by Megan McCoy
Nodding, her eyes still on the ornament, she said, “Yes, this is it. It’s so beautiful.” She tucked it back in the box and looked at him. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, sounding a little relieved. “I went back for it yesterday. I wanted you to have something to open today.”
She reached up and touched his cheek, his skin warm and his beard soft beneath her fingers. “Thank you. Really. It’s lovely and so very thoughtful.”
“You’re welcome,” he whispered, his gaze becoming intense as he looked at her, her fingers still on his cheek. She read desire in his eyes. He took her hand in his, holding it close to his cheek. “I shouldn’t do this,” he whispered, his voice deep and breathy.
“Do what?” she said, her heart quickening.
“I want to kiss you,” he said.
“I want that too,” she whispered.
Releasing her hand, he reached for the back of her head, pulling her toward him and she leaned in at his touch. His tongue probed her lips and she parted to let him inside. Blindly, she reached a hand forward and found his neck. She stroked the skin with her thumb and then followed the curvature of his shoulder before resting her hand against his chest where she could feel his heart beating.
They broke apart, panting slightly. Liam rested his forehead against hers. “I want you,” he breathed, and a shiver of anticipation went through Heather. “I know I shouldn’t do this, but—” he broke off, exhaling heavily through his nose.
“So, you can spank me but you can’t kiss me?” she asked, amused. “Interesting rules.” Heather nuzzled her nose against his.
He didn’t answer.
She could still feel her heart beating wildly against her chest. “Tell me,” she whispered, dropping her hand from his chest to his knee. “Tell me what you shouldn’t do.”
Liam gave a soft moan. He lifted a hand to cup her jaw, brushing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. He tilted his face so that his lips were just touching hers. “I shouldn’t kiss you like this,” he said softly, and the hand on the back of her head pulled her closer again. They broke apart and he said, “I shouldn’t put my hand on your thigh.” He moved his hand from her face and rested his fingertips on the outside of her knee, moving them slowly up and stopping halfway up her thigh. “I shouldn’t take your present and move it out of the way,” he said, dragging his fingers over the top of her thigh and lifting the box to set it on the coffee table. The hand that had been on the back of her head drifted down her back, over her shirt, until it reached the clasp of her bra. He fidgeted with it through the fabric. “I definitely shouldn’t tell you how much I want to see you with your clothes off.”
Heather smiled, flushing with anticipation. “What about your clothes?”
“I shouldn’t take those off, either,” he said. He moved his head to gently bite her ear. Heather trembled at the heat of his breath. She fingered the hem of his shirt.
“All because I’m a guest?” she asked. “I want my money back.”
He grinned. “Are you going to leave me a bad review?”
“Definitely.”
“Can’t have that,” he said, and he kissed her deeply again. Heather lifted his shirt and he pulled his arms out one at a time, finally breaking their kiss to pull it over his head. Heather’s fingers explored his torso, both hands moving softly over the contours of his body. She felt him flexing his muscles at her touch. He watched her face as she admired his body, his eyes hungry, before reaching for her shirt. In one swift movement, he tugged her top up and over her head. He leaned forward to kiss her, his hands on her bare waist. Heather took one of his hands and moved it to her breast. He moaned, his lips still against hers, as he pressed his palm into her, feeling the weight of her breast. His other hand left her waist and he cupped both of her breasts, his thumbs slipping into the cups of her bra, seeking her nipples.
Wanting to feel his hands better, Heather unclasped her bra. The straps fell and she withdrew her arms. Liam, his hands still on the cups of her bra, tossed it lightly to the side before sliding off the couch himself. He knelt in front of her, Heather still sitting on the edge of the couch cushion. He blew on her chest, one breast and then the other, smiling as she shivered slightly. Leaning forward, he cupped both breasts again, this time nuzzling them with his face. He kissed her nipples, sucking slightly and massaging them with his tongue. Heather wound her fingers into his still damp hair, holding his head to her chest and moaning with pleasure.
She released him when he pulled his head away, and he hooked his fingers in the waistband of her pants and panties, pulling sharply. Heather lifted herself slightly so that the clothing slid easily to her knees. Liam kissed each kneecap as he worked the clothing down to her ankles and finally over her feet. A hand on the inside of each leg, he spread her legs. His lips met her center and Heather collapsed back into the couch. One hand wandered up to massage her breast as his tongue flicked and darted inside her.
After several moments, he stood and strode to the mantel. Opening a small box, he pulled out a condom. “I always keep one in here,” he said, returning to her, “Just in case.”
“Handy,” said Heather, watching as he fumbled with the button of his jeans. She leaned forward and unzipped the fly, pulling his pants and underwear to the floor, where he stepped out of them. He was ready for her. She took him in her hand and worked slowly up and down for a moment before taking him in her mouth. He gave a small gasp as she sucked, one hand still moving the base and the other hand massaging below. She felt him shudder with delight, his thigh muscles tensing as he swayed a little.
She stopped when he put a hand on her shoulder and Heather looked up. He moved to join her on the couch and kissed her again. She lay down, glad the couch was long and not a loveseat, and he knelt over her, rolling on the condom. He reached down with a hand and felt her, then guided himself in. Heather inhaled sharply at the feel of him. Moving slowly at first, he kept his eyes on hers, watching her face and picking up speed. She moaned as he pressed his face into her neck, kissing and grazing his teeth against her soft skin. Her hands reached around his back, her fingernails digging into him, as his thrusts became harder.
Liam moved a hand down to where they were connected and pleasured her with his fingers, moving quickly back and forth over the center of her. Heather’s body contracted as the sensation overwhelmed her, arching her back and crying out. Liam gave a shuddering breath and his movements became suddenly slower, his breathing heavy. Heather could feel his heart racing to match her own frantic pulse. He rolled slightly to the side, holding himself up against the back of the couch, and they lay together in silence, their bodies still hot and sweating.
“Wow,” said Heather after a while.
“I go above and beyond for my guests,” he said, stroking her collarbone. “Reviews are key to a successful Airbnb.”
Heather’s phone chimed.
Liam groaned as she sat up to check it.
“My mom wants to video call,” she said.
“Right now?” he asked, sitting up too.
“No, later,” said Heather, typing back. Tapping send, she set her phone down and reached for her clothes.
“Don’t get dressed,” Liam complained. “It’s Christmas.”
“I didn’t realize Christmas was such a day of nudity in Scotland,” said Heather, fastening her bra.
“I thought this was my present.”
“No, this was part two of my gift,” she said.
“What did you get me, then?” he asked, watching her emerge from the neck of her top.
“A five star review,” she said, standing to pull on her panties.
“Oh, very thoughtful,” he said, still laid out naked on the couch, propped up on one elbow.
“Reviews are key to a successful Airbnb. I heard that once,” she said, stepping into her pants.
“Whoever said that sounds very handsome and clever. I bet it was a successful businessman with incredible charm and sex ap
peal.”
“Eh. He was all right,” she teased. “I’m going to freshen up.”
“You’re coming back, right?”
She smiled. “Yeah. I haven’t finished my coffee.”
Heather returned some time later, having rinsed off, touched up her makeup, and checked her hair. In the doorway to the living room, she paused, a wide smile spreading across her face. In her absence, Liam had rearranged the living room. The narrow coffee table had been moved to the side, in front of the window. The cushions from the sofa had been removed and propped up on the floor against the couch. A large sheet had been laid out over the plush rug and additional blankets had been brought in.
“I thought it might be fun to watch a Christmas movie,” he said, nestled in the blankets with coffee in one hand. He was shirtless and Heather wondered if he was wearing anything under the blankets.
“Great,” she said. “Did you have a specific movie in mind?” As she settled herself in the blankets beside him, she checked: he wore underwear and nothing else.
They began a Christmas movie marathon, taking turns selecting a mix of childhood favorites, rom-coms, and comedies. They killed the bottle of prosecco and kept snacking through lunch, cuddled together under the blankets, Liam getting up every so often to add a log to the fire. Sometime in mid-afternoon, they each drifted off to sleep, waking up before the end of the movie. It was dark and near dinnertime when Heather left to call her parents. She talked for just under an hour, and when she came back out, Liam had food ready.
“I made some soup, if you’d like some,” he told her.
“Thanks, I would,” said Heather.
“How were your parents?” he asked when she returned to the living room with a steaming bowl.
“They’re good,” she said shortly.
“Do you miss them?”
Heather thought about the question. “A little. It’s weird being away from home during Christmas.” She paused then added, “I think they’re a little annoyed I didn’t wait and come over with my friends, after Christmas.”
Liam nodded, blowing on a spoonful for soup. “Is this your first Christmas away from them?” he asked.
“No, not the first. But I don’t do it often. What about your parents? Do you miss going home to Aberdeen for Christmas?”
“No. I’m used to it. I don’t go home often. I say they live in Aberdeen, but they live outside the city in a small town. I don’t miss that life.”
“Do they ever visit you here in Edinburgh?”
“My sister comes up sometimes, mostly to go to some event in the city.” When they had finished their soup, Liam asked, “Would you like some scotch?”
“Yes, please.”
While he was pouring the drinks in the kitchen, Heather peered out the large window. Despite the darkness outside, she could see the snow, bright in the moonlight, lying on the ground and balanced on the branches and leaves of Liam’s garden.
Drinks in hand, Liam came up beside her, also looking out at the garden. “Bonnie, isn’t it?” he said, handing her a glass. “Scotch and snow. You couldn’t ask for a better Christmas.”
“Cheers,” she said. They clinked glasses and each took a sip.
Liam put his arm around her waist and they stood quietly, enjoying the sight of starlit snow, with the fire snapping behind them and the burn of whisky in their throats. Heather rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in deeply. “Christmas in Scotland,” she said.
“Aye,” said Liam. “Come here, I have one last present for you.” He took her by the hand and led her back to the blankets. He kissed her, tenderly at first and then with intensity. Then he undressed her and gave her one last present, on the blankets in front of the fire on Christmas night in Scotland.
Chapter 4
Heather stopped on the trail, clutching at a stitch in her side and breathing hard. The wind whipped her hair and stung her nose.
“Are you all right?” asked Liam. Despite the steep climb, Liam seemed relaxed and energetic. “We’re nearly there,” he said.
Heather nodded. “I’m fine. Just wanted to rest a second.” Though the snow had mostly melted, the air was cold in her lungs. It was odd to feel hot and slightly sweaty at her core while her extremities were cold.
They pushed on and ten minutes later they reached the top of Arthur’s Seat, a famous hiking spot in Holyrood Park. The view stretched out for miles in every direction: the grassy expanse of park, the smooth sea, the rows of buildings and streets of greater Edinburgh were all visible. It was extremely windy at the summit. Heather found a plaque on the ground that read “HEIGHT OF ARTHUR’S SEAT 250.5M” and took a picture of it.
“When you’re ready, we can head down and find a spot for our picnic,” said Liam after a while, his voice raised over the wind.
“Let’s go,” said Heather, “My ears are cold.”
They began the trek back down, the wind easing quickly as they descended. Some distance back down the trail, they found a flat-ish spot in the sun and decided to have their picnic there. Heather helped him spread out a thick blanket and sat beside him as Liam unpacked his backpack. He pulled out a thermos of hot chocolate, two oranges, cheese, a fresh loaf of bread, and hard, sliced sausage. Pouring each of them a measure of hot chocolate, he laid the rest out between them. Heather pulled a hunk of bread, topped it with a slice of cheese and took a bite. It was simple and satisfying.
“So, we part ways tomorrow,” said Liam unexpectedly.
Heather lowered her tin mug of hot chocolate. “Mmm hmm. I’m going to meet my friends and you’re heading to Aberdeen, right?”
“Yes, to see my family for New Year’s,” he said, picking up a slice of sausage. “And you won’t be in Edinburgh by the time I get back?”
Heather drained her mug and shook her head. “Shortly after Hogmanay, I leave for Greece with my friends for another week and then we fly back to the States.”
Liam nodded thoughtfully, scoring the peel of one of the oranges.
“I could be coming back,” she said in a would-be-casual tone, tearing off another chunk of bread, “depending on whether or not I get my work visa. But I haven’t heard anything yet.”
They were quiet for a moment and then Liam said, “So what did you think of Arthur’s Seat?” and they did not revisit the topic again.
December twenty-eighth, Heather woke up alone in Liam’s bed. She lay still for a moment, thinking of the day ahead and how she would soon be packing up her belongings to leave this house, probably never to see it or Liam again. Her friends were on an airplane right now, likely already in the final descent; transatlantic flights tended to leave the United States in the evening and land in the European morning.
The door opened softly, and Liam looked in wearing a bathrobe. “You’re awake,” he said. “I made coffee.”
“Oh good,” said Heather, stretching. “I’ll be up in a minute.” He left, but she didn’t get out of bed. Were they just going to pretend this was another day and they weren’t parting forever? Should she give him a way to contact her, or was that presumptuous? He hadn’t said anything about wanting to continue the relationship. If you could even call it a relationship, she thought. I’ve only known the guy for a couple of days. It’s just a fling.
An hour later, Heather was back in her rented room, packing up. It felt strange to be in the Airbnb space, having spent most of her visit in the house with Liam. He had not come in to help her pack. She recalled the loneliness she had felt waking up in the room on Christmas morning, convinced she would be spending the day alone, and her throat tightened with emotion.
It was never meant to last, she told herself as she rearranged the clothes in her suitcase. It was always stamped with today’s date as an expiration. Carefully, she put the boxed ornament in the middle of the luggage, cushioning it with clothing on all sides.
The room looked bare when all of Heather’s things were packed away. She gave the room one last sweeping look and then walked deeper into the ho
use, pulling her suitcase behind her. Liam came out of the living room when he heard her moving through the house. “All set?” he asked when she paused by the front door.
“Yep. I’m all packed,” she said, fussing with her purse zipper so she wouldn’t have to look at him. She pulled out the house key and set it on the little table. “Here is your key back. Thank you for letting me stay.” She opened the front door.
“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoyed it,” he said, somewhat awkwardly, as she stepped onto the front step.
“Goodbye,” she said, glancing back at him, but avoiding his eyes. “Have a Happy New Year and safe travels.”
“Heather.”
She turned and he was much closer than she expected. He took her face in his hands and kissed her hard, standing in the open doorway. A feeling of relief swept through Heather, as if the kiss validated that their shining Christmas together had been real, had been special. When their kiss ended, she hugged him, wrapping both arms around his neck. Liam held her for a minute, his arms around her waist, and then gently stepped backward, breaking their hug. He studied her face intently. “I’m really glad you came to Edinburgh for Christmas,” he said finally.
Heather smiled. “I’m glad, too,” she told him. “It was a lot of fun.”
They stood looking at each other and Heather could have sworn Liam was going to say something, but he just lifted a hand to wave goodbye.
“Bye,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She took up her suitcase handle and strode away, heading for the bus stop.
Chapter 5
Heather met her friends, Anna, Michelle and Brittney, outside their Airbnb. Their home base for the next few days was in a large apartment close to the city center. Their host, a middle-aged woman, gave them a quick tour and left them with a couple of keys and a map of the city. They dumped their stuff and headed out for a bus tour.
After a quick argument about where to sit, the group decided to brave the cold and wind and sit on the top, uncovered deck of the bus. “We won’t be moving very fast,” Anna reasoned, “and we’ll be able to see better.” So, they pulled their hats down over their ears, made sure their coats were zipped up, adjusted their scarves and climbed the stairs to the top of the bus. A tour guide sat in the front of the upper deck, a microphone in hand, pointing out notable sights.
