Chapter 17

York

Fuck, I can’t sleep. The thoughts of Noelle, riding my cock. The way she felt. The feel of her lips against mine. Fuck.

I toss and turn, trying my best to fall asleep, but I don’t know how I’ll be able to. I want to kiss her. I want to see her one more time.

My phone buzzes beside me on my bedside table.

Noelle: I can’t sleep.

Me: Me either.

Noelle: Want to meet me out in the garage?

Me: Say no more, I’m on my way.

She answers back with a smiley emoji, and it makes me laugh at the sight of it. I don’t know what it is about this woman that has me feeling things I’ve never felt before.

The house is completely silent, the kind of stillness that only comes when everyone else is fast asleep. I slip out of my room, the coolness of the hallway brushing against my skin as I pad softly toward the garage. My heart beats a little faster, knowing I’ll see Noelle soon. We’ve both been holding this secret all night, and it’s been eating away at me—being so close to her and not being able to really be with her.

The garage is dark, the only light coming from a faint glow through the window, casting shadows across the space. I step inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as I can. For a second, I think I’ve beaten her here, but then I hear the soft sound of her breath, the slight rustle of her clothes as she moves toward me.

“Noelle,” I whisper, her name slipping from my lips like a prayer.

She steps out of the shadows, her eyes catching mine, and for a moment, I just stand there, taking her in. Her hair falls softly around her face, and even in the dim light, I can see the way her lips curve into a slight smile, like she’s been waiting for this as much as I have.

Without another word, I reach for her, closing the space between us in one swift movement. My hands slide around her waist, pulling her close, and then I tilt her chin up gently, our lips meeting in a kiss that makes my pulse race. The moment our mouths touch, it’s like everything else fades away—the worry, the doubts, the fear of getting caught. All I can feel is her, warm and soft in my arms, and the way she melts into me as if we’re the only two people in the world.

I deepen the kiss, my hand moving up to cup her face, my thumb brushing along her cheek as I taste her, slow and deliberate. She sighs softly against my lips, and it sends a shiver down my spine, the heat between us building as I press her back against the cool wall of the garage.

After a few moments, we finally break apart, breathless but unwilling to move far from each other. Her eyes search mine, filled with that same mixture of excitement and uncertainty that I’m feeling.

“How are we going to tell them?” she whispers, her voice shaky, almost pleading. “My parents… they’ll freak out.”

I run my hand through her hair, letting it fall between my fingers as I rest my forehead against hers. The truth is, I’m not sure. Her dad’s been like a second father to me, and I know he won’t take this lightly. But at the same time, the thought of hiding how I feel about her feels almost unbearable.

“Maybe we don’t tell them just yet,” I say softly, my lips brushing against hers as I speak. “Not until we figure it out… until we know how to handle it.”

She closes her eyes for a second, exhaling deeply. “You think that’s the best idea?”

“For now,” I murmur, kissing her again, unhurried and calculated, savoring the way she responds, her hands gripping my shirt as if she doesn’t want to let go. “We’ll take it one step at a time. We don’t have to rush anything.”

Her fingers trail up my chest, her touch light but electrifying, and I feel the heat between us grow. “But what if they find out?” she asks, her voice a mix of fear and anticipation, like she’s torn between wanting to keep us a secret and wanting to scream it to the world.

I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, my hand still cradling her face. “Then we deal with it,” I say firmly, leaning in to kiss her neck, trailing my lips down the soft skin there, feeling the way her body responds to every touch. “But right now… I just want you.”

Her breath hitches as I kiss her again, deeper this time, more urgent. Her body presses against mine, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart matching my own. My hands explore her waist, her back, pulling her closer as the tension between us builds.

This is more than just a secret now. It’s something I don’t want to let go of, no matter what happens next.

I keep kissing along her skin, letting her soft moans urge me on. It’s electric between us, and even though we just had sex a few hours ago, I already want her again. I slip my hand into the waistband of her pajama pants. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you,” I say, my lips hovering over her skin.

“I want you, York, more than you want me.”

I glance up, looking into her eyes. “Liar. That’s not possible.” I grab her hand, sliding it between our bodies and pressing it against my dick. “Feel what you do to me.”

She runs her hand along my hardness, and then with her other hand she grabs my free hand. “Look what you do to me.” She guides my hand down her pants, past the barrier of her panties, and through her wetness. “See how wet you make me, York. I want you more.”

I shake my head. “It’s not physically possible.” I slide her pajamas and panties down her long legs. “I need inside you, Noelle.” Fuck, I need her so damn much.

She holds onto me, taking two steps back to rest her ass on a shelf. “Fuck me, York.”

I hiss. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

“Show me,” she whispers before kissing me.

For the next few seconds we’re nothing but a mess of tangled limbs and tongues trying desperately to get as close to each other as possible. I slam my cock inside her, stilling the moment I’m all the way in. “Fuck, this is what you do to me,” I tell her.

She grips me tighter. “York, I need to come,” she whines.

“Allow me,” I say, moving my hand between our bodies so I can toy with her clit. I’m so turned on, but I know I need to get her off a few times tonight. “And tomorrow, when we sneak away for some alone time I will finally put my lips where my cock is.”

“I’ve never had that done before,” she whispers against my mouth.

“Really? Well, I can’t wait to be your first.” And my chest swells with pride at knowing I’ll be the first man to put my lips down there.

I squeeze the flesh of her ass as I continue to pump my cock inside her. I keep rocking, making sure to keep the sound of our sex quiet. I’d hate to be caught by her father for the second time today.

My balls tighten as I keep pushing my dick deeper and deeper inside her. She’s biting down onto my shoulder to keep from crying out, and the thought of her wanting to be loud only spurs me on.

“I love the way you take my hard cock. It’s like you were made for this dick.” I keep fucking, slamming my shaft into her.

“York,” she begs. “Please don’t stop.”

I shake my head. “Not when it’s this fucking good, babe.”

Before I even know it, Noelle is biting down on my shoulder so hard that it nearly has my knees buckling. Her pussy grips me tighter too, and I know she’s getting off.

I slam into her a few more times before I’m spilling into her, letting my cock pulse and throb deep inside her.

Fuck.

I’m never letting this woman go.

The festival is in full swing, Christmas magic hanging in the air. It’s the kind of scene you only see in movies—colorful lights strung between trees, wreaths on every lamppost, and a layer of fresh snow blanketing the ground. Everywhere I look, there are Christmas-themed activities: kids making ornaments, families sipping hot cocoa, and couples skating hand-in-hand at the outdoor rink. The festive hum of carolers drifts through the air, blending with the sound of laughter and sleigh bells.

Noelle and I walk side by side, our hands joined together, the silent tension of keeping our secret still hanging between us. The paparazzi are scattered around the festival, their cameras flashing every so often as they snap shots of us. I can feel their lenses on us, capturing every smile, every glance—just waiting for something they can sell.

Noelle looks incredible, her cheeks pink from the cold, wrapped up in a red coat with a knitted blue scarf that matches her eyes perfectly. I can’t help but smile when I catch her glancing at me, her lips curling up as if she’s in on some private joke we both share. The snowflakes caught in her hair, the way she’s always moving, always full of life—it makes it harder to act like this is just pretend.

But no one knows. Not yet. Not her parents, not the press. To everyone else, this is just part of the charade.

We stroll past the booths, the smell of nutmeg and roasting chestnuts filling the air. Kids are lining up for a chance to meet Santa, their excitement buzzing through the crowd. Noelle nudges me with her elbow, grinning.

“Hey, think we should get in line for Santa? I can tell him my Christmas wish,” she teases, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

I chuckle, leaning in close so only she can hear me. “And what’s your wish this year, Noelle?”

Her smile turns softer, and she bites her lip. “I can’t tell you. Might ruin the surprise.”

The playful banter between us is light, but beneath it, there’s a weight. The press is watching, her parents are somewhere in the crowd, and all I want to do is pull her aside and kiss her like I did last night in the garage. Just knowing I can’t do it in front of everyone gnaws at me.

We’re nearing the kissing booth now, decked out with holly and twinkling lights, the bright red sign swinging above it. It’s all part of the charity event, a way to raise money for the festival. People have been lining up all day, exchanging kisses for donations, and now it’s our turn. Noelle’s first.

My stomach tightens as I realize what’s about to happen. I thought I was fine with it earlier—hell, it’s just for charity, right? But now, standing here, watching her step up to the booth, my chest tightens in a way I wasn’t expecting. Noelle smiles, laughing as she takes her place, and the line starts to form. People are actually lining up to kiss her.

And I’m supposed to be okay with this?

A guy walks up, grinning like he’s about to win the lottery, and hands over his donation before leaning in for a kiss. I feel my jaw clench, the muscles in my neck tightening as I watch. Noelle leans forward, and it’s just a quick, harmless peck, but that doesn’t stop the flash of heat that surges through me. My fists ball at my sides, and I have to force myself to stay rooted in place, to not walk over there and tear the guy away.

She’s mine.

I don’t care if this is for charity—there’s no way in hell I’m okay with anyone else kissing her. The next guy steps up, and the thought of him putting his lips on her makes my blood boil. I grit my teeth, every instinct in me screaming to step in and stop this. I catch Noelle’s eye, and she gives me a small smile, clearly sensing my tension.

I can’t take it. When it’s finally my turn to step up to the booth, I drop my donation into the jar, and without hesitation, I close the gap between us. The kiss is supposed to be quick, just like all the others, but the second our lips touch, I deepen it, my hand sliding to the back of her neck. It’s possessive, not just for the cameras or the crowd, but for me. It’s a silent declaration that she’s mine.

When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed, and the crowd cheers like they’ve just seen something special. Noelle’s eyes are wide, her lips parted, but I can’t bring myself to care about the attention.

I lean in close, whispering against her ear. “That’s the last time anyone but me gets to kiss you today.”

She laughs softly, breathless. “Jealous much?”

I smirk, my hand still resting at the nape of her neck. “More than you know.”