Page 67 of The Upside of Falling
I wait a few beats before the door swings open, and Rory stands on the other side wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a snowman on it, jeans, and fuzzy slippers. Her hair is curled and blankets her shoulders, long and silky . . . enticing. And that smile, made for me, shines bright as she pulls me into a hug.
“Merry Christmas, Colby.” Standing on her toes, she kisses my cheek and pulls me into the house the rest of the way, shutting the door behind me.
The modest ranch house is deceiving from outside, because the moment I step into the entryway, I’m surrounded by a warm, loving home with pictures of Rory and Bryan scattered across the tan walls. A large and beautifully decorated Christmas tree glimmers in the open and spacious living room, and the kitchen off to the right is decorated in holly garlands with twinkle lights, creating a magical atmosphere I haven’t seen or been a part of since before my dad passed.This is how Christmas used to be.
Gingerbread cookies are stacked high on a platter.
Christmas music chimes in the background, softly to not be intrusive.
A candle burns in a hurricane glass surrounded by a wreath.
And there are two parents, arms holding each other at their sides, wearing matching sweaters and great big smiles on their faces as they approach.
“Colby, we’re so happy you could join us for dinner.” Rory’s mom comes up to me and pulls me into a hug. “Oh, he’s a strong one.” She winks at Rory who blushes.
“Colby, pleasure to have you in our home.” Rory’s dad takes my hand in his, firm but welcoming. “Aurora has told us nothing but great things about you. Congratulations on making it into flight school. What an amazing accomplishment.”
“Thank you, sir. And thank you for welcoming me into your home tonight. It means a lot to me.”
Mrs. Oaks coos and clasps her hands together. “Oh, he’s so sweet. Why don’t you two make yourself at home in the living room while Mr. Oaks and I finish carving the turkey and putting the final touches on dinner?”
“Can I offer you any help?” I ask, knowing full well I have zero experience in the kitchen, but it’s the polite thing to do.
Mrs. Oaks squeezes my forearm reassuringly. “We’ve got everything covered. Go relax with Rory.”
Her parents head toward the kitchen, and Rory takes my hand in hers, guiding me to the leather sectional that surrounds the Christmas tree and fireplace.
When we sit, I set my bag next to me and whisper, “Your name is Aurora?”
She scoots in close, her legs tucked under her, and that damn smile is so contagious. “My dad is the only one who calls me that, but yes, it is.”
“It’s a hot name.”
Her eyes widen, her brows shooting to her hairline. “Oh my God, you can’t call me that. It’s what my dad calls me.”
Leaning forward, I whisper in her ear, my hand on her thigh. “So if I call you Aurora while I’m coming inside you, that’s not going to work for you?”
Shyly, Rory looks up at me, eyelashes fluttering, a pretty pink blush staining her cheeks. “Colby . . .”
The way she whispers my name—a short breath escaping her—turns me on immediately, and I have to pull away from her before I embarrass myself at her parents’ house.
“Come with me,” she says, pulling on my arm. “I’m going to show Colby the rest of the house. Be right back,” she says to her parents who give us both a knowing look.
Christ.
I don’t have an opportunity to stop her before she’s dragging me down the hallway to a door on the left that she quickly opens and shuts, pinning me against the wood.
She goes for my pants like a crazed animal, but I stop her abruptly. Is she fucking crazy?
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Having some fun.” She smiles wickedly at me.
“Oh no, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.” She tries for my pants again, her persistence difficult to stop.
I remove her hands again and put them at her sides. “Aurora Oaks, stop it right now.” I use a stern voice that only puts more fight into her eyes, igniting her feistiness.
