Chapter 22
Morgan
Tonight was for Reina. It was a celebration of the success of the festival and the town. We were also supposed to be celebrating that the bakery would be completed sooner than expected. Reina would move out and get on with her life.
I should be happy for her, but I felt like I was losing a piece of myself. But I couldn't give in to the pain. I needed to support her.
She'd never had anyone support her plans for the bakery, and I wanted to be that person for her.
I'd be her sidekick for the evening. I'd ignore my feelings about her moving out, because this wasn't about that.
The threat of Tom finding out about us felt trivial compared to the thought of her leaving.
We parked in the lot behind the inn and walked inside.
Everyone was gathered at the bar. We didn't frequent this one as much because it was posher than the one on Candy Cane Lane, catering to guests and tourists, not the locals. The women wore dresses and the men slacks with the occasional suit jacket.
It was more uptight than I was used to, but I knew everyone who'd been invited. As soon as we got our drinks, Eve came up to us.
"You must be pleased with how everything went today," Reina said to her with a smile.
Eve grinned. "I hoped it would be popular, but I had no idea it would be that well attended. I think people are looking for fun things to do on the weekend, and we should keep giving them that."
"Congratulations. You deserve this," I said to her.
"Thanks, Morgan." Then she turned her attention to Reina.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about that space next to your store.
Morgan mentioned that you were thinking of adding seating.
But we're planning on upgrading the sidewalks.
Would it be possible for you to wait until that's completed before you expand? "
"That's not a problem. We were talking about a bench in front of the window and maybe some planters too."
"I love those ideas. I want there to be inviting spaces all over town, not just at Belle's Bookshop. We're doing a little at a time."
"I don't mind waiting. I think I'll have my hands full with reopening and getting used to the new design."
Eve raised a brow. "Will the renovation be completed soon?"
"Yeah, I was going to talk to you about that. We have maybe two more weeks."
Eve smiled at Reina. "You must be excited to move home."
Reina's smile wavered. "I can't wait."
I had a feeling she wasn't excited about returning to her apartment. She probably still had some trauma around the fire itself. "I'm glad that we could get things completed ahead of schedule."
Eve touched my arm. "That's why we love working with you. You've really come through for us."
I inclined my head at her compliment. "We're happy to be part of what you're building here."
"I had no idea that the town would be this successful when we took over. There was so much uncertainty. Even with the setbacks we've had, the town businesses have supported each other. That's what makes us special."
I had to agree with that sentiment. It was time to move forward, and that included Reina's plan to move back to her apartment above the bakery. I couldn't hold her back or tell her not to do what she'd always done. It wasn't fair to her.
"I need to talk to a few other people, but work on a design for the outdoor space, and we'll talk about it soon," Eve said.
"Will do," Reina said with a smile.
I sensed this was the beginning of the end for us. Reina's life was taking off, and I'd be moving on from her project and onto something else. I didn't have a good feeling about what it meant for our relationship.
She was at a crossroads. She could continue as is or choose to expand. And from what I knew about her, expansion was the only option she'd consider. She was always looking to improve and increase her business.
We moved toward where my brothers were congregating. There were Hudson and Angela, Maverick and Belle, Ford and Natasha.
Ford lifted his glass. "We should toast."
Everyone lifted their drinks. "To Christmas Town."
"The town keeps growing and getting better. I think you're going to have a problem on your hands soon," Ford said.
"And what problem is that?" Natasha asked.
"Too many guests and not enough parking."
Natasha grinned. "That's a good problem to have and Eve's to deal with."
"I don't envy her," Clara said. "She has to deal with unhappy shop owners and customers. It's a lot."
Aspen approached, giving Reina a hug.
"She's always wanted this job though," Eve continued, "whether it was in this town or another. I think it helps that she owns this one. Every decision she makes affects us. And that's always better than working for someone else."
Aspen winced. "I don't mind working for others. It's less responsibility. I do my work and let someone else worry about profit and loss."
If Mom was here, she'd have something to say about that, but we tried to stay out of Aspen's career choices.
Clara rolled back her shoulders. "I'm starting to think you have the right idea."
Belle frowned. "Is everything okay at your shop?"
Clara waved her hand. "I just need a vacation."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Natasha said, but Reina turned slightly to catch my gaze.
She was worried about her friend.
I shrugged, unsure what we could do about Clara's feelings if she wasn't upfront about them.
"How's the reno on the bakery going?" Hudson asked me, and everyone turned their attention to us.
"We have another two weeks to go. Just need to paint and install the appliances."
Ford whistled. "Two weeks. That was quick."
"Cooper was motivated to get this one done. We can't have our favorite bakery be closed much longer," I said.
Reina smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It's been a life saver to have the town hall kitchen at my disposal. I don't know what I would have done without it. Maybe gone a little crazy."
"Everyone will be happy when you’re able to reopen. As nice as the temporary space is, the bakery is a better set-up," Natasha said.
They launched into a conversation about the paint colors for the bakery, and I tuned it out. When Reina moved closer to the women, Hudson sidled over to me. "How's it going with your roomie?"
I shook my head. "Fine."
He wagged his brows. "You didn't give into the temptation?"
"She bakes; she doesn't model lingerie," I quipped.
He gave me a look. "I don't know about that. You can do some interesting things with whipped cream and sugar."
I frowned. "Not everything is sexual."
Hudson laughed. "You must not be getting any, or you wouldn't say that."
I swallowed down the retort because he wanted me to admit that there was something going on, and I wouldn't fall for his bait.
He raised a brow when I remained quiet.
"I see how it is."
"I promised her brother I'd take care of her, and I did. In a couple of weeks, she'll be back in her place."
"Sure," Hudson said, tipping back his beer bottle to take a long pull.
I sipped my beer, needing something to keep my hands full and keep me from reaching for Reina. "I need to make a plan to finish the electrical on the rest of the town."
"I can share the schedule we used for plumbing."
"That would be great." And I appreciated the turn of conversation from Reina to work.
The rest of my brothers joined us, and we talked about upcoming jobs.
They were paired off with women they loved, and I couldn't help but be envious that they'd gotten what they'd wanted.
I wasn't sure how to navigate this situation with Reina, but maybe I should talk to her before she moved out. See if she felt the same way I did. If I didn't say anything about my feelings, I'd regret it.
On the way home, Reina talked excitedly about the plans for the town and reopening her bakery. It sounded like Aspen convinced her to have a grand reopening party.
I couldn't help but think that her excitement for the future only made me more attracted to her. As soon as I closed and locked the door, I was on her, kissing her against the door and sliding my hand under her skirt.
"This dress drove me crazy all night."
She arched a brow. "Are you sure it was the dress and not me?"
I chuckled. "It was definitely you."
Then I lifted her, carrying her to the couch where I placed her on her hands and knees. I pulled her panties down her legs and threw them behind me. I lifted her skirt and caressed her pussy. "You're already so wet for me."
She looked over her shoulder at me. "I've been thinking about this all night."
I growled as I unzipped my slacks and let them fall over my hips. "I can't wait a second longer to be inside you."
"So don't," she challenged, a sultry note to her tone.
I thrust inside her, reveling at the feel of her walls surrounding me.
I gripped her hips, moving to the beat of my heart.
I couldn't let her go, not without telling her how I felt.
But not now, later. When we were cuddling in bed, with the after-sex glow, I'd tell her everything.
How I never intended to fall for her, but I did.
How I wasn't sure what love was, but I was fairly sure that was what I was feeling for her. How I never wanted her to leave. I didn't want to hold her back, but we could figure this out. We were adults.
I couldn't think of any other reason not to tell her tonight.
I wanted her naked, but there wasn't enough time. I covered her back with my chest and pulled her dress down so that her breasts popped out. She wasn't wearing a bra, and her tits were available for me to roll with my fingers.
She pushed back against me, working herself on my cock. "Morgan."
To ease the pressure building inside me, I bit her bare shoulder.
I needed to feel her walls spasm around me.
I squeezed her nipple with one hand, I circled her clit with the other, and she tensed before crying out my name, her body trembling.
I'd never get tired of hearing her say my name.
I never wanted her to forget how I made her feel.