'Tis the Season

Chapter 21: Hot Cocoa

Chapter Twenty-One: Hot Cocoa

Monday goes by quickly, and before I know it it's Tuesday again. Two weeks. I've officially known Carson for two weeks now. It feels like it's been a lifetime. Maybe that has to do with the insane amount of time we spend together since we live in the same home now, but I have a feeling that it goes deeper than those circumstances. I don't know if I believe in soulmates, but if they're real I have no doubts that Carson is mine.

There are only ten days until Christmas Eve, and each day leading up to it Carson has decided he wants us to do some holiday- related activity together. He says it's his way of making sure I get the kind of Christmas that I missed out on for so many years.

I can't deny that I'm slightly skeptical of his idea. It wasn't like my family was devoid of holiday activities- they just always seemed to end in disaster. Nevertheless, his excitement is too contagious for his own good and I find myself agreeing with a big grin as he starts to make a checklist of the ten best festive activities for our next ten days to consist of.

I wrap my arms around him and peer over his shoulder as he finishes writing the last couple down. "So, what do you have planned today?"

He turns his head, his smile glorious. "Well, we've already decorated a tree together, kissed under mistletoe, done a secret Sana, watched holiday movies, gone out in the snow, worn ugly Christmas sweaters, and even seen the Nutcracker," he lists off and I sit back on my heels, stunned.

Without even realizing it, Carson already had me checking off numerous traditional Christmas bucket list items. And I had enjoyed each and every second of all of them. I'm in complete awe of his ability to bring happiness to my life.

"So I figured tonight, we can drive around and look at some Christmas lights, maybe drink some hot cocoa?" I smile and sit up closer to him again.

"That sounds perfect. But what will we do until then?"

Carson discards his calendar and pen off to the side before lowering his face closer to mine, his eyes set on my lips. "I'm sure we'll find something," he whispers, before closing the distance between us with a kiss.

I grin into the kiss, and my smile widens when I feel him grin back. I fall backwards onto his bed, my hands firmly in his hair dragging him and his kisses down with me, not that he makes any attempt to pull away.

I giggle a little, buoyant in my happiness right now. Carson breaks the kiss at that and smiles down at me, chuckling. "What's so funny, baby?"

"Nothing. I'm just so happy I don't even know what to do with myself. And it's all because of you," I tell him, my cheeks beginning to hurt from my smile. Carson chuckles at me again, his already light eyes brightening as he leans down and claims my lips with his own once more.

Our kisses start to get more and more heated, my hands tangling in Carson's hair and his tracing the outlines of my body slowly. We haven't talked much about taking the next step intimately, but right now that doesn't seem to matter. Our bodies are communicating loud and clear that they are ready for us to finish what we've started, and they seem to be more in control than our brains right now.

In the back of my head, I register that Ryan and Everleigh are at work and school and Emilia is out for lunch with a friend. I don't know if Connor is home, I haven't seen him much since the part Sunday, actually, but I don't care at the moment.

My hands creep down to the hem of Carson's shirt slowly at the same time his hands slip softly underneath mine. His skin is cold against my stomach, but that's not the cause of my shiver at the sudden contact.

He breaks our kiss one last time, staring into my eyes with a heat and yearning I'm sure is reflected back in my own. "Naomi," his voice is deeper than normal and slightly strained. "I don't want to rush you, if you want to stop-"

"I don't," I cut him off and pull his face back down to mine.

❆ ❆ ❆

Carson is perfect. I've come to the conclusion that absolutely nothing will change my stance on that statement. He was the most gentle and honest lover I've ever had. I was extremely happy with the way our moment played out and, based on the praise he gave me while we cuddled after, he felt the same.

Part of me just wanted to stay in his bed with him for the rest of the night, continuing what we'd started, but as soon as Carson noticed the sun had set he insisted that we get up and get dressed and ready to go look at the lights.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I took a quick shower and changed into one of Carson's hoodies and my leggings. I, as I always do when I wear his clothes, made sure to take a deep inhale as I slipped it over my head and did a few silly little hops of joy as his scent overpowered my senses.

Carson knocked on my door soon after, letting me know he was going to start his car so it could warm up, so I hurried myself along with applying just a bit of makeup and putting my hair in a quick ponytail with one of the scrunchies Emilia had gifted me.

When I got downstairs, I immediately headed for the kitchen. Carson was already boiling water for the hot cocoa and smiled when he saw me walk in, coming over to wrap his arms around me.

I closed my eyes and squeezed him tightly, letting out a contented sigh.

"I think you're adorable in my clothes," he whispers into my hair.

"Good, because I'm planning on wearing them often."

He chuckles and goes back over to finish our mugs. As he finishes stirring the cocoa powder into the first one, Connor enters the kitchen and freezes.

"Hi, Connor," I greet him casually as he refuses to make eye contact.

"Yeah, I...." He shakes his head and closes his eyes for a second before turning around and walking right back out of the room, empty handed.

I feel my face heat up and my eyes widen as I look over to Carson in a panic. "Oh, no! You don't think he...?" Carson gives me a sheepish smile and plops some mini marshmallows on top of the drinks.

"Yeah, I guess so. Don't worry, he wasn't exactly a saint towards the end of high school and his start of college. I overheard him plenty of times, it's incredibly disgusting and uncomfortable for the first twenty-four hours, but you get over it quickly because you force yourself to forget."

I cover my face with my hands and groan softly as Carson leads me through the house and out to the car.

"I hate myself right now," I mumble, strapping into the passenger seat.

"Well, I'd say don't be so loud next time, but I actually quite enjoyed it," Carson winks and I slap him lightly, blushing even more.

"I take it back- I actually hate you!"

Carson laughs as he pulls out of the driveway and starts us on our mission to find the house with the prettiest lights. "False. I think you actually love me," he teases. I suck in a breath and look out my window, sipping my hot cocoa as a way to avoid acknowledging that comment.

You're right, Carson. I think I actually do.

A/N: I'm sorry, I know this chapter is shorter but I was crazy busy yesterday (plus a little fluff chapter here and there never hurt, especially given all the drama in recent chapters ). Also, I'm sorry if you feel teased out of some smut in this chapter; I did not tag this story mature and I did want to keep it PG-13 since I never intended for it to be that intense of a story, but if you stay tuned for my upcoming full length stories that I will be publishing during 2021, I promise that there will be many of those types of scenes ;) 

Please continue voting if you are enjoying, see you tomorrow with the next chapter!!