Chapter Thirty
Maisie
Spending our first Christmas together since getting back together is all I’ve been able to think about for the past couple months. I couldn’t wait to start decorating the cabin, so I started after Halloween weekend.
Garland and lights wrapped around the deck, wreaths on the doors, white lights hung across the roof, and an inflated Santa in his sleigh with the reindeer on the lawn. Warren and his brothers put up colored lights around each tree in the front yard.
The chickens hated it at first, but they’ve come around now.
And the inside looks like a true Christmas cabin explosion—red bows, two themed trees, more garland and lights, singing Santas, and stuffed reindeer.
It’s the first time as an adult I’ve been able to decorate a house that’s truly felt like a home.
I’ve already told Warren we’re not taking it down until Valentine’s Day .
Maybe St. Patrick’s Day if he lets me.
It’s also the first time I’ve taken off work completely for the second half of December. Even set up an away message on my email that I’d return after the New Year.
Nothing is more important than spending this time with Warren and his family.
Warren has to work during the day, as usual, so I’ve been baking and cooking with his mom and Aunt JoJo. I even surprised him by making dinner a few days ago and it was actually decent.
Not fancy like the meals he makes, but I’m working on it.
I always find time to read but being able to binge a whole book in one sitting while rotting on the couch is my new profound love.
“May I interrupt your book for a moment of your attention?” Warren drawls overly dramatic as he walks into the living room. I’m sprawled out in my oversized sweatshirt, fireplace heating my legs and bare feet, and a half-filled mug of hot chocolate on the coffee table.
He’s lucky he’s so damn sexy or I’d tell him to go away.
“I suppose so…” I mock.
“I wanted to give you an early Christmas gift since the next few days are gonna be chaotic with family events.”
“I thought we were exchangin’ gifts on Christmas mornin’?”
“We are, but this one is extra special and deserves its own moment.”
Curious, I sit upright and make room for him next to me.
He reveals a wrapped book-shaped item from behind his back.
I reach for it, but he quickly pulls it away before I can grab it. “Hold on, grabby hands. ”
Pretending to pout, I wait impatiently.
“I had to dig into a couple of your contacts to make this happen, so please don’t be mad about that. I think it’ll be worth it once you see what it is.”
“My contacts? Like who?”
“Your agent friend, Jessica, and she got me into contact with someone else, who gave my email to the author.”
“Oh God, what’d you do?”
And how in the world did Jessica keep this a secret from me?
Even though she’s Hayes’s agent, we remained friends, which I’m grateful for. It was a bit of a shift after moving here and adjusting my schedule. Although I enjoyed the in-person networking, I can still network virtually and fly there for special conventions or fairs.
But I’m no longer making it my only focus and working toward a better work-life balance.
Warren smiles before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
He hands it over, a paperback for sure, but when I rip it open, I’m truly shocked.
Even more when I open it to the first page and find a handwritten letter from the author.
Dear Maisie,
I’m so honored to hear this is your favorite book!
Considering how much you must read, it feels extra special to me and these characters.
Your sweet husband politely begged for a signed copy (like I was going to say no to you of all people), but he mentioned how you two bonded over the open-ended ending and how he wondered what happened after, so I typed up a bonus epilogue for you to read.
It’s a few years in the future, so hopefully you’ll get some of your questions answered.
I struggled to write the second book for years, so I stopped trying, but getting your husband’s kind and personal email re-sparked the joy I felt writing this story in the first place.
So I owe you both a huge debt of gratitude because now I feel ready to continue writing the next book and making it even better than before.
All my love, xo
I’m in tears by the time I finish reading her note. There’s an envelope tucked in the back with the bonus epilogue she wrote, but then I notice something else.
“Did you annotate this?” I flip through the pages of highlighted sentences and sticker tabs.
“Yeah, I wanted to read it anyway, so I thought I’d include some of my commentary while I did. I added a tabs key so you know what the colors of each one mean.”
I don’t know whether I should panic that he wrote in a signed edition or be overwhelmed that he read my favorite book and included his thoughts on it.
Maybe both .
But leaning more toward how thoughtful he was for finding a way to reach out to her and getting this copy. I’ll cherish it even more knowing he wanted to read it because he knows how much I loved it .
“This means so much, babe. Thank you. I can’t believe you managed to read this without me knowin’. How long have you had this?”
“Well, I had to one-up you from my birthday surprise.” He grins. “I mostly read it in my office between tasks. Took me a while, but I loved it. Might’ve teared up a few times.”
Chuckling, I pull him in for a kiss and hug him tightly to my chest. “I can’t wait to reread it with your notes. Do you wanna read the bonus together?”
“You have no idea how much restraint it took not to peek at it.”
I laugh and then we settle in next to each other while I unfold the typed pages and read it aloud.
And within minutes, we’re both tearing up again.
“Wow…she killed this. I can’t wait for the full book whenever she releases it.”
“Me too. You’ll probably read it faster than me, but it’ll be fun to read the same thing together.”
“This is truly the best gift I’ve ever received. Thank you again.”
He tips my chin and brushes his lips to mine. “Anythin’ for you, my love.”
I carefully set the book down on the coffee table before straddling his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.
“So glad you begged me to take your name over nine years ago.”
“I did not beg …” He clarifies, almost insulted. “I strongly insisted.”
“And I happily agreed.” Smiling against his mouth, I grind against him, feeling him thicken between my thighs.
“Maisie Langston…” He growls my full name as he buries his fa ce in my neck, causing a shiver down my spine. “Do not start somethin’ you can’t finish.”
“And who says I can’t?” I taunt him more by rubbing over his hard length. “I’d like to properly express how grateful I am.”
He groans as I continue rocking my hips. “Then pull out my cock.”
My body hums at his demanding voice.
I lower to my knees on the floor and eagerly yank his pants down. As soon as I get into position, I grab the base of his shaft and wrap my lips around him. Instead of drawing it out, I see how fast I can get him there.
“Fuck, Maze.” His heavy breathing echoes in my ears and I beam at how easily I turn him on.
When I slip my other hand between his legs and find that tender spot behind his balls, he thrusts in deeper.
“Shit, baby. I’m close. Oh fuck…”
Hollowing my cheeks, I continue stroking him and sucking around his piercing. Moments later, he’s groaning through his release and filling up my throat.
Instead of swallowing, I climb up his body until I’m hovering above him and tap his lips with my you know what to do expression. Without fail, he opens wide and I spit his cum in his mouth.
Slamming my lips to his, I sink my tongue between them and taste how good we are together.
Warren slides his hands between us and pulls up his pants, then hauls me over his shoulder before standing.
“What’re you doin’?” I squeal, holding tightly to his ass.
“Gonna fuck you in the library and then tuck you into bed.”
I snort. “Wait, not in front of the Santas! ”
My library was the first to get bombarded with Christmas decorations.
He smacks my ass, then takes the steps downstairs. “After what I’m about to do to you, we’ll both be on the naughty list.”