Chapter 11
MADDOX
Since Eve was visiting, we sat at the dining room table to eat dessert, talking and laughing over stories from our childhood. Then conversation turned to Mistletoe Inn and Christmas Town.
"Let me know when you visit, and I'll show you around," Eve offered.
"You're like the mayor of the town?" Dad asked.
"We aren't a real town. More like a tourist destination. But I certainly feel like one. My office is in the town-hall building, and I have an open-door policy which the shop and restaurant owners take advantage of to air their complaints."
"That must be tough," Mom said.
"It's a lot, but this is the job I've always wanted. I was in party planning before this, but I wanted something that was more community involvement."
"It feels like a real town though. You're hosting a parade, and the fire department is participating," Mom said.
"I suppose so."
"Your job is important," I said, in case she didn't think it was. She wasn't just running a tourist destination. She was hosting a toy drive and building community. I was impressed with her and everything she'd accomplished in a short amount of time.
I felt Mom watching us. She was probably wondering if something was really going on between us. But we could be friends. We didn't have to kiss each other, even if I wanted that more than anything.
After dessert, Sofia drew Eve into a card game, and when I said it was time for bed, Eve left with us, thanking my parents for dessert.
At home, I got Sofia into bed.
She was chatting about what she called her favorite people, which included her grandparents, her favorite uncle, and now, Eve.
She didn't bring up her mother or her family, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
Was she worried about upsetting me, or was she only thinking about those who were currently in her life?
When she was tucked in, I turned out the light and closed the door. I clicked on the TV in the sunroom, mindlessly watching holiday movies and trying not to think about what happened the last time I sat on this couch. I was restless, and it had nothing to do with the busy day.
I wanted to see Eve. I wanted to ensure she was okay and not wallowing in her grief. And if I was being honest with myself, I wanted her to straddle my lap again. Except this time, I wouldn't stop.
I picked up my phone, debating whether I should bother Eve late at night. I'd wanted to wait until Sofia was asleep. But now it was late, close to midnight.
Maddox: You awake? Want to come over?
Eve: For?
Maddox: I can't seem to settle down to get to sleep. I thought you'd be having the same problem.
Eve: I am actually.
She probably didn't want to be alone any more than I did. I had been content with it for so long, but now that she'd come into my life, I wasn't any longer.
Maddox: Another midnight meeting?
Eve: Be right there.
I got up and paced the length of the room, unable to sit still. I flexed my hands and ran them through my hair. Was I ready to do something like this with another woman?
My body said yes, but my brain was a bit of a mess. I told myself I was doing this to ensure that Eve was okay. This had nothing to do with my needs. But I was lying to myself. I wanted her.
When she texted that she'd arrived, I opened the door. She wore the same outfit she had earlier, a skirt with tights and a puffy jacket. I took her jacket and hung it on the hook by the door while she removed her boots. Then I led her toward the sunroom.
This room felt like the farthest one away from Sofia. She rarely got up in the middle of the night, and if she did, I'd hear the stairs creak.
"How was dinner?" I asked her when we sat next to each other.
She let out a breath. "Not as bad as I was expecting. I think my sister is seeing Ford again."
"You don't think they should be seeing each other?"
She shrugged. "They didn't work out last time, but they were young. Maybe he's changed and wants to commit."
"How are you holding up?" I persisted.
She huffed out a laugh. "I was so busy all day; I didn't really have time to think until I got home."
"It's your first holiday after a loss."
"I was kind of hoping you could distract me," she suggested.
Was she implying what I thought she was? Did she want to continue where we left off the other night?
The muscles in my body tensed. "We have to stop meeting like this."
She scooted closer. "You mean in the middle of the night?"
"Yes." I barely breathed as she lifted one knee and straddled my lap.
Her hands hooked casually around my neck, and her head lowered, her hair falling around us.
This time, I wasn't going to stop her or tell her this was a bad idea. I was on board with whatever happened next.
My hands drifted over her tights, feeling the warmth of her body underneath. She didn't reach down and stop the movement. Instead, her fingers curled in my hair as her lips lowered to mine. This time when our lips touched, it felt like I'd been shocked.
Her mouth parted, and I didn't waste any time diving in. I wasn't sure if I'd get another chance or if she'd stop me.
This moment felt fleeting. I wasn't going to waste a second. I pulled her closer to me, and she ground over my aching dick. She had me amped up and ready to go in no time.
I'd unleashed everything that I'd been holding onto the last few years. There was no restraining myself. I couldn't get enough of her. Her curves, the scent of her lotion, or her lips on mine.
But I wanted to get closer to her. I found the back of her tights and pulled them down. It was an awkward position, so she reached under her skirt, wiggling them the rest of the way off. This time when she straddled my lap, my hands landed on silky, smooth skin.
I nearly groaned when she kissed me again.
I had free access to her pussy, and I wanted to feel if she was wet for me. My hands drifted over the backs of her thighs to her ass which was bare. Was she wearing a thong or nothing at all? Both worked for me.
I finally found the sliver of lace between her cheeks and tugged lightly. She moaned in my mouth, widening her legs. She wanted me to touch her.
She reared up, removing her sweater, leaving her in a white tank, no bra. Sofia was just upstairs and could come down, so I didn't encourage Eve to remove her tank or slip off her skirt. This way, I could pretend that nothing was going on if Sofia walked in.
I cupped Eve's breasts. Her nipples were hard peaks under the thin material. She moved over me, grinding her hot pussy over my lap. I couldn't get enough of her.
I sucked on her nipple through the material and slid a hand between her legs. This felt naughty, as if we were teenagers copping a feel with my parents sleeping upstairs.
I had a feeling Eve was just as adventurous when she was younger. She was hard working and disciplined, but she knew how to let go and have a good time. I was just glad that she'd chosen me.
I was grumpy and closed off. But she saw something in me worth pursuing. I slid the gusset of her panties to the side, easing my fingers through her folds. She was soaked.
Above me, Eve whimpered.
I slid a finger into her heat, and she worked herself over it. I added a second finger, needing to see her go over.
Then she stopped me with a hand on my wrist. "I want to come with you inside me."
I nearly growled at that announcement. "Condom."
At her hurried nod, I reached into the pocket of my sweats where I'd placed one earlier. Then I shoved my pants down as far as they'd go in this position.
She gripped the base of my cock, making my hands shake.
When I finally removed the wrapper, I knocked her hand away and slid the rubber down. Then I paused, raising a brow at her. "Do you want this?"
The real question was, did she want me? But I wasn't ready to voice that out loud. It felt too vulnerable, too needy when all I wanted was a release. I wasn't looking for a relationship. This thing with Eve was hot and cold, sweet and tart. I just needed to get her out of my system.
In response, she lifted and sank over me.
The pleasure shot to my head, and I reveled in her wet heat surrounding me. "You feel so good."
My heart was beating rapidly, and there was a roaring in my ears. Nothing else existed except for this woman and the heat that she was emanating that had nothing to do with the fire across the room.
She felt better than I imagined. I cupped her breasts, rubbing her nipples with my fingers. She bit her lip, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Look at me while you're fucking me."
Her cheeks flushed as her eyelids lifted once again. "You're a dirty talker."
I didn't think I was. But there was something about this situation that felt illicit, or maybe it was her.
I was a single dad. I shouldn't be lusting after a woman who could never be mine. Despite all the doubts and concerns, it felt right to be here with her. I wasn't going to analyze that. Not now. Not when she was giving me her body so sweetly.
Eve was just as into this as I was. She wanted to be with me. She didn't care about my history or that I was a grumpy asshole most of the time.
She tugged on my hair, the sting pulling me into the present. She lifted and lowered herself, her tits bouncing underneath her tank. I couldn't get enough of her. But I wanted to see her come. I wanted to see her give in to the pleasure I was giving her.
She was tightly wound on a normal day, and I wanted to help her feel good. I leaned forward, lifting her tank so that her perky breasts were exposed to the air. Her nipples hardened as I closed my mouth over one stiff peak.
Then I scraped my teeth over the sensitive skin. Her walls spasmed around my dick, pulling an orgasm from deep inside me.
She dropped her head to my shoulder, spasms racking her body, as pleasure engulfed me. I couldn't remember the last time I'd let go like this. That I'd forgotten about everything and put my needs first.
It was nice.
I held her close, not willing for her to move away.
Eventually, she reached for her sweater, and I adjusted her panties.
When she moved off my lap, I tied off the condom, disposing of it in a nearby trashcan, and pulled up my sweats.
Eve ran a hand through her hair. "That was—"
"I want to do it again." The endorphins were still running high, and I didn't want this to be a one-time thing. I was lost in the image of her riding my cock, her eyes glazed with desire.
She bit her lip. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"We're busy people. We don’t have time to find someone to fulfill our needs. We like each other; we're pretending to date. No one will think anything of it, and we can satisfy our desires."
She nodded. "I don't have time to date or meet someone. And that did feel good."
I ran a hand over her silky hair. "I want to see you come again on my cock."
Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "How can I say no to that?"
I smirked. "You can't."
She stood on shaky legs. "I should get home. It's late."
I stood, acting purely on instinct, pulling her toward me, then kissing her again. "I didn't get to taste you."
I had so many plans for her, visions of her on all fours on my bed while I thrust into her from behind, her spread out on my comforter while I feasted on her. Yeah, I wasn't close to being done with her.
She pulled back, her eyes searching my face. "I didn't expect this."
"Let's not analyze it." I didn't want to think about why I'd put us into this situation. All I knew was that it felt good, and I was going to enjoy it for now.
She sighed. "Yeah, okay."
I took her elbow, guiding her to the front door. I wasn't ready to let her go, but she couldn't stay, not with Sofia here. Next time, I'd invite her to my bed so that we could linger.