Christmas Overnighted

by Lara Norman

  He showed her his room, and she immediately loved it. It was darker in there than the other rooms, at least until he turned on the lamp. The walls were slate blue, and the dark wood bed frame was a nice contrast to the white trim, keeping the whole thing from being too expected. The bedspread was a darker blue than the walls, and she could barely see the ensuite bathroom through the door that was resting ajar.

  She went to the largest bedroom window and opened the patterned blue curtains to see how much more it had snowed since she’d been there. It was dark outside, but the street lamps showed a complete white-out. For once, the snow was going to be a good thing for her. It was an excuse to keep herself cooped up with the man she loved.

  Warren walked up behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Come to bed with me?”

  Twenty-One

  She wasn't surprised that he was thorough and gentle with her. She would want something with more oomph eventually, but for their first time, she didn't want to be rushed. She wanted to be softly, fully loved by him. He pulled her sweater up and over her head, letting it drop behind him on the floor. His eyes and hands roamed simultaneously, making her feel worshipped. He unbuttoned her jeans with a painful slowness. She tried to move him along by reciprocating with his pants, but he didn't move any faster once she had his jeans pushed down to his hips. Her pants remained on while he stroked his thumbs along the waistband of her panties. She moaned the tiniest amount when he dipped his fingers into the back of her underwear and move down until he cupped her ass in his palms.

  She yanked at his shirt, fussing and pulling until his hands were free and she could pull the offending garment over his head. She threw it across the room and moved in to kiss his chest. The small amount of hair that sprinkled his skin tickled her face as her tongue moved erratically over him. His hands had gone to her hair, enjoying the softness of the shoulder length strands and the way she would tilt her head if he scratched at the base of her skull. When he wanted to kiss her, he took her lips slowly between his despite the fact that they weren’t quite naked yet and he sensed that her need was growing urgent. He wanted to take his time, to prove to her as much as himself that he loved her. It was scary—terrifying if he really wanted to go there—to realize that he’d let his heart go to another fallible human being. He knew that there was no turning back now, despite the fear that coursed through his veins at the merest thought of losing her.

  He’d cracked Cora’s tough exterior before realizing the consequences for him if he did.

  He kissed her fully, slowly, and thoroughly. He moved his tongue, dancing with hers in a sensual rhythm. It made the wetness grow between her legs until she was worried she’d have to throw her panties away. He was ramping up her sexual tension, and despite thinking slow and steady was what she wanted, she couldn't wait until they were both naked and rolling around on his bed. His kisses became shortened and chaste as he decided to push her pants past her hips finally. He cupped her over her underwear as she kicked her jeans off and she choked out a curse. His hand was large, warm, as it sought her core. She thought she might climax from such light contact, but he moved his hand and unhooked her bra instead. She opened her eyes and stared into his, the ocean blue brimming with emotion.

  She cupped his cheek as she recognized the signs of panic. “It’s okay to love me, Warren. I’m not going anywhere.”

  His eyes drifted closed briefly before opening again and blazing at her. “I already do, Cora. I love you.”

  A tender smile bloomed on her face. “I love you, too.”

  It seemed as though her admission—not coyly uttered in his car as an afterthought, but boldly stated before he took her to his bed—was what he needed to realize that he was stronger with her than without her. There were no guarantees. He’d learned that, and even tried to tell her that it was true. Yet, he had to live his life the only way he knew how; full of love and kindness. He could do that with Cora. He could be brave and love again, and not spend his days shying away from what loving a woman could bring him for fear of losing her like he’d lost Heather.

  “It's been hard for me, Cora. I never thought I’d have the nerve to let myself fall in love again, and then there you were. You were so stiff and formal at first, and I thought grabbing your interest would be a fun game. Instead, I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.”

  Cora knew he was sincere, and it warmed her through. She felt tears gather at the corners of her eyes and reached up to brush them away. She pulled her bra completely off and let it fall to the floor with the rest of their clothes. She took her panties off slowly, stepping out of them and standing naked in front of Warren’s hungry eyes. He pushed his jeans and underwear completely off so that he would be as naked as she, and they came together passionately. Skin against skin, body to body, they kissed and stroked, building the inferno until they moved as one to the bed. Warren loved seeing the contrast of her skin tone with his white sheets. She arched and offered him her supple flesh, which he took greedily into his mouth. She cried out as his tongue swirled over her taut nipple, and she reached blindly for any part of his body she could reach. She found his knee and let her fingers creep up toward his thigh.

  He let her nipple go and groaned when she found his cock hard and eager for her touch. He hissed a breath as she wrapped her fist around him and pumped slowly, enjoying the feel of her hand on him. It felt like a steel rod encased in silky satin. Cora was getting used to the sensation of him, the weight and thickness of him. She ran her thumb over the head and found that he enjoyed it, if the sounds he was making were any indication. His hips lifted and retreated, a recreation of the way he would love her when the time came. She let out a squeak when he sat up suddenly and leaned over her.

  His mouth feasted on her, kissing and tasting her neck, down to her collarbones and then to lick across the top of her breasts. Cora let out an almost embarrassingly loud moan as he took her nipple into his mouth once more. He bit gently on the tight nub before soothing it with the flat of his tongue, then switched to flicking at it with the tip of his tongue. His hand roamed down her abdomen and across contracting muscles as she gasped and tried to breathe. She was nearly desperate for him to touch her lower, and her pelvis lifted off the bed in invitation.

  “Please. Please, Warren.”

  He would have chuckled if he weren't so turned on by her. He swirled his fingers in the sparse hair between her legs before dipping further and finding her clit. Cora let out a long string of curses as he rubbed his thumb in repetitive circles while bending his head back down to her nipple. It had been a mortifyingly long time since she’d gotten off by a man, and it seemed like every nerve in her body was at the surface ready to fire off at the slightest touch. She came hard, her body reacting by shaking with loud cries falling from her lips. He continued to slowly stroke her until she lay limply on the bed. When Warren rolled away from her, she shifted in his direction to watch him get a condom out of his side table drawer. Once he had it on, he simply laid beside her, running a hand up and down her arm.

  “What are you waiting for, Warren?” she couldn't help but ask. There was nothing in the world that could satisfy the intense ache she felt inside other than him.

  “I figured you’d want to take charge from here.”

  She laughed at him, and he grinned at her in response. It was true.

  She sat up and straddled him, both of them adjusting until he was flat on his back and she could sink down over him. She threw her head back as the head of his cock brushed against her sensitive clit. His grip on her hips was nearly brutal as he held himself in check. Despite wanting to plunge up inside her, he let her go at her pace. She slid down, using his chest to brace herself so she didn't take in too much too fast. As her body adjusted, Cora opened her eyes and looked down at Warren. He was looking up at her with an expression she couldn't really place, but it was something between lust, love, and pure adoration. That was enough to have her seating herself fully, moving and grinding before lifting and
lowering. She would give him all she had; she would let him see and feel how she felt about him. He would never doubt that he was now the number one priority in her life.

  “Ah, ride me, Cora. Like that, yes.”

  Her muscles were starting to scream at her when his matching pace faltered. His hands pressed into her hips to hold her steadily to him as he emptied inside the condom, a grunt and a curse on his lips. She flopped forward, her hair hitting him in the face, and he brushed it out of his way so he could hold her for a few minutes.

  Cora rolled over eventually, smiling wide as she tried to catch her breath. She felt the bed dip as he got up and again when he came back a minute later. “Do you want to clean up in the bathroom?”

  Her head lolled to the side so she could focus on him. “I want to lay here for a minute longer, and then I want to take a shower before coming back in here and curling up with you.”

  “I think that sounds fantastic.”

  Cora found her suitcase and got her pajamas out of it, along with her toothbrush. She didn't bother pulling out her shampoo and body wash, preferring to use whatever he had in there for the time being. Her body was relaxed and she stood languidly under the hot water while Warren came in. She watched him through the glass shower door as he got out two towels from a cabinet and set them on the nearest edge of the counter.

  He left the room and she finished her shower, drying as fast as she could and dragging her favorite nightshirt over her head. When she walked out of the bathroom toweling her hair dry, Warren was coming in the bed- room with a tray.

  “I made some tea. I wasn't sure what you liked, but I have some chamomile on hand all the time for my mom. I’m gonna hop in the shower; you relax until I get out.”

  He set the tray on one of the bedside tables and kissed her quickly as he walked by and into the bathroom. She was already feeling loved, but that feeling only grew for him at the small but sweet gesture. She’d gotten lucky in more ways than one, and she knew it.

  Twenty-Two

  Warren wasn't the cuddling type. He’d never slept wrapped around another person, needing his space and air circulation in order to sleep. When he came out of the shower, Cora was propped up on the side of the bed where he’d left the tea, which was exactly what he’d wanted. She had a book in her hand, and he discovered he was grateful that she hadn’t found a way to work. He’d made sure the house was locked up when she was in the shower, so he simply turned off the overhead light and left her lamp burning as he got into bed on the opposite side.

  She put her book down and stifled a yawn. “Thank you for the tea. I’m surprised I’m tired after how long I slept last night, but I feel exhausted.”

  “It’s mental as much as physical.”

  She nodded. “You don’t have to stay with me if you’re not tired,” she said. “Surely you have things you could be doing.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  They both knew there was deeper meaning to his words. “Okay.”

  She switched off the lamp and his room was bathed in darkness, the only light being a faint glow from behind the curtains. Cora nestled down in the bed, not feeling awkward, exactly, but unsure of how he would want to sleep. She had her answer when he tugged her closer to him and wrapped his arm around her.

  When he woke the next morning, Warren couldn't believe he’d slept so well. He didn't appear to have so much as budged in the middle of the night. Cora was asleep, so he looked at her face while she was unguarded. Her lashes were thick as they rested in crescent moons on her cheeks. He liked to see her hair spread out on his pillow. Her face was soft in her sleep, her jaw slack and unclenched, the opposite of what it typically looked like when she was working. He kissed her cheek and got up to see what he had for breakfast.

  He made coffee first, then as it brewed he stared out the back windows at the snow. He checked in with his contact at On-Time Delivery, dismayed that all packages were being held outside of the city due to the weather. He was hoping to figure out how to get Cora’s deliveries for her, even if she could no longer hand out the office gifts in time. It didn't seem as though that was going to be feasible, and disappointment shot through him as he thought about it.

  He looked away from the abysmal weather and headed to the fridge to hunt for eggs. He made two omelets and inverted plates on top of the cooked dishes in an attempt to keep them warm. He took the stairs two at a time and found the bed empty. He heard humming from the bathroom and waited for Cora to emerge.

  “Hi,” she said with a shy smile when she saw him waiting for her on the edge of the bed.

  Her hair was still tangled around her face, but her smile was endearing. He crossed the room and took her in his arms, dipping her over his elbow and kissing her soundly. She grasped his arm to maintain her balance until he straightened her. “Good Christmas Eve morning, Cora.”

  “Good morning,” she said with a giggle.

  “I made breakfast, are you ready to eat?” he asked with a boyish smile.

  “You’re going to spoil me.”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  She looked at him in surprise when he sat her at the table downstairs and removed the top plate with a flourish. “Where did you learn to cook?”

  “My mom worked hard to teach me the basics of life such as cooking and laundry so I wouldn't be a helpless bachelor. I’m good at cooking as long as it isn’t intricate. I can wash laundry without shrinking sweaters and making my socks pink. Luckily for me, red is not my color, so I don’t even need to worry about separating stuff.”

  She’d taken a bite while he was talking and she was impressed again. Her eggs were fluffy and tasted good, even if the fold was less than pretty. “I never could perfect the omelet flip.”

  “No, neither could I.” He chuckled. “I hope that’s not a deal breaker.”

  “Maybe.” She scooped up more eggs. “What’s in here?”

  “A little bit of chive flavored cream cheese.”

  “Oh, that’s a good hack.”

  He smiled at her over his coffee. The first morning after could be awkward, but it didn't have to be. “What do you want to do today? Everything is covered in snow.”

  “I’d like to get outside for a bit, honestly.”

  “Even in the snow?”

  Cora looked at his arched brow and tried not to laugh. “Even in the snow. Surely we can take a walk or even find a hill to slide down.”

  “I don't remember if I’ve ever gone sledding. I don’t guess so. Not much opportunity in Southern Cali and I was too old once we moved here.”

  “Oh, I’ve recently been told you’re never too old to give things a go.” She smirked and gave him a wink.

  “In reference to me?” He grinned at her nod. “I’m glad you took their advice, Cora.”

  “I wasn't going to, you know. I fought it almost every step of the way. There was just a tipping point where I thought I was still fighting and I discovered that I was giving in. It was your cheerful disposition every day despite me shooting you down. It was you asking me to take the afternoon off because you had free time and you wanted to spend it with me. It was you bringing me dinner because I couldn't leave the office at a reasonable hour.” She reached across the table and linked her fingers with his. “Thanks for being persistent when I didn't realize that was what I needed.”

  “It’s been my pleasure.”

  They finished eating and Warren insisted they could leave their dishes in the sink. Cora was not the biggest neat freak, so she was happy to hear that he didn't mind not cleaning up right away. They went up to his bedroom to search for suitable clothes to wear outside. Cora had fleece lined leggings that she pulled on under a pair of jeans, and a tank top and a long sleeved t-shirt under a sweater. She was sweating by the time she reached the back door where her coat, scarf, and gloves were. Warren had scrounged up an old pair of long johns and tugged them on under his jeans and a sweater.

  Warren didn't have anything they could use as a sled, but
they set off down the snowbank lined street hand in hand anyway. There was a park not too far from his house and that was the direction he headed. There were others out on the street, a slew of kids and some people older than them. Cora wondered how many people had to go to work that day and how many were on their way to visit families.

  The streets were plowed, but the houses and lawns were absolutely hidden with the snow. It sat heavily on rooftops and piled on the sidewalks so that they were unusable. When Cora found snow built up taller than she, Warren pulled his cell phone from his pocket to take her picture in front of it.

  Their noses were red but they were otherwise fairly warm by the time they reached the park. There were many more kids there, especially congregating around the sledding hill. The sound of laughter reached their ears before the sight of the children did, and Cora smiled. She was enjoying herself. She was remembering what laid back Cora used to feel like, and she was happy with it. She tugged on Warren so he would move a little faster and they watched the kids go down the hill side by side. Their shrieks were contagious and had Cora grinning and cheering them on.

  “He’s never gone sledding before,” she told one of the handful of teenagers hanging around.

  The kid looked at Warren with suspicion. “Why’s that?”

  “He’s not a native Mainer. He’s a California transplant.” She said it like it was a dirty secret and Warren chuckled.

  “Dude, you don’t know how to sled?” The kid’s expression was incredulous as he realized they were sincere.

  Warren shrugged. “I know how to surf.”

  “Whoa.” The kid eyed him up and down. “Wanna borrow my sled?”

  Warren and Cora exchanged glances. It was what she’d hoped would happen if she said he’d never been on a sled. Warren held out his hand and accepted the bright blue toboggan. He watched the other kids as they simply sat and pushed off, and he copied them.

  “Good luck,” Cora said as he pushed off on the snow with his hands.