Page 339 of Screwged for Christmas

“You look good freshly fucked with a glow of happiness. When I get you home, I’m going to make you cum again.” He leaned over. “And again.”

He hugged her to him and she slid her arm around his chest. She wasted so many days, months and years thinking being tied down to a small-town man and a small town was a bad thing. When in reality she’d never felt better than she did at that very moment.

“Are you still leaving?”

His question was quiet but held the power of a nuclear bomb.

Since they were baring their souls, she opted to put her thoughts into words. “I don’t know, Aspen. There’s still so much in the air. I have a life back in Seattle, and now New York with the job. Or at least I thought I did. Being here and not getting one call from a friend to check in on me or see if I need anything has kind of made me rethink things. Our time together has also shed a lot of light on my mistakes. Taking care of Gran’s B&B, the guests. I forgot how much I love this place. And on the flip side, I have a business to take care of even if I’ve lost a little of the passion I once had for it.” Voicing that last thought was a revelation even for her. “I didn’t realize all that until just now. What does the future hold for me? My plan didn’t exactly work out, you know.”

“So make a new one. Change isn’t so bad, Ivy Sunday.”

“Not when I have you,” she offered with a smile.

Before he could deliver on the kiss he leaned in for, a flock of children ran their way. She’d been so engrossed in their conversation she forgot to take in the beautiful decorations the town had strung up for the special occasion.

Giggle boxes bounded across the now empty streets and ran straight for them.

In the last moment alone, he placed his lips close to her ear and whispered, “I love you.”

Her heart stopped. Would she ever get use dot hearing those words from him again? Would they ever stop making her lose her breath?

As they came to a slow stop, their horse received copious amounts of pets and hugs from the girls while the boys all wanted Aspen’s attention. “It looks like we’ve arrived and none too early.” She laughed as the youngest of the Howard kids took Aspen’s hand and pulled him from the sleigh.

“I think duty calls for our town’s fire chief.”

“I’ll meet you back here, one hour? This time in my truck for a warm ride?”

“Sounds like a date.”

Aspen smiled, the devilish twinkle in his eye. She blew him a kiss that earned squeals and gagging sounds from the kids.

She laughed and slipped from the sleigh. She grabbed the blanket and tossed it over the horse.

“Kade will be by in about five to take him home. Girls, if you call your moms over, maybe he can give you all a sleigh ride too.”

They loved Aspen’s idea and she was tempted to cross over to where he stood and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him silly right here in front of the whole damn town.

“Come on, boys, I know you guys like the manlier stuff. Right? Let’s go check out that fire engine.” Aspen winked at her and she watched as he walked away with a little one on his shoulder and the others hot on his feet. Mrs. Howard looked on with a mother’s love in her eyes.

Change. Was it a good thing? After tonight, it held promises. Lots of promises.

CHAPTER 16

If she ate another candy apple or piece of pie she might need an ambulance. Or a very sexy firefighter to save her from herself, she quipped, taking another bite with a deep moan.

Ivy turned on her heel to a growing crowd behind her, all in line for their own slice and some hot cocoa. “Thank you, Mr. Mason.” She waved and moved to the side for the next person in line.

Pecan pie. Her eyes rolled back and she caught sight of pure Neve in that sugary goodness. She was tempted to get back in line.

Instead, Ivy dipped and swayed around running kids and scrambling parents. Circling young lovers with their arms wrapped tightly around one another. She could understand how the soft carols and atmosphere crafted a sense of community and friendship. Love. It was a time for love, after all.

White twinkle lights lit up the entire square. She bet the space station could see their little town. Street lamps, store windows and every booth…all the town had taken the time to wind them around the trunks of trees and string them across the expanse of the square.

She wouldn’t be surprised if they had to make a special order to outfit the place with so many bulbs.

“Magic,” she sighed.

Everywhere she stepped she bumped into a smiling couple. The tiny square overflowed with laughter from people of all ages. Some faces she recognized and there were those she didn’t. Visitors from her gran’s holiday efforts, she supposed.

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