by Violet Paige
He held her lips within inches of his. The heat built between them .
“Don’t you believe in Christmas magic ?”
She nodded slowly .
“Then tell me you think this happened for a reason. That you’re in Harpers Point because we needed a second chance .”
Before he could coax an answer from her, Cami’s lips were on his. His hands circled her waist as she raised on her toes to reach his mouth. She whimpered as his tongue pressed inside her mouth and they melted into each other .
“So that’s your answer?” he whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear .
“That’s my answer. Are we crazy ?”
“I think so. But when was anybody in Harpers Point normal?” He laughed. “Come on, are you going to help me finish this tree? Decorations are in the attic .”
He threaded his fingers through hers and led her to the attic where he stored the Jacobs family Christmas boxes .
Fifteen
Cami
“A re you sure you can do this without falling this time?” Evan teased as Cami climbed to the top of the ladder. She held the angel in her right hand. It was the finishing touch on the Christmas tree .
They had pulled all the boxes from the attic. Evan’s mother had taken immaculate care of the family ornaments. Cami was careful when she unwrapped each one and hung them on the tree. It reminded her of her own inherited collection. There was a special story and memory behind each ornament. She was sad Evan’s mother wasn’t here to tell her what all of them were .
There were a lot of people no longer in their lives. Lost from cancer or illness. Or like Cami’s parents in a tragic car accident when she was a toddler. But pieces of them remained, wrapped in these Christmas traditions. It made her feel a little closer to everyone this time of year .
“Be careful,” he warned. “You’re up there higher than you think .”
“I’ve got it. Plus, you’ll catch me, right?” There were worse things in life than landing in Evan’s arms again. Had it really been weeks since that first antagonizing encounter ?
“Right.” There was a slight growl in his voice that was deep enough to make her lose her balance, but she gripped the support of the ladder and reached toward the spindly pointed branch, extending her arm so that the angel capped the top of the tree .
She snapped the angel’s cord into the lights. “That should do it.” She started her descent when she felt Evan’s hands around her waist .
“Just to make sure,” he added .
Her feet touched the floor and she spun to look in his eyes. Dark brooding eyes that made her melt into a gooey mess .
“Ok. So now let’s try it .”
“Hmm?”
“The tree,” she prodded. “Let’s see if the lights work .”
“Oh right.” Was he as distracted as she was ?
He took a long stride to the outlet behind the tree and plugged the bottom strand into the wall .
Cami gasped when the entire tree lit up with white twinkling lights. “It’s beautiful. You might have the prettiest tree in Harpers Point .”
When she looked at him she realized his eyes weren’t on the tree, they were on her .
“I think you’re right,” he replied .
She pointed. “The tree, Evan. I’m talking about your new Christmas tree ?”
“I know .”
His hand cupped her cheek and she felt the warmth of his rough palm. She suppressed a sigh. She didn’t want to say the wrong thing. She didn’t want to remind him of all the times she had screwed up. This felt like a new beginning. It felt as if they were starting to write the first few lines in a new chapter. As if for the first time in twelve years, they actually had a chance .
“It’s getting late,” she whispered .
He nodded. “It is. And we both have work in the morning. I have a budget meeting .”
“I have fudge to make and ship .”
His hand didn’t move. It was as if the temperature kept rising. Or maybe it was because her heart was beating faster and her pulse was racing. His mouth crashed against hers and she fell into his towering body .
Their clothes piled quickly at their feet. Ripping and tugging until their naked bodies were pressed together. Evan’s tongue was everywhere. Cami stood swaying in front of the tree while he kissed every inch of her body. She groaned when he pressed his mouth to her sweet spot .
“Oh baby, I want a taste,” he growled .
She looked down in his eyes as he widened her slit and began to feast on her pussy. His fingers worked her folds until she spread her legs for him .
“Oh shit,” she hissed, trying to steady herself on her feet. She rocked into him, greedy for more of his mouth. More of his tongue inside her .
He drew her to the floor next to him. “You like it when I drink from your pussy ?”
She nodded. “It feels good .”
“There’s so much more we’ve never done together.” His eyes were dark. It made her shiver with anticipation .
She tried to lean forward, but Evan stopped her with a strong hand to her chest. “Put that pretty ass of yours in the air .”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t hesitate. She moved to all fours, lifting her hips in front of him. She whimpered when his hands moved between her cheeks and his tongue circled her rosebud .
“Ohh,” she moaned. It felt exquisite and forbidden at the same time .
He pushed a finger to the ring of tight muscle. Cami clenched .
She heard Evan groan. “Please tell me no has been inside your ass .”
She shook her head. “No one.” She wiggled toward him, wanting to feel the rainbow of sensations again. It was as if he could read her mind. He spread her wide as his tongue worked the forbidden zone with strong strokes. It was hot and wet. And it felt damn good .
Cami bucked and moaned with pleasure. It felt so good. So raw and different. Her entire body tensed with the pending orgasm. She didn’t know she could climax from pleasure back there, but there were a lot of new things she was learning with Evan .
“Oh sweet baby.” He slid a finger inside her and she cried out. “My little virgin in every way .”
She nodded, trying to adjust to the pressure, while her body was zinging with fireworks. “I’ve always been yours. Always .”
“Turn around, Cami and ride me,” he whispered .
His finger slid from her ass for only a second as she climbed into his lap. She whimpered when his swollen cock pierced and filled her pussy. Just as she started to rock back and forth, taking him deeper, his finger slipped inside her ass again and she lost all control .
“Oh shit, Evan,” she hissed, never having felt so full in her life .
His lips landed on hers, drawing a wild kiss from her mouth. His tongue was relentless. She could taste herself on his breath, but it only made her feel more connected to him. With his cock inside her, his finger up her ass, and his tongue thrusting possessively, she knew she was his again in every way .
She ground into his waist as she felt the fullness stretch her and take her to another world .
“You need more,” he growled, as he pushed another finger deep in her .
She cried out with the pain, but quickly started riding out the waves until it was like white lighting guiding her pleasure from her core to her center and circling her backside. It was like she was having her own sexual revolution. But this revolution was about to spill into an epic orgasm .
Her toes began to curl and she panted harder and faster .
“That’s it,” he coaxed. “Good girl. My sweet girl. Fuck me,” he commanded. “Fuck me hard, Cami .”
She screamed out as her release claimed every nerve and every pore. She bounced up and down on his slick cock, sucking his fingers deeper, drawing him inside her anyway she could. She wanted to be bound and locked in his skin. She wanted to lose her breath and cry her last tears. She wanted this to be it .
With his free hand, he reached forwar
d and strummed her clit and she screamed with pleasure as he drew the longest orgasm of her life from her body .
“Of fuck,” he growled .
She looked in his eyes and knew he was riding off the cliff too. Falling and tumbling. Spiraling into the pit of ecstasy their bodies had created together .
She felt the hot whoosh inside her and Evan’s head landed on her shoulder. He kissed her tenderly. “That was fucking amazing .”
She felt tired and sated. Her body felt connected in a way she had only dreamed existed .
“It was so fucking amazing,” she whispered .
He kissed the top of her forehead. “This is completely against Harpers Point protocol, but what do you think about a sleepover at the mayor’s tonight?” He grinned that sexy grin of his .
She nodded. “I want to be in your bed, Evan .”
He held her in his arms. “I want you in it. We have to get up early though .”
“I know. But it’s worth it for this .”
He brushed his lips over hers. “I’m glad you came home .”
“I am too .”
* * *
T he next morning Evan made coffee and turned on the highlights from the football game. His team had lost and he’d missed the entire game .
“I better go.” It was still dark out, and if Cami left now there was a chance no one would see her car .
“I walk to work,” Evan explained. “I’m headed out in about five minutes .”
She had redressed in the clothes she was wearing last night. “I’ve got all that fudge to ship .”
“You ship now?” He pulled her jacket from the hall coat closet .
Cami threaded one arm through the coat while he held it for her. “Not far, but it was the only way I thought I could compete with the big stores. I had a few requests from customers out of town so I thought I’d try it. I’m hoping I can recoup my shipping costs .”
He tugged the corners of her coat together as she faced him. “Smart move .”
“Thanks.” She took one last glance at the tree they had trimmed last night. They had done some much naughtier things underneath it. “Oh, my dish.” She jogged over to the kitchen and picked up the heavy pot and placed the lid on top. She had already divided leftovers for Evan in the refrigerator. “Don’t want to forget this.” She threw the pot holders on top .
“I guess I’ll see you later, Cami Addison .”
The door opened and a gust of cold wind blew between them .
“You will.” She smiled .
He pulled her in for a last kiss and she melted in his arms before he let her go .
She bounded down the stairs to her car. Evan’s driveway was small. And she had parked on the street in front of his house. He waved from the front porch as she pulled away from the curb. They hadn’t gotten to the outside decorations. She wondered if she had overstepped with the Christmas tree, but she couldn’t deny how much he seemed to enjoy it .
She exhaled as the lights from his house faded from her rearview mirror .
It was only a two-minute drive along the block to the downtown district. It wasn’t even enough time for Cami’s car to warm up with the heat on full blast. She shivered, gripping the steering wheel for warmth. Without the nearness of Evan everything seemed chillier than it should. Did she already miss him? She rolled through the one traffic light intersection in town and parked behind the shop .
It was eerily quiet as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. It was as if she had Evan had been the only people awake in all of Harpers Point. It was possible .
Cami tossed her bag on the foyer table and locked the door behind her. It was hard to wipe the smile from her face. The night with Evan had been everything she ever wanted. She fell asleep in his arms. Only this time, it was because it was what they both wanted .
His anger had receded like the tide, and been replaced with playfulness and a slow burn that was taking over her thoughts. She didn’t know whether to fight it or just let herself enjoy the fall. Was it already love? Did it come back stronger and faster the second time ?
She walked to the closet in her bedroom. On the top shelf in the back was a box from high school. It was still sealed with tape. There was no need to pack it when she moved in. She ripped open the lid and rummaged through until she found a stack of pictures tied together with a knotted ribbon .
She sat on the closet floor, thumbing through the photos. There was one of her and Evan on the homecoming float their senior year. The next was a shot of them on the pier one summer before they took Evan’s dad’s boat out for the day. Cami remembered it was the first time his father let him have the keys. And then there were about ten different pictures from prom. She cringed at her dress, but it was pretty at the time. Her hair had been pulled back in a twist with big curls framing her face. She laughed. That was a style she hoped never came back .
She pressed her lips together when she saw the last picture. She was staring at the camera, holding up her left hand with a huge smile on her face. It was the day Evan had proposed, only three days after graduation. Had Aunt Sophie taken it ?
She studied the picture and let the other ones scatter on the floor. Why did she do it? Why did she give the ring back? Who would she be right now if she had married Evan? Would he have gone to war? Would they have three kids and live in the cottage on Cove Avenue? Would either of them had finished college? Was she always meant to come back and run The Sweet Treat ? Was it pointless to leave all along ?
Her head fell into her hands. There were too many questions. Too many what-ifs .
She pushed herself off the floor and turned off the light. She carried the picture with her, placing it next to the bed. The bathroom lights seemed bright after the dimness of the closet. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, staring at her reflection. What did Evan see now when he stared at her? Was there any trace of the girl she used to be ?
Cami undressed and stepped into the shower. It was hard to focus, but she remembered something Evan had said last night. He asked her if she believed in Christmas magic. She knew she didn’t have the answers that had been accumulating for twelve years, but she did have that one. Yes. Yes, she believed in Christmas magic with all her heart .
Sixteen
Evan
T he sun set behind Evan as he walked up and down the docks, inspecting the boats before they left the marina for the flotilla. The boards creaked under his weight. He rested his palm on one of the pilings towering by the bulkhead. With only one week to go until Christmas, Harpers Point was operating on high Christmas spirit. Tonight’s event was another main attraction for visitors across the state. The marina was only this busy during the summer. It was good to see the slips full and people strolling hand-in-hand before the flotilla started .
“Looking good, Mayor,” Shep Howard waved from his skiff. He had added a wreath to the center console and rigged a net design with Christmas lights. Evan wasn’t sure, but once it was dark, he thought it might be in the shape of a giant crab with a Santa hat .
He waved in return. “I like your wreath, Shep.” He didn’t want to get the sea animal wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time tonight sometime designed a dolphin that was mistaken for a ghost or a holiday seahorse that looked more like a hotdog on a stick .
The boats ranged in size from small ones like Shep’s Market float to monstrous yacht-sized vessels. The flotilla had grown in such rapid popularity over the past five years that the float committee had to cap the number of boats that could enter. Otherwise, it would take five hours just to get the boats in the harbor for the judges to view them .
It was another complaint Evan dealt with during the week. Boat owners who received rejection letters for their boats showed up at City Hall ready to make a case to be entered in the water parade .
He watched as Shep put his boat in reverse and careened out of the marina. He left a puff of diesel in his wake. The old timer was on his way to join the rest of the parade. The boats lined up beyond the
point before they cruised into downtown .
Evan pulled on his jacket and slid the gloves from his pockets. It was cold on the water. He hoped Cami would have a good time tonight despite the cold. He looked at his watch, realizing he needed to pick her up. The had to board his boat in the next thirty minutes. He was riding on the head boat for the festivities .
It was a short walk to The Sweet Treat from the marina. Every place was a short walk in Harpers Point. He took the route around to the back of the shop and climbed the stairs to Cami’s second floor apartment. He knocked on the door .
“Hold on,” she called from the other side. “Almost ready. Sorry .”
They had seen each other during the week since the night Cami came over and decorated the tree. One morning he dropped off coffee and muffins from the bakery. Another day Cami had met him at Hurricanes for lunch. They had crossed paths at his grandmother’s house again .
But somehow this moment seemed different. It was unlike any of the other days during the week. It was unlike any other day in twelve years. This was a date. And he hadn’t been on one of those with Cami since they were teenagers. Since they were engaged. Since he lost her .
The door flung open and she stood in front of him. He felt the air squeezed from his lungs. She looked like a goddess. His goddess .
“Hi.”
She wore a long light blue wool coat with white gloves and a matching scarf. She held a hat in her hands and fastened it over her auburn hair, just covering her ears .
“Do you think I’ll be warm enough?” she asked .
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. How could he? She was stunning. There were still remnants of the girl he had fallen in love with, but he saw Cami with new eyes .
“Claudine packed extra blankets on the boat. I think you’ll be ok. Claudine tends to be a worrier if you haven’t noticed .”
“Claudine?”
He nodded. “We’re riding on the Francis Realty boat. She took care of the decorations. Wait until you see it.” The thing looked like a floating Christmas greenhouse. It was covered in holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe. Somewhere in there had to be lights, or else it wouldn’t show up on the water at night. He just hadn’t seen them .