by Ivy Jordan
“You want to get a shower to warm up?” he asked.
“If you’re getting one with me,” I flirted.
He wasted no time in getting up, extending his hand to mine, and then pulling me from the couch to my feet.
I loved feeling his strength; it made me feel warm and safe. I pushed into his arms, snuggling against his chest for warmth as he stroked my hair with the palm of his hand. His scent, that musky, masculine aroma that he put off, was creating tingles in my breasts as it wafted under my nose.
“Is there hot water?” I asked, not sure if the water heater broke during the rough storm.
He grinned, nodded, and then slid his hand in mine. He pulled away from me, tugging on my hand as he walked towards the bathroom where our first intimate encounter started.
Inside, he lit a candle, even though the electricity was back on, and then slid the dimmer switch to a romantic glow. His chest was rippled with muscles, rolling like a washboard down his front. I reached out, letting my fingers slide across them like an instrument.
He slid his pants off, unleashing his glorious cock to my eyes. It wasn’t hard, but still impressive, and it made my mouth water just to see it hanging from between his legs.
Xander reached towards me, his cold fingers chilling my skin as he snuck under my shirt. He lifted the material slowly, stopping as it covered my head. His hands cupped my breasts, and without being able to see through the thick fleece that covered my eyes, I felt the sensation of his beard tickling my sensitive skin, and then warmth of his mouth consuming my left breast, and then my right.
He pulled the shirt from my head, dropping it on the floor.
He moved towards me, so close I could feel his heat. My body quivered as he gripped my pants at the waist, and then slowly slid them down my body. The cold chill of the room hardened my moist nipples, and my arousal became tacky against my skin as I stepped out of the pants.
Xander knelt before me, carefully peeling one sock from my foot at a time. He slid up slowly, pressing his smooth, warm skin against mine as he leaned in to turn on the water.
I watched as he let the streams from the shower fall onto his hand, testing it carefully as he adjusted the knobs.
Steam started to roll through the small room as the water heated, and Xander stepped in first before reaching for my hand to guide me inside.
The aches in my muscles melted with the hot water pushing down on them. Xander grabbed a washcloth and a bar of soap and rolled it in his hand until the rag filled with suds.
He moved me by the small of my waist, putting me closest to the water streams, and began washing my shoulders, my neck, and then down each arm. His touch was sensual, delicate, and drove me wild. The washcloth glided across my belly, around each breast, taking extra time to make sure they were squeaky clean. I giggled as he moved to my buttocks and then down my legs. The water rushed over his head, smashing his long hair into his back as he knelt down in front of me, washing my feet, and in between my toes. I was laughing, hard, from the tickling sensation of the cloth, but as he dragged it back up my body and in between my legs my laughter turned to deep moans.
“We have to make sure this is really clean,” he teased, pulling the cloth between my folds, against my clit, and then back again.
My fingers dug into his shoulders, helping to hold me up with weakened knees as he brought my arousal to the edge of explosion.
The cloth dropped with a slapping thud against the bottom of the tub, and then Xander’s fingers pressed against my flesh without the interference of the material. He spread me open with two fingers, and then slid his middle one inside my warm hole. I moaned out with pleasure, dug deeper into his flesh, and dropped my body onto him, sending his digit deep into my cunt.
His motions were slow, rhythmed, and accurate. His finger curled inside of me, the tip aimed towards the inside of my body like a hook. He twitched, tickled, and then found the spot that made me cry out his name with a hoarse voice.
The friction against the wall, right at my G-spot, sent warm arousal dripping down my legs and to the tub floor. I could barely stand; the quivering mess he’d made me with the powerful orgasm was pressed against him, breathing rapidly and unable to speak.
He chuckled as I finally regained control, looking up at him with amazement filling my eyes. Holy shit!
“That’s more like what I planned to do to you, if I’d ever seen you again,” he smirked.
His hands reached for the shampoo bottle from the shelf, and squirted some onto his palm. I couldn’t do anything but hold onto him as he ran his fingers through my hair, massaging in the soap, and then wringing out the suds with fresh water.
I gripped the clean washcloth that was hanging on the faucet, and picked up the soap. I lathered the rag until it was nice and sudsy, and then let the soap drop with a thud at our feet. Xander’s cock was already hard, tapping me on the hip as I spun him around into my spot under the water.
My hands pulled the cloth across his body, using the same slow, rhythmic method he had to clean me. I knelt down in front of him as I ran the cloth down his legs, his cock staring me directly in the eye as I looked up. My mouth watered, wanting so bad to taste him, to suck him between my lips and make him cum. I leaned in, sucking on the head of his cock between my lips, and let my tongue flick at the small opening as I cupped his balls in the soapy cloth.
He growled and groaned as I slid a bit further down his shaft, sucking in the warm flesh against my cheeks. My hand stroked his balls, massaging them slowly and carefully as I took more of him into my mouth.
Xander was large, much larger than other men I’d known, not that there were many to brag about. My cheeks spread, my lips stretched, and I swallowed hard, just to get him half way into my warm mouth.
I pulled away after a couple strokes and replaced my mouth with the warm sudsy cloth. I stroked slowly, up and down on his shaft, still kneeling before him, looking up and watching his lips part and growls escape.
His hands reached down to me, his fingers intertwined in my hair as he tugged upward.
“Kiss me,” he pleaded, pulling me up to his mouth,
Our lips met as my hand continued to stroke his cock. He throbbed in my hand, his arms tightened around me, and warm cum spilled onto the cloth.
“Damn,” he sighed, squeezing me tightly in his arms.
I washed his hair while he caught his breath and wondered if he’d let me shave his scruff. I didn’t want to remove it all, just trim it up, but I decided to wait for another day to ask.
Dried off, dressed, and both sexually satisfied and bellies full, we fell onto the bed into each other’s arms.
I wondered if Xander had been having nightmares since I left, but I didn’t ask. I snuggled up in his arms and watched as he drifted off to sleep, hoping that, even if he had, that they would stop again now that I was back.
I was warm and content in Xander’s arms as he slept, but not tired enough to fall asleep myself. I reached down, under the nightstand, and searched for the book I’d been reading before I left.
A stack of envelopes fell onto the floor as I pulled out the book, envelopes all addresses to me. I pulled them up, propped myself up on the pillow behind me, and stared at them with confusion. Why hadn’t they been mailed?
There were half a dozen letters, maybe more, some thick, like several pages were inside. They were all sealed, all stamped and addressed, and since they were to me, I figured it was okay to open them.
I slid my finger across the paper, tearing open the first envelope. I read what Xander had written, so sweet, so open, and my heart crushed deep into my chest. I tore through another, and then another, until I’d made my way through the entire stack.
One was signed, ‘I love you,’ and all of them professed a desire to have me in his life. I looked over at Xander, who was still sleeping soundly, and felt my heart rip from my chest. This man had stolen my heart, and here all this time that I pondered whether or not he cared, he actually loved me.<
br />
I leaned down, kissing Xander on the tip of his nose as he slept. His hand lifted, swatting the skin that had been tickled with my lips, and then his eyes pulled open.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, pain in his eyes as he stared up at me.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I lifted the stack of opened letters.
He sat up abruptly, snatching the letters from my hand. He shuffled through them, panicking as he stared at each one, opened, read.
“Where did you find these?” he questioned.
“I was looking for my book. They were addressed to me, so I thought it was okay to read them. Why didn’t you send them?” I whined.
“I couldn’t,” he sighed, falling back onto the pillow.
“If you had, I would’ve been here so much sooner,” I admitted with a smile.
He turned to me, his eyes still wary and stressed. His lips curled into a smile as he pulled me into his chest.
“I’m not good with sharing my emotions,” he confessed.
“You’ve done an amazing job in the letters,” I smiled.
“I really do care for you, Bailey,” he whispered.
No mention of love, like he’d written in one of the letters.
“I really care for you, too,” I sighed, snuggling up against his warm chest.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Xander
The sun blasted through the window. My eyes squinted at the brightness glaring in through the glass as Bailey rolled over in my arms. Her smile woke me up, bringing energy to my otherwise exhausted body. It felt good to sleep with her in my arms again. No more nightmares, only dreams of her and I.
“Good morning,” she whispered, stretching her neck to reach my lips with hers.
She tasted sweet, even first thing in the morning with chocolate syrup still lingering on her lips from the ice cream the night before.
“You’re cold,” I observed, pulling her tightly into my chest.
“Someone slept like a baby last night and let the fire die down,” she teased.
“Well, I’ve been exhausted without you in my arms at night, tossing and turning,” I chuckled.
Her eyes widened and filled with concern.
“Have you been having nightmares again?” she asked.
“I was, at first, but then I had a beautiful dream where you saved me,” I sighed, rolling to my back.
She rolled towards me with her head lying on my chest. I looked down at her eyes, eagerly waiting for me to elaborate, and for some reason, I didn’t feel the need to hold back. I told her all about the dream, every detail, and also about how I used it to fall asleep with each night.
“I’m glad I was here to help, even if I wasn’t really here,” she whispered.
I reached up, taking her hand and pulling it to my chest. I spread her palm across my heart, letting her feel it pound against my flesh.
“You’ve always been here,” I smiled.
“Hey,” Liam’s voice burst through the front door with him, cheery and loaded down with more supplies right behind it.
“Holy shit, he’s alive,” I jumped out of bed, sliding into my pants before greeting him at the door.
He looked over my shoulder, a wild grin growing on his face.
“I thought that was your car at the bottom of the mountain,” he commented to Bailey, who now was hidden mostly under the blankets.
“Hey, Liam,” she called back with bright red cheeks.
We hadn’t bothered getting dressed after our shower, and her clothes were still in the floor near the shower. I rushed in, grabbed them, and placed them on the bed beside her.
“Sorry, babe,” I whispered, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on the nose.
She giggled as she slid the clothes under the blankets and wiggled to get them on without Liam catching a glimpse of her perfect, nude body.
I moved to the fire, tossing on a log, and poking it quickly to get some heat generating into the cabin.
“Let me help you,” I offered, grabbing one of Liam’s large packs that was so full I nearly dropped it.
“Damn, what did you fuckin’ buy this time?” I questioned.
“Just damn near everything,” he chuckled.
Bailey was up and dressed and standing at the kitchen counter as I helped Liam unpack his bags.
“I brought something for ya,” she smirked, moving quickly to the pot of chowder she’d shoved in the small fridge.
“Is that clam chowder?” he gasped.
“It is,” Bailey grinned.
“Thank you,” Liam reached towards her, pulling her into his arms.
She shivered and squealed when she snuggled into his cold coat. Liam laughed.
“You make that trip last night?” he questioned Bailey.
She nodded.
“Holy shit, you’re a beast,” he teased.
“Where did you stay?” I asked.
“I stayed at the little motel in town. I mean, it wasn’t as nice as this place, but it had cable and heat,” he joked.
“I was glad you didn’t try to make it up here in that storm,” I admitted.
“Only someone nuts would try and do that,” Liam winked in Bailey’s direction.
“Hey!” she exclaimed, slapping him playfully on the shoulder.
He laughed as he slid out of his coat and boots,and tossed his gloves on the counter.
“I’m gonna heat up that chowder. Anyone else want some?” he asked.
We both declined as he carried the pot to the fire. I watched him poke at the log to get a bigger flame as he hooked the pot into place. I wondered what was going through his mind finding Bailey there with me.
“I’m gonna make some real breakfast,” I announced, pulling the eggs and bacon from the fridge. “We’re running out of room for all this stuff you keep bringing up here.” I informed Liam, who appeared to care less.
He was busy stirring the pot of chowder, dipping his spoon in for quick tastes just as Bailey had done.
“I’ll take an egg or two, maybe some bacon, potatoes if you’re makin’ em,” he finally said, turning to wink in my direction.
“Anything else?” I laughed.
“Nah, that should hold me over,” he smirked.
“Hold you over, til when, next Christmas?” I teased.
“Until I have to make that last trip down the mountain,” he stated.
“Last trip?” I asked curiously.
“Yeah. While I was in town, I made a few phone calls, and I have a job lined up,” he stated.
I knew he’d said he wanted a break, and that he wasn’t sure how long he’d stay. I was confused why he suddenly was ready to go back to work, unless it was because of Bailey.
“Don’t leave on account of me. I have to get back to work myself in a couple weeks, so I won’t cramp your style too much longer,” Bailey chimed in.
“Oh hell, it’s not because of you sweetheart,” Liam promised.
“Well, what brought this on?” I pushed.
“I’d put in my resume for a position with the NFL. I got the call back, they want me on the team as the personal trainer to the players,” he boasted.
“Holy Shit, Mr. Big Time,” I roared, rushing to my friend for a celebratory embrace.
Bailey congratulated Liam, making him promise that he wasn’t leaving because of her. He assured her she had nothing to do with his decision.
“I’ve been here driving Xander crazy long enough,” he winked in my direction.
He knew he hadn’t driven me crazy, well, at least not the last week or so. I was growing accustomed to having him around, and truth be told, I was going to miss him.
“So, who made this chowder?” Liam asked, taking his first bite.
It was easy to see by the expression on his face, that he was impressed.
“Lila, my best friend from school, and my neighbor,” she boasted.
“Tell Lila she is amazing,” Liam smirked.
Bailey had already opened the bacon and sta
rted peeling potatoes, dicing them up into small squares for the cast iron skillet. I jumped in, dicing an onion, heating the oil, and then slapping the bacon on the griddle.
It was nice having my stove back, but I didn’t really mind cooking over the flame of the fire. Bailey helped me clean up as we practically danced in the small kitchen area, synchronized perfectly with our movements.
Liam sat on the couch, eating the chowder and making sounds of pleasure with each bite. Bailey giggled at his reaction, leaning in to whisper that she really needed Lila’s recipe. I didn’t say anything, figuring if she did learn to make the chowder, I’d eat it every night of my life if it made her happy, even though I didn’t really like it.
“You about done with your appetizer?” I teased, breaking the eggs carefully over the hot griddle surface.
Liam grunted, brought the empty pan over to the sink, and then filled it up with water.
“That was incredible,” he patted his belly.
He looked over my shoulder as I peppered the eggs, growling as if he were starving.
“Over easy?” I questioned.
“Yup,” he smiled and then grabbed three plates.
Bailey scooped out potatoes onto each plate, and then placed three strips of bacon on each. I slapped two eggs on mine and hers, and then four onto Liam’s.
“Wow,” he gasped at the amount of food he’d been served.
“Really? I’ve seen you eat that for a snack,” I joked.
“Let’s eat outside,” Liam suggested.
The sun was out, and it was starting to warm up, but Bailey grabbed a large throw to keep over her shoulders anyways.
Sitting at the table, under the sun, it was pretty comfortable for me and obviously Liam who wore only a t-shirt.
The food was delicious, and the company amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better morning.
“I’m gonna miss this place,” Liam admitted.
“I’m gonna miss you, brother,” I frowned.
“Ahhh, you’ll be fine. You got Bailey here to keep you warm at night,” he smiled.
“Until she has to leave again,” I winked in her direction.
“You can always come off this mountain and stay with me if you get cold or lonely,” she smirked.