Chapter 9
W hen I wake up the next morning, Brooks has already left for the gym, and the sun is filtering through the curtains. He didn’t get back to the cottage until after I was already in bed, leaving me anxious that we haven’t had the chance to talk about what happened last night.
Tomorrow is Christmas, and while my mind should be on the final touches so thewedding goes off without a hitch, my thoughts are on Brooks.
I bury my face into my pillow, replaying our magical kiss beneath a canopy of mistletoe, something that’ll forever be etched into my memory. I swear I can still feel the whisper of his breath lingering against my skin, his hands cradling my face, and the quiet intensity in his eyes as if to say he’d been waiting for that moment as much as I had.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think Brooks Claus would look at me that way, especially after years of believing my crush on him would always be hopelessly one-sided.
In the past few days, I’ve glimpsed a side of him hidden from most. Behind his gruff exterior, he’s surprisingly attentive, considerate, and, dare I say, even sweet. Like when he adjusted the blanket during the sleigh ride to make sure I stayed warm.
My mind is a jumbled mess, so I text the one person who I can count on to say what I need to hear—or at least distract me enough to clear my head.
Lila: I might have done something I shouldn’t have done last night.
Fallon: Did you finally have sex with Brooks?
Lila: What? No.
Lila: He kissed me during a sleigh ride to Mistletoe Ridge.
Fallon: OMG. I knew it!
Fallon: How was it?
Lila: Magical.
Fallon: Girl, I’m totally catering your wedding.
Lila: Will you stop? Just because we kissed doesn’t mean it’ll lead to anything else.
Fallon: Oh, please. He’s totally smitten with you.
Lila: And you know this how?
Fallon: I have a sixth sense for these things.
Lila: We live on opposite sides of the country. It would never work.
Fallon: This could be the new adventure you’ve been waiting for, babe.
Lila: Maybe…
Fallon: I’m prepping to cater a dinner party tonight, but I’ll call you later for the full scoop k?
Lila: Have a great day!
I set my phone on the nightstand and lie back in bed.
Maybe Fallon is onto something with the whole new adventure concept, though it seems easier said than done. She’s definitely braver than me—when she decided she wanted a change, she spontaneously packed up her life in London and moved to the U.S. I don’t think I could make that kind of leap, especially not across the ocean.
Like me, my parents tend to stick close to home. Growing up, our vacations were mainly in Vermont, with the occasional visit to New Hampshire to see relatives and a class trip I took to New York City for graduation. It’s a cruel twist of fate that Brooks lives on the other side of the country. Why couldn’t he be in New England or even New York? Either would be far more reasonable than California.
I assumed that the temporary nature of his stay would serve as a reminder to temper my attraction, but it only makes it burn brighter.
Wanting to take the edge off, I slip out of bed and tiptoe to the bathroom. Winston is still asleep in his dog bed, so I leave the door slightly ajar in case he wakes up before I’m done.
After I open the glass door to the shower and turn it on, I strip out of my pajamas and step under the stream of hot water. I’m thrumming with need as I step under the spray, wound up like a spring and unable to wait any longer for my next release. I nibble on my lower lip, my gaze shifting to the door. The last thing I should be worried about is getting off, but this could be my only chance of being alone today.
One little orgasm can’t hurt, right?
With my mind made up, I take the shower head from its holder, setting the spray to a pulsing stream. Every breath is heavy with restless energy as I prop my right leg to rest on the tiled ledge of the shower and position the shower head between my legs. I close my eyes as the rapid pulses hit my core, and the spray echoes off the walls. A fantasy takes shape as the pressure builds.
Brooks and I are back in the sleigh. He kisses me with urgency like he’s been craving this for days. His focus is on my mouth, but I’m keenly aware of his hand sliding under the blanket. I gasp when he slips his hand inside my leggings, making me grateful that I wore something comfortable—and conveniently more accessible.
“What if the driver sees?” I whisper.
“Then he’d catch us cuddling, taking in the view.” He motions around us. “He’d be oblivious to the fact that my hand is buried inside your tight pussy.”
Without warning, he shoves his hand into my panties, and I let out a soundless gasp as he plunges two long fingers inside me.
I clutch the blanket digging my nails into the fabric, willing myself to keep quiet.
“You’re fucking drenched, baby.” He lowers his mouth to my ear. “Have you been a naughty girl thinking about all the dirty things you want me to do to you?”
I nod rapidly as my wanton expression meets his.
Brooks gives me another scorching kiss, one so intense it feels like he’s branding me as his.
He adds a third finger, pumping them in and out in measured strokes. My body coils tighter with each thrust, and when he finds my G-spot, I erupt, tumbling into orgasmic bliss. His mouth remains on mine, drowning out the sounds of my pleasure as I ride his hand.
I adjust the shower head to the high-pressure jet setting, and the water pulsates against my core.
My breath comes out in shallow gasps as the vivid scene plays out in my mind, and then another fantasy enters my thoughts, clear as day.
Brooks is in the shower, kneeling in front of me. His hands grip my thighs as he licks my pussy in long, steady strokes. A low groan passes my lips, and I wind my fingers in his hair to draw him closer as he sucks on my clit hard, igniting a fire inside me. He coaxes me to come using his tongue, and when he calls me his pretty girl, I soar into a state of ecstasy.
His heated gaze never leaves mine as he laps up the remnants of my pleasure.
When I’ve come back to my senses, he helps me stand and spins me around to face the wall.
I press my hands against the cool tile, hyper-aware of his hand on my hip, his fingers digging into my skin. His other hand guides his shaft inside me, causing me to whimper at the sensation of being so full. Once he’s fully seated, he moves his hand to my breasts, teasing my nipples.
My hands remain in place, and when I tip my head back, I find his unbridled expression as he impales me with his cock at a punishing pace.
“Oh, god, Brooks, please don’t stop,” I moan, reaching down to strum my clit with my free hand.
My eyes fly open when I feel a subtle chill in the air, looking over to find him standing in the bathroom doorway. He’s watching me with fire in his eyes, his gaze zoned in on my naked body.
Holy shit. He’s real.
I yank my hand from between my thighs, and the showerhead goes slack in my other hand, the water splashing against the tiles below.
Despite the steam and my lust-filled haze, I notice his hand palming his hard-on. My cheeks flush as he peruses me with a piercing glance like he’s proud of the effect he has on me.
The logical side of my brain insists I put a stop to this immediately and demand he leave, yet my visceral reaction is irrefutable. I’m wild with a hunger that I can’t ignore and the desire to see his unfiltered reaction as I fall apart before him overrides the final thread of reason I’m holding on to.
The way he looks at me like I’m the only thing he wants, gives me the confidence to trail my hand down my chest and trace my nipples with my fingertip. I then slowly move down to my navel, pausing briefly before getting to my core. When I aim the showerhead back at my pussy, Brooks’ jaw is clenched as he tugs down his sweats, taking out his rigid cock and strokes it. I gulp at the size, unsure how that could ever fit inside me.
If there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
I watch as he pumps himself faster, his hand gliding up and down his shaft in fluid movements.
“Show me how beautiful you are when you come,” He groans.
Under the weight of his relentless gaze, I strum my clit with fervor. My chest heaves, and my lips part on a guttural cry as my orgasm hits me like a freight train. Brooks murmurs my name like a prayer as he follows me over the edge.
I slump against the shower wall as I come down from my euphoria.
When the lustful haze subsides, I look through the steamy glass into the steely eyes of the man who unraveled me.
Brooks keeps his gaze fixed on me as he heads to the sink and washes himself off. Once he’s dried his cock, he tucks it back inside his boxers and pulls his pants back up.
“I just came back to grab my phone. I realized halfway to the gym that I forgot it, but this, ” he gestures toward me, “was a very pleasant surprise.” He tosses his towel into the hamper in the corner. “You’re going to be my ruin, Lila Monroe, and I’m not even sorry about it.” He smirks before leaving the bathroom.
Heat blooms in my cheeks, my thoughts reeling from the unexpected turn of events. I should be embarrassed, but more than anything, I can’t help but wish he had joined me in the shower to make my fantasies a reality.
After finishing my shower, I come out of the bathroom to find Winston sprawled out, batting his toy hippo across the floor without a care in the world.
“You couldn’t have barked to warn me that Brooks was here? I thought you didn’t like him,” I playfully scold. “You better be careful, Winn. It’s in your best interest to put a stop to whatever is happening between Brooks and me, or you might be resigned to sleeping in your dog bed indefinitely,” I tease.
Although I’d never allow Winston to sleep in his own bed long-term, there is a part of me that likes the idea of Brooks sticking around. I know it’s unrealistic since he has a career and has to get back to California after the wedding, but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about what could be, no matter how impossible it sounds.
Bored of his toy, Winston plants himself by the entryway, pawing at the door. When I take too long, he shoots me a pointed look, urging me to hurry up.
“I’m coming,” I promise, pulling on a hoodie and fleece-lined leggings.
He spins in a tight circle, letting out impatient yips while I put on my boots.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous about facing Brooks after what just occurred. I shake my head, wondering what in the world got into me. If any other man had walked in on me touching myself in the shower, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take a risk and act on my impulses.
Brooks is the exception.
I’ve always preferred to play it safe, seeking comfort in routine and stability, whether that’s missionary position in the bedroom or the quiet of my small town. In the past, flirting with concepts like moving across the country or starting my own event planning business has been a safe space—a way to feel daring without stepping outside my comfort zone.
The more time I spend with Brooks, the less daunting the idea of taking risks becomes, and the more exhilarating it sounds. It’s as if his presence has unlocked Pandora’s box, revealing a side of me that I’ve kept locked away for so long.
Whether he heads back to the west coast after Christmas or we explore something deeper, one thing is certain; there’s no returning to the safe, predictable version of myself.
When Winston and I get to the inn, I don’t expect to find Kay pacing the lobby. She’s muttering under her breath as she scrolls through her phone. For someone as calm and collected as she is, it’s obvious something has rattled her.
Brooks stands nearby, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, with my mom and Hannah beside him, their concern evident.
I glance over at Brooks but quickly avert my gaze when I feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between them and Kay.
Hannah shakes her head. “We’re not sure. When your mom and I got here, Kay was on the phone. She became agitated, and after she hung up, she started pacing, and she hasn’t stopped long enough for us to find out what’s wrong.”
I tentatively approach Kay, resting my hand on her shoulder.
She stops pacing and looks up from her phone. “What is it, dear?” she asks, her voice tight.
“What’s the matter?”
“Santa canceled,” she replies with a defeated sigh. “David is under the weather and isn’t able to make it tonight. I’ve reached out to several people, but no one else is available on such short notice.”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry to hear that.”
Every Christmas Eve, Kay hosts a special event at the inn where all the kids get to meet Santa and share their Christmas wishlist with him. It’s been a tradition for as long as I can remember, and it’s the highlight for so many families.
My mom used to bring Andrew and me when we were little, and back then, Brooks’ dad dressed as Santa. After he passed, Kay hired David, Starlight Pines police chief, to carry on the tradition, but it looks like this year, we might not have a Santa at all. My parents have plans with my aunt and uncle, who are in town for the wedding, or I’m sure my dad would do it in a heartbeat.
The idea of letting down all the kids coming tonight crushes me.
Kay taps her fingers against her lips, her gaze flitting to Brooks, who’s still standing silently by the wall, his face unreadable.
“I’ve got it,” she exclaims, clapping her hands together with a grin. “Brooks, you’ll be our Santa this year.”
He blinks in surprise, his shoulders stiffening. “You want me to do what?”
“To play Santa,” Kay repeats, her tone gentle but insistent.
“I’d rather not.”
“Don’t be such a grump,” she teases. “The kids are really looking forward to it. You wouldn’t want to let them down now, would you?”
“Grandma, I’d prefer to leave the costumes and holiday cheer to someone else.”
“What happened to the boy who used to check his stocking every morning, the week before Christmas, hoping Santa came early? You used to love the holidays, just like your dad. That holiday spirit is still in you; it’s merely waiting to be rediscovered.”
“I appreciate your concern, but a guilt trip won’t sway me,” Brooks says.
My eyes widen when Kay drops her cell phone, and it crashes to the floor. She puts a hand on her heart and stumbles backward. Her face scrunches in pain as she falls into the chair behind her, closing her eyes and leaning to the side.
Brooks rushes over to her, and I’m not far behind.
“Kay,” I shout, my voice rising in panic.
“Grandma. Are you okay?” Brooks says as he falls to his knees in front of her.
Kay places a hand on her chest. “Do you hear that,” she asks, and we stop and listen. “It’s the sound of my heart breaking. I could have another heart attack at any minute, and all I’ll remember is that my grandson’s last words to me were that he wouldn’t be Santa for Christmas.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, fighting back laughing at her antics. She’s the only person I know who would use her condition to guilt trip someone into doing what she wants.
Brooks rises to his feet. “Seriously, Grandma?”
Kay cracks an eye open and looks up at him. “I’m beginning to think you’re the real Grinch here, stealing Christmas from your poor old grandmother and the kids.”
Brooks runs a hand across his face. “What’s it going to take to guarantee you never do this again?” He motions to her dramatically slumped on the chair.
“Is that a yes to playing Santa?” Kay asks with a smirk. “Lila can assist. I’ve got an elf costume she can wear. It’s going to be perfect.” She sits up, clasping her hands together, her lips curling into an expectant smile as though she’s already anticipating what his answer will be.
He lets out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, but only if Lila agrees to join me.”
Wait. Join him for what?
My mouth falls open when it finally registers that Kay just volunteered me to play the part of the elf. The last thing Brooks and I need is to be in close proximity today. Not when the sexual tension between us is taut, stretched to its breaking point.
“Wait a minute,” I say to Kay. “I can’t be an elf. I promised Hannah we’d have our own bachelorette celebration tonight, complete with dinner, homemade cocktails, and a movie marathon since she didn’t get to have one.”
Maybe Brooks and I should hatch an escape plan together that doesn’t involve Kay faking another medical emergency. Although, considering I’m actively avoiding eye contact with him right now, that complicates things.
“That’s not important,” Hannah interjects with a dismissive wave. “You have to do this. The kids need you more than I do tonight.” She winks. “Andrew and I can manage our last night engaged with a cozy night in and some takeout.”
How am I supposed to argue with that?
“Well?” Kay asks, her gaze bouncing between Brooks and me. “Is that a yes? Is Christmas Eve saved?”
Brooks’ unreadable mask slips, looking at me with a smirk. “What do you say, Lila?”
I exhale dramatically, the corner of my mouth twitching upward. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
He tilts his head slightly, his mouth fading into a smile, and suddenly playing the elf to his Santa sounds far more appealing than it should.
“This is perfect!” Kay exclaims. “I’ll go get those costumes steamed so they’re ready for tonight.” She heads off in the direction of her room.
“Now that we have that settled, there’s something your mom and I want to show you,” Hannah chimes in.
“Okay.” I nod.
I give Brooks one last fleeting glance before following Hannah and my mom into Kay’s office, where there’s a white garment bag hanging from the coat rack in the corner.
I gasp, turning to Hannah. “Is this your wedding dress?”
She stumbled upon her dream dress at Starlight Pines’ only bridal boutique earlier this week, and luckily the staff was able to handle the minor alterations on short notice. She and my mom picked it up this morning and must have come straight to the inn afterward.
I’m confused when Hannah shakes her head. “No. This one is for you.” She motions to the bag. “Why don’t you look inside.”
My fingers tremble as I pull the zipper down to reveal a stunning red gown with a sweetheart neckline and intricate sequin detailing.
I gape at her in disbelief. “This doesn’t match your color scheme.”
I had planned on wearing a simple dark blue dress that I already owned. There’s an unspoken rule about never outshining the bride, and I can’t help but worry this gown would cross that line. Especially since it’s not her wedding colors.
Hannah gives my shoulder a squeeze. “You’re my maid of honor and deserve to wear a dress as stunning as this one. Your mom’s dress is also red, and it’ll look great with the guys’ silver ties. It’s my wedding day, and this is what I want you to wear,” she adds when I hesitate.
“Wait until you put it on. It was made for you,” my mom chimes in, giving my arm a light squeeze.
Tears well up in my eyes as I give them both hugs. “Thank you. I can’t wait to wear it.”
The holidays have a special way of bringing people together, and it’s one of the reasons I love them so much. And while Christmas weddings are my favorite, this one is extra special since I’ve had the opportunity to help Hannah create the winter wonderland she envisioned for her big day. I can only hope that someday I’ll be celebrating my own winter wedding at the inn.