by Opal Carew
“And I got a laptop for half price, and a new router,” Tom declared.
Holly laughed. “So who needs Christmas gifts? It sounds like I made out like a bandit already.”
“And a lot of stores have sales on all week,” June said, “including that little dress store you like so much. They have a great dress in the window that would look stunning on you. It would be perfect to wear on New Year’s Eve.” She winked. “Especially if you’re going somewhere with Kalen.”
They had a wonderful day opening gifts, eating holiday treats, and playing games. With the turkey dinner and carols filling the house with Christmas joy, it was like she’d never missed Christmas Day with them. When she was with family, the day they celebrated didn’t matter. It just mattered that they were together.
Holly got into bed and plumped up her pillows, then leaned them against the headboard so she could sit up. She flipped open her iPad and opened the e-book she’d been reading, but after several moments of just staring at it, she sighed.
Despite her happiness being here, she felt a gnawing ache.
She missed Kalen. She’d slept in his arms for the past two nights and it was a habit that was hard to give up.
She picked up her cell phone from the bedside table and flicked it on. She scrolled through her e-mails. There were a few holiday wishes from friends in River Rapids. She answered them, then checked her texts.
Her heart leapt when she saw one from Kalen.
I hope you’re having a wonderful time with your family. I miss you. Call when you have a chance.
She glanced at the clock, wondering if she could call him right now, but it was after ten. She sighed, sinking into the pillows.
She tapped on her phone.
I just saw your message. Too late to call now, but I will tomorrow.
Seconds after she pressed SEND, she received a text from him.
I’m still up. I’d love to talk.
She grinned and clicked on the phone icon to dial his number.
“Hi.”
Hearing his voice on the other end of the line sent tingles through her. God, she really had missed him.
“Hi,” she responded.
“I hope you had a good time with your family.”
“I did, thank you.”
“I miss you. I don’t want to tear you away from your family, but I really want to see you again. Soon.”
She smiled. “We could Skype.”
He laughed. “That’s not what I meant, but I’m on it.”
The Skype chime sounded on her iPad and she clicked to accept the call. An image of Kalen appeared on her screen and she hung up the phone. He seemed to be sitting at a desk, probably using his computer for the Skype session.
He smiled. “I like your hair like that.”
Anxiety shot through her as she realized she was ready for bed, which meant no makeup and her hair pulled back.
“Oh, God. I’m a mess.” She ran her hand down her long braid, glancing at her image in the smaller window. She looked washed out.
He chuckled. “You look beautiful. And I’ve already seen you first thing in the morning, with no makeup, your hair mussed. And I want to do it again. Now as I said, I want to see you soon. In person.”
“Me, too.” The words slipped out before she could censor them. She shouldn’t lead him on if she wasn’t even sure she wanted to continue the relationship.
But she did want to see him again. To touch him again.
“Will tomorrow work?” he asked.
“Tomorrow I’m going shopping with my sister and her husband at Bayshore Mall, then in the evening we’re having a couple of their close friends over for dinner.”
“I don’t work tomorrow. Maybe I could join you for shopping.”
“Really? You’re willing to walk around a shopping mall all day?”
“To be with you. Absolutely. I’ll even carry your bags if you want me to.”
“What girl would say no to that?” She laughed. “I don’t think June would mind.” In fact, she knew June would be thrilled. “And I guess you could keep Tom company. But you know, he’s a big, burly guy and he’s very protective of me. Are you sure you want to chance it?”
He shrugged. “Sure. I just won’t drag him into a lingerie store to help me pick out crotchless panties for you.”
“Oh, my God. You’re so bad.”
He smiled wickedly. “Only when I’m with you. And speaking of crotchless panties, what are you wearing right now?”
Chapter Twelve
“I’m not wearing any panties.” She felt heat blaze across her cheeks. It was true, but she hadn’t meant it the way it sounded. She didn’t wear panties under her pajamas, but he would think it was an invitation.
“What a coincidence. I’m not wearing anything at all.”
She smiled. “I can see your shirt.”
He unfastened a few buttons, then pulled it over his head, tossing it aside. He stood up and she watched him unzip his pants and then let them drop away. A bulge was already forming in his boxers.
Heat washed through her. She wanted to touch his solid, muscular body . . . to run her fingers over his smooth, warm skin.
To feel his arms around her.
He pushed down his boxers and her breath caught at the sight of his large, pulsing cock.
“Now you,” he said, sitting down.
She couldn’t see his cock anymore, but she could tell he was stroking it by the motion of his upper arm.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done . . . uh . . . Skype sex before.”
He grinned. “So it’s time to try something new.”
She stood up and set the iPad on the bedside table, then discreetly slipped off her pajama pants off camera. Then she sat on the bed and adjusted the iPad cover to prop it up to where it showed her above the waist. She made a show of pulling off her pajama top and when she tossed it aside, baring her breasts, his midnight eyes darkened.
“I wish I was there with you.” His voice, sexy and smooth as a silk scarf, curled through her, setting her blood on fire.
“I wish you were here, too. Then you could do this.” She cupped her breasts and caressed them. Her fingertips glided over her swelling nipples and she toyed with them until they were hard and pointing straight at him.
“God, I wish I could touch you right now.” His desire-roughened voice thrilled her.
She licked her finger and glided it over her nub, leaving it glistening.
“What would you do?” she asked.
He smiled, his arm moving up and down. “I’d stroke your soft breasts, just like you’re doing now. Then I’d take your hard nipple into my mouth and I’d tease it until you were breathing hard. Then I’d suck lightly. I would tease it with my tongue, until you make those little whimpers I love so much.”
“Then what?” she asked breathlessly, her breasts aching for his touch.
“I’d slide down your stomach and between your legs. I’d slip my fingers into your hot, delicious pussy and stroke until you moan.”
“You mean, like this?” She stood up and he groaned when he saw she was totally naked.
He watched her fingers glide between her legs. She stroked her silky slick flesh, then raised her finger and showed it to him.
“It seems you’ve made me wet.”
“Fuck, baby.”
He stood up so she could see his huge cock. It had swelled to an enormous size and his hand glided up and down his length as he stroked it.
“See what you’ve done to me?” he said.
She rested her fingertips on the screen, over the image of his hard cock, aching to wrap her hands around it.
Oh, God, she wanted to feel it inside her. To stroke it, and taste it. Then to lower her body onto it until it filled her so full she would cry out his name.
A knock sounded at her door and she sucked in a breath.
“Hey, Holly,” June said quietly on the other side of the door. “You watching a show in there? If you are, d
o you mind if I interrupt for a minute?”
Holly grabbed her pajama top and tugged it on. “I . . . uh . . . I’m just on the phone.” She pulled on her pants, but her gaze was still on Kalen’s big cock. It was all she could do to stop herself from flattening the iPad facedown on the dresser in case June walked in.
“Oh, well, it can wait,” June said. “It’s just about plans for tomorrow.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll just be a minute.”
She picked up the iPad. “I’m so sorry. I really need to go.”
“You can call me afterward if you like.” Kalen was sitting down now and she couldn’t see his massive erection.
“It’s getting late.”
“Okay,” he said, but she could see the disappointment on his face. “But let me know about tomorrow.”
After she disconnected, she went to the door and opened it, then went downstairs to find June.
“You really didn’t have to rush your call. Was it Kalen?”
“Yes.”
June smiled knowingly. “You really didn’t have to rush it.”
Holly flushed a little. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”
“I just wanted to let you know that Greg and Lisa had to postpone tomorrow’s dinner to the next day. I was going to suggest that since the evening was free, you might want to see Kalen.”
“You really want this to work with Kalen and me.”
June smiled. “I want you to be happy, and seeing your face now, after talking to him . . .” She shrugged. “I’m sure he’s the one to make you happy.”
Kalen parked his car on the third level and entered the mall. He walked through the crowd until he got to the large center area that looked down over the lower levels. There by the railing stood Holly beside another woman. She and her sister had similar features, but as Holly turned toward him, her eyes lighting up and her sweet mouth curling in a smile, he knew that she outshone anyone he’d ever seen, or would see, in his entire life.
At that moment, he realized that he was falling in love with this woman.
She started toward him. Her sister smiled when she saw Holly’s face. He strode to meet her and she stopped when she reached him.
“Hi,” she said shyly.
He stroked his hand under her hair to cup her cheek, then leaned in for a kiss. Her gaze shifted self-consciously to her sister, but she tipped up her face. When his lips brushed hers, he couldn’t help himself. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her against his body, deepening the kiss. Gliding his tongue inside her and tasting her sweetness. The light nudge of her tongue against his sent his heart racing. He consumed her mouth with new passion.
Finally, she eased away, but the smile on her face made his heart soar.
“This is my sister, June,” she said.
As soon as Kalen turned to the other woman, he saw a giant of a man standing beside her, his blue eyes locked on Kalen. Cold. Assessing. Clearly warning him that he had his eye on Kalen.
June shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Kalen. And this is my husband, Tom.”
Tom offered his hand and they shook. The man’s grip was as tight as a vise.
“Nice to meet both of you,” Kalen said.
“June and I were going over to the Bay to look around,” Holly said. “Do you want to come with us, or join Tom at EB Games?”
“Actually, why don’t you two go to whatever store you’d like,” June said, “and Tom and I will check out something I want to show him. We can meet in the food court in an hour.”
“What do you want to show me?” Tom asked as June led him away.
“Don’t worry. You’ll love it,” she said.
As soon as they were gone, Kalen tugged Holly into his arms and kissed her again. He couldn’t get enough of her.
When their lips parted, she took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his.
“I don’t think your brother-in-law likes me,” Kalen said.
“Don’t worry about Tom. He’d look at anyone dating me that way. It’s an intimidation tactic. He’s really just a big teddy bear.”
“Grizzly bear is more like it.”
She giggled. “You’re not going to be scared off by him, are you?”
He squeezed her hand. “Are you kidding? Nothing could scare me away from you. Even a real grizzly bear.”
She smiled and leaned her head against him as they walked. He slid his arm around her waist, loving the feel of her against his side.
They browsed through stores together and he found he enjoyed it more than he’d thought he would; it was more about being with her than anything else. And watching her eyes light up when she saw something she liked.
She stopped in a jewelry store to look at fine gold chains, and he remembered she’d said the chain on the locket her grandmother had given her was broken. She found one chain she really seemed to like, but when the clerk told her the price, even though it was 50 percent off, she backed off.
They walked to the food court with still another ten minutes to go before they were supposed to meet June and Tom, so Kalen bought them both lattes and they sat down at a table.
“Are you still free tonight?” Holly asked.
“Why do you ask?” He had arranged to see friends tonight, but he’d change those plans in a heartbeat if it meant spending time with Holly.
“The friends that were coming for dinner tonight postponed until tomorrow, so if you’re free maybe we could do something together.”
He smiled. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with her.
“Do you want to go out to dinner and a movie?” he asked.
She smiled. “Dinner sounds nice, but rather than a movie”—she glided her fingertip around the rim of the cup—“maybe we could go to your place.”
Their gazes locked and electricity crackled between them.
“I’d like that.”
“Okay, good. That will be nice,” she said.
He could hardly wait. In fact, he wished he could whisk her to his car and drive her straight back to his place right now.
“I want to see you as many days as I possibly can while you’re here, but I know I need to share you with your family. I’m hoping you can come to a party the day after tomorrow, though. It’s a party we hold every year for River Rapids people living here in Ottawa. A lot of them live scattered across the area, even as far as Montreal and Toronto, and they like to come up for the party. There are even several people who’ve gone back to River Rapids who’ll drive up just for the event. We keep it before New Year’s Eve so people don’t have to choose between family and other friends and the reunion. You can ask June and Tom, too, if you’d like.”
“It sounds like fun.”
“What sounds like fun?” June sank into the seat beside Holly.
“Where’s Tom?” Holly asked.
“Oh, he got caught up in a sale on electronics. Last I saw, he was looking at a twenty-six-inch monitor. So what’s fun?”
“Kalen was telling me about a reunion party for River Rapids people.”
“I know about that party, but I’ve never been,” June said.
“Why haven’t you?” Holly asked.
“Because I’d rather spend time with you. But if you’re going, then Tom and I could go, too. If you don’t mind us tagging along.”
“Of course not,” Holly said.
“Okay, then I’m going to steal you away because I want to show you that dress I told you about. You don’t mind, do you, Kalen?”
He smiled. “Since you’re letting me have her all evening, I can survive a little while without her.”
“Good answer,” June said as she shepherded Holly away. “Meet us at the entrance in two hours.”
He sipped his coffee as he watched them walk through the crowd, then disappear around the corner. He took the opportunity to make a few calls to let his friends know he couldn’t make it tonight. When he’d finished the last call, he slipped his cell into his pocket and sipped his latte.
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“Kalen. Hi.”
He turned and his stomach tightened. Darlene stood by the table.
“Hi, Darlene.”
“Did you have a nice Christmas with your family?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Damn, their conversation was so stilted. And yet, two weeks ago . . . Fuck, he still remembered how it felt to have her naked body against him. To feel his cock glide inside her.
She was one of the few women who could not only handle what he had, but enjoyed it. Even thinking about it made him feel like he was cheating on Holly.
Guilt washed through him. What he’d done to Darlene wasn’t fair and he hated himself for it.
“Who was that woman I saw you with?”
“She’s a friend.”
She sat down across from him. “Look, Kalen, I know you said that it’s over between us, but . . .” She rested her hand on his, looking at him pleadingly. “Can we give it another try?”
As he glanced from her warm fingers resting on his skin to her face, he caught sight of Tom standing a few yards away, glowering at him.
Oh, shit.
Chapter Thirteen
“Darlene, I’m sorry. Now’s not the time for this.” He stood up, but she clung to his hand.
“Please, Kalen.”
He turned back to her. “I’m sorry, Darlene, I really have to go.”
He felt guilty at her crestfallen expression, but he did not want to have this conversation here and now.
He walked away from the table, trying to figure what he would say to Tom about this, but Tom was gone. He walked through the crowd, trying to catch sight of him, but failed.
When he met up with Holly again, she was alone.
“June and Tom went ahead home. I told them I’d be going straight to dinner with you. I hope that’s okay.”
She showed no signs of being angry, so maybe Tom hadn’t told her about what he’d seen.
He pulled her close, relieved that there wasn’t tension between them.
“That’s better than okay. The longer I have you to myself, the happier I am.”
Holly stepped into Kalen’s apartment. He’d taken her to a nice restaurant in the Market area downtown, then back to his place. He took her coat and hung it in the closet while she removed her boots.
