I could feel his heart pounding in his chest, joining the beat of my own. And suddenly all I wanted washim. The Santa costume had to go.
Pulling at the buttons, I managed to get his coat half-undone before he realized what I was trying to do. He ripped it open and shrugged out of it, throwing it to the ground. Then he tugged the flannel he was wearing underneath it off, tossing it aside.
And now we were skin on skin. Sweat mingled between us as he pumped himself into me, a hunger in him that was just as strong as mine.
“Stay with me, Robin. Stay with me,” he growled out as he gave one last thrust, harder than the others. Then another one. And another one. His groan filled the entire cabin as he came.
I could feel the hot liquid of his seed deep inside me, mingling with my juices as I tried to wrap my mind around what he’d just said.
He collapsed down on top of me, his heart racing as he held me tight, tighter than I’d ever been held in my life. As though he were afraid I might vanish like a Christmas mirage.
Delicately, I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close.
There were no words needed. We both knew our lives had just changed forever.
Whatever happened next, I knew it would be thebiggestadventure of my entire life.
Epilogue
Robin
Two and a half years later.
Today was perfect. It was one of those summer days with the sun shining down on us as lazy clouds floated in the sky.
A cotton tablecloth shifted in the breeze while trays of half-nibbled potluck food sat on top of the table.
Cocoa went running by with Comet chasing after her. Those two had become inseparable. I’d never seen two dogs love each other so much.
All of our friends were here today for Annie’s birthday party. Even Jan and her husband. They were visiting Arkansas for a few days because they’d delivered a reindeer to our sanctuary.
Their trip ended up being good timing for the party.
Right now, Jan was learning how to line dance. My dear friend Violet was showing her the steps while Chloe, Charlotte, and Poppy shouted instructions.
“Come dance with us!” Jan hollered.
But that was one adventure I didn’t want to take. I was deeply, deeply pregnant right now, and I just wanted to sit here while the party went along around me.
“No, I just want to watch. You’re doing great! We’ll go to the Bear Den later tonight, and you can show off your steps.” I hadn’t taken her there yet, and I knew she’d love it.
It was a unique spot in the Ozarks for the locals.
I knew by the end of the night Jan would end up riding the mechanical bull there. I planned on having my phone out, recording the whole thing.
Violet ran over and sat down next to me, slipping a hand to my pregnant belly.
“How’s the little one today?” she asked.
“Restless and a little ornery.” There’d been a series of belly kicks happening. Someone was ready to come out and join the world soon.
“I can’t wait for them to meet Gavin.”
Violet had met her husband around the same time we had. They’d managed to get a year ahead of us in the baby-making business.
The two of us had already made big plans.
Her little boy Gavin and our soon-to-be bundle of joy were going to be best friends. We had playdates planned for ten years out.
