“First of firsts?” she whispers.
“Exactly. I want this to work so badly, Ash.”
She tips her head down and brings her lips to mine. The kiss starts off slow and sensual but quickly morphs to heated and full of desire. Soon we’re tugging off each other’s clothes, tossing them wherever they fall, and then she’s over me, sliding down my length until I’m fully seated inside her. We both take a moment to enjoy the sensation of having her wrapped around me, neither of us moving as we breathe in each other’s air.
She moves on top of me. I take her nipple in my mouth, sucking gently and nibbling on the hard peak. Her hands dive into my hair, and she pulls, mixing pain with the pleasure.
Within minutes, we’re both panting after our releases and catching our breath. She’s locked in my arms, pressed against my chest with my face buried in her neck. I’m completelysatisfied, yet a feeling of panic, unrivaled from any other time in my life, rises as though it might swallow me whole.
I can’t lose this. I can’t lose her. I can’t.
But am I destined to lose her if I return to New York and pick up where I left off on my life there?
I sit with that thought, breathing in her scent. The answer is yes. If I try to continue this so far away from her, I most definitely will lose her, and that is not an option.
An idea forms.
I’ve done some crazy shit in my life, but somehow, what I’m picturing isn’t one of them.
Chapter Twenty-Three
ASHLEY
Carter and I spend the day after our fight in my bed while the snowstorm creates havoc for the rest of the area.
It must have stopped some time overnight because when I roll over and look out the window, it’s clear out. Mistletoe Falls is used to snowstorms, so the roads will be cleared by lunch, and everyone will go about their business as though the blizzard never happened.
Today would have been my sister’s wedding. I mentally note to call her and see how she’s doing, though I suspect better than most since yesterday evening she sent me links to tropical resorts, asking me which one would be better for her wedding.
I roll over to Carter’s side of the bed to see if he’s awake, but it’s empty. I sit up, holding the sheet to my naked chest and looking around the room, listening for the shower. This is the first morning he hasn’t been in bed when I’ve woken. My hand falls to his pillow and lands on a piece of paper.
Ash,
Have a few things to do. Probably won’t be home until late afternoon. See you then.
- C
What does this cryptic message mean? What does he have to do? Carter is supposed to leave the day after tomorrow to fly to Oregon and spend the holidays with his family. I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could since I don’t have any guests arriving until after New Year’s. I’m all caught up in my feelings until I wonder why he’s going to be gone majority of the day.
What could he possibly be doing?
I slump back in bed. What am I going to do with my day now? Then it dawns on me that for the first time in years, I won’t be spending my holidays catering to guests and making sure they’re taken care of. Sure, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will probably feel a little lonely, but I’ll be sure to FaceTime my sister and my parents, and Carter.
Excited about the possibilities, I bound out of bed for the shower. Once I’ve showered and dressed, I head to the basement to get a box of Christmas crafts I bought years ago, intending to make them but never having the time.
Rather than picking through the box in the unfinished basement, I bring the box upstairs into the great room. I set up another one of my favorite Christmas movies,Four Christmases, and go to the kitchen to make hot chocolate.
By late afternoon, I’ve turned the movies off and have Christmas carols ringing through my speakers. I’m singing along as I try my best to get the hang of the embroidery, attempting an ornament.
I’m feeling light as air, singing at the top of my lungs. I spoke with my sister earlier and she seems to be more interested in moving forward with new wedding plans than dwelling on the failed one. I have some unexpected time on my hands to do whatI want, and I’ve unexpectedly fallen head over heels for a new man.
When the song comes to an end, clapping rings out, and I look to my right. Carter’s leaning against the doorframe, smiling wide.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
My stomach flutters like a thousand little snowflakes falling to the ground because Carter looks good. He’s wearing a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly and a blue sweater that makes his eyes pop. But more than that, it’s the way he’s looking at me, as if maybe he feels the same way about me as I do for him.
“I know.” He pushes off the doorframe and steps into the room. “I wasn’t about to interrupt such a wonderful performance.”
