Read Online I'm Your Santa by Dianne Castell - Free Book Online Page B

and she knew how good they were together? Levi wanted to hear her say it. “Why?”
    â€œBecause now I know you…intimately.”
    â€œAnd that makes it different?”
    She nodded.
    â€œBeth?”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œDo you think you could look at my face?” At his leisure, Levi leaned against the wall. “I mean, I did just come, I won’t deny that. But I’m not sure how helpful that’ll be if you keep looking at me like you want to eat me alive.”
    Her gaze clashed into his. Her hands fisted. Lips stiff and voice low, she growled, “You are such a jerk, Masterson.”
    â€œMaybe on occasion. I’m human. But you want me anyway,” he taunted. “Don’t you?”
    Her teeth sawed together. Her eyes sparked. Then…on a sigh, she said, “Yes.”
    That knocked the humor right out of him. Levi straightened. “I wish you’d have admitted that before I made my promise.”
    â€œForget your promise.”
    If only he could. “You might feel differently in the morning, honey. You might be mad at yourself again, and you’ll take it out on me.”
    She bit her lip. “What if I swear not to?”
    Heart hammering, Levi lifted the lamp off the floor and plunked it back onto the dresser. As he gathered his thoughts, he approached Beth’s narrow cot. Though he didn’t like himself for trying it, her need right now could be a bargaining chip toward their future.
    Anticipation burned through him. “What if you swear to me that tonight won’t be the only night? What if you marry me and—”
    She blanched.
    Damn it. “I take it that appalled look on your face is a no?” Propping his hands on his hips, Levi shook his head. “You think I’m asking for too much, don’t you?”
    Pleading, Beth whispered, “It’s too much for so soon, yes.”
    For her, maybe. But not for him. Levi knew how he felt, how he’d always felt. He’d never acted on his feelings because Beth was as off-limits as a woman could be.
    Was.
    Not anymore.
    â€œSorry,” he muttered, unwilling to torture himself further tonight. “Let’s just go to bed and forget about it.” Ignoring her stunned and disappointed expression, he stepped past Beth, stretched out on the bed, and pulled the covers over his body.
    Beth kept her back to him. “No.”
    Levi eyed her militant stance. Her disheveled hair tumbled down her back. Pajamas a size too large swallowed her petite body. And still he could see the rigid way she held herself. “What did you say?”
    She turned and began marching toward his bed. “I said no.”
    She looked so resolute that Levi hurried to sit up. But she’d already reached him and before he could stop her, before he even realized her intent, she grabbed the covers and ripped them right off the bed.
    Wow.
    Forget the shower; Levi was hard in a nanosecond. His heartbeat thundered, but he said calmly enough, “Now Beth…”
    Flattening both hands on his bare chest, she shoved him onto his back. “You started this, Levi, and you can damn well finish it, whether we have a lifetime together, a year together, or even just tomorrow together.”
    As Beth threw a leg over his waist to straddle him, Levi gave up. He was only human. And male. And madly in love.
    He cupped her face. “At least give me tomorrow, Beth.”
    She bit his chin, his bottom lip. “Tomorrow,” she agreed. And then her mouth was on his, her kiss grinding and brutal and devouring him. Her tongue slicked over his lips, and then past them to tangle with his.
    When she switched to his throat, he said, “Beth,” meaning to slow her down.
    â€œNo more talking,” she commanded. She nipped his earlobe, his collarbone.
    â€œBut honey…” Levi fought to remember his promise. “Beth, my willpower is dwindling fast.”
    â€œGood.”
    But