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Their time together would end way too soon, but for now, everything was great.
Chapter Seventeen
December 17th…8 Days Until Christmas…
Mitch couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt refreshed upon waking up, but that morning when his eyes opened, he didn’t immediately want to shut them again. The last few weeks, his sleeping had gotten longer, deeper, and less riddled with nightmarish memories.
Definitely had to do with the gorgeous brunette lying on his chest, sleeping peacefully. He held her tighter as he took a deep breath. He’d never been so happy being confined to one spot as he was that morning. There was no pressure to get up right away. No desire to, either.
He twirled a piece of Jess’s hair around his finger and she stirred, cuddling in even closer. Damn, he loved the feel of her body lying next to him. One leg draped over his, her arm resting across his stomach, her soft cheek against his chest. When was the last time he’d felt this at peace and so comfortable with a woman? Jess had the most amazing calming effect on him.
The night before was the first nightmare-free sleep since leaving Cambodia.
That meant something.
Unfortunately, it also made him feel guilty that Maria was still having a rough time. He’d found something—someone—to help him heal that holiday season. He hoped she’d be okay…
Luckily, he’d been able to convince Jess to stay overnight at the inn with him. After his tree decorating blunder and ill-timed phone call, he’d thought maybe she’d be upset or disappointed that he hadn’t exactly given the best response over the misunderstanding or been very forthcoming about the situation with Maria, but she’d just as eagerly climbed the B&B stairs with him to his room after the tree was lit, and that’s where they’d stayed all evening. She hadn’t asked any questions and, not really knowing any answers, he hadn’t tried to give any.
He held her tight and her eyes flitted open. She looked up at him, her sleepy but happy expression filling his chest with a warmth he hadn’t experienced in years.
In too long. He hadn’t realized he’d missed this personal connection, this intimacy. He’d never allowed himself to slow down long enough to realize the void was there or allow any loneliness to enter.
“Hey, good morning,” he said.
“Did you sleep okay with me crushing you?” she asked, attempting to get up, but he held her to him.
“Best sleep I’ve ever had,” he said.
She smiled and snuggled closer. “You’re so warm.”
He grabbed the blankets and pulled them up around her body. “Better?”
“Yes.” She kissed his chest and he immediately felt his attraction turn to a more desire-filled sensation.
She shifted her body and continued her trail of kisses lower across his stomach and along his obliques. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the mountain of soft pillows as her hands traced the path of her mouth down his body.
She knelt between his legs and her hands massaged his thighs as her kisses went even lower. His cock was immediately at attention, and when her hand wrapped around its base, he swallowed hard. She was tender, yet strong. Her control of her own passion was intoxicating control over him.
She stroked slowly up and down as her other hand cupped his balls. He moaned and clutched the bedsheets on either side of him. When her mouth lowered and her lips wrapped around the tip, he was already close to the edge.
How could he give this incredible sensation up in less than a week?
He glanced down at her, and he knew this was far more than just physical. Their connection went so much deeper. He’d never met anyone quite like Jessica. Her commitment and dedication to her hometown and her friends was not so unlike his own commitment to the greater cause he believed in. They were alike in a lot of ways.
The fact that she was considering giving up everything she loved, her own comfort zones to try something new with him only made her that much more irresistible. He reached for her and she gently released him from her mouth and glanced up at him.
“Come here,” he said, gripping her around her rib cage and lifting her higher on the bed. She straddled him, her underwear pressed against his straining cock. He could feel her wetness and the thought that she was just as turned on and eager for him was even more of a turn-on.
Gripping her face between his hands, he kissed her. Softly at first, then harder. His tongue separated her lips and he savored the taste of her. She pressed her pelvis forward against him and began rocking her hips back and forth, grinding her body against him.
He could barely breathe, his mouth never leaving hers as their actions grew more desperate, more frantic. She clung to his shoulders as she moved up and down against him.
When was the last time he’d dry-humped a woman? High school?
This was killing him. The need to be inside her, to feel her tight body wrapped around him, submerge himself in her warm wetness. He couldn’t get close enough to her. Too much clothing between them.
Pulling away, he reached for the base of her tank top and quickly lifted it up over her head. He tossed it onto the floor and reached for her underwear. One quick yank had the thin lace falling away from her body.
