Chapter 8
I shattered.
“Oh my God!”
Stars burst behind my eyes. My whole body clenched around him.
He roared my name and came hard, pulsing deep inside me.
We collapsed sideways. Still joined.
He stayed inside me a long time. Kissing my shoulder. My neck.
Eventually he slipped out. Pulled me against his chest.
The TV flickered in the corner—A Christmas Story on low. Ralphie in his bunny suit.
Garner’s breathing evened out. Soft snores.
I traced the muscles of his arm. His chest. The scar on his ribs from senior year when he wiped out on his skateboard showing off for me.
He’d left. Chased the dream. It hadn’t worked.
But he came back.
And this time he was staying.
My parents had always liked him. Loved him, really. They’d been gutted when we broke up. Mom cried harder than I did the day he left.
I’d tell them tomorrow. Christmas morning.
Garner’s back. For good this time.
The thought made my chest tight in the best way.
He mumbled my name again in his sleep. Shifted closer, arm tightening around my waist.
I smiled in the dark.
Still hard under the sheet.
I rubbed against him lightly. Just enough.
He groaned but didn’t wake.
I waited until his breathing slowed again.
Then I slid down the bed.
Tugged the sheet off.
Took him in my mouth slow and deep.
He woke with a gasp.
“Holy shit.” His voice rough with sleep. “If this isn’t the best way to wake up, I don’t know what is.”
I hummed around him. Took him deeper.
His hands found my hair. Gentle this time.
I crawled up his body. Straddled him.
Sank down slow.
We both moaned.
I rode him steady. Hands on his chest. Watching his face.
His thumbs brushed my nipples. Then gripped my hips.
Helping me move.
Faster.
Harder.
I leaned down. Kissed him deep.
He thrust up to meet me.
We came together—shattering, perfect.
I collapsed on his chest.
He wrapped his arms around me tight.
Outside, snow kept falling.
Inside, we were finally home.