Page 86 of False Evidence
She sighed. “I wonder if Officer Williams had a connection to Drake?”
“A solid question for Raptor’s investigators.”
She faced the TV. “But one that will wait until after Christmas. Tonight, let’s see if Ralphie gets his BB gun.” She surprised him by leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder as she sipped her wine and watched the movie.
JT breathed deeply, unsure if this was the best Christmas Eve of his life, or second best.
ChapterThirty-Two
Sitting snuggled next to JT watchingA Christmas Storywhile her daughter slept upstairs was unimaginably sweet. Another fantasy she’d never dared to have.
She’d seen the movie so many times, she no longer laughed out loud, but she did smile at the familiar scenes that were like old friends. She understood the parents far better now than she had as a kid.
The Santa scene always made her think of JT in the Santa suit. JT’s Santa was so very different, but he was a man not naturally comfortable around kids, and so the role had been a trial for him. But he’d done it because he loved giving gifts.
She’d forgotten that about him. His genuine joy at being able to bring light into the lives of children in need. She’d pretty much fallen in love with him the first night she’d watched him struggle in the role of Santa.
They watched in comfortable silence. The movie ended with a happy Ralphie, then started again. Alexandra reached for the remote and hit the Mute button.
“Should we look for something else to watch?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t want to watch TV.”
“What do you want?”
“The same thing I wanted the first Christmas Eve we spent together.”
He smiled. “My body.”
“Can you blame me?”
“Nah. I’m pretty exceptional. But you know there’s a price.”
“How much you charging for milk these days?”
“Same thing I’ve always wanted from you. Your time. Your attention.”
“I’m sort of trapped here, so I feel like you should up your ask.”
He stroked her cheek. “I don’t want more than you’re comfortable giving.”
She ran her fingers over his jaw, which had two days’ worth of stubble. His beard was now peppered with gray, making him more handsome than ever.
JT aged like fine wine. He got better and better as time marched forward.
She ran a hand down his chest, pausing for a heartbeat at his belt, before moving down and feeling his erection through his jeans.
His body was so familiar and yet new again, given the years that had passed. She remembered that first Christmas Eve, when she’d practically dragged him into the bedroom, then stripped him down and taken him in her mouth. Her first touch. First taste. First time making love with the man who was destined to ruin her for other men.
Now here she was, sixteen years later, and still ruined.
Still desperate to see him. Touch him. Taste him.
Maybe even more so, because she knew exactly how he’d make her come apart. Beg for him. Come for him.
JT’s hand covered hers as she stroked him through thick layers of denim. “Lex. God, how I’ve missed you.”
She kissed him. Not with frantic fire and need, but with soft, languid hunger. This man had stirred this in her from the first night they met. It hadn’t diminished with time or heartache.