Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Nolan
When I first told myself I should go to the tree-lighting ceremony and try to enjoy the season, my reaction was to tell myself to fuck off. But then the idea grew on me.
Maybe forcing myself into the Christmas cheer would help me actually get into it. I wasn’t too hopeful.
But then I met her.
Lyra. The younger, curvy cutie I couldn’t stop staring at. Couldn’t stop wishing I could throw her over my shoulder and take her home, have my way with her.
I might be a bit rough.
But I had a feeling she could handle it.
I could tell she loved Christmas. And her joy became infectious. I needed more, wanted more, and I wasn’t about to let her go so easily.
We strolled through the town center, looking at all the Christmas displays and sharing our favorite memories of Christmases growing up.
“I didn’t realize my mom struggled until I was in high school.
She never showed it. Always made the impossible happen.
But I wish I had noticed and thanked her more before I no longer had the chance to.
” My voice trailed off as the painful memories hit me sideways.
Her awful cancer battle and her young death a few years ago impacted me deeply. I still dealt with the grief daily.
Her small but warm, gloved hand landed on my arm, and when I met her eyes, her face showed nothing but sympathy. “I’m sorry for your loss, Nolan. That must be hard.”
“It is. She was the best single mom a kid could ask for. She showed up every day for me despite my father never coming around.”
“I bet she was an amazing woman. I mean, look at who she raised.” Lyra smiled and wrapped her arm around mine as we made our way over to the bar in town, Mixer.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“My parents divorced when I was sixteen. Honestly, I think it would’ve been a hell of a lot easier to deal with if it had happened when I was younger.
I wouldn’t remember so much. I was dealing with my teenage hormones, and it made it worse.
My parents couldn’t help it. They tried for a long time.
My younger brother, Lee, is still in high school.
He’s a good kid. I secretly think my parents had him as a last-ditch effort to save their marriage.
It didn’t work. He was eight when they split. ”
“I’m sorry you went through all of that. Life can be such a bitch, huh?”
She laughed, a sound I wanted to hear more and more.
It soothed me and brought out a happiness I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
“That’s why we have fun holidays like Christmas.
So things like lights and cookies and hot cocoa are exciting, and we have something to look forward to.
” Lyra pulled out another cookie and handed it to me.
This woman. Her carrying cookies in her pocket killed me.
“I like how you think. I’m really glad I came out tonight.”
“Me too.” She squeezed my arm, and everything inside me wanted to pull her against me and kiss her. It was as if she infiltrated my whole body, and my blood thumped, my heart pounded, and my limbs buzzed.
I cleared my throat, but it did nothing to relieve my desires. “Have you been to Mixer before?” I asked, hoping to distract myself.
“A few times. I like the live music.” Lyra sipped from her cup before throwing it out in a trash can we passed.
“Me too. The couple that owns the place is awesome.”
“Gemma and Max, right?”
I nodded. “They do a lot for Christmas, too. A karaoke night with Christmas tunes, a Yankee swap night, and a Santa night. I’ve never gone to them, but maybe having someone to go with could be kind of fun.” Who are you right now, dude? Karaoke night? Kind of fun?
Ignoring my thoughts, I studied her adorable face, noticing a cute pattern of freckles along her nose. I wanted to kiss every single one.
“I didn’t know they went all out! We should go! I mean, if you want to.”
“Yes.” The word popped out quickly. I sound so desperate. Chill, dude.
“Good. I’d like that.” Lyra looked up at me, her arm still twisted around mine as we arrived in front of the bar, the snow falling harder around us.
Twinkly Christmas lights were strung along the building, and a lit-up wreath hung on the front door.
The snow added to the Christmas feel, and I could hear the music from inside.
The place was busy with townfolk dancing and having a good time.
She bit her bottom lip, and my dick stirred in my pants. The urge to kiss her grew even stronger. Harder and harder to ignore.
I glanced around, hoping for a bit of mistletoe, an excuse to make a move and kiss her, yet there wasn’t any.
Do it anyway. You don’t need a flower. Do it. Kiss her already.
We stood there in silence, the attraction doubling between us, and I leaned in closer. I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted her lips on mine. Inch by inch. Closer, closer…
The bar doors swung wide open, and a group of people stumbled out, laughing and talking. I jumped back, the moment broken, our arms no longer linked, her touch gone. But I’d get it back. I’d kiss her again. That I was sure of.
“Ready?” I asked with a smile.
Lyra nodded, and I opened the door for her, waving her inside. When I stepped in behind her, she threaded her fingers through mine, interlocking our hands together. My dick became a full-on chub now, her soft skin against my rough hands turning me on. I wanted to touch her everywhere.
She walked us over to the bar, and I couldn’t help but watch her gorgeous ass sway back and forth, my fingers aching to run over her soft, round curves.
Fuck, what the hell was wrong with me? I needed to get my mind out of the gutter and focus on learning about her and the amazing woman she was.
“You are old enough to drink, right?” I teased, whispering in her ear when we reached the counter.
“Very funny. I assume you might be too old to have any fun?” Lyra bit her lip again, and I wanted to drag her out back and fuck her in the bathroom.
I let go of her hand and slid my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. “Definitely not too old to keep up with you. My thirties have been great.”
“So have my twenties.” Lyra smirked. “What do you want to drink, handsome?”
“A beer, please.”
Lyra ordered my beer and herself a twisted lemonade, and after receiving our drinks, we found an empty booth in the back. Sliding in beside Lyra, we huddled together in the semi-circle-shaped seat and listened to the live music.
We laughed and talked, discovering we liked the same music, rock, but not the same type of movies, her romantic comedies, me horror.
She’d rather read the book than see the movie, while I’m the opposite.
She promised to try skiing if I promised to watch a romantic comedy.
Soon, the night was over, and the bar announced it would be closing in thirty minutes.
I didn’t want the night to end.
In fact, I never wanted my time with Lyra to end.
She was mine.
And I wasn’t letting her go.