Every December [Soon to be Self Published]

Chapter 20

Lydia

The timer has started. Soon as Ashley and Nick arrive, things are going to be different. My time with just A.J. is going to be over. I need to decide where I'm staying and what I want. All of this with snow most likely coming tonight.

I'm in the middle of unpacking the ingredients to make cookies when my gaze catches our envelopes from our bet. They're still unopened. I have a good idea of what he wants. I smile at the star he drew so I wouldn't cheat and look. Whatever he wrote down will be blunt, yet shrewd, but in a cute way. I've never been with someone like him and I'm finding fewer reasons why, when this is over, I shouldn't be more open to a guy who makes me laugh--who just makes the ordinary special.

"Lydia, come here, I want to show you something," A.J. says.

I limp over to the room with the television and halt in the doorway. A.J. is standing next to the mantel. It's lit with white Christmas lights and two stockings. One with an L and one with an A. "It was either the letters or tacky bells."

I go over to him, to the mantel, and I run my finger along the A. "You're like a new man."

His hand falls on my hip, holding me snug against him. My heart-already beating loudly, triples with a rush of energy. A.J.'s grip is warm, spreading heat like a fast-burning fire. His fingers stroke my inner thighs, toying with me, not touching me in the one place desperate to feel him, but all of me on edge waiting for the second he does. My skin soaks up his touch, my muscles flexing into his palms silently saying touch me, want me, give to me.

His hand shifts between my legs, swiping the arc, grazing the one spot I'm desperate for him to claim. My heat chases him all the same. My muscles clenching in anticipation. I'm already wet for him. He moves his fingers freely and comes back to my center. I'm caught with my breath held at the look in his eyes, dominance, need, heavy desire. I have never looked into a man's eyes like this before, like I'm staring into my future. And yet, I know this will end. I know in the base of my heart these moments are fleeting. What we have is here. When we go back to our eyes we'll lose this. He inches my thighs apart, stroking me over my leggings, his gaze bright and crackling as he watches me. "Give me something to remember for when this is over." I put my hand over his and press him hard against the space I need him to occupy.

He takes my mouth without apology. A.J.'s rough kiss turns sensual and dark, every movement freezing my doubts to be thawed later. His mouth catches mine, driving me close to him, flicking his tongue around mine, tracing my lips with his. "Take off my shirt," he whisper-commands. I peel it off him, my gaze riveted on his strong, lean chest. His body wound and taut, his desire steeled and tented. I look at it and bring my gaze to his, finding his eyes dark pools of need. I lower my hand, watching him watch me, my hand splaying over his rigid cock pushing against his jeans. He puts a hand on my wrist, stopping me. "We're going to need a bed," he whispers and we move towards the guest room.

"I need you right here." I run my hand over the bulge between his legs. It's exciting, to feel this power with someone. To have him take whatever I'm giving like I could ask him for anything and he would give it to me. Like nothing is off-limits with what I want and what he's willing to give. "Is that okay?"

"Fuck yes, Lydia. You can have me wherever you want." A.J. lowers his mouth to mine silencing my worries, my breath, my nervous heart. His hands slide down my sides and grab my rear, bringing me tight against him. His lips are on my neck, my jaw, the spot beneath my ear. He curls his arms around me, lifting me, ready to carry me to the nearest bed.

It's the knock at the door that causes us both to still. We look at each other with disbelief and annoyance.

Another knock.