It's… refreshing.
"Beth says you taught her how to make apple turnovers when she was little."
I still, the memory hitting me in the chest. "I used to."
"You're good with your hands." She flushes, and I watch color creep up her neck. "I mean—with wood and tools. Your frosting improved, too."
My gaze locks on hers. "So are you."
The words hang between us, loaded with meaning neither of us acknowledges.
I bet she can do more with those hands too. I can’t help but imagine them wrapped around my cock as she looks up at me…
Christ!
The wind howls and the fire cracks. Bear snores in the corner. The mountain throws everything it has at my walls, but inside, we're safe. Away from the world.
That's the problem. In here with her, it's too easy to forget why I built these walls in the first place.
She yawns and rubs her eyes.
"Bedtime.”
“For both of us,” she says pointedly. “You’re in the bed too, remember?”
The aches and pains in my back refuse to let me argue. “I’ll be there soon.”
She gathers plates and cooling racks, tidying the kitchen with quick efficiency. Then folds the Santa dress and tucks it out of sight. When she slides under my quilt, I have to look away from the image of her in my bed, surrounded by my scent, her hair spreading across my pillow.
I kill the lamps one by one until only firelight remains, until I can’t busy myself anymore.
All I can think of is her.
"Red?"
I turn my head toward the bed. I can't see her clearly in the dimness, but I can feel her gaze.
"Thank you for not letting me fall earlier."
I chuckle softly. "You were never going to hit the floor."
Not on my watch, anyway.
Then she says, "I know."
I close my eyes, not sure what this warm feeling pooling in my belly is but liking it all the same. I slide into bed beside her, trying my darndest not to touch her in any way.
"Goodnight, Cookie."
"Goodnight, Red.".
I close my eyes and listen to her breathing slow as she falls asleep.
Bear snores while the storm rages outside.
The mantle clock ticks past midnight. Christmas Day becomes the day after Christmas while I sit here in the dark, watching shadows dance on the ceiling.
And I lie in bed, wide awake, knowing tomorrow I'll have to face what I've been avoiding since she knocked on my door.
