Merry & Seduced (16 page)

“That’s the jersey for our national team,” Marcus said.

“Cool,” Nanu said and tugged his T-shirt off to exchange it for the rugby jersey. He beamed at everyone and did a twirl.

“Makeup,” Gweneth squeaked, hugging an open vanity case to her chest. “Look, Amme. Just like Olivia’s.”

Amme admired the contents of the vanity, then turned her attention to Autumn who was opening her parcel.

Autumn jumped up and down in the midst of a sea of colored wrapping paper and ribbons. “More books and a pink T-shirt. I like pink and blue.”

Nanu whistled when Jannike held up a sexy piece of lingerie.

“Nice Secret Santa,” Kaya said in admiration, her hands busy on her own parcel. “Yes, yes, yes! I have me some sexy lingerie too.”

“Someone thinks I need more relaxation,” Marcus said and held up a T-shirt and a book with a soldier on the front.

“They’d be right,” Olivia said. “You work too hard.”

“Not recently.” Marcus gently tugged one of Autumn’s pigtails. “I have someone important to spend my time with now.”

“Me, Daddy?”

“Yes you, pumpkin.”

Her brow furrowed as she peered at Marcus. “I’m not a pumpkin. I’m a girl.”

So sweet.
Amme’s gaze met Marcus’s, and her sight picked the moment to start with the stupid prickling malady. She blinked rapidly, her lips stretching wide in a grin.

“There’s one more present,” Olivia said and picked up a big red-and-white-striped box. “It’s for you, Marcus.”

“Me? How come I get an extra one?”

“We wanted to get you something extra for allowing us to use your cottage and for your hospitality,” Camryn said. “It’s from all of us.”

“Open it, Daddy,” Autumn said.

Marcus removed the paper with quick efficiency. “A petanque set!”

“What’s pet tank, Daddy?”

“It’s a game the French play. Like outdoor bowls. See this ball.” He picked up a bright orange ball. “We divide into teams and one team throws this ball. And then these balls.” He showed a bigger one to Autumn. “We take turns throwing these and the winner is the team who gets their balls closest.”

Autumn nodded, her pigtails bobbing. “Can you hit the other balls? Like crokay?”

Marcus grinned. “Yes, you can attack the other balls like we do in croquet.”

“That sounds easy enough,” Nanu said and winked at Kaya. “Cutthroat.”

Jannike rubbed her hands together. “I like cutthroat.”

“Excellent. I challenge everyone to a tournament,” Marcus said. “Just as soon as we finish here. I have three more gifts to hand out for the ladies in my life.” He strode out of the room and returned to hand a small box to Olivia, another to Autumn and the final one to Amme.

Amme stared at him in surprise, her chest so tight she had to gasp for breath. Stupid heart-pump. She pressed a hand to her breast and massaged the offending area.

He brushed a kiss over her parted lips. “Open it, sweetheart.”

With trembling fingers, she pulled back the tape and parted the paper to reveal a small box.

“Marcus, thank you,” Olivia said. “I love it.”

Autumn appeared beside them. “I want to wear now,” she said, holding a glittering chain in her hand.

Amme opened the small box to find a golden chain with the letter A dangling off the end. Tiny sparkling jewels were embedded in the golden letter, making it glitter with white fire. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“Look,” Autumn said, and Amme saw a similar one in blush pink hanging around the little girl’s neck.

Olivia already had her pendant hanging around her neck, the black onyx and gold in the shape of an O, perfectly suited to the girl’s tastes.

“Thank you.” Amme stood and wrapped her arms around Marcus. Cheers and smartass remarks rang out as she kissed him in front of his daughter, his sister and her friends. She’d never been this happy in her living memory.

“T
his is the best Christmas day I’ve ever had,” Olivia said when they had a quiet moment together while waiting for their turn to play petanque.

Marcus nodded. “Even though the parents haven’t rung?”

“Even though.” She shrugged. “I don’t have any expectations when it comes to Mum and Dad. I’ve learned it’s easier that way.”

“But it still damn well hurts. I hate to say it, but some people shouldn’t have children.”

Olivia shot him a look then, her expression much older than her years. “Do you regret Autumn?”

“Not in a million years. I love her.”

“She’s easy to love,” Olivia said. “Did you want to be a dad?”

“I didn’t ever plan on having kids. After Mum and Dad’s example, I thought it was best not to saddle any kids with the same pattern of behavior.”

“We’re not our parents. I refuse to behave like them,” Olivia said.

“We’ve made a satisfactory start,” Marcus said, gesturing at the people around them.

Camryn and Amme were showing Autumn how to hold the ball and throw it toward the jack ball.

“Your turn, Olivia,” Camryn called. “Make it a good one. Nanu is way too smug. We need to beat his arse.”

S
everal hours later Marcus sipped from his can of beer and watched a competitive and slightly vicious game of croquet, but his mind kept circling around to the note he’d found on his office desk when he went to collect his camera. The note hadn’t been there before. He was sure of it. Camryn or her friends weren’t responsible, but he hated to think of Sophie invading his office, his house.

You’ll be sorry.

Hell, he didn’t even know if Sophie was responsible for the note, but if she was, how the hell had she managed to get the note into his office? During the past weeks, someone had always been around—except during their group outings.

But still, he locked up and set the alarm when they left the premises. Mostly. Perhaps he needed to take more care with security, especially now that Autumn was around.

“What’s wrong?” Amme slid her arms around his waist, after returning from putting Autumn to bed. “You’re scowling.”

“Nothing. Just thinking.” A lie, of course, and it didn’t sit well, not when he was speaking to Amme. No, he was protecting her, Olivia and his daughter from a woman with bats in her mental attic.

“It’s been a lovely day. Thank you for having us here and letting us celebrate Christmas. It…well, this means a lot to us.”

“You’re welcome, but you and your friends have made this day extra special for me and Olivia too. Our mother and father aren’t exactly demonstrative. We’ve never had this sense of family.”

“Really?” Amme curled her cool fingers around his in a gesture of comfort. “Their loss.”

“I think so.” For years, he’d thought he’d turned out just like father, his mother. Now he wasn’t so sure.

“Camryn and I are heading back to Max’s,” Ry said. “Camryn said we need to rest up if we wanted to hit the Boxing day sales. I don’t enjoy shopping.”

“Me neither,” Marcus said.

“The non-shoppers can always stay here and cook a meal for our return,” Camryn said. “Besides, I thought you and Nanu wanted to do a few things.”

“I can help,” Marcus said. “Anything to avoid shopping.”

“You’re both scaredy cats,” Camryn said with a tilt of her chin and laughter swimming in her expression.

Ry’s brows rose, his full attention focused on Camryn. “Was that an insult? What’s that saying you quote at me? Pot. Kettle.”

Camryn patted his arm. “I’m going to buy a wedding dress. I don’t require your presence anyway.”

“You’re getting married?” Marcus asked. “I thought you were already.”

“We’re mates,” Ry said.

“Yes, but—”

Amme cut him off. “They wanted to renew their vows here with her family. On New Year’s day.”

“Actually,” Camryn said. “We meant to ask you if we could have the ceremony here. Your garden is gorgeous and just perfect for photos.”

“A wedding?” Olivia butted in and clapped her hands once in enthusiasm. “That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to go shopping now. I know some great dress stores.”

“Thanks,” Camryn said. “We can do with the inside knowledge. We’re leaving early though, to get the best bargains. No sleeping in.”

Marcus laughed. “No late night for you, Olivia. You’re grumpy if you miss out on your sleep.”

“See you tomorrow,” Camryn said with a wave and a wink.

“I’m tired myself,” Amme said as Ry and Camryn strode to their vehicle. “Autumn was super juiced with the excitement. I might check she’s sleeping and go to bed too. I’ll see everyone for breakfast.”

“Juiced?” Olivia asked.

“Um, over excited.” Amme averted her gaze to stare at her feet.

“I’ll come with you,” Marcus said and his mind wasn’t on shopping at all. Nor was it on the odd expressions he kept hearing from Amme and her friends.

“Good night,” Mogens said.

“Make sure you sleep,” Kaya said and waggled her eyebrows.

“Adults,” Amme said.

Olivia poked her fingers in her ears. “La, la, la.”

A bark of amusement escaped Marcus, and he lifted a hand in farewell. “See you tomorrow morning.”

He and Amme ascended the stairs together, stopping to check on his daughter before retiring.

The instant the door shut behind them, he took Amme in his arms. His mouth settled on hers and he put every bit of emotion into the kiss, telling her of his thanks, his love, his intentions.

Clawing tension filled him, the need to touch and stroke her silken limbs. He backed her toward the bed and when she toppled, he followed her down, swallowing her
eep
of shock with his mouth. He laughed, and laughed again when she hit him.

“That wasn’t funny.”

“I’ve never heard you make that sound before.”

“And you won’t hear me make it again, if I have anything to say about it,” she muttered.

His lips brushed her ear then he laid a trail of kisses down her neck. He sucked and nipped, instantly soothing the sting of pain when Amme moaned and clutched him tighter.

“I need you naked. Want to suck on those luscious breasts of yours.”

“Yes,” she said. “The dress has a—”

“Back zipper. I did it up for you, remember?” He rolled off her and helped her to her feet, making quick work of undressing. Her apricot-colored sundress slipped down her body to reveal matching apricot bra and panties. He stepped back to get a better view. “God, you are so sexy. I don’t know where to touch first.”

Amme reached behind to unfasten her bra. He watched, mesmerized by her soft curves and tawny skin.

“You’re lagging behind,” she said and stepped out of her panties.

He whisked off his clothes, scooped her up and placed her on the center of his bed. Perfect, he thought. Unable to resist, he kissed her again, soft and hard then soft again until her breathing turned harsh and the atmosphere cracked with sensual tension. His hands skimmed and caressed, touching every part of her sexy form.

“You make me crazy with want,” he whispered as he slipped into her. He faltered an instant, realizing he’d forgotten a condom. To hell with it. He trusted her—it was that simple. He embedded himself as deep as he could go, wallowing in her heat and tightness, her sigh of acceptance.

“Take me hard, Marcus. I want to feel you inside.” She arched her hips and plunged her fingers into his hair, holding him close.

His heart beat a sharp staccato against his ribs as he increased the pace of his thrusts. Her channel rippled around his dick, each hard, tormenting stroke driving him fast and powerfully toward completion. He stole another kiss, and when he lifted his head, her whiskey eyes were fogged with hunger. A potent thing. He plunged into her, each stroke rough and hot and raw.

A fine sheen of sweat coated his skin and each thrust pushed him higher, the slide into her full of exquisite friction.

“Amme.
Amme,
” he murmured, the fire and chills warring inside him starting to crash together, his orgasm a hairsbreadth from detonation. Gritting his teeth, he pulled out of her.

“What is it?”

“Turn over for me. Up on your hands and knees. Yeah, just like that,” he said and entered her from behind, drove into her tight, grasping heat. In this position, he went deeper, and he had easy access to both her breasts and her clit. “You are so sexy. Amme, you turn me inside out.”

She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze full of questions. “Inside out.”

“You put me off balance. You’ve upset my usual unpredictable life.” He surged into her again, his balls so damn tight they hurt. “That’s a very good thing,” he purred into her ear. “In case you’re wondering.”

“I’m glad.” The momentary tension in her shoulders released, relaxed.

Her pussy clenched around his shaft, and his breathing caught. So close. So close. He reached beneath her to finger her clit and rubbed back and forth over the hard nub. A shudder vibrated through her limbs, and her sheath gripped his cock in hard uneven pulses.

“Come for me, sweetheart.” He rubbed her clit again, and she moaned, the sound music to his ears. One last stroke had her shuddering, a signal he could seek his own release. He pulled back, his shaft coated with her juices, and slammed home, almost seeing stars as the tension inside him snapped and pleasure swamped his senses. The contractions of his cock went for a long time before stilling. Marcus nuzzled her neck, her skin fragrant with her sweet scent and a hint of his own musk.

Marcus pulled out of her and tugged her into his arms, the satisfaction welling inside him almost too much to contain.

Amme yawned, and Marcus laughed.

“You’ve tired me out.”

“Go to sleep, sweetheart. You have a big day tomorrow.”

Her breathing slowed but Marcus took longer to drift off to sleep. Too many thoughts danced through his mind. Autumn. Olivia. Bloody Sophie. And Amme. He smiled at the woman curled so trustingly in his arms, his heart full, emotions leaning to tender. They’d just made love yet he wanted her again.

He wanted her full stop.

* * * * *

T
he next few days passed in a flurry of activity. Shopping. Wedding plans. The New Year’s Eve party. Costumes, since they’d decided to make the party fancy dress. But although Amme kept busy with these events plus looking after Autumn, the clock was steadily ticking down the moments until their departure.