by Lexi Ostrow
“I’m going to make up for all the years we missed, Anna.” Marshall growled against her core, the heat of his breath causing her to squirm.
His tongue flicked across her nub, drawing a rush of pleasure through her so hard she nearly came. Without wasting another moment, his tongue slipped inside her wet center, alternating between fast thrusts that mimicked sex and long torturous licks. Her body couldn’t take much more. Gyrating her hips in a gentle rhythm that matched the strokes of his tongue drew her closer to the edge. Her grasp on his shaft had stilled, and though she still held him delicately, she was no longer rubbing his length.
She couldn't help the cry of pleasure that tore past her lips as Marshall’s tongue slid inside her folds one final time. Her hand slipped off his cock as release washed over her. Her body lifted off the bed in ecstasy. She could feel the scruff of his beard drag across her inner thighs as he continued to lick, flick and suck at her body. Shaking and panting heavily as her orgasm slowed to a still, she lifted Marshall’s head from between her thighs and smiled at him, drunk with pleasure.
“There is only one thing left to do after something as wonderful as that,” she said huskily as she guided his shaft toward her center.
Rubbing the head of his erection against her wet core, she shuddered with pleasure. She was ready for him, and the way his cock twitched under her touch told her he was ready as well.
“God, Anna. Now,” Marshall groaned and guided his length slowly inside of her.
His words pulled a gasp from her as heated images danced across her mind. A moan passed between them as he filled her, inch by slow inch, before he began to thrust. His hands lay on either side of her head, and his mouth captured hers in a scorching kiss. Every stroke felt superior to the last—his length perfectly suited for her and his width stretching her just enough to send sparks of pleasure through her with each stroke.
Over and over, his hips thrust downward, spiking her closer to a second orgasm. As her ankles wrapped around his waist, her hips began to speed up their pace, forcing Marshall to take her quicker.
The sounds of their lovemaking vanished as a swirl of release crept up on her. Her head spun as Marshall continued to drive in and out of her channel, and bliss wrapped around her like a lover. The force of her orgasm rocked through her body, blinding her. His thrusts elongated her pleasure. Through lidded eyes she saw the chorded muscles in his neck tighten, and she felt his hips slam against her harder as his release swept over him.
Both spent, neither made a move to pull away, and she wasn’t ready to lose the wonderful feeling of Marshall deep inside her. Slowly, she rocked her hips, and he followed suit, changing their kiss from something brash and heated, to a tender stroke of his tongue against hers. His calloused hand drew across her breast, and she arched against him as she bent to kiss him once more. As their lips meshed together, she groaned, loving the way they remained interlocked, continuing to taste and remember one another.
The blaring sound of her mother’s ringtone cut through the delicate silence, and she smiled into their kiss. “I think that would be my mother telling us it’s time to return for dinner.”
He chuckled and slowly pulled from her body, sliding both out of her and off in the same action. “I think I worked up an appetite for Christmas dinner.”
Snorting, she playfully hit his arm as she stood, tremors of her release still faintly firing inside of her core. “Wonderful thing to say after that.”
When she stood, he pulled her against him, naked skin to naked skin. His eyes bore deep into hers, and his voice was deep when he finally spoke. “I love you, Anna. We’re going to fix everything we let break the past ten years. I don’t care where it means we live. Where you go, I plan on following.”
Tears dotted her lashes, and she blinked them away, forcing herself to not squeeze him harder for his words. “I cannot think of a better Christmas present than the one I didn’t know I’d been waiting my entire life for.”
Winking at her, he released her from his hold. “Come on then, we’d better get to Christmas dinner and share the news.”
That happened, he thought to himself with a small, satisfied smirk. After ten years, he’d finally manned up and everything had worked out in his favor. Except that he honestly had nothing to wear to a fancy Christmas dinner.
Staring into his closet, he looked at the pile of clothes in his hamper. It had his one button-down shirt cast inside of it from wearing it to the chalet that morning. All that he had left was his white button down from work that he used when he helped with events.
Warm arms slipped around his midsection, and he smiled as a kiss dropped to his neck.
“Trouble?”
He turned, taking her in his arms and dropping a kiss to her forehead before leaning his chin on the top of her head. “I don’t have another shirt besides the one with the resort logo.”
Anna stepped out of his hold, reached into his hamper and plucked the red button down out of it. “Well then, just put this one back on. No one is going to care. Besides,” she gestured to her attire, “I’m going home in pajamas.”
“You don’t think anyone will mind?”
She scoffed, rolled her eyes and took his shirt into the bathroom. A moment later, she came back. “I don’t think you smell nearly as bad as you think you do, but now no one will know.”
“I’d meant that it was the same shirt, not that I smelled,” he said with an exasperated sigh.
“Not at all. You seem to have my family mixed up with some hoity-toity family. I could go to Christmas dinner in these pajamas and Leena would probably cry tears of joy for the comfort. We have standards, but we aren’t robots. We certainly don’t have expectations for anyone, except that they do what they say they will.” She kissed his cheek. “Now, get dressed so we can get going. I can practically taste my mom’s lamb already.” She looked at herself in the one mirror he had in his house from where she stood. “Actually, I’d better run back ahead of you and change.”
“Are you certain?”
“I’m not going to hurt myself in the small two or so mile walk back. Go get dressed, fix that mussed up hair and I will see you at dinner.”
Chuckling, he slipped the shirt on, secretly grateful for a chance to fully get ready for dinner without her seeing the process he would go through to ensure he looked like he deserved her.
“I love you.” She grinned at him from his bedroom door.
“I love you too, Anna.”
She skipped off, and he heard the front door open and close as he finished buttoning the small, ivory buttons on the shirt.
Everything was different, except for the damned shirt. He could still feel the remnants of his orgasm swirling around. He’d have gone all day with Anna if they’d been able, and his body had been more than up to the task. It had been unlike anything he remembered.
Phantom traces of her kisses lingered on his lips, as did memories of her hands on his body. They’d both grown and matured over the years, that much had been apparent. What he hadn’t been expecting was the perfect way their bodies had moved together as if they were two puzzle pieces completing a larger work. He’d never wanted it to end, and he knew that he would never forget the sensation, even if they somehow grew apart.
“Definitely not jeans,” he said to himself as he pulled open the drawer and took out his black work slacks. “Damn,” he muttered, looking over the faded material that was nearly gray. “I knew I should have dyed them this last year.”
Annoyed, he tugged them on and went back to his closet, carefully taking the Dolce and Gabbana belt off the hanger it had been on since the year Elaine had given it to him as thank you for all his help four Christmas’ ago.
“Anna isn’t judging you. Shit, none of them are judging you.”
It wasn’t some pathetic pep talk. They really didn’t judge him. This year hadn’t been the first time he’d been invited to a dinner. Normally, he took one look at Anna when he was offered and she would look away,
so he declined.
“This year is different,” he said to his reflection as he tied the black tie, an Express gift from Anna a few seasons ago. “Jesus, they’ve given me half of what I’m wearing.”
Frowning, he rejected the idea of putting something different on so they didn’t think he was kissing up. He just didn’t have the proper clothes to mingle with Anna’s family. Something that would clearly have to change if they really moved forward, and this wasn’t some Christmas haze that had her acting different.
Looking in the mirror, he tugged open the drawer and retrieved the small pot of hair glue. With shaking hands, he unscrewed the lid. He hadn’t touched the stuff since Mandy’s death. Yet, as if it had been yesterday the blueish paste looked perfectly pliable and not a dried out ball shriveled against the bottom. It felt foreign as he scooped it into his fingers and spread it through his hair, taming the “muss” as Anna had referred to it.
It had been years since he’d put so much thought into his appearance, but it was worth it. He had a lot to be forgiven for by the DeMarco’s. Elaine and her brothers might have forgiven him when he was just a worker and friend. But as Anna’s boyfriend? It wasn’t likely.
Sucking in a deep breath, he took one last look in the mirror before flicking the light switch down and heading out to finish the best day he’d had in a very long time. His eyes caught on his wedding photo, and he smiled at it as if he were smiling at his departed wife.
“I loved you, Mandy. I swear to you I did, but I am ready to move on, and there is no one better for me than Anna.” He stood, as if waiting for some sort of cosmic sign that she accepted.
Of course, there wasn’t one, but he knew she would understand. She’d wanted him to be happy, and there would never be anyone else for him except the elusive Anna DeMarco. First loves could be last loves.
Last time you stood here, you weren’t even on good terms with her. Now, you’re about to dine with the love of your life and finally get on with your life. Yesterday seems like eons ago. Ironic since, less than an hour prior, he’d had a rather opposite thought.
He could see them bustling about through the house, all walking toward the center where he knew the formal dining table was. Anna must have already been seated because he watched everyone but her enter.
Smiling, he started down the path shocked to see a car pull up just before he reached the bottom. A rather polished looking man stepped out, wearing a suit that probably cost what Marshall made in one season all together. His dark hair was perfectly swooped to the side and shined so much Marshall wondered if the man had buffed it. He was tall, even compared to Marshall’s six-foot-three inches.
“Excuse me?” The man spoke too Marshall without a hint of warmness in his expression. “Is this the DeMarco chalet?”
“It is. I’m not certain if they’re accepting visitors. It’s their Christmas dinner.” Marshall said, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end for no apparent reason.
“Well, you seem to be arriving, and besides, I’m sure they’ll be delighted I’ve arrived. It’s somewhat of a surprise, but I’m not concerned. I’m close to the family.” The man’s steel-colored eyes flashed with arrogance.
Without another word, he stepped forward and knocked. It was a powerful knock, one that seemed befitting of a man with his attitude and dress. The door opened a moment later to reveal Anna.
He tried to smile at her over the obnoxious guest but was unable to as the man tugged her against him and lifted her into the air.
Marshall was nearly knocked back by a swinging foot before the intruder placed her back on the ground just outside the front door. Looking at her, he’d expected the smile to have fallen from her face. It hadn’t. She wasn’t even making eye contact with him any longer.
“Adam!” she exclaimed before finally looking at Marshall.
It made sense then. Of course, the other man would have been impeccable on every level and obviously able to offer her everything he couldn’t. It shouldn’t have bothered him, but it did. Anna shouldn’t have hugged him for that long or kept the smile on her face. She should have immediately taken him aside and let him know things were over.
Unless they aren’t anymore. What if she took one look at him and remembered everything you’re not and everything you can’t give her. He gazed at her, really watching her. Her hands curled around Adam’s arm and a smile that seemed perfectly genuine rested on her face.
Rage coursed through him, rising up out of the joy he’d felt while standing at the top of the hill. It was obvious from the way she was looking at the man that he was no longer going to be the ex that Marshall was. Black spots dotted his vision as he tried to force himself to breathe calmly and not fly off the handle. Everything had been nothing more than a Christmas illusion. Her reality had waltzed in and reminded her that Marshall was nothing more than the help.
“Marshall! So glad you could make it,” Jake shouted as he pushed past Anna and Adam. “Come on inside.”
“I’ve actually got something else to do. Tell Elaine thank you for the invitation, but I will not be accepting.”
Jake frowned and furrowed his brow. “You look awful dressed up for someone coming over to decline the invite. Not to mention Mom would’ve been cool with a simple text.”
“Well,” he looked over at Anna who seemed engaged in a conversation with Adam, “it came up suddenly. It looks like they’ll be someone to take my place all right though.”
Jake followed his gaze and laughed. “Trust me, I don’t think that guy will last through dinner. Besides, I heard a rumor that you and Anna were cozy this morning up by the lodge.”
“She apparently was just wrapped up in the spirit of the season.”
The other man’s blue eyes went dark before he leaned down to speak, his voice lower. “I’ve been there, man. It’s not going to be what it looks like. You’re too close to the situation. Don’t fuck up like I did.”
Marshall had heard how Jake had essentially forced Leena into a brief engagement with Nick, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t part of their world, and they only seemed to give two shits about him when they were up at their vacation home.
“Give her a chance. Adam is a nice enough guy, but he’s not you. Let her do what she needs to do. Don’t mistake her smiles for anything but politeness. Trust me, dude.”
He wanted to believe Jake, more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. That didn’t mean he did. In fact, as he watched Anna all but absorbed in the other man, he knew he had to get away or risk causing a scene. One that would only embarrass him as the lowly worker man amongst the rich.
“I’m good. Thanks for the advice though.” Practically stomping, he turned in the snow and marched, rigid as a soldier, away.
Nothing was what it seemed all right. Anna wasn’t in love with him. Not when someone more her world came around. Everything was as it should be in their worlds— separate.
Merry fucking Christmas, Marshall.
Nausea rose like high tide as she watched Marshall storm away over Adam’s shoulder.
“Marshall!” she shouted uselessly because she knew exactly what he would be thinking. “Adam, I’ll be right back. We need to discuss something, and it shouldn’t wait, but it has to.”
Without waiting for a response, she raced past him, ignoring the frozen chill creeping quickly over her bare feet. “Marshall, wait.”
He spun, total impassivity on his face. “There something I can help you with?” his tone didn’t match his expression, and it sounded as if he wished he could send daggers in her direction.
“That wasn’t what it looked like.” Annoyance threated to slip out, and she barely restrained from setting her hands on her hips and scowling back at him for his lack of trust. “I’m not just going to dump the man on sight after he’s flown all the way out here.”
“It didn’t look like you were going to end things at all.” He let out a deep growl before turning and continuing to walk.
“Are you rea
lly going to do this? Walk away again?” She snarled after him, anger quickly eclipsing her fear at what he might give up.
“I’m not giving anything up. You didn’t look at him like a woman ready to give him or his lifestyle up. I’m doing what’s best for us both. What you originally came to do.” The final sentence was a nasty spat, and he continued to walk farther away.
She was frozen in place, the numbness racing through her body having very little to do with the cold sting of the snow beneath her improperly clad feet. His assessment was clearly made in haste. She’d seen Jake do the very same thing to Leena two years ago.
“That means you need to let him realize he’s being a stupid ass on his own and you can go to him once he’s calm and rational.” She rubbed her hands over her arms and slowly turned back to her family’s house. Each step was as painful as the slice of a knife, but she couldn’t chase after him. He was forever walking away from her, and she was starting to wonder if it wasn’t his fear of not being enough allowing him a way to leave.
Adam was looking at her, and she quickly swiped her cold fingers over her cheeks, barely feeling the touch as she wiped away the tears she couldn’t feel falling due to the intense cold. Shaking off her anger, she righted her posture and tried to smile as best as she could.
“Adam,” she said as she stopped before him, “would you wait outside? I’d like to slip into proper shoes and have a word with you.”
“You’re not happy with my surprise.” His eyes narrowed in anger, not disappointment.
Sucking in a deep breath through her nose, she pushed it out slowly, her mouth closed in a tense line. “I’m not. I told you that you couldn’t come. Showing up out of the blue was not the correct response. Please let me get something to cover my feet before I’m looking at a case of frost bite.”
He nodded, so tense she was shocked his head moved at all. Torn between giving him the boot right then and there and protecting her feet, she forced herself to walk inside and tug the door shut behind her to keep him from her family.