was almost coming
with his words, never mind any actions. "Dream on. Talk, not show,
remember? This time, it's all words, not actions."
He laughed. "This time. I like that."
Bollocks. Foot in mouth.
She didn't say anything and tried not to listen to his
amused chuckle. Carol, the cautious one, had always said her habit of opening
her mouth before her brain engaged would get her into trouble one day.
Instead, she ducked under his arm, well aware he chose
to let her, walked though the utility, which had a freezer and washing machine
in it, and into the kitchen.
It was scented with pine and spices and was oh so
Christmassy. In one corner, a tiny real tree, decorated with glittering white
baubles and lights, sat on a table. Above the Aga, an old-fashioned pulley—or
dolly-maid clothes airer, as they were sometimes called—hung from the ceiling
with a silver icicle on the end of each of the slats. Mac followed her gaze.
"Interesting, isn't it," he said. It wasn't
a question. "Such a great mix of ropes and slats. I have another one in my
room, without the decorations."
As a conversation stopper, that took the gold star.
Holly gaped at him.
"I don't use it for drying clothes either,"
he said with a hint of humor in his voice. “So far, it's untouched, but I'd
like to rectify that."
Holly's skin tingled, and sharp stings of excitement
bombarded her. She rubbed her legs together as a fresh gush of excitement sent
her juices into overdrive. At this rate, it wouldn't just be her underwear that
was soaked. How on earth could she deny him anything?
"Really?" She tried for nonchalance and was
sure she missed it by a mile. "Instead of a wardrobe maybe?"
Mac laughed. "Minx. Come on. Let's have a glass
of wine and sit by the fire. Then I promise I'll talk to you. Just talk until
you say different. I know." He held his finger over her mouth as she
opened it to come back with a smart retort. "I mustn't presume."
Holly couldn't help herself. She nipped the digit—not
hard—and then ran her tongue over the spot. He narrowed his eyes.
"Fuck it, Holly. Do not do that."
His voice had taken on a tone of command. Her body
responded like a flower to sunlight, and she swayed toward him with a breathy
sigh.
Oh yes.
"Argh,
Holly. You are so testing my patience, lady, and around you, it's pretty near
nonexistent anyway. Go sit in the lounge. Through that door there. And shut up.
Please, or I'll forget every promise I've made you and myself and fuck you five
ways till Friday."
The look of frustration on his face combined with the
throb in her clit made her decide to do as he asked. She needed to get her feet
out of the instruments of torture laughingly called shoes, and wriggle her toes
as near to the fire as she could without getting chilblains. The thought was
blissful as she nodded and walked away from him. Holly decided to ignore his
muttered, "Thank the fuck for small mercies," and the way his hand
slipped under the top of his jeans to adjust his cock. After all, she was going
to have to pull her thong out of her clit and ass as soon as she could.
Chapter
Four
Mac watched her go and knew he had a scowl on his
face. He had never had such a prolonged hard-on without easing it since he was
a randy teenager and...yeah, had lusted after Holly Collette Winters. It had
been just as well, he thought as he un-corked a bottle of alcohol free
wine—he’d save the merlot for when she confirmed no play, just chat—that she
was Noel's sister. Because of that, it had been hands off. As a randy,
hormone-fueled eighteen-year-old with more than a passing interest in all
things BDSM, he'd promised Noel he wouldn't touch her until they were older. He
didn't think either of them expected he'd have to wait ten years. Was she still
a virgin? Although he couldn't expect she'd waited—after all, he wasn't—Mac had
no idea for sure, but thought she could well be. She didn't act like someone
who knew everything.
And how would that