Her First Noel

When he pulls away, I’m left panting, my body warm and tingling even as my foggy head spins.

“Your mouth was made for me. But now, I’m going to seal the deal and take that cherry you’ve saved for me. I can’t wait any longer, Holly. I’ve waited too long. I’ll never get enough. That virgin cunt is going to be mine and you’re going to give me the best Christmas gift of my entire life. Your virginity.”

I look into his eyes and see such lust and longing; it hurts in my chest. I feel desired, beautiful, special, safe even, as danger darkens his blue eyes.

He takes my hands, pulling me from my knees as the lights around the room twinkle. My throat is tight as he leads us down a hallway, past his Christmas tree, and I swear when I glance at the virgin Mary sitting on top of the tree, she gives me a wink.

Stepping into Cole’s bedroom, the reality of what we are about to do hits me hard down low.

He flicks one switch on the wall and low ceiling lights come up, then a second switch brings an Arts & Crafts style fireplace to life, its ceiling-high stacked stones glowing in the flickering light.

The room is immaculate. Enormous windows look out over the grounds, with plants in square planter boxes along them, their ivy draping down the warm wooden floor, spread with jewel tone rugs. The whole place smells like Cole. Masculine and clean, with a spicy undertone I can’t quite place, but which makes the butterflies in my stomach flap their wings all the harder.

The bed is centered on a long wooden wall, cream colored bedding tucked tight and neat under the mattress, and I wonder for a moment who has been here before me.

But that thought evaporates almost as soon as it’s born, pushed away by the look in his eyes as he turns me to face him. He unbuttons his shirt and lets it fall to the floor. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him shirtless, but this time waves of heat course through me knowing it’s for me. I can’t stop myself reaching out, running my hands down the flat squares of his pecs, then lower to where there are indents around the muscles of his abdomen.

So hard, but mature. Not like a boy. Like a man.

“Are you scared, baby?”

As I shake my head, I feel his heat beating beneath my hand as it settles over his heart.

He leans in, his lips falling on my ear. “I don’t deserve you, Holly. No man does. But I’m taking you. I’ve tortured myself, thinking of what a horrible man I must be to lust after you. Do you know how hard it was for me holding all this back for this long? There were times I wanted to die, thinking I would never have you. Thinking someone else might touch you…” He stops, pain twisting his face, and I settle my other hand on the side of his jaw, feeling the muscle flex and his jaw pop under my fingers.

“We’re here now. But…” I swallow hard and decide I won’t be able to relax unless I know. “How many others were there? After we met, did you have other women?”

He shakes his head so violently I hear his neck crack. “Fuck, no. I couldn’t think of anyone else. It had been years before you, but after you?” He blows out a long breath. “Impossible. You are my dream, Holly. I’ll never touch another woman.”

I blink in disbelief, drawing in a relieved breath. “Then,” I nip my bottom lip, running my hands down his body and slipping my red sweater off my shoulders. “Let’s see if both our dreams can come true.”

Seven

Cole

“GOD, YOU HAVE NO IDEA what you do to me.” I’m breathing heavily as she drops her red-and-white sweater to the floor, and I see in her eyes the same things I’m feeling. “Now your skirt. Off.” I bark, stepping back to watch as she unzips the red fabric at her waist and it drops to the ground. Then she steps out of it, slipping her heels off to stand naked in her bare feet, nearly dropping me to my knees.

I stand for a moment, just admiring her curves. Her cherub face. The dimple that only comes out when she smiles this crooked smile that wraps itself around my heart and pulls me in. Her sweet innocence shows as her cheeks turn pink and her hands flutter around her body, unsure where to settle.

I hold out my hand. “Come here.” She does and I pull her in to face me, then turn her around and gently guide her down onto the bed. “That cherry is mine.”

I climb onto her and press my lips to hers. Every fantasy I’ve ever had wells up inside me, but the fantasies pale in comparison to this simple kiss. She opens her mouth immediately, her tongue gliding forward through my lips to find mine, making me groan as they come together.