Chapter 22
Holt
Itilt the wine bottle, pouring the red liquid into the two stemless glasses.
It took forever to get the girls to go to sleep. They were so excited that Gia was back, they were afraid she was going to leave before they woke up.
She promised she’d be here to take them to school in the morning and had to read them three books before they were able to calm down.
Lauren ended up staying in Leah’s bed—as she does most nights.
I’ve asked if they wanted to share a room, but they’ve both told me they’d fight too much if they shared a space all the time.
Some days it feels like they’ve grown up way too fast.
I stare at the glasses and the bottle of wine for half a second, realizing I should’ve waited to pour them until after I was upstairs. Tucking the bottle in the crook of my arm, I grab the glasses and slowly walk to my bedroom.
A couple of months after I slept with Gia the first time, I realized it was time to update it.
I wanted to create a space that was mine alone, instead of continuing to ruminate in the bed I shared with my wife.
I repainted and bought new furniture from a local woodworker.
I have no doubt that Hannah would have hated my choices, but thinking about her laughing at my horrible design attempts made me like it even more.
She’d have rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever you want, love.”
She’s still here with me. She always will be, but seeing Gia sitting in one of the comfy chairs I picked out by myself settles the tiny voice in my head that wasn’t sure I made the right choice in redecorating.
Flames flicker in the fireplace as I hold out one of the glasses to Gia. “For you.”
She smiles at me. “Thank you.”
I sit in the chair across from her and soak in the sight of her in my space. I didn’t think I’d get to have this again. “I was going to call you tonight once I got the girls tucked in.”
Gia’s eyes widen. “Really?”
“Beverly made me realize I never gave you the option to stay. I knew you wouldn’t, so I thought it would be pointless to tell you how I felt. Mostly, I wanted to avoid the heartbreak of telling you and you leaving anyway.”
She looks down at the glass in her lap. “And I would have. Left, I mean. It felt insane to stay in a place after only being here for a few weeks. I needed the space to know that what I was feeling wasn’t a product of being somewhere new.”
“Did you come back just for me?”
“No. That was something else I needed the distance to figure out. I really like this town. I feel like I’ve made friends, and it wasn’t hard to see a future here with or without you. Granted, it would’ve been hella awkward if you didn’t want me back.”
I breathe out a laugh. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m glad you didn’t come back just to be with me. Talk about a shit ton of pressure to get everything right.”
Gia laughs. “Right? I’d really like this to work out, but if it doesn’t, I still want to see what else this town has to offer.
I feel a connection to this place I’ve never felt before.
Not even in my hometown. I stayed in Sonoma because my family and best friends were there, but my sister showed me that I didn’t really see it as my home anymore. ”
“And you think Pine Creek Falls might be?”
She shrugs. “It could be. As much as I’d like to, I can’t see the future, so who knows, but there’s something here, and I want to find out what it is.”
“Where does that leave us?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are we dating? Are you my…girlfriend? Christ, I’m entirely too old to be using that word.” I run my palm down my face.
Gia drops her head back with a laugh. “You’re not too old to do anything, but I’d agree that girlfriend feels a little too much like teenage love to describe us. How about we just say we’re dating?”
“Exclusively?”
“Absolutely.” She gives me a dark look that promises retribution if I ever stray.
“Come here, Rainbow.”
Gia sets her wineglass on the table and moves to straddle my lap.
I slide my hands up her thighs until they settle into the dip at her waist. She fits into my hands as if she were made to be there.
I’m overwhelmed with all the things I want to do with her tonight.
There are too many thoughts flashing through my head, things I fantasized about but never did because we ran out of time.
“I missed you, Cowboy,” Gia whispers against my mouth.
Her lips tease mine in a barely there kiss until I get tired of waiting.
I grip the hair at the nape of her neck and pull her head down.
She moans, her hips rolling to find the friction she’s desperate for.
I slide my other hand down her back to cup her ass.
I encourage her to keep using me, reveling in the pleasurable torture of her grinding on my thick cock.
I want to throw her on the bed and fuck her until we’re both exhausted, yet at the same time, I want to take her slowly, show her exactly how I feel with her back in my arms.
But I can’t do any of that until she’s naked.
I stand with her still in my arms. Gia gasps at the sudden movement, scrambling to wrap her legs around my waist.
I carry her over to my bed and gently lay her on top. I grip the waistband of her sweatpants and underwear, pulling them off in one smooth movement. Gia whips off her T-shirt at the same time. She then flings her bra onto the floor, leaving her lying naked and gorgeous in my bed.
“Look at you, Rainbow. So fucking gorgeous.”
She gives me a show, running her palms down her chest to cup her breasts. It’s an offering I can’t refuse. I climb onto the bed, straddling her body to bend down and take one stiff nipple into my mouth.
Gia cries out as she spears her fingers into my hair.
The little bite of pain sends a bolt of pleasure straight to my middle.
I didn’t think I’d ever have her in my bed again.
I was prepared to use my hand for the foreseeable future, knowing it would be a long while before I was ready to try this again.
Having her spread out on my bed, ready for whatever I want to do to her, is almost more than I can believe.
Gripping the back of my shirt, I yank it over my head and throw it somewhere.
Then I unbutton my jeans to give myself some space before I lean back over Gia and kiss down her soft belly.
I nip at her hips, leaving little marks I wish I could make permanent.
I have no clue how she makes me this feral every time I get her naked, but I want to mark her flesh to prove she’s mine.
“Holt,” she moans. “Oh, fuck.” Her hands are back in my hair as I run my tongue through her wet slit.
She bucks her hips against my mouth, so I grip the back of her thighs, spreading her open and holding her down to keep her still.
I can’t get enough of her taste. I could do this every fucking night, and I still wouldn’t be satiated. Gia’s grip on my hair tightens as I focus all my attention on her clit. Then I slide a finger into her tight pussy.
Fuck, I can’t wait to feel her gripping my cock as hard as she’s clamped down on my finger. I add a second one to help stretch her out a bit. Gia’s bucking into me as nonsense words come out of her mouth. I love reducing her to a mess of noises.
I push her up to the edge of her orgasm and then pull my fingers away.
She whines out a protest.
“Patience, Rainbow.”
Gia yanks my jeans down around my hips. She grabs my cock, jacking me in quick strokes that make me see stars.
“Oh, fuck.” I swear, Gia makes me feel like a teenager again. I’m one stroke away from coming all over her stomach.
I have to grip her wrist and pull her off me to focus on my task. I reach into my nightstand to pull out a condom and roll it down my thick length.
Without any hesitation, I line the head of my cock up to her entrance and slide deep in one thrust. It’s as if I’ve come home as Gia’s body clamps down around me. I grip her fingers, raising her arms above her head until she’s completely surrounded.
Our lips brush in open-mouthed kisses as I push into her body.
With every thrust, I grind my pelvis against her clit, pushing her higher and higher until she finally breaks.
Her pussy clamps down around me so hard I have no choice but to follow her over the edge.
My orgasm sends sparks through my entire body, making me shake as Gia’s body wrings every ounce of pleasure out of mine.
I barely have the wherewithal to fall to my side and deal with the condom. I can’t even feel my legs, let alone find the strength to go get a cloth to help Gia get cleaned up.
“Holy shit,” Gia breathes.
I huff out a laugh. “No kidding.” Reaching over, I grab her around the waist to pull her in close. She snuggles into my chest with a contented hum. “Welcome home, Rainbow.”