The New Year’s Eve gala was everything Sophie expected it to be—extravagant decorations, an open bar, and a ballroom full of glamorous colleagues trading laughter and clinking champagne flutes. Sophie stood near the edge of the crowd, her gold dress shimmering under the soft glow of the chandeliers. The dress was daring, with a plunging neckline and a slit high enough to turn heads—and maybe tempt fate.
“You have a thing for stealing the spotlight, don’t you?”
She didn’t need to turn to know it was James. His voice, deep and smooth, sent a shiver down her spine as he leaned close, his cologne an intoxicating blend of cedar and spice.
“I wouldn’t call it stealing,” Sophie replied, sipping her champagne. “Maybe just… borrowing.”
James chuckled, the sound low and teasing. “Well, let’s hope you don’t end up losing your dress again. Not that I’d complain.”
Her cheeks flushed at the memory of their Christmas encounter. The passion, the way he made her feel utterly consumed—it had lingered in her mind, tempting her with the possibility of a repeat.
“Careful, James,” she said, her voice sultry. “This dress might be harder to slip off than the last one.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “Challenge accepted.”
The evening unfolded in a blur of music and laughter, but Sophie’s attention kept drifting to James. The way his tailored suit clung to his broad shoulders, the way his gaze lingered on her as if he could see right through the fabric.
As the countdown to midnight approached, the crowd gathered around the massive clock projection on the wall. Sophie found herself standing next to James, his hand brushing hers in a way that felt anything but accidental.
“Five… four…” The crowd’s chant grew louder.
James leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “When the clock strikes twelve, you’re mine.”
Before she could respond, the room erupted in cheers, confetti raining down as couples kissed to celebrate the New Year. But Sophie barely noticed any of it. James had taken her hand, guiding her through the throng of people and out into the quiet hallway beyond the ballroom.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her pulse racing.
“Somewhere we won’t be interrupted,” he said, his voice laced with hunger.
They found an empty lounge, the lights dimmed and the plush leather sofa beckoning. As soon as the door closed behind them, James turned, his hands framing her face as he kissed her deeply.
The intensity stole her breath, his lips claiming hers with a passion that left her trembling. Her champagne flute slipped from her fingers, forgotten as his hands roamed down her back, pulling her against him.
“God, Sophie,” he murmured against her lips. “You’re stunning.”
Her fingers worked on his tie, tugging it loose and tossing it aside as her hands moved to unbutton his shirt. She needed to feel him, to taste the heat of his skin. When her nails grazed his chest, he groaned, his control slipping as he pushed her back onto the sofa.
The slit of her dress fell open as she reclined, exposing her legs and the delicate lace of her garter belt. James knelt before her, his hands sliding up her thighs, parting them as his eyes met hers.
“You’re trying to kill me,” he said, his voice rough with desire.
“Not yet,” Sophie teased, her voice breathless.
He kissed his way up her legs, his lips tracing the sensitive skin just above her stockings. Each touch was deliberate, torturously slow, building the anticipation until she was practically trembling beneath him.
When his mouth finally found the apex of her thighs, Sophie gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair as he worshipped her with a skill that left her utterly undone. The pleasure built in waves, leaving her breathless and gasping his name like a prayer.
But James wasn’t finished. He rose, shedding his shirt and revealing the chiseled lines of his body. His hands found the straps of her dress, sliding them down her shoulders and exposing her bare skin. He kissed her collarbone, her neck, the swell of her breasts, each touch igniting a fire that consumed them both.
She tugged at his belt, desperate to feel him, and he obliged, shedding the rest of his clothes before pulling her close again. Their bodies pressed together, every sensation heightened by the soft leather beneath them and the heady mix of champagne and desire.
When he finally entered her, it was slow, deliberate, as if he wanted to savor every moment. Sophie arched against him, her hands gripping his shoulders as he moved, each thrust sending ripples of pleasure through her body.
Their breaths mingled, their moans filling the quiet room as they lost themselves in each other. The world outside faded away, the noise of the party a distant memory.
As the waves of pleasure crashed over her, Sophie cried out his name, her body trembling as he followed, his release leaving him breathless against her.
For a long moment, they stayed like that, tangled together, their bodies still humming with the aftershocks.
“Happy New Year,” James whispered, brushing a kiss against her temple.
Sophie smiled, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. “If this is how the year starts, I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
James leaned back slightly, cradling Sophie against him as their breaths began to even out. His fingertips traced delicate patterns along her spine, sending aftershocks of pleasure rippling through her. The dim light in the lounge cast soft shadows across their entwined bodies, creating an intimacy that felt almost otherworldly.
“I wasn’t planning on starting the New Year like this,” Sophie said, her voice soft and playful as she nuzzled into his chest.
“Oh?” James tilted her chin up to meet his gaze, his lips curving into a smirk. “What were you planning? Watching the ball drop on TV and passing out by twelve-thirty?”
Sophie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. “Something like that. This… wasn’t exactly on my agenda.”
“Well,” he murmured, brushing a kiss along her jawline, “I’m glad you made an exception.”
His lips traveled lower, planting soft, teasing kisses down her neck and across her collarbone. Sophie let out a small moan as his hands roamed her body, reigniting the fire that had barely dimmed.
“You know,” James said, his voice husky, “we can’t just leave it here. New Year’s only comes once a year. We should make the most of it.”
Before Sophie could reply, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the plush chaise lounge in the corner. She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his neck as he set her down gently, the gold fabric of her dress pooling around her.
“You’re insatiable,” she teased, though her own desire was already stirring again.
“For you? Always,” he replied, his voice low and full of promise.
James knelt between her legs, his hands caressing her thighs as he leaned in to kiss her. This kiss was slower, more deliberate, the kind that made her toes curl and her heart race. He took his time exploring her body, his touch reverent yet electrifying.
Sophie arched into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as his lips traveled lower. He worshipped her with a patience that left her trembling, his every movement coaxing soft gasps and moans from her lips.
“James,” she whispered, her voice thick with need.
He looked up at her, his eyes dark and filled with heat. “Tell me what you want,” he said, his voice a low growl.
“You,” she said, her voice barely more than a breath. “All of you.”
His lips curved into a wicked smile as he rose, shedding what little clothing he had left. The sight of him—strong, confident, and utterly focused on her—sent a thrill through her.
James joined her on the chaise, his body pressing against hers as he captured her lips in another searing kiss. Their movements were fluid, synchronized, as if they’d been made for each other. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word built the tension between them until it was almost unbearable.
When he finally entered her again, it was like fireworks exploding behind her closed eyes. Sophie clung to him, their bodies moving together in a rhythm that felt both primal and achingly tender.
The sensations built, cresting higher and higher until Sophie was crying out his name, her body trembling as waves of ecstasy washed over her. James followed moments later, his own release leaving him breathless and utterly spent.
They lay tangled together, their bodies slick with sweat and their breaths mingling as they came down from the high. James stroked her hair, his touch gentle, almost possessive, as if he never wanted to let her go.
“Happy New Year,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead.
Sophie smiled, her eyes half-lidded with contentment. “If the rest of the year is anything like tonight, I think I’m in trouble.”
“Trouble?” James grinned, tilting her chin up to kiss her again. “Sophie, we’re just getting started.”
They stayed like that for what felt like hours, wrapped up in each other and the magic of the moment. Outside, the party continued, the sounds of laughter and music faintly reaching them, but it felt like they were in a world of their own.
When they finally dressed and rejoined the crowd, the clock had long passed midnight, but neither of them cared. James kept his hand on the small of her back, his touch a silent promise that this night was just the beginning.
And as Sophie sipped another glass of champagne, she couldn’t help but smile, already anticipating what surprises the rest of the year might bring.
