Chapter 8
8
HOLLY
I can’t believe this is really happening.
James hauls the groceries and my bags into his house as I follow him, looking at the house with fresh eyes while we slip off our boots and coats.
We put away the groceries but I’m too tired to cook anything elaborate, so we just make some quick sandwiches. James seems to understand. As always.
He rummages around in a kitchen drawer, then clips some keys together on a metal acorn keyring. “Square is the truck, the rounded one is the front door, and the weird gold one is the garage.”
What kind of man just hands over access to a vehicle and his home when he’s only known you for five days? Apparently, a man who is unbelievably kind. Not to mention, obviously seriously into me.
“Thank you.” My voice cracks. “I really appreciate this.”
“Hey.” His thick, warm arms wrap around me. “This is a lot to take in. We don’t have to rush anything. If it turns out that staying with me is too much too soon, we’ll make other arrangements after the holidays, okay?”
My chin tips up as I smile. “You always know exactly what to say. Thank you.”
The faint smile lines around his eyes deepen as he grins. “I want to be a good boyfriend for you, Holly.” Soft lips brush the tip of my nose. “Am I allowed to use that word yet, or no? I’m good either way.”
It’s not just the way he leaves decisions up to me. It’s the way he holds me, stroking my back, fiddling with my hair. Keeping things both intimate and light.
James is well balanced. Mellow. A trail of green flags a mile long – even though he’s more than ten years older than me. Does he even notice that technically I’m a bit young for him? That as the face of the law in town, he shouldn’t be dating an outsider from a sketchy family? That I’m – oh dear – not the wholesome woman he should end up with?
No. I don’t want to follow that logical train of thought. My heart and body jump the rails onto the track I really want to explore instead. My fingers trace slow, looping patterns along his short beard and the side of his neck. “If you think it’s accurate, sure.”
His warm eyes glow. “I do.” A soft, gentle kiss makes my knees tighten, but then he pulls away. “I’ll show you the bedrooms.”
At the end of the hall, he pushes open the door to his room – a large, tidy, slightly austere space done in navy and dove gray. The door across the hall opens to reveal a small guest room with cream walls and sage green bedding.
“I want you to sleep wherever you’re comfortable, Holly. There’s no right or wrong answer, okay?”
Not only does my heart line itself up on this new track, it kicks my logical mind right off the rails. I want him, and I love the way he wants me. The way he is so incredibly open about his desires, yet squarely focused on giving me everything I want or need.
Frankly, I feel spoiled rotten for the first time in my life. And it’s kind of sexy…no idea why.
More importantly, my body and soul are on fire whenever we’re together alone. Why is there any reason not to give in to the things I’ve been feeling from the second we met?
Spinning on my heel, I go back to the front hall, grab my bags, and set them on the guest room bed. Then I turn to James with a wicked grin. “Why don’t I use this as my dressing room, so I don’t mess up your bedroom closet…and we can sleep in there?”
His mouth is on mine before I can even take another breath. Strong hands lift me slightly, dragging me into his room where we fall onto the bed together. Laughing and kissing, we cuddle while exploring each other. I yank on his shirt until it’s untucked and unbuttoned, slowly letting my palms wander all over his chest. He pulls off my long-sleeved t-shirt, leaving me in just a tank top.
My purple socks make him laugh as he takes them off, tossing them onto a chair. Then my giggle turns to a gasp when his teeth graze my collarbone, his hands kneading my breasts as he kisses under my ear.
Stifling the moans that bubble up my throat is too difficult so I stop trying, letting him know just how sensitive my nipples are as he skims his thumbs across my skin. How does he already know how to make me melt? How to read my body language so perfectly?
Maybe…the delicious thought spirals around my spine, making me gasp as he kisses my throat tenderly… Maybe there’s a chance that he’s the one for me. That we could truly be a couple.
And even if this isn’t forever, we have tonight. I can’t imagine sharing my first time with anyone else.
James gradually removes every scrap of my clothing, pulling the fabric slowly across my skin. I do the same, my movements more awkward than his, and then my eyes grow wide as I openly stare at his naked body. Every sculpted muscle. Every taut, thick limb – including the one between his legs that is so hard it looks like it must be painful.
Before I can reach for it, my hand is blocked by James cupping my breasts gently. The way he squeezes and caresses my skin makes my inner thighs tingle and my teeth sink into my bottom lip.
“Stop biting that lip.” His voice has turned into a low growl that sends tingles straight through me. “It’s mine now.”
He catches my mouth against his in a kiss filled with pure fire. This possessiveness is something I didn’t know I craved. Maybe it’s because he’s such a good, kind man that hearing him lose a bit of control is a deliciously wicked contrast.
I can no longer ignore the thick shaft bobbing between us, brushing against my belly. Reaching down and dragging my palm slowly along its length, I’m surprised at how warm it is.
The deep shudder that runs through him fills me with pride. Do I really arouse him that much? As much as he arouses me? I release him to move my hand around his hip, squeezing his firm butt. Then I choke back a whine as his fingers slide between my wet folds.
“So wet for me,” he groans. “Is there a chance you might want more than my fingers tonight?”
Grasping the base of his huge, thick shaft, I nod. “Yes. God, yes.” A flash of hesitation overtakes his eyes until I whisper, “I’ve been on the pill for a year. You know, just in case.”
His gaze relaxes. “Smart girl.”
I suddenly feel tiny against his huge, strong body. In a strange way, it feels right. Makes him feel even more like my protector.
The planes of his well-muscled shoulder and arm shift as he drops his hand to dip deeper between my legs. I’ve never had my attention completely absorbed by a man before. Every rough breath. The scrape of his short beard against my cheek as he nuzzles against me. His thick, blunt finger as he circles my clit teasingly before dipping slightly inside.
We both shudder, then my thumb sweeps against the round tip of his cock. There are a few drops of moisture already, proving how badly he wants me.
“So sexy,” he murmurs.
It’s true. James makes me feel sexy in a way I never have. And makes me feel like anything is possible with this incredible man at my side.
He gives me a questioning look before rubbing his finger against my clit, making me melt. “I want you,” I whisper.
“You sure, baby?”
From the way his finger has only dipped partway inside me, I’m guessing he knows I’m a virgin. It’s thoughtful of him to be extra careful, but I’m done with that. I’m ready to feel everything. “Three thousand percent.”
Breathing in his fresh, woodsy scent, I stretch out underneath him as James moves slowly above me. Who knew that I would enjoy the feeling of being completely covered by his warm skin? A flutter runs through me as I feel the weight of his cock on my lower belly. It already feels damp and achy between my legs, as I crave his touch, excited for more.
“So beautiful,” he murmurs softly, smoothing my hair out of my face. “Never thought I’d find myself a smart, funny, artsy girl, who for bonus points is also breathtakingly gorgeous.”
If I were standing, my knees would have just legit buckled.
My hand runs along his side as James takes hold of his shaft, nudging my thighs apart with his knee before stroking through my center with the thick round head.
The dreamy feeling is suddenly spiked with a jolt of reality. This is happening. Real. The look in his rich brown eyes is nothing but sweetness and… It’s way too early to think about the word love , but there’s no other word for the way he moves so tenderly, caressing me as he nudges his skin against mine, circling my clit with the head of his cock before sinking slightly lower.
I’m not embarrassed by how wet I am, even though I’m probably creating a mess on his sheets. His eyes roll back with a groan. “This soft little pussy is soaking for me. Is this where you want me, baby?”
My fingers curl around his biceps as I lift my hips, encouraging him to sink deeper.
“That’s it,” James rasps. He’s staring into my eyes so intensely that I feel a wave of heat rush through me. Even though he’s barely an inch inside, I feel stretched open. Raw. And so grounded in my body I simply can’t stop moving.
He grins seductively, eyes dark and hungry as he brings a fingertip to my clit, dragging my juices across my bare flesh.
My breasts brush against his hard chest, my ankle curling around his calf as my entire body tenses. He already knows exactly how to make me come, after our intense practice session last night. But now, with his cock partially inside me, his body over mine, and knowing what’s going to happen in just a few moments… Everything lets go. And I mean everything. My climax surges through me like molten metal being poured, and everything else in my world dissolves.
Clutching James against me, I kiss him frantically as I come in his arms.
Even though this is just the beginning, it’s opening the floodgates to all sorts of possibilities. Like the fact that I want to be his girl. Want to stay here with him. Want to give in to this unbelievable desire.
Want to be his.