by Hope Ford
“I don’t have girlfriends. I told you that,” he says with a blush on his face. At least he’s embarrassed that the woman showed up.
“Right. Well, before any ex one-night stands…”
“I didn’t sleep with her either,” he says, crowding me.
I push the packages into his arms. “It’s none of my business anyway. Here you go.”
He takes the packages, and I walk over to the couch and sit down.
There’s a part of me fuming and wondering if I should just go. If I wasn’t here, would he have asked Jennifer to stay?
Gavin sets the presents on the couch between us. “What are you thinking about?”
I push the hair off my face and look him in the eye. Regardless of how I feel about him, I came here with the main mission of him having a good Christmas. “I’m just wondering if I should leave.” My heart breaks a little even as I say it, but I keep the smile plastered to my face.
“Leave? You’re not leaving.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I mean, I came because I didn’t want you to be alone on Christmas. I wanted you to have a good one. If I wasn’t here, well, if I leave, I’m sure Jennifer would come back.”
He reaches around the packages and grabs my hand, holding it in his. “Don’t even think that way. We’ve had such a good day, don’t let this ruin it. I want you here.” I look at him with a tilt of my head, wondering if he’s telling the truth. He doesn’t want me. There’s no future in this, but he doesn’t want me to go.
What was I thinking when I came here? Did I really think coming and spreading a little holiday cheer and then leaving was going to be a good idea? If he was some kind of asshole, this would make it so much easier.
Gavin
I can understand why she’s feeling the way she is, and I’m cussing myself that she’s been put into this position. She’s been so good to me. She’s listened to me vent, and she’s always been upbeat and happy. She’s worried about me and has sent me so many packages this past year that I’ve lost count. She probably doesn’t realize it, but she made this last year the best of my life.
Even before she showed up here, I was having trouble with our goodbye. Back on base, or wherever I was, there were nights I dreamed of her. Even though I had never seen her before, I knew it was her. I thought about her all the time, and I don’t know why I thought I could just erase her from my memory. I don’t know what I’m going to do now that she’s here, and I’ve seen her face to face. I’ll now have a face and a body to think about, and her curvy body definitely does it for me. I want to say hell with it all and carry her into my bedroom, but one look into her big hazel eyes that look at me with so much trust, I know I can’t.
“I don’t want you to feel this way, Cassie. What can I do to convince you that I’d rather be here with you?”
I know exactly where her mind goes because it’s the same place mine’s been. She wants me, I know she does. Probably as much as I want her.
“Forget it. Forget I said anything. We’ve had such a good day and tomorrow’s Christmas. And now, it’s time for presents.” She gestures to the stack of presents between us.
6
Cassie
I need to get us back on solid ground. Mission Merry Christmas back in full effect. I pick up one of the boxes and set it on the coffee table and then take the rest to put under the tree. “It’s always been a tradition that we open one present on Christmas Eve. So here you go.”
He holds his hands up, waving me off. “I’m not opening that.”
My hand falls to my lap with the small gift. “Why not?”
“I can’t open a gift.” He stops and shakes his head, his eyes wide in disbelief. He’s waving it off like it’s crazy that I got him something.
“Why not?” I ask him, confused.
He gets up and starts pacing the living room. “I’m not going to open a gift when I didn’t get you anything.”
I laugh. “Is that all? My sister sent me a gift to open because she knew I was surprising you. It’s okay, Gavin.”
He still looks uncomfortable with it, but I’m not stopping with this. He’s going to open a gift for Christmas.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him and go and grab one of the presents that my sister sent.
“See?” I tell him, holding it up. “We’ll both open one.”
I sit back down on the couch and pat the spot next to me. “C’mon, take a seat.”
I’m so excited about this that I can’t stand it. He mentioned this to me one time a long time ago, and I hope he loves what I got him.
“I just don’t feel right about this, Cassie. You’ve already done so much. I don’t want you buying me gifts too.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you for real right now? You don’t know how excited I am to give this to you. Please, I think you’ll love it.”
I force the package into his hands, and he holds it like it’s a ticking time bomb.
Gavin
I look between the wrapped present and back to Cassie. Is she for real? I can’t believe she got me something. “Cassie…” I start, but emotion thickens in my throat, and I stop.
Without even having to say anything, she gets it. She understands what I’m feeling right now. She knows some of my past. No family, no holidays, no birthdays, and of course no presents. But I don’t think she realizes what this means to me right now.
Her hand reaches out and covers mine. “It’s okay, really. If you don’t want to open it, we can just stick it under the tree.”
There’s sadness on her face as she says it, and my heart skips a beat. The smile that’s been on her face since she’s got here is gone and in its place is gloom. I did that to her. Fuck, Gavin. Why did you have to ruin it?
“If you’re sure that’s what you want, I’ll open it. But I’m getting you something.”
Her face lights up again, and I know I’ve made the right decision. “You don’t have to get me a thing. My favorite part of Christmas is giving to others. Really, seeing you open this is going to be gift enough,” she says, pointing to the present I still have gripped in my hands.
I look down at it and carefully start to pull at the bow on top. I don’t want to rip anything, so I go slowly.
Cassie smirks but doesn’t say a word. She’s sitting next to me acting as if she’s patient, but her leg is bouncing, telling me just how excited she is about it. I swear she’s about to reach over and rip the paper open.
When I finally get the box uncovered and lift the lid, I gaze down into the box in shock. “What…? How did you?” I ask her as I take it out of the box.
In my hand is an original PEZ dispenser with the blue Batman on it. I grip it in my hand and then have to force myself to let up a little. I can’t believe she remembered this. I told her when I was younger, I was given a blue Batman PEZ dispenser from one of my caseworkers. It wasn’t new or anything, something the case worker had when she transported kids. She gave it to me when she dropped me off at the new home I was going to. The home where I met my foster brother, Baker.
Anyway, it was taken from me at the new home, and I briefly mentioned that in one of my letters.
“Cassie…” I start, not knowing what to say.
She waves her hand in between us. “It’s no big deal. Open it up. See if the candy is as good as you remember it.”
I open the package and start inserting the little rectangle candies into the dispenser. I take longer than necessary because I’m a little choked up. Fuck, if the guys could see me now. They’d call me a pussy for sure.
I finish loading it and grab her hand, turning it upside down to hold out for me. I put a piece of candy in it and then pop one in my mouth.
We both suck on the candies, just smiling at each other. “I know it’s not much, but you like it, right?”
“I love it,” I tell her. The whole time she’s smiling up at me, and I pull her to me for a hug. It would be so easy to change those words up and tell her I love her right now. I know I’v
e felt more for her than just like. I hold on to her, and my hug is fierce, probably too hard, but she doesn’t resist or free herself. I’m resting my chin on her head, and we sit there while I try to figure out how in the world I’m supposed to let this woman leave my life in two days.
7
Gavin
I pull back from her. “Thank you, Cassie.” I hold the candy dispenser tight in my hands and hold it to my chest. I don’t think I can express to her what this means to me.
“It’s no big deal, really,” she says, but I can tell that she’s pleased by my reaction.
“It is, though… to me.” I lean back before I do something stupid, like kiss her again. “I guess it’s your turn now.”
“Yep!” she says, picking up the box from the coffee table.
Unlike me, she rips off the ribbon and the wrapping paper in one fast swoop. She fights with the taped edge of the box and eventually just rips it open, sending the item inside to the floor.
I reach over to pick it up and bring it up to hand to her, but the soft black material draws my attention. I hold it up between us, and Cassie’s face turns fifty shades of red.
“Oh my God!” she exclaims, reaching for it. She stuffs it back into the box, but it’s too late. The damage is done. “My sister, how embarrassing.”
Her sister gave her an almost see-through nightie, and already I’m picturing Cassie in it with it wrapped around her curves. She is trying to put the silky material back into the box, but it seems to just slide around before she huffs, wadding it up and stuffing it in.
“So I’m going to get ready for bed.”
“Cassie, wait,” I tell her, holding back a groan. I’m so screwed, even her mentioning the word bed is enough to raise my desire another notch.
“No, I’m going to go.” She gets up, and I stand up too and start to follow her. Like a horny teenager, my cock is bulging in my pants, but I ignore it. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s just going to be a permanent state as long as Cassie is around.
“You don’t have to go to… bed,” I croak out. An image of her in the nightgown, sliding across the sheets of my big bed in the guestroom comes to light in my head, and I clutch on to the back of the couch.
She stops when she gets to the door. Her cheeks are still red, but at least she’s looking at me. “I had a great day today, Gavin. Good night.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to stop her, to beg her to stay, but I don’t. Instead I watch her disappear in the room and shut the door behind her. “Me too,” I whisper into the empty room.
Cassie
I throw myself across the bed and bang my head on the pillow. I jerk my phone off the nightstand and text my sister.
Really?!? That’s the gift you wanted me to open on Christmas Eve. Really?
Her reply is almost instant. Yes. I figured you would need them since I took out your old lady pajamas.
I gasp and jump off the bed, throwing open my suitcase. Sure enough, there’s no pajamas. Not even something I could use as a nightshirt.
You went too far!!! I text her back.
The little bubbles pop up, and then another text comes through. Oh really? You probably went too far by sending Ben here too without telling me.
I jab into the phone. It was for your own good.
I get two laughing emojis and then, The nightie was for your own good too. Just admit you love the guy and be done with it.
I roll my eyes. You admit you love Ben and be done with it.
That seems to stump her because a few minutes go by before I get the next text. I just want you happy. Be happy. Merry Christmas, sis.
Damn. I never could stay mad at her. I want you happy too. Love you. Merry Christmas.
I throw myself down on the bed and quietly groan into the pillow. I still can’t believe I opened that barely-there nightgown in front of Gavin. He probably thinks I’m a stalker and had this all planned out.
I grab the offensive nightie off the bed and go to the joined bathroom. A hot shower and bed. Maybe after that I’ll be ready for tomorrow and another day of spending time with Gavin.
I take my time in the shower and then lie back down in the bed. I never did thank Alison for the nightgown. It is a nice one. I run my hands across the smooth material on my stomach and down to my thighs. Of course, I’m sure women in Montana need more than this flimsy material to keep them warm.
My thoughts instantly go to a certain military man, knowing he could keep me hot all night long. I groan and cover my face with my arm.
I lie in the bed for what seems like hours, but I know I’m not going to be able to sleep.
I get up and tiptoe to the door, opening it quietly. All the lights are off in the living room, and when I look toward Gavin’s bedroom door, the light seems to be off there.
I’ll just heat up some hot milk, and maybe that will help me sleep.
I walk as quietly as possible to the kitchen and with the light from my phone and the moon shining in the window, I search for a pan. Luckily, I know where to look, considering I made spaghetti earlier.
I pour milk into the pan and turn the stove on before leaning back on the counter by the sink. I cross my arms over my chest and rub my arms up and down. I definitely should have grabbed a sweater or something.
The milk starts to warm, and I turn to the drawer with the cooking spoons. I have my hand wrapped around one when the lights flip on. I freeze with my eyes clenched shut. Please tell me this isn’t happening.
8
Gavin
I can’t sleep. All I can think about is the soft material of that nightgown and the feel of Cassie in my arms when I held her.
My cock is so hard I feel as if I’m about to explode. I can take care of it easily. With my dick in my hand, I stroke myself once, then twice when I hear footsteps outside my bedroom door. I lift up in the bed and listen closely, and noises from the kitchen have me on my feet.
I fight with myself all of two minutes before I decide to go and check on her. She’s not used to the house or the kitchen; the only hospitable thing to do is to help her. I pull on a pair of jeans, open the bedroom door, and walk down the hall. As soon as I get to the kitchen door, I open it and flip on the light.
Fuck me!
There’s matching fucking panties too. How did I miss that?
The black nightie is short, showing off her lush ass.
Like a fuckin’ wet dream, Cassie is bent over the counter in the kitchen, looking in a drawer for something, and I’m standing here about to shoot a load into my jeans.
Without another thought, I walk across the kitchen and put my hands on each side of her, caging her into the counter. She still hasn’t moved, and I know I’ve shocked her.
My breath is heavy as I whisper her name. “Cassie.”
Her head drops between her shoulders, and her knuckles are turning white from the hard hold she has on the spoon in her hand. “Yeah?” I hear her murmur.
Her voice is thick and filled with emotion, but she still doesn’t move. “Baby, I’m sorry,” I tell her as I lean in and press my body to her backside. Her head raises, and she gasps, her hips automatically flexing toward me. My bulge fits nicely right between her plump ass cheeks. I pull her hair to the side, exposing her long neck. I want to taste her—hell, I want to fuck her so bad I can taste it, but not yet. Not until I have her permission.
“Can I kiss you?”
She looks at me over her shoulder, her eyes hooded. She gives me one nod before I have her hair wrapped around my fist and I’m pulling her face toward me so I can taste her lips.
She turns toward me, her arms going around my neck in a tight embrace as if she’s holding on for dear life.
I heft her into my arms and groan when my cock rubs against her inner thighs. We barely get out of the kitchen before she’s struggling to get out of my arms.
“No, baby, please let me have you,” I beg, not wanting to let her go. There’s a fire burning inside me, and I don’t know what I’ll d
o if she denies me.
Her lips are on mine, then my cheek, my neck and my ear. “Milk,” she moans.
I turn to the stove and notice the milk boiling. With her still in my arms, because I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her go, I walk over and turn it off before striding back to my bedroom. I toss her onto the bed and stand over her with my chest heaving. Her nipples are peaked, the thin material of her nightie stretched across her large breasts. The material is skimming her belly, showing off her low-cut panties and thick, creamy thighs.
“Fuck, I couldn’t get you and this nightie off my mind,” I tell her before I suck her plump nipple in my mouth right through the material.
I rip my lips away and pull the material up her body, tossing it into the floor. “I have to taste you,” I tell her before latching on to her breast.
Her hands are everywhere. Across my shoulders, down my back, and when I suckle her nipple, her nails dig into my back.
I move down her body, kissing and licking every sweet spot until I get to the core of her. There’s a wet spot on her panties, and I bury my nose in it. “Fuck,” I moan, pressing my cock into the bed almost painfully. I lift off just to take my jeans down and then pull her panties down her legs and push my shoulders between her legs, holding her open.
My fingers slide through her wet, swollen lips. She’s mewling and twisting underneath me but there’s no fuckin’ way I’m not tasting her. Not now.
I put my muscled arm across her lower hips and hold her down while I work my tongue through her slit. She tastes so sweet I know I’m going to be addicted to her before the night is over.
“Forgive me, Cassie. But I have to have you. I need you on my dick, now,” I tell her as I climb up her body. I lift her up so she’s sitting on my lap, my knees underneath me.
