9. Kayla
9
KAYLA
I come to consciousness slowly, feeling the kind of ache in my body that only comes with sex. Gabriel sleeps beside me, his hand on my leg as though it has every right to be there. He looks peaceful, his thick hair going in all directions. He sports a thicker scruff on his face than I’d felt last night.
I smile. He’s truly amazing. In between what felt like marathon rounds of sex, we’d talked and gotten to know a little more about each other, and there’s an odd feeling inside me that takes a moment to pinpoint: hope.
Is it crazy to feel hopeful about a man I just met? About a man who is closer to my daughter’s age than mine and who is just starting out in life?
Maybe. But I’ve spent decades doing things for other people, and for the first time in my life, I’m finally in a place where the only person I need to worry about—to take care of—is me.
Gabriel stirs, breathing in deep as he opens his beautiful maple eyes. He smiles. “Good morning, gorgeous.”
I smile back.
“Turn over,” he says.
I flip around so his front is to my back. He pulls me close, and I feel the thickness of his morning erection press against my bottom. I wiggle slowly as he kisses my neck and trails his fingers down to my pussy.
“So wet for me,” he whispers.
I swirl my hips, whimpering at the sudden need that’s coursing through me.
He turns away and I hear him open the condom, and in moments, bliss comes as he pushes inside. The angle is different and hits deep, causing me to cry out.
“Shh,” he soothes, his lips gentle against my ear even as his fingers grip tightly onto my hip. My head rests against his other bicep and he bends the arm, his hand pulling the hair away from my face. “Fall apart for me, Kayla,” he whispers. “One more time.”
I don’t want it to be the last time. The thought slams through me, and I turn my head and reach behind me, needing him close.
His lips find mine, sweet and hot, and as he thrusts into me, I think of what could be. It’s possible. Anything is possible. It’s Christmas, after all, and if there’s ever a time for miracles, it’s now.
“Gabriel,” I say.
“I’m here.”
My inner muscles begin to flutter, sending a sweet tightening through me. “I’m close,” I whisper.
“Together,” he says.
“Together.”
* * *
E ventually we manage to get dressed, and it turns out Gabriel owns more than red velvet hot pants. I throw on leggings and a sweater, and Gabriel pulls on a pair of jeans and sweatshirt. I go to open the door, but pause. I have no idea how Britanya and the other girls will react.
Stop it. I’m a grown woman.
Gabriel reaches for my hand and squeezes. “You okay?”
I nod and smile up at him, not at all surprised that he picked up on my hesitation. I shake the nerves off. “Yeah.”
“I can sneak out—” he starts.
“No way,” I cut him off. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
He grins. “Good. Because apparently the snowstorm has lifted and Axl has already taken off. I wasn’t looking forward to waiting on a ride share in the cold.”
I tip up on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Let’s go.”
We hold hands all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen, because if I’m doing this, I’m doing this.
All the girls are in the kitchen, and Britanya waves a spatula at me. “How do you want your eggs, Mom?”
Beside me, Gabriel doesn’t so much as flinch. Good boy . I smile at my daughter and say, “Over medium, please.”
Then she looks at Gabriel, fighting a smile. “Can you eat better than you can dance?”
The girls erupt into laughter, and Gabriel holds his hands up in defeat. “Look at it this way, ladies: I gave you a great story.”
Britanya looks between me and Gabriel and winks. “Doesn’t seem like the story’s over.”