Page 8 of Whiskey Holiday
Winter
Istartle awake and blink my eyes open to a darkened room. For a brief moment, I forget where I'm at until I feel the weight of a strong arm draped around my waist, pinning me in place. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a sleeping Tannon.God, what was I thinking of going home with a stranger last night?I've never engaged in a one-night stand before, but the moment my eyes locked with his from across the bar last night, I was drawn to him. I continue to stare at Tannon. Oddly enough, he doesn't feel like a stranger. I felt an intense connection with Tannon from the start, a kind of connection that I can't explain because I don't quite understand it myself. While preparing a drink for a customer last night, I felt a pair of eyes on me, and a prickling sensation swept through my entire body. When I looked up, there he was. Tannon. His intense hazel eyes, making my heart skip a beat. Then he stood from his chair, revealing all six feet four inches of pure muscle. Tannon moved across the bar like a lion on the prowl for his prey, and I was his next meal. The closer he got, the more I took him in. His chiseled jawline, brown hair that looks like he's missed his last few haircuts and that slightly curls on top. The way his jeans hug his sculpted thighs, and the way he exudes authority. Alpha drips off this man. All rational thought left me last night. I wanted Tannon. It was all I could think about once I placed my hand in his. A simple hello touch felt like so much more.
Shaking those crazy thoughts away, I carefully and quietly slide out from under the arm, holding me in place. My breath catches when Tannon shifts and rolls over, facing the opposite direction, allowing me to climb out of bed. Once I have my feet under me, I tip-toe across the bedroom while scanning the floor for my bra, which I spot in the hallway.
Just as I leave the room, I stop at the door and look back at the man sleeping soundly in the bed. A nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me not to walk away. I've waited my whole life to find a man like Tannon, a man that I connect with in every way. I took a chance on him last night. Perhaps I should take a chance on him now by crawling back into the bed and letting him hold me.Just for a while longer.As quick as those thoughts come to mind, doubt creeps in. What if things become awkward in the morning? What if he wakes up and can't get me out the door fast enough? A man like Tannon, as sexy and good-looking as him, probably has women lined up at the door.
Sigh.
No.
Leaving is best.
Movement in the corner of the bedroom catches my attention. Tannon's dog sits up in his bed and stares at me.Great.Even Duke is judging me.
Trying not to overthink my decision, I turn and walk out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room, where my clothes lay scattered on the floor by the front door. Quickly dressing, I quietly unlock the door and slip out onto the porch. I shiver as a blast of cold air hits my face. Pulling my coat tight around me, I walk to the end of the driveway while fishing my cell phone from my purse to call an Uber.
Luckily, my ride doesn't take long. Ten minutes later, I'm sliding into the back of a car and relay my address to the driver. "Here you go," I hand the driver some cash.
Fifteen minutes later, he drops me off at home. "Have a good night, ma'am."
"You too. Thanks." I shut the door and hustle up to my house, desperate to get out of the cold. Although, when I step inside my home, the temperature is not much different.
When I make it upstairs, I close my bedroom door, turn on the space heater, and shrug out of my coat. I find Mr. Jingles snuggled amongst the covers at the foot of my bed.
I shiver as I rid myself of my jeans and sweater. Mr. Jingle raises his head and yawns. He looks at me. "Don't judge me," I tell him, and he meows as if he understands what I'm saying. "It was just this one time. It won't happen again." I tell the cat, even though I need to say it out loud to convince myself more than anything.
Lifting the flannel pajama set lying at the foot of my bed, I slip it on, followed by pulling on two pairs of wool socks. Next, I go into the en-suite bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I briefly contemplated taking a shower, but for some reason, I like the fact that I still smell like Tannon.
Once finished in the bathroom, I place my phone on the charging dock, noting it's nearly two o'clock in the morning. I only have a few hours to get some sleep since the man with T & N Restoration will be coming out to look at my house today.
Climbing into bed, I pull the blanket up close to my head. Closing my eyes, I try to shut my brain off but find it's no use. Overcome with thoughts of Tannon, and the delicious ache between my legs, how can I forget the past few hours were hands down the best night of my life. Even though it was a one-time deal, and Tannon will have probably forgotten about me by this time tomorrow, I don't regret the passion between us one bit. If I could have one Christmas wish come true, I'd wish for Tannon. On that thought, I fall asleep with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
* * *
The next morning,I wake to the sound of a pounding on my door. I blink my eyes open and wonder who the heck would be at my house this early. When I look over at my phone, I see it's just now seven o'clock. It must be Mr. Christmas. Crap! I can't believe it. I forgot about our appointment.
Jumping out of bed, I grab the quilt thrown across the back of a nearby chair and wrap it around my shoulders, then quickly scurry out of my bedroom, stubbing my toe on the corner of my dresser on my way out. "Shit! Shit!" I stumble down the stairs, trying to ignore the throbbing in my foot. "I'm coming! Hold your horses!" I yell.
When I reach the door, I disengage the lock and swing it open. My knees go weak, and my breath catches in my throat. It takes two seconds for him to register the situation. When he does, his easy-going smile vanishes, and anger takes over his handsome face.
"What…what are you? I mean, how are you? What are you doing here?" I ask, finding it hard to form a coherent sentence.
"I think the better question is, why the hell did I wake up this morning to find you gone? To find you had snuck out of my bed." Tannon's nostrils flare as he takes a step closer and leans down to bring his face an inch from mine. "I think I made it pretty damn clear last night that you are mine now. That means when I wake up the next morning after spending all night in that sweet pussy of yours, I expect to have my woman lying next to me. Especially when I intended to start my day eating her for breakfast."
Shocked at the words that just came out of Tannon's mouth, I stand with my mouth gaped open. "I…I…but."
"But what?" he asks, still in my face.
I swallow. "It was best I leave. You know so that we could avoid the whole awkward morning after a one-night stand deal."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Well, I just thought you would prefer I was gone when you woke up. I mean…"
Suddenly Tannon cuts me off. "I swear if you say that word one more damn time, I will put you over my knee. We are not a one-night stand. I claimed you the moment I laid eyes on you from across the bar last night. If that didn't give you the indication that you are mine, then my dick inside your pussy last night sure as hell should have."
At the mention of him being inside me, my sex clenches, and my breathing picks up.
