Bound for Christmas

by Yvette Hines

  He groaned, “God, that feels good.”

  Time passed as she worked the area of his upper back, shoulders and neck. When she ran her hands up into his short, silken hair to rub lightly, not wanting to hurt him, he rotated his neck, rolling his head around working in concert with her touch. Soon, she found her hands lost in the illustrious, now dry strands; her fingers were doing more stroking than massaging. She lightly grazed her nails along his scalp loving the small shiver that rocked his body letting her know she was doing something he found pleasurable.

  A sound came from him that she would have described as more of a moan, deep satisfaction emitted through his vocal cords. She bit down on her bottom lip, keeping her own self from moaning. Never would she have thought that just touching someone’s shoulders or burying her hands deep into someone’s hair would turn her on, but she had begun to imagine. Imagine she was straddling his lap, riding his hard length while her hands where in the exact same place, fisted as he kissed her with that marvelous mouth of his.

  Evan tilted his head back as he reached up and took one of her hands, stilling her movements. He stared up at her, his hazel gaze, dark green now and filled with heat. The same heat that radiating through her body.

  There was a slight tug of her hand that removed it from his hair, but held it firm in his grip. Still they stared at each other.

  “Are you going to kiss me, Evan?” She wanted him to with everything in her, she would have said to hell with everything and let him. This time knowing what was to come, mindless pleasure.

  “Oh, how I want to. But, it is best that I don’t. Not now anyway.” He looked down at her hand, held in his, planted a kiss in her palm then let her go.

  Curling that hand in a fist, she stepped away from him. “It is probably best for us to keep our distance while I’m on duty.”

  “True.” He lifted his cider as he continued to observe her, his hair a wild spike array around his face from being molested by her hands.

  Claiming her seat again, she tried not to feel uncomfortable at his direct gaze. Picking up a cookie, she broke tiny pieces of it and nibbled them one at a time.

  “How is it that a beautiful, confident woman like you is still single?” He slouched deeper in the chair and drank.

  Good gracious, the last thing she wanted to discuss was her disastrous past relationship and how it had caused her to escape Texas and bury herself in her work. “I haven’t always been single.” That was the simple answer. “However, as you can see, my job doesn’t leave much room for dating. I can’t exactly invite men here.”

  He frowned and lowered his mug. “There are a million and one occupations a nurse could undertake, why seal yourself in a house with a sick old man for days at a time?”

  Evan was getting to close and it was making her uncomfortable. “Look, I like it. I’ve always had a thing for older people and children. I was already doing hospital outreach and home visits for our immobile patients. This came along, nothing else was keeping me from taking it, so I did. Simple.”

  His hazel gaze appeared browner now, but he didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push any further.

  “So, what about you?” She asked.

  “I’ve been--”

  “Zoey, sorry to interrupt. I need your assistance in getting Mr. Douglas back in bed.” Lily pushed through the screen.

  “Duty calls.” Zoey was anxious to hear about Evan and his love life. Was there a broken hearted woman head left in San Antonio?

  “I’ll take care of it.” Evan was up faster. “That way you can finish your break and cookies.” He winked at her as his combed his hair back quickly with his hands and left the porch.

  She bit her tongue to keep from smiling like a silly school girl from the gesture, especially before a colleague. The last thing she needed was rumors getting around the hospital that she had a thing for the younger Mr. Douglas. Especially since there was a huge possibility his interest in her was fleeting, just his responding to their physical attraction to each other.

  Lily followed behind him into the house.

  Not to mention Evan Douglas may not even be her type.

  Yeah, right! Her body shouted.

  It was true that she was in a bit of a dry spell and years of putting her job first made her vulnerable to jump the first bone she got her hands on, but thinking that this guy would be someone she could invest her heart in was just crazy wishes.

  She was too sane to be crazy.

  Maybe.

  * * *

  The next couple of days that Evan was home, they fell into a nice routine of back porch breaks filled with cider, light lunch and talks of their childhood memories.

  It was those moments that she saw Evan fully relaxed and his eyes light up with happiness. It didn’t take her a lot to figure out that he had a close relationship with his mother. Very different from what she’d been seeing between him and his dad. Something she thought a shame since it was only the two of them left.

  At night, after the older Mr. Douglas went to sleep, they would pick a movie to watch on television however they kept a distance, her on the couch Evan in a recliner. It was as if they mutually decided that keeping as little contact between them was best especially since their attraction was growing stronger.

  There were many times she’d glance over her shoulder or across the room and find him staring at her, heat in his eyes. When he finally let out for his next days of flight, she breathed a sigh of relief as she counted the nights until their date.

  The days he was away, he’d call twice, once in the afternoon to talk to his dad, which always ended quicker than she thought it should. The men barely completed more than three sentences with each other. However, late at night after his last flight, Evan would call her cell phone. She’d lay on her bed in the guest room and continue their conversation about life experiences. They had mutually decided to steer clear of past relationship talk and she was glad.

  Chapter seven

  Applause erupted through the plane on Sunday night, just before midnight as he taxied into the Charlotte airport. They’d caught the tail end of a storm as it left the city headed northeast causing a bumpy ride, but he’d still been able to keep the Boeing under control for a smooth landing.

  He was tired and all he wanted to do was to crash in bed and sleep until he was able to see Zoey. The time away from her had made him yearn for her even more. Their nightly calls sparked his desire as he lay in a different hotel room each time listening to the sweet timbre of her voice. Frequently he went to sleep after talking with her imagining how she would sound moaning in his ear as he was buried deep inside of her.

  Shit he needed to get himself together, he thought as he moved through the airport towards the employee parking.

  The way his body was on edge now, it would take Hulk to keep him from dragging her off to the nearest flat surface and having his way with her. That amazed him, he’d never wanted a woman who he’d only kissed once and spoke to about mundane things, as much as he yearned for Zoey. It both scared and excited him.

  Behind the wheel of his car, he pulled out his cell phone and sent her a text.

  Sorry to wake you. Just wanted to let you know I’m home.

  Wasn’t asleep yet. Glad to know. I will see you tomorrow. Can’t wait.

  He read her message and smiled. He tapped down the urge to call her since he knew she was up, but that would show too much impatience. Instead he dropped his cell into the cup holder and started his engine.

  The thought that floated through his mind as he drive out of the lot was how good it felt to have someone care that he’d arrived safely. It was a new experience for him, one he admitted to himself that he liked. Very much.

  * * *

  On Monday, Zoey awakened with a big grin on her face. The day was going to be wonderful and the night even better. She could hardly wait to see Evan and go out on their date. After a quick shower, breakfast and pulling on jeans and a sweater she headed out the door of her apartme
nt. She treated herself to a manicure and pedicure and went out shopping for a new dress. The holiday shoppers had packed the malls, but she’d been able to snag a perfect dress in her size without losing an eye or limb. Next week she would have to start her own gift getting, to ensure she had a box packed and mailed home before Christmas. She’d already been home for Thanksgiving and wouldn’t be able to swing another vacation so close.

  Finally home, she got her things laid out on her bed with shoes and jewelry. The heather mélange color would compliment her complexion, just like the v-neck shawl collar would accentuated her full breasts as the dress hugged her body just right and the two side buckles added just enough decoration to her hips. Her breasts had always been large; it took her years before she stopped trying to hide them beneath dumpy sweaters and too large t-shirts. Her thirty minute bedside stretching and calisthenics kept her in shape and them perky, so she took pride in showing herself off when she was away from work. She still had a few hours before Evan would be there, so she made her weekly calls to her parents and siblings as she moved around her apartment doing things.

  After getting to know Evan a little more each day, she knew exactly how she wanted this night to go. She had a surprise for him, one she hoped he enjoyed.

  * * *

  “Amazing. You look beautiful, Zoey.” Evan stood at her door, in a tan sports coat, navy blue slacks and a soft gray shirt.

  His gaze caressed her body from head to toe and warmth traveled in its wake. She shivered feeling the heat course through her body causing her nipples to tighten in her bra.

  “It’s nice to see you in something other than sweats or your uniform.” She said when his eyes met hers again. She stepped back to let him enter. “Come in. I’m glad you didn’t have any trouble finding the place.”

  “Nope. GPS worked well.” He entered, but only far enough to allow her to close the door. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “Good. I hope you’re hungry.”

  He turned to her, trapping her between the door and his body. “I am.” Placing his hands on the sides of her shoulders he leaned in and claimed her mouth.

  The kiss was quick, but deep. When she opened her mouth to him, he didn’t waste any time in slipping inside. His tongue caressed hers, as he licked and circled her tip, coaxing hers into his mouth. He suckled her tongue, drew on it firm and held her captive orally. His mouth was the only place he touched her as he kept his palms flat against the door. She grabbed a fist full of his coat to keep herself from melting to the floor like a marshmallow too close to a flame.

  Pulling back, he whispered, “Now that is something I have been dying for over the last long ass week.”

  It took her a moment to get her mouth to work and her lungs to take in enough air that would allow her to speak. “I’ve dreamed about you kissing me again.”

  She didn’t mean to let that truth slip, but now that it had, she didn’t want to call it back.

  A slow grin spread across his mouth. “I’ve thought about kissing you, too, just in more…carnal places.”

  Oh, man, there go my panties. As her mind played images of him kissing her breasts and her sex, her sex creamed and saturated her panties.

  He pushed away from the door, allowing her to move away.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “No.” She led him deeper into her living room, smaller than his family home.

  “How much more time do you need?” He eyed her hair, styled down, curls resting on her shoulders.

  “None. But, I thought we could eat here.” She spread her arms out indicating her apartment. “I know you said you always eat out at restaurants or room services and I see the microwave meals you cook at home.”

  “You cooked dinner for me?” He stood a couch length away from her, the frown evident on his face.

  “I hope you don’t mind. I thought you would like a home cooked meal.”

  His hazel gaze clouded for a moment, then before she could attempt to decipher the emotions it was gone. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

  She let out a breath, releasing the tension in her body. She wasn’t sure earlier when she’d had the thought of cooking for him if he’d bulk at the offer or not. Evan was the type of man that carried his deeper thoughts and emotions close to his chest.

  “Great. Follow me to the kitchen and you can pour the wine while I get the plates prepared.”

  He pulled his coat off and laid it on the back of the couch then smiled at her. “Lead the way.”

  Crossing the living room they entered her spacious kitchen. For an apartment it was a nice size and even had an alcove for a four person table. The only thing that would have made it even better is if they would have moved the large window by the sink to the wall where her table sat so she could enjoy breakfast with sunlight.

  “Your apartment is nice.” Evan said, picking up the bottle of red wine from the counter.

  She handed him the corkscrew from a drawer. “Thanks. I like it. Even though I’m rarely in it.” She gazed at him over her shoulder as she pulled plates from the cabinet. “I’ll confess that was also another reason I suggested we eat here, I don’t get to spend much time here and I never entertain. Except occasionally when my fellow nurses come over for the girls night of munches and movies every other month when schedules allow.”

  “Well, I’m glad this night will satisfy us both.”

  It was the way he said it that caused her stomach to clench with desire again. Damn, this man is a walking, talking aphrodisiac. All he had to do was say a few suggestive words and she was hot and horny.

  “What’s for dinner?” He poured wine into the glasses she had on the counter and walked them over to the table and set them down next to the two cloth napkins and silverware.

  “I brought a little Texas cooking to North Carolina if you don’t mind.” She placed the slices of meat with caramelized carrots and onions onto the plates and added a scoop of sides to them both. “I made Coca-Cola braised beef brisket, loaded mashed potatoes and green beans. I hope you like it.”

  “Like it, I’m already drooling now.”

  She laughed as he wiped his mouth for effect then took both plates from her and carried them to the table. Evan pulling her chair out and waiting for her to be seated before he sat down made her blush. Men she dated weren’t that caring and gallant. True she’d only really dated Winston. He didn’t care for anything that didn’t benefit him. In just the time she’d known Evan he’d shown her how much life she’d wasted on Winston.

  After he took his first bite, she asked, “What do you think?”

  “I think this is the best beef I’ve ever eaten.”

  “I try.” She started eating her own food and agreed with him that the meat had turned out extremely tender, juicy and flavorful.

  “No, you succeed,” he declared.

  Soon they were both digging into their meal and making small talk about Evan’s flights to Chicago, Seattle and Denver.

  “I think it’s pretty fantastic you get to see so many different cities in days.”

  “I get to see a bunch of hotels in cities in days. Usually I’m sleeping until the next flight. On occasion, I might arrive in a city with some time to see the sights for a few hours before I crash, but not often.”

  “Well, that sucks.” She scrunched her nose. What was the point of traveling if you got to see nothing?

  He reached out and tweaked the tip of her nose. “Once I’m passed my probation period then I’ll be able to swap flights and take my down days in another city and get around.”

  “Oh.” Finished with most of her food she set her fork down and lifted her wine for a sip. “What will be the first place you go?”

  Silent for a moment, he ate his last bite of potatoes. After swallowing he confessed, “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it much. Where would you go?”

  “If I wasn’t horrid most days with the idea of flying?” She laughed.

  “Don’t beat yourself up. You d
id fine the last time.” He leaned forward and stroked her hand resting on the table.

  She looked from his hand to his intense eyes. “Okay, if I could go anywhere with you flying the plane…”

  “Me flying.”

  “Maybe some exciting city like New York or Miami, maybe San Francisco.”

  “Of those San Francisco is my favorite; four terminals and it’s laid out very well, beside I love flying in and seeing the view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning when the fog is rolling low over it.”

  “Nice.” She looked at his empty plate. “Do you want dessert. I didn’t make any, but I think there are a few raspberry cookies left.”

  He shook his head. “I think I’m good.” He rose to get the bottle of wine and refilled their glasses.

  “How about you take the wine into the living room and I will get the plates into the dishwasher and then join you?” She got up and grabbed both their plates and silverware and went to the sink.

  “You got it.” He took the glasses and headed towards the other room.

  She quickly got the plates, utensils and pots rinsed and into the dishwasher then went to join Evan on the couch.

  Once she was seated beside him with her wine in her hand, he lifted his glass in a salute. “To a beautiful woman who is a terrific cook.”

  She lifted her own glass in acknowledgement of his toast then drank from it.

  After swallowing a gulp, he set his glass on one of the coasters adorning her coffee table. With an arm on the back of the couch he leaned into her. His finger grazed the side of her face and traveled beneath her chin. Once there he used his thumb to stroke her chin, brushing the underside of her bottom lip.

  “I really needed this tonight, Zoey. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me that you took the time to do this for me.”

  She shrugged a shoulder, attempting to keep the atmosphere light. “It’s just dinner, nothing special.” She sipped her wine again, feeling her nerves beginning to send sparks through her body.

  It had not escaped her thoughts that once she decided the two of them would stay at her place for dinner instead of going out that it would be very easy to move things to a more intimate level between them.