XOXO, Winter

by Bloom, Nikki

  “In a way, do you feel abandoned?”

  Before I could answer, Timber settled down between us, his head resting on my thigh.

  I leaned back and looked up at the stars. “I guess if I’m being totally honest – yes.”

  He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. A little voice in the back of my head told me to push him away – to run as fast as I could. But, at the same time, I wanted this – no, I needed it.

  “As a kid, I used to love this place but now, things are a little different. And the guys in town? The worst.”

  “Is that why you’ve decided to stay single?” he asked.

  “I already told you – I want to focus on school.”

  “But is that the only reason?”

  I bit my bottom lip.

  “You know, the girls in the city aren’t much better. They only ever had one thing on the brain.”

  “And what’s that?” I asked.

  “Money.” He sighed. “There didn’t seem to be one wholesome woman in that entire place. They were all looking to use me in one way or another. Drove me insane.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “All I’ve wanted was a partner I could trust. Someone I could laugh with even on a rainy day. I really don’t know why that’s such a hard thing to find.”

  “Have you tried signing up for an online dating site?”

  “Are you kidding me?” He looked highly offended. “If I’m going to meet someone then I want it to happen organically. I don’t want to force it by checking off a bunch of boxes and fitting into some sort of parameter.”

  “You’re an old-school kind of guy, aren’t you?”

  “You could say that, but it doesn’t seem to get me anywhere.” A shadow of sadness darkened his eyes. It broke my heart to know that this man was giving up hope on ever finding true love.

  “I think you should keep looking and you’ll find her.”

  “The thing is, I think I already have.” He tied Timber to a nearby sapling. “But in order to have her, I’ll have to wait a long, long time.”

  “And is it worth the wait?” I asked in a whisper as I followed his every move like a hawk.

  “I think so.” He had his back to me so I couldn’t see his face. “I just hope that she doesn’t find someone in the meantime.”

  I got up and brushed off some dried-up mud from my pants. “She’s just scared.”

  “She has nothing to be afraid of,” he said. “Love can sometimes hurt, it’s true, but it’s also the most beautiful thing we have on this planet. It’s what keeps me going each and every day. I’ve seen husbands ball their eyes out for their wives or mothers begging me to save their child even if it means sacrificing themselves. That kind of selflessness – that adoration – it’s what drives me. And I hope to find it one day – to cherish it until my very last breath.”

  His words spoke to my heart. I had been guarding myself against the possibility of pain that I never stopped to consider what I might be missing out on. What if Reed really was the man of my dreams and pushing him away now ruined my chances with him forever? Would I ever forgive myself if I allowed that to happen?

  My impulses took over and I wrapped my arms around his neck. His eyes widened as he turned around and his hand rested naturally along the curve of my waist. Our bodies gravitated together like a couple of magnets.

  “I…” There was something I wanted to say, but as his lips came closer to mine, my thoughts seemed to vanish. This wasn’t a time to think. Thinking always ruined everything. It was finally time for me to act. So, throwing caution to the wind, I pressed my lips against his and how glorious it was.

  He was better than anything I could have imagined. Fireworks seemed to spark and fizzle between us. Driven by that excitement, the kiss became fevered. My tongue slipped into his mouth, tangling with his. Determined to keep him nice and close, I pulled at his hair.

  His hands dropped down to my ass where he had no problem picking me up off the ground.

  I wound my legs around his torso. I was possessed by the feeling of having this man so close to me. My body burned like there was a fire burning right underneath my skin. I had never felt anything like it before and I wanted more – much more.

  He sucked on my bottom lip and even bit down on it. As he pulled back, a shiver of delight shot through my spine where it settled deep within my chest.

  Maybe he really is the one, I thought to myself.

  From there, things only escalated.

  He tugged on the zipper to my jacket. It was cold, there was no doubt about it, but with the desire I felt, it didn’t even bother me.

  Once my shoulders were exposed, his lips trailed along my skin.

  I moaned ever so softly, head tilting back.

  His lips continued their exploration. He lined my collarbone with kisses until he reached the middle of my chest. He paused for a moment and looked up to make sure I was okay with continuing.

  As soon as I nodded my consent, he pulled off my shirt. How he managed to do so while still supporting my weight, I don’t know.

  He pushed me against a nearby tree and I gasped. He took the opportunity to kiss me. Our tongues danced together, hungry with passion. My heart was spinning. This was perhaps the best I had ever felt.

  His nails scored the length of my back until he reached my bra. With a flick of his wrist, it went flying off my body and into the grass. He did not waste a single moment before he had his lips pressed against my breast. First, it started off as light kisses. But then, as soon as his tongue wrapped around my nipple, I was done for.

  I could feel myself getting nice and wet. Reed knew exactly how to play my body like a violin. Everything he did filled me with pleasure.

  He switched over to the opposite breast and this time he bit down on my hard, little nub. He pulled on it until the only thing I could do was scream. “Someone seems to be enjoying herself,” he whispered against my earlobe. He nibbled it ever so gently and even that felt good.

  “Mmm” was all I could utter in response.

  “Are you sure you want this?” he asked as he snuck one of his hands down to my pants. “All you have to do is tell me to stop–”

  I silenced him with a kiss. Both my hands were planted on his cheeks. I wouldn’t let him clutter this moment with words although I appreciated his concern. As the kiss became a full-on make-out session, he popped the button on my pants and slipped his hand right into my underwear. His fingers brushed against my lips, teasing them with the lightest of touches.

  Oh, this guy was going to make me work for it, wasn’t he? I thought with an air of sexual frustration.

  Slowly, he pushed his middle finger inside my eager hole. I was so wet that it was pooling against my panties.

  He hooked his finger around the waistband and tugged on it so the fabric rubbed against my mound.

  “Fuck…”

  “What’s the matter?” he spoke like he was the most innocent man on the planet.

  “You can’t do this to me,” I groaned as I dug my nails into the back of his neck. “I need you.”

  Gently, he lowered me onto the ground. The rest of my clothes were rolled off my body. “You’re not cold, are you?”

  “Are you kidding me? You’re practically a furnace.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to keep you nice and warm.”

  10

  Reed

  Winter was, hands down, the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. Everything about her was absolutely stunning. From the curves of her body to the fullness of her chest – this woman was perfect.

  I trailed my lips along her body, cherishing it with soft ministrations. I wasn’t the kind of guy who did this sort of thing, but I just couldn’t help myself. Passing up on Winter was like rejecting a gold medal at the Olympics.

  My fingertips danced on her breast. Goosebumps covered her skin.

  She reached for my jacket and tugged on the zipper. I shrugged it off and allowed her to have her way wit
h the rest of my clothing. “Like what you see?” I asked.

  “Oh yeah,” she purred.

  “You’ll like me even better when this is all said and done.” I bit the side of her neck, sucking on it gently. “I’m going to make you scream, Winter.” With that, I pinched her clit between my fingers, rolling it back and forth. When she was just about to moan, I shoved two fingers into her entrance. Her body tensed so I waited a moment until she relaxed. Only then did I start pumping them in and out, in and out.

  The sight of her juices wasn’t something I could ignore. I dove between her folds and drank my fill. My tongue twisted around at a rapid pace only to slow down when she started to shake. I couldn’t let her finish – not yet anyway.

  Between my legs, my cock was rock hard. It was twitching – that’s how excited this woman was making me. And while I wanted to plunge my length into her depths, I held off. First, I wanted to make her feel so good that she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.

  Winter pulled my hair, trying to get me to eat her out just a little bit deeper. I pushed my tongue as far as it would go, tasting her right from the source. Oh, and how good it was.

  Mmm.

  I just couldn’t get enough.

  She moaned my name, legs spreading just a little further. I grabbed her by the ass, squeezing it hard.

  And that’s when she turned on me. She had this wild look in her eyes, like a lioness who had finally stalked her prey. Her lips attacked mine as she took my cock in her hand. Without an ounce of hesitation, she stroked it up and down. I was about ready to explode. “How are you so good at that?”

  All she did was smile as she ran her thumb along my sensitive tip.

  “Winter,” I groaned, hips bucking into the air. I couldn’t stand this for much longer. “I’m going to–”

  But she did not heed my words. She just slipped between my legs, mouth open. Her tongue darted out, running along my length. It swirled around my tip, driving me insane.

  “You’re insane.”

  “You like it.” She grinned as she cupped the balls, squeezing them between her fingers.

  I was about to say something else, but she already had her lips around my shaft. She sucked, head bobbing up and down. She looked up at me with those gorgeous green eyes of hers, and I swear, I nearly lost my mind. How can anyone be that damn sexy? It should be a crime if you ask me.

  Her lips reached down to the very base of my member. I had no idea how she managed to fit so much into such a tiny mouth.

  Then, to make matters even better, that tongue of hers kept sliding along my underside. This girl sure knew how to work it.

  As I lifted my head off the ground, I saw her ass swaying from side to side.

  That’s when I lost it.

  I pulled out, coating her upper lip with a drop of precum. She licked it up like she was getting frosting off her face.

  Holy fuck, could this woman get any sexier? I thought as I managed to roll on top of her. She was wet enough for me to slip right between her legs. Her tightness hugged my every inch until it was nearly impossible for me to move. For a second there, I forgot how to breathe.

  Our eyes locked and she brought our lips together. She kissed me with a hunger that had my hips moving of their own accord. I felt like a piston moving at full throttle. I had completely lost control of myself.

  Her body started to shake. “Cum for me,” I whispered as I kissed the side of her neck. “I want to feel your pussy wrap around me nice and tight.”

  Almost as soon as I said those words she was screaming.

  I held back my own climax as her walls quivered around my dick, trying to milk it for every last drop. I almost didn’t make it, but I pulled out just in time to explode all over her ass.

  Spent, I collapsed right beside her, chest heaving.

  “That was incredible,” she said with a smile.

  “Incredible doesn’t even come close to describing what just happened here.” Knowing that it would get cold real soon, I grabbed my boxers and cleaned my mess. “Sorry about that.”

  “Rather there then inside,” she said, panting. “The last thing I need is a baby on the way while I’m trying to study for my exam.” She got up but her legs were a little wobbly, so I helped her get dressed. I treated her with care like she was the most precious person in the world to me, and at that moment, she was. I know it was crazy for me to think that I could have fallen in love with her after such a short period of time but I felt it – that feeling of butterflies swarming all around – that pure joy that makes you feel absolutely weightless.

  Love.

  Just then, Timber barked and cocked his head with a whimper. “Oh, boy, I forgot he was still with us,” I admitted.

  “You’re doing a hell of a job as a dog dad.”

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “At least he got a nice view.”

  She punched my arm. “Quit it.”

  “What?” I raised my eyebrows in fake duress. “I believe that’s a compliment.

  She zipped up her jacket and untied the lead, handing it to me. “We should probably go home now.” There was something in her voice that made me worry.

  “Hey, are you okay?” When I reached for her arm, she pulled away from me.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You don’t think what we did just now was a mistake, do you?”

  “Honestly…” She turned so she wouldn’t have to face me. “It was great. I loved it. Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t really know what to think.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want you to apologize. It really was the best experience of my life–”

  “But–”

  “But, nothing. I just want to go home and maybe I can wrap my head around what just happened.”

  I really don’t like the sound of that, came that little voice in the back of my head. You haven’t even started dating her yet and she’s already dumping your ass.

  My heart tightened at the thought that I had seriously upset her. “Winter–”

  “Reed, please, if you don’t want to take me home, it’s fine, but I really just want to go.”

  I nodded. “Alright. Let’s double back to the shelter and we’ll take my car.”

  “Fine. The shelter’s closer, anyway.”

  Neither one of us said a word as we made our way out of the forest. There was so much I wanted to ask but my tongue refused to work. Even Timber seemed to be picking up on the tension because his tail was hanging low between his legs.

  This is what you get when things move too quickly, said that annoying little voice of mine. You’ve pushed her away and there’s nothing you can do about it.

  11

  Reed

  When we reached my car, I opened the door for her. She practically slammed it in my face.

  You’ve royally fucked up, Reed.

  Shut up. I felt like an insane person trying to reason with my own thoughts, but they were quickly driving me to the brink of insanity.

  Thinking it would be more comfortable for Timber, I opened up the trunk and laid out a blanket from the starter bundle. After such an exciting day, he was quick to lay down. I rubbed his head and fed him a treat.

  At least you’re happy, I thought. The girl of your dreams doesn’t hate your guts like Winter does mine.

  Why did you have to go and sleep with her so soon?

  Because she was right in front of me and I couldn’t possibly have said no.

  Idiot.

  Idiot was right. I felt like I would be regretting this night for the rest of my life. Still, I couldn’t run from the issue at hand. The best thing I could do was face it head-on. So, I got behind the wheel and turned on the car. “Mind if I turn on your butt warmer?”

  Winter didn’t answer me.

  Looking over, I saw that her eyes were glassy. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was crying.

  “Winter?”

  Silence.

  Growing worried, I rea
ched over and cupped her cheek against my hand. Instantly, she burst into tears.

  “Winter, what’s wrong?”

  “I-I-I…” Her sobs made it impossible for her to speak.

  I took off my jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “Just calm down for me, alright?”

  She focused on her breathing.

  “That’s it. Just breathe. I’m not going to hurt you. Everything’s fine.”

  She shook her head. “I just don’t want to get my heart broken… I need to focus on school, and this is just too much.”

  I took her hand. “I’m not going to break your heart, Winter, and I’m also not going to interfere with your schoolwork. I know how important that is to you just like medical school meant the world to me. I understand that – I really do. But you can’t let it interfere with your quality of life. It's not healthy for you to build this wall around yourself and shut everyone out.”

  With my thumb, I wiped away the tears that streaked down her face.

  “You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sorry that some guys have treated you badly in the past and I’m sorry that your father never calls, but you can’t do this to yourself.”

  “What makes you so different?” she asked. “Why are you the one who will prove all this wrong?”

  “I can’t answer that. You’ll have to choose for yourself whether I’m the right man for you or not. I would never force myself on you like that.” I dropped my hand from her face. “So, until you make that decision, I’ll give you the space that you need.”

  This was not how I had expected the night to turn out. After what we did, I thought we’d be floating on cloud nine right about now. Oh, how quickly things change.

  I turned up the heat in the car and started down the street. “Do you think you can tell me how to get back to your place or should I punch in your address into the navigation–”

  “Take a right here.”

  We came upon a nice, little neighborhood. Most of the houses looked exactly the same save for a different coating of paint.