Mistlehoe

Chapter 12 - The Nightmare Before Christmas

Chris 'Stop being a disappointment and come home.' I hear a shrewd voice from the back of the store.

Today has been a shit show.

Actually, the last week has been fucked.

I've been pretty absent from the store, trying to give Holly some space, but it made me more miserable.

It doesn't help that I fuck my hand every day to the image of her on her knees, taking my cock deep down her throat.

I'm also racked with guilt over betraying my son.

How did I let myself fall so far from grace? In the heat of the moment, he didn't exist.

When we returned home from our debaucherous weekend, Cole was waiting for me unexpectedly, shuffling the snow with his shoe.

I thought I'd see Cradle Mountain melt before he'd show up willingly, but there he was.

One look at his face told me that I was the one who deserved a lump of shit for Christmas. ?

Standing there, he looks completely and utterly dejected.

Shoving my guilt aside from being balls deep in his ex-girlfriend, I switch off the engine.

'You okay, son?' I walk past him to open up.

'Holly called me out for being a shitty person,' he grunts following me.

Of course, I already know this, but I need to keep up appearances.

Spinning back around, I focus my full attention on him. '

I'm sorry, Cole.

What happened?'

Stuffing his hands in his pocket and looking down at the ground, he walks past me and plops himself on my lounge — the same lounge Holly hung upside down and choked on my cock as I teabagged her.

He starts from the beginning, owning up to all his piss-poor behaviour toward Holly, and even cracks open old wounds about his mum and me.

Once he's finished, I feel like a piece of shit, but it solidifies I made the right decision to end things with Holly — even if it is the last thing I wanted to do.

Seeing her leave my car for the last time felt like she was leaving with a piece of me.

I stare at the fireplace, my mind going back to the last time she was here and how the flames licked her skin as I licked between her thighs.

'She was always too good for me.' He slumps back.

'I knew she'd eventually leave, so I just took all my repressed hurt and anger out on her…and you...and everyone around me.' He makes eye contact, making me feel worse about my actions.

Clearing my throat, I turn my attention back to him.

'What caused your sudden change of heart?'

'She was the first to call me out and open my eyes.

When she was going off at me, all I could think about was how lonely I have been without her.

I liked her a lot; I just didn't know how to show her properly, and then she left me.

It's taken months for me to come to grips with the fact that she's not coming back on her own unless I try to win her over again.'

My heart stops at his words. ?

Since our chat, I feel like he's done a complete one-eighty..

We've had dinner a few times, and surprisingly, he's shown up for his shifts and actually taken an interest in what we do here.

He hasn't spoken to Holly yet to apologise, but each day he lingers a little closer to the store when she's working, hyping himself up for that conversation.

While I love that Cole seems to be making a real effort with work and our relationship, everything else has pretty much gone to hell.

Our shipment was late.

We had a leak in the roof.

To top it off, Josephine demanded to come back here for Christmas, forcing Cole and me to endure Christmas lunch with her and my former best friend.

Now, there's a lunatic shouting at one of my staff members, and my bet is on Holly.

The lady in question has the same whitesnow hair as Holly, except it's shoulder length.

'Mum.

Please,' Holly mutters meekly.

'You are pathetic, acting like a child making lollies.

Soon, your looks will fade, and all the eligible bachelors will be taken, and you'll be left with no viable options.

Honestly, how selfish can one be? After everything your father and I have done for you.

Do you even know how inconvenient it was getting to the middle of nowhere just to drag you home?' She continues to berate Holly, who visibly shrinks.

'Mum,' she pleads again, looking around the store, but it is disregarded.

'No.

You will stop this insanity, Holly, and you will quit your ridiculous job and come back with me before Christmas, or so help me, God, you're cut off for good.

You will no longer be welcome as a part of this family or our lives.

We thought not entertaining this idea in the first place would work, but you went anyway, even without a dollar to your name.' Holly's face pales ghost white the louder her mum chastises her.

I see her lip quivering as I stalk over to swiftly put an end to the rubbish her mother is sprouting.

Cole is right on my tail.

'I'm not coming home.' Holly's voice wobbles.

She sees me approaching her, and her eyes widen in shock and horror.

They dart to Cole's, and I swear they're about to pop out of her head.

I see it before I hear it.

Her mother raises her hand, and it collides with the side of Holly's face.

When she pulls back, a white-hot handprint turns scarlet in seconds.

Holly stumbles backward at the force, her eyes shutting in a wince as a small sob escapes her throat.

'Hey!' I roar, stepping into her mother's personal space and raising my pointer finger to her.

'Don't you EVER touch her again.

Get out of my store now before I call the police.' I even scare myself with the tone and octave I've used, yet the woman who stands several heads shorter than me holds her head high, eyes blazing.

'And who the hell do you think you are?' she seethes, jabbing me in my chest.

'Don't touch me,' I grit, shoving her hand away.

'I said get out of my store, and don't you dare ever come back and harass my employees again.' I peek behind this poor excuse for a parent and see Holly cowering and whimpering, silently pleading for her to leave without any more fuss.

'You and this hillbilly town have her brainwashed,' she spits before pushing me out of the way and stalking out the door without a word of an apology or second thought for her shakenup daughter.

When the chime dies, Cole and I comfort Holly, who's skittish.

Watermarks streak her pretty face, and her lips tremble.

The more her tears fall, the glassier her blue eyes look — like they're glacial.

'Holly.

Honey.' She snaps out of her trance and looks between me and my son.

'Are you okay?'

She vehemently shakes her head.

'Does your face sting?' I want to reach out and cup the bruised surface so bad, but I refrain.

When she nods, I instruct one of the juniors to get a cold pack from the freezer.

'Would you like to go home?' She nods again, her shoulders slumping in defeat and exhaustion.

'We're both here if you want to talk,' Cole finally speaks up, touching her arm.

She flinches but gives him a polite smile.

'There's nothing really to say.

I don't come from a particularly warm family.

It is what it is.' Her voice is diminutive, but I can tell she has repeatedly said the same line to herself for years.

One of the juniors passes me the pack.

'Here.

Take this and go home.' I hand her the small frozen rectangle.

Her dainty fingers reach out to take it from me.

I want to so badly wrap her up in my arms and never let her go, but there's no way I can.

Seeing the same longing in her eyes tells me she wishes the same.

'I can't just leave.

I have a couple more hours of my shift.'

'I'll do it,' Cole jumps in.

Holly snaps her face toward him, and her mouth opens in dismay.

I'm sure she's wondering who the heck is standing in front of her right now.

A flicker of gratitude crosses her face before she reaches behind her to take off her apron.

She bends under the counter to retrieve her keys, phone, and wallet and faces both of us.

'Thanks,' she says to Cole before turning to me.

'I'll see you later.' I take her open-ended 'later' as an invitation to drop by later to check in on her.

Immediately after Holly left, I wanted to run after her.

If it weren't for my son, I would have been standing at her doorstep hours ago.

Once I shamelessly talk Cole out of stopping by Holly's, I secretly head over to hers instead.

Along the way I retrieve the KFC I ordered on UberEats.

Eager to get there, I pick up the pace and start a mild jog.

By the time I arrive, I’m panting like a breathless bear.

Between running, the frigid weather, and carrying Christmas decorations and dinner, I’m sweating like a pig.

While trying to normalise my breathing and balance everything in my arms, I manage to rap my knuckles on her door.

'Just a minute.' Her sweet voice carries through the door.

There's a small bark mingled in the background, too.

That must be Rudolph, the puppy she cherishes with all her heart.

I notice the porch light is on its last legs, flickering, so it must need replacing.

I make a mental note to fix that tomorrow.

Hearing the gentle pad of footsteps near, I inhale deeply, knowing she's about to steal my breath with her beauty.

On the other side, I listen to the jangle of keys unlocking one lock before she turns the deadbolt.

As expected, I'm rendered into a stunned mullet when my eyes lock on what she's wearing.

Gulping, I sheepishly scan the romper.

I've never seen anything like it.

It's…it's the cutest and sexiest thing I've ever seen.

Her short silky exposed legs look like they go on for miles in the puffy shorts that ride up her ass.

The white one-piece is thin cotton that's covered in cutesy gingerbreads.

It ties up at the neck and buttons up like a onesie between her thighs.

If it is possible to salivate over fake gingerbread, I'm doing it.

Her nipples stand erect, and I'd like to think they're standing to attention because of me, but I know the more likely reason is because it's freezing tonight.

When my gaze lands on her baby blue eyes, I see them gleam in mischief but also uncertainty, as if she knows her effect on me but also doesn't understand why I'm standing in front of her.

Her eyes wander down to the box under my arm.

'I just wanted to cheer you up,' I blurt, readjusting the things so they don't fall.

When she rewards me with a megawatt smile, I know it is precisely what she hoped for earlier.

Stepping aside, she lets me enter the warmth.

'How do you plan on cheering me up?' Her tone has a playful lilt as her hand touches my forearm to stop.

Freezing, she takes the KFC from the top so it doesn't topple over.

I clear my throat.

'I brought over some Christmas decorations and dinner.' Bringing the KFC to her nose, she tries to smell what's in the box.

'I love KFC.

Hey, did you know that in Japan they eat...' 'KFC on Christmas,' we say in unison.

Holly beams up at me.

'Uh-huh.

How cool is that?' 'Almost as cool as that town in Florida, called Christmas, that celebrates Christmas all year round.'

Her eyes bulge out of her head.

'I need to go there!' she squeals in delight, bouncing up and down making her breasts jiggle.

My groan at their porno wobble is unavoidable, and her eyes shine brighter.

'I don't have much furniture yet, so we'll have to sit on the floor.' She shrugs, walking over to the bare room, the fluff ball of a puppy hot on her tail.

I take a proper scan of her home, noticing she has one lone plastic chair and a rug.

Taking up half the space is a gigantic plastic Christmas tree that's decorated with only tinsel.

'But you managed to buy a Christmas tree already?' I smirk.

'Of course! What Christmas enthusiast doesn't have a Christmas tree?' she asks in mock horror.

'Do you want to help me decorate it, and then we'll eat?'

'Try and stop me.' For the next half hour, we work to make it look like Santa and all his elves have thrown up in her home.

To see how goddamn elated she is, makes me risking my relationship with my son all the more worthwhile.

We chit-chat about nothing in particular, and it feels like we're Chris and Holly again.

It's warm.

Familiar.

It feels like home.

The last decoration is an angel.

Being as short as she is, she asks me to place it on top while she heads to the kitchen to retrieve paper plates and cutlery.

Situating myself on the rug, I spread my legs out to try and alleviate the slight ache from the run over.

My eyes drift to Holly in the kitchen, and again, I moan as she bends to grab a couple of beers.

We start eating in companionable silence, and it seems like Holly is a lot more at ease than when she left this afternoon.

'So, that was your mum?'

She stops sucking on the chicken bone, much to my relief because seeing her suck the meat acutely reminds me of what her mouth can do, and it's fucking torture.

'Yep.

She's a delight, isn't she?' She licks her fingers and avoids my eyes.

I pause to try and find a better way to articulate she's a menopausal bitch, but I can't, so I let loose my exact thoughts.

'She's an out-of-touch, spoiled, petulant, menopausal bitch.' A sweet giggle slips from Holy's lips before turning into a full belly laugh.

When she regains her breath and I'm sure the water glistening at the corner of her eyes aren't sad ones, I inch closer to her.

Our breaths mingle, and everything feels right again.

My hand instinctively cups the shell of her cheek.

'She doesn't deserve you as a daughter, Holly.

Please don't let her get in your head.

There's nothing about you that could ever be disappointing or selfish.' Her breath hitches, and her bottom lip trembles as her eyes close, and she burrows into me.

'Just promise me I'll always have a job and a home here?' Her eyes are closed, lashes fanning the top of her cheeks.

I wish I could kiss every inch of her.

I swallow the lump down in my throat.

I feel everything for this woman, and it's excruciating not to have all of her.

Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, I tell her what's in my heart, 'I'll never let you go.' There's no reading between the lines.

She knows exactly what I mean.

'Chris?' Her eyes reopen and focus on my face.

The air thickens around us.

I know what she's going to say but there's an urgent festering need in me to say it first.

I place my finger on her lips.

'I love you.' It's barely a whisper, but she hears it loud and clear.

She lets out a squeaky croaking sound.

'I tried not to.

Lord knows I shouldn't, but I can't stop.

I love you, Holly.

I love every version of you.

The incredibly talented lolly maker.

The fun and kind woman, even to those who don't deserve it.

And my Candy.

I have fallen in love with everything about you.

I don't know how to keep you, but all I know is that I need you.'

More unshed tears stream down her cheek as she settles in my lap.

'I love you so much, Chris.

I'm in love with you.

The worldrenowned artist version of you.

The father.

The boss.

My Noel with the big pole.

Every part of you,' she whispers into my lips as she grinds against me.

'I can't stop loving you…and I don't want to.

I want to get lost in whatever this is with you.

I'm yours.'

As she continues to rock back and forth, the room charges with an insane amount of sexual chemistry.

Every cell in my body responds to her, with my breathing growing faster and my heart rate rocketing.

I feel her warm breath, a wisp away from my lips, and I shiver with anticipation.

'You're my addiction, my sweetness.

Good enough to taste.'

Leaning forward, she plants a playful kiss on my lips before pulling back a fraction.

'So, taste me,' she offers, wiggling her ass on top of me.

Feeling myself thicken and lengthen underneath her as she teases me, I dig my fingers into her hips while sinking my teeth into the delicate skin of her neck.

Biting down elicits a tiny yelp from her mouth.

Soothing the sting, I lick my way up her neck, the scrape of my beard skittering goosebumps to the surface of her skin.

I'd give anything to have my mouth and hands on every part of her before filling her up completely.

I have an insane desire to pump so much cum inside of her that it takes root and grows our baby.

Just thinking about the swell of her belly with our son or daughter is enough for my cock to throb painfully to the point that it needs to be released soon before any permanent damage is caused.

One of my hand’s skates down her torso, snaking down south until I unbutton the clasp between her legs.

Not needing any instruction as I've committed every piece of her to memory, my thumb rubs circles over her panties, causing her to writhe.

'Chris…' her strangled moan makes my thumb move faster.

Jesus Christ, she's creamy.

I can feel her wetness coating my fingers over her flimsy panties, and automatically, I know there's no point of return for me.

'What baby?' I don't circle her clit, but I rub the nub back and forth harder, putting pressure right where she needs it.

A throaty squeal worms its way out of her throat.

'I need you in me'.

She pulls back and gives me her most seductive doe eyes, indenting her teeth into the pillowy cushion of her bottom lip.

Moving faster than the speed of light, I rip my fingers from her, push up on one hand, making her jolt and jostle on top of me, and shove my pants down.

Landing back down with a thud, Holly repositions herself on top of me again; knees split wide to accommodate me.

She wraps her arms around my neck while I shred yet another pair of her underwear.

Without a moment to spare, I push her romper above her belly button and pull the straps down so her tits are naked and in reach of my mouth.

She is positioned over my cock and is waiting for me to tell her to sit down.

'Go ahead, baby.

Take my cock up your cunt, like my precious, perfect, little slut.' A whimper escapes as we both look down as she lowers herself.

Pressing my cock at her soaking entrance, she gasps.

Her eyelids flutter as I guide my tip inside her.

'So good, precious.' I give her a little more, wishing I could savour this.

Her.

But I'm desperate to bury myself all the way inside.

Her hot little pussy squeezing me is the best feeling in the world.

'Yes.

Yes.

Yes,' she chants as she rolls her head.

The sound of her pleasure floods me with an insatiable desire to claim every part of her.

Grabbing her hips, I hold still and thrust further up into her, causing her to arch away from me and squeeze my cock like a vice.

Needing to taste the deliciousness of her skin, I devour her mouth before sucking a tight nipple into my mouth.

She bucks like a bronco at the intensity.

I now know why many men end up going for pretty young things.

They have the stamina and the tightest pussies.

'Fuck.

Me.

Fuck!' I grunt, bringing her body back to me so I can bury my face in her neck.

Grabbing a handful of her lush ass, I rail into her like a rabid dog.

My cock throbs as I drive in and out of her wet pussy coating my shaft.

Pure relief seeps into my bones as I sink balls-deep inside of her.

A bead of sweat slides down my back and mist at my temples.

Holly has a light sheen of perspiration across her chest, which makes her look like she's shimmering.

I lower my mouth to one of her puckered nipples and suck the fuck out of it.

She continues to bounce on my cock, slamming her body down on me so I impale her.

I switch to the other tit and graze it with my teeth.

She goes feral.

'Oh God.

Oh God.

Chris.

Oh.

Oh.' The benediction on her lips is the sweetest prayer.

Her cunt sucks me in, pulling me deeper and deeper.

'Yes.

God.

Yes.

More…need you…need this forever.

Don't stop,' she pants out the words, hot against my ear.

Wrapping her arms around my neck and clinging to me, I continue to slam into her, my balls begging for release.

Harder and faster with each thrust, my fingers dig into her soft, lush ass, kneading.

I need her so fucking much.

More than anything.

'So.' Thrust .

'Fucking.' Thrust.

'Perfect.'

Tipping her head back, she whimpers as I nail her.

'I…love…you,' she stutters breathlessly.

I run my nose over her neck before biting into her flesh.

When she squeezes me harder, I can't hold off any longer.

'I'm going to come, baby.' Gripping her ass tighter.

I plough into her one last time, making her wail as I empty inside her.

It feels like I drain litres of cum into her, and it's so overwhelming that I need to shut my eyes from almost blacking out from the force of my climax.

'Chrissssss.' She claws at my back from the intensity, but I don't let up until my cum drips out of her.

She's a shuddering, withering, brain-dead mess by the time she soaks both our laps.

When I pull my cock out of her, she slumps on top of me, causing us to fall back on the rug.

Her rapid heartbeat mimics mine, and I know we both would rather run out of breath and experience what we did than breathe easy with zero excitement or passion.

Minutes tick on as we both leisurely bathe in the peaceful aftermath under the glow of her newly decorated twinkling tree.

I'll never get enough of how her skin feels.

It's like butter underneath my fingertips.

'I love you, Holly.' I kiss the crown of her head.

The crown of my queen.

She lifts her head off my chest, her eyes sparking with unrestrained happiness.

There's something so magnetic about her crystal blue gaze.

'Never stop.' And that's the last we speak for the night, getting lost in each other for hours until we're both boneless, satiated, and borderline catatonic from coming.

There is a relentless pounding sound reverberating from somewhere.

Maybe my head? I blink a few more times, but it isn't going away.

Holly is like a warm blanket, resting over half her body on me.

Her legs are tangled between mine, and her arms are strangling my upper half.

She starts stirring and rubbing her soft, slick skin on me, inadvertently waking up a very spent body part of mine.

'Ah.

Turn it off.' Her squirming on top of me isn't helping deflate my dick in the slightest, even though the repetitive thump continues.

Craning my neck, I'm still trying to decipher what the fuck is that pounding.

'Chris.

Too loud.' She kisses my chest, rolling her scrumptious tiny body off me.

The incessant banging doesn't stop, and it seems to get angrier.

'Someone is at your door,' I groan, scrubbing my face.

Holly takes the blanket with her, leaving me stark naked.

My body and brain are too tired to deal with whoever lies behind the door.

'Now's not a good time,' Holly yells, followed by a grumpy groan.

The next second, the door slams open, startling the both of us.

Murderous eyes blink down at us.

They're black like coal and maniacal.

The penetrating gaze belongs to a thunderous Cole.

'Oh yeah? When would be a good time to come back? After you've stopped fucking my dad?' He seethes so loud birds flock from a nearby tree, hoping to escape his wrath.

Holly shrieks, scrambling to pull the blanket to her chest, which leaves absolutely nothing to cover my stark nakedness.

Swinging cock and all.

None of my bodily functions seem to work as I look at an equally broken and irate Cole.

There are traces of disgust and bitterness splashed across his face as he grimaces.

And I don't blame him.