I glanced at Lucy, huddled in her seat. She was too quiet.

“Thanks for helping us pick and decorate the trees. I think the girls had more fun with you there. I actually think they like you more than me now.”

She snickered. “Well, of course, they do. I am prettier than you are and I can make chocolate treats!”

I smiled, relieved that she wasn’t entirely defeated. “That you are.”

As I drove, images of Lucy writhing beneath me half naked pushed their way into my mind. I shouldn’t be thinking about how good she felt in my arms, how good her lips tasted, how much I wanted to devour the rest of her. She was distressed. I should be comforting her, not wanting to tear her clothes off but I couldn’t help it.

When we got to her house, and I sat in the living room, my eyes kept straying to the couch where I almost made Lucy mine. I needed to think about something else, quick before my hard-on became too obvious.

“Do you want to talk about what you told me earlier?”

Lucy sighed. “Not really. Please, don’t tell Eric.”

“Why would I? It’s your business to share. But at least let me help you.”

“No. Case closed.”

“Damn it, Lucy. Why are you being so difficult? Look how much you’ve been helping me over the last few weeks. I accepted your help cause I knew I needed it. Can’t you swallow your pride and do the same? Think of it as me repaying you.”

She jumped up, eyes ablaze. Oh no, I’d stirred her up. Lucy was a gentle soul, but when she was pissed, she grew claws.

“Me cooking you a few meals and helping with the girls doesn’t add up to thousands of dollars. I don’t want yours or anyone’s charity,” she hissed. “Besides, you didn’t ask for my help with anything. I volunteered.”

“And I accepted. Do me a favor and accept mine.” I don’t know why I too was on my feet and in her face. It made me angry that she refused my help. I wanted her to be all right financially and in every way.

A stare down ensued. My anger began transforming into something else as my gaze dropped to her pouting mouth. It soon became pure lust. Tension crackled in the air. I could practically hear it. Her eyes turned a deeper blue, swirled with need, which made my dick jump in response.

Lucy blinked and took a retreating step. “You should go.”

“You don’t want me to.”

“You should get back to the girls. Joanne will be waiting.”

“They’re fine. Joanne will understand.”

Was I really going to give in to temptation and cross—no, leap—over the line with Lucy? She made a little whimpering sound that drove me over the edge. She wanted me; I wanted her. Damn the consequences. If I didn’t get another taste of her, I would go mad with desire.

“Ryan, you should go,” she whispered again.

"Tell me you really want me to go."

"I want you to…" she trailed off but couldn't finish the sentence.

Before my senses kicked in, I'd closed the distance between us, slipped my hands over her cheeks and pulled her into a kiss.

“You want me to what, stop kissing you?” I breathed.

“No… don’t stop.”

All trace of willpower to do the right thing flew out the window with those words. I hoisted Lucy into my arms and made my way up the stairs. I’d never made it up the stairs of her house before that night. “Bedroom?”

“Over there,” she gasped. “Second door to the left. Are you sure about this?”

“Definitely. You?”

She nodded.

“Good, then no more talking.”

As soon as her feet touched the carpet, I was helping her out of her clothes. Off went the sweater, followed by the jeans leaving her in lacy black lingerie. My breath hitched. After that night, anytime I looked at Lucy, I would picture her in sexy underwear. I removed the bra then slid her panties down her hips. Before going any further, I had to step back and take a look at the present I’d unwrapped.

“Merry Kissmas to me,” I murmured. Her entire body flushed. “Amazing.” This was what Lucy kept hidden the entire time? Soft curves in all the right places. I pulled at her hair, releasing it from the ponytail. The silky raven tresses spilled down to her back. “My beautiful Snow White,” I said, making her smile.

“You haven’t called me that in a while.” Her gaze ran over me. “I want to see you too,” she whispered.

I obliged and shrugged out of my clothes. When I had just my boxers left, she stepped forward. The slight brush of her hands near my crotch almost sent me over the edge. My cock sprang free, jutting toward her. The way she gazed and licked her lips elicited images of her on her knees with her sweet mouth wrapped around me. I nearly came on the spot. Stifling a groan, I instructed her to lay down.

Lucy, naked, sprawled on her bed, mine for the taking was a beautiful sight. Looming over her, I looked into her eyes, looking for any sign of uncertainty. There was none. Her lovely blue orbs were glazed with passion. I kissed her, deep and long before moving lower to lavish attention on her breast, and lower still, closer to what I was eager to taste. My mouth grazed her mound, and she jerked.

“Ryan, wait!”

I froze. If she told me to stop I would but, it would be one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just...” Her cheeks burned red. “I’ve never... no one has ever... Oh, my God, this is so embarrassing.” She moved her hands to cover her face, but I stopped her.

“You’ve never done this before? Had oral sex?”

“No,” she squeaked. “It just you know, never happened.”

I grinned at her effort to be nonchalant.

"You’re laughing at me.”

“No. Never. I’m surprised, but I’m glad I get to give you your first experience.”

“In more ways than one…” she breathed

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” she answered too quickly.

I was suspicious, but the need to taste her was overwhelming. “Open for me, Lucy.” Her breathing quickened as her legs parted wider.

Resting her thighs on my shoulders, I inhaled her feminine scent with a moan. Her arousal was intoxicating. It excited me, turned me on to a higher level. My tongue darted out, tested the waters, and circled her clit. She cried out, lifted her hips. Then, I dove in. I licked back to front, circled her sensitive bud then repeated. She thrashed and panted my name, nearly rising off the bed when my tongue slid between her pussy lips.

“Oh, my God, Ryan. That feels amazing.” Her words were filled with wonder.

If my face wasn’t buried between her legs, I would have laughed. Instead, I increased the pressure of my strokes to show her how much more amazing things could get. She let out a scream. Ah, Lucy was a screamer. Interesting. Could I make her scream until her voice gave out? With the wicked thought in mind, I went to work. With my tongue applying pressure to her clit, I slid two fingers between her slit and began to stroke her sweet spot. Her pussy muscles clamped around my fingers. Another scream. I smiled. She was close, I could feel it.

“Come for me, Lucy,” I growled. As if her body was in tune with my command she convulsed, and I had to clamp arms around her thighs to keep her in place. Her cry bounced off the walls, fueled my arousal.

Making my way upward, I found her mouth, kissed her so she could taste how delicious she was.

“How was your first time?”

She stared at me wide-eyed, dazed. “I love y— I loved it.”

It was time to make her completely mine. Easing between her legs, I rubbed my throbbing cock against her center. Right before I plunged in, I remembered to use protection. With a curse, I jumped up.

“No,” Lucy gasped her face crestfallen.

I kissed her mouth. “Relax, baby, just getting a condom.”

“Oh. Right.” She flushed the lovely shade of pink that I liked so much.

Sheathed and back between her legs, I murmured, “Ready?”

“I’m a virgin,” Lucy blurted out. She appeared just as surprised as I felt.