Sweet Cinderella (A Christmas Novella) (The Klaus Brothers Book 4) by Penny Watson Page A

All of his plans for a slow seduction disintegrated. She bucked against him again, spurring him on, and it worked effortlessly. His strokes were hard and fast, furious and intense.
    “Hannah . . .” He couldn’t articulate a single thought. His goal was just within reach. To capture her forever.
    “
Don’t stop, Gregor
.”
    He smiled against her neck and inhaled the scent of sunshine and sweetness. He slammed into her one last time and felt her quake around him. She drew him deeper inside, and he knew this was the only place he would ever want to be. Deep in her, so deep he could never escape. She cried out, her sobs muffled against his chest.
    They stayed like that, plastered to each other, for several moments. The
sternschnuppen
had grown quiet, but now they danced over his back, along his arms, and wrapped themselves around their hands, which were still locked together.
    “I had no idea. What have you done?” Hannah’s voice was ragged.
    “Pleasured you?” He struggled to catch his breath.
    “That was . . . that was beyond pleasure. It’s like you wrung everything out of me. There’s nothing left.”
    He rubbed his lips against her mouth. “You made me feel alive again. I thought I was numb forever, but I was wrong.”
    She tried to pull her hands away from his grip, but he shook his head. “No. Not yet. Tell me, Hannah. I want to hear the words.” There was no way she could deny their attraction anymore.
    “What do you want me to say?” Her voice trembled.
    “The truth. You’re falling for me.” He was still inside of her. He moved slightly to remind her of their intimate connection. “This doesn’t lie.”
    She bit her lip. “I
am
falling for you. But I’m still afraid. I’m not convinced the two of us really belong together.”
    That was not the answer he wanted to hear. “How can you think we don’t belong together? After this?” He growled the words.
    She gently kissed the corner of his mouth, clearly trying to appease his temper. “This is fantasy. A spell cast for a night of passion. Not reality. When we go home, I’ll be transported back to my crappy apartment and piles of papers to grade. You’ll go back to your glamorous life of travel and fund-raisers. And
Magik
.” Tears leaked down her cheeks. “It was just supposed to be one night.”
    He frowned. “Like Cinderella at the ball?”
    She nodded. “Yes, just like that.”
    “Cinderella had a happy ever after. Do you remember that part of the story?”
    “It’s just a fairy tale.”
    “But this isn’t, Hannah. This thing between us is real.”
    She blinked at him. “I don’t get it. Why do you want me so much? I’m just an ordinary woman. And your family is legendary. You could have anyone.”
    He shook his head. “You’re wrong. You are beyond special to me. The most genuine, kind, and inspiring person I have ever met. You’ve made me feel alive again. Don’t you believe me?”
    “I—I’m not sure what to believe anymore.”
    He rested his forehead on hers and tried to hide his frustration. “
Some day
. Some day you’ll surrender to me and realize I’m right. For now . . . just sleep. I’ll get you home soon.” He finally released her hands.
    She wrapped her arms tightly around his back. Her words said one thing, but her actions said another.
    “We don’t have to decide everything tonight. But soon. We will. I’m not giving up.” His words were sharp. He couldn’t help it.
    She sniffled but said nothing. He wanted to pound his chest in frustration. He held her in his arms until she fell asleep. She probably wasn’t even aware of it, but she was stroking his chest softly.
    He was aware. Her hand was right over his heart.

 
    C hapter 10
    Shirley opened the door to Gregor’s penthouse and yawned. What a night! She’d spent the evening singing show tunes at a karaoke club, chugging shots at Rolf’s Bar in Gramercy Park, and finished up with a crazy mahjong party in Chinatown. No one seemed