Chapter 12
Twelve
AIDYN
Nine Days until Christmas
Too many cooks in the kitchen is the perfect way to describe our afternoon. Except, in this case, it’s too many relatives searching for the perfect Christmas tree.
The tree farm is about ten miles outside of town, and they don’t have much of a selection. Of course, we’re in Missouri, not Oregon.
There are two issues. The first seems to be frustrating everyone. No one can agree on which tree is the best. The second issue is mine. And possibly Garrett’s.
The man is within reach, looking sexy as hell as he examines each tree. His cheeks are pink from the cold. His lips are plump from biting them. His hands are strong and capable.
“Do you want this one?” he asks.
“I do.”
His eyes catch mine. And he grins. “You’re supposed to be checking out the trees.”
“I’m happy with what I’m doing.” I lean in. “I don’t give a fuck which tree we get. I just need you alone and naked.”
His breathing increases. He swallows and shakes his head. “This was your idea.”
“It was, love. But my cock has a mind of its own.” I rest my hand on his lower back. He’s wearing a heavy coat so he can’t really feel it, but that’s fine. It’s a promise of more.
His head swivels around. Then his eyes are on my face. My lips. “Aidyn.”
My name sounds like a plea, and I groan and adjust the bulge in my pants. There’s no one near us, but that could change in an instant.
Everyone is always around. Mostly Garrett’s parents.
And Jane. I have no idea what that is about.
And if I were in a more forgiving mood, I’d think maybe Jane had missed spending time with her family.
Missed her sister. One of the reasons we moved from Ireland to Mule Creek was that Emily wanted to be closer to her sister.
They’d been so close, even though there’d been nine years between them.
But I’m still not ready to forgive and forget everything that has happened with Jane.
We finally agree on a tree and haul it back to the house with Garrett’s work truck. His parents try to supervise as we drag the tree inside and put it up.
Three Days until Christmas
The Advent kisses become more challenging as the week gets busier. Garrett’s not working, but I don’t want him to do all the holiday prep when it was my idea to begin with and his parents always seem to be around.
On Wednesday, kiss number seventeen is in the pantry at the diner.
Kiss number eighteen is at the library because Garrett’s nostalgic and, apparently, likes to live dangerously.
But I know when Mrs. Weppler takes her lunch break, so we’re fine.
On Friday, the diner is busy, so Garrett sneaks by after we close to coordinate Christmas plans.
Kiss number nineteen happens in my room and ends with a heavy make-out session.
Saturday, Garrett gets called in to help with the Whovian wedding.
So kiss number twenty is behind the willow tree at Bishop Fields.
And kiss twenty-one happens at the diner after breakfast. I could easily get used to kissing Garrett every single day.
The other difficulty is trying to find a time when we can all decorate the tree. We decide to wait until Lanie’s winter break and after the weekend, since the diner is always busy. But now there are only three days until Christmas, which is cutting it close.
Garrett’s parents supervise as we decorate the tree. Is it wrong that I want to do this with just Garrett and Lanie?
But I know the answer. I’m being selfish. This is a chance for Lanie and Garrett to spend time with family. I just need to get over myself.
We decorate with the ornaments Garrett bought, and then Lanie adds the few I brought. A horse ornament from several years ago. A dragonfly one her mom loved, and one Emily bought me that has the map of Ireland on it.
As Garrett adds blue ribbons to the tree, Lanie tugs on my arm. “Now, Da?”
I love seeing the smile on her face, her eyes bright with excitement. I nod.
She runs off with a squeak of excitement.
“What was that about?” Garrett asks as he steps back and examines his handiwork.
“You’ll see.”
His brow furrows. “What did you do?”
“Not me.”
Lanie rushes over to us with her hands behind her back. “I got you something, Uncle Garrett.”
“Lanie. That’s sweet. But you didn’t need—” His words stop as she presents him with a Grinch ornament. “Uh…” His gaze shifts to me and back to her. “Thank you.”
She laughs. “I know you don’t like Christmas that much. You’re like the Grinch.”
He darts an uncertain look toward me but gives Lanie a big smile as he adds it to the tree. She hugs him and darts away.
“Was this your idea?” he asks, his voice low and dangerous.
“It was Lanie’s. But it’s a mite better fit than Scrooge, don’t ya think?”
“You think my heart is going to grow three times as big?”
As I add another, totally unnecessary ornament to the tree, I lean close to Garrett to get it in the right spot. Keeping my voice low, I add, “I bet I can get something to grow…”
He groans. “You’re the worst.”
“It’s done, Da,” Lanie says. “Can we turn off the lights now?”
I forgot how much she loved this part. We had a tree last year, but it has been a while since we’ve gone all-out for Christmas.
Garrett nods and the lights go out. The tree is beautiful, transforming Garrett’s living room into something magical.
Mrs. Bishop names off things Garrett could make for dinner—even though the man doesn’t cook—and I decide to step in.
“I can—”
Jane darts in front of me, stopping my words. “Hey, Christy?”
I sigh. “What?”
Her voice is low. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Instead of answering, she turns and faces her parents. “Chad just got back from Atlanta, so we want to invite you to dinner. I’m sure Garrett could use some time to get his place back in order. Lanie, we’d love to have you too. If it’s okay with you, Christy?”
I glance at Garrett. His mouth is open in surprise. A few hours alone with Garrett would be amazing, but am I okay with it? Chad seems like a decent bloke. At least from the times I’ve seen them together in the diner.
Am I willing to give Jane a chance? Or am I choosing sex with Garrett over my daughter’s safety?
But Jane’s been sober for over a year. And Emily would tell me I deserve to be happy.
“Da?” It’s the worry on her face that decides it. I’ve been overprotective lately. Nothing’s going to happen, and if it did, Lanie would call. But before I can tell her my decision, she says, glancing at Jane, “Maybe Da could come with us.”
“Sure. If that’s what he wants to do.”
All eyes are on me. “You go, lass. I’ll stay and help your uncle clean up. But thank you, Jane.” I manage to get the words out, and they even sound sincere. I mean, I am thankful. And desperate to get a few hours alone with Garrett.
“We can have a Christmas movie marathon. And you can stay all night. We have plenty of room.”
If she has plenty of room, why aren’t their parents staying with her? But I don’t say that. All I can think of is getting to spend the night with Garrett. Alone. The entire night. I could kiss Jane right now.
And if I weren’t so happy, I’d be grumpy about that.
After they’re all gone, Garrett laughs. “What the hell just happened?”
“I take it she knows.”
“Evidently, we’re not good at hiding it.” He shrugs, looking slightly guilty, but then he pulls me into his arms.
“We don’t have to even work for kiss twenty-two. Only three more days until Christmas, love.” I take my time kissing him, letting him know how much I want him.
When I try to deepen the kisses, he pulls away. I groan. “Garrett, I need you.”
He nods and places his head against mine. “Same…but can we clean up first?” He pulls back and waves his hand at the empty boxes and wrappers. “I won’t be able to focus with this mess.”
It doesn’t take long to get the house in order. I’m highly motivated to get this man naked and stretched out on his bed.
I want to take my time undressing him, but it’s been too long. We strip each other down until we’re both naked.
He traces my brow with his thumb. And my heart races as he leans in and kisses my cheek. “You taste so good.”
“I have something else you can taste.” And although he laughs, I’m serious. “I thought we were doing this fast and hard?”
Another kiss on the corner of my mouth. “We’ll get there.” He brushes his lips over mine. Teasing me. “I want to savor you.” His hand circles my nape, and he kisses me harder. “I fucking love you, Aidyn.”
“Then show me, love.”
He grins, and my heart protests at all the work it has to do. “Are you going to fuck me with your monster cock, Aidyn?”
“I am.” And then I push him against his bedroom door, making a thumping sound.
But there’s no one here to hear us. I press my body against his, my already hard cock grinding against his thigh.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to sit tomorrow.
” He moans, throwing his head back, and I suck on his neck as I grind against him.
“Aidyn, please.”
I kiss his jaw and scrape my teeth along the stubble.
“So fucking hot. I think about you all the time. Touching you. Sucking your cock. You drive me crazy with want. And it’s damn inconvenient, Garrett.
Always being hard. On the edge. So, yes, love.
This will be fast and dirty like a pair of animals in heat because I can’t think until I’m buried deep in that sweet arse of yours. Do you get it?”
He captures my mouth, thrusting his tongue against mine. When he finally pulls away, he grins. “Then shut up and fuck me already.”
With a growl, I turn him around and pin him to the door, my front against his back as I rut against him. I need lube—we stopped using condoms a while back—but I don’t want to move from his sweet body.
“Aidyn,” he snaps. “Get on with it.”