First Kissmas

7. Ryder

7

RYDER

T he coastal highway curves ahead as I approach Fairhope, the last mile between us shrinking by the second. Courtney’s letter rests in my pocket, where I’ve kept it since it arrived. Come to me. I’m tired of dreaming . Those words made my hands shake when I first read them, and instantly convinced me to drop everything and drive straight to her.

Through my open window, salt air mingles with the scent of early spring growth. My body thrums with anticipation, knowing she’s so close now. The town unfolds before me—weathered storefronts, boats bobbing in the harbor, streets lined with trees just starting to bud.

When I pull up outside the diner, my heart thunders against my ribs. Through the front window, I spot Courtney moving between tables. She balances multiple plates gracefully, smiling brightly as she chats with customers. My girl is radiating with confidence, and my chest warms at the sight.

Rich scents of coffee and maple syrup wrap around me as I step inside. The grill sizzles with the lunch rush, and conversation hums through the air. Music plays softly overhead, something upbeat and familiar.

“Sit anywhere you’d like!” Courtney calls without turning, juggling plates of burgers and fries. “I’ll be right with you!”

The booth where we sat on Christmas Eve is occupied by a family with two young kids. I settle onto a stool at the counter beside a rotating display of pies. From here, I have a perfect view of her. I watch the way she tucks her hair behind her ear, the way her hips sway with each step. Those curves of hers are unbelievable.

Goddamn, it feels good to not have to hold back anymore. To not have to pretend like I don’t notice how beautiful she is.

She moves past me, refilling coffee cups with quick precision. Pride swells in my chest as I watch her navigate the busy diner. Everything about her speaks of determination, of someone building exactly the life they want.

I continue to watch as she ducks behind the counter, tucking the coffee carafe back into place before turning to focus on me. The words What can I get you? are halfway out of her mouth when she stops mid-sentence, her eyes going wide.

“Ryder!”

She rushes back around the counter and throws her arms around my shoulders. I pull her close, breathing in the floral scent that is uniquely her. The softness of her floods my senses. For the first time, I let myself truly savor the moment—the way she fits against me, how right it feels to hold her without restraint.

“You’re here,” she whispers against my neck.

“I’m here.” My voice comes out rough with emotion.

She steps back, joy radiating from her smile. “My shift ends in twenty minutes. Are you okay waiting here?”

“Of course. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“While you wait, you have to try the cherry pie. It’s the best thing we make here.” Her eyes shine with happiness as she hugs me again, pressing her lips close to my ear. “I’m so happy to see you.”

I’m halfway through eating the slice of pie when the woman from Christmas Eve who hired Courtney approaches. Sure enough, her name tag says Abby .

“Well, well, well.” She props her hip against the counter, shrewd eyes assessing me. “You must be the guy Courtney never stops talking about.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I meet her gaze. “I remember you from Christmas Eve. You gave her a job. Thank you for giving my girl a chance.”

“How long are you planning to stay in town this time?”

“A lot longer than last time.”

“And are you going to give Courtney everything she deserves?”

“Yes. And then some.”

Abby’s expression softens into a smile. “You aren’t going to take her away from the diner, are you?”

“I would never make her leave something that makes her happy,” I say. “But I am damn well going to give her whatever kind of life she wants.”

Abby studies me for a moment longer. “Well, if you’re half as good of a man as she makes you out to be, she’s a lucky girl.” Her eyes narrow slightly. “If you hurt her, though, you’re going to have to answer to me.”

“Fair enough. But you don’t have to worry about that.”

Just then, Courtney emerges from the back, my favorite cream sweater of hers hugging her curves. The sight of her stirs something primal in my chest.

“Have fun, you two.” Abby’s voice follows us as Courtney’s fingers intertwine with mine, tugging me toward the door.

Less than a block from the diner, I pull Courtney close, claiming her mouth with mine. A soft gasp parts her lips before she melts into the kiss.

“We should probably save that for my apartment,” she says with a flustered smile, her cheeks flushing pink.

Her hand fits perfectly into mine as we walk. She points out the used bookstore where she spends Sunday afternoons browsing, the coffee shop with the best scones, the flower stand where the owner always gives her an extra stem. I nod at each landmark she shows me, but my focus stays on her.

The streets grow quieter as we approach her building. Her hand stays warm in mine as we climb the stairs. Inside her apartment, the space pulses with life. Bright throw pillows rest in the armchair. Photographs line the walls, affixed with colorful tape. Other little touches also mark the space as hers: a half-empty tea mug, a dog-eared paperback, a soft purple blanket draped over the couch.

She tells me about her apartment, about the changes she still wants to make. I love listening to her talk like this, love watching her eyes light up as she shares her plans. I could listen to her talk for hours. But I also can’t survive another second without kissing her again.

I cradle her face between my palms, cutting off her stream of words as I lower my mouth to hers. The kiss I give her is slow. Unhurried. Every damn ounce of my affection for her is poured into the kiss. In response, Courtney sighs against my lips, pressing closer. My fingers tangle in her hair as she opens to me, soft sounds of pleasure vibrating against my mouth.

We break apart, both out of breath. Desire shimmers in her eyes as she looks up at me.

“Did you really mean what you wrote in your letter, Ryder?” she asks, her voice soft and intimate.

I trace her lower lip with my thumb. “Every word.”

My mouth descends toward hers again, but her palm presses against my chest. “Wait. I want to tell you the rest of my wildest dreams.”

My pulse thunders in my ears.

“I want a husband who loves me unconditionally,” she says softly. “Someone I can pour my whole heart into loving. I want babies—a noisy, happy family. And I want to spend my life feeling safe and cherished, making memories with the people I love most.”

I draw her closer, her words igniting a fierce desire in my chest. “I’ll make all of that come true for you. I promise you that.” I brush my lips over hers. “We can even start right now.”

Her eyes glimmer with pleasure, but then her brows dip together. “What about your life on the mountain?”

“What about it?” I ask.

“I don’t want to take that away from you. It’s a part of who you are.” She thinks for a moment. “We could find a new mountain home. Somewhere close to here. A property with space for your workshop, somewhere not too far of a drive from Fairhope.”

God, she’s such a sweetheart. “I’ll live anywhere, as long as I get to be with you.” I smile, soaking in this moment, wanting to remember it for the rest of my life. “I love you, Courtney.”

“I love you, too.” Her words tumble out of her in a breathless rush. “Oh, God. Ryder, I love you.”

Courtney’s words send a surge of need straight to my cock, making it throb with an intensity that borders on pain. I pull her against me, claiming her mouth with a hunger that leaves no room for doubt. Our lips meet in a feverish kiss, her soft moans driving me wild. Jesus, I’m so goddamn hard, aching to be inside her.

She’s the one—the one I’ve been waiting for, the one I’m so fucking hopelessly in love with. The thought of filling her with my seed sends a primal thrill through me, making my whole body burn with need.

I back her toward the bed, our lips never parting. As we reach the edge, I start to undress her, my hands exploring every generous curve, every inch of her soft, warm skin. She shivers at my touch, her breath catching as I trail kisses down her neck, her collarbone, her breasts. Her gaze skates over my body, and I can feel her desire, her need. It matches my own, intense and consuming, like a wildfire raging out of control.

She glances at the bed, her eyes glazed over in a daze. “I’m sorry my bed isn’t bigger.”

I press a kiss to her mouth, my hands cupping her face. “Don’t apologize. We’ll make it work. And soon, we’ll have a bed big enough for all the things I want to do to you.”

Her eyes widen, a spark of excitement in them. The edge of her lips quirks up. “Are you moving in with me, Ryder?”

I nip at her lower lip, my voice a low growl. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, I need to be inside you.”

I unhook her bra, letting it fall to the floor, and slide her panties down her wide hips, revealing her completely to me. I kneel before her, kissing her thighs, inching closer to her pussy. She’s already so wet, her scent intoxicating.

Fuck, I can’t wait any longer. I lick her clit, slow and deliberate, making her moan and arch her hips. She tastes incredible. I lick and suck her, driven by her moans and the way her fingers grip my hair.

Time loses meaning as I devour her. When she comes, she cries out, her body shaking as I catch her and ease her down onto the bed. I stand up, my eyes never leaving hers as I undress, revealing my hard, thick cock.

Courtney watches me, her cheeks flushed, her eyes filled with desire. She reaches out, wrapping her hand around my cock, and I groan at the contact. She leans forward, her tongue extending out to lick the pre-cum beading on the tip, almost making me shoot my load.

“Fuck,” I grit out. “Baby?—”

She looks up at me, her eyes innocent yet filled with heat, and then she takes me into her mouth. She can’t take all of me, but the pleasure is still mind-boggling. I let her suck me until the need to be inside her is overwhelming.

I ease her back, my voice rough with desire. “I want to come in your pussy, sweetheart. Want to fill you up with my cum.”

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with yearning. “You really mean that?”

I nod, moving over her on the bed and positioning myself between her legs. “But only if it’s what you want, too.”

She runs her hands over my chest, her eyes locked onto mine. “I want you to come inside me, Ryder. Over and over again. Please .”

I fist my cock, rubbing the head against her wet slit, making her moan. I push the head in, and she cries out, her fingers gripping my biceps. Christ, she’s so tight, so wet, so perfect.

I ease into her, inch by inch, until I’m fully buried inside her.

“I love you, Courtney,” I rasp, tilting my forehead against hers. When I start moving in and out of her, each thrust is slow and deliberate. She moans and gasps, her body so responsive to mine, her pussy clenching around my cock. “I’m going to give you everything you ever dreamed of. The wedding ring, the babies, all of it. I’m going to give you the world.”

Her eyes are filled with trust and love. I can feel her getting close, her body tensing, her breath coming in higher and higher gasps.

“You’re doing so well, honey,” I groan. “That’s it. Good girl.”

“ Ryder ,” she gasps, clinging to me. When she cries out, her body arches against mine, her pussy squeezing like crazy around my cock. I keep fucking her, harder now, chasing my own release.

When I come, it’s with an animalistic roar, my cock pulsing as I fill her with my cum. Christ, so much fucking cum. She gasps lungfuls of air as I fill her, sobbing my name before she crushes her lips to mine.

In that moment, there’s nothing else in the world but us.