Before I could thank him, Carson was out of the truck and coming around to my side. The chilly air contrasted sharply with the warmth emanating from Carson’s embrace when he stepped in close as if he wanted everyone to know without a doubt that I was with him.
Teddy pulled up as we reached the top step, so we both trekked back down the steps. Anson appeared out of nowhere and started scraping the snow from the steps, even though it looked like it had been done within the past half-hour.
Carson’s voice cut through the silence, his eyes boring into mine with intensity. “Are you ready for this?” he asked, and I could barely find the strength to nod. My mouth suddenly felt dry as terror ran through me like an electric current.
I was here to prove myself, prove that I could handle this pressure for both Shiloh’s bakery and the Langsford brothers. One wrong move tonight, and all my efforts would be wasted. If I pulled it off, though, if tonight was the success everyone predicted, then big opportunities would be waiting for me.
“Hey, everything’s going to be great, you’ll see,” Carson reassured me. He took me into his arms, holding the back of my head as I soaked in his warmth and strength. “You’ve done everything we asked of you and more. Now it’s time for you to watch all that hard work pay off.”
I hoped he was right.
We each grabbed one of the two large Styrofoam boxes before heading inside the building. Fresh evergreen wreaths hung over every doorway along with twinkling white lights and four Christmas trees filled corners of the room with warmth and cheer. The aroma of freshly prepared food flooded my senses as we placed each box where we’d set up the grazing tables.
The guests began arriving soon after Carson and I finished setting up, their laughter filling the air as they spread out to explore what was set before them. His family came bearing gifts for everyone. Billy passed out eggnog—which I realized a moment too late was spiked—in small cups decorated with holiday colors and designs.
Carson’s mom hugged me when she arrived at my makeshift workstation in the back corner of the room. She thanked me profusely for my hard work and praised my efforts in making sure there were so many delicious options available to enjoy.
“I know you might have plans already, but I hope you know you’re more than welcome at our house for Christmas,” she said as the conversation ended. If I hadn’t already been leaning against the tall stool Carson had brought over earlier, I might have lost my balance.
I looked around for my boyfriend, not wanting to accept his mom’s invitation without making sure he didn’t see it as overstepping. As much as he loved her, he was the first to accuse her of meddling when she thought her sons needed a push. I cleared my throat. “That’s sweet of you. Can I get back to you about plans? I need to talk to my mom and see what they’re doing.”
I didn’t want to explain that my family thought it was far more important to be seen at church on both Christmas Eve and the following morning or that we didn’t celebrate the way most people did. Seeming satisfied with my noncommittal response, Eleanor flitted off to make sure everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves.
The evening felt like an eternity as I waited for the party to end. Once it finally did and everyone but the family left, I remembered why waiting was worth it: we were finally free from distractions and prying eyes, free to just be ourselves and express our love however we desired.
Instead of everyone rushing to clean up so they could go home, they congregated near the fireplace in the main hall, collapsing onto the furniture that had been rearranged to create a cozy conversational area. Carson grabbed my wrist when I started packing my area. After all, I was here to work. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time to take a break.”
Carson placed a cup of eggnog in my hands, and I took a hesitant sip. I wasn’t exactly a fan of the drink, so I was relieved that no one seemed to expect me to finish it. The warmth from the fire was comforting, and I leaned into Carson as he draped his arm around my shoulders.
It wasn’t long before the conversation shifted from pleasantries to the usual ribbing between brothers, and eventually, Carson’s mom joined in as well. To my surprise, even Anson and Kevin were sitting close and joking around.
As we talked into the night, each of us sharing our plans for the days around Christmas, the brothers recalled funny memories they shared as kids growing up in the Langsford house. We all laughed and exchanged stories until, eventually, it was time to get back to work. While Carson walked his parents out to their car, I returned to the catering station.
“Hey, man, you were a rock star tonight,” Kevin said when he came over with a big garbage can. “I swear Anson spent half the night handing out business cards so people know how to get in touch with you. Might want to warn Shiloh things are about to get even busier down there.”
“Wow, thanks.” I hadn’t even thought to bring business cards because it was such a small town that everyone knew how to get in touch with Shiloh. Carson came back in and grabbed both of the now-empty coolers as I wiped down the tables.
“Are you ready to go home? We’re going to come back tomorrow to deal with tearing everything down.” Carson popped a leftover sausage puff into his mouth. It was a good thing Carson had made me a plate and insisted I eat. Otherwise, I’d be slapping together a peanut butter sandwich when we got home. To Carson’s. Even though I’d only been there once, it felt right that that was where I imagined when he said we were going home.
Together.
To have sex.
No. Carson had said we weren’t just having sex. He wanted to make love to me. And I couldn’t wait. My hole clenched with both excitement and anxiety. I’d played with myself there, just to see what the big deal was, but tonight would be different. Carson was a big guy, and from what I’d felt through his pants, he was proportionate everywhere. Taking him inside my body was going to be uncomfortable, but I wanted it. Needed it.
We drove in silence, the only sound being the faint hum of Christmas music playing through the radio. I glanced at Carson, his face illuminated by moonlight, and my heart fluttered. I’d been foolish to ask him to be patient with me when it only resulted in both of us being reluctant to take things to the next level. But tonight, patience wasn’t an option.
Finally, we pulled into his parking lot and Carson shifted into park. He turned off the engine and reached out to brush a strand of hair out of my face. His touch ignited an electric current through my body, and I shivered with anticipation.
“Come on,” he said softly, his eyes full of tenderness that made me melt inside. “Let’s go inside.”
I followed him up the steps to his front door, through the dark living room, and then down the hallway into his bedroom. Carson turned to me and cupped my cheeks with both hands before leaning in for a gentle kiss. His lips were soft yet firm against mine as we explored each other slowly. Our tongues touched delicately as we tasted each other, love filling our senses with joy and desire that seemed almost too powerful to contain.
He pulled away and looked deeply into my eyes before taking off my coat and laying it over a chair nearby. Then he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing thick chest hair I couldn’t wait to comb my fingers through before pulling me closer for more passionate kisses.
My heart raced as our lips moved together in perfect harmony while our hands roamed one another’s bodies, eagerly seeking more pleasure than I had ever experienced before. With every stroke of his fingertips across my skin, I felt myself growing closer to him until, finally, all barriers between us were removed completely.
My breath hitched as I felt his fingers fumbling with my bowtie. My body trembled when he started popping the buttons of my shirt one by one. I took deep breaths and bit back tears, desperately telling myself this man cherished me. No, he had never seen me naked, but that wouldn’t stop him from loving me.
