Chapter 30
Ellie
The big day is here. I’m so nervous I’m going to wear myself out before the festival can get underway. I take a deep breath and try to collect myself. I’ve planned for this for months and have everything I need.
You can do this, Ellie Albright. The Best on the Beach prize is already yours!
“I’m here reporting for duty,” Jo says.
I start to thank him when I notice Ms. Fletcher standing to his right. Just repaying a favor, my ass. I just bet something’s going on with these two. “Okay, so I’ve been cooking like a madwoman for the last forty-eight hours to prep for this. I’ve divided the trays of chicken and sides into batches. So if I start to run low, I may need you to hightail it back to Salty Jo’s to get more.”
“We’ve got you one better,” Jo says. “The Sugar Plum Inn has offered to store your food, and it’s right around the corner. So I’ll bring everything you have left at the station and deliver it there.”
“Oh, that’s fantastic.” I clap.
“Oh, you look adorable, Ellie,” Ms. Fletcher says.
I went all out for this. I pulled out a red and white gingham dress that falls mid-thigh and flares out from my hips. I used to wear it during the Christmas season when I wanted to feel a little more festive at work. I have on dangly candy cane earrings, and my long hair is tied in two braids that fall down my chest. If Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz had a baby, I’d be it. Hopefully, no one notices my shoes. While the shiny red numbers Dorothy wore would’ve been perfect, I have on white Converse sneakers because, hells bells, I’m going to be on my feet all day.
“Thank you. I just want everything to go well today.”
“It will, Ellie. You deserve this. Don’t you think otherwise,” Jo says.
I give him a grateful smile and set to work getting things in order for the day.
Other than the fact my help keeps disappearing, I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Okay, I still wish Matthew was here to help me. But I digress. My wandering assistants shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Jo and Ms. Fletcher are social butterflies who know everyone in this town, so there’s no keeping them still for long. And Charlene might as well have worn a Miss Christmas sash the way she’s pranced around greeting people all day. But customers have been kind, despite the wait.
The line has stayed long since eleven this morning. While some patrons come for the watermelon slices shaped like Christmas trees and the candy cane mint tea, most visit to sample the best chicken on the beach. I’ve noticed more than a few return customers today.
“We’re nearly out of your macaroni and cheese, Ellie,” Ms. Fletcher says.
“Last I looked, you may be down to chicken tenders soon too,” Jo adds.
“For real? That was a lot of food.” I’m shocked. I’d fully expected to stop by the park near the bridge, where many of the island’s homeless gather, to drop off the excess. Doesn’t sound like there will be anything to donate.
“Well, that was the plan, right? Make a lot, sell a lot?” Jo chuckles.
I beam at him. “You’re right. I’ve just been so busy I didn’t realize how well it was going.” Swiping my arm across my brow, I turn to greet the next customer and freeze.
While there’s still a long line of people waiting patiently in front of me, swaying arm in arm to corny Christmas classics piped through overhead speakers, a tall, dark-haired, tatted man standing at the end of the line has my complete attention. He’s wearing cargo shorts, a white polo, and holding a dozen roses. Once he realizes I’ve spotted him, a megawatt smile appears beneath his thick beard, causing my heart to skip.
“Jo?”
“Yeah?”
“Could you take over here for just a sec?”
“Sure, what do you─”
I dart out the side door of my booth, wiping my hands on my apron. Taking a fortifying breath, I slowly walk in his direction until I can’t contain myself any longer and make a mad dash for him like my hair’s on fire.
As if his smile can get any bigger, I leap into his arms, feeling it radiate straight to my bones. Matthew holds me tightly against him as I dip my head to receive a kiss worthy of the ending of a Christmas Hallmark movie. Tears are tumbling down my face, but I can’t pull my mouth away. I never imagined this day could get any better. “You came back.”
“I’ll always come back for you, Ellie.”
I can faintly hear the people in line behind me oohing and aahing over the clapping and whistles. Matthew walks us to my booth, carrying me with my legs wrapped around his waist, one hand holding the roses that are tickling my backside, and his other hand firmly gripping my left ass cheek when he abruptly stops.
I look to see what has his attention when he gives it away. “Hellooo, Jennifer.” He enunciates the o in a goading tone that makes me smile wider still. Ms. Jennifer Jones Hamilton herself stands speechless, mouth agape, as she watches the high school soccer star, her ex-boyfriend, slumming it with none other than me.
Her face turns as red as the Christmas décor hanging on every stall just before she blurts, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding!”
Matt moves closer to where she’s standing. Dropping his voice low, he responds, “Oh, there’s going to be plenty of fucking. No kidding.”
Before he can walk away, I lean in her direction. “Oh, and Jennifer,” I whisper, “he’s the one who gives good head.”
Her eyes widen, and Matthew throws his head back in laughter.
“You know it, baby. Now let’s finish up here so I can have dessert.”
He resumes walking as we both fall into hysterics. Entering my stall, Ms. Fletcher is beaming, her hands steepled together, watching us, while Jo gives me a knowing grin. Matt drops me to my feet and gives my ass a swat. “Now get to work. Someone has a prize to win!”
An almost perfect day comes to an end, and I should be exhausted, yet I’m on cloud nine. I wish I could say it was because I took home Best on the Beach. But, alas, I came in second place to the Fruitcake Flingers. I’d been too busy to meander the different booths of the festival. But Charlene had warned me they could edge out a win.
The Fruitcake Flingers had a line a mile long all day, with customers paying five bucks for the chance to win an overstuffed snowman if they hit the target by catapulting a block of fruitcake from a slingshot. The snowman looked as if it was made of sand, but it was a cheap stuffed animal. Their overhead was minimal, and the fun of hurling fruitcake in the air was more attractive than the prize. It was genius.
But second prize was nothing to sneeze at. It was ten thousand dollars. That, combined with the earnings of the day, and I’d still have enough to at least consider a move. I’d have to do the math to be sure, but it was more money than this girl had ever amassed, and I was making the most of it.
While I might’ve been the runner-up at the festival, I’d won first prize in the dating world. I couldn’t have dreamed Matthew would come back for me. To visit his mother, sure. But this grand gesture was all about me.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he lifted our entwined hands to his mouth and placed a kiss to my knuckles as we drove down the main beach road.
“Wait? Where are we going? My house is that way.”
“I know. I dropped my mother’s night nurse at your place on the way to the festival.”
“How’d you manage that?”
He chuckles. “It wasn’t easy. She doesn’t usually work weekends, but for triple her regular rate, she was all in.”
“Matt─”
“Don’t say it. Harrison gave us the beach house for the weekend. It’s going to be worth every penny.” He winks. “I know you’ve got to be exhausted, but I plan to keep you up all night. We can sleep tomorrow.”
My thighs clench at his words. I try to act coy, but I probably look like a rabid animal right now.
“Here it is,” Matt says as he turns into a stamped concrete drive alongside a gorgeous three-story oceanfront home. He hits a button on his visor, and the garage door opens. Before I can say a word, he’s jumped out of the driver’s seat and is making his way to me.
“It’s breathtaking, Matt.”
“You’re breathtaking.” He reaches for me, lifting me and the roses I’m clutching into his arms as if I weigh nothing. I guess it’s the perk of dating a firefighter. He opens the door leading into the home, and I barely see a thing beyond the glass doors facing the water due to his pace.
“What’s your hurry?” I joke.
Matthew stops dead in his tracks. “I’ve waited ten years for this. It’s a house. I’ll give you the tour tomorrow. But I need you naked.”
“Can I at least have a shower?” It’s been a long, hot, and steamy day. And I don’t want to finally sleep with this man only to smell like Colonel Sanders.
“Only if I can join you.”
Matthew walks down the hallway to what appears to be a guest room and drops me onto my feet. Reaching for the roses, he places them in a vase of water sitting on the bedside table. Jeez. He thought of everything. “Can I undress you?” His voice sounds less confident all of a sudden. He’s honestly the sweetest man. He’s never been overly assertive. Well, except for when he was between my legs.
“Yes.” I smile up at him. Somebody pinch me.
He places his hands on my back, feeling for the zipper of my dress, and slowly pulls it down. Once the back is open, I curl my shoulders forward, allowing the garment to tumble to my feet. Matthew lets out a heady groan and takes a few steps back. “Sweet Jesus, Ellie.” His eyes roam from my head to my toes, lingering a few places in between. He squats to remove my shoes before sitting up to place a kiss above the hem of my plain, white cotton panties. Standing to his full height, he curls his arms around me and unsnaps my strapless white bra before sliding his thumbs into the sides of my panties, lowering them to the floor.
I’m nervous. I feel incredibly exposed like this, with him still fully dressed. But his actions make me feel desired. He could’ve just pulled my skirt up and went at it. Yet this is so much more.
Matt takes a step back, taking me in, and I try to calm my shaky limbs. “God damn, my girl is pretty.” He rubs his erection with the palm of one hand while reaching behind him to pull his shirt over his neck with the other. His toned, inked pecs and abs are on full display. My nerves start to calm, having something to focus on besides myself.
He looks deep into my eyes as he unsnaps his shorts, sliding the zipper down dramatically as if announcing the best night of my life has officially begun. Heck, what was I saying about my nerves? His heavy cock springs free as he lowers his pants, and I have to force myself to breathe. Walking over, he grabs my hand in his and leads me into the attached bathroom. I can’t help but gawk at his muscular ass as he leans into the shower to start the water.
“Ellie. This is going to have to be a quick shower, baby.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want the first time I’m inside you to be anywhere other than a bed. And I already have to picture your damn pig in here with us to keep from losing it.”
I giggle as I follow him into the warm spray. Lifting my hands to the end of one of my braids, Matt interrupts.
“Let me.” He unfurls one braid and then the other before dragging his fingertips through the curly tresses. His touch is tender and sweet. He shampoos my hair before lathering my body. My hands tremble when it’s my turn to do the same. Once we’re both free of suds, he pulls me into his arms for a moment, trailing his hands down my back. It’s as if he’s trying to tell me something. This is so much more than sex. At least, I hope that’s what he’s saying.
We towel off, and he takes my hand, leading me to the bed. I’m more excited than nervous but hope the uncontrolled quaking won’t be a turn-off. Matt encourages me to lie on the bed and bends to fish a condom from his shorts before joining me. He trails his fingers from my collarbone to my breast and down my belly before he stops.
“I’m really glad we didn’t sleep together before I left.”
What? How do I respond to that?
“I didn’t want to have my head clouded by sex. I’m glad I knew what I needed was you. I love you, Ellie. I know it’s probably too soon─”
I should simply absorb his beautiful words, but the need to kiss him in this moment is like Pops needing oxygen to breathe. I’m so in love with him. This beautiful, kind, loving man.
Our kiss turns frantic; his mouth is everywhere. He trails kisses from my throat down my body. He stops to tease my nipples while running his fingers between my thighs. Suddenly, he’s on his knees, pushing my legs apart. I feel the familiar tickle of his beard against my sensitive skin before his magical tongue teases my opening.
“Oh, how I’ve missed this sweet pussy.” Matt continues to devour me like a man starved. He clamps his mouth around my clit as he inserts a muscular finger. After several glides in and out, he curls it forward, and it sends me to the moon.
I stare, blinking at the ceiling, my breathing gradually slowing as he climbs over me. “You okay, El?”
“Uh-huh,” I pant. The power of that orgasm and the full day working in the sun is making my body feel as if this bed is quicksand.
He licks his fingers in a dramatic fashion. “Finger licking good.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I can barely push the words out.
“Stay with me, beautiful. I want to fuck my girl.”
All right, that has me feeling more alert.
“Roll over for me, Ellie.”
Doing as he asks, I turn onto my stomach before Matt pulls my hips up so that I’m on all fours. After a few moments, I get nervous. Is he putting the condom on? He can’t be, as both hands are on my hips. What’s taking so long? Looking over my shoulder, I find him just looking at me.
“I need a moment of silence to appreciate this ass.”
“Oh, good grief.” I giggle.
Suddenly, he has my hair wrapped around his fist, and my head pulled to one side as he looms over my ear. “I need you to stay facing forward until I tell you, or this is going to end too fast. I need one more from you before I’m ready to come.”
Electricity rolls through me at his commanding words. He’s never been this way with me before. And I love it.
In one motion, he slams into me, and I have to dig my fingers into the sheets to stay upright. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time, and he’s bigger than average. The combination causes a slight burn as I’m stretched around him.
“Jesus. I’ve never felt anything so good in my whole damn life,” he groans. With my hair still tightly in his fist, he runs the other hand down my spine before striking it forcefully against my right ass cheek.
The shock of the pleasant sensation causes me to clench down on him, and he moans. A few more swats against my ass, and he’s starting to come undone. But so am I.
He changes his position slightly, one hand in my hair, the other wrapped around my throat as he bucks wildly into me. I’ve never had any man use my body in this way. Knowing he loves me and is enjoying our connection without holding back is doing something to me.
“I’m so close, Ellie. If you’re not, I need you to play with that sweet pussy for me.”
“I’m right there.”
His speed picks up. The sounds of the bed slamming into the wall start to overtake those of his skin slapping mine. His hand moves from my throat down to my clit. He doesn’t tease but simply lays his fingers over the sensitive area as he repeatedly rams into me.
“Oh, Matt,” I moan.
“Fuck, yeah,” he grunts. “I can feel you. Look at me, baby.”
It takes every ounce of focus to look over my shoulder and open my eyes as my body convulses around him. But the rapture on his face is worth it. I’ll never forget the way he looks right now. Matt stills inside me, and I swear I can feel him pulsating. Every sensation with him is beyond my wildest fantasies. And Lord knows I’ve had plenty of those.
I collapse in a heap, my hair a wet, tangled mess about my face. I’m sure my skin is a deep scarlet after that. It doesn’t take much exertion for me to look like a tomato.
Matt returns to bed after discarding the condom and washing up. He swipes his fingers through my unruly hair until he can find my nearly unconscious face. “Too much?”
“You or what we just did?”
“Both.”
“No,” I splutter. “You’re perfect.” Deep breath. “It’s all perfect.”
He leans in, kissing me on the corner of my mouth. “I don’t know how this is going to work. We can talk tomorrow. But I’m all in, Ellie. My fire department calendar is a permanent, rotating schedule that gives me a ten-day break every three weeks.” He’s clearly in much better shape than I am. I couldn’t complete more than a five-word sentence. “It’s going to be tough in between, but I’ll come home on my─”
“I love you.”
“You do?” There is a mix of relief and wonderment in his voice. How could he not know?
“I’m so in love with you, Matthew Hightower.” There. Eight words. I got out eight words before surrendering to sleep.