I remembered folding napkins, setting the table, crumbling bread for the stuffing. Years of memories were in that building. The hot cocoa became cider, the cups of milk at dinner replaced by wine, the board games after dinner replaced by movies. But it was the gathering of our families that remained constant.
There was always one gift under our tree at home from Santa and a stocking filled with goodies and little trinkets. My parents had explained that Santa could only leave one gift as he was too busy to do all the shopping, and they helped him with the rest. Family gifts were opened at home, and at the Hub were the ones from Pops and Nan, and the rest of the crew. Names were drawn months in advance. Otherwise, with the number of us, it would have gotten out of hand. But Nan and Pops insisted on buying everyone something.
When we were all really little, Santa came to see us on Christmas Day. His sack would be filled with candy, and we all got to sit on his knee. We never knew when he would show up, but he always did. His laughter was loud and familiar, and it was a long time before we caught on to the fact that it was Aiden under the beard and false belly. I think Gracie took it the hardest when Santa stopped visiting—even if she was older and knew the truth long before the rest of us did.
It was always a day filled with love and laughter, and more times than not, we drifted off, exhausted from the long day. We would fall asleep in the Hub and wake in our own beds the next morning. Even now, once dishes were done, lots of naps happened, especially by the men, sitting on the sofas, replete and tired from the constant craziness of the days leading up to Christmas, not to mention the day itself.
“Our first Christmas as husband and wife,” Addi mused. “I feel as if we should have our own tradition.”
I kissed the crown of her head. “How about each year, Christmas Eve is just us? Here in the house alone.”
“I like that.”
“Okay. This year will be the first.”
We were silent for a moment, watching the fire, listening to the wind outside, wrapped in the warmth of each other.
“Are you sorry we didn’t wait, Addi?” I asked quietly. We hadn’t made love since December 1. In a stupid moment of remembrance, I had suggested it would build anticipation for tonight. I had regretted that impulsive idea until this very moment. The longing I felt for her couldn’t be any deeper. My desire was so intense I could taste it in the air. Feel it pulsating under my skin.
Still, I wondered if she had any regrets.
She tilted her head back, meeting my eyes. “To make love?”
“Yes. I know you had wanted to wait for your first time to be your wedding night.”
She smiled, stroking my jaw softly with her fingers. “It will be, Brayden. It will be our first time as husband and wife. It’s still special, because it’s us. It will only ever be us.”
Her words filled my heart, and I lowered my head, kissing her. As soon as my mouth touched hers, heat filled me. I gathered her close, sliding my tongue into her mouth and kissing her with all the love and passion I felt for her.
Addi whimpered, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me in deeper. Endlessly we kissed. Long, hot kisses of passion. Soft, loving presses of our lips. Gentle nips and deep passes of our tongues as we explored. I ran my hands over her, groaning as I delved under the long hoodie to her bare skin. I fingered the lace on her hips, recalling the small band of silk between her legs. I kissed up and down her neck, laving my tongue on her skin, nibbling her ear, my breathing picking up, my cock hardening.
She gripped my hair, tugging on the short strands. Slid her hands up my back, tracing along my spine. Ran her nails along my skin, making me shudder. Straddled me, pressing her heat down onto my erection.
In one fluid movement, I stood, taking her with me, grateful for the lunges Aiden made me do. In our room, I set her on the bed, tugging the hoodie over her head. She leaned back on her arms, looking small and sexy against the deep gray of the comforter. In seconds, I was naked, and she shifted back into the middle of the bed. I leaned over her, hooking my fingers around the lace and silk that hid her from me. I was too impatient to use my teeth. I would save that for the next time.
“These have to go. Now.”
They joined the pile of clothes on the floor, and I stared down at my wife. She was perfect. Tiny enough to fit under my arm but formed for me and me alone. Her high breasts with their rosy nipples that I loved to kiss and suck. Wide hips and a sweet indentation at her waist that I could span with my hands. Small feet with even smaller toes and nails that she kept covered in polish—changing the color constantly so I never knew what it would be. Surprisingly long legs for someone so short, and at the apex—the sweetest, tightest pussy in the world that was all mine. I loved being inside her. The clutch and pull of her muscles, the heat that encased me when we were joined so closely you couldn’t see where I ended and she began.
“Brayden,” she murmured, breaking me from my thoughts.
I crawled up the mattress, kissing her. Settling between her thighs, stroking her skin. Passion flared, and we moved together as the heat kicked in. We kissed and caressed. Tasted and licked. I nipped at her breasts, teasing the tight peaks. She rolled us over and did the same to me, kissing her way down my abdomen and taking me in her mouth. I arched off the bed as she sucked me, rolling my balls in her hand and taking me deep. I could only take it for a short time before I rolled us again and lapped at her. She cried out as I sucked her hard nub into my mouth and slid two fingers into her, pumping slowly, drawing out her pleasure. We feasted on each other until we were breathless, sweaty, and aching. Frantic. I flung her legs over my shoulders and slid into her. I shut my eyes at the feeling of her surrounding me. It felt like the first time, all over again.
“Welcome home, Mr. Riley,” she murmured, cupping my face.
“God, I love you, Addison Riley,” I replied, aching with the emotion of the moment. Aching for her.
“Please, Brayden,” she begged, drawing me down to her mouth. “Please.”
I kissed her, the taste of us on her lips. I began to move, holding her leg high, hitting her where she liked me the most. As deep as I could get inside her. She whimpered my name, clutching at my damp skin, moving with me. Like the waves outside, we flowed and ebbed. Rose and fell. Cresting together until she shook, her eyes going wide as her orgasm rushed through her and my name fell from her lips. I thrust once, twice more and succumbed to the mind-numbing pleasure I had only felt with her—would only ever feel with her—racing through me. I groaned her name, gathering her close, riding out the ecstasy.
Then slowly, carefully, I eased her back to the bed and slipped from her. I lay beside her, tucking her close.
She pressed a kiss to my damp skin. “I love you.”
I held her tight. The love of my life. My precious wife.
“Always, Addi. Always and forever.”
Part II
CHRISTMAS
Chapter 6
Brayden
I woke up, my hand reaching for Addi and only finding an empty bed. It was still new and wonderful to wake up beside her, knowing it would happen for the rest of our life together. The weekends and occasional night she would stay here were never enough.
We had barely left the bedroom since we got married. Except when we grabbed something to eat or a shower, and even then, something would happen. Addi would wink or look at me that way, and instantly my dick was hard, and we’d end up on the floor, on top of the counter, by the fire, or against the cold tiles in the shower. We’d christened a lot of spots in the house, but luckily, we had many left to try.
I should be exhausted, but I’d never felt more alive.
Except my wife was missing. I peered at the clock—it was barely six. She should be asleep beside me, tucked into a ball the way she always slept. Nestled close for warmth, hogging all the covers, her head on my pillow, and her warm breath on my skin.
Our bathroom door was open, but the door to the hall was pulled closed, and I knew I wou
ld find her by the tree, dressed in her elf pajamas, as excited as a five-year-old, and waiting for me. She always liked to get up early and sit in the darkness with only the lights of the tree in the room. She told me once she loved greeting Christmas morning that way. When we were dating, I would sneak over to her house and scale the balcony to sit with her, enjoying the peacefulness of the early morning with her before the frenzy began. When Bentley found me with her one Christmas morning, there was hell to pay, and from then on, I used the front door.
It was still dark when I snuck out of the house, pulling the door shut quietly behind me. I hiked across the snow-covered beach, the route familiar although more treacherous this time of the year. I scaled the balcony of Addi’s family home and peeked in the window. My little elf was beside the huge tree, wrapped in a blanket, the glow of the lights reflecting on her face. I tapped lightly, and she looked up, waving me in. The door slid open without a squeak, and I left my shoes on the deck. I flung my coat over the sofa and headed toward her. She opened the blanket, and I slid in behind her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her back to me. I dropped my face to her neck, kissing the skin. “You’re so warm.”
She shivered. “And you’re freezing. I told you not to come, Brayden—it’s too dangerous.”
“It’s fine. I want a little time with you today alone.”
Although we’d been together for over two years, Bentley still preferred when we hung out as a group. We would be surrounded the rest of the day, with maybe a chance or two to sneak off for some stolen alone time, but it never lasted long. Someone, usually Bentley or Aiden, always found us. Ronan was good at it too, although he at least dragged his feet while searching. I never got to kiss her as much as I wanted on Christmas. I looked forward to the day I could.
I slipped a small box into her hand. “For you.”
She lifted her head and offered me her mouth. “Thank you.”
I kissed her softly, knowing we couldn’t get carried away. She opened the box, gasping in delight at the promise ring inside. Delicate like her, it was a simple band of gold with tiny emeralds in it. She loved my eyes, and I wanted the ring to remind her of me.
“Wear it until the day I replace it with a diamond,” I whispered, sliding it on her finger.
“I love it.”
She took my wrist, snapping on an intricately woven leather and silver band. The medallion in the middle had our initials engraved, the A and B entwined. It was heavy and masculine.
I kissed her again. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I love you, Addi.”
“I love you.”
A light snapped on, startling us. “And I’d love to know what the hell you’re doing in my house at five thirty in the morning, Brayden Riley. How the hell did you get in here?” Bentley’s voice was dark and angry.
Both Addi and I scrambled to our feet, the blanket falling away.
“We aren’t doing anything,” I protested. “I just wanted to give Addi her gift.”
“And that couldn’t wait until the sun came up?” He narrowed his eyes. “Where the hell is your coat?” He stepped forward, anger turning to fury. “Have you been here all night?”
I held up my hands. “No! No, Uncle Bentley! I just got here, like, ten minutes ago. I just wanted a little time alone with her today. You know how much she loves Christmas. I got her something special, and I wanted to give it to her. I swear!” I knew I was rambling, but the look on his face was scary.
“How did you get in?”
“Over the balcony.”
He looked over my shoulder. “You climbed over the balcony? Something wrong with the front door?”
“I knew Addi was in here, so it made more sense,” I replied, my answer sounding more like a question.
“You knew she was in here,” he repeated slowly. “You’ve done this before, I take it.”
Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.
Emmy appeared. “What is going on?”
“Young Brayden here decided to pay our daughter a little Christmas morning visit.”
“How sweet.” She smiled at me.
“It’s not sweet,” he snarled. “It’s practically the middle of the night.”
“You’re overreacting, Rigid.”
“Overreacting? He came over the balcony, Emmy. He’s done it before.”
“Oh.” She looked at me with a slight frown, although her eyes were dancing. “Maybe you should use the front door next time.”
Bentley dug his phone from his robe pocket, hitting a button. He waited a moment, then spoke.
“Mad Dog? Your son is in my house, having a little morning visit with my daughter. He came in via the balcony. I just thought you should know he’s going out the same way. And he’s heading home fast because I’m not giving him his shoes. Maybe he’ll remember that next time.”
He hung up, heading my direction. I had no choice. I grabbed Addi, kissing her. “Merry Christmas, little elf!”
I took off running, not bothering to try for my coat or shoes. I headed toward the steps, swinging myself over the railing when I got close enough to the bottom. I gasped at the cold of the icy ground, but I didn’t stop. Behind me, Addi was yelling at her dad, and Emmy was giving him shit. I sprinted over the beach and used the shortcut to head to my parents’ place. My nipples felt like shards of glass, and my dick was so cold, I swore it was trying to crawl up inside my body. My feet were numb, but I kept going. My dad was waiting for me, shaking his head as he opened the door.
“Brayden—”
I held up my hand. “I know. I’ll apologize.”
“You’ll have to.”
“We weren’t doing anything—just exchanging gifts,” I defended myself.
He chuckled. “He’s gonna be hell on wheels for the next while, you know that.”
“The way Addi and Emmy were yelling at him, he might not be as bad as you think.” I shivered.
He pushed me toward the fire. “Warm yourself, and I’ll make coffee. I don’t think I’ll be going back to sleep now.”
I headed to the fire, the heat feeling good on my feet. The rest of my anatomy began to warm up as well. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and a message from Addi appeared.
Addi: I’m sorry.
I replied.
Brayden: So worth it. I love you.
Her response warmed my heart.
Addi: I love you too. Heather is going to cover this afternoon. I’ll thank you properly in the library at two. Be there.
I grinned as I felt the feeling come back to my feet.
Brayden: Wouldn’t miss it for the world.
I chuckled remembering that day and Bentley’s cool attitude that lasted about three hours. I apologized and promised only to use the front door and not show up before dawn. He brought my coat back but informed me since he couldn’t toss me in the lake, he’d sacrificed my shoes instead.
“Consider yourself lucky,” he informed me.
I took him at his word.
But it reminded me of needing to find my wife.
I sat up, and a Santa hat fell from my chest to my lap, the bright red and white vivid on the dark comforter. Laughing, I pulled it on my head and went to find my wife.
She was by the tree as I expected, the fireplace going, the lights bright in the early morning dimness. I slid behind her, pulling her back to my chest and wrapping my arms around her.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Riley.”
She tilted up her head. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Riley.”
Our lips met, moving gently. I pulled back, and she leaned into me. “I love this time of the day.”
“I know.”
“Our tree is so cute.”
I chuckled. The little pine tree I had bought was only about two feet tall. We were barely able to get one small strand of lights and about half a dozen little ornaments on it before it looked as if it would collapse.
“We’ll have a bigger one next year,” I promised. “I thought we’d plant this one by the deck.”
>
“I love that idea.”
“Did you want to open your gifts?” I asked. We’d agreed to keep things simple this year, but we had each bought the other a few gifts, and they looked pretty with the bright wrapping under the tree. Addi’s looked far nicer with her neat corners and perfectly centered bows, but I thought my slightly askew wrapping job was at least decent. She’d like what was inside for sure.
“Later.”
She picked up a cup of coffee and sipped it, then offered it to me. I hummed in appreciation at the intense flavor. We both liked it strong and black, and this cup tasted even better knowing Addi’s lips had been where mine were.
We were quiet, enjoying the stillness around us. Filtered light came in the French doors, gray and dense.
“Foggy today.” I noticed.
“A storm is coming. The weather report said it was going to be a bad one.”
“I hope everyone is able to make it home in time for the day before it does.”
She lifted her head again, and I was surprised to see tears in her eyes. Worried, I cupped her cheek. “Addi, baby, what’s wrong?”
She covered my hand with hers. “Nothing. I’m just so happy. I’m here. With you. Our family is all around us. We’re all safe.” She sniffled. “You married me.”
I had to smile as I bent and kissed her. It was rare she showed such a sensitive, vulnerable side of herself. Very few people ever saw it, but I knew the tender heart her outside shell hid. It was one of the many things I adored about her.
“We’ll think good thoughts for everyone so they get home with their loved ones too.”
“Okay,” she replied, laying her head on my shoulder. Tenderly, I wiped away the wetness under her eyes. “No more crying, little elf. It’s Christmas.”
A Merry Vested Wedding Page 8