Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
He looks at the Christmas tree, and a smile forms on his lips. “Well, let’s see. Since I’ve been home, I’ve decorated my first ever Christmas tree. I’ve made a snowman, I’ve had the best spaghetti I’ve ever eaten. Thank you for dinner, by the way. Now I’ve had the best chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate there is. All in all, I can’t see it getting any better.”
I set my mug down. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
Gavin
She’s acting like nothing’s wrong. That I didn’t hurt her when I pretty much ended our correspondence when I left the Army. But I know her well enough to know that she is upset by all of it. “Cassie,” I start, trying to get her attention, but she just holds up her hand, indicating to give her a minute.
“I’ll be right back.”
I sit on the sofa and think back through the day. Her showing up here is the biggest surprise I’ve ever had. She could have left the Christmas decorations, cookies, all of it at home. Her being here is enough to make me happy.
I slide my hands down the front of my jeans and try to make room. That kiss did a number on me. The last thing I want to do is take advantage of her. I need to stick with the plan. We celebrate Christmas together and I let her leave. That’s that.
I’m waiting patiently for Cassie to return when the doorbell rings. I tug at my jeans again when I get up and go to open the door.
I no sooner open the door than I realize my mistake. I should have looked through the peephole. I’ve let my guard down, and that’s just another effect of being with Cassie. She makes me vulnerable. It’s my neighbor from up the road. She must have found out somehow that I was back in town, probably the gossipy old lady at the grocery store.
“Gavin, hey, I wanted to stop by.” I try to block the door, but she pushes past me. “I made you some dinner.”
Shocked, I stand looking at Jennifer—wait, maybe her name was Heather. I met her when I was on leave over a year ago. I took her out and brought her here and I let myself get carried away making out with her. Luckily, I stopped myself before things got too out of hand, but now, by looking at the way she’s dressed, she looks as if she’s ready to pick up where we left off.
“Hey, uh, thank you but we already ate,” I tell her.
She must not have heard when I said we—or she doesn’t care—because she keeps walking toward the kitchen. “That’s okay. I can put it away, and we can catch up.” She turns and lifts her eyebrows at me when she says catch up, and instantly I get her meaning.
Right at the moment Heather—or is it Jennifer?—walks back into the living room, Cassie walks in carrying a big stack of wrapped presents. I take them from her and set them on the chair behind me. “Cassie…” I start, wanting to explain but am interrupted.
“Oh! Hello, I didn’t know we had visitors.” The woman in the low cut dress and bright red lipstick walks toward Cassie with her hand held out. “I’m Jennifer.”
Cassie looks surprised and dare I say a little hurt before she hides the look and smiles at Jennifer. “Hi, I’m Cassie.”
They do a quick handshake before dropping their hands.
I pull Cassie into my side. “My girlfriend.” Cassie tenses under my arm, but her smile doesn’t change.
Jennifer’s lips form a perfect “o,” and with a bitter laugh she says, “I would have guessed niece or daughter. She’s awful young, isn’t she?”
Cassie turns to her side, forming her body against mine. One arm goes around my back, and the other lays on my flat stomach. I pull her in closer to me. Her in my arms just feels right, but I still get a little defensive when Jennifer insinuates that Cassie is too young for me. She’s twenty-five and a grown woman.
“Not too young. I just know a good man when I see one,” Cassie says before lifting up on her toes. I lean down to kiss her lips. One touch is all it takes, and already I’m hard for her again. I pull Cassie around so she’s hugging my front. I don’t need Jennifer to see what Cassie does to me just by being near her.
I look over at the other woman over Cassie’s head. “I don’t mean to be rude, but Cassie and I haven’t seen each other in a while, and we have a lot of time to make up for.”
The woman huffs and stomps toward the door.
Chapter 5
Cassie
“Is she gone?” I ask Gavin.
I know she is. I heard her heels stomping across the wood floor and the door slam shut. But Gavin still hasn’t moved. I shouldn’t complain. I could stay right here, just like this forever. Wrapped in his arms feels so good. His hands slide down my back, and his lower body bumps against mine. I barely stop the gasp from leaving my lips when I feel his hard bulge pressed against my belly. For just a second I get my hopes up. Could that be for me? Or is it because he’s been without a woman for so long that any woman would do? There’s no way of knowing, and I’m sure as heck not going to ask him.