I rub my neck and avoid her gaze. “Sort of.”
Casey leans in close to me to hiss, “You’ve kissed him, haven’t you?”
I reply, “Maybe?” The shocked look on their faces makes me say, “Hey, I won him fair and square in a bet.” I stand up to break down the boxes we’ve unpacked.
They both chuckle, and Gretchen asks me, “So was it steamy?”
This makes me grin because when she first started dating Derrick my first question to her was similar. I answer, “Oh, yeah.”
Gretchen’s smiling and she says, “Okay. Imagining my brother with you is weird, but I can’t think of a better person for him. You get me that ring, and I’ll get you that guy.” She winks at me.
If only it were that easy.
***
Lori and Kaleb show up with pizza and beer after they get out of teaching on the mountain, but Megan and Nick both had to work at their other jobs. We all take a break and sit to eat on whatever we can find. Most of us end up on the floor, but nobody seems to mind.
I watch our group as people grab slices and beers. The couples all have a way of touching each other naturally, and my heart aches, wanting the same with Christian. The pouty child in me thinks it’s not fair that I still haven’t been in that kind of love, and I begin to wonder what’s wrong with me.
I’m not participating in the conversation, and when Christian gets up to get a beer he comes to sit next to me. The cold metal of a clothing rack is hard against my back, and I think my body is going to be sore tomorrow.
Laughter erupts as Jason makes some witty comment. Christian leans in close. “It’s really starting to look like your sketches, isn’t it? Do you like how it’s turned out?”
“I do.” My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to answer the call. It’s the sign shop, and I hope they’re telling me it’s ready to be picked up. I flutter my fingers and grin when I hear it’s ready. “Thank you, I’ll be right over.”
I stand and ignore my screaming back. Holding a hand out to Christian, I help him up. “The sign’s ready. Let’s go see it. They’ll put it up Friday if we give it the okay.”
He says to the group. “We’re going to go approve the sign. We’ll be back soon.”
Gretchen gives us an exaggerated wink. “Take your time.”
That gets a laugh and lets me approach the subject of us when we’re out the door. Christian tugs his coat around his body instead of zipping it up as I pull up my faux-fur-lined hood. Flurries are falling in the twilight, and they’ll turn to a storm later. “Just a warning, your sister is going to do what she can to get us together.”
“That I don’t doubt.”
I sigh. “Don’t you think it’s time to tell me what’s really holding you back?”
He stops in the middle of the sidewalk, and I turn to face him. Wind is blowing his hair gently forward, and I notice it’s gotten long. He has a day’s worth of stubble because we rushed out early this morning, and his musky scent is assaulting my senses in a way that has me inches from throwing myself at him.
After staring at me for a moment, he takes my face in his hands. His jacket opens, and I wonder if he’s cold. He brushes his lips to mine which part in response. I want to be forceful and drink him in, but his kiss remains tender. He breaks away and says, “Not a thing.”
I blink as snow lands in my eyes. “What?” After all this time, it can’t be that easy. I’m tempted to hit him for the torture of the past weeks.
He grins and takes my arm to start us walking again. “Let me tell you a story about a guy I know. Seems he moved here with a broken heart. Oh, sure, he pretended he was healed, but he met this girl.” Our feet are tapping in rhythm, and I notice his cowboy boots are no longer shiny and new.
“She was hot, and he couldn’t stop thinking about how soft her lips looked. He wanted her bad. When they touched it was as if she could reach right in and repair the cracks of his heart. But he knew that if he was wrong, two people would end up ruined.”
Oh, my God. We turn the corner toward the parking lot, and a light dusting of snow drapes the cars like a layer of silk.
“To complicate matters, this woman was going to be in his life no matter what. He was scared because he had to get it right.”
He stops talking, and I ask, “So what changed things for him?”
“Every day for the past month he’s woken up needing her a little bit more. He’s gone from thinking she’s hot and sweet to knowing she’s beautiful and smart. She’s more than that; she’s fierce. And you know what?”
We’ve reached his car and are standing at the passenger side. He tugs me against his body by my waist. “What?”
“He’s fallen in love with her.”
Before I can say anything, he crushes me with a kiss that devours me. His tongue plunges deep and claims me as he presses me against the car. His body is hot, and it seeps through my jacket, making me want to strip to get more.
Every cell of my being is alive, and I’m afraid to let him go. We break apart with a gasp, and both our bodies are heaving. I reach out and touch his lips. “Christian.”
His voice lowers, and it crawls inside me when he speaks. “Tell me you feel it too. Tell me, Dannika.”
“I do. Oh, God, I do. I love you too.”
He kisses me again, but it’s controlled and tender. He whispers into my ear. “We need to go see that sign, but I’m wondering if I could sneak into your room later tonight.”
I grin. “Really? We’ve been alone in that house for a month, and the moment we have guests you want to sneak into my room?”
He raises his eyebrows. “Do you really think they’ll even notice? I think they’re too busy reliving the memories of their room.”
I close my eyes. “Don’t put that vision in my head.”
His voice is deep as he chortles. “Picture us instead.”
A flush rises to my cheeks as Christian says, “Nice, princess. I can’t wait to find out what you’re imagining.”
Now the flush must be everywhere because my entire being is tingling with an ache I’m dying to relieve.
Chapter 31
Christian holds my hand almost the entire drive to the sign shop. I want to kick my feet and squeal at his admission. I’m dying to text the girls and scream it out the window. Snowfall is heavy now, and when we get out of the car it covers Christian’s hair within seconds.
We stomp off powder and shake our heads when we enter the shop. A man in a flannel shirt and loose jeans that need a washing—or better yet, to be thrown away—greets us. “Christian, Nika, I think you’re going to like how the sign turned out. Follow me.”
Ralph leads us across a concrete floor to a work area. The familiar sound of a band saw carries to us, and I see a red-faced guy in safety glasses working it. He’s windblown from skiing or boarding all day, and I imagine this shop runs late into the night to accommodate the available workforce.
For a stoic man, the smile Ralph gives us tells me he’s excited. “We used a special phosphorescent paint that will not only be shiny during the day, but also light up at night. So when you’re closed, you can turn off the light, but everyone will still see your shop name.”
He presents us with a shimmery sign that says “Rhinestone Cowgirl.” Huge rhinestones outline the letters, making it a bling lover’s dream. The bits of plastic are smooth under my fingers as I trace the name. “It’s awesome.”
Christian puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head. “It’s perfect, and so are you.”
I look at Ralph and wish I could hug him. Instead I say, “Thank you. You’ve turned my vision into something amazing.”
He shares another rare grin. “Great. We’ll get it up for you on Friday.” He leads us back to the front. “Enjoy your holiday.”
We say, “You too.”
Once in the car, I don’t hold back and squeal. Sure, it’s for the sign, but it’s also because the man I love is in love with me too.
&
nbsp; When we get back to town, I practically skip to the store. Christian is holding my hand, and I know I have a silly grin on my face. No way will I be able to hide my excitement from my friends, and I think he knows that.
I enter Rhinestone Cowgirl with a huge smile. Lori says, “Wow, that must be some sign.”
But Gretchen knows her brother and me too well. She looks at his big grin. “I think you two did more than go see a sign, after all.”
Christian winks at her. “I believe we did.”
She says, “Good.” She grabs my arm to pull me into the storage room. Lori, Casey, and Megan rush in behind her.
Gretchen laughs and says, “Oh, we’re subtle. So?”
I puff out my chest. “We’re now officially a thing.”
Casey fist-pumps. “Yes!”
Lori says, “Oh, thank God. It’s about time.”
Megan adds. “I know. So what happened?”
But before I can answer, Christian peeks in. “Are you ladies still slacking?” There’s a twinkle in his eye because he knows what we’re talking about.
We all file out to finish cleaning before I start unpacking clothes. When we’re done, I send our friends home with huge hugs and heartfelt thanks. I’m exhausted but feel the need to get a few boxes of clothes unpacked to hang. I’ll be steaming out the wrinkles tomorrow morning, before Thanksgiving dinner. We open on Friday, and I’m starting to panic about not getting everything done in time.
Christian locks the door behind the others and turns to me. “What do you need me to do so I can get you home? I have late night plans.” He walks toward me, and all rational thought leaves my head.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this. I hold up my hand for him to stop. “Don’t touch me or kiss me. Because after all this time, I might just jump you right here, and then nothing will get done.”
He gives me an evil smile as he looks around the area we’re standing in. He puts on a mock frown. “Yeah, rug burns hurt. Okay. Put me to work.”
I organized the boxes earlier, so I point. “That stack right there. I’ll get the hangers, and all you have to do is help me get everything on these rolling racks. When we’re done, we can go.”
Christian pulls them all out of the storage area so we have room to work. We’re an efficient team and finish before midnight. Thankfully Derrick is in charge of cooking dinner for us tomorrow because the idea of getting up in time to get a turkey in the oven makes me want to cry.
The deadbolt in the rustic wood door I had installed thuds into the wall as Christian locks up. A few inches of snow have accumulated on the ground, and the world is covered in a blanket of white under the dark night sky. Flakes swirl in a chiffonlike veil under the pale yellow streetlights as we make our way to the car.
I lean into Christian. “I’m so glad I had the foresight to make the pies and breads ahead of time. I’m wiped.”
“I think Derrick is happy to have his kitchen back. You wouldn’t have been welcome in it anyway.”
“He does have his trusty assistant. The way Gretchen taunts him is fun to watch. He tries hard to order her around, and she just does what she wants anyway.”
We’ve reached the car, and we both swipe snow off the windshield with our arms. It’s powder light and moves easily. He says, “She’s always been like that. She was bossing me around when she was three.” He’s grinning when he opens his door.
I stomp to get snow off my boots before entering. “Did you let her?”
“Not really, but I did learn to let her think so.”
Snow falls off my window when I shut my door. “Derrick never really had to boss me around. I wanted him to tell me what to do.” I think about how our texts and phone calls have dwindled over the last past months since he and Gretchen moved back to New Hampshire. Because he’s so in love, he’s made me less of a priority. Except for the first month, it hasn’t been too painful. “I don’t know how it happened, but I don’t seem to need him as much these days.”
An unsettling thought occurs to me. Have I turned to Christian instead?
Before I can think too much about it, Christian says, “You don’t need anyone these days. But I’m glad you’ve let me help with Rhinestone Cowgirl.”
He’s driving slowly down Main Street because of the storm, and we rumble over snow buildup on the road toward home. “I’m not sure I could have done it without you.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You could have easily done it without me. I’m just the guy you boss around.”
I chuckle and say, “Oh, yeah? Because I have a few chores for you.” I reach over and put my hand on his thigh, and he takes it. Warm fingers wrap around mine, and I lean my head back as I smile.
The garage door opens with a groan and we pull in. Christian’s mouth widens in a yawn. I know we’ll be entering to excited dogs, so before we get out, I turn to him. “If you’re too exhausted, don’t feel like you have to sneak into my room. I can wait for you.”
He wraps a finger into the opening of my jacket and pulls me toward him. “If you think I’m going to wait one more day to do what I’ve been dreaming about since the first time I met you in the coffee shop, you’re sadly mistaken.”
I reach behind his head and pull him closer for a kiss. “Oh, good, because I’ve been picturing you naked since that day too.”
Chapter 32
A single light is on in the kitchen over the sink, and while the dogs greet us, I know that Gretchen and Derrick are asleep. We walk quietly upstairs. My heartbeat is pounding in my ears as my body anticipates Christian’s touch. He goes to his room while I bring the three dogs to mine and go about my usual bedtime routine.
I sleep in a T-shirt, and Christian has seen me in it enough times that putting on anything else would feel wrong. The cotton rolls easily in my fingers as I bunch up the hem, waiting for him to come to me.
I’m pacing about my room because I’m not sure if I should be in my bed, or naked, or waiting in a chair. My thoughts are interrupted by soft steps on the carpet as Christian enters. My door snicks shut as he gently closes it. He’s in a pair of long pajama pants and a tee. There’s a condom package in his hand.
Without words we walk toward each other and embrace. The nightlight by my bed glistens in his eyes as my skin yearns to feel his. He whispers, “Let’s take this slow. I want to savor every inch of your body as I learn it.” He tosses the condom on my bed and adds. “We don’t have to go that far, but I thought I should be prepared in case.”
Suddenly shy, I nod. I reach up and trace his face with a finger. He shaved for me, and moisture pools between my legs as I imagine what that might mean.
Christian kisses me softly, and I wait for his tongue to reach for me. Heat radiates from my core, and he nips at my lips, turning gentle into something more passionate. My hands find the bottom of his shirt, and I lift it so I can stroke his soft skin.
He dips his head to let me take it off, and as I move my hands up his chest, he glides his over my shirt to cup my breasts. They’re heavy with desire, and I gasp when his thumb drags across my nipple.
I step back and pull my shirt up over my head. My hair spills down across my chest, and Christian’s gaze takes me in. “You’re more beautiful than I imagined, princess.”
I reach out and trace his pecs with my finger. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
His arm slinks around my waist, and he pulls me in tight. Hot breath sears its way down my neck as he moves to take my hardened peak in his mouth. My legs are trembling, and I stumble back toward the bed with him.
He says, “Lay down.”
I scramble back and prop myself up on my elbows as he lowers his pajama pants. His erection is long and thick, and my channel twitches at the sight of it. I reach to take off my lace thong, but Christian says, “Let me.”
Tiny hairs rise up on my body when he slips his fingers under the waistband of my panties and pulls them down. My body is quivering in anticipation of his touch. He crawls up and over me to find
my mouth. As he presses his body against me, I welcome his weight as he devours me with a kiss.
The muscles of his tight butt flex under my fingers as I grab on and lift my hips against his silky shaft. I reach between us to grip his smooth length. His moan is my reward, and when he lifts up to his knees I begin to stroke.
Christian says, “Your touch is so damn good.” He returns to my neck and begins to nip and lick his way down my body. This time he keeps going after a moment’s attention to my nipples, and I release his cock.
When he gets to my hips, he murmurs against my tender flesh, “I’ve wanted to drink in the scent and taste of you for so long.” His tongue licks my inner thighs, and I don’t bother to hide the quaking of my need.
Parting me with his nimble fingers, his tongue finds my clit, and I arch up with a small cry. “Oh, God.”
His glance finds mine, and seeing his face between my legs makes me come undone. The soft velvet of my duvet cover hardens in my clenched hands as I ride the wave of pleasure he provides. My climax brings the dogs to the side of the bed.
I can barely speak, but order them to lie down, and when Cleo sighs, I giggle. “I know just how you feel. Damn, you’re good at that, Christian.”
He’s splayed out beside me, and I reach over and drag a finger up his cock as I rise up to my knees. He spreads his legs for me to crawl between them. Gripping him, I twirl my tongue around the head of his dick before taking as much of the length in my mouth as I can. I suck and move up and down on him, letting him guide my head with his hands.
Christian grunts out as his hips buck up repeatedly. “Christ, you’re good.” His thighs tense around me, and he pushes me away.
“You can come in my mouth. I swallow.”
He closes his eyes for a second as a smile forms on his face. “Maybe next time.”
I straddle him and look down into his eyes. My hair has fallen forward and lays on him as I grind my wet core against his moist cock. I lower to lick and nip at his chest. “I want to be inside you, Nika.”
I make my way up to his mouth as I’m teasing him with my slippery sex. “I want that too.”
Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) Page 14