When in December (Home Haven #1)

Chapter 22

twenty-two

. . .

Poppy

My entire body shook with the anticipation of what was happening.

This cannot be happening, my brain screamed.

It was though. It really was.

My gaze was unwavering from Aaron as he took a few steps back to give me a better view. Lifting my hands to my lips, as if to hide my amusement of how we were going about this whole thing, I barked a laugh that did not sound dainty in the slightest.

But I didn’t tell him to stop.

I wanted the exact opposite of him stopping.

“Waiting, Snow Angel,” he teased with a curl of his lip. “Are you all talk, or are you going to ravish me?”

“You’ve been reading too many of your grandmother’s old bodice rippers.” I shakily took a step toward him.

“That’s not true,” he said, though we both knew it was. “If it were, I’d be the rake.”

“I can see it.”

“And you’d be the sweet debutant I’d compromise. You, of course, wouldn’t know any better before the devilish rake exposed you to a world of desire and pleasure at his own hands.”

I giggled, reaching out to him. He grabbed my hand, pulling me in.

“I think you should get new books.”

“I don’t know. I think you’ll like what they taught me.”

His skin radiated a golden warmth, highlighted by the soft glow of lamplight in the room. My eyes traveled down his bare chest, admiring the hard muscles and defined lines, while I also felt a sense of nervousness and longing.

I wasn’t used to playing this role—the seductress. I was always just Poppy.

Safe.

Boring.

Often, I was a disappointment, which I never wanted to be ever again as long as I had the choice and capability.

Fingers lifted my chin until I looked up, meeting Aaron’s cool eyes, half lidded with obvious desire. Desire for me.

I gulped.

“I sure hope that look isn’t about me,” he whispered.

“No,” I said immediately. “Me. Only ever me.”

“Don’t be nervous. I’ve waited for the girl who made me feel whole for over a decade. You take your time with me.”

My heart took off in my chest. My fingers trembled slightly as they grazed over the skin of his neck. He arched it to the side so I could have better access, gently running my fingertips back and forth until I was cupping the back of his head and sliding over his back.

Even with his clothes on, I never realized how strong years of intense workouts and training had made him. Not only that, but it was as if he was emanating warmth, seeping into me through my skin like a poison—or maybe a salve, igniting a small fire, smoldering on embers for so long. Since Lincoln, I’d never thought I’d feel this kind of way ever again. Or maybe it had been since I’d met Aaron for the first time.

Finding the buttons at the top of his shirt, I slowly undressed him. Each piece of clothing fell away to reveal more of his taut body. He didn’t stop me as I took my time, marveling at the sight that felt much different from when I’d accidentally caught him coming out of the shower or when he’d openly walked around the house without a shirt.

This was given, and Aaron’s breath picked up as he watched me.

I traced the curve of his muscles, the strength in his frame. All of it was mesmerizing. And the way he looked at me, with such intensity and desire, made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

Aaron’s own hands, as if unable to help themselves any longer, reached up to touch my shoulders and down to my waist.

He looked at me. “May I?”

I nodded.

He gently pulled on the tiny white ribbon holding my dress together, letting it fall open to reveal the lacy slip beneath. His chin dropped to his chest. He chuckled softly, the rumble in his chest sending a shiver down my spine. “So many layers.”

He pushed my velvet dress back over my shoulders, helping me to step out of it before he took over, picking me up and carrying me down the hallway that was gently lit with lights that kept the historical integrity of the home, but now flickered, washing his bare frame in gold.

“You amaze me,” he whispered, voice barely audible, but perfect for me to hear as let my toes skim back against the bedroom floor before I was standing front of him on my own feet.

And it was us.

I swallowed hard, feeling the sincerity in his gaze. “I’ve wanted this,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

I reached up, feeling bold as I pulled his head down until our lips met again. This time, there was no hesitation, no uncertainty. Maybe both us wanted and waited for this much more than either of could say with words.

Every touch was electric, every kiss searing.

We collapsed onto his bed, kicking away the smoothed and folded comforter and perfectly selected sheets that not even I could care about. Our bodies remained moving, hungry for more.

I felt the weight of years of longing and desire wash over me like a tidal wave. I was drowning in it. The passion. The intensity. All of it. It was overwhelming, yet it was all I had ever wanted but would never admit.

We continued to move together, our bodies entwined, our hands exploring every inch—from the smooth swaths of skin to the puckered scars we’d each accumulated over the years, though he certainly had more than me.

I whispered his name, a prayer, a promise.

“I don’t want this to end,” I gasped, feeling my breath catch in my throat as I held him to me.

“Then, I’d better make this worthwhile,” Aaron said with another small chuckle.

The sound made my heart soar as I laughed with him.

His eyes locked with mine, a fire igniting between us. I could feel the force of his desire, the electricity of his longing. It was intoxicating.

Yet even as we drove each other to the brink of pleasure, I couldn’t help but feel that hint of fear that I wished would shut up but wouldn’t.

He would go back to his plan of rejoining the army and I would finish up the project.

And this was it.

That was that.

My thoughts were cut short as our lips met once more, and his hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. The warmth of his body enveloped me, and at that moment, I knew I really didn’t want this to end. Not his whispers, telling me how beautiful I was as I melted into him. Not the gasps escaping our lips, adding to the enticing soundtrack.

Everyone was right about me. I got in too deep.

Too easily.

As we collapsed beside each other, our breaths ragged and our bodies still shaking, I held on to this feeling.

Let it consume me.

If only for now.

I had right now.

“Don’t think like that.” Aaron traced my features.

“Like what?” I whispered, not trusting my voice, which came out scratchy from use already.

The sound seemed to delight him.

“Like it’s already over. It’s not. It’s only the beginning.”

And as if he had something to prove, he showed me so.