A hint of laughter sparked in his eyes.
“So why don’t we blow this pop stand?” I asked.
“And do what?”
“Anything that doesn’t involve thinking. I’m pretty sure it’s more trouble than it’s worth.”
He stood up, grabbed the tray of cookies, and helped me out of the booth. The liquor was still swimming through my veins, and I took a second to get my bearings.
“You ready for me to take you home?” he asked.
“Only if you don’t leave once we get there.” I curled my fingers into his bicep as he led me out of Mudflats, and with every step forward, excitement pulsed through me.
“And no more long talks until tomorrow.” I chuckled, buckling my seatbelt as he climbed in. “It only makes things stall.”
“You don’t want things to stall?” He laughed.
“Not after the treat in Santa’s workshop.” I giggled.
“How much have you had to drink?”
“Too much.”
He placed his hand on my knee, and this time, there was something less innocent with his touch as his fingers slid up my thigh and rested there until we got home.
The drive home was fewer than ten minutes, but by the time we got inside, I could barely think straight. I opened the door and nearly tumbled out of the truck in my excitement.
“I’m not going anywhere. Promise.” He chuckled, helping me up the steps.
“You’d better not, or you really would have to move, and you have a lovely house.”
I slid my key into the door and pushed it open, feeling his hands already sliding along my waist and creating the stir of emotions I’d grown so used to pushing away, but this time, I let them coast over me.
“We have a slight problem again,” I murmured.
“What’s that?”
“No bed.”
His mouth curled into a smile. “Beds are overrated.”
“Good.” I turned around, my back facing him, as I pulled off my sweater, wearing the same red bra as the first night we met.
I heard his breath catch, and my pulse quickened. He closed the door and came up behind me.
“Holly,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you.”
“Then what took you so long?” I murmured.
He let out a slow and sexy grumble as he swept my hair to the side.
I giggled and felt heat roll up my body as his warm breath scattered across my neck, his lips slowly caressing my skin.
Between his words and the soft kisses he dotted along my neck, my world filled with a need I’d never experienced before. He turned me around, and I slowly ran my hand down his abdomen, down to the bulge beneath his jeans.
I slowly unbuttoned his jeans, and he brought his mouth back to mine, kissing me harder as my body ground into his.
“I need you,” I breathed between kisses. “The chair.”
I dropped the blanket on the chair and gently pushed him down, hovering over him. I needed to be in control.
Surprise flashed across his gaze, but the fire behind his eyes intensified as he pulled me onto him. I straddled his lap and rested my arms behind him.
His eyes locked on mine before he coiled his fingers through my hair, bringing me closer, tasting me and making my entire world spin into a reckless craze of emotion.
My fingers quickly unzipped his pants, and he shook them off as I pulled his shirt over his head. Nick tore his lips away from mine and then brought me into his arms, but I shook my head.
I climbed off the chair and took a step back, trying to memorize everything about him, and it was like he was doing the same. His eyes skated down my entire body. He followed my hands as I unbuttoned my pants, and I continued to keep my gaze on him.
His broad shoulders led my eyes down to his pecs, and my stomach twisted with excitement as my gaze went lower. He was . . .
Beautiful.
I kicked off my pants and bent down, kissing him, feeling my body ache for more before I even bothered to wait for an invitation.
“Holly,” he breathed. “Slow down.”
But I couldn’t. Everything I’d been dreaming about was in front of me.
He pulled me up, and his mouth moved along my throat to my chest. He unhooked my bra and freed my breasts, breathing in deeply as he took me in.
Nick slowly worked his tongue along my nipples, and my body shuddered from desire. What he did with his tongue was hypnotizing. His hands slid along my belly and moved toward my hips, his fingers crushing into me as I circled my body over his.
“God, Holly.” He drew in a sharp breath as I dipped my legs lower without letting him enter. “You feel so amazing.”
His words did more to me than anything. His fingers hooked my panties and rolled them to the side.
I leaned back and his gaze traveled up my body. Warmth rushed over my flesh as his hands shook from the desire stirring between us.
I moved over him, my mouth fitting to his as I eased deeper onto his lap. His fingers slid along my bare skin, causing my body to ripple with expectation.
I stretched back, and his teeth raked across my belly, sending a wave of shivers across my body. Nick’s arms stayed looped around my waist as I arched backward. His groans intensified as my body rocked with his. My thighs locked around his legs as I brought myself back up, quickening my pace when his breathing hitched, but instead of releasing, he curled his fingers through my hair, bringing my lips to his. Every desire I’d been denying myself came crashing out as my body moved in the same rhythm as his.
As I buried myself into this world, I felt his hips thrust into me, and I lost complete control, the control I’d tried so hard to keep as my own.
“Nick,” I said, breathless and dizzy as the first of many sensations flooded through my body as his hips kept grinding into mine.
I blinked my eyes open to see him throw his head back, his jaw clenching in ecstasy. I never felt so full as my body collapsed onto his. Nick’s breathing was fast, his body slick, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Chapter Twenty
“So how’s everything going?” Maddie asked.
“Good.” I nodded, pulling my wool gloves back on.
It was freezing outside, but apparently, the Polar Bear Dip wasn’t to be missed by anyone on the island. Most of the town closed shop early so we could watch people jump into the icy water.
Even though it was late afternoon, Christmas lights sparkled from several food and beverage stands, and a huge fire had been started in the park we were in so the sane could keep warm.
Stacks of red and green towels were placed on long tables, along with bottled waters and protein bars. I wasn’t sure if I was at a marathon or a dip in the cold water.
Several businesses had booths in the park too. There was a bank handing out t-shirts, an energy drink company giving away drinks, two restaurants handing out samples, a technology company handing out fridge magnets, and of course, the library selling used books. I knew this because I’d stalked them all and grabbed my free stuff. I wasn’t sure which company Andrea worked for, but I was careful to keep a watchful eye for her.
The group of spectators was growing, and I kept looking for any sign of Nick.
“This seems crazy.” Maddie chuckled.
“It really does, but it’s for a good cause,” I told her.
“What’s got you so chipper?” she asked.
“I’ve got a little surprise.” I smiled.
“What are you talking about?” Her blues eyes twinkled with intrigue.
“Tori said the donations were down, so we’re going to see about changing that.”
I tugged on the neckline of my sweater and snapped my bikini strap underneath.
“You’re kidding. You’re going to jump in?”
“We’ll see. I’m kind of letting Jewels plan it. I just told her I’d show up in my bikini. I’ve decided I need to make a better effort when it comes to making friendships.”
My sister laughed. “Definitely one way to go about it. I bet you’ll be making all kinds of friends today.” She wiggled her brows just as a man using a bullhorn started shouting that the event was about to start.
I stood on my toes and tried to see over everyone’s heads to find Nick and still came up empty-handed.
“There’s Tori and Sophie,” I told my sister and waved, trying to get their attention.
Sophie grinned and hopped up and down, waving for us to come over.
We wound our way through the crowd as the announcer asked the participants to move toward the water.
My pulse elevated slightly because I didn’t actually know what was in store. Jewels said that before the dip, she was going to announce a twist, but I had no idea what my part was.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Andrea making her way through the crowd. She had a tag hanging around her neck, so I assumed that meant she was jumping. She was dressed in short shorts and a tight camisole.
Perfect outfit for winter.
Jewels had the roster of participants, so she knew Andrea had signed up. My heart squeezed a little more for my new friends. She wanted me to outshine Andrea, and something told me I just might.
“Where are the guys?” I asked Sophie.
“Making themselves pretty, I’m guessing.” She looked over my shoulder and smiled. Just as I was about to turn around, someone pressed their palms over my eyes from behind.
“Hey, you,” Nick said.
“Hey.” I grinned, wondering why he was making it so I couldn’t see.
“You have to promise me you won’t think less of me for what I’m about to show you,” Nick instructed.
I heard the other men giving everyone else the same lines around me, with Sophie squealing in fear and Natty panicking.
“I don’t know that I’d make that promise.” Maddie laughed.
“Is it that bad?” I asked.
“It’s not great,” she teased. “I think the image is burned into my mind forever.”
I giggled and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, I promise. You’re still the stud of Fireweed, Nick.”
Nick dropped his hands and spun me around.
I opened my eyes and saw Nick standing in front of me in a red union suit, which would have been unique in itself, but it was what was underneath that made the most impact as he unzipped the pajamas even lower.
“How in the world did you find a Rudolph speedo?” I asked.
“A lot of dedication and determination.”
I started laughing and couldn’t stop.
I glanced at the horrified expressions on Tori, Natty, and Sophie’s faces as their men stood in front of them, and I knew this had been in the works for a while.
“It’s good you started to make your moves before this,” I joked, still unable to control my laughter.
“Jumpers, please make your way to the dock.”
“I guess that’s my cue.” He beamed.
“I think it is.”
I saw Andrea watching us, and my insides burned. I think Andrea might be one of those women who didn’t like the person until they realized someone else did.
Nick followed my gaze and groaned.
“She doesn’t get the message very easily,” he grumbled.
“Let’s not have it ruin our fun.” I stood on my toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Could we please have Holly Wildes come forward?” the man asked, and Nick shot me a puzzled look.
“You’re not the only one full of surprises.” I grinned.
“Holly Wildes is our special guest and one of our newest residents on Fireweed,” Jewels took over speaking in the bullhorn. “And this year, we have a little surprise to make our fundraiser a little more exciting.”
My pulse spiked as I thought about what she had in mind.
Nick stayed close behind as I worked my way through the crowd and over to Jewels. I spun around and looked at the audience. There were hundreds of people standing and staring, waiting for Jewels to continue.
My eyes found Nick’s, and I couldn’t help but smile wider.
“So we have a little auction going on. We know most of you here in the crowd are spectators waiting to witness complete insanity. Well, we’re a little behind on this year’s goal.” Jewels scanned the crowd, and I brought my gaze back to Nick’s. “I’m giving you participants or spectators a chance to jump into the ice-cold water holding Miss Holly Wildes.”
Nick’s eyes grew twice their size, and his arm shot into the air, followed by several other men I didn’t recognize.
“Do I hear one hundred to jump into the water with Holly?” Jewels asked.
“Two hundred,” Nick called out.
Some guy about ten feet away called out three hundred, and my self-confidence started to blossom.
“Do I hear three hundred and fifty?” Jewels asked into the bullhorn.
I glanced at my sister, who was laughing. I shrugged and tugged my sweater over my head, tossing it on the dock. I wasn’t actually in that great of shape, but I’d ordered a green bikini that hid all the flaws in case I hopped in Nick’s hot tub again. Little did I know I’d be showing it off in front of a few hundred of my neighbors.
“Four hundred,” Nick called out.
I kicked off my jeans, readying myself for the cold water.
A spectator hollered five hundred, and I stared at Nick, hoping he’d come up.
“A thousand,” Nick said, taking a few steps forward from the crowd.
“Do I have anything over a thousand?” Jewels asked.
The crowd started cheering, and my cheeks flushed from the attention as Nick walked up and scooped me into his arms.
“You never cease to amaze me,” he whispered, and my heart filled with joy.
“That’s how I hope to keep it.”
The rest of the participants began stripping off their shirts and sweatpants in anticipation for what was about to come. Agreeing to this seemed like a much better idea over cookies and drinks. Now the fear was literally pummeling through me. I wasn’t ready to die in ice cold water.
“You ready for this?” he asked me, and I shook my head, bracing for the icy waters as he carried me down the dock.
“This year, we raised over five thousand dollars thanks to these crazy participants who are willing to freeze a little,” the announcer began as all the people began filing down the dock behind us.
A little.
A little. I’ll only be freezing a little.
When we reached the end of the dock, Nick set me down and began stripping out of his onesie.
“It didn’t get any better.” I giggled.
“What can I say?” He grabbed my hand. “But like with the rest of life, let’s not overthink it.”
He didn’t even give me a second to protest as he jumped in, pulling me in with him.
It was so cold, it felt like tiny shards of glass poking into my flesh, but before the real pain set in, Nick was already pulling me out of the water and drying me off with towels. I looked all around as people began dropping off the dock one by one.
A volunteer brought over hot apple cider and I began trying to drink it to warm up.
My teeth began chattering, and Nick pulled me into him as my sister brought my sweater and jeans.
“What was I thinking?” I asked in between chatters as we made our way to the fire.
“You wanted to impress me.” He grinned.
“You think?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Did it work?”
“It did.”
I glanced around and didn’t see Andrea anywhere.
Thank goodness. Maybe she finally got the picture.
“Do you have any plans for Christmas?” Nick asked as the warmth from the flames began to make the shivering stop.
I glanced at my sister, who was over talking to Jewels as she attempted to dry off Jake. Another guy walked up to them, and his eyes stayed on my sister.
&
nbsp; “I don’t. My parents are taking a river cruise, so it’s just me and my sister for the holidays.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded. “They’ve found a great bird sitter. I can’t even begin to thank you for—”
“It was nothing.”
“But it turned into something, so thank you. I think things could have gone in a really terrible direction.”
He smiled wider.
“I thought maybe we could spend Christmas Eve together.”
“What about Christmas Day?” I asked.
“I thought one would roll into the other.”
“That’s the kind of thinking ahead I like.” I looped my arms around Nick’s neck and smiled. “So do you know who that guy is over there talking to my sister?”
“That’s Jake’s brother, Chance.” He smiled. “He lives on Hound Island.”
“Interesting.”
“Why’s that?”
“Hildie has been trying to get us to visit her lavender farm for quite some time, and now I think I know why.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Are you sure there needs to be that many pickles on it?”
I smeared the last swirl of peanut butter on the empty slice of bread.
“Positive. That’s what all the cookbooks say. Eight pickles.” I sliced it in half and handed him the plate. “Go for it.”
He took in a big breath and took the first bite, followed by a second.
“Not as bad as you thought?” I asked.
“It could be worse.”
“Exactly.” I nodded and put the peanut butter and pickles back in my fridge.
It was three days until Christmas, and I felt like I was in heaven. Turning from neighbors, to friends, to this—we left it nameless—was the best decision of our lives, and I spoke for both of us.
Nothing changed about our friendship, except that it grew in ways I couldn’t even explain in only a matter of days. Nick was still the loyal, caring and kind man he was before we slept together, but now I’d say he was even more so.
I glanced at his empty plate.
“Nice work.”
“I always make good on my bets.”
“And so do I.” I put his dish in the sink.
Tempting Love on Holly Lane (Island County Book 5) Page 17