Chapter 12
EVE
The cool air was refreshing after the heat we'd just shared. We'd gone from flirting to fucking in a matter of seconds, and I didn't regret it.
His words and hands ignited something within me that I didn't know existed. Together, we were combustible. I'd felt desired and sexy. It wasn't a feeling I wanted to let go of anytime soon.
I'd expected Maddox to make excuses or say that it could only happen once, but he'd immediately said he wanted it to happen again. Every time I relived those words, a tingle shot through my body.
At home, I stripped out of my clothes and pulled on an oversized T-shirt. I almost wanted to slip my hand between my legs again. Being with Maddox only made me want him more.
We'd started something that we wouldn't be able to stop easily. I wasn't ready to analyze why that was. Like he said, we were both busy people. We didn't have time to find someone to fulfill our desires. And if we were already attracted to each other, then we might as well do it together.
Maybe it was a physical attraction that would fizzle out, but I'd never felt this way with anyone else. Once I slipped under the covers, my phone buzzed.
Maddox: Are you home?
Eve: In bed.
Maddox: Do you sleep naked?
Eve: I'm wearing a T-shirt.
Maddox: Easy access. I like it.
Eve: But you're not here.
Maddox: I can't be.
Eve: I know.
It was kind of hot having this conversation about what I was wearing. It built anticipation for next time.
Maddox: Dream of me.
I wanted to.
Tomorrow, I needed to be on my A-game. I had to plan the parade with Natasha and ensure that everything went off without a hitch.
I couldn't be distracted, thinking about how hot the sex was and how much I wanted to go for another ride on Maddox's dick.
So I turned my phone on silent and flipped it over on my nightstand. I wouldn't text him all night or run through what just happened in my head.
I couldn't resist reliving the hottest sexual experience of my life. One time would never be enough. He'd sparked something inside me that wouldn't be easily smothered.
It figured a firefighter would be steaming hot. I just hoped I'd be able to handle this arrangement without losing my heart.
At the end of the day, he was a widower and a single dad. He didn't want a relationship. He might still be hung up on his dead wife. And even if he wasn't, he had Sofia to consider. There was no way she'd be open to another woman taking the place of her mother.
The next morning, I woke up with a jolt to my phone alarm. I turned it off, texting Natasha to get up. After she responded that she was awake, I forced myself to get out of bed and into the shower. Today was planning day, and I shouldn't be thinking about anything else.
In the shower, my mind wandered to what had happened last night. It had a dreamlike quality to it because it was in the middle of the night. I couldn't believe that I'd driven over there to have sex with him.
What did that say about me? That I was a woman who went after what she wanted? My body hummed with desire. I wanted to take care of the ache, but I didn't have time today.
I needed to focus on the parade and everything that had to be done. Natasha was counting on me.
We were supposed to meet in her office at the inn, so I dressed for work and grabbed coffee and Danish at Coffee Dreams before heading over.
We were in for a long day, so I set everything on the desk and opened my tablet, waiting for Natasha to come down. I didn't want to think about whether she was in her room with Ford.
I wasn't sure it was a good idea for her to hook up with her ex, but I didn't have any room to judge. I'd had sex with someone I wasn't even dating. At the moment, I was not the poster child for mature relationships.
When Natasha arrived, we got to work, hashing out the details of how everything would go.
I'd created a list of plans for parking, parade order, the stands, and even the competition at the grandstand.
I paid extra attention to the ease of visitors and shoppers throughout the area for the entire day.
I didn't want people to feel like they couldn't slip into a shop or grab a drink or something to eat. It was all about showcasing the town, not necessarily the parade. The parade was something fun, icing on the cake, but it wasn't the thing I wanted visitors to focus on.
"I placed the fire trucks toward the beginning of the parade in case they get a call," I said by way of explanation.
"That makes sense," Natasha said.
We were just going through the list a second time when Ford popped his head inside the door.
Natasha smiled at him. "Where are you going?"
He must have stayed overnight.
"I thought I'd tile my bathroom today."
"That sounds nice," Natasha said.
Ford straightened. "Let me know if you need any help."
Natasha looked at me. "I think we have everything covered, but thanks for offering."
He left, and we got back to work.
I wasn't comfortable questioning her about what was going on when my own personal life was a mess. I didn't want her asking me questions. It would come out soon enough when Maddox and I were seen around town together.
We ended up ordering dinner in and working late. By the time I went back to the cottage, I was exhausted from being up late last night and staring at my screen all day.
Maddox: I'm assuming you can't come over tonight. Big parade tomorrow and all.
Eve: I need to get some sleep for tomorrow.
Maddox: But tomorrow night...
Eve: I'm all yours.
My body heated just thinking about another round with Maddox.
I liked that he'd texted me. It proved he wasn't playing games.
He was telling me what he wanted. It should have felt refreshing.
But there was a part of me that hoped this was something more.
That there was a place for me in Maddox's and Sofia's lives. But that was ridiculous.
In the morning, I was up early, showered, and bundled up for a day outside. I ensured the parking attendants we hired had the map for the parking lot and knew how they were supposed to be directing traffic.
I confirmed that the roads were blocked off where they were supposed to be and that the stands were set up in the right place.
When Natasha arrived, I sent her to the lot behind the inn to line up the participants and keep an eye on the parking situation. I didn't want to give shop owners any reason to doubt me in the future. I had to prove that I could run an event like this smoothly with no repercussions.
Adrenaline coursed through my body when I told Natasha to tell the first band to step off. I let out a breath when I heard the beat of the drums and the horns coming down the street. Cheers erupted from the crowd waiting on the sidewalk when the uniformed kids appeared.
It was going to be fine. There wouldn't be any mishaps. At least nothing I couldn't handle.
Each group paused at the grandstand and faced the judges, who were really just members of the community. After the performances were finished, I directed groups to continue marching to the end of the route.
After the third group, I got a panicked message from town hall that Ford hadn't shown up to run the toy drive. There was potential for a lot of drop-offs today, and I wanted someone I trusted to be in charge of the event.
The fire trucks were next with Santa on the second one. Maddox sat on top, throwing mini candy canes to the crowd. The candy skidded across the pavement as a hoard of kids clamored to grab as many as they could hold, then hurried back to their spots on the sidewalk.
I told one of the judges that I needed to check on something at town hall and would be right back.
At the end of the route, the fire trucks parked, and I waited for Maddox to step down. We were off to the side, so kids weren't rushing him yet.
He tugged the beard down. "How was it?"
I smiled, remembering the cheers of the kids as the trucks went by. "You make a convincing Santa."
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."
I bet it was easier because his job was to throw candy, not talk to each kid about what they wanted for Christmas. "I have a bit of a situation, and I was hoping you could help."
Steve stood next to him.
"Ford was supposed to be in charge of the toy drive. We're getting a lot of donations, and we need someone to take the items and stack them in the main room by the tree. Right now, people are piling them outside the door."
"You want us to help?" Maddox asked.
I let out a breath. "That would be amazing but only if you have the time."
"I'll clear it with the chief, but we aren't on duty. A few of us can stick around while the rest take the trucks back to the station."
"I can't thank you enough. I'll text you a code to the door. However long you could stay would be helpful."
"Is there anything else we need to do?"
"Snap a few pictures of the donations for social media? I can't think of anything else. We mainly just need people there to receive the donations and to thank the donors for participating."
"Sounds easy enough. I'll let the guys know." Steve walked over to the rest of the crew.
"I need to get back to the grandstand and make sure everything else is running smoothly." The panic I felt when I first received the call that town hall wasn't open receded, leaving me feeling a little shaky.
Maddox stood in his Santa suit. "You think I should keep this on?"
I smiled. "It wouldn't be a bad idea. The kids will love it."
He hauled me against the belly of his costume and growled, "You're going to owe me for this."
I grinned. "Somehow I think that will be enjoyable."
Maddox's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Sofia's watching the parade with my parents. I'll tell them where I am."
"Thanks for this, Maddox. I really appreciate the help."
"Of course."
I pulled away from him, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. My plan to work closely with local fire department was becoming reality.
The initial deal was to help Maddox get the promotion, but I was getting to know him as part of our deal too.
I might have been a little out of my element, mixing a relationship with work. And I should have slowed down to consider how my relationship with Maddox might be a problem. But I felt too good to consider the possibilities. Besides, I had a parade to manage.
I walked quickly back to my place at the grandstand, letting out a relieved breath that things appeared to be running smoothly.
When Maddox got to the town hall, he texted me a video of the guys carrying the packages inside. The guys wore their department issued T's and cargo pants, their muscles bulging as they carried boxes.
I quickly saved the video, edited it, and shared it on Christmas Town's social-media page, reminding everyone that they could drop off donations today and receive a coupon to shop at the stores in town.
I hoped we'd get a lot of donations. I wanted the toy drive to be a success.
The fact that the fire department was involved was a bonus.
It added legitimacy to our cause. Later, Maddox sent images of toys filling the space, and an unknown number—I thought it might have been Steve—sent an image of Maddox in his Santa suit talking to a little boy.
My heart contracted in my chest. I liked seeing Maddox embrace his role in the community. Hopefully, he'd see that it was fun getting involved and talking to everyone. Satisfied that the toy drive was properly managed, I refocused on the parade itself.
There hadn't been any major mishaps beyond Ford not showing up for the toy drive.
I watched the group of dancers twirl their batons into the air and dance around to fast-tempo music.
Natasha appeared. "You need my help?"
"I think everything's under control. We're almost done."
The music ended, and the girls got into formation to continue along the parade route. The groups that had already performed were weaving their way through the crowd of spectators, searching for their family and friends.
The mood was jubilant, and I was pleased to see people holding hot chocolates and roasted nuts they'd purchased from street vendors.
When the last group performed, I moved toward the podium.
"Thanks to everyone who came today. The judges will add up the totals and announce the winner shortly.
In the meantime, you are free to enjoy what our little town has to offer.
Get a head start on your holiday shopping and support small businesses. "
The crowd cheered, and I was relieved that the hardest part of the day was over. I made my way back to Natasha. "What happened to Ford?"
Natasha shrugged. "I haven't talked to him since he left yesterday to work on his bathroom."
I didn't like the sound of that. "You think he got hurt?"
Natasha looked away. "His parents would have said something if he did."
I scanned the area to search for their familiar faces, but it was crowded. "Oh? Did you see them?"
"Yeah, right before I found you."
"You didn't ask where Ford was?"
"It was kind of chaotic. The crowd was loud, and we were shouting at each other. It wasn't a good time."
I refocused on Natasha. "Are you okay?"
She straightened her shoulders. "I will be."
I sighed. "You're writing him off, aren't you? You're putting up all those walls again, the ones you've always had."
"What other choice do I have? He's not here. He let me down. There's no coming back from that."
My stomach dropped. I hated that Ford was letting her down again. She was so crushed after they broke up when she went away to college. "He could have a good explanation for not being here."
"Then why not tell me what it is? Why leave me hanging? I feel like I'm back in high school again, waiting for a boy to call me and realizing that he never will."
I pursed my lips. "This isn't high school, and you aren't kids anymore. I'm sure Ford will tell you what's going on as soon as he's able."
Natasha was stubborn, and I was worried that any hope of those two getting back together was snuffed out. Ford better have a good reason for standing up my sister.