Maverick stands stoically in the back, playing a wise man perfectly. But it’s Charlie who steals the show with enthusiastic and adorable sheep mimicry. She doesn’t seem to notice that the other animals sit quietly in the stable surrounding baby Jesus. Instead, she makes herself the star of the show, baaing around the stage until Natalie sneaks up there to tug her into the wing.
The audience erupts into collective laughter, but even with the production down its best sheep, the show must go on. The kids perform their little hearts out, lining up downstage as the curtain closes to take their final bows. Maverick beams at the audience’s applause. My auntie pride shines bright across my face.
We clear the auditorium for the foyer where parents wait with flowers for their little actors. Mav walks up in his long brown robe dragging along the floor, his tea-stained beard in hand. Natalie carries Charlie to the group, her eyes drooping ready for sleep. Dropping a kiss on her head and giving Mav one last fist bump, Preston and I head for the parking lot.
“Clara!” I hear my name across the busy room. My eyes scan faces, but I don’t see anyone looking in our direction. It’s the small body crashing against my legs that stalls our exit.
“Beca, hey sweetie.” Her unexpected appearance throws me off guard. I should have known she’d find me after the performance once I saw her on stage and she waved right at me. “You did such a fantastic job tonight,” I praise Robert’s cousin.
Her eyes cast upward at the giant beside me and crinkle in confusion. “Who’s he?” she mouths.
Before I can answer I hear him, Robert’s calling out for her and stepping into view. “Hey, you can’t run off like that,” he chides.
“I just wanted to say hi to Clara,” the sassy five-year-old clarifies. “I haven’t seen her in for…ever,” she draws out. I pat her on the back and scoot her in Robert’s direction. His eyes lock on Preston’s hand clasped with mine. Robert doesn’t look angry anymore, just disappointed at the reality.
We break free from the awkward situation and make for the truck. “You mind if we stop by the store so I can grab some flour?” The question automatically replays the earlier scene, and I can’t help but giggle.
“Yeah, sure,” Preston answers, but his far-off look out the windshield tells me his thoughts aren’t on cookies.
As soon as we step in the door back at the house, Preston makes an excuse to head straight for his room. His somber mood a drastic change from his normal easy-going nature. I unpack the few things we got in the kitchen and whip up my perfected hot chocolate. Equal parts dark and white chocolate, with mini marshmallows and a peppermint stick for stirring.
I take a deep breath building up the courage to step into the office. I can’t knock since my hands are full, but I push the door open slowly. Preston’s lying on his back on the futon, eyes cast at the ceiling wide open. “I thought you might want some hot chocolate. It's my specialty.”
He sits up, making room for me next to him on the futon and takes the mug. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he tries it, and while he doesn’t say anything, I can tell he enjoys it by the immediate second sip. “I don’t mean to be nosy, so tell me to butt out and go, but, are you okay? You’ve seemed off since we left the auditorium.”
He waits a beat, then turns to me, a sad smile on his face. “You’re really lucky you know that?”
“Oh?”
“Your family. They’re all so loving and caring. They’re here and involved. It reminds me of how my family used to be before my parents passed and my sister moved away. It’s just, I miss it. You know?” I set my mug on the coffee table and turn to face him.
“Preston…I…” But I don’t know what to say. If he only knew the half of what’s happened to get us all here. Our flighty mom and absent father, Nat’s uninvolved parents, teen pregnancy…it’s worse than a Lifetime drama. But I can’t say it hasn’t been worth it. I love our unconventional little family unit.
“It’s okay, stacks.” His warmed fingers trace across my cheek, tucking a loose hair behind my ear.
Searching his face, that striking unexpected connection I felt at the ice rink builds between us again. When I see his eyes shift from lonesome to lustful, I take the plunge, leaning in until my lips softly meet his. He doesn’t respond at first, panic wells in my chest. I’m two seconds away from fleeing the awkward scene. Before I can, his fingers grip the nape of my neck, holding me in place while he deepens the kiss.
His tongue peeks out, running against my lips asking for access that I grant with mild hesitation. He tastes like minty chocolate, it’s delicious. His hands dip around my waist, pulling me in closer against his strong chest. The angle we’re sitting at doesn’t lend well to our current entanglement. His fingers tighten, lifting me from my spot like I weigh nothing before settling me to straddle his lap.
The change in position shifts our moment from playful to passionate. My head falls back as his lips skate down my neck where he sucks lightly. A moan escapes me, and Preston pauses, pulling away to stare up at me. His eyes are blown out and black, his lips swollen and red. “Clara, tell me to stop.” His plea is anything but hopeful.
I cross my arms and snag the hem of my shirt ripping it off and flinging it across the room. The black lace bra I put on in hopes of something like this happening does wonders for my breast. “Jesus,” Preston whispers. A small smile at his appreciation pulls at my lips. My nerves have settled.
“I don’t know what this means for us,” his eyes snap to mine, “but I know I don’t want you to stop,” I assure him.
His lips crash against mine and his hands wander across my exposed flesh, reaching around to unclasp my bra. The straps slide slowly down my arms. He leans forward pulling a nipple into his mouth before biting down softly. I suck in a breath at the sensation. Tugging at the hem of his shirt I yank it over his head, throwing it behind me.
I fumble with the button on my jeans, quickly standing and shoving them down with my panties. I should feel exposed, but with the way his eyes take in my naked body, I feel powerful and sexy. I kick out of my jeans and watch as Preston discards his, too. My eyes widen at the glorious sight in front of me. He’s easily the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen fully naked.
That sense of power takes over as I squat down and quickly sort through the pile of discarded clothes at our feet. Digging into the front pocket of my jeans I pull out the foil wrapper and hand it over to him.
“I don’t know if I should be thankful and impressed or pissed that you had this on hand for someone else?” he teases with that charming grin that pops his dimples into place.
“Cut the macho bullshit and put it on.” I’m surprised by my crass forcefulness, but it feels good to take control. His eyebrows rise, he doesn’t protest as he slowly slips the condom on. His large hand wraps around the base of his cock giving me pause. He’s not going to fit, there’s absolutely no way.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, stacks?” The nickname I used to despise feels playful and sweet now. “You’re too big.” My voice cracks. He snorts at my admission. I cock my head, crossing my arms and popping a hip at his dismissal.
“Clara, take a deep breath,” he soothes. “We don’t have to do this.” But I want this. It’s been awhileand I never expected him of all people to be so gentle about sex, but here we are. Summoning up that courage I had moments before, I kneel over him again. Resting my hands on his shoulders to steady myself I slowly sink down, taking him inch by inch.