The city lights shine in the big window, highlighting the tree North had brought up and decorated, as well as the stockings on the mantel. My girl went all out for us, even not knowing if I would be home in time.
Reaching into my pack, I grab the presents I got for her and place them under the tree, anticipating her surprise when she opens them.
Quietly walking down the hall towards the master bedroom, I’m not shocked to find North curled up in the middle of the bed. She has the blankets piled so high it looks like a small mountain. Walking towards the dresser, I take my clothes off and toss them in the hamper. Upon opening the second drawer where my t-shirts normally are, I’m not shocked to find the drawer empty.
Shaking my head with a smile on my face, I go one drawer down and slip on a pair of basketball shorts and undershirt. Dressed, I go back to my bed. One I’d saved for over a year to purchase. I may have to sleep on the ground half the time, or on a hard cot, but when I’m home, I want comfort. This mattress brings all of that, and so I understand her desire to sleep in it.
Nerves cause me to stall when it comes time to draw back the blankets. What if she doesn’t want me in here? What if we don’t click the way I desire us to?
Nothing earned, is nothing gained, I guess.
Sliding in behind North, her warmth sucks me into her body like a forcefield. Immediately, I can feel my body succumbing to her tantalizing curves. Without thought or permission, my arms wrap her body against mine.
Her hips fit perfectly into mine, and her legs tangle with me as she settles down. “North,” I breathe into her ear, “Merry Christmas.”
“Desmond?” she sighs and turns.
“Yeah, baby. I’m here.”
“I knew you would come.” She buries her face in the crook of my neck and is out cold within seconds.
“I’ll always come,” I promise into her hair as I breathe in her scent. My shampoo and body wash smell better on her than it does on me.
I don’t sleep, I only hold North, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. Savoring the sensation of a woman’s softness against me for the first time in more years than I care to admit.
North is everything. So quickly she went from troubled kid to friend, to a woman I can’t see my life without.
I don’t know how or even when it happened, but my heart has started to claim her as its own. It’s not quite love, but something close to it. More than lust. A deep need for companionship with the right person.
North is that person.
The sun rising with a fresh fall of snow has North stretching in my arms. Her ass pressing against my groin has my morning wood growing at a rapid pace.
She freezes, and I wait painfully for her reaction. “You’re really here?” she whispers so quietly I almost miss her words.
Kissing the back of her neck, I say, “I’m really here,” just as quietly.
Her hand reaches back and grazes along my chest, up my neck, and to my face. Her nails in my beard are sinful. “You have a beard,” she murmurs, turning in my arms. “You don’t in any of the pictures.”
“Came home and crawled right in with you. Didn’t feel like shaving.” I nuzzle her hand, loving the feel of her exploring my face.
“I like it. A lot.” She watches me as we lay quietly in the morning light. “I missed you,” she finally confesses. “It’s ri
diculous and corny, but I missed your words.”
“Oh yeah?” I chuckle when a blush hits her cheeks as she nods. “I missed yours, too.”
“I got something for you.” Her excitement is contagious, and in this moment, I see the teenager in her. The one who hasn’t gotten to break free very often as she drags me from the bed and into the living room. “Sit.” She pushes me onto the couch. The same one she took pictures on, and I can’t help fantasizing about what else we could get up to. “Here.” She pushes two gifts into my lap.
Seeing her excitement, I unwrap the larger one first. Shocked, I look from her to the battleship and back again. “Where did you find this?” It’s one I’d been searching for.
“That hobby shop over on First Street. They had just gotten new stock of everything in.”
“How’d you know?”
“You told me to look around, explore, make myself at home. So, I did. I also found all your models and thought this would be great.” Her grin is wide, self-satisfied. “You do enjoy building them, right?”
“Hell yeah, I do.” I look at North intently. The light in her eyes, the passion in her smile. This, giving me something I like, pleases her. “Sit.” I point to the spot next to me. As she does, I get up and grab her gifts. “It’s nothing fancy.” I shrug as she takes them.