“I’m so sorry,” Piper called out over the Christmas music playing from the Baptist church.
I walked towards her and, with each step, felt the smile on my face getting wider and wider. Piper just had that effect on everyone she met. She met me halfway, and I slipped my arms around her. Her hands slid up my back, then she kissed my lips tenderly.
“I just couldn’t get out of there. Every parent wanted to chitchat. Wish you would’ve hung around.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were ready for us to be ‘outed’ or not,” I said, nuzzling her nose with mine.
She didn’t answer. Instead, she cuddled into my chest and released a little moan. “You’re so warm.”
I held her close to me, burying my head in her blonde hair, smelling the scents of the holiday blended together—peppermint, holly, mistletoe. I wiped some snow off the bench then sat down and pulled her between my legs, wrapping myself around her. She melted into my body like she belonged there, like we’d been together this way a thousand times. We sat quietly, watching the fountain in the lake change colors from red to green to blue. For the first time, I felt like I was home. The funny thing was—I wasn’t with my family. “I thought the program was beautiful—the sets, costumes. You did a great job.”
She lifted her head from my chest and looked up at me. “That’s sweet. I could’ve used your expertise building things a few weeks ago.”
“Maybe next year,” I said without thinking. I didn’t want to be in McAdenville next year. That wasn’t in my plans. Why the hell would I say that?
“I’d like that.”
I wanted to kick myself, but I knew if Piper ever needed me, I’d be there for her, no matter where this thing between us went. She was that special to me, always had been. “I’ve been wondering something.”
“Yeah?”
“Why were you in Hank’s that night? It’s not exactly the kind of place for a young single woman to be alone.”
“Why not?”
I sat up and angled myself so I could see into her eyes. “It’s mostly drunks and deadbeats and. . . .”
“You were there.”
“Yeah, but I’m a guy. I can handle myself if someone tried to start trouble.”
Piper laughed. “I can handle myself just fine. Besides, Hank would never let anyone mess with me.”
“So, why were you there?”
“Hank has custody of his grandson, who’s in my art class. He’s a nice man.”
“But that place. . . .”
“Is the only place in this whole town where I can get a great mixed drink. No offense to your brother, but he can’t mix a drink to save his life.”
I busted out laughing. Her insulting Rob was totally fine with me. “I always told my dad that Landon’s needed to be more than whiskey and beer.”
“It’s not just that,” Piper said. “At Landon’s, I have to be everyone’s friend, the local art teacher, the Christmas program designer. Sometimes I just want to go some place where no one is going to give a shit how many cakes I make for the church bake sale.”
“I get that. It’s nice to disappear sometimes. But can you do it at a safer location?”
“Nope, there is nothing wrong with Hank’s. Landon’s is not the ‘good’ people bar, and Hank’s the ‘bad’ people bar. If I want to be social, I go to Landon’s. If I want to be alone, I go to Hank’s.”
“You didn’t want to be
too
alone. You picked me up.”
Piper started laughing so hard she doubled over. “Hardly.
You
had your sights set on
me
before I even noticed you.”
I caught her in my arms. “Hard not to notice a woman demanding an orgasm.”
DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE
DREW
Piper! I wasn’t fully
awake yet, but she was already on my mind. I could still smell her on my skin, still taste her on my lips. We’d spent last night nuzzled together on the park bench talking, laughing, and kissing like we were teenagers. And much like my teenage years, I didn’t get any. She’d driven herself home, leaving me with nothing but a serious case of blue balls. I reached for my phone on the nightstand and fired off a text.
Me: You were the first thing I thought of this morning when I woke up.
I waited a few minutes, hoping for a response. It was after ten, so she probably wasn’t still asleep. Maybe she was busy with last minute holiday preparations, since it was Christmas Eve. I put my phone down, but couldn’t get out of bed yet. My dick was just too damn hard. I hated to jerk off in my Nana’s house, but what the hell was I supposed to do? I’d planned to be here for over a week, so I’d have to beat off sometime, especially since Piper was driving me fucking crazy. I’d just slid my hand under the waistband of my boxer briefs when my phone dinged with a text, and I quickly grabbed it with my free hand.
Piper: Sweet! What are you doing?
I looked down at my other hand gripping my dick. She probably had no idea what a loaded question that was.
Me: I’m thinking about you.
Piper: What were you thinking?
Me: Let’s just say I’m still in bed.
Piper: You’re in bed thinking about me?
Me: Yep!
Piper: Are both your hands busy?
I started laughing. How the hell did she know? Are guys just that obvious?
Me: Maybe?
Piper: Wimp!
Me: Yes, both my hands are busy.
Piper: Tell me what you were thinking about?
Me: I have a better idea. How fast can you get here?
Piper: Busy today.
Me: Busy? All day?
Piper: Yep, but I’m free tonight.
Me: That’s a long time to wait.
Piper: Then don’t. I want you to come, thinking about me.
I looked down at my phone, unable to believe she just typed that sentence. I’d have to save this line of text forever.
Me: I want the real thing. I want you.
I waited what seemed like forever, staring down at my phone, but no response came. I groaned, giving my phone a little shake, “Ding, dammit, ding.” But nothing, not a sound. Crap, I went too far. I just ruined my only hope of having a decent visit home, my only hope with Piper. Well, that did it! My dick was now limp. I threw off the covers, cursing. Maybe I should text back and apologize, but that seemed lame. There was no getting around how bad I just screwed up. She obviously thought I was just after sex. The house phone rang, and I went to answer, unsure if Nana was home. “Hello.”
“Drew, I’m so sorry. My battery died,” Piper said, out of breath.
“Piper? Where are you?”
“The grocery store,” she said. “I borrowed Granddaddy’s cell.”
I laughed out loud. “You were sexting me in the grocery store with your granddaddy right beside you?”
“I do have a little bad girl in me.” We both laughed. “Let me step away for a second. I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
“Are you offering phone sex in the frozen food aisle with your granddaddy steps away?” I asked, laying back down on the bed and hoping that was the reason for the call back.
“I’m not
that
bad,” she whispered.
“I’m glad you called,” I said softly, feeling my dick come back to attention. “Can I see you later?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.”
“My family are all going to the bar tonight. They expect me to be there.”
“The bar’s open on Christmas Eve?” she asked.
I had thought the same thing, but Dad said it was always one of their busiest nights. Apparently, I wasn’t the only poor soul who needed to unwind after being trapped with family all day. “Yeah, just until eleven. Would you like to come with me?”
“Hang on a sec,” she said.
I could hear her talking to her granddad, something about cranberries. I felt my stomach churning, unsure whether she’d want to go to my family’s bar with me. We hadn’t discussed where our relationship was going, and I didn’t know if she was ready to make whatever it was public, especially in front of my family. I couldn’t wait any longer for an answer. “Piper, are you there? Did you hear me?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry. I’m just not sure when I’ll be done,” she said.
Damn, that felt like a brush off. First, she’s busy all day. Now, she won’t come out tonight. Should I ask for later in the night, or would that seem like an obvious attempt at a booty call? I hated to give up.
“Would it be all right if I meet you there?”
I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to pick her up like a real date, but I’d take what I could get. I just wanted to see her. “Sure.”
“I’ve got to run,” she said.
“Ok, I’ll see you tonight then.”
“Drew?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s nice to be wanted.”
The phone clicked off, and I knew she was gone. I laid on the bed grinning. I did want her and not just her body. I hope she knew that part. I needed to make sure she knew this wasn’t just a sex thing, just a Christmas fling. If she saw my dick right now, she’d definitely think my interest was entirely sexual, but it wasn’t. She didn’t just have my dick’s attention. She had my heart’s attention, too. I knew just what I was going to do, just how I was going to show her.
PIPER
I pulled open
the heavy door to Landon’s bar and almost gasped, surprised to see what seemed like the whole town here tonight. I half-expected everyone to turn around and call out my name like I was in an old episode of
Cheers.
Instead, a few people mouthed
hi
and gave little waves. Landon’s was known for its friendly atmosphere. In fact, the entire Landon family had the same reputation. I took my coat off and hung it on the coat rack by the door, glancing around and hoping Drew was already here. The bistro tables were mostly filled with groups, and the corner booths were filled with couples trying to hide out. I thought about grabbing one of those, but they were all taken. I didn’t see Drew. I wish he’d picked a different place to meet. I didn’t really want to be on display for the whole town; plus his parents and brother were also here. That’s a lot of pressure.
I glanced down at my strapless black dress and boots. Not for the first time tonight, I second-guessed my outfit choice, thinking I looked a little too club for McAdenville. Music filled the bar, drinks were flowing, and the conversation had already turned from polite to downright torrid. Landon’s bar was the place to hear all the town’s latest gossip.
I walked over to the mahogany bar and took a seat on a barstool. I saw a few people dancing to upbeat Christmas songs on the small dance floor while everyone else seemed focused on one of the dozen televisions mounted around the bar. It was a typical small town bar. Nothing compared to the clubs I’d seen with my mother—no lavish upholstery, mixologist, or fine cuisine for discerning clientele. Nope, none of that here. The only thing Landon’s had in common with sophisticated bars was it was non-smoking as well.
Strong arms slid around my waist. I’d recognize his touch anywhere. His warm lips gently kissed my shoulder, and I knew I was blushing. Right then and there, Drew and I had just become the town’s hottest gossip. He obviously didn’t have any qualms about PDA in front of his family.
“Hi, beautiful,” Drew whispered in my ear.
It only took those two words for my body to heat, my legs to clench. “What’re you doing?”
He twirled my stool around so I was facing him and put his hands up on the bar, blocking me in. He looked yummy in his faded blue jeans with his cream Henley sweatshirt bringing out his blue eyes. “Is this one of those things where you don’t want to be seen with me in public?” he asked.
“No, but your parents are staring at us. Your brother is about to have a heart attack and half the bar is texting the rest of the town about us right now.”
Drew leaned forward and whispered in my ear, his breath causing my body to tingle all over. “Let’s give them something to talk about then.” He took my hand and led me out onto the little dance floor, where he twirled me around and pulled me tightly into his body. “You look amazing,” he said, sliding his fingers up and down my spine as Dean Martin sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
“Thank you.” I felt my body shiver despite how hot he was making me. He was such a charmer, and if I wasn’t careful, he’d charm my panties right off.
Hmm
, that didn’t sound so bad.
Drew moved his fingers to my bare shoulder. “You must be feeling bad, no bra.”
I inched closer to him. Flirting with Drew was addictive. “Do you think I left my panties at home, too?”
I swear I heard him groan as he ran his other hand across my ass, pulling me into his hips. His dick pressed firmly against me. Was the man hard 24/7? “God, I hope so,” he said, his voice low and throaty.
I glanced around the bar, seeing we were now the center of attention. “Your parents are staring at us.”
“So?”
“So, take your hand off my ass.”
“No.”
“No?” I said, trying hard not to laugh as the music continued.
“No,” he said, taking a firm hold on my butt with both his hands.
This time, I couldn’t keep myself from laughing. I swatted his shoulder. “Where’s my scared wimp?”
“He grew up. Now, when he wants a woman, he goes after her.” Drew looked down at me with those deep, ocean blue eyes, and I was immediately lost. His lips landed on mine, softly, sweetly. “And I want you.”
Oh, God, a man saying he wants you was second only to a man saying he loves you. But there was a nagging voice in the back of my head wondering how long he wanted me for—the night, the week, the holidays? I didn’t have the greatest track record with men, but I kissed him back just as sweetly as he kissed me, hoping to buy myself some time.
“Want to get out of here?” he asked.
Guess I bought myself all of two seconds. “You just got here,” I said. “You haven’t even talked to your family.”
“That’s the point. I’m trying to avoid them.”
I stepped back, forcing him to release me. Guess he
was
too good to be true. I wasn’t going to be used. He was clearly trying to escape from something, and I wasn’t going to be his excuse to avoid whatever it was.
“Piper?” he said, reaching out for me.