Chapter 9
Nicolette
Aspen may think he’s had the final say…but the war has just begun.
Borrowing a flannel shirt, I quickly toss it on and then stomp out the door after Aspen. He may have given me the best orgasm I’ve had in ages, but there is no way I’m backing down on this. Christmas has to win.
The cold air nips at my exposed skin, then blows through the thin flannel, making me shiver.
My hand rushes to my arm, rubbing it almost violently to create warmth.
Less than five minutes outside, and I’m already second-guessing my decision.
He’ll be back inside soon, and I have all the time in the world to argue.
Snow swirls around me, and I hear the loud thumping of an axe. Part of me wants to turn around, but my inner hussy needs to see a real lumberjack in action.
Glancing around, I try to locate him when I spy a barren space in the field, with a chopping block. He hefts the axe high over his head, muscles bulging, his broad shoulders flexing to deliver a quick swing. The wood splits in half with terrifying speed.
I shift backwards, worried that he may let go of the axe or that a splinter may get into my eye. “You’re really going to chop wood as a way of avoiding conversation?” I call out to him, brushing the snow off my face.
Aspen grunts, bringing the axe with full force down on the wood. “We had the conversation. My house. My rules.”
I roll my eyes even when I know he can’t see me. “Weren’t you ever taught to be pleasant to guests? It’s Christmas. Why can’t we celebrate? Have a little bit of holiday cheer?”
He doesn’t answer the question, just continues swinging the axe rhythmically as I stand in the cold, shivering. I know I need to go back to the house, but being out here arguing is far more fun.
“So, you’re just going to pretend that Christmas is—”
Without so much as a warning, Aspen drops the axe and lunges for me. Lifting me up as though I weigh nothing. He hoists me over his shoulder and walks on steady feet toward the cabin.
“Hey. Put me down, you big oaf,” I holler, slapping at his back as arousal once again makes me wet between the legs.
“Stop,” he snaps at me, his voice almost harsh yet laced with concern. “You’re going to freeze out there.”
“No, I’m not,” I retort, kicking my legs. “I’m just trying to get you to have a little holiday cheer, you know. Christmas fun, trees, lights, presents.”
Aspen practically leaps over the porch, carrying me quickly toward the door.
He opens it, and the chilly breeze shoves us forward, slamming the door behind us.
Sliding my body down his front, I marvel at every muscle until my feet hit the floor.
He’s silent besides his breath puffing in and out—from rage or exertion, I’m not quite sure.
The tension heightens as he tilts my head to look into his unreadable eyes.
I worry I’m in trouble until he speaks. “You want a Christmas tree?”
His tone changes to something soft, the edge replaced by something one could mistake for love. I meet his gaze, nodding in agreement. “Yes. Even if it’s a small one. Anything to give us a Christmas feel.”
He looks away at the cabin, his breathing rapid. I expect him to walk away like he usually does, but instead, he swallows hard, making his Adam’s apple bob. “I told you no.”
My frustration grows, building until I can’t hold it in anymore. This man is infuriating. You would think I asked him to bring me the moon rather than a tiny little tree. Ridiculous considering how much he loves swinging that axe. “You do not know what Christmas means, then.”
“You don’t know what Christmas means to me,” he replies after a beat and then looks away in regret.
Surprise hits me, swirling in my stomach like molten lava. It never occurred to me he might have a reason for his resistance. I never asked him why. I just kept pushing. “What do you mean?”
His jaw locks, pain flashing in his eyes. “You wouldn’t understand. You don’t care.”
“I’m sorry. I do care.” Stepping closer, I raise my hand to his chest. His heart thunders beneath my palm, and I whisper, “You can tell me anything. I’m here.”
The words hang in the air between us, ready to bring us together or force us further apart.
This time, Aspen doesn’t shy away. Instead, he keeps his gaze steady on me, his jaw tight like he’s fighting some internal battle, before finally saying, “My parents died on Christmas Eve. A fire. The stockings caught an ember from our fireplace and within minutes it jumped to the tree. Those dried-out needles…”
He takes a moment, turning his head to look at the wall, and I step into him, wrapping my arms around him and laying my head on his chest.
“They were all asleep. And I was at the firehouse, having a few beers with the other off-duty firefighters, when the call came in.”
My heart breaks into a million pieces, and a wave of sympathy takes over. “Aspen, I’m really sorry for your loss.”
He looks at me, his eyes searching mine. “By the time we got to my house, it was a pile of ash. I couldn’t save them. I couldn’t do anything.” His voice cracks, a single tear dropping down his cheek.
Reaching up, I wipe it away with my thumb. “It’s not your fault.”
His gaze on me softens, and my heart beats faster. “You can’t know that. If I was home, maybe I could have stopped it. Maybe I could have gotten them out.”
I nod. “Or maybe you would be dead. And we would never have this moment together.” My hand lingers on his face, tracing faint lines. “I’m sorry I pushed you. But I’m glad you told me. We don’t need to have a tree, or decorations, but we can still make this holiday special.”
He stands still, contemplating my words, then nods in agreement. “Maybe,” he mutters.
Just then, without warning, I lift onto my toes and kiss him. Aspen pulls back in surprise, but overcomes it quickly, slamming his lips back down on mine. His hands find their way into my hair, tangling in the curls and taking over the kiss.
Our lips are both cold at first from being outdoors, but they heat quickly, igniting the passion between us.
Tired from reaching up, I pull back, breathless, and tap him playfully on the chest. He doesn’t say a word.
Feeling emboldened and remembering my earlier orgasm, I slip my hands under his shirt, loving the way his abdomen ripples.
“You can’t give me the tree?” I whisper teasingly. “But there might be something else you could give me.”
“What’s that?” He pulls back to look into my eyes, tension building, causing my heart to beat faster.
I don’t answer with words, instead lifting his shirt and pressing open-mouthed kisses on his abs. His six-pack is unreal. Aspen grunts, presses against me, and his stiff cock strains against the material of his jeans.
My turn this time.
“Are you sure about this, Nic? Because if you keep going, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.” Aspen flexes his hands, curling them into fists, like he’s trying to stop from grabbing a hold of me.
The fact that he wants me so badly is a boost to my bruised ego, and lust flares within me. “I want this…with you.”
Without another word, he kisses me, this time hungrily. Our tongues dance until we’re breathless with anticipation. This man can kiss. His teeth nip my lower lip, then suck the sting away, leaving my panties soaked with anticipation.
“You have on way too much clothing,” I complain, tugging at the button of his jeans.
“I think we both do,” he growls, spinning me toward the room. “Get on my bed so I can devour every inch of you.”
A thrill runs through me, and I reach for the buttons of the borrowed flannel, unsnapping them one by one until I let the material slide off my shoulders.
“You’re fucking beautiful,” Aspen growls, his warm body pressing against my back.
Broad arms circle around me, reaching for the hem of the t-shirt I’m wearing.
It’s the same one from earlier, and I raise my arms, letting him lift it off my frame.
Now naked from the waist up, he allows his hands to explore, enveloping my aching breasts.
Our skin touches, and I reach down, sliding off my borrowed sweatpants. Aspen’s hot breath fans my neck seconds before he sucks on the skin, forcing a loud moan from my lips. So many sensations surround me; his hands tugging my nipples, his mouth sucking hard enough to bruise.
We stumble toward the bed, eager for one another. Ready to take the next step.
“Told you to get on the bed,” he nips at my shoulder, lifting me like I weigh nothing and tossing me into the center of the mattress. I bounce once, and his already naked body follows me down.
“So bossy,” I scoff, happy to finally see his glorious body. The man has abs for days, but what draws my eyes is the thick cock, jutting proudly at me.
“You like it.” He nips at my lips before licking a path down my body, lingering to suck hard on each nipple.
Impatient, I reach for the waistband of my panties, only to find him already there. His hands grasp the thin material, slowly drawing it down my legs, and I can’t stop the blush that heats my body. It’s been such a long time since I’ve allowed anyone to see me like this.
“Open those pretty thighs wider for me, Nic, then reach down and spread yourself open. Show me how much you want me,” Aspen demands as he places his knee on the bed.
He shifts forward, then lowers gracefully between my legs.
His face is so close to my pussy that his breath fans over my already heated flesh.
Moaning, I slip my fingers to my soaked folds and follow his instructions, baring myself open for his inspection… and hopefully his tongue.
A wicked smirk tugs at Aspen’s lips as his eyes lock in on mine. He darts out his tongue; placing one long lick from my core all the way to my clit, and I cry out at the intensity of the sensation.
“Delicious. Open wider for me,” he rumbles, desire making his voice deep, and I comply immediately.
With a growl, he dives in wildly, nearly feral with desire.
Licking and sucking my clit, making my body soar.
My heart beats frantically as I struggle to hold myself open for him, and my back bows against the soft bedding, chasing the orgasm building rapidly between my legs.
“Aspen,” I sob frantically, not sure whether I can handle the intensity of the moment.
“You’re doing so well. Such a good girl,” he practically purrs, slipping two fingers inside me to help ease the ache between my legs. “I’m going to make you come more times than you can count tonight, and I want to hear my name on your lips. Every. Single. Time. Understand?”
He punctuates each word with a hard suck on my clit, or a thrust of his fingers, and my body hums in delight. I love the way he plays with me, paying attention to each cry or pulse of my body, drawing out the pleasure instead of racing to the finish line.
Nodding my head, I promise, “Every time.”
With a deep chuckle, he attacks once again, his clever mouth making delicious circles around my sensitive clit as his thick fingers rub against my inner walls, causing them to flutter. Pleasure builds, and I can’t hold it back, screaming as I crest. My legs shake, and my pussy clamps as I come.
“Aspen, I’m… coming,” I scream as the waves of ecstasy roll through me, leaving me breathless, panting, and aching for more.
The tearing of a wrapper has my eyes shooting open, and I glance down my body to see him slipping the latex over his thick tip.
“Yes, that’s just what I need. I want to be on top.” Popping up, I’m thrilled when he doesn’t fight with me on it. My ex, James, would always complain that a woman on top was emasculating. What a fucking loser. I wish I had seen it sooner.
Aspen, instead, slides gracefully onto the bed with a grin. “Ride me, beautiful.”
Slinging a leg over his narrow hips, I waste no time positioning his throbbing cock at my entrance. It’s thick enough to create a stretch, and as I slide down, a cry of ecstasy leaves my lips.
Already slick from my earlier orgasm, he glides in, filling me completely.
“Fuck you feel amazing. Milk my cock with your perfect pussy,” he growls, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. His rough palms cup my hips, supporting me as I find my rhythm. Up and down, up and down I ride, his cock hitting just the right spot with every thrust.
“More,” I pant, and his fingers reach up to palm my heavy breasts. Rocking forward, I grind my clit on his pelvis, sending zaps of electricity shooting everywhere. Pleasure builds higher and higher, and the look of complete rapture on his face makes me feel like the prettiest girl in the world.
I’m so close again. My chest heaves, and I pant, then cry out incoherent sounds.
“Come for me, Nic. Come again.” His hand slips down my body, leaving a trail of fire in its wake until he reaches my clit. Aspen rubs it with his thumb and then pinches it roughly between his fingers. The little bite of pain sends me over, and I detonate.
“Ohhhhhhh,” I wail, glad that we’re in the middle of nowhere.
“Yes. Yes. Holy fuck,” Aspen’s back arches off the bed, and he holds me tight, thrusting like a madman until he stiffens, flooding the condom.
I slump down, lying flat on his muscular chest, and he wraps his arms around me. A sense of security fills me, with no uncomfortable self-conscious thoughts to ruin the moment.
I never want this snowstorm to end.