Diego’s arm wrapped protectively around my waist, pulling me close against his side. “Let me see that hand again,” he murmured, gently taking my injured fingers in his. His touch was tender as he examined my swollen knuckles. “We should probably get some ice on this.”
“I’ve got some in the back,” Dolly said, already heading toward the kitchen. “And a first aid kit.”
The music had started up again, the party slowly returning to normal as people went back to their conversations and dancing, though I could still feel curious glances being cast our way. I leaned into Diego’s solid warmth, suddenly exhausted.
“You handled that like a champ,” he whispered against my temple, pressing a soft kiss there. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
“I can’t believe I actually hit him,” I said, still processing what had happened. “And in front of everyone.”
“Trust me, everyone here is glad you did.” Diego’s eyes were warm with admiration. “Including me, though I was about two seconds away from doing it myself.”
“I know you were.” I smiled up at him. “I could feel you practically vibrating with the effort of holding back.”
“Nobody gets to disrespect you like that,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Not while I’m around.”
Dolly returned with an ice pack wrapped in a dish towel and handed it to me. “Here you go, sugar. This should help with the swelling.”
I pressed the ice to my knuckles, wincing at the initial sting before the cold started to numb the pain. “Thanks, Aunt Dolly.”
“That ex of yours is lucky all he got was a bloody nose,” she muttered, her eyes still flashing with anger. “The nerve of him, showing up here like that.”
“I can’t believe my mom gave him my address,” I said, the betrayal stinging almost as much as my hand. “After everything I told her about him.”
“Your mama always did have more beauty than brains,” Dolly sighed. “But don’t you worry about that. I’m gonna call her tomorrow and give her a piece of my mind.”
I nodded, feeling more than a little justified that Dolly was gonna give my mother the business. “I just hope he’s gone for good,” I said,glancing toward the door as if Tommy might reappear at any moment.
Diego’s arm tightened around me. “If he comes back, I’ll punch his fuckin’ lights out.” He pulled me closer, wrapping me in those strong arms once more. “You and me are in this for the long run. I love you so much, Freckles.”
“I love you too, Diego,” I replied, leaning into him. “More than anything.”
Epilogue: Hayden
I wasn’t sure if I dreamed at all that night. And if I did, it must’ve been about Diego, because that’s all that was on my mind as my eyes fluttered open. I reached up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I glanced out the window. The Texas sky was stained pink by the rising sun. The clouds were still heavy and light snow drifted down, collecting on the roofs of Sagebrush. It was like a scene out of a Christmas card.
As beautiful as it was, it couldn’t hold my attention for long. Not when there was a naked, hunky cowboy snuggled against my back. His strong arms were wrapped around me protectively, his body enveloping mine like I was some dainty thing that needed guarding. Needless to say, I loved it. I wiggled backward against him, allowing myself to be swallowed up by him.
And that’s when I felt it. A thick, throbbing cock, wedged against my butt cheeks. Suddenly I had an idea for a last-minute Christmas gift for Diego.
Moving as slowly as I could so as not to disturb him, I grabbed the lube from the bedside table and squirted some into my hand. Reaching back, I smeared some over my hole before grabbing Diego’scock. He groaned happily in his sleep, but didn’t wake, which was just what I wanted. Covering his dick in lube, I aimed him toward me and sank backward once more.
The feeling of his thick cock pressing into me made my breath catch. I bit my lip as I worked him inside, inch by glorious inch, relishing the delicious burn and stretch. Diego’s breathing changed, growing heavier against my neck, but his eyes remained closed.
I moved slowly, carefully, taking him deeper until he was fully seated inside me. God, he felt incredible… hot and hard and filling me so perfectly I had to stifle a moan. I started a gentle rhythm, rocking back against him, clenching around his girth.
“Mmm,” Diego hummed, his arms tightening around me. “Is this a dream?”
I smiled to myself. “Merry Christmas,” I whispered, reaching back to run my fingers through his hair.
His eyes fluttered open, and I felt his body tense with awareness. “Holy shit, Hayden,” he groaned, his voice rough with sleep and arousal. “You’re really?—”
“Yeah,” I breathed, pushing back more firmly. “That okay?”
Instead of answering, Diego’s hips surged forward, driving deeper into me. His hand slid down my stomach to wrap around my cock, already hard and leaking. “More than okay,” he murmured against my ear. “Best Christmas morning ever.”
“Good,” I replied, pushing back against him harder. “Fuck me nice and slow, okay?”
Diego’s hands tightened on my hips as he began to move in a languid rhythm, each thrust sending waves of pleasure up my spine. The morning light filtering through the window caught the dust motes in the air, making them dance like tiny stars as Diego and I moved together.
