Chapter 18

18

The evening went slower than she had liked. After their conversation on the couch, she wanted to go home and have her wicked way with him. But the meal was delicious. No surprise there because Eve and Juliet could bake and cook so well.

She sat next to Bryce, of course. And maybe it was her teasing him about a special present, but he was unable to keep his hands to himself. Touching her thigh underneath the table. Running a hand down her arm. Holding her hand for a while as well. Each touch, nothing too sexual, sent the desire straight to her core.

She wanted to leave, and she wanted to leave right this instant.

But dessert had to be eaten.

That was delicious too.

A tiramisu that she couldn’t believe was homemade, though she shouldn’t have been surprised.

After the sweet treat, Griffin offered drinks, and they accepted. At least the conversation was light as they sat around the living room.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, they bid their good night. So did Aster and Juliet. She was grateful she and Bryce had a short walk across the lawn instead of a car ride home.

As soon as they walked in, Bryce undid the alarm, and she re-locked the door. She took her coat off, listening to the beeps as the alarm was set again. She looked at Bryce, and the heated look in his eyes was all she needed.

Her coat fell to the floor. His disappeared as well, joining hers. Then she was in his arms and pushed up against the door.

The soft touches from before were the prelude to the real thing.

His deep kiss sent lightning strikes down her spine. She gripped his shoulders, returning the fervor with as much energy as he was giving.

Her hands found a path to his cheeks and ran up and through his hair. The feral growl that left his lips had her heart jumping with joy. She loved that she made him feel so delirious with passion.

“Lila…” he whispered as his lips moved down her neck, scorching her skin along the way. His hands untucked her shirt, lifting it up and over her head, letting it drift to the floor. “I’ve wanted you to myself all day.”

She smirked, pushing the suit jacket off his shoulders and dropping it. She started at the bottom button of his shirt, going as nimbly as she could. “You have me now. What are you going to do about it?”

His shirt was off and on the floor.

His eyes dilated with pleasure as he worked the button on her pants. She shimmied them down and off. He did the same with his own.

“You’re overdressed.” His wicked grin came right before he unsnapped her bra and took a nipple into his mouth. Lightly biting, then soothing it with a kiss.

They were both naked and they hadn’t even moved two feet from the front door.

“I want you so badly,” he groaned, his eyes flashing with pain. “So, so badly I’m willing to risk the consequences.”

Woah! Now that was speaking volumes.

So if she got pregnant, he’d step up and what? Raise the baby with her? Ask her to marry him?

Love hadn’t been exchanged between them, and it was too soon for those illustrious words anyhow.

But she didn’t want him to think he had to be with her because of consequences that could’ve been prevented.

She placed a hand over his heart, grinning. “Well, I should give you your present. So no consequences have to be had.”

He looked disappointed for a second before the emotion vanished. She’d ignore what she probably didn’t even see anyway. She stepped over to the side where she’d tossed the bags and her purse before heading to Griffin’s. After rummaging around, she retrieved the box and held it out to him.

“Merry Dickmas!”

Bryce couldn’t hold in the loud guffaw. “Oh my God. You went into the drug store to buy condoms.” He held up the holiday box, his eyes large and round. “And you bought the Christmas ones.”

“Don’t forget Duke was with too.” Her lopsided grin made him laugh harder.

“He’s going to give me so much crap for this.” His head shook though his laughter remained.

“It was worth it to hear you laugh.”

The smile he wore filled her heart with jubilation. He hadn’t smiled like that in a long time. The last month had been hell on him. On both of them.

His eyes grew with worry. “You know it’s all over town by now. That you bought condoms.”

“The town already knows there’s something between us. Are you suddenly not liking that idea?”

Because the fact he brought it up made her think he didn’t like the notion any longer.

He cupped the back of her neck with one hand and pulled her closer, pressing his lips hard to hers. “I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about us. But I don’t want you to deal with blowback, if it’s not nice.”

“I’m not worried.” She tapped the box in his hand. “So please proceed to wish me a merry dickmas.”

He snorted but obeyed, then opened the box and removed a foil, ripping it open. She took the condom from him, rolling it on him herself. His eyes closed as she did it slowly, enjoying the way his entire body leaned her way.

His eyes popped open and his hands were gripping her waist to lift her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he guided himself leisurely inside her, taking his sweet, sweet time. The moment he was fully inside, he stood still.

She pressed her hands to his cheeks, holding his gaze steady. Not that she thought he wanted to look away.

“I’ve never had sex against a door before,” he whispered, chuckling. “Are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“I’m perfect. It’s a new one for me too. I’m a fan.”

He pumped his hips, eliciting a soft moan from her. “I’m a fan too. I don’t know how long I’ll last because you feel too damn good.”

“We have twenty-five merrily condoms.”

He chuckled, pressing his lips to hers. She smoothed her hands up through his hair, then clung to his back as he started pumping harder.

She held on for the ride of her life. He didn’t hold anything back. His thrusts were intense and deep. They moved fluidly, grinding against each other. Dare she say, loving each other thoroughly.

But it was too soon for love, so she dismissed the word from her mind.

Her nails scraped his back, her cries of pleasure increasing in volume to urge him on. He followed her commands, thrusting with complete abandon.

She knew it was coming to an end when she felt the pleasure rising, undulating like a tsunami. Her head fell back against the door, moaning his name as it hit her.

“Yes, Lila!” Bryce growled, pumping even harder and deeper before he tensed himself. Her name came out in a whisper along with other words she couldn’t quite make out, he said them so quietly.

He stood there, holding her against the door for the longest time before either one of them spoke.

“I wanted to shower with you this morning.” A feather-light kiss hit her lips. “How about one right now?”

She wasn’t sure why they hadn’t showered together, but there had been a slight awkwardness between them. She wouldn’t have denied the request this morning, so she wasn’t about to deny it right now.

“I could go for more holiday cheer under the water.”

He laughed, letting her feet drift to the floor. “I buy the condoms from now on.”

She swatted his ass as they made their way to the bathroom. “You’re no fun. Admit it. It puts the Christmas spirit in you.”

“I will never admit such a thing.” He tossed the used condom in the trash can, then popped another one out of the box, setting it on the shower ledge near the shampoo. “But I’ll wear as many dickmas condoms as you want.” He pulled her into the shower, wrapping his arms around her. “Because as long as you’re in my arms, that’s all I care about.”

She had to agree with that.

No matter what people might say tomorrow, either to her face or behind her back, it didn’t matter. She had Bryce the way she wanted in her life and that’s all that mattered.

He was in much better spirits this morning than yesterday. Not that it was a terrible morning, but he decided he enjoyed showering with Lila rather than on his own. Today, they lathered each other up, building the desire between them before he took her shamelessly against the shower wall. He was ready for the day.

Lila continued to beautify herself in the bathroom while he ventured to the kitchen to make breakfast. A small batch of eggs with toast. She seemed to enjoy it yesterday, so he’d go with what he knew she liked.

When she walked into the room, his heart palpitated. She hadn’t done much to her appearance. Her hair was dry and pulled back into a loose ponytail. She wore a slight amount of makeup, a touch of eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick. Enough to notice she wore it but not enough that she caked it on or anything. Not that he thought she needed anything to begin with.

But her beauty, any way she dolled herself up, it blew his mind. It made him wonder how lucky he’d gotten that she liked him in return. That he was worthy of her affections.

That’s all he wanted to do. Be worthy of her.

She strolled to him with an adoring grin on her face, then placed a finger under his chin and pushed up. He didn’t think he’d let his jaw drop, but apparently he had. What could he say other than she made him speechless.

“You sure know how to let a girl know she’s beautiful with no words.”

“Good.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. “Because you’re so damn beautiful I don’t even know how to put it in words.”

They shared a powerful kiss that made him want to call in sick. Not leave the cottage until he was positive she wouldn’t leave him.

When the kiss ended, her eyes portrayed the same desire inside of him. To hide away from the world. But she slipped from his grasp and headed for the coffee pot.

“I had an epiphany while blow drying my hair.”

His heart rate kicked up another notch, not sure whatever inspiration hit her would be good news for him. Because no matter how hard he tried, he could never shake the feeling she wasn’t staying around permanently.

Of course not! She lived in California. She had returned to find the culprit threatening her. And when he told her he wanted her to stay, she wouldn’t confirm the request.

Which was why he had to make it his goal to change her mind. To remain with him.

“I can’t wait to hear what it is.” He hoped he injected enough upbeat attitude in that sentence. Because in reality, he was deathly afraid to hear what she had to say. He couldn’t pinpoint why his thoughts always turned negative.

Or maybe he did know.

He always had to walk on eggshells around Denise. It was hard to stop that kind of reaction, even if it wasn’t her he was dealing with anymore.

She turned around from the counter, the pure happiness and excitement shining through the depths of her emerald-green eyes.

The bright expression she wore looked promising. He had nothing to worry about.

“You saw all the goodies I got around town. So much fun stuff. A T-shirt, a mug, candy, discounts and free coupons. That sugar cookie candle made me want to have a whole box of cookies,” she said with a chuckle. “I don’t understand why everyone gave me something yesterday, but it sparked an idea.”

He had no clue either why the townsfolk had done that. It wasn’t unusual for Shannon to give free T-shirts, but everyone else, definitely abnormal.

“What do you think about a care package? When someone books a stay at one of the B&B’s or one of the rental properties associated with Joy, they get a free care package. A good way to get each business’s name out there, and an excellent way to reel them inside the store. A fun T-shirt? Love it! It’ll make them wonder what other fun T-shirts there are. That candle smells amazing. Now they need one that smells like gingerbread and hot chocolate. Or like a candy cane. What do you think?”

He thought it was a wonderful idea. Honestly surprised no one else had ever started it before. But…

The elation slowly dimmed. “You don’t like the idea?”

He mentally berated himself for letting part of his doubt show. “I love it. I think it’s an amazing idea and something we should’ve already been doing.”

“But?” she urged, gesturing with her hand for him to continue.

“Some of those stores can be stingy. I’m not sure how many would donate to it. Right now, a lot of them are hurting and might not be able to financially.”

Lila waved her hand as if that wouldn’t be an issue. “You like the idea though? Besides that concern?”

He moved closer to her, brushing his hand behind her neck. “Your ideas always amaze me. I’ve never not liked one of them. And if you’re not concerned about getting full approval from everyone, I’m not either.”

She met him halfway for the kiss he wanted to bestow upon her. It went from slow and sweet to hot and passionate in the blink of an eye. So much so that her coffee spilled, making him jump back when it hit his shirt. The hot liquid even scorched through the material and hit his skin.

She winced, then giggled. “Sorry.”

He grabbed another quick peck, smiling. “It’s just a shirt.”

As he walked to the bedroom to change, it crossed his mind that he never had those kinds of moments with Denise. Where they chatted before work. Kissed here and there. Light touches throughout the day. It made him sad to realize how far his marriage had sunk before Denise made the decision they should part ways.

He should’ve done it years ago.

Maybe she’d be alive.

Wiping those negative thoughts from his mind, he changed his shirt, ate breakfast with Lila, and they were out the door.

Lila went right to work on her new idea. He had another busy day of meetings, so he couldn’t trail around town with her. And he wanted to. She shouldn’t have to be without him after buying condoms. People would have something to say. Not everyone could keep their opinions to themselves. Duke wasn’t on duty yet, but he offered to join her again. Bryce would make sure he paid him back in some way. He appreciated Duke stepping in when he couldn’t be there for her.

The moment she left with Duke, he felt her loss. Like a part of him had disappeared as well.

“She’ll be okay.”

He jerked his attention to Becca, who stood right by his desk. He’d been so lost in thought he didn’t even hear her walk in.

“Not if they don’t approve of us together.”

Becca shook her head as a sly smirk emerged. “This town loves her. This town loves you.” She pointed at him, her gaze intensifying as if laser beaming the point home to him.

He knew he wasn’t hated around here. At least, not at the last election because they voted him back in as mayor. Now, after the debacle with Denise, then her death, he couldn’t be sure how anyone thought of him.

“I wish I had your same enthusiasm about it.”

She picked up his coffee mug. “You look like you need a refill. I’ll do it for you.” She headed for the doorway.

“Becca!” His tone had been light but quick. He didn’t want to make it seem like he was hollering at her. He waited until she turned around. “You do not have to keep getting me coffee. I insist I do it myself.”

“No. I will do it. Because I want to. Because it’s okay to let people in and help.”

She continued on her way without waiting for his rebuttal.

Was she insinuating he didn’t let people help him? That he pushed people away? He hadn’t thought he acted that way. But her words meant something. That maybe he had.

When she returned with his mug, he was still contemplating the entire conversation. Playing it on a loop as if that would help him understand better. The mug hit the desk with a soft thump, she smiled at him, then made her way back out of the office. The moment her feet hit the threshold, he said her name again.

She turned around, same as before. Same smile on her face. Same kindness in her eyes.

“Did you have something to do with the town giving Lila free stuff?” The idea hit him square in the chest, and he knew it would eat at him if he didn’t ask.

“Now why would I do that?”

Yes, that was a very good question. Why would she?

Unless she didn’t want Lila leaving either.

But why?

“It’s odd they did that yesterday. A very nice gesture, but odd.”

Her smile increased. “You have a meeting in fifteen minutes. Finish your coffee.”

He picked up the mug, taking a sip before she swiveled around and left. She hadn’t answered his question. Which made him think she had something to do with it. And if it helped in some weird way keep Lila in Sleighville, he wasn’t going to argue with the method. Any sort of method Becca would continue to come up with.

Like she informed him, he finished his coffee and made his way to the meeting. Trying his damndest to keep Lila out of his thoughts and how she was faring around town.

Duke would keep her safe. He needed to remember that.