Chapter 13
Chapter thirteen
Lance
Being Katie’s rebound fuck is the best job role I’ve had in my life.
The sex is hot, insanely hot. She’s adventurous but not overly experienced, which is a heady combination. Most of what she writes is theory—now, she’s testing it on me. I love it.
“Fuck, that feels amazing,” she squeals. It spurs me on to ride her harder. She’s on her back; hands tied above her head, legs held high in stirrups secured to the bedframe. The blindfold obscures her sight. I withdraw unexpectedly. She whimpers.
“Don’t stop. I need you inside me. Now.” Her chest rises and falls fast, her body begging for more.
I lean down and growl in her ear, “You don’t get more until I say you do.”
Her breasts are large and round, nipples peaked and sensitive. I take one in each hand to massage. She writhes, and I pin her to the mattress between my thighs.
Taking the small bullet vibrator from the bedside, I turn it on. It springs to life, buzzing between my fingers. I run it over her lips and slide it into her mouth. Her body tenses. She loves this.
Without warning, I slide my rock-hard cock back home and pump hard. Her orgasm builds, the tight squeeze of her body telling me everything I need. I thrust deeper, hitting her G-spot. She’s right at the edge, so I press the buzzing bullet to her clit.
She erupts instantly, crying out, warm juices spilling over my cock and balls. Fuck, she feels perfect.
My hips push as deep as physically possible, pinning her writhing body between my thighs and the vibrator. Her pussy contracts again, my dick straining deliciously under the strain. Her body is trying to expel me, mine holding firm so she’s filled full.
I rock. My cock slides easily, soaked in her. Then I can’t wait any longer. I thrust again, harder this time, faster. Retracting and pushing deep again instantly, chasing the release I desperately want. Need.
My cock jerks, spilling deep inside her. Every drop of my seed, knowing part of me is in her, making her all mine. Marking her not only with my body, but with my mind as the woman I want to be with now, and forever. I’ve never been so damn sure.
We collapse in post-sex bliss, silent, satisfied. Too satisfied with something that’s meant to be temporary. Deep down, it was never a passing romance for me; Katie was and is my new beginning.
Our trip to Inverness last week went well―everyone clicked. Millie and Katie have been in touch, and it’s a relief she’s making another friend in Aviemore. I’ve monopolized her time since we met. She misses her friend, Amy. Hopefully, she can come to visit soon.
Dog’s words from that night come back like a sledgehammer. He liked Katie but can’t understand my attraction. I told him he doesn’t need to.
“Mate, for a rebound girl, is this not getting a bit serious?” His eyebrows lifted. “You spend every night with her that Hannah isn’t home. You know it has an expiration date. You’ll never get past the age gap.”
“Dog, give me a break. Let me enjoy myself. Age is just a number,” I said, shrugging. I want him to stop talking. I’m not ready to admit how I truly feel.
He stared me down. “When she’s seventy, you’ll be in your fifties. You’ll be pushing her around in her wheelchair. I’m not trying to be an asshole.”
“Well, you fucking are being an asshole,” I growled.
“Maybe. But I have to say this. You’re my best mate; I’ve got your back.
This relationship has to end at some point.
You’re too involved. You’ve never had time on your own.
You got tied down young with a wife and kid.
Never mind the Army. Don’t rush into anything serious. Especially with someone like her.”
I didn’t respond because every word hit home.
My silence spoke volumes.
And he knew it.
***
Christmas is a week away. Katie and I are spending the day together. Hannah will be at her mother’s, but is coming to me on Boxing Day. Dog and Millie are going to her mother’s house. I was invited but declined.
Spending it with Katie was more appealing. What we do is irrelevant—I’d happily stay in bed and eat candy all day.
The cottage heaves with decorations she splurged on at the local market. Everywhere you walk, another reindeer or snowman sings to you. All available surfaces that can hold fairy lights have at least two sets adorning them. Christmas with Katie is going to be fun, even a little bit crazy.
She’s snoring softly beside me; I lie on my side and watch her. She’s beautiful. My heart hammers anytime I look at her. Soft eyes flutter open, her mouth widening in a slow, tired smile.
“Morning, Gorgeous.” I brush her lips with my own, and she smiles sleepily against my mouth. This I could get used to. Her being here brightens my day no end.
She giggles. “Is it Christmas Day already?”
“Not yet.” I take her hand, guide it to my stomach, then lower. “But it is time to open your Advent calendar.”
Her fingers curl around my cock, eyes snapping open, widening with heat. That look… fuck. I’m undone.
Ducking below the covers, I slide between her legs. They fall open on cue, soft, warm, already wet. My girl is well trained. I love it.
I kiss my way up the insides of her thighs, slow enough that she arches off the mattress, needy. When I finally reach her, I breathe her in, then lick every inch.
She shudders. Her breath catching. I love that sound. “Lance…”
I slip one finger inside her. She’s slick, dripping, ready for me.
“Good girl,” I murmur against her clit. Her hips jerk. I suck gently, then harder, until she’s fisting the sheets.
“Get ready, baby.” My voice is rough, a growl more than words. “Your Major McDonald alarm call is about to go off.”
***
Two days until Christmas. This is my last visit with Hannah before the big day. She’s quieter than usual, too quiet.
We’ve traveled to Edinburgh for some final shopping. The streets are packed, bright lights crisscross above us, and a traditional Christmas market spreads for miles. The air is buzzing with Christmas spirit. Hannah walks beside me like she’s carrying the world.
“You okay, sweetheart?” I ask gently.
“Yeah.” Too quick. Too small. Not her usual bubbly self.
Finally, she picks a handmade glass bauble for her mother; it sparkles under the lights. I know Ainsley will love it.
Decorating our family Christmas tree was always Ainsley’s job.
She collects decorations from all over the world and is anal about how they’re displayed.
The task of decorating for the festive season was never a fun family experience.
I used to take Hannah away for the day; we would return to a catalog-worthy home.
“Mum likes perfect things,” she mumbles. “This looks perfect enough.”
Something solid settles in my chest. Heavy. Toxic.
On the drive home, we become solemn. This is not the Christmas I imagined myself having this year. I planned a full-on, family-filled holiday season. Life can change in the blink of an eye, and those you trust can let you down.
“Talk to me, Hannah, please.” She continues to stare out of the window. “Hannah, if something’s bothering you, I’d—”
“He shouts all the time,” she says, her voice wobbling.
“Hamish?”
She nods. My jaw tightens.
“At you?”
Her hair waves everywhere as she shakes her head. “No, just at everyone. Everything annoys him. Mum says he’s tired.” She pauses. “But she’s tired too. And she doesn’t shout like that.”
I crush the wheel in my grip.
“Has he ever hurt you?” Fear twists in my chest. If he’s touched my little girl…
Horrified eyes snap up. “No, Dad. Nothing like that.” She sighs. “It’s just sometimes I feel… in the way.”
Fuck.
“You’re never in the way. Not to me. Not to your mum. Not ever.”
Her chin trembles, and she bites her lip as if holding in a sob.
“I miss when we were a family. When Mum wasn’t always upstairs with him, with the door shut.”
Rage. Pure, soul-consuming rage burns through me, painful but useless. My daughter feels so alone in her own home, and there’s not a damn thing I can do.
“I’m going to miss you on Christmas Day, Dad.” She sniffs, her voice breaking. “I wish we could spend it together. All of us, like before.”
That knocks the air from my lungs. I take a moment. What the hell do I say?
“I know, sweetheart. I wish things were different too. We will have our Christmas on Boxing Day. The two of us.”
Another tear escapes down her cheek; this one full, leaving a trail of pain.
“Dad… can I stay with you tonight? Please? Just tonight?”
It guts me, but I shake my head. I hate myself.
“Your mum’s expecting you. But if you ever feel unsafe, you call me. Day or night. I’ll be there.”
She nods, devastated but trying to be brave. My brave wee girl.
When we reach Ainsley’s drive, she lingers. Doesn’t move. Just holds the bauble like it might shatter if she breathes wrong.
I walk her to the door.
She clings to me, small arms tight around my ribs.
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Watching her walk inside feels wrong, like leaving her somewhere I shouldn’t.
And for the first time, a cold thought creeps in. Something is going to break. And when it does, it won’t be small.
But I’ll be damned if it will be my daughter.