Chapter 13
Willow
I’m lying here naked and never more satisfied in my life. I’m not worried about work, deadlines, Christmas, Hearthstone Lodge … or anything. I type a message to Avery.
Spending day (and possibly evening) with Graham. Take care of things and make good executive decisions. I’m off-grid.
I laugh as I hit send and Graham stares at me.
“What are you up to now?” he asks in a low voice, laced with that amused curiosity that makes my skin tingle even now.
It’s probably only been an hour since he left me quivering.
He's propped up on one elbow beside me, the sheets tangled low around his hips, exposing the hard ridges of his abs and the trail of dark hair leading down to where his cock rests heavy against his thigh, still half-hard from our earlier frenzy.
The fire crackles softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows over his skin, and outside, the snow keeps falling in thick, silent curtains, cocooning us in this luxurious bubble.
I set my phone on the nightstand and roll toward him, my breasts brushing his chest as I trace a finger along the curve of his bicep. "Just telling my assistant I'm playing hooky. For once, Hope Peak can manage without its town manager breathing down everyone's neck."
He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me where our bodies touch, and captures my hand, bringing it to his lips to nip at my knuckles.
"Good. Because I'm not done with you yet.
" His eyes darken, pupils flaring as he shifts closer, his free hand sliding over my hip, fingers splaying possessively across the swell of my ass.
Heat pools low in my belly again, a slow, insistent throb that has me pressing my thighs together.
We linger like that, limbs entwined, his breath warm against my forehead as he murmurs about nothing and everything – the way the lodge's faded mural stirred something in him, how he's excited about the revisions to keep its soul intact for the community.
His words wrap around me like the plush robe I discarded earlier, soothing the last edges of doubt I'd carried in.
I nestle into the crook of his arm, my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart while my fingers explore the contours of his ribs.
Hunger gnaws at me eventually – not just for him, but for actual sustenance after the oysters and strawberries that barely scratched the surface.
My stomach growls, and he laughs again, that deep, resonant sound that sends sparks skittering down my spine.
"Room service?" he suggests, already reaching for the phone without waiting for an answer.
His voice turns commanding as he speaks into the receiver, ordering with effortless authority: a seared filet mignon with truffle butter, lobster ravioli in a cream sauce, roasted asparagus drizzled in aged balsamic, and a bottle of full-bodied Cabernet to wash it down.
No skimping – everything top-shelf, as if money is just another amenity in this suite.
Graham relieves himself to the bathroom and once he’s finished, I do the same. Looking in the mirror, I see a woman who’s never been more herself than today. Truly, he brings something out in me that has been lost … perhaps never found until now.
I freshen up and make my way back to the bedroom.
While we wait, he pulls me on top of him, my legs straddling his waist, the sheet slipping away to leave us skin to skin.
His hands roam lazily up my back, thumbs circling the dimples at my spine, and I lean down to kiss him, slow and deep, tasting the lingering fizz of champagne on his tongue.
He hardens beneath me, his cock thickening against my slick folds, and I rock gently, drawing a guttural groan from his throat.
"Willow," he breathes, gripping my hips to still me, though his eyes burn with the same fire igniting in my core.
The knock at the door comes too soon, but he drapes the sheets over me and grabs a robe for himself.
I watch as he wheels the trolley inside.
The aromas hit me immediately. Rich, savory meat and buttery pasta.
We dive in right there on the bed, feeding each other bites between kisses.
He spears a ravioli on his fork, the lobster bursting juicy and tender as I close my lips around it, sauce dribbling down my chin.
He licks it clean, his tongue tracing a path to my neck, sucking lightly until I shiver and arch into him.
Full and sated from the meal, the wine warming my veins like liquid velvet, I push the plates aside and straddle him again.
His cock stands rigid now, veined and flushed, the head glistening with pre-cum as I wrap my hand around its base, stroking slowly from root to tip.
He hisses through his teeth, hips lifting to meet my touch, but his hands come up to cup my breasts, thumbs flicking over my nipples until they're taut peaks aching for more.
I guide him to my entrance, sinking down inch by inch, the stretch delicious and full, his thickness filling me completely as my walls clench around him.
We move together, unhurried at first. My hips circle, grinding my clit against his pelvis with each downward thrust, sparks building into flames.
His fingers dig into my thighs, guiding my rhythm, and he sits up to capture a nipple in his mouth, sucking hard, teeth grazing just enough to send jolts straight to my core.
The pace quickens, my breaths coming in pants as I ride him harder, the wet slap of our bodies echoing in the room.
He thrusts up to meet me, deep and relentless, one hand sliding between us to rub frantic circles over my clit.
Pleasure coils tight, then shatters. I cry out, muscles contracting around his cock as waves crash through me, leaving me trembling and slick.
He flips us without pulling out, pinning me beneath him, his weight a welcome anchor as he drives in deeper, the angle hitting that spot that makes stars explode behind my eyelids.
Sweat slicks our skin, his mouth claiming mine in a bruising kiss, and I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him on.
He comes with a roar, buried to the hilt, hot pulses flooding me as his body shudders.
We collapse in a heap, laughter bubbling up from both of us, now exhausted. Euphoric giggles turn into soft kisses and whispered promises. The fire dims and for the first time in forever, Hope Peak feels like it can wait.