Chapter 11
Kennedy
“Jack, I think your vehicle is the only one that can fit all of us comfortably,” Gran declared as Jack finished helping me into my coat. My heart melted a little more. The last man to help me into my coat was Grandad before he passed. It really was about the small things.
“What about your Bronco?” Harrison asked.
“I traded it last year for a little MINI Cooper. It’s super cute and zippy but will not fit four grown adults comfortably,” Gran replied.
“What? I didn’t see it when I arrived,” Harrison huffed.
“Then you didn’t look in the garage,” Gran snapped.
Jack took my elbow, and we walked past a sulking Harrison.
“I don’t know what the big deal is, Happy. A car is a car, and I would rather not have to fold myself into the back of Gran’s or yours. Jack’s Jeep is the smartest option.” I rolled my eyes. “Quit being a baby and let’s go.”
Harrison grumbled behind us, but I heard the rustle of his coat and the stomp of his footsteps a few seconds later.
Everyone climbed into Jack’s Jeep. I offered Gran the front seat, but she refused, insisting she was fine sitting in the back with Harrison.
That left me in the front next to Jack. My heartbeat increased rapidly at his nearness.
I needed to distance myself from him at dinner.
Things were moving too fast. He would be going back to Connecticut the day after tomorrow, and I’d be moving back to Norina.
Was this whole thing just a convenience of proximity?
We were both in the same house, and yes there was attraction, but was it enough to be more than a Christmas fling?
He was this big-time author while I still struggled to get past writing fluff pieces for the entertainment section in either of the publications I worked for.
The lead I had had great potential for a mind-blowing story, but it would take time to investigate.
There were women who were way more attractive and successful than I was even at the lodge we were driving to.
I grasped my hands in my lap as I waged an internal war with myself.
Harrison’s voice broke through my internal dialogue. “Kennedy, you remember that, don’t you?”
I blinked a couple of times and turned my head toward the back seat. “Remember what?”
“Haven’t you been listening?” Harrison rolled his eyes. “Always in her own little world. I was telling Jack about when you hit the table with the champagne tower, and they all crashed.” He laughed.
I chuckled as the memory brought me out of my funk. “I remember that a bit differently, dear brother. I believe you were trying to hide behind it to kiss the butcher’s daughter and pushed her into the table.”
“Oh, Hare, couldn’t wait to find a dark corner, could ya?” Jack teased.
Harrison crossed his arms and sat back. “Whatever. That’s not what I remember.”
“You’re going to want to turn at the next stop sign. The lodge is at the end.” I pointed as I gave directions.
We were greeted as soon as we walked in.
The room was decorated to the nines with silver-and-blue lights, garland, and a grouping of Christmas trees in each corner with a different theme.
The scents of coffee and baked goods permeated the air.
I smiled when I recognized the set Dixie had decorated, all coffee and bakery-goodness decorations, along with.
.. I had to squint, and I laughed when I verified it was a coffee bean garland.
“I’ll be back,” Harrison said as he straightened his shirt and walked toward Dixie.
“Am I missing something?” I looked at Gran and Jack.
Jack tucked his hands in his front pockets. “I think Harrison has a crush on the coffee shop owner.”
Gran shook her head. “She’ll eat him up and spit him out before he can blink an eye.”
Cocktail hour ended, and we made our way toward our table. Harrison had been chatting Dixie up the entire time. I waved at him to join us, and he raised a finger at me. That little shit. I watched as Dixie said something that had Harrison hanging his head. Hers fell back as she laughed.
“Wonder what she finds so funny,” Jack said.
I grinned. “I’ll bet you a hundred bucks that it was a rejection of his advances.”
Harrison joined us, and we spent the rest of dinner reliving memories of Christmases past. Every time Jack found something funny, his laugh sent tingles through my belly. I really needed to get a hold of my reactions and emotions.
Gran and Harrison continued to drink all through dinner and dessert. I had cut myself off after my second glass of wine, and Jack only had one beer. We both switched to coffee after that, along with water.
I was so stuffed, if I stayed any longer, I might burst out of my dress. “I think it’s time we head home.”
“Wait!” Harrison stood on wobbly legs and went to Dixie’s table.
Jack leaned to my side and whispered, “I believe he’s had a few too many.”
“Gran too,” I whispered back.
She giggled and turned her glossy eyes our way. “I think you’re right, sweetheart.”
Jack got our coats, and I went and pulled Harrison away from Dixie, who mouthed thank you to me.
Once we had them settled into the Jeep, Jack and I climbed into the front. Jack started the engine while I rubbed my arms, trying to get warm until his heat kicked in.
“Kennedy, why did you do that? I was talking with Dixie. I think she likes me. I was about to take her away from the crowd to reschedule our date.” Harrison’s words were running together.
Jack snorted and peered around before backing out of the parking spot. “Sure, ask her out again, then what? We all go back home the day after tomorrow.” His words felt like a pail of ice water had been dumped over my head.
“There’s not a damn thing wrong with a one-night stand,” Gran said.
“Back when I was touring with the hottest burlesque show in the country, I had a string of one-night lovers across the states. I’m not ashamed of any of it.
One of my most memorable was Pat from Pittsburgh.
That night I had more orgasms than any other lover had ever given me. ”
“Aww, Gran,” we groaned in unison. I did not need to hear how great Pat had been with his mouth or his dick.
“It really does take another woman to know exactly what you want and need. It was a beautiful night—and the only time I fell asleep from orgasmic exhaustion.”
My eyes bugged at the realization I’d assumed Pat was a male.
I shook my head, not even wanting to touch on that subject.
Gran didn’t look progressive for her generation, but I guessed I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I was proud of the woman she was and how she judged no one, but I didn’t want to imagine her having sex with anyone. The mere thought made me cringe.
When we arrived back at the house, I helped Gran inside and to her room, where she assured me she could get herself ready for bed.
Jack helped Harrison upstairs and into his room.
I wasn’t quite ready for bed myself. I took my heels off with an exhale of relief.
Grabbing the half bottle of Voga from the fridge and a glass, I prepared to settle onto the couch to admire the tree all lit up.
I filled my glass and scooted back into a corner, so I could put my feet up as well.
I was halfway done with my glass and had decided that Gran was right. A one-night stand wasn’t a bad thing.
Jack came down the stairs in flannel pants and a T-shirt and stopped when he saw me on the couch. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, nodding toward my wine glass.
“Nope, grab a glass. I’ve got the bottle.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. I loved it when he smiled, even just a half smirk, because it lit up his face, chased away stress and worry, and brought forth a more relaxed and flirty side. Tonight, I would let myself fall into that side hook, line, and sinker.
“Here.” He filled his glass and set it on the coffee table, then sat near my feet.
He scooted until I had to move them. “No, rest them here,” he said and patted his lap.
“Those heels must have hurt by the end of the night.” His hands went to work massaging my right foot, hitting all the spots that released tension.
I all but melted onto the couch, closing my eyes.
He continued his ministrations on my left foot.
“Kennedy, I think we need to talk about this.”
My eyes snapped open. “About what?”
He motioned between us.
“Yes, we do,” I agreed. “But not tonight. Let’s give ourselves tonight. We can talk tomorrow.”
“On Christmas?”
I nodded. “In the afternoon, after presents and lunch.” I waited for his response.
The ball was in his court. I watched as he thought.
I knew when the choice had been made. His eyes darkened with desire, and his body hardened beneath my feet.
He set my glass on the coffee table next to his and stood.
“Come, I don’t want to waste any moment I have with you.” He reached a hand toward me. I took it and let him help me stand.
“But I thought we didn’t have condoms.”
“Lucky for us, the lodge’s gift shop encourages safe sex, which is great because I’ve been doing nothing but imagining getting you out of this sexy-as-sin dress all night.”
I let him lead me up the stairs, his confession heating every corner of my body and jolting my pussy into high-speed need. The throbbing was almost more than I could handle and still walk. The material of my dress irritated my hardened nipples, and I needed it off as fast as he did.
He stopped us outside of his room while he ran inside and grabbed the condoms, then he grabbed me by the hand and hurried us into my room. I barely registered the sound of the lock sliding into place before he stood before me.
“Darling, this is going to be fast. I’ve wanted to fuck you since I laid eyes on you.” He turned me and pulled down the zipper of my dress, kissing and nipping the skin of my back until it dropped from my hips, leaving me in a lacy thong and nothing else. “Fuck,” he growled.
I turned to face him and found him on bent knee. I caressed my tits and played with my nipples as I looked down at him. Jack did things to me, brought forth the confident hussy inside me. I widened my stance, letting him see the evidence of how turned on I was.
“You are so wet and ready for me.” He swiped a finger down the outside of my thong, just an inch from where I needed him. His other hand rubbed his dick through his pants as he watched me.
“Strip,” I commanded before turning and walking to the bed. I looked over my shoulder as I climbed up on all fours and wiggled my hips at him.
He shed his clothes quickly. My eyes gravitated to his tattoos and then down to his thick cock. I licked my lips.
“Kennedy Lee, you’re going to kill me. If I die tonight, I’m going to die a happy man.
” He stroked himself and moved behind me in three large steps.
He smacked my ass cheek when I started to lower it to the mattress.
“Keep this ass up high for me, princess.” He gave the other cheek the same attention.
The sting turned to heated pleasure, and I moaned.
“Fuck, I can’t wait.” A condom packet rustled, and he sheathed himself in protection.
He pulled my thong to the side, ran his fingers through my slit, and plunged two into my wetness, then brought them up to circle my clit. I pushed back toward him.
“So impatient.” Jack panted. The head of his dick pressed against me, seeking entrance. “Widen your knees for me.”
I complied and felt him ease in an inch at a time while I acclimated to him. His girth stretched me, but it was pure pleasure.
“Hold on, princess” was the only warning before he pulled out and plunged back into me. Each stroke moved my thong, so the lace front stroked my clit. “Reach down and play with yourself.” His voice was deep and raspy with his desire.
He moved faster after I complied. He found my bundle of nerves and my greedy G-spot. I gasped and moaned.
Jack paused, lying over my back as he kissed up my spine. His breath was fast and heavy. “Are you close, princess?”
I nodded. “If you keep doing that.”
Half my hair had fallen out of the bun I’d created before dinner. Jack’s hand gently pulled the ponytail holder until it was halfway out, then I felt a tug. He had grabbed my hair and wrapped it around his fist. That tug sent electricity straight to my clit. “Again,” I moaned. “I’m so close.”
No more words were said. He pulled my locks until my head tilted back.
His other hand stayed on my hip to steady me as he pounded again, fast and strong strokes across my G-spot.
With another tug, as I swirled my fingers across my clit, my back bowed with the force of the orgasm exploding through me.
“You feel so damn good.” His voice sent another shockwave of mini orgasms through my pussy. He groaned as his orgasm hit him.
We came together two more times, making sure to take advantage of all three condoms in the pack.
I rode him on the chair by the windows, and he took me against the shower wall before I passed out with exhaustion.
He wrapped himself around me, kissed my shoulder, and whispered, “Sleep now, princess.”