Little Bird: Criminally Yours

Epilogue

Days trickled into weeks,and then weeks trickled into months. The summer humidity evaporated as hurricane season threatened to ruin our tropical paradise, and then that too was gone with harsh winds that made any true Floridan’s knees shake from the early morning freezing temperatures. Luckily for us, the sunshine state was never cold for long, with temperatures picking up in the afternoon.

Easton had surprised me the day after Thanksgiving with the biggest artificial Christmas tree I had ever laid my eyes on. He put it up right in the center of our apartment, and let me choose all the decorations. Together, we spent hours picking out ornaments for the tree, and then decorating it took an entire weekend, but every time I looked at it, at all the glittering lights and sparkling ornaments, my heart swelled with love.

I had grown up with what I termed a colorful Christmas. My parents didn’t care for a theme, and thinking back on it now, it must have looked horrendous to all the friends I brought home during those few weeks.

Sitting on the couch now, surrounded by the white winter land Easton had created for me, I sipped slowly on the piping hot chocolate in my cold hands, the fake fireplace crackling in the background. White and gold-wrapped presents were tucked perfectly under the tree, and now, I was waiting for East to come home from work.

The job he had been gifted had turned out to become his biggest passion. He loved to build and had proven his worth to everyone in the company by becoming a lead foreman. Andy and Layla wanted to give him the world, but he wanted to work for what he had, so he started at the bottom of the ladder on the cleaning crew for job sites and slowly worked his way up.

He even took over the monthly payments for the apartment and gave them back the car they gifted, choosing to buy an old F-150 that he spent Saturday mornings cleaning and working on.

Bing Crosby’s voice crooned about a White Christmas from the speaker I set up in the kitchen, sending a chill across my skin, goosebumps rising in their wake. Bundling up in a fluffy white blanket, I closed my eyes, trying to take it all in.

The fresh scent of chocolate chip cookies wafted in the air from the batch I just put in the oven, and I sighed. I made it. I found my one great love. I survived school and college, and with baby steps, I was overcoming my bulimia. The only thing missing was my crazy boyfriend.

My phone rang from the kitchen counter, and I ignored it, too comfortable to move. It was probably Kennedy calling to tell me about her new boyfriend, some hotshot millionaire lawyer she’d found in Miami. Surprisingly, we stayed in contact, and despite our rocky start, she’d turned out to be a good friend.

Easton’s keys jiggled in the lock. Looking over the back of the couch, I watched him enter, balancing a box of pizza and a few gift bags. He toed off his work boots and then winked at me, his face flushed from the cold front that had rolled in this morning, just in time for Christmas.

“Smells good in here, bird.” He walked over to me, dropping a kiss to my head before putting his things down on the kitchen counter.

“I made your favorite,” I told him, and he grinned, his eyes lighting up with glee.

“Give me five minutes. We got soaked out there today.” He headed into our bedroom, and the shower started a second later. While he was in the shower, the timer blared through the large space, and I quickly got up to take out the cookies from the oven, their heavenly scent overwhelming.

“You really shouldn’t have.” He was suddenly at my back, arms caging me in against the cold counter, his lips kissing a trail of fire across my skin.

“That was quick.” I giggled, sinking back into his warm body.

“Didn’t want to waste any time with you.” He turned me in his arms, and I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck. Standing on my toes in my red fuzzy socks, I pressed a soft kiss to his damp lips. “You taste like hot chocolate, baby. So, fucking delicious,” he groaned against my lips, his fingers digging into my hips.

“I missed you today,” I whispered, brushing my nose against his, inhaling his clean scent. The stubble from his day-old beard burned my skin in the most erotic way, his lips teasing against mine, a promise of what was to come.

“I miss you every day, bird.” He always knew what to say to make my heart soar.

“Our first Christmas together couldn’t be more perfect.” Closing my eyes, I leaned into him, his warmth surrounding me. He hummed in agreement and pecked my lips again before pulling away.

“The pizza’s getting cold, baby. Plus, I want to eat those cookies.” His hungry gaze focused behind me on the sheet of chocolate chip cookies. “I can’t believe you made my favorite.” He pulled the pizza blade out of the drawer and sliced the boring old cheese pizza into big slices. I handed him a plate, and together, we devoured the large pizza, not even making it to the dining table.

“I applied for another job today,” I informed him after putting my empty plate in the dishwasher. I hadn’t had any luck finding a job. All the local newspapers weren’t hiring or were going digital, so I started applying for other editorial jobs.

“You know you don’t have to work right? I make enough to support us both.” He reminded me of this fact every time I brought up my worry of being jobless.

“I need to find something to do. I’m going crazy just sitting here,” I reminded him, and he nodded in understanding.

“I can see if there are any openings at the office next week,” he suggested, but I shook my head, following him to the couch, a plate of still-warm cookies in my hands. He flopped on the couch and turned the flat screen on, looking up at me with a hunger that surpassed the freshly-baked cookies.

“Your parents have done enough for us. I couldn’t think of asking for more. I need to do this on my own. Otherwise, my degree will have been all for nothing.” He opened his arms, and I settled in beside him. He then tucked the blanket around us.

“That degree wasn’t for nothing. It brought us together. Don’t you ever forget that, bird.” He picked up two cookies from the plate and ate them both in a few bites. He moaned his delight, instantly turning me on. “Best fucking cookies ever.”

“You say that every time,” I laughed, taking a bite from my own.

“You make them better every time, I swear.” He found us a classic Christmas movie to watch, and then we snuggled closer together, not knowing where one started and the other ended.

His steady heartbeat lulled me to sleep halfway through the movie I had seen at least a hundred times, and he held me tighter. “I love you so much, my little bird.”

I was about to tell him how infinite my love was for him, but between the security of being wrapped in his arms, his scent invading all my senses, and his declaration of love, I sank into a deep, content sleep.

---

Easton

Harley softly snored against my chest, her lips parted ever so slightly, deep breaths blowing against my skin. I watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest. This tiny woman had crashed through my defenses one by one until she left me unarmed and ready for the kill.

She showed me love in a world I was so sure could never be kind. She gave me peace among the chaos, but most importantly, she taught me how to trust with unyielding faith.

The credits of whatever Christmas movie I’d picked blanketed us in darkness, and I took the moment to steal a kiss. She didn’t wake as my lips brushed hers. Instead, a moan escaped her throat.

“Always singing for me, little bird.” Moving her ever so carefully, I slipped away from the couch to our bedroom, where I got ready with her first Christmas gift.

The digital clock in the room shined brightly in the darkness. With two minutes until midnight, I quickly changed into the red velvet suit, adjusted the matching hat, and slid the gold glasses onto the bridge of my nose.

She once told me she loved ole Saint Nick. Hopefully, she would love me just as much. Pocketing the black velvet box into my pants pocket, I held up her letter, the one where she told me how much she hated the holidays without her parents.

I’d give her new memories. I would make her love Christmas again.

Tucking her letter back into my drawer, I exited the room. Tiptoeing through the apartment, I put a few surprise gifts under the tree for her, stole another one of her delicious cookies, then kneeled on the floor in front of the couch.

“Wake up, bird,” I whispered, gently stroking her arm. She groaned, hiding her face in the blanket. “Ho, ho, ho.” I rolled my eyes at my stupidity, but she pulled the blanket away from her face and slowly blinked, her beautiful eyes going wide with surprise.

“Santa?” she whispered, her lips curving into my favorite smile.

“I hear you’ve been a very good girl, Harley. Is that true?” She sat up, stretching her arms over her head. The blanket dropped, showing her exposed stomach where her shirt rode up. I licked my lips at the sight of her creamy skin.

She held my heated gaze with a mix of desire and determination. I was so fucking hooked on this woman. She could laugh, and I’d be hard for her.

“Oh, I’m not sure, Mr. Claus. You’d have to ask my boyfriend that one, and he seems to have disappeared.” The rasp in her voice nearly unraveled me.

The ball was entirely in her court as she stole it, capturing me with the way she bit her bottom lip, waiting for my answer.

“Such a shame to leave you on the most magical night of the year,” I whispered, and she nodded, her eyes dilating with lust.

“So terrible of him. I hope you give him coal.” I laughed on a rushed exhale, and she grinned.

“And what do you want, my sweet little bird?” she pretended to ponder, tapping her chin and staring at the ceiling before looking back at me.

“You.” Giving me little time to react, she launched herself at me, and I fell to my back, her perfect thighs straddling me.

“That’s it, little bird. Take what you want.” I barely recognized my own voice, so thick with desire as she palmed my hard cock through the velvet pants. I kneaded her ass, stroking my cock against her.

I was so ready for her, I could have slid right in, but I needed this to last longer. I had so much more planned for her tonight than a quick fuck.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Harley. You know that? I want to hear you sing for me, baby.” She moaned, her hands reaching for my waistband and tugging the pants down.

“Easton,” she whined. Her blue and green eyes had a fire in them as she writhed against me. “Please, I need you.”

I growled and yanked down my pants and underwear in one swift movement. Pulling my cock out, I wasn’t willing to deny her. “You have me, little bird. I’m all yours.”

She stood, pushing her sweatpants off, leaving her standing in front of me in a tight, white, knit long-sleeve shirt and a bright fucking red thong.

“Off. Take it all fucking off.” I leaned up on my elbows, watching her undress for me. Her movements were jerky and rushed as she tore the shirt off her head, a white bra, holding her creamy breasts from my view.

She made quick work of the lace, throwing it behind her in her haste, and then her fingers wrapped around her thong. Her heated gaze locked on mine as she slowly tugged them over her ripe ass and down her toned thighs until the red lace dropped to the floor.

“Come take what you need, Harley,” I rasped, and she moaned. Dropping to her knees, she lifted herself up before sliding down on my hard cock, both of us moaning in sync. She twisted and rolled against me, and I pinched her clit while holding and kneading her breasts.

“East!” she moaned my name, and I nearly came just from the need in her voice.

“Maybe I should let you ride me more often, give you all the fucking control. Is that what you like?”

“Oh, fuck.” She wasn’t capable of answering the question as an orgasm tore through her. My name fell from her lips like the most beautiful song I’d ever heard.

Her hips moved up and down on me as she worked herself through her orgasm. I watched in awe, trying to stay rigid as possible rather than moving with her. I wasn’t ready for this to end. I planned to fuck her all night long.

Her erratic breathing increased even more when I pinched her clit one more time, and a second orgasm rippled through her. Her hips bucked faster when I moved one thumb back and forth over her sensitive clit. “That’s it, my little bird. Keep singing for me.” Sitting up, I latched onto her neck, leaving open-mouth kisses along the exposed skin, her pulse jumping beneath my touch.

“Easton, please!” she screamed, a frustrated growl following my name. I watched pleasure overtake the fire of desire in her eyes, only to be relit when I sucked on her neck.

“You are so fucking beautiful with your wet pussy weeping all over my cock, Harley.” I held her head up as her neck rolled, her eyes struggling to stay focused.

“Please, Easton, let go. Fly with me.” Her rasped words, hooded eyes, and almost limp body were my undoing.

“Fuck, Harley,” I groaned, thrusting deep into her over and over again, making her mine like it was the first time. I lost myself in her, pumping my hot cum into her tight body. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” I groaned into her sweaty neck.

We collapsed to the floor, her body draped over mine, both of us struggling to catch our breath.

“Santa Claus, huh?” She giggled, body shaking with laughter.

“I wanted to give you a new memory,” I whispered, stroking her silky hair.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

“Merry Christmas, little bird.” I pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “But I need you to sit up for the second half of your first Christmas memory with me.” She instantly sat up, her eyes narrowing.

“Okay. What do you have up your sleeve?”

“Not coal.” She threw her head back, her laughter surrounding us.

Picking up my discarded pants, I felt for the little box, and finally, my fingers wrapped around it. Taking a deep breath, I showed it to her. Opening the small lid, the diamond ring I’d picked out for her glittered in the light from the twinkling Christmas tree.

“Not coal,” she softly agreed, her eyes darting between me and the ring. She noticeably swallowed, almost as though she was the nervous one.

“I thought I would ask you on your favorite day of the year. Will you marry me and become Mrs. Briggs, my sweet little bird?” Her eyes widened more, if possible, at the mention of my real last name.

I hadn’t told her that I had gone and changed it.

“East, are you sure?” she whispered, her trembling hands circling my neck.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

“Of course, I’ll marry you. There’s nothing I want more than to be your wife. To be your little bird for eternity.”

Sliding the ring on her finger, she stared at it in wonder.

“It’s real. I’m going to be yours forever,” she whispered.

Cradling her face in my hands, I wiped away her tears, kissing her cheeks, nose, and the bow of her top lip. “You’ve always been mine. I was never going to let you go, little bird.”

Pressing my lips to hers, I inhaled her soft cries, and I kissed her breathless.

“Now, time to hear you sing again, my little bird. You know how much I love your song.”

THE END