I'm lifted in the air, Noah spinning me around, so I'm straddling him. He lowers me, so I'm curled into his chest, his heart beating against my cheek.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
I ignore him, needing to continue and finish this. "I came back home with my parents when I was discharged, but the memories were everywhere. And people would always stare, making me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't bear to be there anymore. As much as it hurt my parents, I packed my things in my car and just drove. I kept driving until I got to this delightful town called Hopeful. And the rest is history. I try to get down to see my parents, but it gets harder and harder all the time." Noah rubs my back, and I relish in being in his strong arms which are starting to feel like home.
"And Nick?" Noah asks softly.
"He's dead. He killed himself when he was in jail; he took the coward’s way out. He deserved to rot in that cell for what he did to me." It still hurts knowing that. Noah doesn't say anything just lets me shed my tears. Poor thing; I've soaked his nice shirt.
When the tears stop, I sit up, wiping my no doubt panda-looking eyes, to see him smiling at me.
"What?" I ask.
"You are a beautiful, strong woman." The man's crazy.
"Noah, I've meant to tell you this, but I think you may need to get your eyes checked."
He just laughs me off. "Tessa, even with make-up smudging your face, you are still one stunning woman." I shake my head, but Noah's face goes serious, and he starts to stand with me still in his arms.
I wrap my legs and arms around him. Max barks in the background, obviously startled at the sudden movement.
"What are you—?"
"Going to show you just what I see." He walks us to the bathroom, turning the light on as he does.
I slowly untangle myself from him as he turns me so I'm facing the mirror, his back like glue on mine, pushing me into the basin.
"What do you see?" Noah asks gently.
"You know what I see, Noah a red-eyed panda with ugly scars.”
"Is that really what you see?" he asks again, almost angrily. I look up to meet his eyes in the mirror, tears starting to fall again.
He wipes them away as he says much more gently, "Want to know what I see?"
I nod, not able to speak the words.
"I see the most beautiful woman I have ever met." I look down, unable to look at him anymore.
He lifts my chin up gently, forcing me to look at him.
"Look at your face," he whispers, and I take a deep breath, doing as he says. I sag back into him. "That's my girl." He smiles. "Now, the first thing that attracted me to you was your eyes. Even with them being red and blurred with make-up, they are the most gorgeous shade of green and so expressive. I love your cute, pert nose, the dimple next to those lips so lush I'm sure people pay to have. Your face is gorgeous even with that scar. Like it or not, Tessa, that scar is a part of you and always will be. You have chosen to see it as bad, but I choose to see it as a symbol of how strong you are, and I find that just enhances your beauty to me. And those luscious curls that frame your face finish off your beauty. And that's just what I see on the outside; you are just as beautiful from the inside." The tears are flowing freely now as I hear this wonderful man accept me for who I am, flaws and all. He drops the curl that he was twirling as he spins me around. He keeps his hand in my hair, his body still crushing mine to the bathroom counter.
"Tessa." He wipes my eyes before kissing each eyelid then kissing down every inch of my scar. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, conflicted with my thoughts of how sweet this man is. He briefly touches his lips to mine as he says, "I know it's going to take time, but I wanted you to know that you," he kisses me again, "are," kiss, "beautiful," kiss, "to," kiss, "me." Both his hands cup my head. "Got it?" I hesitate to nod. "Oh, I could go on if you like. Believe me, I have more. Your tits are out of this world, your hips, your legs, oh and how can I forget that ass that had me frozen on the spot earlier?"
I slap his chest, managing a small laugh. “Okay,” I whisper because he makes me think that maybe in time, I could feel that way.
"Perfect, now jump up," he says, putting his hands on my butt and lifting me into his arms again.
"You know I can walk," I tell him.
"Yeah, I know, I just prefer you in my arms." Placing me on the couch, taking the blanket on the back of the sofa, he grabs the remote before sitting behind me. "Let's watch something funny." And we do until I find my eyes slowly drift closed as I turn slightly, curling myself into Noah's body.
When did you go get these?" I ask as I go through the bags he just placed on the table.
"Ah, the joys of not being chained to a desk from nine to five." He smiles down at me. "Got a call out down near Strip Mall, they had Christmas trees in the window. So, knowing how Grinch-like your house looks, I bought all this," he says, proudly pointing to the bags.
"You're crazy; this is way too many decorations for just one tree, and all this extra stuff," I exclaim as I point to the statues he bought. Ever since that night where I fell asleep in his arms, he has been talking me into getting back to my love of Christmas.
He just smiles at me.
"Noah, I appreciate this, but it's wasted here, there's only me to see them all.”
"I didn't do it for you," he huffs, laughing at me. "I'm here all the time. You can't subject me to your Grinch life; I need to convert you to my side of things." He puts on a Santa hat that starts singing Christmas songs.
Pulling me into his arms for a dance, I allow him to waltz me around the kitchen, loving this playful side of him. Getting to know Noah, he has shown me all these different sides that make him the perfect man.
"You ready to leave?" he asks, bringing us to a stop.
"Can you give me five minutes; I was just about done."
Going back to my laptop on the counter, I finish the email to my editor, saving my work, and closing it down. Grabbing my beanie, scarf, and jacket, I rug up and meet Noah in the car. He wore me down, and he is taking me to go pick a fresh tree from Dereck's Farm. He was thoughtful, and instead of going on a Saturday when it would be busy with families, he’s taking me tonight near closing time, in the hopes it won't be crowded. I didn't have the heart to tell him no. Whether I wanted it or not, Noah has burrowed his way into my heart, and he makes me so happy I wanted to do something for him. His face lit up when I told him I would go with him.
On the drive to the farm, Noah picks up on my unease and rubs my leg for most of the trip before linking fingers with mine. "You okay there, Tessa?" he asks as he puts his truck in park.
"Yep, I can do this."
"There's my girl," he says, caressing my cheek. "And if it gets to be too much, you tell me, yeah? And we'll head out."
I nod then lean forward to kiss him. A gentle slow kiss that warms us up. I break it off before it can get deeper. Noah's head rests on my forehead. "I can never get enough of that, but if we don't get out now, I'm taking you back home."
I giggle but jump out of the truck when he does.
His arm automatically goes around my waist, and I like how natural it feels. You would think that we had known each other longer than we have.
"Noah, about time I saw you here," booms from behind us.
I turn to see a short, robust man with red cheeks and all rugged up coming our way. My hands automatically go to my curls to rearrange the ones coming out of my beanie. Another taller, younger version of the man approaches.
Noah shakes both their hands.
"And who is this gorgeous woman with you?" the younger man says, offering his hand. I take his hand, but Noah's arm tightens around me.
"This is Tessa. Tessa, this is Dereck and Dereck Jnr."
"Nice to meet you both," I say.
"Do you need a hand picking a tree?" the older Dereck says.
"Yeah, I'm more than happy to help," Dereck Jnr adds, leering at me.
"No, we've got it, thanks," Noah says, walking off
quickly.
"What's the hurry?" I ask him.
"Dereck Jnr would love the chance to spend time with you, but you’re mine, he needs to back off."
I laugh. "You can't be serious?" Is he jealous?
Noah raises a brow, making me laugh more.
I rise onto my tiptoes and wrap both hands around his head, pulling him down for a kiss.
"Now he knows I'm with you." I wink and walk ahead to find a tree and hear him mumble 'damn right you are.'
We spend about twenty minutes walking around before we spot the perfect tree. As the snow is starting to fall, Noah walks me to his truck while he gets the tree tied to the top.
I can't believe how relaxed I was being out.
Okay, I was with Noah, and I think that helped, but we bumped into a few people, and they were all smiles and friendly.
Either I'm high, or maybe that wish I made at the wishing well is starting to come true.
On the way home, Noah asks if I want to stop for coffee and cake at the bakery. Telling him I think I've reached my quota for being around people tonight, he leaves me in the truck while he goes in.
I watch him go in and see a lady put her arm around him. Noah looks down at her arm, moving it away as he points to me. The lady glances my way, looking shocked and disgusted, then gives me a dirty look before walking away from Noah.
Chapter Eight
NOAH
I can't believe I bumped into Sue, of all people, I think as I get into the warmth of my truck.
Passing over the coffees and cake to Tessa, I see she has retreated a little.
"Who was that?" she asks a few minutes later, surprising me.
"That was Sue, and she’s been trying to make me go out with her ever since she broke up with her husband. I've never been interested, and there has never been anything between us."
"Okay," she says, but instead of talking, she stares out the window for the ride home.
I untie the tree and bring it inside, meeting Tessa in the kitchen.
"Thank you, Noah," she says, kissing my cheek as she passes me my coffee.
"For?" I ask, happy that she has forgotten about Sue.
"For everything. For helping me when I fell, for being my friend. For this." She nods to all the Christmas stuff on the table.
"Anything for you, beautiful." I wink, leaving her to look over the decorations I dropped off earlier while I go light the fire.
I set up the tree as Tessa passes me the lights. Once they are up, I test them to see that they are all working. Looking around, I see that Tessa has started arranging some of the decorations, on the mantle, tables, and even on her bookshelf. Walking up behind her where she is organizing some small Nutcrackers as bookends on one of her shelves, I startle her.
"Oh, I didn't hear you."
"These look good here."
"They do, don't they? Thank you, Noah, I forgot how much fun doing this can be."
I steal a quick kiss from her then take her hand to show her the tree.
"What do you think?" I ask.
"Well, it's a bit plain. Where are the decorations?"
"The lights, Tessa, decorations come after."
"Do they?" She tilts her head in question.
"Oh god, you’re one of those people who decorate the tree in the wrong order?"
"There's an order?" She tries to keep a straight face but breaks out smiling.
"Ha-ha. Are the lights good? Ready to decorate?"
"Yeah, they look good to me." She turns to pick up the baubles.
"I hope you like the colors. Wasn't sure what you would like. Thought I'd be safe going with colors I've seen in here." Her house has subtle tones of pink, grey, white with hints of green. I tried to stick to those colors as best I could.
"You couldn't have picked better, Noah. You did great." She smiles, hanging a bauble.
We spend the next hour decorating the tree, telling each other about our Christmases back when we were kids.
Hers sounded fun with loving parents. My childhood was different. To my dad, it was just another day to get drunk without having to go into work. I was so young when my mom died; I have no memories of when she was alive.
"So, do you want to do the honors?" Tessa says, holding out the star I picked to top the tree.
"Mmmm, how about we do it together?" I suggest as I turn the lights back on.
"No, you do it."
"Uh uh." I shake my head, taking her by the waist and lifting her.
She laughs as she reaches up to place the star on the top. I let her body slide down my chest. When her feet touch the ground, I wrap my arms around her middle.
"Perfect," she says.
"Perfect," I agree.
"So, you want to stay and watch a Christmas movie with me?" Tessa asks.
"Let me see… Go home to a cold, empty, house or stay here cuddled on the couch with you? That's a tough one."
Tessa breaks away from me. "Ain't no one said anything about cuddling." She crosses her arms across her luscious chest.
I tickle her until her arms drop and she's laughing too.
Taking her in my arms, I whisper in her ear, "Given the choice, I will always choose you." I kiss her neck, raining small kisses up her chin. When my lips find hers, she responds immediately as she takes over and I let her. Her insistent mouth is parting my lips, her tongue seeking mine. The kiss turns frantic with need from both of us. I suck her soft, supple lip and hear her groan, making my jeans tighten, the zipper digging into my cock.
We pull apart, both wanting more but knowing we need to wait.
Both of us breath deep and fast. "You are too damn good at that," Tessa whispers.
"So are you, gorgeous, I can never get enough." As much as I want to take her now, take it all, I take my hands off her. When the time is right, she needs to instigate it. After that fucken ex of hers caused her so much pain, I can only imagine how hard it is for her to trust anyone new in her life. But I am 100 percent grateful that she has chosen to try things with me. When she told me her story, I tried not to get mad, but my blood was boiling. I didn't want her to see that though, to think I was angry at her. That bastard. I don't usually wish anyone dead, but if he was still alive and our paths crossed, I'm sure I would be going to jail. I would not be able to hold back.
"How about I get some wine and popcorn, and you can pick the movie." An almost confused look crosses Tessa's face before she hides it and smiles cheekily.
"So, I can pick any Christmas movie or chick flick?"
I laugh. "Yes, Tessa, you can pick anything out, and I'll watch it."
Getting everything from the kitchen, I settle in next to Tessa and see what she has chosen; Elf.
"Good choice," I say as I pull her to me, but she hesitates to look down at her fingers. Lifting her chin, I look into her eyes.
"Can I ask you something?" she says so softly.
"You can always ask me anything, Tessa."
"Are you… do you…" She looks down at her hands again.
"Tessa, sweetheart." I cup her chin, so she has to look at me.
"When you kissed me just now, and a few other times in the past, you’ve abruptly stopped. I just thought maybe…"
I kiss her trembling lip gently.
“Tessa, you are gorgeous, and I want nothing more than to take things to the next step. Believe me, my hand has had quite a workout since your fall. But I also know what you have been through, so I want to take things slowly. There have been so many times in the past week where I have wanted to take you then and there. Never, not for one moment, think you are undesirable to me. No matter what you do, you’ll always be gorgeous to me. And remember, I've seen you under a deadline. That shit's not pretty." I wink, trying to lighten the mood.
Tessa wipes a stray tear, laughing as she smacks me. "You said I was still pretty."
"And I meant it. The whole not showering, staying up to all hours, only eating when I feed you, that's some scary times." She laughs and relaxes back into m
e. I pass her glass to her as she presses play, and we settle in to watch the movie.
Halfway through, Tess starts to get restless. She's squirming this way and that, trying to get comfortable, maybe to close her eyes and sleep. But the more she moves, the more awake my cock gets, and I'm struggling to control it. I was serious when I told her earlier that I don't want to scare her, and the only way to do that is to go slow. But I am just a man and being around such a sexy woman, my body instinctively gravitates to her. When her hand gets close to my crotch, I take her hands in mine.
"Careful, sweetheart." She mumbles something. "What was that?"
She turns around, her leg going on the other side of my leg, so she's straddling me.
"What if I don't want to be careful anymore?"
I stare at her, unsure how to play this. Maybe she's had too much wine. I quickly look at the table and see that we haven't even had half a bottle. She takes my face in her tiny hands. "I only had one glass. And I want you." She molds her mouth to mine, and we tangle all mouth, teeth, and tongue. My hands go to her tight ass, pulling her to me. Her arms go around my head as she deepens the kiss.
Chapter Nine
TESSA
Deepening the kiss, I rub myself against Noah, wanting him so badly. I've been attracted to him for a long time. I would always dream about him after his visits, and he would be my muse for a lot of my books. But I never thought I would ever be here, in my living room, in his lap. Him wanting me as much as I want him. But if his hard-on is any indication, he is just as attracted to me. And I can't wait anymore. All the subtle touches, longing looks when he thinks I'm not looking, all the kisses we have shared. I want more. I want Noah. I'm ready to go back into the world of the living. And I choose him.
Noah breaks the kiss, but his hands stay on my ass "Tessa."
"Noah," I reply, mimicking his tone.
"I…" He gulps. "I love kissing you, but we are about to cross a line, and I don't think I'll be able to stop."
"And I don't want you to stop," I tell him, no hesitation, confident in my decision.
Country Wishes Page 64