Naughty Bride For Christmas

CHAPTER 3

MAYA POV

“I believe this is the point where I excuse myself.” I duck past him, and thought I'd made a clean getaway, but he had other plans. I tried to sneak past him, but he was like a clingy cat. I guess I'll have to stick around a little longer.

“Please, please stop. You're making this so difficult. You honestly have to stop doing this, this is getting old.” I say in frustration and gritted teeth.

"You're trying to get away from me, aren't you?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"I'm not avoiding you, dammit!" I snap. "I'm just trying to leave!”

“From where I am, it looks like you are trying to run because you are scared of what you're going to find out if you decide to stay.” He retorted.

"Oh, yeah?" I challenged, tilting my head back until I could see his face, all the way up and then some.

Gosh, he’s tall. I mean, I had no idea he was that tall. I mean, sitting down, he was just a regular guy. But standing up? He's a freaking skyscraper! I felt like a tiny ant next to him.

The worn leather jacket hangs loosely from his broad shoulders, revealing the powerful muscles beneath. His biceps strain against the sleeves, hinting at the strength he possesses. The overhead light catches his long, slightly unruly hair, highlighting the subtle brown tones that contrast with the dark strands.

This strange man exudes a casual coolness, his day-old stubble adding a touch of rugged charm. A subtle hint of a tattoo peeks out from beneath the neckline of his t-shirt, a mysterious detail that only adds to his allure. He possesses a natural s*x appeal that seems effortless, a quality that makes him undeniably attractive.

While his look held an undeniable appeal for others, it simply didn't do it for me.

“And what is it I'm going to find out? What possible good thing could come out from this bugging attitude of yours?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

“That the two of us have something in common.”

“We have absolutely nothing in common," I muttered, frustration gnawing at me as I yank my hair over my shoulder.

“We sure do.” He bends his knees and peers into my eyes. “We both want to f**k eachother’s brains out.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you,” I said, rolling my eyes.

He laughs.

"I'm going to make you a promise," his gaze locked onto mine, a challenge flickering in his eyes.

“Time will tell, but I promise you'll want this more than you can imagine, you will beg me for it. Consider it a Christmas present in advance,”

•

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JACK POV

She opened her mouth, a small smile playing on her lips. I braced myself, expecting the usual tirade of denial and indignation. After all, most women would react that way to my earlier comment. But then she surprised me. She didn't deny it. She didn't get angry. Instead, she chuckled softly, a sound that was both amused and understanding. In that moment, I realized she was truly unlike any other woman I'd ever met.

Her face twists into a frown, then softens into a thoughtful expression. "Okay, fine. I admit it. I do find you attractive. But that's all the more reason I should go. Now.”

“Please, stay," I pleaded, my gaze fixed on her face. "If you leave, you'll always question what could have been. You'll forever wonder if you made the right choice. Don't let doubt consume you. Stay with me, and let's see where this goes.”

She bites the inside of her cheeks, and this time, anger glints in her eyes. “It's total bullshit that you keep saying that to me. It’s even worse that I can't help but believe it.”

“I always endeavor to call it as I see it,” I murmur. And what I see is a woman who's so appealing that I can't let her walk away from me without getting to know her better.

"Shall we?" I ask, extending my hand. "That booth over there, in the far corner?" I gesture towards our destination, a secluded spot in the dimly lit bar.

She looks at it, then at me.

“And if I refuse?”

“You and I know that you don't want to.”

"You do?" Her chin tilts upwards, and her lower lip peeks out. f**k, if I don't want to lean down and kiss those lips right now.

I tilted my head, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. She glared at me, her eyes narrowing to slits. Then, with a huff, she relented. "Fine," she muttered, "but you're following me." With that, she turned and stalked off towards the booth. I trailed behind her, my gaze lingering on the enticing curve of her backside, encased in skin-tight jeans

My pants feel tighter by the second, and I reach down and adjust myself. How the hell am I going to sit opposite her when all I can think of is throwing her on the table, shoving her thigh open, and feasting on the delicious flesh between her legs? The blood drains to my groin. Every muscle in my body tensed. I managed to tear my gaze off of her, and reach the booth to slide in opposite her. Uncomfortable as f**k, given my tightened pants, but what-f*****g-ever.

A waiter instantly materialize.

"Whiskey, on the rocks," I said, my voice barely a whisper. The dim, smoky bar was the perfect place to have that with a stunning woman sitting right in front of me.

"Would you like to order food with that?" the bartender asked, his voice cutting through the low hum of conversation. I shook my head.

“Get us the drink first.”

When he leaves, she arches an eyebrow at me. “Thought you didn't want me to drink anymore?”

“That's not for you: that's for me,” I smirk.

“You think I'm just going to sit here and watch you drink like some kind of wallflower?" she scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "That's a bit sexist, don't you think?”

“I’ve barely touched a drop, but you’ve been draining glass after glass of tequila. It’s like you’re trying to outdrink the entire bar!”

“You have been watching me all evening, have you?” She asked lightly.

“I have, actually, from the moment I walked into the bar,” I say without hesitation.

She blinks. “That's very honest of you.”

“I've already said this. I don't believe in wasting words.”

“Yet, here you are.” She places her elbows on the table, locks her fingers together, and rest her chin on them.

“Oh, this is not a waste of either of our time, since we both know where this is headed.

She glanced away, I can practically hear the wheels spinning In her head. She stays that way for a few more seconds, then turns to me. “I hate to admit this but you are right, I want to f**k you.”

“You are wrong.” I nod toward the bartender who places the whiskey in front of me and the water in front of her, then leaves. I take a sip of the whiskey. “I am going to f**k you.”

She laughs. “You seem awfully confident. Aren't you?”

"Now that Thanksgiving is over, I've been thinking about what makes me feel confident. I think it's when I know the situation is likely to go my way.”

"Aren't you rushing things a bit?" She asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Am I?" I countered, tapping my finger thoughtfully around the rim of my glass. "Or are we simply seizing the moment?”

Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger flashing across her face. Was she mad at me? Or was it something else, something deeper, a battle raging within herself? Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the storm passed, leaving her expression blank. "No, you are not," she said, her voice flat and emotionless.