Cozy

by Alexa Riley

  The other guy stupidly tries to run and I grab him by the scruff of the neck and haul him up in the air. I toss him into a pile with his friend and he hits the other one with his face and I hear a crunch. When security pulls him off the floor, his nose is bloody and I do feel a little better at seeing it.

  “Timber.”

  The sound of my name on those lips would call me back from the dead. I turn around to see Pippa rushing towards me just as the guards take the proverbial trash out. I wrap her in my arms and hold her close, breathing in her scent. A calm peace washes over me—the effect her touch always has on me.

  “Can you handle everything?” I ask Simon, who is looking at the busted door frame.

  “Don’t I always?” He smiles at me and I nod.

  “Where’s your sister?” I ask as I carry Pippa out of her old bedroom and down the hall to our room.

  “She’s checking in with the caterers in the kitchen and going over the seating charts. I came to find you and get ready.”

  I bury my face in her neck as I walk into our room and kick the door shut behind us.

  “Timber, what the hell just happened?”

  “I can’t lose you,” I say as I kiss down her throat and walk towards the bed.

  “Lose me?” I can hear the smile in her voice as I put her on her back and start to unbutton her shirt.

  “The thought of someone coming in here and trying to take you from me—” I grit my teeth because I can’t finish the sentence. I’m so angry again at just the thought I rip open the front of her shirt. Buttons fly as material rips and the sight of her pink lacy bra covering her breasts does little to calm me.

  “Hey.” She cups my cheek and I look into her eyes. “I love you, Timber.”

  I still at her words and blink to make sure I heard her right. “What?”

  “I said I love you. I should have said it the first time we made love, but I was scared.”

  “And you’re not now?” I lean into her touch and move between her legs.

  “Never when I’m with you.”

  She pulls me down to her and I press my lips to hers. The kiss is gentle at first, but the moment I feel her tongue slide against mine, all bets are off.

  “Yes, I love you and yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “You will?” My heart swells as I stare into her eyes and see my future before me. It was unknown for so long, but now that I have my Pippa my path is clear.

  “I will.” She nods and I kiss her again.

  Her body wraps around mine as I reach between us and unbutton her jeans. I push them over her hips and down her legs until I can yank them off of her. She’s not wearing any panties because I still haven’t replaced the ones I got rid of when I moved her in here. As I drag my hand between her legs and her damp slit, I’m thankful I never did.

  “Fuck, I need to eat it.” I lick my lips as I move down her body and onto my knees.

  She spreads her legs wide and without shame as I grip her ass and bring her pussy to my mouth. One long languid lick between her soft lips and I can taste her desire. She’s rich and tangy and oh-so-fucking sweet as I suckle on her mound. My cock was here not more than a few hours ago, and I’m desperate for it once again.

  “Goddamn, it’s like a drug.” I lick her again and she cries out as she grips the sheets. “You’ve made me addicted to this. It’s your fault I can’t have you without the taste of this sweet cunt on my tongue.”

  “Timber, don’t tease.” She wiggles and raises her pussy to try and get closer to my mouth.

  “You tease with the way you keep this between your legs and don’t share it with me,” I grumble as I eat her like a ripe peach.

  “I never tell you no,” she moans, her breath catching.

  “And you never will.” I slide two fingers into her tight little pussy and it grips me as I rub her sweet spot inside. “That’s it, right there.”

  “Timber!” she shouts, and her body has no choice but to fall over the edge and cum for me.

  I lap it up like the greedy bastard I am and hum my appreciation. “There’s nothing sweeter.”

  When the last of her orgasm has left her I move up her body and undo my jeans. My cock falls into my hand, thick and swollen with need. It’s hot and the end of it is wet with cum so I smooth it down my shaft and slick it up. I jack it off a few times right before I line it up at her entrance and slide it all the way home. Her wet hot heat squeezes me tight and I have to force myself to stay calm and not cum right that second.

  “Always so perfect,” I groan, lying on top of her.

  Her lips find mine and I love the taste of her being shared between us. It’s dirty and yet so fucking intimate. I crave this closeness and don’t know if I’ll ever get enough.

  “I love you,” she says against my mouth and it’s enough to undo me.

  “Again,” I grit out as I pull out and thrust back in. “Say it again.”

  “I love you.” She arches her back and closes her eyes while I sink deeper and deeper into her.

  “I get bigger every time you say it.” Her body is slick with sweat and I slide over it as I enter her with my heavy cock. It’s so full and tight that I know I won’t last much longer.

  “I love you!” she cries out and I feel another climax rock through her as her pussy pulses and slicks my path.

  “Fuck,” I groan as I hold myself deep and the rush of my own orgasm hits me. Hot cum fills her pussy and leaks out between us as I empty every drop of myself into her. “I love you.”

  She moans and rubs my back, her legs falling limp on the bed. I can hear the hum of appreciation as I lie on her and try not to smother her with my weight. I should roll over or pull her on top of me, but I’m not ready to leave this embrace. I love being on her like this and having her under me. It feels like I’m protecting her and keeping her safe.

  When I feel her lips on my cheek I turn my head to the side to meet them. Our kisses are slower now and not as rushed, but I know we don’t have much longer.

  “I need to get dressed. People will be here soon.” She rubs her nose against mine to soften the blow and it works.

  “You’re lucky you agreed to let me be your date.”

  “I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t said yes?” She smiles at me as her hands rub across my chest and I see the diamond on her finger flash.

  I snatch her hand and kiss the ring as I look into her eyes. “We’re never going to find out.”

  “Never,” she agrees, and I lean down and kiss her once again.

  Epilogue

  Pippa

  Six weeks later…

  I wiggle around because I’m too excited to sit still.

  “You got ants in your pants?” my sister teases me. She’s smiling and her pink lipstick is flawless. We’re both all done up but there’s one thing left to do. I have a feeling I already know the answer, but I want to be sure before I get Timber’s hopes up.

  “No pants,” I remind her as I point to my robe.

  I’m not putting on my big fluffy dress until after, because who knows how hard it’s going to be to pee with that thing on. The dress is only going on and off one more time and the last time it comes off will be when Timber is my husband.

  “She’s almost here.”

  Before Myra can finish her sentence there’s a knock at the door. My sister darts over towards the door and for a moment looks almost as excited as I am about this. She can be hard to read sometimes but I saw it in her eyes just now. She hides things all too well. She opens the door and reaches out to take the bag from someone before turning and shutting it behind her so we’re alone again.

  She holds the bag out, letting it dangle from her finger. I run over to her and then remember that my hair is styled and I can’t mess it up. I snatch it from her before taking it over to the bed and dumping it out.

  “How many did you get?” I laugh. “I only need one.”

  I grab one and Myra picks up another. She licks her lips, suddenly looking n
ervous. I already told her I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant. She was excited for Timber and me, but like me she wants a test to be sure so we don’t get worked up before we know for sure. She probably wants to know if she should start planning a baby shower and she’ll want all the time she can get.

  “I’m going to take one too,” she finally says and my eyes almost pop out of my head.

  “You little sneak. Who have you been giving it up to?” I playfully smack her on the arm with the pregnancy test. How the hell is she pregnant? She’s spent all of her time here planning the wedding after she quit her job. I tried to talk her out of it because I wanted something small. It was going to be small but Myra insisted she make it perfect for us. I let her because for the first time in a long time she wasn't working herself to the bone every second of the day. Not only that, she’s been here getting to know Timber. I want them to be close so I let it go. Timber didn't seem to mind her running around the castle barking orders. I think he was happy someone else was doing the event planning this time and he had me all to himself.

  “Wait.” If she’s taking a test now that means this likely happened before all this wedding stuff started. I try to think back but I can’t think of anyone because she never dates.

  “Stop trying to guess.” This time she hits my arm with the test. “I should have kept my mouth shut. Besides, you've kept enough from me.” She points the test at me and raises one of her perfect eyebrows.

  “I wasn’t really keeping Timber a secret,” I defend. She was busy, plus I knew she’d lose it if she found out I was living with a man while she was away for work. She would’ve been back on a plane home and that’s why I don’t know who it is! It happened when she was away.

  “Let’s just take the test.” I know she’s not going to tell me. I can see her mind is made up and she’s freaking out on the inside.

  “You’re right. Let's take the test,” I agree. I lock my arm with hers. “I’m here for you.”

  Myra and I have done a lot of things together, but I never thought peeing on a pregnancy test would be one of them.

  “I know.” She pushes me towards the toilet area. “You go first.” I rush over and do mine then move out of the way for her to take her turn.

  After we both clean up we stand there and wait together.

  “You going to tell me who?” I ask as hers comes up pregnant before mine. It almost appears immediately, which makes me think she’s further along than I am.

  “Not today.” I can tell she’s freaking out but she’s smiling too.

  Mine starts to slowly show two lines next and relief and excitement build inside me.

  “We’re pregnant,” I say out loud.

  I turn to face my sister, who had a giant role in raising me and is going to walk me down the aisle today. But oddly enough I know it’s her who needs words of encouragement right now. Between her and Timber, I know my life is going to be wonderful. I will have everything I could ever dream of.

  I grab her hands and look into her eyes. “You’ll make a wonderful mom. I know that because you’ve been one for me.” Her eyes begin to water and she pulls me into a hug.

  “We’re having babies together.” She squeezes me tighter and I can’t help but smile so big it hurts my face.

  “It’s crazy but this was meant to be.” I pull back to look at her. “You sent me right to my happily ever after. You’re going to get yours too.”

  “Not everyone gets a happily ever after, Pippa.” She plays with the end of my hair and I realize I’m not used to seeing her look so uncertain.

  “You will,” I reassure her.

  I can feel it and she deserves it. She’s spent her whole life worrying about everyone else. I can’t believe fate wouldn't give her someone like Timber for her very own. I know he would argue, saying I was brought to him, but I need him too. We fit together perfectly and my sister is going to have that one day.

  “Let’s get you married.”

  “I get to tell Timber.” I buzz with excitement. “Help me put on this thing.” I pull her from the bathroom and strip out of my robe. It takes the two of us to get me into it, but once I’m there it fits perfectly.

  “You look beautiful.” I know the dress is a little extra but I’m getting married in a castle. I had to pick out a dress fit for a princess.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” I nudge my sister. She always looks killer in any dress. She can roll around in heels all day and not be fazed. I have no idea how she does it. I’m happy my dress covers my feet and I can rock flats. Plus I’m going to dance tonight and it’s going to be a party. It might be a small one, but it’s going to be the best one ever.

  My sister picks up her phone and is texting to tell them we’re coming down. “They’re ready,” she confirms.

  “They must be tired from holding Timber back,” I tease as we lock arms and leave the room together.

  “He’s been a handful today.”

  I snort because I’m sure he has. If Timber can’t be next to me he’s like a bear with a thorn in his paw. We thought he was grumpy before but it’s worse when he goes a few hours without kissing or touching me. The man is starved for me and I eat up every bit of his affection and give it back with all I have in me. I want to shower him in love and I will for eternity.

  We stop at the top of the stairs and I smile down when I see Timber at the bottom. The whole entryway is covered in frangipani flowers and my eyes well again. His whole face lights up when he looks up to see me standing there.

  I’m coming, I mouth to him, knowing he’s about to bolt up the stairs to get me. I nod towards my sister so he knows it’s important that she does this. I peek over at her as the music starts but she doesn't move and looks almost shocked. I follow her line of sight and see her boss. What the hell is he doing here?

  “Is that—” I start to whisper.

  “Let’s do this.” She takes my arm and finally starts to move. We descend the stairs together.

  When we reach the bottom I turn to her and we share a moment. She kisses both my cheeks before passing me over to Timber, who pulls me into his arms. He lifts me off my feet and makes me laugh just before it’s silenced with a kiss.

  “We’re not there yet,” the officiant cuts in with a laugh and everyone else cheers.

  I pull back a little to whisper in his ear. “I love you,” I tell him.

  “I love you too,” he says instantly.

  “Now put me down so we can get married.”

  “I don’t have to put you down for that.”

  I laugh harder in his hold and kiss him below his ear. “Well, I’m pregnant so I guess you might want to enjoy being able to lift me while you still can,” I tease. I could be twenty months pregnant and Timber could still lift me, but it’s my way of telling him.

  His hold on me tightens a little as he leans in. “Give me another kiss.”

  I do as he says and kiss him deeply, not caring everyone is watching us. I slide down his body as he puts me on my feet and kisses the tip of my nose.

  “You knew, didn't you?” I say, scrunching my nose. He smiles so big my heart grows three sizes. His smile kills me.

  “You’ve been knitting baby clothes.” I bite my lip. Busted. I was just preparing, but with the way we’ve been going at it this was bound to happen sooner or later.

  “Are you two ready?” The officiant breaks us from our little whisper fest.

  “I’ve been ready since I got here,” I admit.

  “That’s good because I’m not letting you go.” Timber pulls me into his side and I lean into him while he becomes my husband.

  I’m never going anywhere because I’m home.

  Epilogue

  Timber

  Ten years later…

  My oldest son helps me stack up the wood we chopped earlier this morning. He’s getting so big and when I look at him I can see he’s growing up. He’s not my little guy anymore and it makes my chest hurt. I love seeing him becoming a young man, but I miss
him as a baby. He was the first to make us parents but certainly not the last.

  Just as soon as I have the thought my wife comes out of the house bouncing our two-year-old on her hip. I smile at the sight, how beautiful she is and how she still takes my breath away. Even after having six kids she still looks as beautiful as the first day I saw her standing in the same spot. I knew I’d never not want her, and even now I ache to have her in my arms.

  “Is this enough, Dad?”

  I look at the pile we’ve just made and then out to the woodshed. “I think that’s enough for today. Good work, son.” I pat him on the back and he takes off to go join his other brothers playing basketball. Or at least attempting to. As the oldest, I’m sure he’s about to go tell them exactly what they’re doing wrong and how they need to do it his way.

  Pippa brings our baby girl over to me and I meet her halfway with a kiss. I reach around to squeeze her ass and she pretends to be shocked and smacks my hand away. It’s this cute thing she likes to do where she pretends she doesn’t want me to do it. But I’ll never quit because of the way she cuts her eyes at me after I do it. We both know she still loves it.

  “It’s nap time, Daddy,” she says softly to me before she leans up and gives me another kiss. “Just thought I’d tell you.”

  “My favorite time of the day.” I wink at her as I take the baby and hold her high in the sky before I blow a raspberry on her belly. She giggles and I walk her around the garden a few times before she begins to yawn.

  Like clockwork Celia comes out and takes her from me and she and Simon bring out snacks for the kids. I slip away back inside the castle in search of my wife.

  It doesn’t take me long before I hear the water running. I move up the stairs and down the hall to find her in her old bathroom. The one where I tasted her for the first time. This room is a special place for us and one we like sneaking off to. With six kids we usually get company throughout the night so our own bed has become the family bed. But this room will always be our sweet escape.