I mouth a ‘sorry’ to Steven who just rolls his eyes, in what I could only call amused exasperation.
“Can I come?”
“Ah,” I stare at Steven, waiting to see what he has to say.
“Sure,” Steven replies, easily. “But why don’t we go to the Christmas markets together, in the evening, once I’m back from the office?”
But Aaron was his son, and he pipes up, “Okay, then you can join Abby and me after we go shopping.”
Steven gives his son a look from the rear-view mirror, and I just glance out of the window, not wanting to get dragged into this.
Of course, Steven wouldn’t want Aaron out in the public without being able to look after him. I could understand his dilemma.
It wasn’t safe.
However, I hear him say, “You can go with Abby, but you two can’t go alone. I’ll send someone from my security team.”
I open my mouth to say that having someone follow us around would be weird, when I see the wide excitement on Aaron’s face and I bite my tongue.
I see Steven glance at me, and I return it with a smile, “It’s fine with me. Whatever puts your mind at ease.”
I looked back at Aaron, “We’re going to have fun, won’t we?”
“Yeah!” Aaron throws his fist in the air, unable to contain his excitement, and as I sit back straight, I see that strange gleam in Steven’s eyes again, the one I could never decipher.
Scarlett was pleased to see me.
She threw her arms around me and dragged me into the room, “I have so much to tell you!”
However, when Steven follows me in, accompanied by Aaron, she blinks wildly, “Uh, hello.”
I wince, “I’m sorry. I should have called ahead.”
“No, no.” She waves off my excuses and studies Steven, “So, you’re Steven Tanner.”
She makes a small sound of dissent, “You’re prettier on the magazine.”
I clasp my hand over my friend’s mouth, and ask, brightly, “Who wants some coffee?”
Steven doesn’t seem to be ready to leave, “I’ll take it.”
As I drag Scarlett into the kitchen, his gaze meets mine, “Your apartment is very you.” he says with a quiet smile.
I am unsure what to make of his comment, as I see him lift up a pillow which had a multitude of coloured patches sewn together as the cover.
“What?” Scarlett hisses when I close the door behind me.
“Do you have to be so rude to him?” I make a face at her.
She gives me a repentant smile, “Sorry. I’m still upset about what happened with Travis.”
I had had a few days of Steven showering me with constant attention to forget about Travis, and when his name is mentioned, my blood boils.
“Tell me he didn’t call you.”
“I called him,” Scarlett informs me, heat in her eyes. “He won’t be bothering you again.”
I shrug, not wanting to pursue the topic more, and I pull out some cups from the shelf, preparing coffee and hot chocolate.
Scarlett seats herself on the counter, “So?”
“So, what?”
Scarlett nudges me with her bare feet, “You’re so much more relaxed. Does that mean you slept with Steven?”
I pour the coffee in the cup, saying lightly, “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“That’s not fair!”
I grin at her, “I’ll tell you later. So, how did your date with Collin go?”
When she blushes, something so unlike her, I laugh and carry out the tray.
Steven must have heard me laughing because he looks up when I enter the room.
“Here,” I hand Aaron a steaming cup of hot chocolate. “Be careful not to burn your tongue.”
The mugs are distributed, and everyone chooses a seat.
“So, Steven,” Scarlett began, eyeing him. “What exactly are your intentions with my Abby?”
I groan, “Oh, God. Not this again.”
“What?” Scarlett protests. “I want to know. It’s my job to protect you!”
Steven smiles, a slow curling of the edges of his lips as he looks at me, “That depends on Abby.”
When Scarlett gives me an expectant look, I raise a brow, “We’re not fifteen. You’re not giving me the boyfriend talk.”
“Oh,” My friend gives a sly grin. “So, you admit he’s your boyfriend?”
“I didn’t say that!” I stammer.
“Dad’s not your boyfriend?” Aaron looks so disappointed that I blink.
“Uh, that’s not what I’m saying. Steven, say something!”
The man in question gives me a forlorn look, “I’m just as baffled as they are.”
I scowl at him, trying to hide the loud thumping in my chest that was threatening to drown me.
Why didn’t he deny it?
Even as I bid them goodbye, Steven leans down to press a hot kiss against my mouth, leaving me dazed, my mind confused. After reassuring Aaron that I wouldn’t renege on my promise, I watch them leave.
Closing the door, I lean my forehead against it, struggling to understand why Steven was so complicated.
“The man looks at you like he wants to eat you up.”
I turn around to see Scarlett watching me from her seat.
“He cares about me. He’s said that much.” I admit, slowly.
She snorts, “Cares about you, my ass. He’s besotted by you.”
With my hands behind my back, on the door, I lean against them, “Why would you say that?”
“His eyes never left you, Abby. Not even once. And the way he watches you, there is this possessiveness in his eyes. He’s not going to let you walk away. Not this one.”
Her words make something inside me flare but hope was a dangerous mountain to climb, and I choose not to say anything.
“Don’t pretend like you’re not into him.”
I raise my head to meet Scarlett’s steady gaze and my cheeks turn red, “I like him. A lot. I’ve never met anyone like him, Scarlett. But I’m too scared to trust him with my heart. I keep telling myself this is a fling, nothing more. But I think I’m a little far gone.”
I see the worry in Scarlett’s eyes and she glances at my hands, “If he wasn’t serious about you, he wouldn’t have invited you to spend Christmas with them.”
I walk over to her and sink down next to her, “Scarlett, I’ve only known him a handful of weeks. I kept pushing him away, but he’s so goddamn stubborn. He wouldn’t budge, and now I think –“, I feel the tears burning my throat, “- I think I’ve fallen in love with him, Scarlett. And I’m so scared!”
I feel Scarlett’s arms wrap around me, engulfing me in her warmth, “Honey, what do you have to be scared about? The man clearly has incredibly strong feelings for you. The amount of shit you threw his way, he took all of that and still showers you with affection. I know men. And I know when one is completely wrapped up and tied with a bow.”
“Even if that’s true, we’re from two different worlds. I have no place in his. I know next to nothing about him. What kind of lifestyle does he lead? Is he the type who parties all weekend and sleeps around with models?”
When Scarlett pulls away and stares at me, I wince.
“Your man is a single father who is raising his kid alone. For a billionaire, he leads a very quiet lifestyle. The worst thing about him is probably that he might be a closet workaholic. Honey, I know what you’re doing. You’re looking for excuses to push him away so you’re stereotyping him. Please tell me you didn’t say that to him.”
I bite my lips, guilt written all over my face, and she shakes her head, “The man is a saint if he still chose to look past that.”
I flop on my back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, “I’m a terrible person. I’m in love with him. I love his son. But I’m so scared of being hurt that I was an asshole to him.”
“Offer to apologize with sex. He’ll forgive you in a heartbeat.” Scarlett mutters, and I raise my head to see her looking down at
her phone.
“What’s going on with you?” I ask.
She studies me, and I see the uncertainty in her eyes, “You know how I go traveling for my Christmas vacations?”
“Yeah?”
She swallows, “Ah, well, I invited Collin along with me, and he said yes.”
I stare at her, “You’re going vacationing with my boss?”
She looks both excited and unsure, “We were holed here for the past few days as well. I – he’s not just amazing in bed, it’s different.”
“Different good?” I ask.
She nods, “He makes me feel special, Abby. The way he looks at me.”
There is a soft hitch in her voice, “Nobody has ever looked at me that way before. I want to see where this goes.”
I feel my heart lighten, a smile forming on my face, “Then, let’s go get our men.”
Chapter 17
My plans end up changing.
I order the gifts for my parents online and had them ship it to their home. Since the flights were clear to go, but Scarlett was unsure how long that would last for, she and Collin decide to depart the next morning.
I stare at the empty apartment the next afternoon, a little unsure of what to do now.
The plan with Steven hadn’t even been talked out and I stand in my apartment, staring at the house-phone in my hand.
For a businessman, he sure wasn’t organized.
Sitting on the couch, I dangle my legs from the back, head on the cushion.
“Should I call him and ask?” I wonder, aloud.
My eyes flew to the wall clock. It was just shy of four.
He had mentioned how busy he might be since the offices were open just for a few more days.
I didn’t want to be a bother, but I needed to know what the plan was.
Sighing, I dial his number.
“Hello,” His voice is cold, making me blink.
“Steven?” I say his name, hesitantly.
The coldness vanishes as if it had never been there. His voice is suddenly infused with warmth and, if I wasn’t mistaken, delight, “Abby. I wasn’t expecting you to call.”
I couldn’t help but smile, “Yeah. I wanted to know what the plan was for tomorrow. Is Aaron still coming with me for my Christmas shopping?”
“Yes. I’m going to send a car to pick the two of you up.”
“Oh. That sounds nice,” I finish lamely.
Not wanting to keep the phone down, I ask, “So, uh, what were you doing?”
I hear his decadent chuckle, “Well, I was standing outside your building, wondering if you were free right now.”
My heart stills and I sit up, forgetting my position and sliding on to the floor with a large thump, “Ow!”
Alarm in his voice now, “Abby! Abby are you okay?”
I rub the back of my head, wincing, “Yeah, no. I tripped and hit my head on the table. Nothing to –“
“I’m coming up!”
“Yeah, uh, you do that,” I say blankly to the dial tone.
He must have run upstairs because I hear the footsteps outside before he threw the door open and walks in, that beige trench coat of his concealing his fitted suit, making my blood heat up.
He was by my side within a heartbeat, cradling my head with gentle fingers.
“I’m fine,” I try to reassure him as I grope the couch for support so that I can stand.
His eyes narrow as he helps me to my feet and studies the distance of the couch from the edge of the table where my head had landed, “How did you manage to hit that?”
I look a little sheepish, “I was sitting upside down.”
Seeing the interest peak in his eyes, I roll my eyes, “I’m not demonstrating it to you.”
He grins, tucking his hands in the pockets of his pants, “Pity.”
“How did you get in? I thought I locked the door.” I look around at the door, curiously.
“It was open.”
“Oh, yeah. Scarlett forgot her keys.”
“Where is she?” Steven asks, and I rub my head, wincing.
“She left for her trip early today. She didn’t want to be stuck here in case another blizzard hit.”
Steven raises his brow, “So, we’re alone?”
I take a step back, warily, “Why?”
I watch him shrug off his trench coat and I bite my bottom lip at seeing his form in that black suit.
God, I had no idea I had such a suit fetish.
“I-I have to lock the door.”
His gray eyes follow me to the door and I feel him behind me before he wraps his arms on either side of my head, effectively caging me in.
Feeling thrill spike through me, I turn around and without hesitating, I stand up on my tiptoes and brush my lips against his.
Once. Twice.
He seemed surprised at my taking the initiative and then he studies me from under his hooded eyelashes, before leaning down and capturing my mouth.
When my hands went to grab the lapels of his suit, he took each hand and pinned them against the door, his mouth still moving on mine, tasting, sipping, his soft wet tongue exploring the velvet confines of my mouth.
I gasp, my nipples hardening.
It was getting harder to breathe, but I was so caught up in the way his mouth was abusing mine, that I simply didn’t care. My moans are soft and helpless, his mouth felt so hot as it left wet burning trails over my skin.
My large sweater slipped from my shoulder, baring it and his eyes catch that. He abandons my swollen mouth to go pursue other avenues. As he trails wet kisses all over my neck and shoulder, delivering small stinging bites over my delicate skin, I feel him move his legs, as he uses his legs to kick mine apart and steps in between them.
I didn’t even realize what he was doing till I felt his thigh in direct contact with my panty clad pussy. I wanted to rub against it like before, but I felt the bulge in his pants and my mouth watered.
I never wanted to go down on someone like I wanted to with him.
I wanted my mouth on him, to drive him wild, to remove that arrogant look on his face.
He was so engrossed in kissing me that he didn’t realize my intent before I slid my hands from his grip, going down on to my knees.
The look on his face was well worth it, as he realizes what I intended to do.
“Abby,” He breathes, and I bit my lip before looking up at him.
I lean forward, unbuckling his belt, and unzipping his pants. However, I didn’t take them off.
No, he was right when he said I had a submissive streak in me, but it was only for him. I wanted him to use me during sex, because a part of me trusted him.
I wanted to submit to him.
He grips my chin in his hands and forces me to look up at him.
I don’t know what he saw in my eyes, but his expression darkens, and he groans, “Oh, fuck, Abby.”
He didn’t remove his hand and there was a tinge of authority and darkness in his voice, as he murmurs, “If you want to stop, squeeze my leg.”
I couldn’t wait.
I took out his hardened cock and looked at it admiringly, “It’s so thick.”
“Hands on my thighs.” He orders, and I oblige.
He moves hips forward and I notice the pre-cum leaking from the bulbous head. He rubs it over my lips, prodding, asking me to open.
I open my mouth, and he slides his cock in.
It had a silky texture, and was hard, he slowly moves in and out of my mouth. It felt pleasant enough. But then he thrusts in, till his balls are nestled against my chin and his cock is hitting the back of my throat.
I gag but when he is about to pull away in concern, I dig my nails into his thighs, not squeezing, but refusing to let go.
He was such a generous lover. I would be damned if I didn’t give anything back.
He studies me, his jaw taut. I move my head forward, sucking him, lavishing his cock with my tongue.
He groans, and then thrusts into me again, this t
ime the movement harsher but not enough to make me uncomfortable.
He was slowly getting me used to his speed.
It spoke a lot about this man’s control, the way he held himself in check.
I start moving my mouth back and forth, my tongue sucking on the head before moving to lick at the veins on his cock. I wasn’t very educated at this, but I made up for my lack of knowledge through sheer enthusiasm.
His movements were slow and steady, and when my eyes met his, his mouth trembled with desire, lines of strain around it.
“Abby?”
I understood the question for what it was, and I nod.
He lets out a shuddering breath before taking control of the blowjob. I held on for dear life as he fucked my mouth with precise control, his fingers tightening in my hair in a way that was enough to keep me in place but would let me escape if I needed to.
My gag reflex was in full motion as he used my tight throat to his advantage. I felt my panties get wetter and wetter at how he was using me, and at how amazing it felt to be the one bringing out that vulnerable expression on his face as he dangled on the edge.
My face was red as I couldn’t breathe, and my pussy kept clenching and unclenching, wanting to be fucked with the tool that was busy fucking my mouth.
The sounds coming from my mouth, as he showed no mercy and kept holding me in place, made my inner muscles quiver. Although, I was in control of the situation, I couldn’t help but be turned on by the fact that while he was using my mouth to get himself off, he was incredibly gentle about it. I hear him groan as he loses control momentarily and his hips move harshly in a thrust. Those gray eyes, dark with desire and helplessness, stare at mine as he fucks my mouth, and they push me over the edge. I moan into his mouth as I come in my panties.
After a few pumps, I feel him pull-out and command, his voice rough with desire, “Stick out your tongue, Abby.”
I obey him and his cum comes spurting out. I swallow it to the last drop, before reaching out to clean his cock with my mouth.
He was leaning against the door using his hands, and he stares down at me, reverence in his eyes.
We stare at each other, till he reaches down and uses his thumb to wipe my cheek clean. I close my eyes against the gentle sensation, my clit still humming from the way I had fiercely orgasmed in my panties.
Wintertime Heat: A Christmas Single Dad Romance Page 10
