by Box Set
Hurley bounded up the steps and ran past her, hurdling for the front door.
“What are you doing?” She slid the door closed and locked it just as the doorbell rang. Hurley barked and wagged his tail as he looked over his shoulder as if to say, “Hurry up.”
“I’m coming,” she called. She patted his head. “April must have decided to pop over,” she said to him as she unlocked the door and swung it open. “I thought you were going...” She blinked her eyes, her mouth dropped open. “Preston?”
“Hello, darlin’. Are you going to stand there staring at me or can I come in?”
“Come in. What are you doing here?” She threw herself into his arms as tears of joy ran down her face. Preston lifted her up and spun her around. “Do you know how much I’ve missed you?”
“Hopefully as much as I’ve missed you.” He wrapped his hand into her hair as he kissed her softly. His deep voice rumbled in her ear. “I had to come see you, but I wanted it to be a surprise.” He pulled her closer. “I hope it’s okay?” He slid her slowly down his body before setting her on her feet.
“Okay? It’s more than okay.” She closed and locked the door without letting go of his hand.
“Where’s your room?”
“Up the steps, first one on the left.” Holly laid her head against his chest and breathed in the unique scent of him. “I can’t believe you’re here. Preston,” she whispered.
He pulled her against him and kissed her breathless before looking deep into her eyes. “I couldn’t stand another moment without you. Come on.” He pulled her toward the steps.
When she opened the door, his breath caught. She looked even more beautiful than when he’d seen her last. The look on her face said it all. The woman had missed him. She was completely happy that he’d surprised her by showing up on her doorstep. When she kissed him, he thought his heart would beat through his chest.
He almost wanted to pinch himself as he chased her up the steps to the bedroom he’d seen bits and pieces of on their video chats. He chuckled, thinking about their “video” chats. She glanced over her shoulder and cocked her head, as if to ask him what he was laughing about. He shrugged his shoulders while he felt his grin grow wider.
When they made it into her bedroom, he spun her around and pulled her into his arms again. “I’m sorry about this.” His hand trembled as he held her face, his voice husky.
“Sorry about what?” Her beautiful brows drew down as she frowned up at him.
“This isn’t going to be slow loving right now. I need you and I can’t do slow. I promise the next time will be.”
“I don’t want slow and easy this time, either.” She breathed out. “It’s been too long.” She stepped back out of his arms and pulled her shirt over her head as she kicked off her shoes. She stopped long enough to undo her zipper before she slid her pants off, kicking them to the side before almost ripping off her bra and undies, never breaking eye contact with him.
Preston undressed just as fast, stopping only to pull a condom out of his wallet before he tossed the wallet on the floor along with his clothes. They toppled to the bed, their breathing ragged as they touched each other anxiously. He hissed, the anticipation of being with her again, inside of her again, had him intoxicated as he breathed in her scent.
Her head fell back and she whimpered. “Now, please Preston. Now.”
He moved between her legs and rolled the condom over his erection before plunging into her, moaning at the tightness that sheathed him.
“Not slow.” She breathed as she moved against him, urging him to move faster.
Preston grabbed her ass and lifted her so he could go deeper. She met him thrust for thrust, begging him to go faster. His heart thudded in his chest and his breath grew raspy. Just as he felt her start to throb around him, he caught her mouth and deepened his thrusts, taking them over the edge, shattering as she came apart groaning his name into his mouth. They collapsed on the bed spent.
He rolled them over and pulled her against his chest. “That was amazing,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, you didn’t hurt me. I can’t believe you’re here.” She snuggled closer. “This feels so good.”
While his heart rate slowed, he made small circles on her back with his hand. I want it to always be like this. He felt her start to relax. “You falling asleep on me?”
“No, but I probably could.” She sighed. “Maybe we should take a bath, and then make dinner?”
“A bath, huh? Are you sure you’re up to it?” He was already getting hard again just thinking about her tub. He stood and pulled her to her feet.
She glanced down and smiled. “Already?”
“You know what you do to me.” He shrugged. “Let me grab my suitcase. I brought plenty of protection. If you want to start that bath, I’ll be right back.” He glanced over his shoulder and grinned.
He hurried downstairs and grabbed his bag from the floor by the front door. Hurley thumped his tail. “You must be Hurley.” He held his hand out so the lab could sniff it. Hurley’s tail was thumping on the floor. “You’re beautiful.” He rubbed the dog’s head, and Hurley’s tail thumped faster showing his appreciation of the affection. “We’ll be back soon, boy.”
Humming a song, he took the steps by two’s to get back upstairs. He found her waiting in the bathroom for him, a satisfied smile on her beautiful lips, standing seductively beside the big tub he loved watching her bathe in.
“Come here.” He pulled her in and claimed her mouth again before helping her step into the big claw foot tub. He joined her, sliding down behind her and pulling her against his chest. He found her soap and lathered his hands. “Do you know how long I’ve dreamed of this?” He slowly ran his hands over her breasts, stopping long enough to roll her erect nipples between his finger and thumb, rewarded with a deep moan and an arch of her back. Smiling, he slid one hand down between her legs. He craved this woman, his desire for her causing an ache in his heart.
He coaxed her to relax as he brushed his fingers against her while he nipped her neck. He explored every inch of her perfect body, stroking her until he had her gasping for breath. When she tensed against him, he held her still as she screamed his name. He felt her tighten against his fingers. As Holly’s head fell back against him, he leaned over and kissed her mouth. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.
He helped her out and wrapped her in one of the big fluffy towels before he dried off. “We’d better get dressed before we go downstairs to make dinner.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “What about you cowboy?” She glanced down at the evidence pressing against his towel.
“You can take care of that later. I think we probably need to fuel up. It’s gonna be a long night.” He turned her around and patted her cute ass, urging her to go into the bedroom.
“How’d you get here?” She smiled at him as she slipped into a pair of pajama pants and a little tank top.
“I flew then I drove. Why?” He tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Oh. Well, when April comes home and sees a strange car in my drive, she’s either going to call or show up at the door. I hope she calls.”
“Well, can you call her and just let her know you have a friend in from out of town, and you’ll call her tomorrow?” He feathered kisses down her neck to her collarbone
“I guess I could, but that will mean she’ll come over first thing in the morning to see who’s here. On second thought, I’ll text her that way she can’t ask a million questions.”
“Is she really that nosey? I don’t know how you can stand it. Isn’t it like living in a glass house?” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t like that one bit.”
“You get used to it when you live in a neighborhood like this. It’s okay. We watch out for each other.”
“I don’t think I could get used to it. You’ve seen where we live.” He kissed her neck, wrapping his arms around her. “I don’t like
living so far apart.” He inhaled deeply. “I’ve missed the smell of you.”
Holly leaned back against him. “I’ve missed that about you, too. Although, I have to confess something.”
“What?”
“I sort of packed one of your shirts when I left.”
“You little thief.” He spun her around. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He kissed her softly just as her phone started buzzing on the counter.
“Oh shit.” She dropped her head on his chest. “It’s April. They must be home.”
“Don’t answer it.”
“If I don’t, she’ll be knocking on the door in five minutes.”
“You were serious?” He chuckled. “If everything you’ve said about her is true, why don’t you just get it over and let her meet me?”
“It’s inevitable she will.” She sighed. “Can you handle it?”
“Darlin’, I can handle anything for you.” He didn’t want to share one minute of his time here with anyone but her. From everything he heard about this April woman, they might as well get it over with though.
Holly grabbed her phone. “Hello, April.” She smiled at him and mouthed “sorry.” “No, I’m fine. I have company.” She tapped her finger on the counter and rolled her eyes. “Not tonight. You can come over tomorrow after lunch?” She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Okay, I’ll talk to you then. I don’t want to be rude to my company. Goodnight.” She hung up the phone and threw her hands up in the air. “I told you, she wanted to run right over. When I told her tomorrow after lunch, she wanted to know why so late and who was here.”
“If she annoys you so much, why are you friends with her?” Women confused him, if someone he knew bothered him that much, he wouldn’t be friends with them.
“Because I am. I don’t know, we’re just best friends.” She giggled as she threw her hands up.
Chapter 28
Joy to the World
True to her word, the front doorbell started ringing at noon. Holly glanced up to see Preston watching her with his right brow raised and a smile on his face.
“That her?” he asked before taking a sip of his coffee.
“That would be her. Just so you know, she’s more of a whirlwind than Clare and louder too. She’ll be asking a lot of questions.” She pushed back her chair and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Ready or not, here comes the tornado.” Holly glanced over her shoulder in time to see him frown and straighten the front of his t-shirt. Now, I’ve got him nervous. She took a deep breath and opened the door. “April, come in. How are you this morning?”
“I’m fine.” She eyed Holly before handing her the container holding her still warm cake. “So, where is your company?”
“Thank you for the cake, that was sweet of you. He’s in the kitchen. We just finished lunch. And I’m fine, thanks for asking.”
“Oh sorry. Well, let’s go meet your company.” April made air quotes around company as she slid her arm around Holly.
“Sure. I have a fresh pot of coffee.” Holly followed April as she made a beeline for the kitchen door and suddenly stopped so quickly Holly almost ran into her. “Whoa, what are you doing?” Skirting around her, she couldn’t help but giggle.
She leaned over and whispered in April’s ear, “Close your mouth.” She walked over to the table, took Preston’s hand, and tugged him to his feet. “April, this is Preston. Preston, April.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He slid his arm around Holly’s waist and pulled her close. “Holly has told me a lot about you.”
April glanced from Holly to Preston. “She told me a lot about you, too, but she didn’t tell me about this.” She swung her hand up and down. “Why didn’t you tell me your cowboy looked like this?”
“April.” Holly felt the heat spread over her face. “Mind your manners. I’m sorry Preston, she can be a bit outspoken at times.”
Preston chuckled. “Thanks, I think?”
“April brought us some of her wonderful, homemade cake. You have to try it.” She took plates down from the cabinet and set them on the table. “April, do you want some coffee?”
“Sure.” April sat down and scooted closer to Preston. “Are you a real cowboy?”
“Um, yes ma’am. My family and I own a cattle ranch in Colorado. Holly came and spent Christmas with us.”
“Wow, a real cowboy. Thanks.” She glanced up at Holly, taking the mug from her. “I didn’t know you meant he was a real cowboy. Damn.”
“I told you I stayed at a cattle ranch.” She rolled her eyes. “He works the ranch most of the time by himself.”
April’s smile widened. “Wow. From everything Holly has told me about your ranch and the pictures I’ve seen, I would love to visit one day.”
“It’s a wonderful, magical place and his family is so welcoming.” Holly smiled and winked at him.
“I don’t know if Larry would ever want to go. You know how boring he can be.” She giggled and glanced at Preston. “His idea of a good time is clicking the remote control.”
“He’s not that bad.” Holly’s laughter bubbled up in her chest. “You know you love that man.”
“Yes, I do love him. But I would love to visit a cattle ranch one day and stay in a log cabin. Can you honestly tell me you can see him doing that with me?”
Holly giggled when she saw the look on Preston’s face. “No, I honestly can’t picture Larry on a cattle ranch.” Holly sat down beside him. “You’ll have to meet Larry. Once you do, you’ll understand why we’re both saying this.” She tapped her lips. “Although, it might be fun to try to get him to go.”
Throwing her arms up, April smiled. “We could try and plan a trip together next year. They do have TVs with remotes on cattle ranches, don’t they? My life is so boring.”
“Oh April.” Holly rolled her eyes. “You’re life is not boring! Larry and you are always on the go.”
“You’re right.” April glanced back at Preston. “So, did she tell you she’s designing clothes again?”
Preston smiled. “Yeah, she did. Clare showed me her new designs. I know I don’t know a damn thing about clothes, but she was excited as hell about them. It takes a lot to get a seventeen year old excited about something like that. I’m real proud of her.”
“Aw, look at how thoughtful you are! He’s right, Holly. You are amazing at designing clothes.” She smiled at him. “She’s bad about wearing things that look good on her. But with my help, she’s learning how to dress sexier.”
He glanced at Holly to see her smiling at April as he reached for Holly’s hand. “She dresses sexy as hell.”
“Because I finally listened to April, went to the shop that sells my clothes, and put together more nice outfits. She’s the one who encouraged me to do it.” She picked up her coffee cup and took a sip.
Preston sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m glad she did, but why wouldn’t you wear your own designs?”
“Because I didn’t see myself as the type of person who could wear them. I know that sounds silly now, but I thought they were too young and sexy for someone my age to be wearing. April has been telling me for years I needed to dress my age.”
April’s snickered. “Holly is so pretty but she always dressed older.” She shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Well, I’m glad you listened to your friend.” He glanced at her before turning back to April. “I never told her this, but when I opened the door and saw her standing there, I thought my heart would stop. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.” He leaned closer to her. “So, what do you think of her being with a younger man?”
She leaned closer to Preston. “If you’re talking about you, I think it’s pretty awesome. She needs someone who can keep her on her toes.” April leaned over and motioned for him to move closer. “And to keep her on her back, too.”
He heard Holly gasp and turned in time to see her face turn the cutest shade of pink. “I’d love to make her happy f
or the rest of her life, but she has this misguided belief that because she is a bit older than me, we can’t be together. She’s afraid I’d grow tired of her.” He watched her face as he told her best friend the secret that was keeping them apart. He was tired of phone calls and missing her. He wanted her in his arms every night for the rest of their lives.
“Holly, we’ve already talked about this. You’ve found this amazing man, who obviously loves you, and you’re letting a number dictate that you can’t be happy with him?” April waved her hand through the air. “This just pisses me off. Men can do whatever they want, have girlfriends half their age, and you are worried about a few years?” She dropped her head into her hands. “Really? I’ve been watching you be miserable for the last six months and you could have been happy every day, except you’re worried about your age difference.”
“What will people think?” Holly glanced at him, her eyes lowered.
“Who cares what people think. You deserve this. You deserve him. Pack your shit, close up your house, and move to Colorado. Give this a chance to play out. I’ll watch the house for you. Give yourself a shot at being happy.”
Preston stood and walked around the table. He knelt down on one knee and took her hands into his. “I love you, Holly. I tell you that every night when we talk. You say you love me. Can you please listen to your extremely smart friend and give us a chance?”
“What about your mother and Clare?” Her eyes roved his face.
“What about them? They want us to be happy and they love you.”
“That’s when I was a friend...”
He took her face in his hands. “Trust in us, Holly. Please, trust in me.” He searched her eyes, watching as an array of emotions and fears played through them. He was afraid to move, let alone breathe, for fear of interrupting her. Finally, after an agonizing few minutes, she focused on him, her eyes locking on his as the corners of her mouth turned up and her eyes danced.
