by Paris Hansen
“Yep. I don’t want to wait until after Christmas to see you. It’s already been far too long. I was hoping to get some time with you tomorrow, but since the babies are coming home, I’ll let you hang out with the family. That means your mine the day after, even if it is Christmas,” he told her, hoping she could hear how serious he was through the phone line. “So I’ll come by Declan’s in the morning around eleven to pick you up and then we’ll head over to Henry and Mary’s.”
“I can’t just go over there without presents and stuff. Plus, I’m sure Mary doesn’t want to add another person to the mix. Why can’t we wait until the day after Christmas?”
“Okay, first of all, I know you’re brother and Brooklyn are going to want to spend time with just them and the kids and I can’t blame them for that. But I’m not going to let you spend the majority of Christmas day alone, so you can forget about that nonsense. Second, I’ve already talked to Mary. She told me to tell you that you can stop with the excuses cause she wants you there. And third, presents are not required or even wanted, so that’s not something you need to worry about either.”
“Braeden…”
Sighing, Braeden shook his head. He knew he’d have an uphill battle to get her to agree to his plan, but a part of him had hoped she’d give in. He knew she wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see her, but she was nervous and scared. What she didn’t know was that he was too. He just wasn’t going to let fear stand in his way anymore. He’d been letting that happen for too damn long as it was.
“I want to spend the holiday with you, okay. We’ve lost out on too many Christmases. And I know what you’re going to say, we haven’t been together long enough to spend the holiday with each other, but we’re different. I don’t plan on following any of those bullshit dating rules or taking things slow. The minute you said ‘let’s do this’ you should have realized it was on. I don’t do anything halfway, not when you’re involved. Not anymore.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say that you’ll be ready to go at eleven,” he told her. “I’ll pick you up, we’ll spend time with the Brooks family, and then we’ll figure things out from there. You mean everything to me, Andi. I promise I’ll spend every day showing you just how much I love you, starting on Christmas day.”
“So we’re really doing this then…”
“Hell yeah, we are. And then we’re going to do it.”
Andi laughed long and hard, the sound music to his ears. “And there goes the heartfelt moment.”
“You knew what you were getting yourself into Andi Reese. Just because it’s been a while, doesn’t mean you don’t know me...the real me. I haven’t changed that much over the last eighteen years.”
“I’m glad you haven’t changed too much, but you should know I’m looking forward to the whole getting to know you part again.”
“Is that so?” he asked wondering if she meant for her words to sound as promising as they did.
“Yes, both the clothed and naked versions, if you must know,” she said, her voice taking on the husky tone it did whenever she was turned on. God how he’d missed that sound.
“Oh, I must...tell me all about it...especially the naked part,” he prodded.
“You always did like a bit of dirty talk.”
“Only with you. We should see if that’s still the case,” Braeden suggested, hoping like hell she liked the idea as much as he did.
Andi was quiet for longer than he’d have liked, but he could hear her breathing on the other end. Afraid he might have pushed things too far too soon, Braeden opened his mouth to take it back. Before he could speak, he was rewarded with words he hadn’t heard in a very, very long time.
“I’m so fucking wet for you, Braeden. Since you’re not here, I’m going to have to take care of this all on my own. I need you to tell me what to do. Tell me how to make myself come.”
Not bothering to hold back his groan, Braeden did exactly what he was told and then some. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it would tide him over for a few days until he could have the real thing. And he would definitely have the real thing and when he did it would be the merriest Christmas of his entire life.
✽✽✽
Andi
She’d been anticipating the moment all day even though she should have been focusing on the people around her. Talk about awkward. There was nothing quite like spending the holidays with your family and your extended family all while thinking about having sex with your boyfriend for the first time in a very long time. Every time he looked at her, she felt her cheeks grow warm. When he did a dirty thing with his tongue when no one else was looking, she felt arousal pool between her legs.
It was a nightmare. A very delicious nightmare that she was thankful was finally over. Now she sat in Braeden’s car heading somewhere, although she had no idea where. It didn’t matter as long as they could get naked wherever they ended up. It was time, even though she was nervous as hell.
Not only had it been a very long time for her, but she was also worried about what Braeden would think. What if they didn’t have the same sexual chemistry they’d had when they were younger? Maybe she wasn’t good anymore. She was extremely rusty after all. He’d been with a lot of women over the last eighteen years. What if her lack of experience ended up being a problem for him?
“Make the decision. Are we going to my house or yours?” Braeden asked the gruff sound of his voice breaking through her anxious thoughts.
“It’s too soon.”
The minute the words were out of her mouth she felt stupid. She couldn’t believe she was letting her insecurities get in the way of what she wanted. Thankfully, she knew he wouldn’t believe the argument nor would he let her get away with it.
“What did I say about that excuse? Plus, I’m pretty sure you killed that argument the other night...your voice, those words, I had no chance.”
A blush heated her cheeks as she remembered the very erotic phone sex they’d had the other night. There was no fumbling or uncertainty. She knew exactly what would get them both off and she went for it with no hesitation. Why she couldn’t do that with him in person, she wasn’t sure. But she wasn’t going to let it fuck up her night. Fake it until you make it. That was going to be her motto for the rest of the evening. After that, hopefully, she’d have her head on straight, and wouldn’t waste time worrying about not being good enough.
“Oh yeah, that was fun. I kind of like having you at my mercy. Perhaps we can make that happen again tonight?”
Braeden glanced over at her, love and desire blazing to life in his gaze. “You can have anything you want tonight. All I want is you...anyway I can have you.”
Andi could have sworn she melted just a little. The man had always had a way with words. He was as romantic as they came, at least he used to be. It certainly sounded like he hadn’t lost his touch in the slightest.
“You really are good with words,” she said as she looked over at him, taking in his striking profile. “I don’t care where we go. I just want to see if it’s as amazing as I remember.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about that. It’s going to be everything you remember and more. Hell, it’s going to be unbelievable,” Braeden promised. “I think we’re going to have to go to my place. You have neighbors that are too close, and I want to hear you scream my name. The last thing we need is to be interrupted by the cops at your door.”
“Maybe I’ll make you scream my name instead.”
“Yes, please.”
Andi laughed until her sides hurt. “Jeezus, you are something else.”
“And you love every part of me.”
Andi didn’t respond. The man already had a big enough head. She didn’t need to add to it. But she did. She loved every part of him, and she was glad that it mostly felt like nothing had changed between them.
For the most part, they’d been able to pick things up right where they left off which should have made her feel more comfortable. U
nfortunately, it didn’t. It only made her more nervous. Once again, her brain started to focus on the what-ifs that could ruin what they’d started. She’d told the girls she didn’t like to think about the what ifs and she didn’t. It was just too bad she couldn’t control the stupid stuff from taking over her every thought.
Thankfully it didn’t take long for them to reach Braeden’s house. As he pulled into the garage, Andi made a decision that she hoped she wouldn’t regret. The second the car was in park, she undid the seat belt and climbed over the center console. Before Braeden realized what was happening, she was in his lap, her lips pressed against his, her fingers working on the buttons of his shirt.
“Woah, hold on Andi,” Braeden said against her lips as he gently pushed her back against the steering wheel. “While I love your enthusiasm, this is not the place I want to do this. We aren’t teenagers anymore. We don’t have to go park somewhere to have sex. I’ve got a nice king-sized bed in there calling our names.”
Taking a deep breath, Andi smiled at Braeden. Her plan had done precisely what she’d hoped it would and erased her nerves. Now she was just a needy ball of lust ready for her boyfriend to fuck her into next week.
“Let’s get in there then because I’m feeling a desperate need to take your clothes off and have my way with you.”
After carefully extracting herself from Braeden’s lap, they made their way into his house. Over the years, she’d only been there a few times for various Super Bowl parties. It was a nice house, one story with three bedrooms and two baths and a huge backyard. She’d always thought it was a bit big for him since he was a bachelor, but his purchase of the place started to make a lot more sense now that they were back together. Even back then, he’d been planning for her, for them, for their future.
Andi let him lead her into his bedroom. Once there, they wasted no time working on each other’s clothes as they kissed. Teeth clashed as they fumbled for buttons and zippers and kicked off their shoes. She was thankful she’d had the foresight to go with the tennis shoes instead of the boots as she used her toe to pry off her shoe so she could send it flying across the room. His shirt went sailing next, followed quickly by her sweater.
She took a step back so she could take him in. It’d been too damn long since she’d been able to drool over his body. Like a fine wine, Braeden had gotten better with age. She’d loved his body at eighteen and had been impressed with it at twenty-one. During their hook up at twenty-five, they hadn’t gotten to take off a single stitch of clothing so she couldn’t admire the body he obviously worked hard on.
Now she stood in front of him once again, her jaw dropping dramatically as she stared at the deliciousness that was Braeden Clarke. She hadn’t gotten him completely undressed yet, but shirtless with his jeans unbuttoned and resting low on his hips was a sight to behold. His body was like a work of art carved from marble. She wanted to trace her tongue alone every chiseled line of him. From his pecs to his abs to that sexy V that disappeared into his boxer briefs, her mouth nearly watered at the thought of making her way over every inviting inch.
“Like what you see?” he teased, but she wasn’t ashamed of her ogling. Hell, she wished she had a photographic memory, so she’d never forget what it was like to stand in front of the man she loved and take in the body that was all hers.
“Hell yeah, I do. Would it be weird if I asked for a picture? Just so I have something to take home and use when we can’t be together?”
Braeden’s abs flexed as he laughed causing her to groan in appreciation. The girls liked to joke around about Braeden looking like Captain America, but he was so much hotter, and she hadn’t even gotten to the best part yet.
“How about we never spend a night apart? I think that sounds like a much better plan. Especially since a picture can’t take care of you the way I can. Now enough stalling. Take your pants off and get on the bed. I’ve got plans for you, and I’m tired of waiting.”
Peeling her jeans down her legs, Andi’s heart rate increased as her body went into anticipation overload. She was eager and nervous and excited and scared all at the same time. There was no backing out now even if she was crazy enough to want to.
After pulling back the covers and crawling onto the bed, she turned back to face Braeden who’d finished removing everything but his boxer briefs. She licked her lips in anticipation as she took in the straining bulge behind the thin fabric. The way his muscles rippled as he crawled onto the bed until he was kneeling between her legs made her mouth water. Words nearly escaped her, but she knew she couldn’t forget to speak her truth no matter how pretty the package in front her was.
Looking up into Braeden’s eyes, she gave him a shy smile. “Be gentle with me. It’s been a really long time.”
The tenderness in his gaze as he heard her nearly filled her heart to bursting. “It’s been a long time for me too. I’m glad we’re shaking off the cobwebs together.”
As she waited impatiently for Braeden to touch her, Andi couldn’t believe she’d spent any time worrying about whether or not they’d still be great together. Braeden had always felt like his body was made with her pleasure in mind. She knew time wouldn’t have changed that one bit. The sex was going to be mind-blowing because they loved each other, even if they were both a little rusty. For the millionth time in her life, Andi cursed herself for throwing away something so amazing and not having the sense to get him back in her life sooner. Now that he was, she was going to do everything she could to keep him.
✽✽✽
Braeden
Andi Reese was naked in his bed. The love of his life. The woman of his dreams.
After too fucking long, he had her exactly where he wanted her, and he was so damn close to losing his mind. The fucked up thing was he hadn’t even had a chance to touch her yet. Just seeing her in his space was like a wet dream come true. Her dark hair fanned around her head, her green eyes filled with desire as she watched him, waiting for him to make his move.
“This might not last as long as I’d like it to,” he admitted
“Then it’ll be like our first time all over again,” she said before her laughter filled the room.
“You’re so asking for it. I swear I have more stamina than this, but it’s been a long time and just having you in my bed is enough to make me nearly come in my pants like a teenage boy.”
Smiling up at him, she reached out for his hand. “We’ve got all night, Braeden. One time won’t be enough for either of us. So how about we get the first time out of the way, then we can make the second time last a little longer.”
Before he could respond, she pulled on his hand so she could guide it to a part of her body he was dying to touch. The minute his palm came to rest on her breast, they both moaned in appreciation. That was all he needed to spur him into action. She was right. If the first time ended quickly, they could always try to make it last the second or third time. They had all night and the rest of their lives to take their time.
“I feel like I’m dreaming,” Braeden whispered as his eyes met hers.
He dropped his mouth to hers, reigniting the soul-searing desire that had been bubbling over all day. The minute he picked her up at her brother’s place, he wanted nothing more than to take her back to his house so he could reenact the things they’d talked about during their raging hot phone call. Having to sit through Christmas with Oliver’s family while thinking about tonguing Andi’s pussy had been pure torture.
For longer than he thought possible, they made out; tongues tangling, hands roaming, bodies moving together, the friction nearly killing him. Her skin was still silky smooth, her breasts still as sensitive as ever. He would never get tired of touching her, of making her squirm beneath him. Every moan against his lips made him want to beat his fists against his chest. Every scratch of her nails over his back sent a jolt of need through is body.
“I need to taste you,” he warned before he started to move down her body.
His descent was slow giving hi
m time to reacquaint himself with the most gorgeous breasts he’d ever seen. They fit perfectly in his hands, her nipples hard nubs against his palms. He spent a glorious few minutes lavishing each of them with his tongue, sucking a nipple into his mouth until her back arched up off of the bed. Her whimpers and moans were music to his ears, sending a straight shot of desire straight to his cock.
Braeden had no idea how he was holding on to his sanity, but he could tell they were both on edge. As he laid kisses along her stomach, he wondered if he was going to be able to make it through what he planned on doing next. His mouth nearly watered at the thought of finally tasting her again; to run his tongue along her pussy for the first time in too damn long.
“Oh fuck…” she moaned as he took that first swipe.
He groaned against her, the taste of her filling his mouth.
If he thought he was walking a thin line before, he had absolutely no chill now that he was sucking her clit into his mouth. Andi writhed beneath him as he circled her clit with his tongue and ran a finger through her slick heat before entering her slowly. One finger turned into two as he pumped in and out of her. Within seconds she was screaming his name, her body tightening around his fingers, her arousal coating his tongue.
She was so fucking intoxicating. Sweet, yet spicy like a gingersnap cookie. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, of her smell, of the soft moans coming from her every time he ran his tongue over her. He’d gladly spend the rest of his life giving her pleasure. He felt like it was what he was born to do.
“You taste so fucking good,” Braeden said as he kissed his way back up her body. “If I didn’t feel like I was going to explode, I’d stay down there awhile, making you come until you beg me to stop.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’d ever beg you to stop.”
Placing a kiss against her lips, he smiled before leaning over to grab a condom out of the box on his bedside table. Ripping open the package, he rolled the condom over his dick as quickly as he could. His body vibrated with need, he’d be lucky if he could make it past one thrust inside of her before he blew his load.
