Page 87 of A Love Like Christmas Time
His pace picks up, and I dig my fingernails into his back, marking him there too.
“Caleb!” I shout his name as a second orgasm wrecks through me.
He captures my lips, groaning into the kiss. His whole body tenses. When my eyes flutter open, I watch a familiar crease forming between his eyebrows. He breaks the kiss, whispering my name like a prayer as he thrusts inside me slowly, and the condom fills with his cum.
His face is buried against my neck, his body on me like a warm and very heavy blanket. His hot breath is blowing on my skin as I’m trying to catch mine.
An ‘I love you’ tickles on my lips, but I force myself to swallow it down.
It’s too early. Too sudden. Too orgasm-induced. Too high a potential to ruin this perfect moment.
“We definitely need to do that again.” I mumble instead, making his whole body shake with a chuckle.
“Glad to hear you found my performance adequate.”
“Sofucking adequate,” I assure him, playfully patting his butt. “I’m giving it a nine out of ten.”
“Only nine?” He rests his chin on my collarbone, looking at me intently.
“Well, I have to leave some room for improvement. This being our first time and all,” I joke, grinning while he slowly pulls out of me. “I can’t give a ten out of ten to just anyone on their first try.”
“Challenge accepted.” He nods solemnly, and I’m not sure whether to admire or fear the sparkle in his eyes. “I’m going to get an eleven out of ten.”
I gulp. That might just send me into another dimension.
Then again, that’s a price I’d be willing to pay to experience it. Because if this was a nine out of ten and he’sthatconfident, he can get an eleven?
“Can’t wait.”
Chapter 33
Caleb
“I fear your mother and sister are going to have to stick around a while longer,” Bobby states as he sits down at his usual place by the counter with a groan. I let out a deep sigh. I still have no idea what to do.
That’s a lie. I know what Iwantto do. But I’m not sure yet if I have the courage.
“Why is that?” I mumble, trying to sound placative rather than interested, and get a coffee going for him.
“Most of the roads leading out of town are completely impassable,” he explains while taking off his jacket. “Walter called me. He said the snow is mostly fine to clear in the town and up to the lake. But beyond that, especially on stretches of the highway without many trees on the sides, it’ll take a while. Apparently, there have been some avalanches. Thankfully, nobody’s been hurt or buried, but they’re going to have to wait a day or two for reinforcements.”
I stew on that for a moment. If anything, it’s buying me some time to make a decision while they’re here, even if that decision is that I’m not ready to make one yet.
“Are we going to see them around here more often?” One of his bushy gray eyebrows is arches up high on his forehead.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I’m not sure yet if forgiveness is in the cards, though.”
He watches me for a moment, then nods. “I suppose you won’t find out until you give it a try. Anyway, son, glad to have you back here.” He shoots me a thankful smile as I set down his coffee in front of him. “Harry was already getting nervous about the Christmas market.”
Nobody is in here apart from Bobby, and I doubt many more customers will pop in throughout the day. I probably could have stayed at Lauren’s for another day. As fun as it was, though, I’m craving my routine. Those two hours in the morning of mindless baking, alone with my thoughts. Although they haven’t brought me closer to a decision regarding my mother.
“Why is that? From what you’re saying, the roads will be cleared a day before it opens.”
“Yeah, but he thinks everyone will find it too risky and stay home.” He shakes his head, clearly finding it ridiculous. “There are still three more days until it starts, and I’d be shocked if they hadn’t cleared the streets by tomorrow evening. But hey, what do I know? I’ve only lived here my whole life.”
“Let’s hope you’re right,” I mumble and put a muffin down in front of him.
My gaze trails out the window. It’s eerie to see Wayward Hollow this empty. I get it, though. I had to walk only five steps from my driver’s seat to my back door and almost slipped three times. I managed to make it the rest of the way without catching a concussion only by clinging onto the wall.
