Silver Linings (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Greg

God, I hate this part—the prep required before we can get stuck in and tackle the kitchen update. I’d rather just dive right in and start ripping off cabinet doors and countertops and preparing the walls for painting. I stand with a stack of flattened cardboard boxes in my arms, surveying the cupboards before me, and groan, knowing how much stuff is behind those doors. Pots, pans, plastic containers… There’s already a stack of plates and a pile of bowls on the counter. Now it’s time to clear this all out and make way for the hard work to come.

“Hey, babe,” I call out to Cam. “Can you bring me the packing tape from the drawer in the office desk? And I could use your help boxing up all this stuff. It’s got to be done today so I can get started tomorrow.”

I unfold one of the cardboard boxes, bending the edges to make it stand up.

A short while later, Cam approaches. “Here’s the tape,” he says, as he passes it to me. “Wow, I didn’t realize we had accumulated so much stuff. This is going to take ages.”

“No kidding.” I chuckle, taping up the bottom of the box. “But it’ll be so worth it once the kitchen is done. I can’t wait to cook in here and I’m envisioning lots of lazy weekend brunches, and even a dinner party or two.”

Cam grins at me, a smile that makes my heart flutter. “Sounds perfect. Let’s get to work then.”

Together, we unpack the first cupboard, sorting the contents into boxes, and separating the items for donation. It feels good to declutter, to let go of things we no longer need to make space for the life we’re building.

“Hey, babe, remember this?” Cam holds up a novelty mug with World’s Best Husband emblazoned on the side. “Madi gave this to me as a gag gift at our wedding shower.”

“Oh wow, I can’t believe we still have that!” I laugh. “You know, she may have meant it as a joke, but it’s actually true. I did marry the world’s best husband.” I lean over and press a quick kiss to his cheek.

Cam snorts a laugh. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Don’t I know it.” I laugh and reach for the bottom drawer and pull out a Kiss the Cook apron.

Cam snatches it from my grasp and waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “I think I’ll start being the one to cook breakfast and I’ll do it wearing nothing but this apron.”

“Now that’s something I could get used to every morning.”

“It’s a deal then,” Cam says with a wink.

I take the apron and carefully fold and place it in the open box I’m filling. “Hey, what color are you thinking for the backsplash tiles? I’m leaning toward those blue ones we saw. The shade of blue reminds me of the ocean.”

“I love that idea,” Cam says, as he starts to wrap glasses in newspaper scavenged from the general store where Georgia is manager. “It’ll go great with the pale wood we chose for the cabinets. Bring a bit of our trip to the beach in Australia into the design.”

“Look at us. We’re like the Property Brothers.” I grin at him over the growing pile of kitchenware.

“Yeah. Except we kiss.”

I chuckle and we get on with the job, wrapping dishes and glassware. After a while, I look up and see Cam studying me. He grabs a damp cloth from the sink and gestures to my face. “You’ve got a little something. Let me get that for you, babe.”

He steps close, and I tilt my face as he gently wipes my cheek. Our eyes lock, and time seems to slow. I’m captivated by the flecks of green and gold in his hazel eyes, and the tender way he cups my cheek. My breath catches. I cover his hand with my own, turning to press a kiss to his palm. “What would I do without you looking out for me?”

“Oh, you’d cope,” he says with a wink, his voice teasing, and his eyes full of warmth. “But it’s a good thing you’ve got me around.”

“A very good thing.” I lean in so our lips meet.

I wind my arms around his neck, pulling him against me. His hands find my hips, thumbs slipping beneath the hem of my sweatshirt to stroke the sensitive skin there. A shiver runs through me at his touch, blood rushing south. Without breaking the kiss, I walk him backwards until his back hits the kitchen wall with a soft thud. He makes a little “oomph” sound that turns into a moan as I press my body against his, our hips slotting together perfectly. He’s hard against me and I groan, roaming my hands over his chest and shoulders, relishing the firm muscle beneath the soft cotton. His fingers tangle in my hair, tugging just hard enough to send sparks of pleasure. I trail open-mouthed kisses along his jaw and down the column of his throat, tasting his skin and feeling his quickening breath. I move back to his mouth.

“The kitchen,” he murmurs.

“The kitchen can wait. There are much better ways we can spend our time.”

“Greg.” The raw need in his voice sets my blood on fire.

In one smooth motion, I maneuver him back the way we came and hoist him up onto the counter. A mug goes flying and shatters on the tile floor, but I only look at it to make sure it’s not the greatest husband mug before focusing back on the gorgeous man in front of me. His eyes are dark with desire, kiss-swollen lips parted to reveal a peek of his tongue. I step between his thighs, hands gripping his hips to pull him flush against me. He wraps his legs around me, arms twining around my neck as he draws me in. Nothing else matters in this moment—not the messy kitchen, not the broken mug. The only thing that matters is Cam.

I tilt my head as he bends to meet my lips, and we come together in another searing kiss. His tongue slides along mine as his hands stroke across my shoulders. His touch is electric and I shiver with pleasure. “You feel so good.”

Cam grins against my lips, his hands slipping under my shirt to roam across my bare skin, leaving tingling trails in their wake. “You feel pretty damn good yourself,” he murmurs, his voice husky. He nips playfully at my bottom lip before soothing the sting with his tongue.

Another bolt of electricity surges through me, desire pooling in my belly.

I run my palms up his strong thighs to the waistband of his sweats, tugging at the elastic. “These need to come off. Now.”

“Yes,” he says on an exhale.

He lifts his ass and I grab his sweatpants and briefs, dragging them down his legs while he pulls his sweatshirt over his head. We toss the clothes to the floor. I take a moment just to look at him, to drink in miles of smooth skin, the defined muscles of his chest and abs, the trail of dark hair leading down to his straining cock. He’s a work of art and he’s all mine.

“Damn, you’re gorgeous,” I say as I run a palm from his pecs to his abs. He’s a little softer than when we first met, but he’s still perfect. “I’ll never get tired of this.”

He grins. “Thank God for that. It’s all for you, babe. Only you.” He leans back on his hands, lets his thighs fall open in clear invitation. “So, what are you going to do with it?”

The heat in his gaze sends a shudder of anticipation through me. I trail my hands down his torso and over his hips until my palms are resting on his legs. His breath hitches as I press open-mouthed kisses to his inner thighs, avoiding where he wants me most. His muscles tremble under my touch.

“Babe.” He twists my hair between his fingers. “Stop teasing. Please.”

I chuckle against his skin. “So impatient. But you know I’ll always give you what you need.”

With that, I run my tongue up the underside of his shaft from base to tip before taking him into my mouth. He lets out a guttural moan, his grip on my hair tightening. The slight sting only spurs me on. I hollow my cheeks and suck hard, reveling in the heavy weight of him on my tongue, his musky taste. His hips jerk and I press my forearm across his abs to hold him in place as I find a rhythm, bobbing my head and working what I can’t take with my hand.

“Fuuck, your mouth,” Cam says, his voice shaking. He groans. “So good, babe. Don’t stop.”

I hum around him and he shudders, thighs quaking as he leans back on his arms. I love seeing him lost to pleasure. He’s stunning like this, so open with his desire. My cock throbs almost painfully against my jeans, but I focus on bringing him to the edge.

“Babe, I’m close,” he warns, his words coming between breaths.

I don’t let up, taking him as deep as I can. I want to taste him, to feel him lose control.

“Baabbe!” He stiffens, his back arching as his orgasm crashes over him.

I swallow around him, prolonging his high until he’s spent and panting. It’s only then that I release him, pressing a tender kiss to the soft skin of his groin before straightening.

Cam pulls me into a languid kiss, no doubt tasting himself on my tongue.

“You’re amazing,” he murmurs against my lips. “I love you so damn much.”

“Mmm hmm. Right back at ya.”

He chuckles as he slides from the counter, his hand palming my cock through my jeans. “Looks like it’s my turn to take care of you.”

My breath hitches as Cam strokes me through the rough denim. “Fuck, yes.”

He grins wickedly, nimble fingers making quick work of my button and zipper. Cool air hits my skin as he tugs my jeans and briefs down my hips, freeing my aching cock. I step out of them, kicking them aside.

“Look at you,” Cam murmurs. “All worked up for me.” He wraps a hand around my length, giving a firm stroke from base to tip.

Heat races up my spine and my hips jerk into his touch. “Always,” I manage to gasp out.

He rewards me with another stroke, thumb circling the sensitive head and smearing the bead of moisture there. I groan as I lose myself to the sensation of his hands on me. He knows me so well—knows what I like and how to use it to his advantage. He sets a leisurely pace, working me from root to tip until I’m panting and trembling, desperate for more.

“Cam, please,” I beg, voice strained. I need the heat of his mouth around me.

With a final pump, he sinks to the floor. The wood must be hard under his knees, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He leans forward, hot breath ghosting over my heated skin. I shudder, but I don’t have to wait long. He envelopes me in wet heat.

I drag my sweatshirt over my head and toss it aside, needing to see him better.

He looks up, hazel eyes dark, mouth stretched around me. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly pulls off until just the head rests on his tongue. My legs shake as he swirls his tongue around the tip, dipping into the slit, before sinking back down in one smooth motion. My eyes squeeze shut as I’m engulfed in tight wet heat again.

Cam sets a steady rhythm, taking me deep, then pulling back to lavish attention around my crown. The sensation is almost overwhelming, pleasure coiling tighter and tighter in my core.

“Close,” I warn him, my grip on his hair tightening. “Gonna come.”

He doubles his efforts, cheeks hollowing as he sucks hard. A few more pulls and I’m gone, my orgasm crashing over me. My hips jerk as I spill into his mouth. He works me through it until I’m a spent and boneless. I sink to the floor, my back against the cabinets, pulling Cam down to my side.

He slumps against me and when I meet his gaze, he smiles and waggles his brows. “Told you it’s a very good thing you’ve got me around.”

I chuckle, still catching my breath. We’re surrounded by half-packed boxes and discarded clothing. Cam nudges a piece of broken crockery with his socked foot. It’s a mess. We’re a mess. My chuckle turns into a laugh—I love the spontaneity of our relationship.

Cam grins at me and shakes his head as he clamors to his feet and holds out a hand. I allow him to haul me up. I watch as he bends and picks up his sweats, slipping his legs into them and dragging them up his thighs. The waistband rests low on his hips, emphasizing his narrow waist and broad shoulders, and I’m tempted to continue where we left off.

“Uh-huh, no you don’t,” Cam says, as if he can read my mind.

He probably can.

“Bu—”

“Grreegg,” he says, raising a finger and the words die on my tongue.

Giving in, I grab his well-worn Collier’s Creek Bisons sweatshirt from the floor and toss it his way. “Well, you’d better put this on or we’ll never get it done.”

He huffs a laugh and pulls the fabric over his head. “It’ll be worth it.”

Yes, it will.