“I’m not coming in your mouth—not tonight.”
I lay down on the bed and he removed my panties. I’d barely taken a breath when he was pushing into me.
“Condom,” I cried in reminder.
He shook his head. “ No . I want you pregnant again as soon as I can. I didn’t get to be there last time, but this time I’m going to get to see you grow round with my child.”
I moaned. His words shouldn’t, but somehow they turned me on.
He pumped into me and my body stretched to accommodate him. It’d been so long since I had sex that it hurt at first, but soon pleasure was the only thing consuming me.
He swirled his tongue around my nipple and then moved on to the other breast and back again.
His hand moved between us, rubbing my clit, and my hips bucked.
“Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. Oh my fucking God ,” I cried as my orgasm hit me.
I felt him pulse inside me, his growls mingling with my screams.
It took us several minutes to recover and when we did we found our way under the sheets and he spooned my body.
It felt as if he’d always been there, and I fell into the deepest, soundest, sleep of my life.
I woke up to the smell of bacon.
At first I was confused, but with a gasp my activities the night before came rushing back at me.
I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt before braving my way into the kitchen.
I nearly keeled over at the sight of Dylan making breakfast, shirtless, in only his boxer-briefs.
“Honestly, Pen, a Christmas fern? Why don’t you have a tree?”
I looked in the corner at the fern he was indicating. Mya and I had decorated it at the start of the month for Christmas.
“This place is too small for a tree, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“You’re moving in with me.”
“You have a house?” I raised a brow.
He shook his head. “Not yet, but I’m getting one for you, me, Mya, and the baby I hope is in you.”
My cheeks turned a blazing red. “This is insane. We must be crazy. I haven’t seen you in four years.”
“It’s fate, baby.” He finished with the bacon and put it on a plate.
“You need to go.”
He glowered at me.
I sighed, my shoulders sagging. “Dylan, Mya will be up soon.”
“Exactly. It’s time for me to meet my daughter.”
I looked at him like he was crazy. “Not like this,” I hissed, indicating his nearly naked state. “You’ll scare her.”
“I’m her dad .”
“You’ll still scare her. She’s seen photos of you but that’s it. You’re a stranger.”
He picked up a piece of bacon and chewed angrily. “What do you propose then?”
“We’re going ice-skating before I pick up my brothers from the airport. You can meet us at the rink.” I didn’t need to tell him where—growing up here, he knew exactly where I meant.
His jaw clenched. “I’m not happy about this, but I’m going to do this because you’re right, I don’t want to frighten Mya. I want to make this easy for her, because I’m not going anywhere ever again.”
“Were you going to stay?” I asked softly, almost hesitantly. “Or did finding out about Mya decide that?”
He shook his head. “I came back for you and the moment I saw you yesterday my fate was sealed ten-fold. I could never leave you again. Never.”
I wetted my lips. “Good.”
“I’ll change and leave. What time should I be at the rink?”
“Eleven.”
He nodded and headed down the hall to my room. A few minutes later he returned and kissed me before leaving.
***
“This is going to be so much fun, Mommy.” Mya clutched onto my hand as we walked down the street from where we parked to the rink.
As we came closer I couldn’t miss the large form of Dylan leaning against the barrier.
“Mya, there’s someone I want you to meet first.”
My heart beat erratically. If Mya didn’t take to Dylan that changed things. I couldn’t, no matter how my body yearned for him, let him back into our lives if she didn’t like him.
We approached him, and to my shock Mya’s whole face lit up.
“The Prince, Mommy! The Prince, he came back!”
She ran the few feet separating us from Dylan and crashed into his legs.
He bent and hugged her. It looked like she was strangling him.
“Prince?” He mouthed to me.
I shook my head, but he raised a brow.
“It’s a fairytale I made up for her—about a Prince who left the Princess to take care of the baby Princess and how in the end he comes back.”
“You always knew, didn’t you, that I’d come back?” He picked up Mya and she clung to him desperately. Seeing him hold our daughter for the first time ever did strange things to me. She was the best mix of both of us. We both had dark hair, so it was only natural she inherited that. Then she got his brown eyes and freckles across her nose from me.
“I hoped,” I replied. “You still want to skate, right sweetie?” I asked Mya.
“Yes, yes, yes!” She chanted. “Will you skate with us too Prince?” she asked him.
“I will.” He smiled at her like she was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen. “But only if you call me Daddy.”
“Daddy,” she repeated. “Are you going to be my daddy forever and ever?”
He looked from her to me and back again. “You bet.”
My heart felt like it was going to overflow from the onslaught of feelings.
We headed over to the tent that was set up to pay for skates. Dylan insisted on paying, I fought him a little but only because it was fun.
The three of us sat on a bench putting on our skates. It felt so natural, so right, us being a family. It was as if four years had never passed and he’d always been here.
We each grabbed one of Mya’s hands and made our way onto the ice.
Mya’s giggles filled the air as we skated, spinning and twirling around.
The whole thing felt surreal—something straight of a story.
“This is so fun,” Mya trilled.
I smiled over at Dylan.
Mya’s happiness was always the most important thing to me.
All too soon the skating came to an end as it was time to pick up my brothers from the airport.
“I’ll go with you,” Dylan said, taking off his skates.
“Are you crazy? My brothers will murder you.”
He shrugged. “Better to get it out of the way, right?”
I pressed my lips together. “It’s your funeral.”
He chuckled, flashing me his smile that always made me go weak in the knees. “I can take it.”
As long as he was certain, I wasn’t going to argue, because he was right. We did have to get it out of the way.
Dylan insisted on driving and I let him since I was absolutely sick to my stomach over what I knew was about to go down.
Dylan on the other hand seemed completely unbothered and was singing along to Mya’s Frozen soundtrack.
At least those two’s meeting had gone smoothly. I’d been worried. Mya was old enough now to know she’d grown up without a father, and therefore could’ve been less forgiving, but leave it to my girl to welcome him back with open arms. The world didn’t deserve a soul as kind as Mya’s and that’s why it was my job to hold her close and make sure she flourished.
On the way to the airport we stopped and picked up McDonald’s for lunch and Mya hummed happily to the Frozen song, playing with her small plastic Barbie toy.
Dylan wadded up his trash and threw it in the bag before holding his hand out for me.
I looked at it for a moment before placing my hand in his with a smile.
“You know, we never were a real couple.”
He glared at me. “We were real. What we felt was real and that’s all
that matters.”
“Your sister is going to hate me for forgiving you.”
“She’ll get over it.”
He was right. Liz could never stay mad at me for long and once she saw Dylan was serious I knew she’d be thrilled.
We arrived at the airport and parked in the garage. I grabbed the sign Mya and I made a few nights ago and carried it inside while Dylan held onto Mya—she wouldn’t let him go.
We stood by the escalators waiting and I felt like dashing into the nearest restroom and throwing up.
My brothers were going to be livid.
Ten minutes passed and I was shaking.
“Calm down,” Dylan whispered. “It’ll be fine. I’m not afraid of them.”
When I saw my brothers step onto the escalator I muttered, “Oh my God.”
They waved, smiling, and I waved back.
Then their eyes landed on Dylan and their smiles disappeared.
“What the fuck?” I saw Cramer mouth to Corey.
“You’re going to die,” I hissed at Dylan. “They’re going to kill you—and they’re smart, there will be no evidence left.”
“Why don’t you take Mya and go back to the car?” He suggested. “Let me talk to them man to man … to man.”
“Are you crazy?” My eyes bugged out. “Do you have a death wish?”
“I’m telling you it’ll be fine.”
The twins were stepping off the escalator and stomping forward.
Since I didn’t want Mya to witness this I reluctantly agreed, grabbed her from Dylan, and hauled ass away back to the elevators.
I heard a commotion behind us but refused to turn around and look.
I set Mya down on a bench near the elevators to the garage. Dylan wanted me to go back to the car, but I couldn’t be that far away in case they hurt him.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” She batted her big brown eyes at me.
“Nothing, sweetie.” I smoothed my fingers through her thick dark hair.
I watched the clock and no more than five minutes had passed when the guys joined us.
“Oh my God, what did they do to you?” I jumped up and rushed to Dylan. His eye was red and I could see a bruise quickly blossoming.
“It’s okay.” He waved me away. “We worked it out.”
“You hit him?” I turned on my brothers.
They shrugged in unison.
“He deserves worse than that but we listened to what he had to say and … well we just want you to be happy—but that doesn’t mean we weren’t letting him off the hook unscathed,” Corey said.
Cramer slapped Dylan on the shoulder. “You better ice that when we get home.”
Dylan chuckled. “Yeah, I will. Hurts like a bitch.”
“No cussing in front of Mya,” I hissed.
“Oh, right.” He grinned like a mischievous little boy.
The five of us headed back to the car and to my parents house, where my brothers would be staying while they were in town.
When we arrived my parents were so excited to see my brothers they didn’t even notice Dylan until he spoke up.
“Um … Mrs. Lancing would you mind getting me some ice?”
My mom turned from Corey to Dylan. “Dylan? Dylan Carmichael?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
She shook her head. “What are you doing here?”
He looked at me. “Coming back to my one true love like I should have a long time ago.”
She looked at me, stunned, and I gave her a smile. “Well … um … welcome back then.”
She got a pack of frozen peas from the freezer and handed it to him.
“Did you do that?” My dad asked the twins.
“You know it.” They high-fived.
“Good job.”
“Dan,” my mom scolded. “Don’t be rude.”
“He left our daughter pregnant and never came back.”
“He didn’t know I was pregnant,” I defended.
“Yeah, but he didn’t leave you anyway to tell him, either, did he?”
I sighed. I’d figured my dad would be harder to come around. I was his little girl and he had to protect me, always.
Dylan hung his head and slowly raised it to face my father. “I promise you, I’m going to spend the rest of my life making up for that mistake.”
My dad harrumphed but didn’t glare quite as badly at Dylan after that.
We stayed for hours, playing games, and eating dinner before heading back to my apartment.
“I’m staying,” Dylan declared, carrying a half-asleep Mya into the apartment.
“Whatever you say.”
He carried Mya to her room and I watched from the door as he changed her into PJs and put her to bed.
She insisted on a story and he barely fit into the twin-size bed with her.
Watching the two of them together did strange things to my heart and I felt tears rush to my eyes. I hurried to my room and looked out onto the street, watching the fresh snowfall swirl in the light from the street lamps.
Dylan’s arms wrapped around me, his body warm and comforting, a solid foundation I’d been missing.
I laid my head against his chest.
“What are you thinking about?” he whispered, his breath brushing the top of my head.
“How much I’ve missed you and I didn’t even realize. I wouldn’t let myself think about you.”
“I’m sorry.” There was a depth of heartache and pain in those words. “I’m more sorry than you’ll never know. All I wanted was to break away from this town. It was never about you, I want you to know that. I knew if I stayed in contact I’d be tempted to come back. So that’s why I blocked everyone. But in the end, I realized I was only running away from my fears and they didn’t disappear. Where I belong is here. With you. I’m sorry I didn’t realize that sooner.”
I turned around and wrapped my arms around him. “If you leave me again it won’t be my brothers you need to be afraid of.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect any less from you.”
He lowered his head and kissed me.
Immediately that feeling in my tummy stirred.
My fingers found their way under his shirt and edged it up. Once it was off I took my time tracing the planes of his abs. His skin was smooth and warm, yet he shivered beneath my touch.
He kissed me deeper, his tongue tangling with mine.
Our bodies moved together, playing to the same song. We’d always been in sync and no amount of time had been able to change that.
He took my sweater off, then my jeans, before dropping to his knees.
His breath was hot against panties, and then those were gone too.
“Open up for me sweetheart.”
I moaned as he spread my legs, his tongue finding my pussy.
“Oh God.” I threw my head back. My legs began to shake. “Oh Dylan.”
His tongue flicked against my clit and then back down again.
Stars sparkled behind my closed lids. I could barely breathe.
“Dylan, please, I can’t— oh God .”
My orgasm hit me before I expected it and I lost sight of the whole world. When I came to I was on the bed and Dylan towered above me, the rest of his clothes gone and his cock jutting proudly from his body.
“Are you ready for me?” he asked, his voice hoarse as he reached down and stroked his cock. I nodded and he wasted no time thrusting inside me.
I clawed at his back as he pumped in and out.
My heart was so loud in my ears but I still managed to hear his rattled breaths. It made me feel good to know he was just as unhinged by this as I was.
He pulled out suddenly and commanded, “Roll over.”
I did, resting on all fours, and he smacked my ass before plunging back inside me.
Grabbing my hair he pulled my head back. “Fucking mine. You got that? You’re mine? You, this pussy, all of it, you’re mine.”
“Yours.”
With my softly uttered word we bo
th reached our orgasm. I felt his teeth bite into my shoulder and I knew he was leaving his mark on purpose.
He didn’t need to though.
I’d always been his, even when I didn’t want to be.
By the time it came to have dinner on Christmas Eve, everyone, my family and Dylan’s, had grown used to the fact that he was back and we were together.
Everything seemed natural and easy, like he’d never really left.
Having him back was the Christmas present I hadn’t known to ask for.
I spent the day with my mom, Liz, and her mom, making dinner for everyone.
Dylan hadn’t wanted me to leave him, but it was tradition for all of us to make the meal together and I wasn’t about to break that.
So the guys hung out and watched Mya.
Liz and I set the table and she smiled over at me.
“This feels so weird, but right at the same time. Does that make sense?” Her gaze drifted to the family room where Dylan was playing dolls with Mya.
“It’s perfect.”
Once everything was placed we all sat down to eat.
We’d made a turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, macaroni and cheese, and much more. But with all the guys, I doubted there would be any leftovers.
Dylan sat to my right, with Mya on his lap since she refused to sit anywhere else.
I smiled at the two of them, my stomach flipping at the sight.
We were a family.
Laughter and talk echoed around the table as we ate, Christmas songs playing in the background, and the tree glittering from the next room.
I felt certain I’d never been happier than this moment.
As the food was cleared away, dessert was brought over, and by the time I finished my chocolate pie I had to undo the button on my pants.
I wasn’t even sorry.
Dylan cleared his throat.
“If you all don’t mind, I’d like to say a few words to this lovely lady at my side.”
Almost at once everyone became silent.
My heart jolted and I turned to look at Dylan. He was handing Mya to my mom and scooting his chair back so he could face me.
He took my hand in his.
“You are the kindest, most wonderful woman I know. I don’t deserve your forgiveness but you gave it readily. I promise you, from this day forward I’ll always be by your side. For you and Mya. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved and you’ll be the only one until I die.” He pushed the chair back and dropped to his knee, pulling out a ring box from his pocket. “Penelope, love of my life, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Christmas Kiss Page 2