Under the Mistletoe Read online

  “Move me?” she breathed, still fucking me, but this time, her eyes were square on mine.

  “Got a place up in the mountains. I want you there with me. I want what’s mine under one roof.”

  She frowned then, her pussy tightening around my dick before her nails dug into my chest.

  “You’re such a fucking Neanderthal.” She sucked in a breath, pushing herself off me and leaving my dick hard and wondering what the fuck just happened. “I have to get to work.”

  Cold shoulder.

  Ouch.

  “Wait, what the fuck is wrong with wanting what’s mine in my bed every night?” I stood, cock leaking and begging to be cozy and warm in her body. She pulled her scrub pants up her legs then shrugged the top over her shoulders.

  I narrowed my eyes when she swiped her purse, gave Twinkles a soft pat, and then headed for the door.

  “Wait a fucking minute. Talk to me.”

  She shuddered her eyes closed, sucking in a deep breath before opening the door. “Take your time. Don’t forget to lock the door on the way out. I’ll call you when I get off work.”

  I followed Aurora onto the front step, my balled-up shirt covering my junk as I stood on her front porch in twenty-degree temperatures.

  “I just need a minute, okay?” She pecked me on the cheek, forcing a smile. A smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

  Fuck, I had no idea what I’d done. After the weekend we’d just spent together, totally raw and unfiltered, I thought nothing was off-limits. And now this was the thing that sent her over the edge? Talking about moving her in to my place?

  Well, what kind of man would I be if I didn't want her in my place? I’d emptied my fucking seed into her, done my damn well best to breed that sweet cunt and make her mine for life, and now she was walking away?

  “Aurora—”

  “I’ll call you later, Dec, I promise.”

  Fuck, I knew I’d told her that nickname, but for some reason, I hated it coming out of her mouth. It was only reserved for the guys. I wanted to be Declan with her. Good enough to keep her.

  My heart crashed in my chest as I watched her pull out of the driveway and head the few blocks to the hospital.

  I bit my teeth down on my lip, backing back into her house, stumbling over Twinkles as I went. The cat growled long and slow, looking up at me with accusing eyes.

  “Not sure how I fucked that one up.” I bent to give the cat a scratch on its head. She meowed and swiped at my hand. “You too, now? What is it with chicks?”

  I spun around, pulling my boxers and jeans up my thighs before pausing to look at the Christmas tree we’d decorated together Saturday morning. The remaining box of Christmas decorations sat on the floor, waiting to be hung.

  Suddenly, a light bulb went off when I realized maybe it wasn’t me she didn't want to live with. Maybe it was this house. Maybe it meant something special, and my girl was fiercely independent. Fuck, I didn’t even care where we lived. I just thought my space was bigger, and hell, I’d built it with my own hands. It’d pain me to sell it, but I’d get a pretty penny for it, and then I could build her whatever she wanted.

  Aurora was in control here, always had been. I just needed her to see that.

  Swiping the first string of lights I saw, I grabbed the hammer and a few nails, shoving them deep into my pocket and heading out into the cold wind.

  I’d decorate the fuck out of this place, surprise her when she came home, tell her I was sorry for fucking up, and we could live wherever she wanted to live.

  I couldn't wrap my brain around the possibility that she didn’t want to live with me at all. I wasn’t prepared to deal with that scenario yet, and I was pretty fucking sure I never would be. Spending a day without Aurora wasn’t an option anymore.

  She’d just have to get used to my ass.

  *

  I pulled into the ER parking lot later that night, ready to pick my girl up from her shift. I had a surprise.

  Her mouth popped open in a perfect little O the second she saw me walk through the sliding glass doors. Christ, I wanted nothing more than to fill it up with my leaking dick, but that would have to wait till later.

  “Callaghan.” She shook her head, fighting the smile turning her lips.

  “Declan to you, baby.” I scooped her up into my arms and planted a wet kiss on her mouth. I hoped every asshole doctor in this place saw who she belonged to.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Thought I’d pick my girl up after a long day. Don’t want you driving home in the snowstorm.”

  “Sweet.” She crawled down out of my arms, closing her laptop. “I can drive. It’s no big deal.”

  “It’s a big deal to me.” I locked her hand in mine, walking out the front doors I’d just walked in, this time, with the woman of my dreams with me. “I’ll have one of the guys drive your car home tomorrow.”

  “You really don’t have to—”

  “What did I tell you about worrying about what I have to do? I want to take care of my girl. Period.”

  She narrowed her eyes as we walked across the parking lot, wind whipping her ponytail as I lifted her up into my truck. I cranked the heat, aiming it at her to warm the sting the cold wind left on her cheeks.

  “Did you go to work today?” She cocked her head to the side, noticing for the first time I was in a good pair of jeans and clean shirt.

  “Nah, been busy. Plus, I didn’t figure you’d like me smelling like sawdust all the time.”

  “Mmm.” She slid closer on the bench seat. “I love the smell of you and sawdust, actually. Something about all that man-work turns me on.”

  I couldn't help the laugh that filled the cab at her statement. “Well, gotta feeling you’re gonna like this, then.”

  “Oh?” She slipped her hand down my thigh just as we pulled into the driveway of her house. “Declan!” She covered her mouth with her hand.

  I winked, turning off the truck and clasping her hand in mine. Pulling her out of the cab, I walked her up the steps, stopping for a minute to admire my handiwork.

  “It looks like Christmas threw up all over my house.”

  I laughed, taking her under my arm as her eyes wandered across the hundreds of tiny lightbulbs that wrapped around her house.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “That’s not all.” I smirked, pulling her into my arms and carrying her up the steps. I brought her over the threshold then set her down in the kitchen. A three-course meal was waiting for her, spread out with fine silverware and candles I’d pulled from my house. She didn’t have much here for entertaining, so I’d had to make do, but after a quick stop at the market, I’d done pretty well.

  “It smells amazing.”

  “Tastes amazing too. Got my recipe from my mom. Never made it before in my life, but she walked me through it step-by-step over the phone, so I’m hoping…” I caught a glimpse of tears welling in Aurora’s eyes.

  “No one’s ever done this for me before.”

  “Are you kidding?” I tugged her against me, spinning her to face the living room so she could see what else I’d been up to.

  “Holy shit.”

  “Thought you’d like it.” I’d emptied the box of decorations she’d left in the living room, then picked up more stuff from the store. I wanted this to be the most festive house on the block, because that’s what she'd given me. Holiday fucking cheer. I didn’t even like to admit it to myself, it was so damn sappy, but here I was, looking forward to the holiday with my girl.

  “You didn’t—”

  “Shut up, would you?” I covered her mouth in a kiss, probing with my tongue, tasting all she had to give. “Wanted to show you just how much I love you, just how much you’ve changed my outlook. My life.”

  Her eyes swam with unshed tears.

  “I’ll live wherever you are, Aurora. We can stay right here, and I’ll sell my place up on the mountain. It’s closer to work anyway, makes more sense. I always pictured a family in th
at place, kids running up and down the stairs, playing in the backyard, but wherever you are is my home. You're the only thing that matters now.”

  “Declan…God.” Tears finally trailed down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry I flipped out this morning. It’s just all happening so fast, and you should know… I had a kinda fucked-up childhood. My mom just hopped from one guy to the next. I think she liked falling in love more than being in love. So when you said it last night, and then again this morning, telling me we were going to move… God, it’s not even like I care about moving—this place is falling apart, but it was my first house, and I hate change. I hate it. You scare me, Declan. Everything about how amazing this is scares me. But I was talking to a girlfriend at work today—”

  “You were talking about me?” I grinned like a little kid. Hell, I liked being on her mind.

  “And she said I was being ridiculous.”

  “Ah.” I pulled her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Sounds like she and I would get along.”

  Aurora swatted me on the shoulder. “I love you, Callaghan. You drive me fucking nuts most of the time, but I think I love that too.”

  “That’s my girl.” I hoisted her in my arms, attaching our lips and planting her ass on the counter. I pulled the pants off her legs, tearing the little Santa Claus panties from her ass, then tore my zipper down and sank balls deep into my girl.

  I slammed into her, thrusting so deep my eyes rolled back in my head. Her eyes were riveted, watching us where we connected, my thick cock fucking in and out of her tight channel. Her cunt gripped on to my dick like she never wanted to let me go, every stroke leaving a thick coating of juice, her pussy dripping to the root of my cock and driving my need for her forward.

  Her arousal puddled on the kitchen island as the smacking of flesh against flesh echoed around the room.

  The damn cat meowed, and neither one of us even cared.

  I was here to stay; Twinkles would have to get used to it.

  I pulled Aurora’s top over her head, desperate to feast on her pretty tits. As I pulled down the straps of her bra, her tits fell out of the cups and bounced, heavy and full with every thrust.

  My mouth watered, and I sucked a nipple into my mouth, kneading at the other one and taking my time, stroking every last nerve she had. I wanted her lit up like that fucking Christmas tree, singing like an angel and begging for more.

  “Rub that gorgeous pussy, Snow. I’m so close, and I want you with me.”

  She obeyed, fingers rubbing through the slick juices of her cunt. Her hand worked against my shaft, sliding and slipping as she rubbed herself and me where we connected. I scooped up some of her cream with my thumb, pushing it into her mouth and watching riveted as she sucked and licked obediently.

  Sliding in and out, seeing my dick disappear and reappear as I fucked her had me nearly going cross-eyed.

  “Declan…” she moaned, pussy clenching before an orgasm crashed through her. That gorgeous little cunt began a slow press on my cock, the walls vibrating around me and sending me into another orbit. She squeezed the come right out of me, a hot jet of semen coating her pussy. And every time her body contracted, another sweet squirt emptied into her.

  Sucking in sharp breaths, I did my best to come back to earth. Wrapping my arms around her body, I picked her up off the counter, cock still nestled deep, and carried her back to the bedroom.

  The past few days with Aurora Snow had been heaven. I had no idea love could feel this real, and every day, she made me happier and happier. It may have only been a few days, but with her, I already felt like I was home.

  I wanted this woman in my bed forever, and whatever it would take to do that, that’s what I would do.

  I might have made her a fancy-ass dinner that was turning cold in the other room, but hell if that couldn’t wait.

  I had my own feast to devour tonight.

  First Epilogue

  Aurora - Christmas Eve

  “You’d better quit, or I’m going to drop dessert.”

  “Mmm, promise it will be worth it.” His voice rippled through me, sending shivers down my spine and making me want to say to hell with the dessert we were bringing to his mom’s house tomorrow in favor of fucking him right here on the marble kitchen floor.

  No wonder Declan had assumed I’d be moving in to his place. It was beautiful from top to bottom. Two-story fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, a top-of-the-line kitchen… It was heaven.

  I half wished for a storm just to be snowed in up in the mountains with him.

  “Looks done to me anyway.” He poked at the tiramisu with one finger, licking the chocolate off as I set the dish on the counter.

  “Hands off, Callaghan!” I giggled when he spun me in his arms, carrying me across the kitchen and into the living room. He plopped me on a pile of blankets, a little nest he’d made in front of the fire where we’d been camping out all afternoon.

  The man had plenty of oversized leather couches for sitting, but somehow, being down on the floor in front of the fireplace while snow swirled around outside felt so much sweeter.

  “You’re wearing too many clothes,” he grunted.

  “I’m only wearing an apron!” I huffed, giggling again at the memory of him insisting “If you’re going to cook, it’d better be naked.” I’d learned to stop wearing panties around the house too—I was sick of having to replenish them every few weeks when he ripped through them all.

  “Exactly.” He pulled the neck strap of the apron over my head and discarded the messy garment, then laid me back onto our little love nest.

  “I’ve got a confession,” he breathed, sliding his palms up my torso.

  “Oh?” I purred.

  “Should have told you this last week, maybe before.” He kissed his way down my neck, latching on to my nipple as the tip of his cock nudged between my thighs.

  I groaned, arching in search of him.

  “Greedy pussy, huh?” He cocked my hips up to meet him, angling me just right so he could slide into me. I sighed, clutching at the broad muscles of his shoulders, losing a little touch of reality whenever he was inside me. “Been carrying something around with me.”

  His heavy breath washed over my skin, lighting my nerves on fire.

  Something about this man lived inside me, had taken root and refused to let go. From the first moment we’d met, I’d known it; I just hadn’t wanted to believe it.

  He fisted the root of his cock in his hand then, tilting it deeper, sliding in and out of me at a new, even more delicious angle.

  “Love when you beg for my dick, Snow,” he teased, licking at the skin between my breasts. “But you should know, it’s me who’s begging you. Begging you’ll have me. Begging you’ll be mine.”

  “I already am, Callaghan.” The words came out ragged, desperate.

  “Yeah, baby, I know.” He fucked me harder, pounding me deep with masterful strokes. “But I want all of you.” He lifted my hand in the air, pausing only a moment before he was settling a heavy diamond engagement ring on my finger.

  My heart flew into my throat, and tears instantly burned behind my eyelids.

  “I own this sweet cunt—” he thrust quickly “—I own this body—” he hit the end of me “—and I want the rest of you, heart and soul.”

  His lips attached themselves to mine, and he fucked me with his tongue, long and slow, stealing my breath. “I’d like to think I’m a modern man who doesn't need his woman to take his name and all that shit, but truth is, I need it. I need to know you're mine. I need everyone else to know who you belong to. I share you enough at the hospital already. I need you in my life permanently, Snow. Marry me, put me out of my damn misery. I’m yours, I need you to be mine.”

  My eyes latched on to his, his words rattling around in my heart as tears began a slow slide down my cheeks. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes!”

  His hands locked with mine, our lips melded as his thrusts grew more erratic, his hips hit me at just the right angle to draw an
orgasm from me. My own orgasm set his off, and he started coming hard and fast inside me. “You didn’t even have to ask, Declan Callaghan. I’ve been yours since the first damn moment we met. I couldn’t get you out of my mind then, and I can’t now. No matter how much I may have tried at first.”

  His grin crooked up, his sweet lips kissing down my arm, across the inside of my elbow, then landing on the rock that sat atop my finger. It was beautiful. So was he.

  I’d never imagined life could be the sweet.

  I’d never imagined the holidays could be this happy.

  I’d never imagined I’d meet the cockiest bastard in all of Snowpass Mountain, and then I’d marry him.

  “I love you, Declan.”

  “Love you so much more, Snow.” He pressed his lips to mine in another kiss. “My beautiful ice queen.”

  “Mm, are you ever gonna let me live that down?”

  “Not if I can help it.” He slid out of me, nestling me into his side as the flames of the fire licked and warmed us. “Now, stay still, want to make sure my come stays right where it belongs.”

  “Oh my God, my favorite Neanderthal.”

  “This Neanderthal is soon to be your husband.”

  “What a turn of events,” I sighed, pulling him back to me. I couldn't get enough of my fiancé. And the way he was looking at me right now, like he couldn't wait to eat me again, was the only proof I needed that he couldn't get enough of me either.

  I was lucky to find such an amazing man to love me so unconditionally. He knew just what I needed, even when I didn’t know I needed it. He put up with my mood swings and took all my sass in stride. But he was pretty lucky to find me, too.

  I grinned up at him, unable to keep the happiness from taking over my face.

  “Finding you is better than winning the lottery, Snow.” He slipped his hand between my thighs, dancing it around the bud of my clit again. “Gonna be torture waiting for the day I can give you my name.”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re an impatient man, Callaghan?” “Only you, baby. Only ever you.”

  Second Epilogue