Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Dammit–you’re ruining me, Mrs. Claus.” He grunts, then presses kisses along my neck as his pulsing dick stills. A moment later he’s slowly dragging his hard cock out of me and already I miss the feel of him buried deep.
He collapses at my side and pulls me closer to him, snuggling me against his hard body and growling into my hair. “Not done with you yet, babe, just give me a minute to recover.”
We spend the night tangled together, his hands and mouth worshiping me, my body responding to every touch, every whisper. Outside, the snow falls softly, blanketing the world in silence, but inside, there’s only us, only the fire between us, burning brighter than any Christmas lights.
By the time the first light of dawn slips through the window, I know I’m lost in him, and I never want to be found.
Chapter Six
Ivy
I can still feel the press of Cole’s hands on my skin from last night as I step into the hardware store the following afternoon. It smells like sawdust and old wood polish, mixed with the faint hint of pine from the wreaths I helped hang over the entrance. I scan the aisles, basket in hand, already filled with nails, a hammer, and way too many Command strips. I’m on a mission—no, more like a crusade—to decorate my classroom until the kids walk in and feel like they’re in the North Pole.
“Looking for something specific?” a deep voice drawls from behind me.
I turn and see two men watching me with open amusement. One has a mischievous glint in his eye that immediately reminds me of Cole, while the other has an easy, quiet confidence about him. I know instantly who they are; I’ve heard Cole talk about his best friend Knox and his brother Pope enough times that I’d recognize them anywhere. The Steele brothers are notorious bachelors around here, but according to Betty, Knox and Pope have recently gone off the market.
“Oh, no, just… Christmasifying everything,” I say, grinning. “Although if I could get the owner of this place on board, it would make my life a lot easier.”
They both laugh, a deep sound that echoes through the empty aisles.
“Good luck with that,” the mischievous one says, shaking his head. “Jim’s been on the Naughty List since I was in grade school.”
“Well, I’ll just have to try harder.” I shoot him a challenging look, planting my hands on my hips. “Nothing’s impossible when it comes to Christmas spirit.”
The quieter one, who I’m guessing is Pope, chuckles. “You might actually be the only person in this town who believes that.” His eyes hover long moments on mine before he says, “You’re Ivy, right? Cole mentioned you.”
“He did?” I say, a thrill running through me.
“Sure did.” Pope grins. “You’ve got him all in a twist. He’s not used to a pretty girl shoving Christmas spirit down his throat.”
A blush climbs up my cheeks. “It’s about time someone made a believer out of him.”
“Hey, some of us are believers,” Knox says, nudging Pope with his elbow. “Took my Petal coming into my life to knock me into some holiday cheer, but it happened.”
I brighten at the mention of Petal. “Oh, Perry at the flower shop! She’s been so helpful with my arrangements for the classroom and the food pantry. I didn’t know you two were… together.”
Knox’s face softens, and I can see in his eyes a warmth that’s undeniable. “Yep, she’s my girl. Smartest thing I ever did was hold on to her. She’s got a way of reminding me what’s important, keeping me grounded.”
Pope smirks. “We all thought Knox was a lost cause until Petal came around.”
Knox rolls his eyes but shrugs, unbothered. “Probably was. A man needs someone to mirror back what he’s missing, show him how to love in ways he forgot.”
My smile fades slightly as his words sink in. My mind drifts, unbidden, to Cole, to the glimpses of loneliness I’ve seen in his eyes, even when he’s too proud to admit it. “You think maybe… your friend Cole could use that?”
Knox and Pope exchange a glance, and there’s a silent understanding there that tells me they’ve had this conversation before.
“Oh, Cole’s needed it for a while,” Pope says, shaking his head. “He’s lived up there on that mountain, keeping to himself, not letting anyone in. He’s stubborn, but… I think you’re getting through to him, Ivy. Might not admit it, but he’s changed since you showed up.”
“Yeah?” I say, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. “Because he seems pretty determined not to let me in.”
Knox grins, folding his arms. “He’ll break. Just needs a bit of help finding his way. He’s been keeping himself locked up since his dad passed, even more since…”
He trails off, glancing at Pope as if he’s said too much, but I lean forward, wanting to know more. “Since?”