Naughty or Nice(6)

Taking me out to dinner hadn’t been on my rapidly growing list of fantasies. His sweet gentle words about not hiding from him hadn’t been either. They gave me that tingle, too, and I know that’s definitely not good. It would be easy to part with a man who only sees me as an object to be fucked, but it’s not so easy to walk away from a man like Brian.

I walk away from him, but before I put my foot on the stairs, a hand clamps around my arm and I’m turned around to face him. He walks me backwards and presses me against the wall, and though it’s not hard, I gasp in surprise. I hadn’t even heard him move and every floorboard in this house squeaks; someone his size shouldn’t be able to move so silently. He towers over me and his eyes bore into mine.

“If anyone is playing games, it’s you,” he corrects.

“It’s not a game,” I say softly, but I don’t know if I’m lying or not. I can’t think straight as his hard erection presses between my legs and demands attention.

“You’re right. It’s fucking not.” While I believe his words, I don’t understand them or him.

“What do you want from me?” I tilt my head back, searching for something. Anything. He leans down and I feel the gentle caress of his lips against mine. I can’t stop myself from pressing into his hard length as my mouth opens for him.

“Everything,” he answers, his warm breath tickling my skin.

Then, before I can react, he takes a step back and I’m left leaning against the wall. I miss the heat of his body on mine and his full lips teasing me. My body hums with need and I can’t control it.

“Go get ready.” He lets out a long sigh and runs his hand through his short dirty-blond hair. His tone is final, like he’s annoyed with me, and suddenly I’m out of the lust-filled fog he put me in.

“Whatever.” I walk up the stairs, and this time he doesn’t stop me. I peek over my shoulder at him on my way and all I see are his eyes, dark and hungry on my ass.

I rush up the stairs and into my bedroom before I shut the door and lean against it. My heart pounds and for the first time in a long time I feel alive. I walk over to my dresser and look at myself in the mirror. I pull the baggy shirt off and toss it in the clothes hamper before I go over and grab my blow dryer and start working on my hair. It doesn’t take me long to get ready and when I’m finished I grab my bag.

I glance at the small pile of makeup I’ve owned forever. I never wear it, but I debate for a moment if I should put some on because he told me not to hide. I reach to pick up the mascara but stop before I grab it. I’m supposed to give him what he wants and this is what he asked for.

I glance at my tight red sweater that I should have retired a long time ago. It’s gotten tight on me, but it felt so right. Not only is it Christmas themed with Naughty or Nice written across it, but the chest is sparkly gold. I guess we’ll see which side comes out tonight.





Chapter 4





Claudia





When I come down the stairs, I pause when I see Brian with his cell phone pressed to his ear. “I don’t care. I want it looked at today,” he demands. I find it fascinating how he can be so charming one second then back over to boss man the next. “I’ll text you where I put the key,” he says before ending the call.

Turning, he locks eyes with me and neither of us says a word. His eyes roam over me and I have to stop myself from fidgeting with my sweater and wondering if I look okay. Maybe I should have stuck with the baggy clothes. They were good at keeping men away, but I wanted Brian to find me attractive. The desire for a man is a new feeling for me. He clears his throat after a moment and I can feel myself blush.

“I’m having someone come look at your heater. I think it needs to be replaced.” It takes me a moment to understand what he’s saying because it comes out of left field. It doesn't help that my brain is a mess around him.

“Why?” I ask, finding at least one word in my vocabulary.

“It’s too hot in here. I went down to check on it and the thing is practically on fire. There’s no way they can get it fixed tonight, but Nick’s going to come over and make sure it’s not going to burn the house down in the meantime.”

“Oh god,” I breathe out. Could that really happen? I don’t know anything about furnaces. I thought it was better that it was getting too hot than not hot at all.

“It’s fine, I’m taking care of it. We can’t shut it off fully without risking freezing the pipes and then blowing.” I watch as he puts his cell phone into his pocket and I see a small trace of dirt on his chin.

“You didn't have to do that,” I tell him. It’s sweet that he noticed the furnace was messed up to begin with and even sweeter that he’s trying to fix it for me. I reach up to wipe the dirt from his chin and he leans into my touch. I enjoy the feel of his light beard under my fingertips and how his eyes close for a moment until I speak again.

“But I can’t afford to pay for that.” I start to drop my hand, but he reaches up and takes it in his.

Seeing his big palm wrapped around my wrist makes everything inside of me still. He’s so much bigger than I am and I feel small and delicate with his hands on me. He could easily overpower me and take what he wants. How can I desire that, along with his act of kindness?