Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Maggie
On our last Christmas together during our senior year in high school, I wanted to do all the corny Christmas things together, and I drafted a holiday bucket list.
It included a Christmas walk downtown, hot cocoa by a fire, and a sleigh ride through the park.
We got to nearly everything but two and promised we’d finish the next time we spent Christmas together.
The last two to do?
Cutting down our own Christmas tree and waking up together on Christmas morning. We were too young to do either when in high school.
Yet now…
“It sounds like a perfect evening, doesn’t it? We can cut a small tree since you already have one. Maybe put it in your bedroom upstairs?” Garner suggested.
I nodded as a seed of doubt planted itself in the back of my head. Was he the same person he was before? I’m sure the last few years changed him. What if he wasn’t the same? What if I wasn’t?
But he already was a better kisser than I remembered, and so handsome, I couldn’t get enough. The need for him to be inside me was stronger than ever, stronger than I’d ever felt before, and I didn’t know how much longer I’d last before I tackled him and had my way with him, doubts or not.
For now, I cast my doubt aside and stood up. “I haven’t had much fun in a long time. Let’s do it.”
“Good.” Garner’s eyes darkened as he stood. It was as if his thoughts were on full display. Sexy, steamy thoughts turning my insides to mush and leaving my skin flushed.
“Wait here. I really need to change this time.” I shot him a sexy grin before spinning around and taking off for the stairs. When I flicked the lights on in my room, I beelined it for my closet and pulled open the sliding doors.
My clothes mocked me from their hangers. I didn’t know what to choose. Honestly, I wanted to strip naked and fall into bed with the guy but the right thing to do was to enjoy a night out.
In the end, I chose a skirt, fleece tights, a camisole top, and a sweater. I quickly dressed, styled my hair, and slipped on a touch of mascara and lip gloss. I slid on my furry boots and grabbed my warm, fluffy jacket along with my beanie hat and gloves.
As I walked down the stairs, Garner waited for me at the bottom, a grin playing on his lips when he took me in.
“So beautiful. I especially like the skirt.” He said he as he drank me in from head to toe, undressing me with his eyes.
I had slipped the ring off and tucked it inside its box, safe and secure and ready for Aidan to pick up.
It didn’t belong on my finger anymore. Aidan had found his love and mine had come back.
Our own Christmas wishes finally coming true.
“You took the ring off.” Garner said as he helped me into my jacket. While I put on my hat and gloves, he put on his own jacket, hat, and gloves.
“You noticed quickly.” I bit my bottom lip.
“Of course I did.” Garner wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tight against him. “You’re mine, Mags. No one else’s. The next and only ring that’ll be on your finger will be mine.”
Holy fuck.
My panties?
Destroyed.
Garner parked his truck downtown. The shops in Appleridge’s town center lit up with holiday lights.
Most were closed now, considering it was after eight o’clock on Christmas Eve.
But as per town tradition, they left their Christmas lights on, their window display lit up with a festive scene or decorations.
He wrapped his large hand around me, and we strolled along the downtown street, marveling at the displays and catching each other up on our lives.
“I went to every audition you could imagine, Mags. From comedy shows, to low budget horror films, I did what I could to get myself in front of anyone and everyone. I even went to parties I didn’t want to be at, took shots of some pretty nasty liquors, and even made a few gambling deals, which I ended up losing.
I couldn’t pay my bills half the time, living on Ramen and stealing my neighbor’s Wi-Fi so I could watch YouTube videos to pass the time.
So many times, I wanted to call you, hear your voice, but I didn’t want to hold you back.
I couldn’t let my crappy choices hold you back.
I knew you would flourish. And look, you did, you best-selling author. ”
My whole body heated. “Did you read any of them?”
“Maybe…” Garner teased, and I flushed with embarrassment. There were some pretty racy scenes in my books.
“I wondered where you got some ideas. But I think I know.” Garner smirked and there went my panties again. This man was too hot for his own good.
“Take it as a compliment.”
“Oh, sweet girl, I sure do. But more than that, I’m so proud of you. You went to school for what you wanted, and you’re a success. Are you still happy? Still satisfied with a career in writing?”
“More than I could’ve ever imagined. I wanted to stay in the city, near my publisher, living in my cute apartment.
But my parents needed me here. My older brother and sister have families now.
So, I gave up my life in the city, bought a cabin, and moved back home.
I looked for you, but no one had seen you since you left. ”
“Wow, Mags. You gave up all of that for your parents?”
“I did. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Besides, I was hoping and praying you’d come back, and we could raise a family here.”
Garner stopped in his tracks in front of a beautiful window display, a Christmas tree garnished with lights and ornaments lighting it up from the inside out.
He let go out of my arm and took my hands in his.
He walked us over to the door of the shop and pointed up.
That’s when I stopped the mistletoe above us.
We kissed and kissed there on the busy street, under the mistletoe, not caring who walked by or saw.
My somehow lonely life suddenly wasn’t so lonely anymore.
There was a coffee stand open, the booth decorated with wreaths and tinsel, lights and ornaments, and a full selection of different hot drinks. Garner ordered us both a hot cocoa and the warm drink helped chase the cold as we finished our walk.
As we had planned, we ended in front of the park and waited in line for the next horse-drawn sleigh ride. The snow had stopped, but the flakes started again, slow and lazy as they took their time falling to the ground.
When it was our turn, Garner lifted me onto the sleigh, and we cuddled underneath the fur blanket. Just like I remembered, the sleigh took us around the park. And just like last time, our arms linked, my leg resting over his as the snow fell around us.
Garner’s fingers tapped the inside of my thigh, and my body froze while igniting at the same time.
He moved his fingers up and down slowly, causing my breath to hitch in my throat.
Slowly, he walked them upwards towards my throbbing, aching center, but always stopping right before he reached where I needed him most.
I gasped as the sleigh took a turn and his fingers rubbed the outside of my panties, and a loud moan escaped my lips. I clamped a hand over my mouth as Garner chuckled, the sound so low and deep it vibrated through every part of me.
Moving my leg off his, I leaned in close, my hand dancing close to his lap, his hard dick unable to hide itself beneath his jeans.
“Take me home, Garner. Now.”