by Dover, L. P.
“What do you all do for Thanksgiving? I can’t believe it’ll be here in two days.” Time passes by so quickly now. Some days I look at Logan and want to cry because he’s getting so big.
Kyler sighs, and his eyes sadden at the mention of Thanksgiving. “Usually, my mom’s side of the family comes over on Thanksgiving Day, but this year has been really tough on her. She lost her two younger sisters to cancer, one right after the other. There were only five months between their deaths.”
Gasping, I hold a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God, how horrible. I can’t even imagine.”
“It wasn’t easy, and it’s still not. She has two brothers, but they live out of town. This Thanksgiving, it’ll be just them and me. I told them I’d smoke the turkey.”
I don’t know what comes over me, but I don’t like the thought of them being alone. Plus, if he can cook a turkey without drying it out, it’s a win. “No,” I say adamantly.
His brows lift. “No? What do you mean, no?”
“I mean,” I say, digging my fork into my loaded potato, “no, you aren’t going to have Thanksgiving dinner with just your parents. Why don’t you all come over and spend it with my family? My mom and dad would love to have you there. You can still smoke your turkey if you want. In fact, I’d really appreciate it if you did.”
He shakes his head. “We can’t impose like that, Maeve.”
I reach over and take his hand. “Trust me. You’ll be saving Thanksgiving.”
His lips pull back, and he laughs. “Are you trying to say that your parents can’t cook a turkey?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I love my mom to death, and she can cook the hell out of some food, but she always manages to dry out the turkey. If you can fix one that’s tender like these steaks, then I say, please join us. I’ll beg you if I have to.”
“You’ll beg, huh? I think I like the sound of that.”
The way he says that makes my body tighten in all the right places. Slowly, I move my hand away from his before I do something crazy. “Please say you’ll join us?”
His grin broadens. “I’ll talk to my parents, but I’m sure they won’t have a problem with it. I’d be happy to spend the holiday with you and your family. Maybe Logan and I can work off the turkey coma by playing football.”
“I think he’d like that.”
What I find crazy is that I had another thought for working through the turkey coma, and it’s not by playing football. Where the hell is my mind going?
“Do you want to finish dinner maybe and then eat our cake by the fire pit out on the back deck?”
“Yes,” I reply quickly, hoping he can’t hear my thoughts. However, by the way he’s looking at me with those heat-filled blue eyes of his, I’m sure he had other ideas as well.
8
Maeve
After dinner, I helped Kyler clean up the kitchen. This time I didn’t soak him like I did when we were at my parents’ house. We laughed about it, though. While he got the fire ready in the pit, I cut us both huge slices of carrot cake. Even though I was full from dinner, I ate my entire piece, and so did he.
“Think your mom will make another carrot cake for Thanksgiving?” Kyler asks.
I burst out laughing. “Are you seriously going to eat that entire cake in your kitchen in two days?”
He leans back on his lounge chair, his gaze up at the stars. “I might. It’s so damn good.”
I copy him and lean back in my chair. The fire feels amazing at my feet, and the sky is magical with all the bright stars twinkling everywhere. “Yes, it is,” I agree. “I’m sure she’ll make another one just for you.”
“What’s your favorite part about Thanksgiving?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him turn his head toward me. I look over at him and smile. “Other than spending time with my family, my favorite is the sweet potato casserole.”
Chuckling, he shakes his head, clearly surprised “Interesting. I never would’ve thought that.”
“Oh yeah? What did you think would be my favorite?”
He purses his lips in concentration. “I was kind of thinking the macaroni and cheese would be yours. That’s what I would’ve picked.”
I have to hand it to him; he’s not far off. “The mac and cheese would be a close second. Not a bad guess.” He goes back to looking up at the sky, and I do the same.
“Logan asked me if I’d come to his game next week,” he says, his voice a little unsure.
I sit up quickly. “And what did you say?”
His eyes meet mine. “I told him I would. Hopefully, you’re okay with that.” When I don’t answer, he sits up and reaches for my hands. “Should I have said no?”
I gasp. “Oh, goodness, no. I’m glad you said yes. It’s just …”
He squeezes my hand. “It’s just what?”
Taking a deep breath, I turn my head away so he can’t see the fear in my eyes. “I don’t want Logan getting hurt or let down. His father’s done enough of that to him.”
“Hey,” Kyler murmurs, letting my hand go so he can grasp my chin. “Look at me.” I willingly let him turn me toward him. He slides forward on his chair to get closer to me. “I want to go to his game, Maeve. The last thing I want to do is disappoint him. I will do everything in my power not to let that happen.”
My eyes burn, and I nod. “Whatever you do, don’t make promises you can’t keep. At least, not with him.”
He cups my cheek. “I won’t.” His fingers brush over my skin, and chills fan out over my skin. “Do you want to know what else I want?”
“What?” I whisper.
His gaze drops to my lips. “You.”
And just like that, he slowly moves toward me, his lips so close to mine. I suck in a breath before we connect. His hands are warm against my skin, and I melt into him. I’m the one who deepens the kiss, and he pulls me closer.
“What are we doing?” I say, breaking away first.
His smile makes me tremble. “I know we didn’t get off to a good start, but I know there’s something between us. You can’t tell me you don’t feel it.”
“I do. I tried to fight it and lost.”
He laughs. “Thank God for that. What we have to decide now is how we’re going to go forward. What do you want us to be?”
I know the answer in my heart, but I’m not ready to speak it just yet. I stand and pull him up with me. “Right now, you’re my date for Thanksgiving dinner. Actually, I’m only inviting you to cook the turkey. That’s really what I want.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually jealous of a turkey right now,” he says, laughing.
I lift on my toes and kiss him again. “I want to spend my time with you, Kyler. I’m sure we’ll figure everything else out in time.”
“I’m good with that.”
Pulling out my phone, I look at the time. “It’s getting late. I should probably head home.” A part of me doesn’t want to leave, but I don’t want to make the first move. I’m dying for him to do it.
He takes my hand. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
We go inside, and I grab my purse and keys. My heart races out of control because my body knows what it wants. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed not having an intimate connection with someone. When Kyler opens the door, he starts to take a step out and stops.
“Wait.”
My breath hitches. “What is it?”
He cups my face in his hands. “Stay. I don’t want you to go.”
I can’t help but smile and also feel relieved. “I don’t want to go either. I was hoping you’d make the first move.”
His eyes darken with need. “Well, here’s me making it.” Shutting the door, he locks it and turns back to me, removing his shirt and throwing it over the top of the couch. “Just let me know if or when you want me to stop.”
I shake my head. “That’s not going to happen.”
As he moves closer, I steadily take steps back until I can’t go any further. He plac
es both hands on the wall, caging me in like a prisoner against his body. It’s thrilling and intoxicating; I love it. It’s been forever since I’ve felt this kind of heat with anyone.
Leaning down, he lightly grazes his lips along my neck on up to my ear, his warm breath tickling my senses. “I want to touch every inch of your body,” he murmurs huskily. “I don’t know what it is, but when I saw you the other day, something clicked. I knew I had to talk to you.”
“And I knew I needed to stay far away,” I whisper back.
“Do you still think that now?”
I bite my lip. “No. All I want is for you to get closer.”
Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I hold him tight as he kisses me. I don’t know what will happen between us, but I know I’m falling for him already. Kyler groans in my ear and presses his arousal into me. “By closer, does that mean I can make love to you?”
Shivers cascade down my body in a good way. “Yes,” I breathe. “I want that more than anything.” Keeping his eyes on mine, he trails his hands down my back and slides them underneath my sweater. I lift my arms so he can take it off of me. The next thing I know, my jeans are gone as well, and so are his.
“Good,” he says, smirking devilishly. “I’m going to enjoy making you come in every way possible.”
Eyes wide, I don’t have time to speak before he closes his lips over mine, silencing me. My clit throbs in anticipation, aching for release. It’s been so long since I’ve felt any pleasure from a man’s touch; I wanted it, needed it. In one swift move, he lifts me in his arms, and I straddle his waist, holding on tight as he leads me through his house to his bedroom.
When we enter his room, it smells just like his cologne. Laying me on the bed, he covers me with his body and spreads my legs with his knee. I still have on my bra and underwear, but Kyler’s gaze is focused solely on mine as he kisses me, claiming me. He rocks his body against mine, lifting my left leg around his waist so he can press his cock harder in between my legs.
The momentum builds to the point I can’t stop it. “Kyler,” I gasp, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
Digging my nails into his arm, he knows what’s about to come. Quickly, he slides his hand down my thigh to the inside of it, and finally over my thong, rubbing my clit with his thumb.
I’m not fully there yet, but as soon as he slides his fingers in it’s all over. My body tightens, and I scream out my pleasure, grasping onto his arms and squeezing until the tingling subsides, leaving me breathless and aching for more.
“You are so fucking sexy when you come,” he growls.
Ripping off my underwear, he throws it across the room before lifting me in his arms so he can unlatch my bra. Roughly, he kisses me, and I can’t help but moan when he throws my bra off to the side and pinches my nipples. He bites my lip and sucks it hard, causing a strangled cry to escape my lips as he massages and squeezes my breasts.
I had never felt this intensity level with Ethan when we were married, not even when we were in the early stages of dating when everything was new.
What was it about Kyler that made it all different?
I can’t wait any longer to have him inside of me, so I grasp the waistband of his boxers and tug. Chuckling, Kyler slides off the bed and lowers them to the floor.
“Is this what you wanted?” he asks. “I figured you’d want to take things slow.”
“No,” I moan breathlessly. “It’s been too long. If you make me wait any longer, I’ll lose my mind.”
He towers over me on the bed and spreads my legs wide so he can rest between them. Reaching toward his dresser, he opens the top drawer, pulls out a couple of condoms, and expertly slides one down his long, thick cock.
“Well, then I guess I can’t leave you waiting.” Smirking, he lowers his lips to my breasts and flicks one of my nipples with his tongue. I gasp and arch my back, waiting on him to do it again. This time, when he closes his lips over me, he bites and sucks hard while massaging me with his strong hands.
Groaning, he opens my legs wider and pushes his cock in just an inch; it’s enough to get me panting. More, I want to scream.
As if he hears my silent plea, he rocks his hips and slides in further and further until he’s fully inside of me, filling me. Slowly, Kyler moves along to a silent rhythm and holds me tight, alternating those lips of his to each one of my breasts, suckling and nipping them with his teeth.
“You feel and taste so fucking good,” he growls, moving his lips to my neck. Holding my face in his hands, he brings his mouth to mine and thrusts his tongue inside, claiming me in every way he possibly can.
He picks up his pace and thrusts harder inside of me, lifting my legs and wrapping them around his waist; I gasp when I feel him go deeper. Instead of pulling out and pushing back in with long strokes, he stays deep and rocks his hips hard, keeping a continual rhythm against my clit.
“Oh my God,” I cry, closing my eyes. “Please keep doing that.”
His low growl vibrates in my ear, and I can feel him getting harder inside of me. He’s close, so am I. Squeezing him harder with my legs, I hold on tight and bit his lip this time, feeling his cock pulsate.
“If you keep clenching down on me, baby, I’m not going to last.”
I’m not going to last either. Rocking my hips, I let my orgasm send me over the edge, crying out when Kyler digs his fingers into my back as he too releases inside of me. Slick with sweat, his muscles tense and flex beneath my hands as I hold onto him. He slowly slides out of me but stays between my legs.
“When I asked you earlier what you wanted us to be, I was hoping you’d ask me the same question,” Kyler murmurs as he looks down at me.
My heart races. “What do you want us to be?”
He brushes the hair away from my face. “I want you to be mine, Maeve. There’s no one else I want. I was hoping …”
I press a finger to his lips. “I feel the same way. There’s no one else I want either. If you want, we can tell everyone at Thanksgiving dinner.”
His smile is everything. “I’d like that. But right now, I don’t think I can let you go.”
I wrap my legs around his waist. “Trust me. I’m not going anywhere.”
9
Maeve
“That was really sweet of you to invite the Groff’s over for dinner,” my mom says. She looks so cute in her apron with a turkey on the front. It just so happens she bought two, and I’m being forced to wear the other one. It’s a good thing I have it on because it’s covered in flour.
I pull the homemade biscuits I made out of the oven. “Thank you for letting them come.”
She waves me off. “Happy to have them. We run into them a lot in town. Nice folks.” She gives me a side glance and quickly looks away. I know that look. It’s the look she has when she’s keeping something from me.
“What’s up with you, Mom? What are you not telling me?”
Her lips pull back slyly, but she keeps setting the table. “Nothing.”
“Mom? Tell me,” I say, standing with my hands on my hips. “I’ll let my biscuits burn and tell Kyler not to come.” It’s a lie, but I’ll say anything to get my mom to spill.
She throws her hands in the air. “Fine. Kyler’s mother and I ran into each other a couple of months ago.”
Her mischievous grin comes back full force, and I glare at her, but not in a mean way. “And?”
“And we kind of made a deal.” She walks around the table to stand in front of me, staring sheepishly at me. “She was worried about Kyler finding happiness, and of course, I’ve been worried about you. We maybe, sort of, concocted a plan to get you two together by Thanksgiving.”
I gasp. “What? Are you serious?”
She covers her face with her hands. “Yes. They were going to come here for dinner even before you invited them. It was planned to be a last-minute thing.”
“Did Kyler know any of this?”
“No,” she blurts out, eyes wide. “He had no clue about an
y of it. So, don’t be mad at him.”
Shaking my head, I can’t believe my mother came up with a scheme like this. “I’m not mad at all. You just got lucky I fell for the giant turkey.”
Her eyes twinkle. “But he’s a handsome turkey, and your son really likes him.”
A car door slams out front, and I rush to the window to look out. It’s Kyler and his parents. “We were going to tell everyone at dinner that we’re together. Guess it’s not really a secret, is it?” I say, laughing.
She giggles. “Nope.”
I hurry outside to greet Kyler and his parents. His mother comes straight to me and holds out her arms. “Maeve, it’s so nice to meet you finally. Thank you for inviting us.”
“You’re welcome.” I hug her and lean in close. “My mom told me everything.” She gasps and steps back like she just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. I wink at her and smile. “Very sneaky.”
She winks back. “A mother will do anything to make their kids happy.”
Kyler’s father holds out his hand. It’s uncanny how much Kyler looks like him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.”
I shake his hand. “Same.”
He nods toward the house. “Is your father inside? I’m ready to talk some football.”
“Of course. Go on in.”
Kyler hands his father the turkey, and his parents disappear inside. Brows furrowed, he looks at me curiously. “What was that with my mother?”
“Well,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, “our mothers have been conspiring with each other to get us together. Did you know your parents were invited to Thanksgiving dinner before I even got you to ask them?”
His mouth drops. “No way.”
I nod. “Yep. Apparently, a couple of months ago, our mothers talked about how unhappy we both were. They planned to set us up together.”
Kyler throws his head back and bursts out laughing. “Holy shit, this is insane. I can’t believe they did this.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me. “At least we know our parents approve of our relationship. Now I hope and pray your son will be happy to have me around.”
