A Little Harmless Kalikimaka

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoy
A Little Harmless Kalikimaka
. Be sure to read Cynthia and Chris’ story in
A
Little Harmless Pleasure
, now available in
print
and
digital.
A Little Harmless Obsession
, Evan’s story, is coming in 2010 from Samhain Publishing.

Mele Kalikimaka,

Melissa

A Little Harmless Kalikimaka

Copyright 2009, Melissa Schroeder

Cover Art: www.ireadromance.com

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are no construed to be real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely incidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief excerpts or quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

“Pussy whipped.”

Chris turned off his office computer and threw a nasty look at one of his best friends Evan Chambers .

“What did you just call me?”

“You heard me.”

The smile Evan offered him told Chris he was itching for a fight. Well, dammit he wasn’t going to give it to him. He didn’t want to propose to Cynthia with a black eye or busted lip.

And with Evan, there was always a chance that could happen.

“If you think I am, why did you insist on going with me to pick up the ring?” Evan shrugged. “You were acting like you needed moral support.” Chris did. Picking up the ring he had designed for Cynthia was the next to the final step in his plan for Christmas. They had slipped away after Cynthia left for work. And, he knew how much of a friend Evan was when he agreed to go to Kahala Mall on Christmas Eve.

But now they were back at Dupree’s, Chris’ restaurant, Chris was worried Cynthia would say no.

He knew she loved him. That he had not one doubt about. But, marriage, that was a whole other kettle of fish. She’d been engaged before, to one of his best friends. And he knew that she had been adamant that she would only marry when she felt as if she could trust a man. She trusted him…but was it enough?

“Why do you want to screw it all up with marriage?” Evan asked. He wasn’t being an ass. Evan just opposed any permanent relationships. Of course, with Evan’s childhood, Chris understood.

“I just do. I want the whole thing.”

“And if she says no?”

Chris shrugged and willed his second thoughts away. He wanted Cynthia as his wife, wanted her to be there by his side. And, he wanted children. He would do it without the ring and license if that is what she needed to be her. It had taken her a long time to find the true Cynthia and he would not do anything to damage that. It would drive him insane, but he would do it for her.

“You’re such a traditionalist,” Evan said as he chuckled.

It was a put down for anyone who lived the lifestyle. Who would think a man who lived as a switch would want all the trappings of marriage, but he did.

“What can I say? It probably has something to do with my upbringing.” Evan clapped his hand on Chris shoulder. “Tell you what. If she turns you down, just let me know. I’ll be happy to step in, help out.” Chris shot him a look that would have scared most men, but Evan smiled.

“Kiss ass, Chambers.”

Evan unfolded his length from one of the office chairs and stretched his arms above his head. “I gotta get going.”

“Plans?”

Evan shook his head. “I need some down time to recover from that crazy mall trip.” Chris cocked his head and studied his friend. Something had been bothering him, but he had yet to confide in Chris.

“Are you and Micah coming over tomorrow?”

Evan and Micah were business partners and friends. Neither had family and Cynthia had adopted them in a way.

Evan rubbed his stomach. “There is no way I am missing any of the cookies your magnolia has baked. We’ll be there around noon.” After the door shut behind Evan and Chris started thinking about his plans for the night.

The only thing left to do was lock up the restaurant, pick Cynthia up from work, and then ask her to marry him.

He just hoped she said yes.

Chris stopped just inside Cynthia’s new bakery kitchen and smiled. Who would have thought the buttoned down, uptight woman he’d met in Georgia would be so happy playing in a kitchen? Her face was flush with exertion, her unruly blonde hair curling around her face. The smudge of flour on her nose added, rather than detracted, from her appearance.

Satisfaction whipped through him because he knew he was part of the reason for her happiness. It had taken them awhile and he’d almost screwed it up. But thank god for Cynthia’s patient and her love. Now, if he could keep everything he had planned for tonight a secret just a bit longer, everything would be great. He’d used subterfuge to keep his Christmas present a secret, but with it being Christmas Eve he figured he’d succeeded.

Besides, he didn’t think he could wait any longer.

She noticed him then and smiled, the joy and beauty of it hit him square in the chest.

He would never get used to seeing her like this. Even as the gravity of his plans weighed on his shoulders, he smiled. There was nothing else he could do. Her happiness was his quest in life.

“Hello, lover,” she said with that soft, sweet Georgia accent. She came to him, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled his senses as she pressed her body against his. “I’ve missed you.”

She leaned up and brushed her mouth against his. Just enough to tempt, not enough to please. Still, his blood heated and his heart beat sped up.

“Hey, cherie. Are you about ready to head home?”

“Yep. I even have some biscotti for breakfast tomorrow. Your favorite flavor.”

“Chocolate macadamia nut.”

She smiled. “Of course. Let me double check the locks on the front door and I’ll be ready to go.” He watched her sashay out of the kitchen and took a deep breath. His body was already craving her. He needed her more each day, and tonight, he would make sure that she would stay around forever.

Cynthia hummed with pleasure as Chris’ hands slipped up over her arms to her wrists.

Heat shimmered over her flesh as he teased her. She curled her fingers into the soft red handcuffs he had latched onto her earlier. They’d been her birthday present and they were his favorite cuffs to use on her.

He’d barely touched her and she was ready to explode. Her attempt to keep herself under control was getting harder by the minute. But, it was her lover’s fault. There was something about him tonight. Every now and then she heard something in her voice she couldn’t interpret. Whatever it was, she was responding to it. Chris definitely wanted to be the Dom tonight.

Chris straddled her naked body—he was still fully clothed—and smiled down at her.

“Now, rules of the game tonight. You do not speak unless spoken to.” She opened her mouth and he chuckled as he placed a finger on her mouth. “Ah, now don’t make me punish you right off the bat, cherie.” She had to fight the bubble of laughter that welled up in her throat. Although she was sure she’d enjoy whatever punishment he came up with, she wasn’t going to let him win so easily. Being switches, they enjoyed taking turns being in charge. It was always a challenge to see how long the submissive could hold out.

“Good girl.” He trailed his fingers down her arm again. “I have something special for you.”

Excitement surged as he continued down her body, his fingers roaming over her flesh.

The room was cool but her skin was hot. Each inch he covered with his hands burned. It was like this every time, and in the time she had known him it had yet to dissipate. Every time he touched her, she melted. It had not changed since the day she met him.

He bent his head and took a nipple between his lips. His teeth brushed over the tip, then he covered it with his mouth. As he swirled his tongue around the base, his fingers teased her other nipple. Heat surged, her whole body lighting up. Before she was satisfied, he was moving down, his mouth gliding over her flesh. He moved over her stomach. Her muscles bunched, tightening with desire. He broke the tension when his dipped his tongue into her belly button. She giggled in response, but it ended on a moan as he slipped between her legs.

He brushed his thumbs over her slit, then slipped a finger inside.

“Look at me.” She hesitated and his voice hardened. “Now, Cynthia.” She did as ordered. As he lowered his head he didn't break eye contact. He touched his mouth to her pussy, immediately brushing his tongue over her clit. Heat singed along her nerve endings as she shuddered, her orgasm just out of reach. Before she was satisfied, he pulled away and smacked her pussy.

“I didn’t say you could come.”

Cynthia bit her lip to keep from responding.

He chuckled. “You please me, Cynthia.”

She shivered against her rising need. It wasn’t going to take much because she was almost there, but she knew he was in a mood to control. His authoritative tone always got her wet, got her heart pumping. Instantly, she wanted to please him, wanted to be rewarded. No one who saw her act out her Domme role would think she were the same woman. But when Chris took charge, she could give him her trust, her body and her soul.