." Sated and drained, he didn't think he could move for a long time. Didn't want to either.

  She sat up gingerly, his deflating manhood still lodged inside her depths. Her eyes flashed with longing and playfulness.

  "Again." She grinned down at him and rotated her hips, clenching her feminine muscles on him.

  "I need a moment, here." He blew out a slow breath and bracketed her hips to hold her still. As much as he wanted her, he physically couldn't do anything about it for a few more minutes.

  She rolled her eyes. "One round and you're worn out. And they call women the weaker sex."

  He snorted. "I'll show you weak." With a hearty growl, he pulled her against his chest, then rolled them both over until she rested underneath his larger body once again. He peppered kisses over her breasts, bracing himself with one arm planted near her head.

  She arched into him, thrusting her hips up in demand.

  He chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?"

  Brie smiled up at him. "Love me?"

  "Already do." Leaning down, he sealed his mouth over hers.

  Chapter 7

  Feeling eyes on him, Rye twisted from his location at the corner of the couch, to find Brie staring at him with an intent expression on her face. He'd caught her at least five times in the past half hour completely fixated on him. Not in sexual desire, but something else, as if she puzzled over something pertaining to him. Probably sizing me up for the turkey roaster. After moving in together during the summer, he knew her well enough to tell when her libido ran hot and when she pondered paybacks or yet another silly scheme. Life never came close to dull with Brie around.

  Last night, after she'd met him at the door in a pair of his borrowed boxers and they'd spent most of the evening in a hot marathon sex session, they'd finally raised the white flag in surrender and climbed from the sweat dampened sheets to head toward the kitchen for some much needed hydration and food.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her pick up the book lying on the end table. Without preamble, she opened the cover and began reading.

  He stared at the television screen and waited.

  Sure enough, within a few minutes, her brows furrowed as if she couldn't quite figure out a complex problem. She flipped the book around to check out the front cover, then the back before opening the book once more to where she left off.

  He bit back a grin. Just a little bit longer. Her sweet little romance just stepped up a few notches, straight to erotica.

  "What in the world?"

  Bingo! He turned toward her. "What's wrong?"

  She glanced at him with a frown. "This book. The cover says one thing, the pages say another."

  "Maybe it's one of those novels with more than one story inside?"

  She shook her head. "Nope."

  "What's the story?"

  "Well, it's supposed to be about this teacher falling in love with her next door neighbor."

  "And what are the pages about?"

  A light pinkness covered her cheeks. "Ummm. This man who seems to be a hired escort who goes to a woman's house and…" Her voice faded into silence.

  "A male escort? Going to women's houses and having sex?"

  "Yeah, I guess." She looked at the pages once more.

  "Graphic sex with them? Details? Maybe you should read it to me."

  Brie paused a second, then swiveled her head to stare at him, her eyelids narrowing. "What did you do?"

  He feigned innocence. "Me? I didn't buy that book, you did." He could almost see the wheels turning in her mind.

  Her eyes widened as her mouth fell open in shock. "Oh my god. You did something. Turned my nice book into a flaming porno."

  The comical expression on her face breached his stern control. Chuckles slipped out, followed by full-blown belly laughter.

  She threw the book at him, hitting him square in the chest. "You. You… porn addict."

  "What?" He caught the book, opened the
cover, and started reading out loud. "Her lips wrapped around his generous mushroom head…"

  "Ugh. It's bad enough you had me inadvertently watching porn, now you have me reading and listening to it. What is wrong with you?" Brie shook her head, placed a pillow on her lap, and pointedly ignored him.

  "Hey, nothing wrong with naked people participating in carnal activities. You happen to like doing just that with me. Like the closet bondage pot calling the porn kettle black."

  "I…" She sputtered.

  The doorbell rang. Still grinning like an amused hyena, he sat the book aside and walked to the door, checking the peephole.

  "Oh, good grief." He couldn't believe what he saw. Thelma stood in a red outfit that appeared three sizes too small. Instead of a fat Santa, she resembled Santa's wife with a decided bulge in her pants. He didn't dare linger or dwell on the sight for fear he would choke on his own spit.

  Jane, on the other hand, could have passed for Mrs Santa in a traditional red and white outfit except for her clashing pink-tinged hair. Together, they drew attention and made him want to beat his head on the front door.

  "Who is it?" Brie strode over, stopping a few feet away.

  Shooting her a quick glance, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Thelma. Jane. Or should I say Mrs Claus and… Santa?"

  The ladies stepped inside, grinning at Brie. Though pleasant and caring, the nosey neighborhood ladies always spelled trouble for him since the day they'd labeled him impotent, the rumor flying through nearby houses in record time.

  Jane, dressed as Mrs Claus, held out a tin. "Here you are, dear. We baked cookies, trying to find the perfect recipe for the Christmas social."

  Brie accepted the gift. "Thank you. I'm sure they're delicious. What's with the outfits?"

  Jane grinned. "It's our night to volunteer at the mall. Let the kids tell us what they want for Christmas."

  Thelma tugged at her red suit, the material snug over her rounded figure. "Dag nabbit. I told you not to wait until the last minute to rent a costume, Jane. This outfit is going to drive me insane all night long." She reached around and pulled at her pants. "My panties are wedged in my butt crack. Tell me again why we couldn't both be warm and comfortable in a Mrs Santa costume?"

  Jane shook her head. "Because you would have to explain to the children why Santa had two wives."

  "How Mormon of you." Rye's lips twitched at the ridiculous looking woman.

  Thelma pinned him with a look. "Jane got the best costume. I got what was left at the shop after a freaky run on Santa costumes." She plumped her overly large bosom. "Do you think my boobs are too big? Or hang too low? I wore my best WonderBra, but I'm not sure it's up to the task."

  He sputtered. They were worried about the kids being confused over Santa's two wives. He would bet they would be more concerned with the fact that Santa wore a 40 FF bra.

  The white beard rested on top of her elevated cleavage, serving as a small table.

  "I stuffed a sock in my pants, to balance out my cleavage. It's rubbing something dreadful, not to mention a bit awkward when you try to sit down. The silly thing sticks straight up, like a man just out of prison, standing at attention near a whole group of young women." She yanked at her rear again. "Do you think the sock is too much?"

  His mouth opened and shut. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brie slap a hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing merrily in amusement. Yeah, he would get her back. Later.

  "Maybe a bit much." Rye looked anywhere but at the woman's groin.

  "I thought so." Thelma dug in her drawers and pulled out a long tube sock. "Much better."

  His eyes bulged. "You were gonna wear that? No wonder your underwear gave you a wedgie."

  Her gaze fell to the rolled up sock that had to reach eight inches in length. "I didn't want to shortchange Santa." She glanced down to his jeans.

  He shot her a discouraging glare. They already covered his endowment issue months ago. No way would they revisit it now.

  "Go ahead, dear, try the cookies. We're selling them to raise money for some of the charities." Jane waved her hand at Brie.

  Dutifully, Brie opened the tin, her eyes widened and mouth gaped open. "Holy guacamole." She held up a treat for inspection. "It's a little penis."

  Rye blinked and swallowed. Stepping over, he gazed into the box, finding several matching creations, all green with a rainbow of colored bows painted on. Plucking one, he held it up, turned it this way and that, in complete disbelief.

  "With an icing bow."

  "Ummm. Why is it so green?" Brie asked.

  Jane shrugged. "I was going to make Christmas trees but changed my mind. A little food coloring goes a long way, you know."

  "Uh huh." Brie shook her head. Slowly, she lifted the cookie to her mouth and took a bite off the end.

  Rye cringed.

  Her face lit up. "Actually really good. Once you get past the shape and color."

  Thelma beamed. "Excellent. We'll make tons more of them. I'm sure they'll be the talk of the social in a couple of days."

  Talk of the town for a month, too.

  "We're still working on the color. Can't decide to leave them plain or perhaps try for pink or even a light blue."

  Rye puffed out a breath, still stuck in a near out-of-body moment. "Plain. Trust me."

  Chapter 8

  Signing his name, Rye quickly closed the file and sighed with relief. One more Christmas thief behind bars and presents returned to the families he'd stolen them from. Unfortunately, the judge would probably give the guy a slap on the wrist instead of the harsh flogging the man needed. Stealing from children. The lowest of the low in his opinion.

  Much more up Jingle's alley than drugs. Elves could be expected to pinpoint Christmas thieves, after all. Maybe, like old Kris Kringle, they could tell the naughty from the nice. He snorted and shook his head at his ridiculous train of thought. However the self-proclaimed elf knew these things, he didn't know or understand, but he sincerely doubted Christmas magic had anything to do with it.

  "Good job on tracking down that thief." Gary slapped him on the shoulder.

  "Thanks."

  Plopping down in the chair across from Rye, Gary leaned back and crossed his legs at the ankles. "Still don't know how you got the idea he worked out of the secondhand shop. Brilliant strategy, though. Steal presents, then re-sell things down the road."

  Rye shrugged. "An informant gave me the name. After that, it was a matter of old fashioned legwork. I wouldn't have made the connection except for the pink tricycle. I recalled it being on the list of stolen goods. Besides, a secondhand store wouldn't have such a toy in pristine condition. No way. The fact alone raised red flags."

  "Well, you made some people happy today."

  "A good day." Shutting down his computer, Rye tossed the finished file in a wire basket to be picked up and filed later.

  "So have you decided what you're getting the minx yet?"

  The corner of Rye's mouth hitched up. Gary had had a thing for Brie from day one. Good thing he didn't try to poach, or they'd be rolling on the headquarters floor in a wrestling match.

  "I have a couple of ideas."

  "Such as?"

  Quirking an eyebrow, Rye stared at the redheaded man with brown freckles. "Awfully nosey, aren't you?"

  Gary shrugged. "Maybe I have some quality ideas."

  "So spill."

  He shook his head. "Nope. Tell me what you're getting her first."

  Intrigued, Rye decided to play along. Play being the operative word. "I thought about some lingerie."

  His partner steepled his fingers and tapped his chin. "And?"

  "Maybe a DVD or two."

  "Is that it?" Gary's eyebrows shot up.

  Hiding a grin, Rye pretended indifference. "She has everything else. Besides, she warned me not to spend much money."

  "And you believed her?"

  "Well, yeah."

  "Shit, buddy. Here I thought you were the next best thing to Romeo.
Right now, I'd say you were on the same level as Donald Duck."

  "As I recall, Daisy didn't complain."

  Gary threw his hands up in the air. "Dumb as a rock." Uncrossing his long legs, he leaned forward. "Listen up. Women like pretty things, especially jewelry. You want to put a smile on Brie's face, give her something that sparkles."

  Unable to resist, Rye opened the middle drawer in his desk and pulled out a small velvet box. Opening the lid, he stuck the object under his friend's nose. "Like this?"

  Gary's mouth fell open. "Is that…?"

  "Yeah."

  With a chuckle, the redhead shook his head. "Guess you don't need my help after all."

  "Already had it covered, but thanks anyway." With a grin, Rye palmed the box and shoved it in his pocket. "On that note, I'm off."

  "Let me know how it turns out."

  Standing, Rye nodded. "Will do." Spinning on his heel, he walked out of the building and straight to his truck.

  Twenty minutes later, he stood in the middle of the ladies' department of a local clothing store thumbing through lingerie. When he told Gary he intended to buy Brie a couple of sexy nighties to add to her small collection, he didn't fib. Since she wouldn't take the initiative to do so herself, he decided to step up to the plate, find something they'd both like, and present them to her for one of her holiday gifts. A gift that would keep on giving.

  Brie. A year ago he would have never guessed he'd be living with her. Heck, he'd just about forgotten she existed until his aunt and her aunt collaborated and set him up to stay with her when his plumbing burst and caused major water damage to most of his house, leaving him homeless for several weeks while repairs took place. As much as he'd dreaded moving in with the girl he hadn't seen in a few years, he now cherished the time.

  Sure, the little squirrel kept him on his toes, dyed his underclothes pink, accused him of being a peeping tom, even nearly klonked him upside the head with his own boot when he snuck back in the house in the middle of the night after checking out a noise. She also proved giving, thoughtful, and courageous to the core. Not to mention sexy as hell and playful as a puppy at times. To top it off, she willingly walked into the line of fire not once, but twice, helping solve cases and save lives at the risk of her own. Even injured, she refused to crumble. Instead, she dealt with the event as she did everything else, with inner fortitude and sheer guts.