Chapter Fourteen

John

“Do you need to go home?” I ask, holding Eve close against my chest.

“Ummm, I probably should. I don’t think I locked my door when I came over, and I left my keys,” she replies, but makes no move to get up, and to be honest, I really want her to stay. Waking up with her in my arms Sunday morning was the best way to start my day.

Even if my mom and grandma did spoil it a bit.

“I could run over and lock it for you,” I offer, hoping she doesn’t suggest she just go home. I know this is new again and we haven’t talked about what we’re both wanting moving forward, so I’m trying not to push my luck here.

But I’d love for her to stay. I want to get to know her again, because if everything I’ve discovered and relearned after being apart for twelve years is any indication, she’s every bit the sweet, sexy, and feisty girl I used to know and love, and my heart remembers. It calls to her, like a whisper in the wind.

“You don’t have to,” she replies through a yawn.

“What if I want to? You can stay here. I know we both have to get up kinda early for work, so no funny business.”

Her giggle pierces the air around us, and my heart. “Funny business?”

“Yes. No funny business. I’m here to sleep. No waking me up in the middle of the night for sex, and you need to stay on your side of the bed,” I insist, clearly joking.

“But…what if my hands want to be on this side of the bed,” she starts, sliding them down my chest to my groin, “Like this?”

She cups my balls and strokes my erection. Even though we just had sex, I’m hard once more and ready to go. “I see your point. That is quite the dilemma.”

“So maybe we should just forget the stupid bedtime rules,” she coos, stroking my cock with a little more vigor.

“Rules are stupid,” I grind out, my breath coming in pants.

“And completely unnecessary,” she adds.

I move quickly, dislodging her hand and taking my place between her legs. She spreads wide, her hands wrapping around my neck. “So…no rules.”

“None.”

“I like the way you think, Miss Campbell.”

Reaching for a condom in my bedside table drawer, I sheathe my erection in protection and slide home. Her body is hot, welcoming, and absolutely perfect. Her arms wrap around me, her nails dig into my flesh, and her hips rock in rhythm with mine. The feel of her body squeezing my cock is pure fucking heaven.

She’s my heaven.

By the time we’ve both orgasmed a second time tonight, we’re spent and sweaty, on the verge of passing out. “Will you go out with me Saturday night?” I murmur, my nose nuzzling her cheek.

“I have to work until about seven.”

“We don’t have to be out late or anything, but I’d like to take you to the festival and go ice-skating.”

I feel her smiling as her lips find my forehead. “I’d really like that.”

“Hot cocoa and whatever dinner they’re offering at the church tent,” I say through a yawn.

“Okay.” She sighs in what I hope is contentment.

Then something else hits me. “What time do you need to get up?”

“Seven should be enough time for me to run home and get ready.”

“Okay, I’ll wake you up at seven.” I kiss her on the jaw and whisper, “Go to sleep, beautiful.”

As she drifts off to sleep, I lie awake and hold her. It’s been a little more than two weeks since she came back into my life, and I can’t help but feel like no time was lost. We just…fit, and even though I wanted to return home to Snowflake Falls to be near my family, I can’t help but feel like she was part of that.

With a sigh, I climb from the comfort of my bed and grab a pair of sweatpants. Eve doesn’t even stir. I quickly dress in warm enough clothes to slip next door and make sure her house is secure. Then, I’ll be back in my bed, the woman who has always owned my heart in my arms.

After slipping on boots, I truck next door. The snow is starting to fall again, and I find myself stopping and gazing up. The cold, wet flakes melt on my skin, and I smile. Eve used to do this all the time growing up. Every chance she got, she’d stop and let the snow kiss her skin. I didn’t realize how much I missed the snow while I was gone until now. The beach was nice, but there’s nothing like this in the world.

I reach Eve’s porch and bring my hand up to knock, only to laugh at myself. I twist the knob, and the door opens, confirming the fact she just walked over without securing her house. My plan is to check the doors, find her keys, and turn off the lights, maybe grab her coat so she’s not returning in the morning without one. Before I can close the door behind me, a burst of fur flies past me, hell-bent on getting inside.

“Biggie!” I holler, watching as my cat runs down the hallway.

Sighing, I close the door and start to search for my feline. Guilt hits me in the chest as I peek inside the open doorways of Eve’s house. I’m not doing anything wrong, but I definitely feel a little voyeuristic in my search.

“Biggie, come on, we have to go home.”

Suddenly, I hear a noise. It sounds like…a cat being tortured. I move quickly toward the sound, fearful Biggie is hurting Miss Snowflake, and when I step inside Eve’s bedroom, I stop dead in my tracks. While Miss Snowflake doesn’t appear to be in any imminent danger, she’s definitely enjoying what’s happening.

I scrub my hand over my face. “She’s gonna be so pissed.”

Walking over to my cat, I pry him off the lady cat. He’s clearly not happy I interrupted his special alone time with Miss Snowflake, but I can’t in good faith just walk away and let them continue. “I know, I know. I’d be mad too,” I tell him as I carry him to the front door.

After making sure it’s locked and the lights are off, I return to my own home, anxious to get back to bed. Well, not specifically my bed, but the naked woman lying in it. Inside, I reset my own locks and put Biggie down. He instantly goes over to the chair and sits on the back, meowing loudly as he gazes out the window.

Sighing, I go to the kitchen, place Eve’s keys on my counter before locking the pet door so he can’t get out again, and finally make my way back to my bedroom. Eve is there, curled up on her side and burrowed deep into my blankets. My chest tightens as I stare down at the woman I think I’ve always loved, just didn’t realize it. Life took us on different paths, but now, well, now is another story, and if I have it my way, our paths will run side by side from here on out.

As soon as I get settled beneath my comforter, Eve moves, snuggling into my side. She exhales, her warm breath tickling my shoulder. Leaning down, I place a kiss against her forehead and close my eyes. Sleep claims me almost instantly.

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been ice-skating?” I ask, trying to stand up on my skates, my legs wobbling like a newborn deer.

“It’s like riding a bike,” Eve announces, moving effortlessly as she leads me to the rink in the town square.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve done that too, but I don’t recall wearing skates while doing it,” I joke, pausing at the entrance to the ice and saying a silent prayer up to the ice-skating gods. If I could somehow not injure myself too badly—especially in front of Eve—that’d be great.

“Don’t be scared. I’ve got you,” she says, a warm smile on her happy face.

And with her words, I step out onto the ice. It takes every muscle I have not to let my legs slide apart. “Take it easy on me, Tiger. I haven’t skated since senior year.”

Together, we slowly start to move as other skaters whiz by us at lightning speed. We’re surrounded by laughter and singing as skaters sing along to the Christmas music piped through the speakers. It only takes me a single lap before our pace picks up a bit. At least now we’re not being passed by walkers.

With her gloved hand tucked inside mine, I say, “I’ve missed this.”

She flashes me a wide grin. “Ice-skating is one of my favorite activities. Usually Joy comes with me at least once or twice a season.”

“I’m glad you two have remained close,” I tell her, thinking about my own family and the fact it’s been just me, my mom, and Grandma for a long time.

“It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Sometimes she pushes her nose into my business a little too far, but I know she does it out of love.”

“And what about you? Do you put your nose into her business?”

“Of course,” she replies with a giggle. “It’s the sister code.”

We skate another lap before I ask, “Anyone special in her life?” Joy is two years younger than Eve, and I’ve never heard of her getting married or anything.

“Not really. I mean, she’s dated off and on throughout the years, but no one stuck, you know? We often joke that we’ll be the old maid sisters, living together with our eighteen cats until the day we die.” She adds a little laugh, but I don’t miss the hint of worry laced in the noise. It’s like she truly believes she could be destined to be alone for the rest of her life.

I stop skating, people slipping past us in a blur, and pull her into my arms. “There’s no way that’ll happen, Eve. When you love, you love hard, and I promise the right guy is out there, waiting. Don’t sell yourself short. You are the catch of a lifetime, and any asshole would be one lucky SOB to spend the rest of his life with you.”

My throat is thick and it’s hard to swallow. Her eyes well up with tears. I almost blurt it out. I almost tell her I’m that lucky SOB.At least, I want to be.

She goes up on her toes, picking her skate into the ice, and presses her lips to mine. She’s cold to the touch but warms my blood, sending it racing through my veins. I pull her closer, everything and everyone around us fading away. It’s just her and me, cocooned in a Christmas world, like a snow globe. As if someone gave ours a little shake, snow flurries start to fall from the sky, melting against our skin.

“Watch out!”

I move on instinct. Unfortunately, I also forget we’re standing on ice skates, so the moment I shift us to get out of the way, our feet go in the opposite direction. We crash to the ground, our limbs tangling as they flail about. I try to roll us so my backside takes the brunt of the fall, but I can’t quite get us into the right position. We lie together on our sides, the cold, wet ice seeping through our clothes.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” I insist.

Eve starts to giggle, and before I know it, I’m joining her. It turns into full-belly laughter and takes several minutes before we’re able to carefully pick ourselves up off the ice. “That’s gonna leave a mark.” She gazes up at me with mirth swirling in her green eyes.

Ignoring the tightness in my jeans, I lean in and state, “I can check that for you later.”

“My ass for bruising?” She’s fighting a grin.

“It’s an important step in taking a date ice-skating. Any fall and potential bruising must be checked out at the end of the night. Doctor’s orders.”

She’s openly smiling now. “I thought you were a medic.”

“I am, but I know many physicians, and they all say the same. Check over your date’s body for bruising.”

“Well, then you better make sure I get a thorough examination later tonight.”

A wolfish smiles spreads across my mouth. “Oh, you better believe I will.” She shivers against me, so I add, “Come on, Tiger. Let’s grab some hot cocoa.”

We slowly exit the rink and make our way to one of the many benches brought in. I carefully slip off my skates and don my insulated boots once more, watching intently as Eve works to lace her boots back up. She’s humming a tune, one I recognize immediately. Her favorite Christmas song has always been “Where Are You Christmas?” from Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas ! I remember asking her why she’d choose that particular song, since it’s laced with such a sad undertone, and even back then, at the age of eighteen, her answer struck a chord with me.

Because not everyone, every year can see the magic. Sometimes, they need someone or something to help open their eyes again. We all lose sight of the happiness at some point, but it can be found once more. And when you do find that Christmas magic you once felt, it opens your heart even wider. Love enters, and in return, you’re allowed to love deeper and better than before. That’s the real magic of Christmas.

I take her hand in mine as we return our skates to the rental trailer and head toward the church’s booth. They’re selling warm cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa or coffee this evening, and we jump in line. Just as we approach the front, I realize the woman who sold me the cocoa two weeks ago is there. Her eyes light up the moment she sees me, but that happiness is squashed the second she spots Eve at my side.

“John. Well, this won’t make Sadie happy,” she says.

Feeling Eve tense against me, I hold tightly to her hand and say, “Hello, Janelle, lovely evening, isn’t it?”

Her eyes narrow a bit. “Yes, lovely. I see you’ve been getting reacquainted with former friends. ”

I glance down at Eve and give her a reassuring smile. There’s no missing the confusion in her eyes. “Yes, I have been.”

Janelle sighs loudly. “Well, what can I get you?”

“Two cocoas and a cinnamon roll, please.”

“Seven dollars,” she replies, grabbing a plated roll from the warmer. Another volunteer delivers two steaming cups of cocoa as I hand over the cash.

She hands me back the three dollars change from my ten-dollar bill, which I in turn, stuff into the donations jar. “Can we have two forks?”

Janelle practically throws the forks at me, and I realize there’s nothing I can do about this awkward situation I seem to have found myself in.

“Thank you. Have a Merry Christmas,” I reply, taking the two cups of cocoa in my hands, while Eve grabs the warm roll.

We walk over to an empty picnic table, and as soon as we sit, she asks, “Do I want to know what that was about?”

I sigh, handing her a fork to dive into our sweet treat. “Her daughter, Sadie, used to have the biggest crush on me. When I got our cocoa before the pageant two weeks ago, she was thrilled to see me back and wanted to give me her daughter’s number.”

“Ahhh,” Eve replies, swallowing a bite of her cinnamon roll. “So when she saw me with you, she knew her Sadie wouldn’t be keeping you warm beneath the tree this year.”

My eyes dilate and I lean in. “Does that mean you’ll be keeping me warm? I do tend to get very chilly.”

She grins, licking the icing off her fork. My blood rushes south of my belt, pooling in one concentrated area. “If you’re lucky,” she murmurs with a wink. “I remember Sadie. She had the biggest crush on you in high school. I think she was a junior our senior year, and she used to stick out her tongue at me when we’d pass in the hallway.”

“What?” I ask, laughing. “Really?”

“Oh, yeah. Everyone knew she liked you, and in return, did not like me, since I was your girlfriend.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her to be my girlfriend again, but we’re interrupted before I can ask.

“John Mitchell, good to see you.”

I turn and smile at Mike Vargas, the fire chief of Snowflake Falls. “Mike, good to see you,” I say, standing up and extending my hand.

“I admit, I’ve been hoping to run into you.”

“Oh?” I ask, giving him my complete attention.

“As you know, we’re always looking for volunteers on the fire department, and I wanted to extend an invitation to you. Plus, we are looking for another paramedic. I know you’re working at the hospital right now, but I’m hoping I can convince you to give our small department a hand if you can on your days off.”

I can’t help but smile. “I’d be honored.”

“Yeah? Well, great. I wasn’t sure if you were hanging around in town or if you’d be moving on to bigger and better things soon, but I suppose, either way, we’d love to have you on the department.”

“I’m staying,” I blurt out, not only for Mike, but maybe for Eve as well. “Let me know what you need me to do.”

“Our next department meeting is this coming Wednesday at seven. If you can make it, great. If not, I’ll still bring you up as a recruit and we can vote, but I don’t see anyone voting against you. There’s some paperwork to fill out, and we can go from there.”

“I’m off Wednesday, so I’ll be there,” I tell him, extending my hand once more. “Happy to help.”

“Happy to have you join us,” he replies. He glances over to Eve and smiles. “I’ll leave you two be. See you Wednesday.”

I nod, sitting back down on the bench of the picnic table after he walks away.

“So…you’re staying, huh?”

I turn my full attention to the woman sitting beside me. “I bought a house and have no intention of going anywhere else.” Sliding my hand up her neck, I add, “There’s nowhere else I want to be.”

She grins. “I’m glad.” Eve leans over and presses her lips to my own.

The kiss could turn ravenous easily, but I do everything in my power to keep it PG. “What do you say we get out of here?” I whisper.

“Time for a bruise check?”

I bark out a laugh. “Absolutely. Time to get you naked and check for bruises.”

She stands up, throws her half-empty cocoa cup into the nearby trash can. I do the same, adding the cinnamon roll before taking her hand. “It does save lives. One bruise check coming up.”