Page 21 of Dumped for a Christmas Tree Farmer

I start the fire immediately, wanting to warm the place up as quickly as possible. I should maybe invest in a heater for the cat. Set it on a timer so she doesn’t freeze if I’m out for a few hours.

“I don’t have a problem with it.”

He scoffs. “Say that to your face, Indignant.”

“Not my name.” I roll my eyes.

He grabs a couple of glasses, making himself at home before pouring another healthy measure of whiskey. I like the way he moves in my home. Like he owns it. It should infuriate me, annoy me at the very least, but there’s no awkwardness, no sense of polite decorum that I must adhere to. I can be my true self here with him; he doesn’t expect a show.

“Just be nice to him. He hasn’t had it easy growing up in a small town.”

He hands me the glass, sipping from his own, before picking up the cat and placing her on his lap as he sits where she was previously perched.

“Quick question before I finish off this nightcap and cut myself out of these clothes because I can barely move my arm enough to lift it off.”

“Drama queen.” I roll my eyes.

He tips his glass to me before swallowing it down in one, his mouth wincing.

“Why the hell do you want to be with that dipshit, Indy? Surely, there is someone in this I-threw-up-Christmas town that is better than this guy? Does he have a cock as thick as a soda can or something? Is he secretly a billionaire? Hell, does he have a dog? Because I honestly cannot understand the attraction.”

His cock is sizable, but not out-of-this-world big. It did the job, or at least, as a team, we did the job. Definitely not a billionaire, not on that Christmas tree farm money, and no, surprisingly, he doesn't even have a dog. Not that I’m much of a dog person. Clearly I'm here for the cats—the one sitting on Mav’s lap did force its way into my home after all.

It stings that after two days, Mav has managed to pick apart my long-term crush on James. In forty-eight hours, Mav removed the rose-tinted glasses I’ve been wearing, stomped on them, and now it’s like I’m seeing James in a new light. And honestly, it’s not flattering.

I avoid his gaze when I admit to him, and myself, “Believe it or not, men are slim pickings around here.”

“You’re not that far from the city. You could date literally anyone else.”

“I have dated, Mav. I haven't sat around pining for someone for a decade. I’ve been living a full life. And yes, that includes going to the city and dating. But my business is here, my home is here, my mom—my mom was here. I couldn’t just up and leave for better cock-ortunities.”

He snorts as I slip next to him on the couch, reaching out to pet the cat. She lifts her head, so I have to lean closer, forcing me into Mav’s space.

“Is that where you learned the tongue thing?” he murmurs, his voice low as the sexiest smirk pulls at his lips. A flutter takes flight in my lower belly, and I know this man is dangerous. Dark eyes that stare so intently, full lips that spill out sentences that shouldn’t feel so depraved, but somehow are.

My eyes are fixed on his lips, and I have to mentally check myself. “You’re awfully concerned about my skills when you’re supposed to be winning back your girlfriend.”

“I’m not worried about that.” He dismisses my question with a flick of his wrist, pulling his right leg onto the couch so he can face me. He waits patiently for me to answer, as if the idea of me not answering is unfathomable. I wonder if he always gets his own way.

“I’m not telling you what it is. But it’s not as exciting as James made out. He’s just sheltered.”

“One. I don’t believe it’s not exciting; James was giddy talking about it. And two, that just brings me back to my previous question: why exactly do you want to be with a man who is boring in bed?”

“That wasn’t your previous question.” I laugh.

“So he is boring in bed?” His eyes gleam with victory.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t deny it.”

I sigh, holding my wrist against my chest as I lift my leg onto the couch, mirroring Mav.

“I will admit it was a little predictable at times. Tame even. But it’s the connection I want; it’s not just about the physical.”

“Agreed. Sex is just sex until you meet someone who blows your mind whilst doing it.”

“Exactly, I want to be taken to another plane of existence when I have sex, so trying new things is important to me. I like finding out what I like and what I don't like. I want to explore, lick, suck, bite . . . I want to push the limits of what I think I like. Because honestly, I haven’t loved everything I’ve tried before, but it’s pushed me past my comfort zone. And when you find someone you’re comfortable with, someone you trust that can take you to that level of pleasure, it’s not just an orgasm; it’s like floating in this space where you’re separate from your body. It’s pleasure for pleasure's sake. It’s hedonistic. It’s—”