My Secret Santa Daddies (Silver Ridge Christmas)

15

I’M NOT SURE WHAT, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME ONE OF THE OTHER TWO DUMBASSES SAID OR DID SOMETHING

I clear my throat, breaking the quiet. “Hey.”

She turns, a little startled, but then her lips curve into a small smile. “Hey.”

“Come on. I want to show you something.”

“What is it?”

“Only one way to find out,” I say, motioning for her to follow.

“I don’t like surprises.”

“Well, it’s not really a surprise.”

Her brow furrows, but she follows me without any more questions, tugging on her oversized coat and pulling up the hood.

I don’t bother with my coat—just throw on a flannel jacket and push open the back door, leading her toward the pole barn that sits a little ways from the lodge. We step outside, the crisp air is biting but not unbearable, the light snowfall dusts her hair like glitter.

Sierra is quiet beside me, her steps careful but steady. I can feel her gaze flicking toward me.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“I don’t know. You tell me. You’re the one who wants to show me something.”

“I mean with you in general.”

“Yeah. I guess. Why?”

“Intuition, I suppose.”

“Bullshit,” she says.

“Sierra. I know you. Better than you want to admit.”

Sierra's quiet for a moment as we walk, her breath puffing out in little clouds. "It's just... been a lot, you know? Living with the three of you and Jack.”

“Did something happen last night?” I press.

Sierra hesitates, her steps faltering slightly as we approach the barn. "I... it's complicated," she finally says softly.

I stop, turning to face her fully. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, rosy and pink.

“Complicated?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Stop beating around the bush and just tell me for fuck’s sake.”

Sierra's eyes widen at my blunt words, and for a moment I think she might turn and walk away. But then her shoulders slump slightly and she lets out a long breath.

"I kissed Cody," she admits quietly, not meeting my eyes. "And... I slept with Griffin."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, even though some part of me had suspected something like this. I clench my jaw, trying to keep my expression neutral.

"I see," I manage to say, my voice tight. "And how do you feel about that?"

Sierra laughs, but there's no humor in it, just a hollow sound that cuts through the cold air. "How do I feel about it? Honestly, I have no idea."

She runs a gloved hand through her hair, dislodging some of the snowflakes.

"I'm a mess, Wyatt.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I'm just... confused. Guilty. Like I'm betraying Anna's memory by even thinking about any of you in that way."

My chest tightens at the pain in her voice, the raw vulnerability she's finally letting me see. I take a step closer, my hand coming up to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "Sierra, you're not betraying anyone. Anna would want you to be happy. She'd want all of us to find peace."

“I don’t think she’d be happy about me fucking Griffin.”

“I wasn’t expecting you two to hook up…” my voice trails off. “But I can’t say I’m surprised.”

She tilts her chin back toward the sky and let’s out a groan.

“Look. I didn’t plan on anything, but the last few days…being here with all of you…It's stirred up a lot of old feelings. Feelings I thought I'd left behind."

She wraps her arms around herself, like she's trying to hold something in. I watch her closely, my hand still hovering near her cheek.

"What kind of feelings?" I ask softly.

"Unresolved ones," she whispers. "For Griffin. For Cody." Her gaze drops to my lips before flicking back up. "For you."

My heart stutters in my chest at her confession. I knew there was something between us, something that sparked whenever we got too close. But hearing her say it out loud makes it real in a way it wasn't before.

“I’m sorry,” she quickly says, shaking her head. “I honestly have no idea why the hell I just said that. God. Okay. What were you going to show me?”

I clear my throat, trying to gather my thoughts. Pushing her further in this moment won't do either of us any good.

"Right. Come on, it's just inside," I say, motioning toward the barn door.

When we reach the pole barn, I slide the heavy door open with a groan. “After you,” I say, gesturing for her to go in.

She hesitates for a moment, then steps inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.

“So what’s the big reveal?”

I grin, the kind of grin I know she used to hate back in college, when I’d surprise her with something unexpected. “Patience,” I say, moving toward the back corner where her car sits. I flick on the overhead lights, illuminating the space. There, covered in a light layer of dust but looking better than it has in years, is Sierra’s car.

Her jaw drops a little. “Is that…?”

“It’s running. Took a lot of work—Cody and I had to swap out some parts, replace a busted alternator, and get the engine to stop stalling, but it’s good as new. Well, almost.”

Sierra steps closer, her gloved hand reaching out to touch the hood. Her fingers run along the surface, and for a moment, I see a flash of something like relief in her eyes. “You… fixed it?”

“Wasn’t just me. Cody did a lot of the work, too. Figured it was the least we could do, considering you’ve been stuck here with us.”

“You didn’t have to do this.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “We promised you we would. And, I mean, you needed a running car. Can’t have you stranded here forever, no matter how much you love our company.”

She lets out a small laugh, the sound warm in the cold barn. “It’s… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, Wyatt.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I say, my voice lower now, more serious. “Just… stay safe, okay?”

Sierra looks at me, her eyes shining with emotion. "I will. I promise." She steps closer and before I can react, she throws her arms around me, hugging me tight. "Thank you, Wyatt. For everything."

I'm caught off guard but quickly return the embrace, relishing the feel of her body pressed against mine, even through the thick layers of our winter clothes. "You're welcome," I murmur into her hair.

We stay like that for a long moment, just holding each other, as snow drifts in through the open barn door. It takes everything within my willpower not to lean down and kiss her deeply or press her against the hood of that car. Before I make a move, Sierra pulls back, swiping at her eyes. "God, sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me lately. I'm not usually this...emotional."

"Hey, it's okay." I reach out and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You're going through a lot. Cut yourself some slack."

"I should probably head back inside. Jack wants to make a gingerbread house.”

“Yeah, you're right. The kid's probably bouncing off the walls by now."

Sierra turns back to the car, running her fingers along the hood one more time. "I really can't thank you enough for this.

"Anytime. You know we've always got your back."

"I know. Even when I don't deserve it."

"Sierra-"

She holds up a hand, stopping me. "It's okay, Wyatt. I'm working on it. On forgiving myself and letting people back in." Her eyes meet mine, holding my gaze. "On trusting myself not to hurt the people I care about again."

I take a step towards her. "Sierra, I-"

"No." she says gently, putting her hand on my chest. "Just…let me figure this out on my own, okay? I need to be sure that I won't hurt you or anyone else again."

I nod, reluctantly. "Okay. But you know where to find me if you need anything, right?"

"I know." She smiles, the old Sierra shining through for a moment before the mask slips back into place. "See ya inside."

I don’t see her again until the evening, when the lodge is quiet again and the stillness of evening settles over the space like a heavy blanket.

The fire crackles softly in the hearth, casting a warm, golden light across the room. It’s just me and Sierra now—Cody and Griffin had just gone off to bed.

Sierra is sitting across from me, her legs tucked beneath her, a mug of cocoa cupped in her hands. Her face is bathed in the flickering glow of the fire, her hair is tousled from the day. She looks hot as hell sitting there beside me.

I clear my throat, breaking the silence. “You ever think we’d end up back here? The four of us, in this mess?”

She glances up, her blue eyes catching the firelight. There’s a faint smile on her lips, a tired one. “No. I thought I’d left all this behind a long time ago.”

I lean back, letting my head rest against the cushion. “Same here. But it’s funny how life works, isn’t it? You think you’re done with something, but it always finds a way to pull you back in.”

“Yeah,” she murmurs, taking a sip of her cocoa. “It’s like that.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, watching the flames dance.

It feels like the years between us have started to blur, the sharp edges dulled by the fire’s warmth.

But I can’t let it sit like this.

Not anymore.

I take a deep breath, feeling the words push their way up. “You know, I used to hate myself for how I felt about you back then and how badly I wanted—you.”

Sierra blinks, clearly caught off guard. “What?”

“Yeah.” I give a small, rueful smile. “I mean, it’s not like I planned it or anything. You were with Griffin, and that was that. But there were times… well, times when I couldn’t help it.”

She’s quiet, her eyes searching mine. “Wyatt, I?—”

“I know,” I interrupt gently, not wanting her to feel like she has to explain anything. “I’m not saying it to make things weird. I just… I needed you to know. I never told you, and the one time I tried I ended up drunk and belligerent.”

“I had a feeling, but I don’t know, I guess I was too distracted and in my own world to really think about it. Plus, you never really showed it.”

I laugh, the sound rough and low. “I didn’t exactly know how. You were with Griffin, and I was… I don’t know. I didn’t want to screw things up more than they already were.”

She sets her mug down, her gaze steady on me now. “It wasn’t easy back then. I didn’t know what I wanted, or who I was supposed to be. I just… I felt lost. And I think you did, too.”

“Yeah,” I admit, my voice raw. “I was lost. Still am, sometimes. But seeing you again? It’s like… it’s like the fog’s lifted a bit. I can see things clearer now.”

“Wyatt, I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I tell her, my voice gentle but firm. “I just needed you to know. I know things are complicated now—hell, they always were complicated—but at least it’s out there now. No more secrets.”

“Griffin. Cody. Everything. It’s all so tangled up.”

I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees, my gaze never leaving hers. “I know. But I’m not asking for anything, Sierra. I just wanted to be honest with you, even if it feels messy.”

We sit in silence again, the fire crackling and popping between us, our thoughts swirling like ashes in the air.

“So,” I say, breaking the silence. “What now? You gonna hit the road once you get power again?”

She doesn't answer right away, instead staring into her mug like it holds all the answers. "I don't know, Wyatt. Part of me wants to leave this place and never look back. But..." She trails off, her gaze drifting to the fireplace.

"But?"

"But... I don't know if there's anything left for me out there anymore," she admits softly. "I mean, what's the point in running if all I'm running to is an empty house with no one in it?"

"You know you can always stay," I blurt out before I can stop myself. "Here, I mean. With us."

“I don’t know if I’d last very long here.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s been a week and look what’s happened. A mess.”

“I don’t see a mess.”

“Yeah, well, you’re biased.”

“Maybe.” I say with a grin. “But you’ve always had a knack for self-sabotage. Remember junior year when you got grounded for two weeks for stealing Griffin’s dad’s car?”

She flushes and ducks her head, but I can see the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “I maintain my innocence to this day.”

“Yeah, yeah. You always were good at talking your way out of trouble.”

“But not this time,” she says softly, staring into the fire. “Not this time. The three of you have me in a lot of trouble.”

I lean closer, drawn by the weight of her words, by the way she’s finally letting the truth slip past her defenses. “Maybe it’s not trouble. Maybe it’s just…working itself out like the lodge. It might look messy right now, but give it a year and this place is going to be beautiful.”

The firelight dances in those bright blue eyes, catching flecks of warmth that have been missing for too long.

“Sierra,” I start, my voice low and rough, “I know this is complicated. I know we’ve got all this history between us, and with Griffin and Cody too… but I still want you,” I confess, my voice thick with need. “Hell, maybe I never stopped wanting you. But I’m tired of pretending that I’m fine with us just being… unfinished business.”

Her breath catches, and I can see the battle in her eyes—one part of her wants to run, the other part is desperate to stay. “Wyatt, I?—”

I can’t wait anymore. I close the distance, my free hand cupping the side of her face, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. Her skin is soft, and warm under my touch. For a brief moment, she leans into it, her eyes fluttering shut.

“If you don’t want me to then say it.”

Sierra’s eyes open slowly, her gaze locked on mine, unsteady but unwavering. Her lips tremble, but she doesn’t say a word.

It’s all the answer I need.

I close the gap between us, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that’s been years in the making—slow and tentative at first, but quickly growing in urgency, fueled by all the emotions we’ve held back for too damn long.

Her mouth is soft and warm, tasting faintly of cocoa, and she responds with a need that matches my own.

My hand slides to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as I pull her closer. Sierra’s hands move to my chest, hesitant at first, then fisting in the fabric of my shirt, like she’s afraid to let go.

The kiss deepens, it’s desperate, and hungry, filled with everything we’ve never said.

I angle her head, needing more of her.

The years of distance, the regret, the confusion—they all dissolve in the heat of this moment, leaving only the raw, undeniable want between us.

She pulls back for a breath, her forehead resting against mine, her eyes still closed. “This is so stupid,” she whispers, her voice shaky.

“Probably,” I agree, my breath ragged. “But when has that ever stopped us?”

A small laugh escapes her, breathless and real, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve heard in a long time. Her lips return to mine. Sweet and slow. She tastes so damn good and it’s taking every ounce of self control to not rip her clothes off, but that control is fleeting.

I want to feel her soft, naked body against mine.

My hands move down to her waist, gripping her hips, pulling her even closer as our kisses grow more heated, more demanding. Sierra's moans only stoke the fire inside me, and I can't help but deepen the kiss further, my tongue tangling with hers.

I reach for her shirt and she doesn't stop me as I unbutton it, exposing her delicate collarbones, and her perfect breasts that I've been fantasizing about for so long. Sierra's hands are busy too, unbuttoning my shirt and pushing it off my shoulders.

Her smooth, warm skin against mine feels better than anything I could have ever imagined.

But it's still not enough. I need all of her, right now.

We stumble backward, making our way to the couch, our mouths still connected as if we're afraid that if we stop, this moment will evaporate like a dream.

This is right. It has always been right. So why did it take us so long to figure it out?

My hand slides down to her panties, sliding them down her legs, exploring every inch of her silky thighs as I go.

Sierra gasps against my mouth, her nails dig into my back, urging me on. I drop down to my knees so I can taste her sweet pussy on my tongue.

Sierra's scent is intoxicating, and my cock throbs, demanding attention, but I want to make this last. I want her to remember this night for the rest of her life.

Slowly, I trace the outside of her entrance with my tongue, circling and teasing her. She moans and arches her hips against my mouth.

I smile to myself before diving in, licking and sucking her clit, my tongue swirling around it in a figure eight motion.

With a growl, I lift her up, positive that I could die right now and it would still be worth it.

Sierra calls out my name between desperate breaths, her hips bucking against my face. I can't help but chuckle a bit.

"Impatient, are we?" I say, before diving in, lapping at her core, licking and sucking until she's a shivering, moaning mess.

Sierra's body tenses. I know she's close. My cock is so hard it hurts, but I want to savor this moment. I want it to last forever if possible. I watch her face as she comes apart in my mouth, her eyes squeeze shut, and her lips part in a silent cry of ecstasy.

I pull back and she wraps her legs around my waist, her heels digging into my backside, urging me on. I don't need any more encouragement. In one fluid movement, I enter her, groaning at the wet heat that envelops me.

"God, Sierra," I breathe against her neck, "you feel so good."

Her only response is a moan as she tilts her head back, baring her ivory neck to me. I oblige her silent request, sucking and biting along her collarbone, making my way down to her breasts.

I tease one nipple into a hard peak with my tongue while fondling the other.

Sierra's nails rake down my back. I growl in approval and increase my thrusts, slamming into her so hard the couch creaks in protest.

"Oh, fuck!" Sierra moans, her eyes squeezing shut.

"Open your eyes, baby. I want to see your beautiful eyes when you come for me."

Sierra's eyes fly open, her irises dilated with lust as she stares up at me.

"That’s it, baby," I whisper, "Come for me, Sierra. Come for me now."

And suddenly her body tightens around me and her nails dig deeply into my back as she gasps, breathless, wired and coming on me.

I can't hold back anymore. I follow her over the edge. Panting, we collapse onto the couch, our chests heaving in unison.

I pull out of her and shift so we’re both lying on the couch, my arms around her. She rolls onto her side, her blue eyes catching mine.

"That was...," Sierra starts, her voice falling off as she catches her breath.

“Yeah. It was,” I whisper, nuzzling her neck with soft kisses. “We can go again if you want.”

She purrs in response, arching her back, thinking it over.

“I should probably go to bed.”

“No, stay.”

Sierra hesitates, then gives me a small smile. Her head rests against my shoulder as she runs her hand along my chest. We lay still for a few minutes, just staring at each other in the dim light.

“Why did you kiss me?” Sierra finally asks, breaking the silence.

“I... I don’t know. It just... happened.” I run my fingers through her hair. “Sometimes I lose my mind when you’re around. I think we all do, especially Griffin.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Do you not want me to?”

“I guess, I don’t know.”

"Well, I won't say anything if you don't want me to." I gently brush her hair away from her face. "But, Sierra... I can't promise it won't happen again."

Her breath catches in her throat and she looks up at me with parted lips. "I don't know," she mumbles after a minute or so of silence.

"I'm not sure either," I admit, cupping her jaw in my hand and gently tilting her chin up to meet her gaze. "But I know that I can't stop thinking about you. I know you’re in a tough place right now. I’m not going to keep you to myself. I just want you to be happy.”

Sierra's eyes search mine, as if she's looking for something she can't quite find. Then, she nods and leans in for a chaste kiss on my cheek. "I better go. Goodnight, Wyatt.”

“Sweet dreams.”