Christmas Cowboy

by Claire Adams

  Mom’s eyes lit up; I knew it was one of her favorites. “That sounds perfect. You two have fun, and we’ll see you then.” Mom and Dad walked out, standing a bit taller than I’d seen them in months. We followed arm in arm until we got to the Shelby.

  Aiden opened my door and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “I can’t wait to get you alone.”

  “I do need a nice long shower.” I smiled as he closed the door and then turned to greet him with a kiss as he slid into the seat beside me.

  “I think I’ll join you. I’m sure I missed a spot.” With a wink, he started the car, and the roar of the engine sent a vibration that shot a tingle right to my core.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Aiden

  The afternoon hadn’t gone exactly how I expected, but any time with Lexa was time well spent. I’d brought her to her apartment which was much smaller than I’d expected, but more private. She had told me she liked it that way and with her job, she didn’t need a huge place. Her life was in and out, and I could tell that by the minimalistic approach to decorating it. There wasn’t much that had to be dusted, and everything was in its place. Made sense.

  I’d helped her undressed and walked her to the shower, but before I could get her good and soaped up, my phone rang. It had been Layne telling me that things were underway and then, of course, he’d wanted to talk. I’d cut him short, but she’d finished up without me.

  I resigned to drying her off and took her to the bed where I put my mouth to work, kissing, licking, and talking. I’d have kept her spread out beneath me if it hadn’t been for her flat tummy growling like a bear, so I did the right thing and took her to grab a small bite. We caught up on the days we were apart and worked through it until we were both content that we were all better. I understood her side of things and made sure she understood that she could tell me anything.

  I glanced over to where she sat in the Shelby, her skirt barely touching her knees, texting Bre.

  “She wanted us to stop by later, but I told her we’re on the way to see Mom and Dad for dinner. She said she can’t believe it and wished you luck.” She let out a giggle. “You know Bre actually told my mother off over the whole lawsuit ordeal?”

  “She did? Wow, she’s got some balls, that one. I was surprised to see her at the bar. I think Glen was, too. He knew what was up and what wasn’t.” We exchanged a laugh, and she let out a sigh.

  “You two will get along great now that things are better. She’s always been a little protective.” She typed more words, and I changed lanes to get ready for our exit.

  “Yeah, well, I can respect that.”

  “She was worried you’d had gotten physical with me. I think that was why she wanted to feel you out. I assured her you hadn’t, but she’s been through that, so she wanted to make sure I wasn’t keeping things from her.” My heart dropped like a stone to my gut as I pulled into the restaurant.

  “I’m sorry I put my hands on you the way I did.”

  “You didn’t hit me.” She shook her head and waved me off.

  “No, I didn’t, but I wanted it to affect you like I had. I wanted you to think I was capable, and I’m not. That was all a ruse to make you hate me. I thought if you did you’d stay away and… Well, it was wrong. I’m sorry for it and ashamed.” I felt her hand on my leg, and she leaned over and kissed my cheek.

  “Aiden, I know you. I know your heart, and I didn’t think for a moment you’d hurt me like that.”

  “Well, I was taught better. My father told me not to ever lay my hands on any woman while I was angry, and even though I didn’t do it with force, it was wrong. And, my words were wrong, too. You deserved better.”

  “Not after what I did.” She looked away toward her window, but stayed close as I parked.

  I stopped the car and pulled her close. “We’ve been over that. It’s time to move forward. We’re going to go in there and have a nice family dinner. I’m going to win your parents’ hearts, and then we’re going back to my house for dessert.” I tugged her closer as I kissed her deeply, her mouth soft and tasting like fruit gum.

  We broke the kiss, and she nuzzled against my neck for a moment. “That sounds perfect. I never thought we’d get this far, with family dinners and you winning my parents over.”

  “We’re only getting started. I promise.”

  We got out of the car when we saw her parents arriving and waited for them before going inside. I held the door for her mother, and as she gave me a polite smile, I could see how much Lexa favored her. Another thing that I’d noticed before but didn’t understand why.

  Once we had our seats and ordered our food, the conversation fell toward the foundation. Lexa’s face lit up each time she spoke of it, and I was honored that she’d thought to include my sister. I’d made charitable donations in all of their names after the funerals, but the foundation will be a good honor to all of their memories, no matter whose names were included.

  “I’d like to do a fundraiser event. I’m sure there are others who’d like to be involved. Shawn’s friends all expressed that they’d like to donate to charities in his honor, and I’m sure some of them did in lieu of flowers.”

  Her mother, who had taken a sip of wine, nodded and placed her glass upon the table. “As a matter of fact, I received several cards from the organizations. Perhaps we could start there.”

  “I’ll check with Mattie and Layne and go through the mail from that time. I’m sure it’s all in the home office.” I wished I knew more, but it wasn’t like I had been in my right frame of mind.

  I wasn’t going to explain to her mother that I was a recovering drunk, and I thanked my lucky stars things hadn’t gotten so out of control that I couldn’t come back from it. I didn’t want to end up like Smitty. Lexa had been my light in that darkness, and I would be forever thankful that she’d saved me.

  As Lexa continued, I thought of how things had changed. The plans I’d made when I thought I might have to make sacrifices started to come back to me and I realized there was some other way I could help. “I’d like to donate my family’s Rolls for an auction during the fundraiser.” Lexa’s eyes widened, and her mother nearly choked on her next sip of wine.

  “A Rolls Royce?” She glanced at her husband, who cleared his throat.

  “Yeah, I’m never going to use it, and I had already planned on selling it if the settlement was higher.” I shrugged not wanting to go into the fine details.

  Lexa’s hand fell upon mine. “That would be more than generous. Are you sure?” She knew how much those cars meant to me, but the Rolls had never been a favorite of mine, considering how it was used.

  It was a showy car that’s sole purpose was to cart us to church and back on special holidays. I’d always thought it a bit blasphemous, actually, and I remembered the day my mother had wanted to bring Mattie along with us for Easter service. Mattie had refused to ride along, and I’d respected her for it.

  “I’m positive. It will be for a good cause, and quite frankly, it will be the most honorable job the car’s ever had.” She smiled, and it seemed the whole room around us grew brighter. I liked that smile on her and better still that I’d put it there.

  “You’ll be quite a busy girl with all of this new responsibility and your duties at the hospital.” Her mother leveled her gaze to Lexa; her father did the same, as if he was eager to hear her response, as well.

  “Yeah, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. It will be fun, really and I could use a bit of fun; something that I can do for my own healing for a change. Hopefully, that doesn’t sound too selfish.” She took a sip of her wine and shrugged. She was so busy taking care of others she didn’t feel comfortable wanting something for herself, even though it was for charity.

  “You’re a beautiful soul, Lexa, and of course you deserve something for yourself, something that makes you happy.” I placed my hand on hers, and her mother cleared her throat. I realized the particular gesture moved her and hoped that was my first step to proving to t
hem I wasn’t the spoiled rich kid they may have thought I was.

  Dinner was served, and we got through it with smiles, genuine conversation, and laughter. We said our goodbyes and Lexa and I were on our way back to the house when she leaned over and placed her hand on my thigh. “That went well. I think my mother really likes you.”

  “You think so?” I shifted the car and settled back while we drive along the freeway.

  “Oh yeah.” She whispered the words in my ear as she kissed my neck, and I lifted my arm to hold the back of her hair.

  She took that as her cue and before I knew what was happening, she was loosening my pants. “Greedy little girl.” I hissed a breath through my teeth as she stroked me, her cool hands warming against my cock.

  The blood was starting to build, but she was moving faster than I was. She had her mouth on me so fast she sucked me hard, and as I grew bigger in her throat, she slurped and gasped. She pulled away and giggled as I let out a long held breath. “You’re going to make me finish before we start.

  “Fine, I’ll sit back and be a good girl.” She put my throbbing cock back in my pants, and the slow ache in my balls had me driving a little faster.

  “I can’t believe I’m in love with a tease.” I threw her a look, and she feigned being offended before she laughed.

  Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright and wild as her teeth gleamed in the freeway lights. “I just wanted you to know what you’re going to get when you get me home.”

  “You’re going to get it, too.” But then something she said resonated with me. When you get me home. I loved the sound of that, as if my home was her own. It was something I’d entertained once before, and I wondered if she’d even go for it.

  If seeing her apartment told me anything, it was that she was set in her ways. She had everything lined out in perfect order to fit her life, and if she lived with me, that level of discipline wouldn’t be possible. Would it even work out if we tried? Would she be willing? It wasn’t like she could live alone forever, especially since I had hoped that she’d be with me at least that long.

  As she stroked my thigh, still teasing me, I knew I wanted that kind of playfulness to continue forever. I truly loved her, and nothing was ever going to change that. It’s why I’d reacted the way I had with what happened, why I’d felt like I’d died. With her gone, a part of me had, and I’d never be fully complete unless I knew for certain she’d never leave again. Thinking that could happen scared the shit out of me, and I knew I would never survive the loss.

  I pulled into my drive, and before I stopped the car, she was back on my cock. She was definitely the one for me.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Lexa

  I had given him a bit of a tease on the way home from dinner, but I had been scared things would finish too soon if I wasn’t careful. Besides, I liked seeing him all worked up. His face had flushed, and there was a bead of sweat across his brow by the time we reached the house. I leaned closer and stroked his cock, which was still hard and throbbing when he shut off the car.

  He turned and kissed me, my hand never stopping, and he slipped his down to my thigh and moved it higher up my skirt until his fingertips brushed against my mound. I moaned against his mouth, and he pulled away as if to give me payback as he got out of the car. He made sure his cock was hidden behind his pants as he came around and opened my door.

  “Let’s get inside before we make the crickets blush.” He took my hand and led me to the door where I made another move, brushing my free hand against him. “You’re bad.” I took off like a shot as fast as my high heels could take me toward the stairs and he belted a laugh as he shut the door. I was halfway up the stairs when I stopped and looked down at him as he crossed the room to catch up, but before he got close, I took off into his room and climbed up in his bed.

  He caught up with me before I could crawl under the covers and climbed on the bed and pulled me by my waist, my ass pressing against his thick erection. “No, no. You’re not getting away this time.” He took my petite wrists and held them behind me with one hand, and then he unzipped my dress, letting it fall open. I pulled my arms free to let it fall to my feet, but that left me in a sheer camisole and panties.

  He left them in place and pressed his hard length in between the cheeks of my ass. “I’m never letting you go again.” His words were a growl in my ear, and it sent chills throughout my body until my skin prickled with goosebumps.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” The words were a vow spoken with certainty, and he spun me around. For a moment, I thought he’d kiss me.

  “Do you mean that?” He seemed to search my eyes, and my heart broke that he might still think I’d deceive him.

  “I do, Aiden. I want us together always.” I averted my eyes for a moment, but then I met his again, determined to make him believe me.

  His next words came as a shock. “Move in with me.” I stilled in his arms, and for a moment, not even my chest rose and fell as I forgot to breathe. He wanted me to move in and take that next step with him. Sure, it seemed a bit sudden, but I wanted it all with him.

  “Yes, if you could stand me.” My mind raced about a thousand things. When would my lease be up, how would my commute change, but then his lips found mine and none of that mattered.

  He pulled away as if that kiss had put my every concern into his head. “I’ll help you pack tomorrow and don’t worry about the lease; I’ll buy you out of it. I don’t want to wait. I love you.” He searched my eyes again, and I fell back against the bed pulling him down with me.

  “Then make love to me.” I ground against him and found he was still hard for me. He kissed my mouth as he pushed up the camisole until I lifted my back so he could strip it free. Then he kissed his way down as my knees rubbed together at the way he straddled my legs. He pressed his hand flat against my tummy and rubbed my mound with the other, and then he tugged down my panties nice and slow, kissing down my legs until he reached my knees and pulled them free. He tossed them aside with my camisole, and I lay there before him naked and panting, anticipating his next move.

  He stood at the foot of the bed and stripped off his pants, his shirt following soon after and then he held my knees and parted my legs. His gaze slid across my body as he nudged his way between my thighs, and then he cupped my breasts and pulled a taut nipple into his mouth. The heat built between my legs and I ground myself against him with a need so strong I was moaning as if to beg for it.

  He sucked my rosy tip and then gave the other the attention it craved, too. My sex was tingling, a slow pulsing throb, as his hand trailed down my tummy and brushed against my mound. He slipped his finger between my folds, causing me to cry out when his strong fingers rubbed against my swollen bud.

  I opened my eyes and found him focused on me, like a lion about to devour its prey, and then he dipped down, dragging his tongue across my clit with a gentle flick. He was going to make this slow and torturous – I could already tell by his reactions to my pleasure.

  He closed his mouth around my bud and sucked, pulling it between his teeth where he nibbled ever so softly and flicked his tongue until a torturous pleasure broke through me, beckoning my first release.

  My sex was slick with my pleasure, and he raked his fingers through to spread the nectar to my bud. He rubbed it nice and slow with just the right pressure as he tongued my slit and dipped his tongue into my channel.

  Then, with my walls still quaking from my first orgasm, his hand parted my lips as he inserted at least two fingers. He fucked me with them nice and steady, spreading and stretching me as his thumb worked my clit.

  And when I didn’t think I could take it anymore, he continued proving me wrong. He kept up the torture until I was lying in a puddle, soaked from my release, and screaming for more.

  “Please, Aiden.” He spun around, lying stretched out before me, still tending my sex with his mouth, but his offering was more than adequate.

  I leaned over, tilting my hips when he settled
on his side to lick me as I brought his cock to my tongue. It wasn’t quite where I wanted it, but I had a feeling the slow torture was my punishment for the car. I’d take it and give it just the same.

  I licked his slit and gathered the pearly dew that had collected, threatening to drop. It hit my tongue with a delicious hint of salt, and I spread it around his broad head and moaned suddenly as he hit an aching spot. He breathed a laugh against my mound and continued.

  I tried to stay focused on the task at hand and swirled my tongue around his rim, licking and sucking the head and his salty slit. I felt his hips nudge closer, and I relaxed my throat to let him fuck my mouth a few strokes.

  I held his cock, taking control as I gripped his base and pumped. His heavy sac lay against my fist, and I brought my other arm up and pressed my hand against it, kneading as I nursed him. I pushed against him, shifting our positions and his hand closed on my hip, lifting me up to straddle his face. I pulled off his cock and cried out as another wave of pleasure shot through me; I was close to another release.

  I stood his cock up and stroked, licking the base to lubricate my movements and then I took him back into my mouth, this time letting his head rest against the back of my throat, tempting my gag reflex. It seemed to turn him on. A taste of his pre-come hit my throat, and I braced for his release, but it never came. He held it off, and I heard him speak a soft not yet against my mound.

  He was going to edge us both. As I started to tense up beneath his mouth, he’d pull away, pausing just long enough to make me long for its return.

  I decided to play hardball and relaxed my throat, taking a deep breath and pushing myself down as far as I could go. His cock hit the farthest depths of my throat, and he moaned so loud I thought my reward was on the way. But then he nudged down even further, nudging against the back of my throat so hard my gag reflexes took over, and my tummy tightened, the spasms milking his cock as I gasped, trying to fight them off. I pulled away and took a deep breath, but I felt his smile against me.