With the room cleaned up and ready for more diners, the group went out and paid. A minor squabble ensued as Sam tried to pay for all of their dinners, but the other three men won, with each of them tipping the waitresses working even though they didn’t serve them. As they prepared to go their separate ways, Chessie walked over to Jade and leaning down, gathered her daughter in her arms. “I love you, pumpkin. Be a good girl for Grandma and Grandpa, okay?”
“Yes, Mama. I love you too.”
Chapter Eight
Mack knew he wanted Chessie with an ache deep inside. The question was, did she feel the same way? As he walked her to her car, he said, “Pixie-girl, I know this is fast, but I want you. If you want to wait longer, that’s okay, but tonight, I would like to hold you all night long.”
Oh.emm.gee! How on earth had he read her mind. Shit. Damn. Fuck. She wanted him too, more than she had ever wanted Jason. And, she felt deep inside that it wasn’t a one-off thing with Mack. Something about how he looked at her and how gentle he was when he held her hand or pulled her close.
“O-okay. Um, well, there’s no other way to say it except straight out. I haven’t been with anyone since Jason, over six years ago. Is…is that a problem?” she stammered.
“No, my Pixie-girl. I hate how he treats you and the guys said he’s like that all the time, but I’m glad that I’ll be the last one in your life.”
Holy shit! The last one? As her inner cheerleader woke up and began cheering, loudly, she simply said, “The last one?”
“Yes, sweetheart, the last one who will ever kiss you, make love to you, fuck you.”
With all systems firing at his words, she stopped and looked at him. “Are you for real? This…this kind of thing doesn’t happen to girls like me, Mack.”
“What do you mean ‘girls like you’?”
“Girls who have kids.”
“Chessie, look at me,” he said, waiting until she looked up at him. “I know it’s fast. I know that you cannot fathom how I am feeling right now. But I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the one for me. Maybe it had to do with seeing the pictures that Jason’s parents sent. Maybe it had to do with how you are with your friends and the folks you serve at the diner. I don’t know. And, I don’t rightly care. I want you. Under me. Over me. In front of me. For now and for always. Eventually, you’ll understand the depth of my feelings.”
With that said, he drew her close and, cupping her face with one hand, lowered his mouth to hers. “Let me in, Pixie-girl, I have a need for a taste,” he murmured.
Opening her mouth, Mack swooped in and soon, their tongues were tangled in a dance older than time. As he nipped, licked and sucked her lips and mouth, he felt her melt into him. Knowing his body was already reacting to her nearness, he pulled her closer so she could feel what she was doing to him and was satisfied when he heard the moans coming from the back of her throat. Finally coming up for air, he continued kissing her face, nose, forehead, before he leaned in and sucked on her earlobe and nuzzled her neck.
“I have to work the breakfast shift tomorrow; do you…do you want to come over to my place? I’m ninety-nine percent sure that Fran went to Aaron’s house and I think Derek went home with Pam,” she asked hesitantly.
Looking down at her, he kissed her nose and said, “I’d love to. I told you already, I want to hold you tonight. Nothing else.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “Okay, then follow me and try to keep up!”
“Ah, feisty pixie shows up once again!” he laughed.
“Maybe. It must be the season or something.”
“I’m thinking it’s ‘or something’ Pixie-girl.”
Headed to her house with Mack following in his truck, she thought about the last two days. Two days? Who in their ever-loving mind falls for someone in two days?
Why you do her inner cheerleader said, already fixing up the pompoms that had been sitting in storage for a long time. He’s the kind of guy who ticks all your boxes so don’t blow it! Yeah yeah. Reaching the house, she pulled into the garage, grateful that they had a three-car garage because sometimes, the weather was horrible during the winter.
As they went in, she saw Pam and Derek sitting in the family room getting ready to watch a movie. “You guys want company or do you want to be alone?” she asked.
“Company’s fine. We’ll be alone later and since Pam is off tomorrow, we’ll be together then too,” Derek responded.
“Wait, how did you get a day off?”
“Hahahahaha, I threatened to quit.”
“Again? Dang girl, one of these days, Dad is going to call your bluff and then what?”
“He knows me. You’ve got the morning shift and Fran took the afternoon. He actually said he’s going to do that with us through Christmas. We’ll only have a few days where we’re all together. That way, we can all get some time off, and the teenagers working over the break can make some money.”
“I love that man! He always thinks of everyone!” Chessie said.
“Mack, would you like something to drink? I want to change really quick if that’s okay, but will grab them on my way back out.”
“Water’s fine, Pixie-girl, and I’ll go grab it. Do you two need anything else?” he asked, looking over at Pam and Derek.
“Naw, man, we’re good,” Derek said.
Chessie hurried up and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, and changed into fuzzy socks. Her feet still felt frozen from tramping around outside for hours. Shit, if Mack was going to stay, he didn’t have anything to change into! Oh well, they’d cross that bridge when they came to it, she thought, heading back to the family room.
“Okay, so what are we going to watch?” she asked as she headed to the couch Mack was sitting on, giving a small gasp when he reached up and pulled her close to him.
“There’s an original Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel,” Pam said.
As they all settled in to watch the movie, Chessie was very aware of the man she was curled into. He had his arm wrapped around her shoulders and was idly playing with the tips of her hair. Surrounded by his warmth, she started dozing off.
“Pixie-girl? C’mon sweetheart, you fell asleep,” she heard from far away.
“Mmmm.”
“C’mon beautiful, let’s get you to bed,” Mack said, laughing. Pam and Derek had already headed off to her room, and he had enjoyed the feel of the petite woman snuggled up against him and hadn’t wanted to move. Helping her up, he kept hold of her hand as he headed in the direction she had gone earlier, hoping her room was here somewhere.
“Mack, it’s the last door, straight ahead,” she finally said once she realized he didn’t know where to go. Entering the room, he closed the door behind them, then looked at her. “Uh, well, I need to change for bed. The bathroom’s through that door over there. I don’t have…I mean…well, hell…I know you’re not going to sleep in your jeans but…”
Realization dawned on him when he heard her stammering. “Pixie-girl, I’ll sleep in my boxers and T-shirt, yeah?”
“O-okay. That’s good. Um, I’ll be right back out, okay?” she said, going into the bathroom and shutting the door. Making quick work of her evening routine, she put on a sleep set, grateful it was a cute one at least, before she came back out of the bathroom to see him standing there. “Uh, I put a new toothbrush on the sink counter for you.”
Smiling, he reached down and brushed a curl behind her ear before kissing her forehead. “I’ll be back out in a few minutes.”
She climbed into bed and turned on the television. This would be a first–sleeping with someone other than Jade. And, there would be no sex! But I sure hope there’s some more kissing because he can definitely kiss!
As Mack came out of the bathroom, she looked at him and said, “I hope the left side is okay? I’m used to sleeping on the right side.”
Hell, I’m just happy to be in the same bed as she is so any side is okay! Mack thought. “The left side is fine, Pix
ie-girl. Did you want me to go grab some water?”
Water would put out one of the fires that were raging! “Uh, yeah, that would be great!”
Damn, he was built. Broad, muscular shoulders with a few tats peeking out from under his T-shirt sleeves. Trim waist, nice muscular legs, and that ass! Holy shit, when he turned to go get the water, she saw a nice, tight ass. Mmhm. He was definitely one hundred percent man.
Crawling in on the left side, he reached out his arm and pulled her close so they were laying face-to-face. “Hey Pixie-girl,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “Thank you for this. I know this is all fast, but I promise you, nothing is going to happen. At least, not tonight.”
And…now her inner cheerleader was getting out the bullhorn!
Smiling at him, she reached her hand up and cupped his jaw while her thumb stroked his cheek. “Mack, if I didn’t want you here, I would have said no.”
“So, are you still sleepy?” he asked.
“Mmm, no not really it seems my little nap has revived me a bit,” she said.
Weaving his hands through her hair, he pulled her close before whispering, “Then let’s make out for a while, yeah?”
“Okay” she said before slanting her head and placing her lips against his.
Soft. So fucking soft. And full.
Content to just lick and nibble on his lips, she didn’t resist when his tongue touched hers. Tongues tangling, gently and then with more passion, she pressed closer to him, aware that all that separated them were his T-shirt and boxers and her pajamas.
“Mmm…I’ve been waiting to do this, my pixie,” he whispered.
Hell, how could he still talk she wondered.
He pressed her back so he was partially over her, tangling their legs, as his hand caressed her shoulders and side, skimming the side of her breast.
She could feel his arousal pressing against her thigh, and thought her inner cheerleader was going to go insane, doing jumps and cartwheels. “Mmm…feels good Mack.”
“Yes, you do. Can’t wait until we take this further, but I’m a patient man,” he said before claiming her lips again.
Seconds, minutes, hours–she didn’t know how long they spent kissing. He found her spots on her neck that made her squirm and she found that his slight scruff was as much of a turn-on as his lips and hands.
“Pixie-girl, we need to stop before I can’t,” he finally said.
Sigh. “Yeah, I agree. Can I tell you something?” she asked.
“You can tell me anything. I’m a huge fan of honesty.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on in my life,” she said, blushing slightly.
“And…I am in the same boat, my sweet pixie, trust me!” he responded, giving her a final kiss that took her breath away before he settled her against his chest. “Now sleep. You have to work tomorrow.”
Chapter Nine
Waking up the next morning, Chessie realized that next to having Jade, yesterday and last night had been the best day she had ever had and it was due to the man who was now spooning her. He had treated her with care and respect and that ticked a few more boxes for her. She went to get up and felt his arms tighten around her waist.
“Morning, Pixie-girl,” he said, voice raspy with sleep.
“Good morning,” she said. “Gotta get up and shower and get ready for work.”
“I hate to let you go. I think this is the best I’ve ever slept.”
“Me too. Then again, I’ve never slept with anyone other than Jade.”
He thought about what she had just said. She gave him a first as well and he decided she needed to know.
“Chessie, I know we both have a past, but this is the first time I’ve slept with a woman. So, we were each other’s first in something and that is pretty special, don’t you think?”
“Yeah it is. Thank you, Mack. I’ve never been treated so well by someone.”
Giving her a quick kiss and a light smack on the ass, he said, “Now, go get ready before I forget I’m trying to be patient and keep you in bed all day, showing you how I feel!”
Giggling, she got out of bed and grabbed clean clothes before heading into the bathroom to shower and get ready.
“I need coffee, Pixie-girl, so I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” he said.
“We have it on a timer so it should be ready. I won’t take too long.”
Heading out to the kitchen, Mack saw Derek. “Hey man. Maybe we can make breakfast for the girls?”
“Yeah, was about to see what they had. I know Chessie works this morning. Pam’s in the shower right now. We’re going to do some shopping,” Derek responded.
“Yeah, Chessie is getting ready as well,” Mack told him, head already in the refrigerator.
“Well, we have eggs, bacon and bread. How about scrambled eggs, bacon and toast?”
“Yeah, that should work,” said Derek as he got out the pans and set the oven up for the bacon.
As they worked together making breakfast, they talked about the girls, what they did for work, Christmas, how Mack liked small town living. When Chessie and Pam got into the kitchen, they found the table set and the food ready to serve.
“Hey now, I could get used to this!” Pam cried, going over to Derek and giving him a kiss.
Grinning, Chessie said, “Absolutely!” before kissing Mack. “Thanks, guys!”
Over breakfast, the couples talked about the upcoming holiday and how the little girls were going to be so excited. Mack watched how animated Chessie got talking about Jade and her “lists”. They had decided that they would celebrate her birthday on Christmas Eve, then go to midnight mass, before “Santa” arrived. That way, she got her day.
“I think that’s been the hardest part of her having a birthday on Christmas Eve,” Chessie said. “She knows it will likely only be family, but I’ve invited her classmates, so maybe a few will show up. I think as she gets older, I may do a party on another day so her friends can come. She goes to so many parties and loves having fun and I want her to have the same.”
“Girl, if you’ll give me the phone numbers, I’ll start sending out texts and see if I can get any RSVPs,” Pam said.
“That works for me! Thanks! Okay, you guys cooked so we’re going to clean up before I head out,” she responded.
As Mack and Derek sat there talking, the girls made light work of cleaning up the kitchen. The guys had done a lot of it as they cooked, so there really wasn’t much.
“Are you guys getting the tree today?”
“Yeah, we thought we’d get two, one for the house and a smaller fake one for the girls’ playroom. And, we’re going to work on the playroom today so it’s a good thing we can lock the door. Derek had an idea to put the kitchen in one area, then a ‘living room’ with a small television and dvd player in another. Kind of like a mini-house. Do you think they’d like something like that?”
“Oh hell yes they would! Can you see their faces? Let’s put shiny wrapping paper on the door with a big bow and a tag that says ‘To Jade and Sophie from Santa and friends’ too! Maybe a loveseat? Bookshelf? Lamp? They’d have their own little ‘house’ and I think they’ll love it!”
Mack, hearing how enthusiastic Chessie was about the project, looked at Derek and said, “I can help if you need it.”
This time, Pam answered, saying, “It’s all hands on deck and we cheerfully accept any and all help! Dad is coming over today to paint while mom keeps the girls busy. We’re going to do each wall a different color so they can differentiate. As they get older, we’ll change the room accordingly.”
“Then it’s a plan. And…I have to go; you know the morning crowd has been off the charts lately!”
As Mack walked her out to her car, she looked up at him and said, “Thank you, Mack. You don’t know how much all of this means to me.”
Drawing her close, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I think I have an idea, my Pixie-girl.”
After a kiss that was sweet but hot, Ches
sie headed to the diner.
Chapter Ten
Chessie stopped for a few minutes to grab a quick drink and stretch-the morning rush had been insane with people waiting for tables. Tips had been good and she and Fran were already planning what they were going to do once their shift was done. With Pam, Derek, Mack and their dad working on renovating the girls’ playroom, she and Fran had been tasked with finding the furniture and things to make it into a “house” inside. They had googled kitchens and found one at a store in the next town, and planned to grab a quick lunch then go and get it, along with all the accessories. She couldn’t wait to see Jade and Sophie’s little faces on Christmas morning! They knew something was up because their toys had been put in their rooms and the playroom door was now locked, but they had absolutely no idea what “Santa” had planned. Taking a deep breath, she headed back out to the floor; just another hour to go.
His Christmas Pixie Page 4