Santa’s Pretty Helper (Cam Show Crush)

12. Bella

Twelve

Bella

I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life. I think I might throw up, or pass out, or crumple into a ball when my legs inevitably give out.

But no matter how nervous I am, I’m doing it. I’m going to tell Gabe how I feel. I’m going to show him everything he could have. I’m going to be brave and go after what I want. The man I want.

After figuring out my plan of action and getting everything I needed, I called Gabe and asked him if I could come over sometime soon to talk to him about something important. He’d invited me to come over the following evening, and I felt a little guilty for the concern I’d heard laced in his voice. But he’d understand soon. And then everything would be out in the open, for better or for worse.

I swallow thickly and adjust the belt on my thick, wool camel coat, the hem tickling the bare skin of my ankles. It’s full dark out now, and the air smells like snow. The trees are bare, the branches clacking together as a cold wind rushes down the quiet street. Gabe’s apartment is on the second floor of an old house, and while I’ve always been aware of where it is—he’s lived here for a couple of years now—I’ve never been inside. I’ve never had a reason to.

I look up, and I can see warm lights glowing behind the windows. My hand shakes as I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot him a text.

Bella: I’m here.

Gabe: Be right down.

His reply comes immediately and my stomach churns sickly with nerves and excitement. My palms are damp, and my heart is skipping frantically in my chest.

I stand on the concrete steps, and I hear Gabe’s footsteps on the stairs before the door swings open, the light from the hallway slicing into the dark night. Warm air seeps out, wrapping itself around me. I’m cold, despite my coat, because I’ve got next to nothing on underneath.

Gabe appears in the door, his broad shoulders blotting out most of the light, and my breath catches in my chest. Oh god, maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I’m not brave enough to do this. There’s a smile pulling at his gorgeous lips, and I shove my hands in my pockets, feeling shy and awkward.

“Hey, Bella,” he says softly in that deep voice that I love so much. He rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “Is everything okay?”

I nod jerkily, not trusting my voice. My heart keeps starting and stopping again.

Our eyes meet, and for a moment neither of us says anything. All we do is stare, tension growing between us. A gust of wind whips down the street, tossing my hair around my face, and he steps back, holding the door open for me. I brush past him as I step inside, and the scent of his cologne hits me like a truck, making my knees week and my stomach dip and swirl. Despite my thick coat, I can feel the heat of his body as he follows me up the staircase that leads to his second-floor apartment.

At the top of the stairs, Gabe unlocks his apartment door and gestures for me to go in ahead of him. I step inside, and I have the unexplainable sense of being home. Which is crazy, because I’ve never been here before. But it smells like Gabe in here, and it’s perfectly cozy and lived in. It’s warm and inviting. I notice the framed photos on the wall by the front door, and my stomach drops a little at the sight of him and Eric together over the years.

What if I confess everything and he chooses his friendship with Eric? What if I’m not worth the risk to him?

I can picture my heart shriveling up into a raisin at the thought.

“Do you want anything to drink?” Gabe asks, flipping the lock and sealing us inside. I’ve never been alone with him like this before, and adrenaline shoots through me. “Water? Tea? I have some eggnog in the fridge.”

I swallow thickly and lick my lips, then shake my head. “No, thanks.” My voice comes out all creaky and Gabe frowns slightly.

“Can I take your coat?” he asks, and I shake my head quickly.

“No! Um. No, thank you. I’m still a bit cold,” I say, blood rushing to my cheeks.

So smooth, Bella. Way to go.

His frown deepens, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he heads toward the living room, and I trail after him, heart thundering so loud his entire street must be able to hear it.

“So,” he says, sinking down slowly onto his couch. He braces his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped loosely together. “What did you want to talk about? You said it was important?”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I feel like I’m about to unravel. I’ve never done anything like this before. Ever. “I know, Gabe,” I say, my voice a little shaky, and I lick my lips, clenching my sweaty hands in my coat pockets. “About your camming. I’ve…I’ve seen your show. More than once.”

Gabe goes completely still, the only movement the slight rise and fall of his chest. “What?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes are bright and wide, his lips parted.

I take a step toward him, feeling braver now that I’ve ripped the proverbial Band-Aid off. “Don’t worry, I’m not judging you. At all. It’s actually really hot, and you’re very good at what you do. And I’m not going to tell anyone.”

“Okay,” he says slowly. “Then what—“

“I heard you, the other night, when you were performing. It was after the Christmas tree decorating party, and you talked about having feelings for someone you can’t have and then…” I stop to catch my breath, my words spilling out of me. “I heard you say my name when you were coming.” I blush furiously at the admission that I’d been watching, that I’ve seen him come, that I heard him moan my name.

Gabe’s eyes are wide, shock and fear written all over his face. “Bella, I—“

“No, let me finish,” I say quietly, my voice shaking a little. It’s taking everything I have to do this. I might collapse when the truth is finally free. I take a deep breath, amazed that my pounding heart hasn’t pushed right out of my chest. “I have feelings for you, Gabe. I have for a long time. Years. And I know it’s complicated, with your friendship with Eric and the age difference between us, but hearing you say my name…I knew I had to tell you the truth. To take a chance and tell you that I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. To tell you that I…I’m in love with you.”

Gabe stares at me, his eyes bright as they hold mine. He sucks in a ragged breath, his features a mask of lust and wonder.

“Bella,” he whispers, and before I lose my nerve, I lift my hands to the belt of my coat. My fingers are trembling as I work to undo the tight knot.

“I have an early Christmas present for you,” I say, my voice shaky. The coat falls open and then I shrug, letting it slide slowly down my arms. It lands on the floor with a soft rustle of fabric, pooling around my ankles. Cold air washes over me, making goosebumps erupt across my bare skin.

Gabe’s eyes are dark and molten as they rake over my body. He looks hungry, barely restrained. His jaw is tight, his fists bunched at his sides, knuckles white. I’m wearing nothing except a bright red satin bow teddy, the silky fabric looped in a bow across my breasts and then dipping down between my legs to cover my pussy, imitating the wrapping on a present. The back is nothing but red strings, one across my back and the other dipping down between my ass cheeks.

“It’s me,” I say, my voice unsteady. “I’m the present, if you truly want me.” I shiver. My skin feels warm and exposed, the satin barely covering me.

“Bella, fuck,” Gabe says in the husky tone I recognize from his cam shows. He almost looks as if he’s in pain, even as his palm goes to the front of his pants, rubbing absently at the massive bulge there. The butterflies in my stomach are having a rave, going crazy.

I take a small step toward him, my bravery almost gone, like an energy force that’s being drained out of me. “You can have all of me,” I say, my voice quiet, my cheeks hot, my heart jolting. “My virginity, my body, my love. If you’re willing to take the risk with me, everything I have to give is yours.”

I’m shaking now, partly from the cold and partly because I’m so nervous I might actually pass out.

His expression is unreadable as he stands from the couch and crosses the distance between us, not stopping until he’s directly in front of me. I can feel the warmth of his big body, can smell the scent of his skin. My pussy throbs at being this close to him, this exposed. He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch dancing like electricity over my skin.

“Bella. My sweet, beautiful girl.” His voice is low and rough, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “I’m so fucking in love with you that I don’t know what to do with myself.”

I let out a small gasp, my gaze flying to his. “You are?” I’m breathless. I’m floating. I’m melting. I’m coming apart completely.

He nods. “For a long time now. It first hit me the night of your nineteenth birthday. The beautiful woman you’d become, how sweet and smart and lovely you are. And since that night, I’ve wanted you. This obsession has been like a disease, one I never want to be cured of. I think about you constantly. I crave you constantly. I stroke my cock to thoughts of you every single day.”

“On camera,” I add, licking my lips and swallowing thickly.

“Does it bother you?” he asks, one eyebrow arching up.

I shake my head. “No. It doesn’t. I…” My face flames and I look down. “I like the idea of other people watching you.”

He exhales sharply, his hand cupping my cheek. “I need you to understand what you’re offering me, Bella.” His eyes rake over my body again, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “If I accept your gift and everything you’re offering me—and I want to, Bella—I’m going to make you mine in every single way. I will never, ever let you go. You’ll belong to me, body, heart, and soul, consequences be damned. So I need you to tell me you’re sure.”

I exhale shakily and nod, not trusting my voice. His gaze drops to my mouth, and for a second, I think he might kiss me, but he stays where he is, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me against his body. I moan softly at the contact, at the feeling of my aching breasts pressing against his chest.

“I’m sure. I want to be with you. I’m in love with you.”

“And you’re a virgin.” I don’t miss the flare of excitement, the possessive way he grips my hip when he says it.

I nod, blushing again. “I haven’t…I haven’t done anything. I’ve never even kissed anyone. I only ever wanted it to be you.”

“Christ,” he groans, shoving a hand through his hair, leaving it slightly disheveled. “Tell me one last time you’re sure,” he says gruffly. “So that I can give you everything. Teach you everything. Tell me one last time, because as soon as I give in to this hunger inside me, I know I won’t be able to stop. I don’t give a shit that you’re almost twenty years younger than me, or that Eric’s going to murder me. How can I when I’ve got all of this sweetness in front of me?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He groans quietly. I can feel how hard he is against my stomach, and my pussy flutters, knowing what he’s hiding away inside his pants. His forehead rests against mine.

“Then I think it’s time for your first kiss, sweet girl.”