That First Christmas

by Lily Graison

  Her hands explored his back, ran through the length of his hair and he couldn’t get close enough. He reached down, snaking his hand under the t-shirt she wore and explored the soft flesh of her thigh. She broke the kiss, her breath warm and moist against his face.

  “I want to see you,” he said.

  Meredith lifted her hips, pulling the shirt up and Travis sat up, helping her remove it. He stared down at her when she lay back down. The little minx had been completely naked under his shirt? He grew hard at the thought. His gaze drank in every inch of her skin he could see. Her high pert breasts, the cheery tipped nipples and the light dusting of freckles covering her skin.

  He reached out, running a hand over her stomach, flattening his palm over her skin and laid back down beside of her. He explored her body, letting his hand and fingers cover every inch of her and looked up when she gasped as his fingers brushed the coarse, wiry hair between her legs. Her eyes were closed, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth and he didn’t think he’d ever seen anything that looked as glorious as she did in that moment.

  Slipping a finger between her folds, he found her clit and gave it a small flick. Her eyes shot open and her lips trembled. He leaned forward, taking her nipple into his mouth, never breaking eye contact with her. Her breaths came faster, her tongue extending to moisten her lips and he took to his task like it was the last taste he’d ever have. He covered her with kisses and small licks. Tasting the softness of her breasts, sucking her nipples into his mouth and spent long minutes teasing her until she was moaning his name.

  He rose from the bed, slipping his sweat pants off. She watched him with passion-clouded eyes, letting her gaze rake over every inch of him. When she reached out, holding her hand to him, he smiled at her before climbing back in the bed with her. He covered her body with his, kissing her neck and shoulder, the feel of her hands caressing his back sending shivers up his spine.

  Spreading her legs with his knee, Travis slid between her thighs, his length easing between her wet folds. He groaned at the warmth, closing his eyes and bracing his weight on his forearms. He reached down, positioning himself at her entrance and gave a small, experimental push.

  She gasped.

  Travis stilled, his eyes widening a moment later.

  “Don’t stop,” Meredith said. “Please.”

  “Meredith.”

  Her name came between clenched teeth and Meredith wrapped both arms around him, raising her feet to keep him in place. “Please,” she said.

  He sighed, lowering his head, and resting it on her shoulder. “You should have told me.”

  “I didn’t think you’d want me if you knew.”

  He looked up at her, raising a hand and laying it on her cheek. “I would have still wanted you,” he said. “But you being a virgin just makes this whole act a little more complicated.”

  “Why?”

  He laughed humorlessly. “Well, it’s going hurt like hell for one.”

  “I know that,” she said. “I’m not completely clueless.”

  He shook his head at her. “Meredith, you shouldn’t give your virginity to just anyone. You should save it for someone you love.”

  She glanced away from him, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat before looking back up. She inhaled deeply and tried to steady her voice. “I am.”

  His breath left him in a rush, washing over her face. He fell limply over her body, his face buried in her hair. She felt the tears biting at the back of her eyes a moment later. “I may have been coddled my entire life but I know what I want,” she said. “I want you.”

  His grip on her waist tightened and he sighed into her hair. “We don’t even have protection. Even if this wouldn’t have stopped us, that should have. I was stupid for letting it get this far.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m on the pill.”

  He sat up, looking down at her. “Pregnancy isn’t the only thing you should worry about when it comes to sex.”

  She smiled. “Well, I’ve never been with anyone else and unless you’re some dirty old whore with several STD’s, I think we’ll be okay.”

  He grinned down at her. “I’m not now, and never have been, a dirty old whore, and I don’t have any STD’s.”

  “Fine then,” she said. “Now, are you going to make love to me or just talk me to death?”

  His expression stilled and grew serious. “You’re sure this is what you want.”

  She leaned up, whispering, “Yes,” against his lips. “I want this…I want you.” She kissed him for several long moments before he finally kissed her back. He’d gone soft between her legs but she felt the instant his interest returned. He grew long and hard against her soft flesh, his hips moving against her and causing the most delicious friction she’d ever felt.

  He leaned back slightly, snaking a hand between them, and Meredith moaned when his fingers took place of his burgeoning length. He flicked her clit, rubbing it in small circles before she felt him insert a finger inside of her. She gasped at the sensation and closed her eyes. He worked her with his fingers, stretching her until she was panting with need. When she moaned his name, he replaced his fingers with his cock.

  “Hold on to me,” he said.

  She grabbed his shoulders when he leaned down and kissed her breathless. The pressure between her legs grew and the white hot blinding pain she knew was coming tore a scream from her throat.

  Travis peppered kisses across her face, his hand running a trail over her arm, her shoulder, anything he could touch while he spoke softly in her ear. She had no clue what he was saying. It didn’t really matter, though. The fact he was trying to comfort her actually did, regardless of the pain radiating from her core.

  When the pain finally lessened, she felt her body relax. His kisses had a drugging effect, the warmth of his breath burning a trail over her skin. When he reached her lips, taking them in a soft, wet kiss, she sighed into his mouth. His tongue stroked the contours of her mouth, driving her to this side of madness before she moved her hips against him. He moaned deep in his throat, never breaking contact with her mouth as he started to move.

  Meredith only had what her friend’s had told her, as a basis of what this act was actually like, but she realized how far off base they were. They were clueless. It wasn’t the physical act that made sex so great, it was the person you shared it with. She knew that the instant she looked up into Travis’ eyes. The way he was looking at her left her breathless. The feel of him joined with her so intimately was beyond anything she could imagine. The tender way he kissed her, the soft caress of his hand against her skin and the words he whispered against her ear caused her body to burn. The heat traveled her limbs, pooling at her core and she gasped when she felt it burning out of control. She closed her eyes, digging her fingers into his arms.

  “Don’t fight it,” Travis said, sliding a hand between.

  The minute his fingers rubbed against her clit, Meredith thought she’d burst from her skin. Her grip on his arm tightened and she grit her teeth as the pressure built.

  “Let go, Meredith. Come for me.”

  She screamed, the pressure tearing her into a thousand pieces and she thought her heart would stop when Travis hissed a curse in her ear, his hips grinding into her until she felt boneless and spent. When he stilled, Meredith stared at the ceiling, her breath panted out harshly.

  He lay on top of her, his face buried against her neck and his breath warming her skin. “Are you okay,” he asked.

  “Uh huh.”

  He chuckled and leaned up, propping his weight on one arm. “You sure? You don’t sound okay.”

  “Uh huh,” she said, smiling up at him.

  He kissed her, soft and languorously. The heat she’d felt surfacing again and drawing a moan from her throat. She raised her arms, wrapping them around his neck and holding him to her.

  When he broke the kiss and threw the blankets back, crawling to the edge of the bed and standing, she frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to stay
and cuddle with me or something?”

  He grinned. “In normal circumstances, yes,” he said. “But not now.”

  “Why?”

  “Come on,” he said, reaching out and grabbing her hand.

  “Where we going?”

  “To shower.”

  “Shower?”

  “Trust me,” he said, looking down at himself. “We need a shower.”

  Meredith followed his gaze, her eyes widening when she saw what he was talking about. She blushed. She’d forgotten about that little side effect of losing her virginity and didn’t waste any time following him to the bathroom.

  Chapter Eight

  Waking up wrapped in Travis’ arms was one experience Meredith never wanted to live without. Her body was sore and she was so tired she didn’t want to move until the sun went down but, she’d never felt so content in her life. She sighed heavily, nestling back against Travis and smiled when his arms tightened around her.

  “Are you finally awake?”

  “I have been for awhile,” she said. “I just can’t find any reason to move yet.”

  He chuckled in her ear, leaning down to nuzzle the side of her neck. “Do you feel okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine.”

  She looked at him when he leaned up, rolling her to her back and kissing her. When he broke the kiss, he raised his hand, running a finger down her cheek.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Famished,” she said.

  “Good, so am I.”

  He grinned, placed a soft kiss on her forehead and crawled out of the bed. She watched him, admiring his backside when he grabbed his pants and slipped them on, walking to the living room and adding more logs to the fire before heading to the kitchen.

  Losing her bed warmer, Meredith wrapped the blankets around her, scooted to the edge of the bed and stood, making her way across the room and sitting down in front of the fireplace, watching him start their breakfast.

  He’d made love to her twice more during the night, each time she fell a little bit more in love with him. She knew saving herself for the right person would be worth it and it was. Travis was gentle with her, letting her set the mood for their lovemaking and she was grateful for that. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that if she’d let her ex-boyfriend persuade her into sex, it wouldn’t have been like this. He was too eager for it, too needy. She would have just been someplace warm for him to stick his cock.

  But with Travis, everything had been different. His kisses were slow and sensual and drove her half crazy with need. He savored every inch of her body like a delectable treat. He’d kissed every inch of her, and the things he’d done to her…she shivered at the thought.

  Maybe it was his age. He wasn’t driven by hormones alone. He took his time; drawing out her pleasure until tears stung her eyes and she thought her lungs would burst. She’d been embarrassed a few times, but that was only at her own ignorance. Travis didn’t seem to notice.

  A glance out the window showed a gray, cloudy day. It wasn’t snowing for once and Meredith knew it would only be a matter of days before the roads cleared enough for travel. That is if it didn’t start snowing again. She almost wished it would. When the roads were passable, she’d have to leave. There really wasn’t any choice in the matter.

  She’d been due to arrive home over a week ago. She was sure her father was looking for her already and he wouldn’t be looking on the mountain. She’d taken the short cut on a whim, not letting anyone know. When they went searching for her, they’d be looking on the highway. She had to let him know she was all right. Maybe she could just call him, she thought.

  No. She couldn’t do that. In his eyes, she was missing. She couldn’t just call home and say, “Hey Daddy. It’s me. I’m shacked up with a hunk of a mountain man. I’ll see you for spring break instead!”

  She sighed and laid her head on her knees. She had to leave Travis. There wasn’t any way around it. Maybe she could persuade him to come home with her. Surely he didn’t enjoy living on this mountain. Not alone. It was too isolating. She’d be crazy outside of a month up here with no one to talk to.

  Looking at him though, she knew getting him off this mountain would be easier said than done. He apparently enjoyed his life here or he wouldn’t have stayed as long as he had. And honestly, she couldn’t see him in her world. Picturing him in a business suit and going to the office everyday was an absurd notion. She grimaced at the mental image.

  No, she liked him just the way he was. The rugged outdoorsman with the ugly flannel shirts and big, clunky boots. The hunter who took pleasure in hanging dead animals on his wall. The man who made beautiful furniture with his bare hands and rescued damsels in distress from the side of the road.

  “What are you thinking about so hard?”

  Meredith looked up when Travis sat a platter of food on the floor beside her and sat down. “I was thinking about you, actually.”

  “Yeah?” he said. “What about?”

  “Different things.”

  He raised a brow at her. “Do you want to be more specific or am I supposed to guess?”

  She watched him smear jelly on a piece of toast, taking a slice when he offered it to her. “Do you think you’ll ever come down off this mountain?”

  He paused, the slice of toast in his hand halfway to his mouth. “I go down the mountain every month.”

  “No, I mean…living somewhere other than the mountain.”

  The expression on his face chilled her to the bones. She knew without him opening his mouth the answer would be no.

  “This is my home. It’s not much but it serves its purpose.”

  “Don’t you get lonely up here, though?”

  He shrugged. “Sometimes but, I’m used to it now.”

  She picked at her food, wiping the jelly off the dry toast and licking it off her finger. “Why do you stay here? I mean, I know it’s your home and all but, there has to be another reason.”

  And there was. She could see it in his face. There was something he wasn’t telling her. A reason he lived up here alone. “Are you in trouble?”

  He snorted a laugh and shook his head. “No, I’m not in trouble. What’s this really about, Meredith?”

  She glanced at her feet. Why couldn’t he just figure it out without her having to say the obvious? “I can’t stay here,” she said. “Once the roads clear. I have school. A life I have to get back to.”

  The expression on his face turned tender then and he laid down his toast, wiping his hand on a towel and reaching for her. She went willing, sighing into his embrace when he pulled her into his lap.

  “The roads won’t be passable for days yet,” he said, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “Don’t worry about things yet to come.”

  “I know but…”

  “No buts,” he said, taking the toast from her hand and putting it on the platter, pushing it away from them. He eased her to the floor, covering her with his body before kissing her senseless. When she gasped for breath, his tongue slicked a trail to the hollow of her throat.

  He pushed the blankets away, exposing her to him. His eager hands roamed her skin, his lips tickling across her breasts. The sharp point of his tongue flicked her nipple and he sucked the tiny bud into his mouth seconds later. She arched her back, lifting her arm to hold his head to her.

  Long minutes of exquisite torture to her sensitive breast and Meredith was ready to scream. He nibbled and sucked, lightly biting his way across her flesh and she squirmed restlessly.

  The kisses and wet licks trailed down her stomach, over her hip and Meredith shuddered when he spread her legs suddenly and licked up the center of her. She clamped her legs instinctively and Travis grabbed them, holding her open to him.

  “Don’t move,” he said, his breath warm against her heated flesh.

  She glanced down at him, meeting his eyes. He lowered his head, never breaking eye contact with her, and extended his tongue, tracing her folds before sucking her clit into his mouth.
Her eyes fluttered and she fought to keep them open when he said, “Don’t close your eyes.”

  Watching him do this was the most erotic thing she’d ever seen. Seeing him nestled between her legs, his face buried in her russet curls sent her spiraling to oblivion. She licked her dry lips, her hips jerking as he attacked her soft flesh and inserted one long finger inside of her.

  “Travis,” she moaned, her head falling back to the floor. She reached out, grabbing the back of his head and held him to her. When he added another finger into her depths, she raised her hips, meeting his hungry kiss with complete abandon.

  He loved her with his mouth and fingers as she rocked her hips against him. The ecstasy she felt when the explosive tidal wave rocked her body tore a cry from her throat. She rode the waves, her head thrown back as her body arched off the floor and still he didn’t stop. She was babbling his name, tears burning at the back of her eyes and her entire body felt ready to burst into flames.

  Her mouth opened in a silent scream, the fine hairs on her body charged with electricity and suddenly she couldn’t breath. She gasped, a strangled sound crawling up her throat and then he was gone.

  She was too numb to move but opened her eyes, watching him stand over her, sliding his sweat pants over his hips. He was hard, the length of him standing proudly away from his body. When he fell to his knees and grabbed her under the knees, pushing them toward her chest, Meredith shivered at the look in his eyes.

  He wouldn’t be gentle this time.

  He came to her in a rushed frenzy, the impact forcing the air from her lungs. He found his tempo, grinding his hips into her as he held on to her legs. She raised her hips, meeting each of his thrusts and within minutes, searing heat engulfed her body and spread like wildfire. She grabbed his arms, holding on to anything she could when he threw his head back and followed her over the precipice.

  Travis collapsed against her, his breath rushing past his lips and warming her already overheated skin. They lay there for long minutes, trying to catch their breath before he moved to her side, pulling her into the curve of him arm and buried his face in her hair.