Festive Faking (Rust Canyon #1)

13. Mac

Chapter 13

Mac

True to her word, Aspen was still inside the cabin when I woke. Honestly, with how last night had gone down, I wasn’t sure she would be.

My need for release had become unbearable after spending all afternoon and evening with her yesterday. So, I’d hopped into the shower, praying that a shock of icy water would be enough to cool the lust simmering beneath my skin. When that didn’t work, I decided to get it over with, squeezing my cock in a punishing grip and stroking with Aspen as my muse.

Imagine my surprise when, just as I came, I realized I wasn’t alone. No, the woman I couldn’t get out of my brain had been standing there for God knows how long.

The flush on her cheeks, visible in the mirror, betrayed that she enjoyed watching. Then panic set in, and she bolted when I rasped her name—the same name I was desperately trying not to groan out when my orgasm hit like a freight train.

I tried to make it okay for her, to let her off the hook by apologizing. But then that little vixen outright admitted that her only regret was that I’d discovered her presence while I jerked off thinking of her.

You could bet your ass that had my cock springing back to life.

With all my blood pooled below my waist, I wasn’t as cautious in my response, teasing her, that nickname rolling off my tongue. Her embarrassment crept back in, and I forced myself to shut it down, knowing it might ruin any chance I had with her if I pushed too hard.

We hadn’t gotten to the bottom of her little disappearing act yet, so I decided to bring it to light. I might not have gotten answers as to why she kept running from me, but I got her to promise not to do it again. Well, at least for one day. I still wasn’t sure it would be enough to make her want to stay beyond that.

When I opened my eyes this morning, I was surprised to find Aspen dressed for the day, curled up on the loveseat with a book. A dreamy smile graced her lips as she turned the pages, unguarded. I could have watched her like that all day.

I scratched my bare chest, my voice rough from sleep. “Morning.”

Her head whipped up, and bright blue eyes scanned my prone form with interest.

A small thrill of victory coursed through my veins that she was blatantly checking me out. It was as if any pretense of subtlety was gone now that she’d laid eyes on every single inch of bare skin I possessed.

Guess she liked what she saw. We can work with that.

Pink rose up from her neck when I smirked at her, and she turned back to her book. “Morning.”

“What’s on the agenda today?”

Her teeth chewed on a corner of her lower lip. “I’m set to help out at the Breakfast with Santa event in town.” She picked up her phone to check the time. “I actually need to head out soon . . .”

The unspoken meaning that she was hanging around to keep her late-night promise had my heart swelling as hope lit up my chest.

“Sounds like fun.” I sat up, rifling around beside my makeshift bed for a shirt.

“Oh, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“Why wouldn’t I go?”

“It’s just . . .” She let out a deep exhale. “I know going to community events is a lot. They have the potential to become overwhelming, especially for a newcomer. Everyone is curious, and they have a tendency to forget boundaries.”

“I had a great time getting to know everyone who crossed my path yesterday,” I confessed. “There wasn’t a single person who made me feel unwelcome. In fact, I found them to be more genuinely kind than most people I’ve met in my life.”

“Oh.” Her mouth formed a perfect circle around that word.

The urge to drive it home grew too strong to ignore. “Do you know what it’s like to live in a world where people look at you and see only what you can do for them, how their connection to you will further their interests?”

“Mac.” My name was said softly as I laid myself bare in the harsh light of day.

If she was done running from me, I was done hiding from her.

“Not a single interaction yesterday had a hidden agenda. I didn’t have to wonder when the small talk would transition into a pitch about an ‘exciting business opportunity.’ It was so goddamn refreshing. They didn’t see the billionaire’s son with unlimited funds and crucial connections. They took me at face value and nothing more.”

Aspen set her book on the coffee table before standing and walking toward me. Her eyes never left mine as she kneeled. “I had no idea.”

Before I could utter another word, she threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tight. Her hair tickled my nose, but I breathed in her scent as I held on for dear life.

It was a simple embrace, platonic even, but this type of human connection wasn’t something I experienced much.

Typically, women only got close to me for two things: sex and money. Once they made it into my bed, they expected to be showered with fancy gifts or, better yet, that I would be so hypnotized by their pussy I’d put a ring on their finger and they’d have a first-class ticket to Easy Street.

Aspen’s eyes might’ve flared with interest both last night and this morning, but she kept fighting the attraction swirling between us. It wasn’t her end goal for us to wind up tangled in the sheets. Not by a long shot. And if we ever did manage to make it to that point, I knew there would be no ulterior motives.

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there on the cold hardwood, clinging to each other, but eventually, we broke apart.

It felt like Aspen took a piece of me when she withdrew. If I didn’t know any better, I would say it was my heart.

Clearing my throat, I tugged on my T-shirt. “Guess I better get dressed.”

“Right.” She scrambled to her feet. “Think you can be ready in ten?”

The moment was too emotionally charged, and it scared the hell out of me that I couldn’t name the feelings rising within me.

So, it was all too easy to fall back on humor as a deflection technique.

“Shouldn’t be a problem. Got my shower in last night.” I tossed her a wink, and the resulting groan that sounded had me chuckling.

Aspen probably forgot about that hug the minute the cabin door slammed shut, but I wouldn’t forget it for so long as I lived.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re finally here.” Daisy rushed toward us as soon as we arrived at Canyon Comforts, the diner set on Main Street.

Several other volunteers were bustling about the establishment, laying out festive place settings on the tables, stuffing goodie bags, and stapling together seasonal coloring sheets to occupy the children while they awaited their breakfast.

Aspen looked at her mother in confusion. “You said to be here at ten. We’re five minutes early.”

“We have a problem.” She blew out an exasperated breath.

“What kind of problem?” I interjected.

She peeked up at me. “Actually, I was kinda hoping you might be the solution.”

“Me?” My brows rose as I pointed a finger toward my chest.

“Cody came down with the flu,” she explained like I was supposed to have any idea who Cody was or why it was an issue that he was sick.

“Oh no.” Aspen stared at Daisy with wide eyes. “You’re not thinking—”

Daisy didn’t let her finish her sentence. “We need a Santa.”

I didn’t skip a beat. “You got the suit here?”

Aspen’s mouth dropped open as she gawked at me. “Mac, you don’t have to do this.”

I huffed in mock indignation. “You would have me deny the children the joy of enjoying a meal with their favorite fictional Christmas character?”

She was fighting hard to keep from rolling her eyes at me in front of an audience, but there was the tiniest twitch of her lips, so I leaned into my dramatic performance.

“What if . . .” I let out an exaggerated gasp. “What if they think Santa’s put them on the naughty list and that’s why he stood them up?” The show-worthy shudder came next. “Aspen, honey, I simply couldn’t live with myself if I had the power to make all their holiday dreams come true but instead stood idly by, watching on in silence as they were crushed to smithereens.”

“Why do I get a feeling this is going to be an event this town never forgets?” she remarked wryly, face tilted toward the ceiling to hide her smile.

“Because it features me. Duh.” My playful scoff had several of the ladies stifling giggles.

Flashing Daisy my most charming grin, I leaned in conspiratorially. “I sure hope you’ve got that suit because if not, I’m gonna feel just the teensiest bit silly for that display I put on for your daughter.”

Aspen’s mom looped an arm around mine, leading me away, but not before she called out over her shoulder, “You better hold onto this one.”

I didn’t need to peek back to know Aspen’s face was a deep shade of scarlet.

Even though she was out of earshot, I lowered my voice as I shared a secret with her mother. “I’m the one who’s trying to hold onto her.”