by Box Set
How could someone he’d just met gotten so far into his heart in such a short amount of time? He didn’t know, but he sure as hell knew when this next couple of weeks was up, this woman was going to rip his heart out when she walked away and went back to her real life. Fuck, he was going to spend as much time loving her while she was here as he could. He’d deal with the rest of it later. It sure as hell beat the shit out of the non-feeling zombie he’d become over the last year. Tomorrow, he would take her to see the pup he had the deposit on, if she wanted to go. His mind started drifting to thoughts of what it would be like if she decided she didn’t want to leave after all.
Chapter 10
A Blessed Angel Came
Preston woke suddenly feeling cold. It took him a moment to get his bearings. What the hell? He opened his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief that it was still dark out. He cursed himself when he realized he had fallen asleep as well. He pulled his arm out from underneath her and sat up. The fire was almost out, and the little clock on the mantel showed him it was two in the morning. Damn, this could have been embarrassing. Shit, if Ma or Clare had found them like this, he would have died. Holly would have been upset.
He moved the screen and spread out the embers to finish cooling then turned, and his heart skipped a few beats. The most beautiful angel lay there, sleeping on the bed he had made them. He knelt down and started kissing her until a sweet little smile turned up the corners of his mouth.
She opened her eyes and instantly they flew wide open. “What time is it?”
“Two. We need to get things put away here and head up to bed. Much as I hate to call it a night.” He shrugged.
To his surprise, she giggled. “I’m so glad you woke up. Do you know how embarrassed I would have been if someone would have found us in this rather compromising position?” Her skin turned the cutest shade of pink as she blushed.
“Yeah, I would have been embarrassed, too. Ma hasn’t seen me naked since I was six. I think things have changed since then.”
A wicked look crossed her face. “I would say so, not only changed but gotten much bigger, I imagine.” She took a slow, long look down his body and back up again, licking her lips.
He pulled her to her feet, letting the blanket fall off her as he let his eyes slowly slide down her curvy body. His dick was at full attention again just from looking at her.
Holly stepped forward and took him into her hand, stroking slowly up and down the length of his swollen erection. “Do we have to go upstairs already?” She looked up at him, her eyes shining bright with desire.
“I think we have a little more time,” he whispered, pulling her against him and kissing her breathless. To his surprise, she stepped back and he saw her face blush red as her brows pulled down.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I just want to do something I’ve never, ever wanted to do before.” She glanced at him from beneath her lashes; apparently, she was feeling a little shy.
He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head. “I find myself wanting to do that with you as well. We just need to respect each other’s boundaries so if I don’t like something, I’ll tell you and you do the same for me. Okay?”
She nodded her head and took a deep breath as she cocked her head to the side. “You got to make sure you tell me if I’m doing this right or if you like the way that I’m doing it.”
Now she had his attention. What the hell was she up to? “Okay.” He smiled, intrigued by what she wanted to try. Preston’s heart almost stopped when she dropped to her knees, glanced up at him, and licked the head of his dick. “Oh shit,” he moaned.
“Do you not like this?” she asked, clearly worried about his thoughts on her performance.
“No, if felt perfect.” He growled and stood perfectly still as her hand stroked his length and her mouth and tongue played with the head of his cock. He felt her slide him into her mouth a little further and swirl her tongue around him. His head fell back as a moan escaped from his lips. This seemed to encourage her as she moved her head and hand into a slow steady rhythm. Oh. Fuck. He knew if she kept this up, he wasn’t going to be able to hold out very long. He looked down at her, how beautiful she looked loving him in this intimate way. He reached out and touched her hair. Holly glanced up at him, and Preston smiled as he urged her to move quicker.
She sucked and licked, causing the pressure to build to an unbearable height. “Darlin’ if you don’t stop, I’m going to come in your mouth,” he whispered, the gravel in his voice making it sound deep even to his own ears.
She moved faster, increasing her strokes, watching him as she did. His breath was coming faster, and his legs were shaking when she reached up and cupped his balls in her hand, giving them a little squeeze. It was over. He took her head and moved her away from him, then he laid her back down onto their love nest.
He kissed her and moved down her body, slowly making his way to the juncture between her legs. Glancing up at her, he saw her watching him.
“Is this all right?”
She nodded her head. He took her into his mouth, sucking and nipping until he had her squirming and whispering his name, her breath raspy. He slid his tongue into her, and she gasped as she grabbed his head. In a matter of minutes, he took her over the edge and she dropped back against the blankets exhausted. Crawling up her body, Preston kissed her again. “You’re amazing.”
A big smile spread over her face as her eyes twinkled and danced. “You’re the amazing one. You make me want to try things I’ve never done, and you make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”
He placed another kiss on her lips. “Now, we had better get upstairs before we keep this up and Ma or Clare finds us.” He helped her to her feet. They dressed, unable to keep their eyes off each other. Yeah, this woman had turned him upside down and inside out in just a few short days.
He walked her to her room, and as she turned to say goodnight, he pulled her close and kissed her softly. “Goodnight, darlin’.”
The morning dawned crisp and cold. This was the day they were taking a sleigh ride into town to finish some last minute Christmas shopping. Plus, they wanted Holly to see the sights of the Winter Festival. As cold as it was, and after the storm the other night, Holly wasn’t sure she wanted to climb back in the sleigh. Sighing, she scrambled out of bed to take a shower and get dressed for the day. The time alone with Preston had been amazing, soul changing. She hoped they’d be able to find alone time the next couple of days with all the preparations for the upcoming holiday. She didn’t want to call attention to their feelings for each other.
When she got to the kitchen, Tamra had breakfast almost finished, the table was set, and Preston was pouring coffee into mugs.
“Good morning.” She slid into the spot she had come to think of as her seat.
“Morning, Holly,” Clare chirped. “So Mom, can I please ride into town with Shelly? Please? We want to meet up with some of our friends.” She turned and winked at Holly.
“If you must. I have some things I have to pick up at the grocery for Christmas dinner. Preston, would you mind taking Holly into town? I have to get started on the cookies and I don’t want to dawdle.”
“No, I don’t mind. I think we’ll take the truck, though, since it’s so cold. I want to stop by and put another payment on the dog too.” He glanced over his shoulder at Holly. “Are you okay with not taking the sleigh?” He raised his brow.
“That’s perfectly fine with me. I’d love to see the dog, and riding in something with a heater this morning sounds perfect.”
“Good, it’s settled then.” Tamra set the plates of bacon and toast on the table as Preston carried the large bowls of scrambled eggs and potatoes.
Once breakfast was finished, Clare took off with Shelly and Tamra grabbed her coat. “I’ll see you tonight. Y’all have fun in town. If you see Trip and Katie, tell them hello for me.”
“Will do, Ma.” Preston carried plates to the sink and watched ou
t the window as he washed and put them on the drying mat. Holly carried the last of the dishes to him, and as she set them down, he turned and grabbed her, spinning them in a circle as that sexy smile slid onto his face. “Hello, darlin’, I’ve missed you.” He let her slide slowly down his body before setting her down and kissing her softly.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“So.” He raised a brow and his eyes sparkled. “We have a couple of choices to make here.”
“Oh?”
“I have to make another payment on the pup, and we need to go into town to show you around. Now, Ma and Clare will probably both be home by the time we get back.” He wiggled his eyebrows throwing her into a fit of giggles.
“I imagine they will.” She moved out of his arms and turned away from him, moving towards the mudroom where the coats were hung. “I don’t see where we have much choice here.” Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him standing with his mouth in a thin line and his eyes narrowed. She spun around, batted her eyelashes, and pulled her sweater over her head. “We can make the trip to town in a little bit, can’t we?”
He was on her in a couple of strides, lavishing kisses on her mouth and neck as he walked her backwards out of the kitchen. “Where to?”
“The sitting room,” she whispered breathless from his kisses. “It’s too far to the bedrooms.”
Taking her hand in his, they ran laughing to the sitting room. She undressed while he pulled the blankets and pillows out of the window seat. When he turned around, she stood there in all her glory, smiling and posing for him. She never saw anyone move so fast, spreading out blankets and pulling their clothes off. Holly squealed as he pulled her down with him to the floor. “Preston, you have turned me into a wanton woman.”
“I can’t get enough of you. I don’t think I ever will.” He breathed the scent of her in as he held her tight.
She didn’t want sweet and slow right now, and she hoped he’d understand that. She wanted to feel him inside of her, fast and hard, giving her the release she needed. No, the release she craved. She kissed him hard and reached for him, urging him between her legs. “Now, cowboy, please take me now.” She threw her legs around him as soon as he slid inside of her.
Preston glanced down into her eyes, apparently sensing her need; he smiled and slid his hands under her ass, lifting her up so he could slide deeper.
“Harder.” She breathed, and he did just that, riding her hard and fast as the she went over the edge screaming his name.
He rolled onto his back pulling her with him so she was on top. Glancing down at him, she noticed his nostrils were flared; his eyes were dark with passion. “Ride me.”
She cocked her head.
“Slow and steady, ride me.” He placed his hands on her ass and helped her move how he seemed to want. This was new to her. How was it possible that she could feel him deeper than he was a few minutes ago? She felt the friction against her from the base of his erection and could feel her need building again.
She saw a look of pure happiness on his face, and as she raised herself up, she glanced down and saw him slipping into her. Oh god, what a turn on. She moaned as he thrust into her again. Lifting up, she watched how he almost came completely out before she slid down and stopped with him by squeezing her inner muscles. His eyes rolled back as he moaned again. She found herself climbing faster to another release.
“Preston, please.”
He moved her faster as they went over the edge together, calling out each other’s name. Holly collapsed on top of him and started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh my lord, Preston, I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much sex before, and I sure as hell know I’ve never had anything like this. You are such a fabulous lover. I’m so sore. I’ve used muscles I didn’t even know I had.””
“I aim to please. I can honestly say, I’ve never had sex like this with anyone, either.”
She sat up. “That’s not true.”
“Oh, I don’t mean I’ve not done this. What I’m saying is, it has never been like this before. You do things to me I’ve never felt before.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her softly. “Now, we better get going so we can do everything we need to do.”
“Okay, but I need a quick shower.” She stood and grabbed her clothes before running out of the room. Look at me acting like a teenager. Even as I teenager, I never acted like this. Dang what’s going on with me? I’m happy again. She turned on the water, stepped in, and started singing her favorite carol, “Mary Do You Know.”
She finished her shower quickly and redressed. Picking up her phone, she snapped a picture of herself and sent it to April texting, I’m so happy. Best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Slipping her phone into her purse, she hurried downstairs and into Preston’s waiting arms. “I’m ready for our adventure.” She kissed him softly.
“Grab your coat. The truck is warmed up, but you’ll need it when we stop to see the pup.” He opened the door for her and helped her into the truck.
“I’m excited to go see him.” She turned when he slid into the driver’s seat. “Have you named him yet?”
“Yeah, we named him when we picked him out of the last litter this year.” He put the truck in gear and turned it onto the drive. “Mr. Thompson has been incredible with training him and allowing me to pay installments. Dog is coming along great.”
“Well, what did you name him?”
“Oh, it’s a little embarrassing. Clare named him Harry.” His face flushed. “Not the name I would have picked for him.”
“What’s wrong with Harry? Although it’s not a unique name, it’s charming.”
“She named him after that book series about a wizard.”
“Aw, that’s cute! Maybe he’ll be magic with his cattle herding skills.” She giggled and was rewarded with that big grin of his that she was coming to love more and more.
They arrived at the Thompson’s farm, and as soon as he parked, he hurried to open her door and help her down. A tall, thin man, wearing overalls and a sweatshirt, waved at them from the porch.
“Preston, come on in out of the cold. Cindy has coffee made.” He held the door open.
“Hey Charles, this is Holly Kane. She’s spending the Christmas holiday with us. Holly, Charles, the magician with the dogs.” Preston grinned at her and winked.
“Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Come on into the kitchen for some coffee, and you can meet the wife.”
While they had their coffee and made small talk with Cindy, Charles went to bring the pup onto the back porch for Holly to meet him. “Preston, here’s Harry,” he called.
Holly and Preston made their way to the back porch. “Oh, he’s so pretty.” Holly knelt down to pet the furry creature. “So this is a border collie? She loved the way he watched her closely, his ears alert and forward when she talked to him. He looked very intelligent, as if he understood everything she was saying. “He’s a smart one and so pretty with this black and white coat. I love how soft his hair is.”
“You’re a dog person, aren’t you?” Charles scratched his head.
“Yes sir, I am. I have a yellow lab at home.”
“They’re nice dogs, no good for cattle but nice dogs.”
“I don’t have cattle. He’s my pet and lives inside with me.”
“Oh.” She looked up to see him glancing at Preston. “Comes from the city?” He fiddled with the toothpick sticking out of the side of his mouth.
“The suburbs.”
“Well, I’ll put him back in the kennel then we’ll take care of business. Harry, heel.”
Preston took Holly’s hand as they watched Charles with the dog. “Sounds like he doesn’t much like people from the city, huh?” she whispered.
“He’s harmless, never been off his farm. Grew up here, took over when his folks died, and he’ll die here as well. Man has never been out of this little area of the state. Come on, let’s go back i
nside so I can give Cindy the payment.”
Once they were back in the truck, she shook her head. “He’s a strange man.”
“That he is but good with raising the dogs. Okay, off to the Winter Fest and last minute shopping.”
Chapter 11
Meeting Smile After Smile
“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a border collie. They are so delightful, and he was very well behaved.”
“Charles is one of the best trainers in these parts, and he works with nothing but border collies. He breeds them for their intelligence and mannerisms. By the time I pick Harry up, he’ll be a damn good cattle dog.”
Preston kept stealing little glances at her as they drove, watching how her eyes lit up when she saw something she declared the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, or how her smile lit up when a Christmas carol she loved came on the radio and she turned it up to sing along. He didn’t think he’d ever met a woman more alive and lovely than this one gracing the front seat of his old truck.
When they pulled into Steamboat, Holly was leaning forward, trying to take in all the sights she could at once. “I feel like I’ve just gone back in time! This is incredible.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” He pulled over and found a place to park, jumped down from the cab, and hurried to her side to help her down. “We’ll walk from here and hit the historic part of town. It’s more commercial now, but they still have so much that holds true to the old town.”
“Wonderful.” She stopped and looked at him as she nibbled her bottom lip.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I just want to get something for everyone for Christmas morning, but I want to get things that they really need or love. I don’t just want to pick something up. Your family has been so warm and welcoming, and I feel more a part of them than a stranger who rented a room for the holiday. That being said, will you help me pick a few things out for them?”
