Mason suddenly found Darryl, and Darryl lurched forward, picking up the boy and slinging him over his shoulder, sending Mason smiling from ear-to-ear. “Well, he’s definitely the nicest guy I’ve ever met,” Penelope stated.
“Me too,” Maisie said. “He’s definitely one of the good ones. I tried to hook up Clara with him.”
Penelope turned her head to the side so fast, it felt like it almost spun around. “You did?”
“Yes,” Clara said, entering the living room carrying a brown paper grocery bag. “And I said no.”
Maisie rolled her eyes, following her sister into the kitchen.
When Penelope joined them, Maisie was already scooping the first thing out of the bag to help Clara put away the groceries. “Only because Darryl was best friends with the-guy-who-shall-not-be-named,” Maisie said. “Which was a million years ago.” She placed the block of butter into the fridge. “All I’m saying is that it’s a shame a man like Darryl is single.”
Penelope looked away, quickly avoiding that conversation, and grabbed the veggies off the counter to stuff in the veggie drawer.
“I quit.”
Every set of eyes turned onto Amelia. Three things happened simultaneously. Maisie burst out laughing. Clara plugged her nose. Penelope bit her lip to not be like Maisie.
“Please tell me that is not what I think it is,” Clara muttered.
“Barf?” Amelia asked, her chest soaking wet with bits of things Penelope didn’t want to identify. “Yes, that’s exactly what it is,” Amelia snapped. “I was helping a group get their drunk-ass friend on the bus after the last tour, and he decided I was a better place to puke on then…I don’t know…the ground.”
Penelope bit her lip harder.
“Wow,” Maisie said seriously. “That blows chunks.”
Clara laughed.
Amelia’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Not funny in the least.”
Maisie lifted her fingers. “Maybe just a little?”
“No, not even the tiniest amount.” Amelia glared at Clara. “I’m not joking. I quit. Someone else can do the tours.” Without waiting for a reply, she left the kitchen.
“Poor Amelia,” Penelope said.
“Oh, please,” Clara said, scrunching the paper bag in her hands. “I have cleaned up her barf at least five times over the years. This is just payback.”
Maisie giggled. “I better go check on her.” She scooted out of the kitchen, and soon her footsteps could be heard thundering up the staircase.
Penelope grabbed the bananas off the counter and hung them on the fruit basket, when Clara broke the silence. “You seem to have a way with drunk people and entertainment, maybe the tours could be your thing if you stick around.”
Penelope’s mouth fell open before she sputtered, “I’m not…who said…I don’t know why…”
Clara gave an easy smile and sidled up next to her, staring out at Darryl, who currently was getting a snowball in the gut. “You were ripped away from here before. That wasn’t your choice. But that’s changed now, hasn’t it?”
Penelope searched for words, anything to try and declare that staying was the worst idea ever.
But the words never came.
Clara laughed softly, obviously liking Penelope speechlessness, before she strode away.
“Didn’t you say that I had to make sure Christmas wasn’t full of drama this year?” Penelope called after her.
“When have you ever listened to me?” Clara countered.
Chapter Eight
Darkness faded away to light as Penelope peeled open her eyes. It took her a moment to remember that she and Darryl had returned to Darryl’s place after dinner with her cousins. She’d come to love the family dinners they did together. She recalled the two glasses of wine she ingested that apparently had given her enough liquid courage to rip Darryl’s clothes off the second they entered his house, and she’d very much remembered how he tasted when she took him into her mouth. Which lasted until he began trembling then pressed her up against the wall and gave her a mind-blowing orgasm.
That all was perfectly fine.
What wasn’t okay was the warm and heavy weight pressing against her chest. Any bit of sleepy haze faded in a millisecond. “Darryl,” she whispered, frightened to move.
He lay motionless next to her, snoring softly, with his back to her.
The problem was, Darryl wasn’t the only one snoring. Ebenezer was curled up on her chest, the soft snores of the big tomcat breaking into the silence. “Darryl,” she said a little bit louder, scared if she made a move, her face would become a cat scratching post. “Darryl,” she said louder.
From a dead sleep, Darryl shot up in the bed. “What’s wrong?”
“Help me,” she barely managed.
Darryl flicked on the bedside light, stared at her face, then the cat, and began laughing.
“This is not funny,” Penelope said seriously. “He’s going to kill me.”
“I’ve never seen him do this with anyone but Tyson.” Darryl rubbed his eyes, sitting up a little, then when he dropped his hands, his grin appeared. “He likes you.”
“He doesn’t like anyone,” she countered. “You named him Ebenezer, remember? He’s just warming me up to eat me.”
Darryl’s mouth curved. He settled back against the pillow and stared at them both a moment. “I’m not exactly sure how to handle this.”
“You’re a cop,” Penelope grumbled. “Surely, you can handle a cat. Get him off me.”
Darryl chuckled and winked. “Just kidding. I wanted to enjoy the view a little longer.” He clapped.
Ebenezer opened his eyes, yawned and stood up, but then those sharp eyes came to Penelope’s. He stared at her, looking as horrified as she was, or maybe that was just the way his brow looked. Certainly this was up for debate.
“Don’t kill me,” Penelope whispered. “I taste terrible.”
Darryl scoffed. “Wrong. You taste incredible.”
Ebenezer jumped off the bed.
“You can breathe now,” Darryl said, flicking off the light again. “He doesn’t like being caught loving on anyone or anything.” Darryl gathered her in his arms until he was spooning her side, while she lay on her back, his leg draped over hers. “See? All safe.” Tyson came up to the bed, and Darryl gave him a head scratch. “Nothing to worry about, bud. Back to bed.”
Tyson yawned and then curled up beside the bed on the floor.
Penelope did not move, her heart hammering in her ears.
Silence drifted between them for a few minutes before Darryl’s chuckle filled the dark room. “Sleeping happens when you shut your eyes.”
“How can you tell I’m not sleeping?”
“Are you sleeping?”
“No.”
“Then that’s how I know.”
She laughed softly then turned into him, his breath brushing across her cheek. “I think my flight mode has been activated.”
“Just settle,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
“Says the guy that didn’t have a killer cat sleeping on his chest.”
Darryl moved away then flicked on the light again. When he faced her, his playful expression she thought she’d find was nowhere in sight. Hardness lay in his every line. “All right, if you don’t want to sleep, let’s talk.” He took a deep breath. “Stay.”
She blinked, thinking she heard him wrong.
Then she realized she hadn’t, as he added, “I know this is going to rock the boat. That maybe what you want is a world away from here, but I couldn’t live with myself if I don’t say it. I don’t want you to leave after Christmas, Penelope. Stay here, with me. Let’s give this a shot.”
Her heart promptly landed in her stomach. “It’s more complicated than my just staying.”
“Why? It seems pretty simple to me. Don’t leave. All fixed.”
“What about my job?”
“There are bartending jobs here. Or you could find a new one.”
“Where wo
uld I live?”
“I have no doubt your cousins would take you in until you got settled.”
She was beginning to run out of reasons not to, and by the intensity in his gaze, he seemed like he knew it too.
“There’s your new adventure,” he said, sliding his knuckles across her cheek. “Do something you’ve never done. Stick.”
Her throat tightened, skin flushed hot, and she shifted against the mattress, suddenly realizing that having Ebenezer on her seemed easy in comparison to this conversation. “I can’t—”
Darryl pressed his finger against her mouth. “Just think about it, that’s all I’m asking.” He slowly removed his finger, and in its place came his mouth.
And damn was it a fine mouth.
He swept her away with his kiss, and she became mindless to him, losing herself in the passion he invoked.
“Now, how about we get you settled for the night?” he said, moving atop her until they were pressed together flesh against flesh.
She slid her hands up his warm back, letting her fingers explore the lines of each groove of his incredible body. She slid that touch lower over his fine muscular ass, liking how when she touched him there, his breath became a little rougher.
“Damn, sugar. You make me want to bring out my naughty side,” he said roughly, then broke away to reach into the drawer.
She expected him to pull out a condom. Instead, he slowly pulled out a camouflage bandana. The side of his mouth curved up, probably at her growing curiosity. Naked and hard, he knelt between her thighs and began folding, until she understood.
A blindfold.
He lifted his warm eyes to hers. “Any problem with this?”
Her nipples tightened and heat warmed low in her belly. “Well, this is a first for me. And for what it’s worth, I am a big fan of the naughty side of you.”
He chucked, low and deep. “I’ll take that as consent.” Something intense and hot flashed in his eyes.
As he placed the blindfold over her eyes, she realized the flash was determination. Maybe determination to show her that there was no better place to be than right there with him.
The thought was hastily ripped from her as he began kissing his way down her neck until he had her breasts in his hands. He squeezed them together, licking a nipple before licking the other, sucking on them, nibbling until she squirmed in need for him to move lower. And she couldn’t quite remember the reasons she’d ever want to leave him.
“I’ll take care of you tonight, Penelope,” he murmured.
Her heart raced again, but this time, the spike came from a place of vulnerability. A place she’d never felt before. Maybe that was Darryl’s thing, he knew how to bare a woman’s soul to him, but she felt her control slipping away, until her fingers fisted in the sheets as his tongue slid across her clit. Her hands came down onto his head.
“Ah-ah, not your game, sugar.” He grasped her hips and flipped her over, until her head lay against the pillow and he brought her ass high. Her nudged her legs open, and she felt the heat rise to her face as she lay there as exposed as she possibly could be.
He squeezed her bottom, spreading her cheeks, obviously examining. His fingers dug in with his groan that came from deep in his chest, telling her he liked what he saw. Then he reached for her arms and held both her wrists in one hand on top of her back. Without missing a beat, she shivered against his soft wet tongue as he slowly licked her folds. She shamelessly arched her back, showing him where she wanted him to go. And he went there, flicking his tongue back down her sex until he reached her clit. Gripping her wrists tight, he didn’t tease, didn’t play around. No, Darryl had learned her on spots already, and he used that knowledge to get her to the exact place he wanted.
Screaming his name.
He took her there and beyond. She shuddered against his mouth, flying on a high she never wanted to come down from. A high she thought would never end.
And it didn’t end.
Darryl entered her before she came down. He wasn’t gentle. Maybe he’d been teased too much. But he gave a few slow strokes to warm her up and allow her wetness to soak over the condom, and then he unleashed himself.
She squeezed her eyes shut beneath the blindfold, not even sure the orgasm before this one faded. Pleasure stole over every thought. Sensation flooded every molecule of her being. He gripped her wrists, pinning her, and she didn’t want him to let go. For all the moments she felt she had no one, his tight hold eased those painful spots on her soul.
“All mine tonight,” Darryl growled, sounding both possessive and aroused.
He slapped her bottom, and she gasped with the way heat flooded her. Her legs began trembling when he reached around and rubbed her clit with his fingers. Beneath the blindfold, she let the sensation overtake her, trusting him to bring her out of her mind.
She went to places she’d never gone before. She felt the hard shudders of her body and heard him roaring his climax, but she tumbled back into the darkness, pulsating with a beautiful pleasure, vaguely aware that while what was between her and Darryl was complicated, it somehow, was also the easiest thing she’d ever done. Ten years ago, she’d been captivated by him. That hadn’t changed. And being there, in the warmth of Darryl’s arms as he gathered her close, felt right.
The safest and scariest place she’d ever been in her life.
Chapter Nine
Edison lights hung from the rafters of the old barn that had been converted into a banquet hall a few years back. Darryl grabbed the Santa coat out of his duffel bag. Tonight, his job was to hand out gifts spontaneously, as the event planners took care of all the things that Darryl knew nothing about. Like, decorating and party food.
Out of sight behind one of the large beams, he removed his button-down and T-shirt, then slid into the Santa coat. The coat and pants were thick and hot, and the Santa hat didn’t help much either. After he buttoned the coat up, he strode around the large beam, pleased by the number of people spilling through the doors. Months, he’d been planning the main event, alongside the event planners. Things had come together nicely.
He reached for his bag of gifts donated by some of the locals, when he heard the captain say, “You better be treating that girl right. She’s made you look like damn Santa Claus.”
Darryl straightened, finding his captain casually dressed, with a beer in his hand.
The captain smiled, leaning against the wooden beam, and added, “The mayor called this morning to inform me she’s been hearing about how you and Penelope have really outdone yourselves during these events and went beyond what anyone expected of either of you.” The captain cupped his shoulder, pride beaming in his eyes. “Done good, Wilson. Done good.”
“Thank you, sir.” Warmth carried through Darryl. Not having a father figure in his life had been a blow. The captain filled that void at times. Which had been another reason Darryl’s drunk screw-up after his divorce had been such a shitshow. Darryl hadn’t only disappointed himself. He’d also disappointed the man he looked up to. “But believe me when I tell you, all those extras were from Penelope.” And that was still the best surprise of all. He’d always wondered what the draw to Penelope had been back in the day. Now he knew it wasn’t only the intensity between them, but she was also a good person.
The captain’s fingers tightened around Darryl’s shoulder again. “Ah, perhaps that’s true enough, but you were the one who suggested the community service in the first place.” The captain lifted his beer in salute then strode toward his wife on the other side of the barn.
People were still coming through the doors, while the band who also worked at Kinky Spurs, the best watering hole in town, played the fourth song of the night. Soon the party would be happening, and once Darryl got his Santa work completed, he’d spend the rest of the night with the only woman on his mind.
She still hadn’t answered his question from last night.
He wanted that answer.
Darryl reached for the bag of gifts again,
when a softer, sexier voice said behind him, “Hi, Santa. Am I on the nice list this year?”
He turned and immediately reached for Penelope’s hand. Damn. His body heated and hardened in a single breath. “I’m beginning to think it would serve me better if you were on the naughty list.” He pulled her in close and kissed her, not caring who saw him, only caring that his lips met hers. “My. My,” he said when he backed away. He held her hand and twirled his finger, and she obliged, giving him a little spin. She wore green-and-red stripe leggings with a little green dress, and sleek, sexy black heels that did incredible things for her legs. Her hair was in big curls and her makeup was darker than he’d seen it. He thought maybe he should just skip the work part all together.
The song shifted to a slow song. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand, leading her onto the dance floor. “We’ve got work, but first, let’s dance.” He pulled her in close, loving how she smiled sweetly at him.
A dozen or more people danced around them, but he was focused on her. On the way she stared into his eyes and felt all soft against him. He didn’t want her to leave. And he hoped she realized she didn’t want to either.
“Stop taking up all the room, Wilson.”
Darryl snorted, recognizing the voice. He turned to Nash Blackshaw who danced with his wife, Megan, in his arms. “Aren’t you the one who usually takes up most the room, Blackshaw?”
Nash barked a loud laugh.
Darryl glanced at Megan. “Thank you for providing the band again.”
“Thank the band.” Megan smiled; her unique eyes, one blue, the other brown, were bright tonight. “They’re doing all the work. Since we’re kidless tonight, I’m just here for the dancing and booze.” She laughed as Nash twirled her away.
In their place, Darryl noticed the other two Blackshaw brothers, Shep and Chase, along with their wives, Emma and Harper. Their family had suffered a blow after losing their father, then some financial and personal trouble came their way when they developed a new guest ranch, but anytime Darryl saw them now, they all seemed happy and busy with their kids.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Page 9