Page 33 of Hensley Manor
He shifted his weight so I could pull it over his head, and then he was back on top of me, crashing his lips to mine. Nothing more was said, but sleep was far from either of our minds. We kissed and groped. Our teeth clanked as he tugged off my sweatpants.
Ian took me hard and fast. I grunted as the bed banged against the wall, as he took my pleasure to new heights. When I came, I bit his shoulder to keep from screaming my release. After a rest where I laid in his arms and we gave each other lazy kisses, he fucked me nice and slow.
Unlike earlier this morning when he came before me, he made sure to angle his hips just right and hit my special spot. Over and over. He kissed my cheek, my lips, my jaw, as pleasure built in my balls. When my orgasm hit, the force of it had me throwing my head back and groaning so deep my voice went hoarse.
Then, he was joining me, bucking into me harder and harder before he stilled with a groan and dropped his head to my chest.
I ran my fingers through his damp hair, feeling like my heart was about to beat out of my chest. This feeling—not just the sex, but the warmth from being around Ian—was addictive.
How was I going to leave him at the end of my stay?
Ian got out of bed to dispose of the condom and clean us up with a warm washcloth before sliding back in beside me and bringing me to his chest, kissing my forehead. I grew drowsy and closed my eyes. His arms were much too comfortable. Safe.
“Cole?”
“Hmm?” I was so fucking sleepy.
“I’m sorry I acted weird after chess,” he said, tracing designs on my back with his fingertips. “I’ve only known you for a few days, but I…well, I feel like I’ve known you much longer. And it scared me.”
“Don’t be scared,” I responded in a raspy tone, fighting sleep.
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. “You make it sound so easy.”
Not long after, I was in that strange place between awake and asleep when I heard him whisper something to me. He tucked his face against my neck, saying something under his breath. The murmuring. Exactly like the one I’d imagined when I first held the snow globe in the Treasures of Old antique store.
And his words?“I think I’m falling for you.”
I was on my way to falling for him, too.
Pretty sure I already had.
Chapter Eight
I’d been at the manor for six days. Each morning when I woke up, it was in Ian’s arms, feeling his lips on my temple and smelling the warm spice of his skin. I had started sleeping in his bedroom, and after making love when we woke up, we’d shower together before dressing and going down to breakfast.
He kept hold of my hand as we descended the steps that morning.
Ken and Hannah greeted us, followed by George and Nancy once we were in the breakfast area. I loved how confident Ian was in his sexuality. I was confident, too, but I had been with men in the past who weren’t. Men who had let go of my hand when someone walked into the room and who shifted away from me when someone looked over at us.
But not Ian.
He smiled and said hello to everyone, holding my hand and only letting go when we started to fill our plates. But he kissed my knuckles before letting go, an action that made the breath rush from my lungs a little faster.
Christmas was in four days, and the other guests were in the holiday spirit as they talked about the festivities leading up to the big day. Jolie and Tracy were wearing similar ugly Christmas sweaters, one design with a reindeer and the other with a penguin wearing earmuffs. They waved at us before focusing back on each other, love gleaming in their expressions.
On the agenda for that afternoon was cookie making followed by Christmas movies. Tomorrow was the Christmas parade followed by crafting where we’d make our own ornaments to put on the tree for the party. The day before Christmas Eve would be spent decorating for the party and getting everything organized.
So much to do, and I actually wasn’t dreading it.
I wouldn’t say I was excited about the Christmas themed activities. I’d tolerate them at best. However, Ian’s excitement as he talked about it over breakfast that morning seeped into me, too. Anything that made him smile like that was definitely something I wanted.
Christmas or not.
“Are you going to participate in the cookie making tonight?” Ian asked, adding creamer to his coffee and stirring it around.
I watched as the cream swirled in his cup and lightened the dark roast.
“Duh.” I added a little bit of sugar to my cup and thanked the coffee gods as I took a drink. I was tired this morning due to a late night of fucking the gorgeous man sitting across from me, and the strong coffee helped wake me up. “I wouldn’t miss out on that. Sugar cookies are my favorite.”
