Let it Snow

by Suzan Butler, Emily Ryan-Davis, Cari Quinn, Vivienne Westlake, Sadie Haller, Holley Trent

  He knew he should let her sleep until she was ready to wake up on her own, but his usual intractable self-control was distinctly absent. That happened a lot when it came to Mac.

  He wet his index finger and traced it around Mac's lips. Her eyelids flickered and then opened. There was a moment of confusion in her eyes before she smiled wide and said, "You stayed."

  "I told you I would. I'm sorry to wake you, but I wanted to give you the goodnight kiss you asked for last night, and I couldn't wait any longer."

  "I remember thinking it, but I don't remember saying it out loud. And if you did hear me ask, why didn't you do it last night?

  "You were mumbling and not fully awake. I would have loved to kiss you goodnight then, but I wanted you to be awake enough to enjoy it with me."

  "You didn't want to freak me out when I was half a sleep."

  "That too. So, can I kiss you goodnight now?"

  Mac nodded, and Finn said, "I need to hear the words, Mac. I know it's hard, but I'm not willing to risk fucking up whatever we might have, on miscommunication."

  "Fair enough. May I have my goodnight kiss now?"

  Finn answered with his lips barely touching hers. A whisper that increased in volume as Mac's lips parted to allow his teasing tongue entry.

  Finn eased back and gazed into Mac's eyes. "Goodnight, Mac." After a short pause, he said, "May I kiss you good morning?"

  Mac responded with an enthusiastic, "Yes, please."

  Finn demanded more with this kiss, and Mac opened to him without hesitation. He wanted to lose himself in her mouth and kiss her for days. He shifted gears, and gentled the kiss before he reluctantly pulled away. He returned his gaze to hers and grinned. "Wow, that was some kiss good morning."

  "A girl could get used to spending the night with a man if the morning promises kisses like that."

  Finn knew he was falling harder with each passing day, and it scared him more than he wanted to admit. Especially to himself. "Alright, greedy-lips. It's time to get moving. We have an invalid in the next room who's probably wide awake and wondering why he's still waiting for his breakfast in bed."

  "Hell, I think you just may know Sully almost as well as I do."

  "Quite possibly. I'm going to go check on him and put some clothes on. I'll meet you in the kitchen."

  "You do know I can't cook, right?"

  "I'm sure you can manage to throw some slices of bread in a toaster and slather them in coronary-inducing quantities of butter."

  "Yeah, I can just about manage that."

  ***

  Finn poked his head through the doorway and wasn't surprised to find Sully awake and full of questions.

  "It was mighty quiet after I returned to my very lonely bed last night. No screaming from nightmares or mind-blowing orgasms. And where's my breakfast?"

  "Good morning to you too, you cheeky fuck."

  "Tell me what happened after I left. You know how I hate being left out of the know."

  "We asked each other a getting to know you question. She gave my biceps a squeeze, I gave her lips a smooch, I spent the night snuggled up with her, and now it's morning."

  "I suspect you've omitted a few details, but that's okay, I'll press Mac for them later." Sully cocked his head. "Seriously, she was okay last night and this morning?"

  "Yeah. Actually, she was way better than I had any right to hope she'd be. I really like her, and I don't want to fuck up."

  "You're doing fine. I should have started urging her to break free of her self-imposed exile years ago, but it was too easy to let her hide from the world, and lean on me. It broke my heart to watch her world shrink to nothing but her cat and me, but I was too scared to give her some tough love in case she shut me out too.

  "At least now, it looks like she's finally ready to take back her life, and I think you're the guy to help her do it. If it weren't for my damn foot fetish, I'm sure she'd be all over me. But, c'est la vie."

  "Sorry, pal, I think your foot-fetish is just her excuse to let you down gently. I was thinking about Christmas. Does she spend it with family?"

  "No. Every year I try to get her to come and spend it with me at my parents' house, and every year she turns me down flat. She spends it by herself and she insists that's how she likes it. Maybe this year will be different."

  "Maybe. I'd best get downstairs and get your breakfast started. I lit a fire under Mac's ass to meet me in the kitchen, and I doubt she'll thrilled if I make her wait. She insists she can't cook."

  "And, she'd be right. I'm not kidding when I say, no matter what, do not let her cook."

  "I've put her on toast duty. Please tell me that's safe."

  "That's about the only thing that is safe, provided you have the toaster settings to barely tanned."

  "Good to know. I'll see you in a bit with breakfast and coffee."

  ***

  Finn watched Mac struggle with the coffee maker for a few minutes before taking pity on her. "I'll do that, you go sit down."

  "What took you so long? I told you I can't cook."

  "Sully was being nosy. I didn't realise your inability to cook extended to use of a coffee maker.

  "I drink tea, so I only needed to master a kettle. I assume, given how long you were with him, his Lordship had the blow by blow of last night. I can't believe men accuse women of being gossip-mongers."

  Finn let out a rumbling laugh. "While he has been provided with a brief overview, he plans to grill you for the details. As for blow by blow, I'm quite certain I would have noticed, and remembered had blowing been involved." He gave Mac an exaggerated wink and said, "I can only hope there will be some in my future."

  "You never know what the future holds, do you? If, when I woke up yesterday, someone had said I would spend the night in bed with any man, let alone you, I would have laughed myself sick."

  Mac's unguarded response was delightful. So much for the erection he'd wrangled into submission not ten minutes earlier. "I think we need to change the subject."

  "Okay, I can blow it off if you can."

  "You did that on purpose, imp."

  "Didn't you have some bread you wanted me to toast and butter?"

  Finn gathered the bread and butter and set it on the counter in front of the toaster. "There you go. I figure four slices for me, another four for Sully, and however many you'll eat should do it."

  "On it."

  "How do you like your bacon and eggs?"

  "I like my bacon completely crispy and my eggs over-easy."

  Finn leaned down and gave her a peck on the nose. "A woman after my own heart. There's nothing like the full cholesterol meal deal to get a good start on the day."

  The smile she gave him melted him to his toes. Oh boy, was he in trouble.

  ***

  "I come bearing breakfast, you lazy-ass pecker-head." Mac sauntered into Sully's room and waited for him to raise himself up before setting the bed-tray over his legs.

  "Well good morning to you, my little ray of sunshine. Did you sleep well?"

  "You can stop right now. Whatever Finn told you when you pumped him for information is all you're going to get, you nosy git."

  "I'll take that as a yes." He grinned at her and she stuck her tongue out at him.

  "You're awfully lucky I love you, you know."

  "I do know. You like him, don't you?"

  Sometimes she wondered if Sully could read minds because he had an eerie way of knowing what was going on in her head. "So many parts of me don't want to for so many different reasons, but yeah, I like him. It's like driving downhill in the snow. Unless I want to crash, I can only go forward, moving ever faster, and there's no way to reverse out of it."

  "Then stop trying to put it in reverse. As long as there are no sharp bends in the road ahead, just sit back and enjoy the ride."

  "I hate you."

  "I know. Where's your breakfast?"

  "Finn's bringing ours up as soon as i
t's ready. We figured with you being the big baby you are, we should get yours done and served first."

  "I'm not a baby. I'm a finely tuned instrument that's been banged up and is in for repair."

  "Whatever you need to believe, Sully."

  "You are such a cheeky wench. I don't know why I put up with you."

  "I let you rub my feet."

  "Yeah, there is that."

  ***

  Finn looked up as Mac brought Sully's breakfast tray into the kitchen. "Thanks Mac, if you leave it on the counter, I'll take care of it."

  She put the tray down. "I don't mind loading the dishwasher, unless you're obsessive compulsive and will reload it to your exacting specifications the moment my back's turned."

  "No, I'm not that bad. If you really want to load the dishes, I'd be a fool to say no."

  Finn stopped wiping down the stove for a moment and enjoyed the view of her ass as she bent to put the plates on the bottom rack. Perfect position for a nice spanking. He turned away and returned to his task. Plenty of time to fantasise later.

  When he'd finished wiping all the surfaces, Finn crossed the floor and stood next to Mac. "Thanks for your help, love."

  "You're welcome. Thank you for cooking breakfast. It was really good.”

  "Anytime." Finn's eyes focused on Mac's lips, and he had to ask. "Can I kiss you?"

  Mac nodded and tilted her head up. Finn leaned down, cupping her cheek as he placed a firm kiss on her lips. He chose not to deepen it. His lips had already written cheques his dick wouldn't be cashing anytime soon.

  He eased away. The sound of a voice clearing in the doorway changed his mind about dipping in for another.

  "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

  Finn glowered at Sully. "Fuck you. What are you doing up?"

  Sully's cheeky smile lit the room. "I've had my breakfast in bed, and now I'm ready to start my day. If I let this wee wench sub for me too long, you guys'll toss my ass aside and give her my chair."

  "You know damn well your chair is perfectly safe," Mac retorted.

  "My chair may be, but sweetie, you are still the most amazing oboist I know, and I can't think of a bigger, badder, in your face, fuck you and the horse you rode in on to that mother-fucking piece of shit, than to go pro.

  Mac collapsed onto the nearest chair. "We've talked this to death. Not going to happen. I'm perfectly happy playing just for me."

  "We'll revisit this when I have working ribs and you've finished an entire Christmas concert schedule."

  "Let's not and say we did."

  "I'm going to let this drop for now, but it will come up again. Count on it. Now, I'm going to gather my bits and pieces and call a cab."

  "I already told you I would drive you home, and besides, poor Gounod's been home alone all night."

  "He's a fucking cat. As long as he has food, water, and a place to bury his shit, he's good."

  "You can't hold a grudge just because he peed in your shoes once when he was a kitten."

  "I can, and do."

  Fine, but I'm still driving you home. Go get your shit together and I'll meet you in the living room."

  Sully shuffled off, and Finn spoke up. "I'm going to ask you something, and I want you to think about it very carefully before you answer."

  "Okay?"

  "Do you think you could ever feel comfortable being alone with me?"

  "I don't have to think about that. I was alone with you all night."

  "Not really, Sully was in the next room."

  "He may have been in the next room, but you know as well as I do, he'd have been the next best thing to useless if I'd really needed him."

  "Fair enough. In that case, would you like to come over for dinner and a movie tonight? Remember, you always have your safewords, and they work for everything."

  "Oh, what the hell. Go big, or go home, right? A few kisses after more than a decade without makes a girl feel a little reckless. What time shall I be here?"

  "How about six?"

  "Sounds good to me."

  ***

  Mac hadn't even got her seatbelt on before Sully began his inquisition. "So, what did you two talk about in the kitchen before we left?"

  Mac growled as she started the car. "None of your business, you nosy bugger."

  "True, but humour me."

  Before driving off, Mac turned to face Sully. "Alright, given you're my safe-call, but God help me if I need you. I'm going back tonight for dinner and a film."

  "Go you." Sully patted her on the leg. "I mean that, Mac. I'm not being funny. I am so, so happy you've finally found someone you feel safe to be alone with. You deserve that. He's a good man. I've known him a long time and I've seen how he plays. And before you say a word, I know damn well he won't even think about playing with you until he knows, not sure, not confident, but knows it's what you want. I trust him to take good care of you. You have to promise me two things. One, before making any rash decisions you will come to me if you are even the tiniest bit unsure about anything. And two, you will communicate clearly with Finn. Can you promise me those two things?"

  Mac considered for a moment. "I promise. You're the only man in the world, for now anyway, who I trust absolutely. If you tell me he has your trust, then I will give him the opportunity to earn mine."

  "Good enough. Jeezus, woman, are you purposely picking the bumpiest route home and aiming for every single pothole along the way?"

  "Sorry, bud. Road bumpiness increases exponentially to the degree of pain you're experiencing. We'll be home soon, then you can have some pain meds and go to bed with a Coke and your remote control."

  "I expect you to call tomorrow with a full report on the evening's shenanigans."

  "Of course you do. I'll call, and I may take pity on your poor sorry ass and provide you with a vignette of the evening, but don't count on it. Part of my decision may depend on how much more complaining you do between now and when I get you tucked into bed."

  Chapter Eight

  Finn smiled wide as he opened the door to Mac. Welcome back. It's been a pretty lonely day. How was Gounod when you got home?"

  "Oh My God! You'd think I'd taken the vacuum to him followed by a thorough dunking in ice-water. He yelled at me for hours. Hours. I shit you not. Even after I gave in and opened a tin of tuna, he continued to tell me off. Who knew a cat could yell with his mouth full?"

  "Poor kitty."

  "Poor kitty? I'm surprised my ears aren't bleeding."

  "Would a kiss help."

  "It couldn't hurt."

  Finn wrapped his arms around Mac and lifted her from the floor before he caressed her lips with his own. "Better?"

  "Not sure. Maybe you should do that again."

  He did, and her moan was all the encouragement he needed. He deepened the kiss and in one smooth motion, he had her in his arms, bridal fashion. He carried her to the sofa and sat with her in his lap. He slowly broke the kiss and looked into Mac's eyes. "Better now?"

  Mac sighed. "Definitely."

  "Good. Are you hungry?"

  "I could eat."

  "Sully said you like lasagne. I made it myself. No oven-ready abominations from the supermarket for me."

  "I love lasagne. And home-made? That's a real treat."

  "What I want to do, is sit here and kiss you silly, but it might be better to do that without the risk of being interrupted by growling bellies. Up you get." Finn released his grip, and Mac slid off his lap and started towards the kitchen.

  "Oh no you don't. Dining room, you."

  "You don't want any help?"

  "Not this time. For now, just let me dote on you."

  "I'm not comfortable with being doted on. I've been taking care of myself for a long time."

  "We'll work on that. Off with you. I'll be through in a minute."

  ***

  Mac laid her knife and fork on her empty plate and groaned. "That was fabulous. I really shouldn
't have eaten that much, but I can't remember the last time I had truly home-made lasagne. And no, restaurant lasagne doesn't qualify, no matter how authentic the claim."

  "Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I do love a woman that eats."

  "I like food too much to be one of those women who orders a salad and only eats half a cherry tomato and a lettuce leaf for fear she'll get fat and no man will want her. Fuck that for a lark. Either you like me for who I am, or move on."

  "I like you very much for who you are."

  Mac blushed. "Aw crap, I wasn't fishing, you know."

  "I know. Just putting it out there so you don't need to wonder."

  "Well, so you don't need to wonder either, I like you for who you are too."

  Finn smiled wide. "Ready for our movie?"

  "Nope, we have a table to clear and a kitchen to clean first."

  "What if I told you I'd take care of it later?"

  "I'd tell you we should both deal with it now. It will take less time, be easier to clean, and it won't be lurking, waiting to pounce when you'd rather be doing something else."

  "You're right, but I told you I would be doting on you."

  "You can resume your dotage after."

  "Alright, let's get this done, so we can snuggle and watch a film."

  "What if we were to skip the film and just snuggle?"

  "I'd be good with that. I'm curious about why, though."

  "I need this to be real, and if we watch a film, it's too easy for me to check out."

  "Are you sure this is what you want?"

  "Not really, but I want to try. It wouldn't really be any different than last night, except we'd both be awake."

  "Let's get a move on."

  ***

  "How're you doing, Mac?"

  They'd been cuddling in silence on the sofa for a good half hour before Finn spoke up.

  "Okay, I think. It's scary, but not. The idea of it is scary, but it feels way more good than it does scary." Mac wasn't ready to admit out loud that the good was feeling safe and content in Finn's arms. Out loud made it real, and this was all way too new for her to let it be real yet.