31 Days of Winter (31 Days #1)

by C. J. Fallowfield

  ‘We’ll be outside at midnight to watch the firework display from the hotel which is over there,’ Dan advised as he pointed further up the loch to where I could see faint lights glowing. ‘For now we have a sit down meal and then it’s a traditional Céilidh dance with flutes, and I think they have a bagpiper as well.’

  ‘Do you come every year?’

  ‘I came once, the first year I came up here.’

  ‘With a girlfriend?’

  ‘Of sorts, and that’s all of your personal questions for the night,’ he advised as he quickly stood and held out his hand. I stood up and went to walk out, but he grabbed my arm. ‘You either hold my hand or I carry you in. Either way everyone’s going to know you’re with me, Ellie. You choose.’

  ‘Hand then,’ I sighed. I sensed that I really didn’t have a choice when he set his mind to something. He helped me step out of the boat and Conn waved us off as he disappeared to moor it, up in the small village harbour.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘To party? Sure,’ I nodded.

  ‘I meant for the looks you’re about to get. They’re not used to seeing me out and about, let alone holding a strangers hand.’

  ‘O right, I’m not about to be lynched by all the local lasses who have their eyes on you am I?’

  ‘What lasses?’ he frowned.

  ‘Clueless,’ I laughed. ‘Pete said you’re pretty hot property in the village.’

  ‘I think you’ll be as well, which is why you don’t leave my side until I give you permission.’

  ‘Understood, Sir,’ I advised and saw his gaze darken. It seemed that turned him on. ‘You’d better have your jacket back, warm as it is, it ruins my entrance in my new dress,’ I advised as I shrugged it off and he let go of me to pull it back on, before lacing his fingers with mine again. He led me to the French doors at the back of the pub and as he opened them we were hit with the noise of excited chatter. As we stepped into what looked like a large function room, all set out with surprisingly elegantly dressed long tables for dinner, the chatter gradually slowed until the pub went silent and all eyes were focussed on us. I felt myself blush and Dan squeezed my hand then dipped his head and kissed my temple and a murmur went around the room, before Pete pushed his way through.

  ‘Dan, Ellie, welcome. Come and have a wee dram to warm you up after the ride.’ He shook Dan’s hand and grabbed my free one, picked it up and kissed it. ‘Miss Ellie, you look very beautiful this fine night. What’s happened to your arm?’

  ‘O,’ I looked down at it, I’d forgotten how nasty it looked with the dressing off. I had a long cut with the steri-strips holding it together, but it was really bruised all the way around. ‘Where I fell through the ice.’

  ‘Very lucky Dan was home,’ he nodded.

  ‘I was, very lucky indeed.’

  ‘Everyone,’ he announced to the room who were still looking at us, ‘this is Dan from the island and his … lady friend, Miss Ellie.’

  ‘Just Ellie is fine,’ I smiled. As Pete led the way and we followed the chatter started up again and I saw the looks we were getting as people gossiped. As we stood at the long function room bar, a few people came to greet Dan and he released my hand and put his arm around my waist as he politely asked how they were and how business was going. I watched in awe at the ease in which he slipped into polite chit chat and how everyone seemed to treat him like he was some kind of celebrity. Dan it seemed had many sides and I’d only witnessed a few. Why did he hide himself away? It seemed he could be a natural people person when he wanted to be. I excused myself to go the ladies and noticed his eyes followed me to the door and as I left I heard the noise of everyone talking rise.

  ‘Nairne, I don’t mind at all, though I can’t make any promises, but take my email address, send me your draft manuscript and I promise to give it my personal attention,’ I smiled at the teenager, who’d excitedly explained an illustrated children’s book she’d drawn and written when she found out what I did. She screamed with delight and clapped her hands, making me laugh, and skipped off to tell her mum and dad.

  ‘You’re so sweet,’ Dan advised. I looked around at him and smiled. He was leaning back in his chair, with his arm draped over the back of mine, his fingers stroking my shoulder as we recovered from a massive feast.

  ‘Well, what chance will she have up here without any connections? Besides, that’s part of my job, looking out for new talent and helping them shape their manuscript into something that will hopefully become a bestseller.’

  ‘You really love your work?’

  ‘I do. Books just contain such magic and poetry. Your friend must think so too with that library in the house, he has pretty much all my favourites and then some. You’re not a big reader?’

  ‘No. I prefer code to words.’

  ‘You can’t still do your IT design work from up here?’

  ‘You’ve already had more than your fill of personal questions for tonight, Miss Baxter,’ he smiled.

  ‘Does anyone know the real you?’ I asked with a sigh.

  ‘My parents.’

  ‘Do you not think that’s sad? What about your best friend, doesn’t he know the real you?’

  ‘I guess, I forgot to include him. Anyway this isn’t a grill Dan night, we need to help move the tables to make way for the Céilidh band,’ he advised with a nod to where everyone was starting to clear up.

  ‘I’ve never been to a Céilidh before, I won’t know what to do.’

  ‘They do an introduction for beginners before it gets going.’

  We helped clear the room as the band set up and Nairne came to take my hand.

  ‘Come on Ellie, I’ll help show you how it’s done.’

  ‘Ok, thank you.’ I smiled at Dan as Nairne led me away and he went to lean on the bar with a whiskey as the cheerful music started, and everyone watched as I appeared to be the only one who didn’t know what they were doing. A load of the young girls came to join us. When a ruddy chap in his early twenties came to dance with me I saw Dan bristle at the bar as he watched. He was such a contradiction, but I liked that he was jealous. I laughed as we twirled around and more people joined us. The noise was insane, most people were merry, me included, and as I was swirling and jigging around and around I felt light headed and wobbled as I spun into a wall of muscle.

  ‘Miss Baxter, I think it’s my turn,’ advised Dan as he supported my waist with his strong arm tightly around me.

  ‘You dance?’ I giggled.

  ‘I have many talents that you’re unaware of,’ he smiled as he lifted me straight up, my feet leaving the floor as he moved us around the dance floor.

  ‘You can dance,’ I nodded.

  ‘So can you, I’ve been watching you.’

  ‘I know you have.’

  ‘Now who’s cocky?’

  ‘Stating facts, you were jealous when that guy came to dance with me.’

  ‘I was. I’ve been reconsidering my insistence of no sex again. How do you feel about us being friends with benefits tonight?’

  ‘Are you serious?’ I gasped as I slapped his shoulder.

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘You’re so out of order,’ I hissed as I struggled to put my feet on the floor and get out of his grasp. ‘We had sex the other night and I woke up to find you were back to your usual horrible self, if you think I want to go through that again you can dream on. Put. Me. Down.’ I hit his shoulder again.

  ‘It’s just sex, why do emotions and feelings have to come into it?’

  ‘For me they do. Obviously you’re more than capable of fucking and disconnecting, I’m not, but I’d really like to disconnect right now. Let me go,’ I ordered. He set me down and I stalked off, furious with him. Furious and turned on. The thought of another night of incredible sex with him was over riding my righteous anger. I noticed a few people filtering outside, it was nearly midnight and the French doors had been thrown open and the patio heaters were on full blast. I tucked up in the corner of the decking, leaning
over the railing to get a good view of the fireworks and smiled as I took in the peaceful water in front of me. I was going to miss the quiet when I went back to London, I’d been a city girl all my life, but I’d always dreamed of escaping to the country, with the fresh air, long walks, and beautiful views. It would be a much nicer place to bring up a family. I smiled as I saw a toddler racing around the decking, under the watchful eye of his mother. I was desperate to have children, Brooke was right, I loved taking care of people and liked having someone to love and spoil. Maybe I could look into adoption if I couldn’t find a guy to settle down with. I sent Brooke a quick text.

  Happy New Year to my best friend in the world. I hope it brings you much health, wealth and happiness and that it’s the start of a new life with Molly. Can’t wait to see you Saturday to celebrate together. LYMY xxx

  I heard the strains of Auld Lang Syne starting behind me and took a moment to think about the last twelve months and let go of the life I’d planned with Zac. The most exciting twelve months of my life were ahead of me. I kissed my locket as I remembered Mum and Dad and felt my eyes well up just as a pair of hands grabbed my waist and spun me around.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he frowned as he looked down at me.

  ‘Just missing my parents and Brooke,’ I sighed. ‘You’re missing New Year in there.’

  ‘I’d rather be out here with you. I do have emotions you know, I didn’t disconnect when we had sex, I care about you Ellie, and it’s those feelings I have that confuse me when reality reminds me that we can’t be together in the way that you want. I don’t want you having unrealistic expectations of me when it’s time for you to leave.’

  ‘I have no expectations of you Dan, other than being the nice human being I know you can be after we’ve had an intimate moment. I thought we were going to spend the rest of the week enjoying each other and you cut me off again.’

  ‘I’m so confused,’ he sighed as he wiped away my tears.

  ‘Well join the damn club. So leave me alone until you know what you want.’ I pushed on his firm chest, but he didn’t even wobble.

  ‘It’s seconds from midnight and all I know is that I want you in my arms, kissing me back when I kiss you. I’ve never wanted anyone more, Ellie.’

  ‘Dan … I don’t know if …’

  ‘I told you that you talk too much,’ he interrupted. ‘Don’t overthink it, kiss me,’ he ordered. I hated the fact that I was so weak when it came to him, and despite his behaviour I wasn’t about to pass up another moment with him. I tipped my head back and my lips parted and swelled as his mouth moved towards mine and shivers of excitement exploded as our lips met. There was a long bang as fireworks exploded behind me, while the bagpipes played as everyone indoors cheered. I clutched the back of his neck as our tongues duelled, his fighting for supremacy, making me submit to the pace he was setting. One of his hands cupped the back of my head, the other held the small of my back firmly pressing me against him. I blocked out everything going on around us as I lost myself in the most perfect kiss I’d ever experienced as he deepened the intensity. He sometimes had a way of making me feel so special, so wanted, so needed. He suddenly broke away as people started to stream out on the decking as the fireworks continued behind me. I gazed at him slightly dazed. ‘Happy New Year, Ellie, I want nothing but the best for you. Believe me.’

  ‘Happy New Year, Dan,’ I managed to get out with an attempt at a smile. He turned me around and pressed up behind me, his erection in my lower back, one hand around my waist with his hand on my stomach as we marvelled at the display in front of us, reflecting in the still loch water. I looked down as the toddler started crying because his view was blocked. Dan surprised me by letting me go, picking him up and sitting him on his broad shoulders so he had the best view of everyone. I looked up at him talking to the boy as he held his hands and fell even more in love with him in that moment. I quickly looked back at the fireworks as I blinked the tears from my eyes. Why was he the way he was? He could be so happy, he could make any woman so happy, he could make me so happy. I wished I could let it go, just forget these feelings I had for him, forget the burning desire that screamed at me to take him up on his offer of another night of passion that would be followed by a day of inevitable heartache.

  As soon as the fireworks finished, I quickly squeezed through the crowds and headed to the bar and ordered a double whiskey, knocked it back and ordered another.

  ‘Are you having a good time, Miss Ellie?’ asked Pete as he poured it for me.

  ‘Excellent, everyone’s so happy and lively and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.’

  ‘No, midnight is the real start of our celebrations up here, not the end.’

  ‘That sort of makes sense, celebrating the New Year ahead and not the old one that’s being left behind,’ I nodded.

  ‘It will be a shame for you to go home. I know Dan will miss you.’

  ‘You think?’

  ‘I’m probably the closest he has to a friend up here Miss Ellie, and I’ve never seen him so animated as he is around you. Plus, he hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.’

  ‘I’m sure that’s not true,’ I protested, though inside I was chuffed to bits. ‘When I’m gone he’ll soon be looking at one of the pretty girls here.’

  ‘I’d lay money that he won’t. He’s resisted them before. There’s something about you that’s stirred something in him. You’re an easy lass to fall for, I think.’

  ‘Well he’s an easy guy to fall for too Pete, but I’m heading back to London and he’s staying up here,’ I sighed.

  ‘You’ll make it work if it’s meant to be,’ he nodded and pushed the whiskey my way. I smiled and let him go to serve someone else. As I finished my second double whiskey, after a belly full of wine with the meal, I felt very tipsy and giggled as Dan found me again, grabbed my hand and led me back onto the dance floor where the party was in full swing. I laughed as he spun me around and smiled at my enthusiasm.

  ‘I’ve reconsidered your offer,’ I advised.

  ‘You have?’ he looked at me surprised.

  ‘Yes. Take me back and fuck me,’ I ordered as I held his gaze and watched the fire in his eyes ignite.

  Fuelled by the alcohol, as soon as we were shut in the small cabin of Conn’s boat I shoved Dan down onto the seat, hitched up my dress, straddled his lap, grasped the edges of his hair and started to kiss him passionately. He responded with his hands in their usual possessive places and let out a grunt of surprise when I reached down and undid his button and zip on his jeans.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘I’ve never had sex on a boat before.’

  ‘It’s a short ride,’ he responded with another grunt as I wrestled him through the gap in his boxers.

  ‘Trust me, with you I don’t need long to come,’ I nodded as I pulled my already damp knickers to the side and held him in position as he supported my hips. ‘Just promise me we get to have sex in the bed again, as I really want to feel your tongue working on my clit one more time.’

  ‘As long as I get to feel your tongue on my cock again. I want you on your knees in front of me, swallowing me again.’

  ‘You have a deal,’ I nodded with a wide smile and kissed him again to muffle my cries as I sank down his shaft and felt my muscles scream in protest.

  ‘Fuck,’ he mumbled in my mouth.

  ‘Hmmm,’ I whimpered as he clutched my hips and I started to rise and fall on him as we kissed and I stroked the back of his neck with my thumb. He growled again and flexed his pelvis back and forth as I rode him. I had an overwhelming desire to get him completely naked as soon as we got back, to run my hands and lips over every inch of his body, to commit it all to memory to see me through the months that were going to be so hard while I tried to get over him. I felt my climax building within a minute of him being inside me, my reaction to him was unprecedented. ‘I’m coming,’ I gasped as I released his mouth and gazed at him adoringly.

  ‘I know,
I’m right there with you, you completely wreck me, Ellie,’ he groaned. He pulled my mouth back onto his to silence our joint release as I quaked on him and he gripped my backside as he thrust into me one final time. I dropped my forehead onto his as our lips separated and we panted. ‘I want to spread you on that big bed in the house, suck your nipples to stiff peaks, and lick you out while you’re still dripping with me, making you come so hard you’ll draw blood as you claw at my skin. I want you kneeling in front of me while I fuck you from behind as you scream for me to go harder and faster. You will remember sex with me, I will be the guy that you compare everyone to, Ellie. But most of all, for one night I want to be the centre of your universe, for you to want me the way you’ll never want anyone ever again. I’m the guy you were meant to be with. Understood?’

  ‘Yes,’ I whimpered as my stomach did somersaults. I just instinctively knew he was the guy I was meant to be with and blocked out any depressing thoughts of saying goodbye to him as I kissed him again. He carefully lifted me off him and I immediately sank to my knees and sucked him clean, groaning at the taste of us both on his skin. He pulled me back up and adjusted my knickers and dress, before tucking himself back in and pulling me onto his lap and kissing me again, tenderly. We broke apart when the engine noise slowed and the boat turned.

  ‘Stay in the warm, I’ll come and get you,’ he ordered. I nodded and watched him open the door and duck under it as he stepped out onto the deck and shut me in. I quickly smoothed my hair down and touched up my lip gloss, not wanting it to be obvious what we’d been doing down here. Dan opened the door and dipped his head in as he held his hand out. ‘Come.’

  ‘Been there, done that,’ I winked, which got me a smile. He climbed out first and Conn helped me over the edge of the boat, back into protective Dan’s arms as he waited on the jetty. ‘Thanks Conn, it was really good of you to do a special trip tonight,’ I praised.

  ‘You’re welcome. Happy New Year to you both, enjoy the rest of the night.’