The Bad Boy’s Secret Santa (Christmas in Alpine Valley #9)

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

ELI

Armed with two cups of coffee—one caramel expresso for me, one white chocolate peppermint mocha with extra whipped cream for Piper—I follow the path around the east side of the four-plex to her front door. I hope the caffeine will be enough to coax her out of hiding after the way she disappeared from the VFW party the other night.

I’ve given her two days, sensing she needed some space and threw myself into preparing Roy’s house for sale. Though the house was in meticulous shape, the yard was another matter. I’m still shocked that she joined the Army shortly after high school. Turns out Piper Stanton is more badass than I ever was.

A reindeer crafted from reclaimed wood sits beside the front step, a sign hanging from its neck that reads Must Believe in Christmas Magic to Enter . Through the window, colorful lights dimly twinkle from a fat, fully decorated Christmas tree. It reminds me of the way she used to love the tree lighting ceremony in town. Used to? I bet she still does. I wonder if that’s happened yet, or if I arrived too late?

I bump the doorbell with my elbow.

A holiday song breaks off mid chorus a few seconds before the door opens.

“What are you doing here, Eli?” Piper asks, her tone exasperated.

“Good morning to you, too.” I hold out her mocha in offering. “We have a full day ahead of us.”

“We do?”

“I thought we’d start at the food bank, then stop by the toy drive down at the church—though I might burst into flames just walking into that place—and then maybe we’d round out the day stopping by the community club.”

She doesn’t say anything, but she’s quick to snatch the coffee. Taking a cautious sip, she allows the door to open a little more. Revealing more of the curvy beauty in skin-tight leggings and a loose, long-sleeved red shirt that hangs off one shoulder. No bra strap . Her blonde hair is pulled back into a messy bun. This is the first time I’ve seen Piper without her perfectly applied makeup in years.

What I wouldn’t give to wake up next to this natural beauty every morning for the rest of my life.

“Hit the spot, did it?” I ask now that her expression has softened.

She licks her lips. “You remembered.”

“I remember a lot, Pipes.”

She shakes her head, stepping back and opening the door the rest of the way. “You might as well come in and make yourself comfortable. I can’t go anywhere looking like this.”

I’m about to make a suggestive comment about staying in and enjoying the way she looks behind closed doors, but the explosion of Christmas in her apartment robs me of words.

Garland borders the windows and doorways. Lights are pinned along the ceiling. There are several cutesy holiday signs, festive snowmen, and presents sprinkled throughout. A stack of Christmas DVDs sits haphazardly on the coffee table, next to an open laptop.

“If I’d known you were coming, I still wouldn’t have warned you.”

That’s the Piper I fucking love—strong-willed and unapologetic. I meet her in the kitchen space, doing a dance until she’s backed up against the counter, caged against it by my arms. “I’m happy to return the favor, Pipes.”

“What favor?” But her voice has gone husky.

“Surprising you when you come.”

She takes another sip of her coffee, staring at my chest. As though contemplating something that runs deeper than words. So, when the cup parts from her lips, she doesn’t speak. She simply spins around, putting her back to me so she can fiddle with empty measuring cups on the counter.

I lean my mouth close to her ear and say, “Or did you already make yourself come this morning?”

She stiffens, as if caught red-handed.

“Were you thinking of me, Pipes?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The nonchalance from earlier is gone, and in its place is a squeak of desperation. As if she could hide the truth from me.

“You naughty girl, you did touch yourself while you were thinking of me.” I drop a hand to her hip, resting my fingers there. Giving her plenty of time to push them away. To stop what I’m about to do next. Instead, she arches her lower back the slightest, nudging that perfect ass against me. Grazing my cock, bringing it to half-mast in two seconds flat. “Will you show me?”

“You’d like that too much.”

“You used to like it too,” I remind her. “Playing with yourself and letting me watch.”

“Too bad you missed the show.” She moans the last word as my fingers slide over her upper thigh and give it a gentle squeeze.

“Guess I’ll have to settle for an encore, then.” I reach a fingertip past her thigh, brushing it ever so lightly against her mound. Hitting a patch of wetness through the thin fabric. “Certainly seems like you’re wet enough for one.”

Piper flattens both palms against the countertop and turns to look over her shoulder. “This is a bad idea,” she says, licking her lips in invitation.

“A very bad idea,” I agree.

“So you better hurry before I come to my senses.”

I don’t have to be told twice before closing the gap between us and pressing my mouth to hers. The kiss is only gentle for a single moment in time. The hunger that’s burned inside me for Piper Stanton for the past decade is demanding to be set loose. Our mouths seek one another with a passion so strong it could start a wildfire in a hurricane.

I slip my hand beneath her leggings and panties, diving right for her wetness. She grinds her ass against my rock-hard cock, moaning into my mouth. I snake my other hand up her shirt, discovering my no-bra observation was correct. I squeeze a tit in rhythm to our mouths. In time with my hand between her legs. It’s a symphony of pleasure I never want to stop playing.

“God, I’ve missed this,” I say against the hollow of her neck. “I’ve missed you .”

I spin her around and yank down her leggings, kneeling before her. I grip the back of her legs, arching her pussy into my eager face. She struggles to hang onto the counter, pulling a towel off the stove rack in the process. I hear the clamor of metal bowls against measuring cups as a cookbook goes flying, but I don’t dare stop.

I devour her pussy, suffocating myself in her sweet cunt until she comes apart.

Her body shudders against my face as she cries out in ecstasy, her juices smearing my cheeks. I lap up every last drop my tongue can reach until her body stills. She slumps to the floor, not fighting me when I catch her in my lap. Her hair is messier than ever, her smile very sated.

This just feels right .

I kiss her sweetly and thoroughly, cupping her cheek with my hand. I’m not letting you go again , my heart swears to hers even though I know it’s too soon to say the words. I’m bringing you with me when I go. Just like I promised I would.

Her tongue flicks out, catching the side of my neck, just under my ear and sweet turns to spice all over again. My cock throbs with need to be inside her. She seems to know it too, because she flattens her palm against my crotch and grips my shaft through my jeans.

I groan, wanting nothing more than to let her free my cock.

“Pipes.”

“Mmm?” The sound vibrates against my neck, where her lips are pressed. Her fingers have unbuckled my belt and are tugging at my zipper.

I clamp my hand over her wrist, wishing like hell that there was time to let her play with my cock. I’d make her reapply that red lipstick first, though. Later. “They’re expecting us at the food bank in ten minutes.” I draw her mouth to mine once more, kissing her quickly, leaving no room for misunderstanding. I want her with every fiber of my being. “You better go shower.”