For once, it seems I’m the first one in the cabin awake. I take the time, lying in bed, and enjoy the silence. I can still feel Dean’s lips on mine, sending shivers down my spine. I can hardly believe that we finally kissed. All day long, it was all I kept thinking about. It’s as if my thoughts manifested it.
Finally, I decide to get up and make some coffee. As I walk into the kitchen, I see that Dean is already up and he’s starting to cook breakfast. He’s wearing only his jeans, and my eyes take in the broad width of his chest and the sculpted perfection of his abs. Just by looking at him, I feel myself getting turned on.
I try to keep my cool as I sit down at the table, but the sexual tension between us is palpable. Dean turns around and catches me looking at him. A sly grin spreads across his face as he leans in close to me.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispers in my ear.
My heart races as I try to maintain my composure. His scent fills my senses, and I’m overwhelmed with the urge to kiss him again.
Even though I try to shake off the feeling and focus on making the coffee, Dean’s presence is making it difficult. He easily moves around the kitchen, his muscles flexing as he flips the pancakes on the griddle. Once again, I’m admiring his physique, the way his broad shoulders taper down to his narrow waist and then widen again at his hips. It’s like the gods forged him.
“Hey,” he says, breaking me out of my reverie. “You okay there?”
I nod, trying to play it cool, but I know my face is flushed. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just enjoying the view.” I try to flirt, but it has never really been my thing.
Dean chuckles and leans in closer to me. “I'll give you an even better view later," he says, giving me a playful wink and setting a cup of coffee on the table in front of me.
My heart rate increases at his words, and I can already feel myself getting wet between my legs.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Gracie says before I get a chance to reply.
She walks over and crawls into my lap.
"Well, pancakes will be ready in just a few minutes," Dean says, and Gracie's face lights up with a huge smile.
Who knew a man making your kids smile like that was such a turn-on?
When I look up at Dean, he catches my gaze. We just stare into each other's eyes for a few moments before I have to look away. There’s some electricity between us, and I know Dean feels it, too.
Max walks out just in time for us to enjoy the meal in comfortable silence. Even though I’m trying not to, I catch myself stealing glances at Dean as I sip my coffee. He keeps looking at me as well, which doesn’t help the dampness between my legs.
Once the kids are dressed for the day and the kitchen is clean from breakfast, the kids want to know what the plan is for today.
"Well, this morning, I thought Max and I could go chop up some wood. We need to replenish our stash. Afterward, we can make some Christmas cookies and peppermint bark. What do you think?" "Yes, yes, yes!" The kids jump up and down.
"Alright, Max, go bundle up. Gracie, how about we do our nails? I have the pink polish you picked out last time," I say.
"Can I do your nails?" she asks.
"Of course."
I head to my room, grab the nail polish, and Dean and Max head outside.
While Gracie is doing my nails, she's chattering away about what kind of cookies we should make and how she plans to decorate hers. We have a great time together, and I make a note to do this more often. I need to make time for more one-on-one time with each of my kids.
After a few hours, Dean and Max return with an armful of wood they stack by the fireplace. We have a quick lunch and then get ready to bake Christmas cookies.
Dean takes the kids to gather ingredients from the pantry while I set up the cookie cutters, sprinkles, and frosting.
"Can we make some chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles too?" Max asks.
"You bet," I say, while Gracie and I prepare the dough.
The kitchen is filled with laughter and giggles as we make Christmas cookies and have some fun, stress-free time.
Dean wraps Gracie up in his arms as he shows her how to roll out the dough properly. She looks so content when he instructs her. Dean and I take turns helping the kids roll out cookie dough, cut them into holiday shapes, bake, and frost them.
Once we have made enough cookies to feed most of Mustang Mountain, we move on to making peppermint bark. This turns out to be just as much fun as baking cookies. We melt chocolate chips over the stove and spread them out on wax paper to cool. Once cooled, we decorate it with crushed candy canes and festive sprinkles. It looks almost too good to eat.
"Okay, go get cleaned up. We need to start preparing dinner. After dinner, we will decorate the Christmas tree!" Dean says, and the kids run off to get cleaned up.
Dinner flies by, as the kids talk about which of their cookies are their favorite. Our mealtime is fun and we all joke and laugh together. Whenever I steal glances at Dean throughout dinner, the electricity sizzles between us.
"Go change into your PJs and wash your hands and your face before we start on the tree," Dean says as we finish up dinner.
When the kids have gone, I stand in the kitchen and watch Dean clean up the mess. He turns to me, smirking, and says, "You know, I don't think I've ever had that much fun baking before." I laugh and blush a little, feeling his gaze on me.
"Me, neither," I agree.
Stepping closer, he places a hand on my waist and pulls me in close. I can feel the heat from his body as I move close to his magnificent chest.
He gently brushes his lips against mine. My heart flutters, and I close my eyes, enjoying the moment.
We stay like that for just a few minutes before finally pulling apart.
"Well, we should get going on decorating that tree," he whispers.
I nod, not trusting my voice, but follow him to the living room just as the kids come running in.
"Okay, first, we have to have some Christmas music." Dean heads over to the radio and pops in an old Christmas CD from the stack beside the bookcase. "Some good ole Johnny Cash Christmas should do it."
"Lights first!" Max says.
We spend the next few hours stringing up lights, and the kids pick out decorations for the tree. We all work together to hang the ornaments and decorations, and I marvel at how beautiful it looks.
Dean keeps finding little ways to brush my hand as we put up ornaments or to bump into me and give me a look, letting me know it was no accident.
They even have a stash of decorations that we place around the cabin. By the time everything is set up, it’s past the kids’ bedtime.
"Okay, guys, time for bed!" I say, and we tuck the kids in and read them a story before going to the living room to enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree. The thought that dominates my mind is how I don't have money to get the kids anything really nice for Christmas. I have no way of earning money right now, and I'm not even able to go out shopping for them.
I have to trust Dean's friends will figure things out, and hopefully, there is still time for me to come up with a plan.
"What a great day," Dean says as he sits down on the couch beside me, looking over at me and giving me a gentle smile.
"It was," I agree.
He takes my hand in his, and I scoot closer to him, laying my head on his shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I fill my lungs with the scent of wood burning in the fireplace.
"I'm thankful for days like this," he says, his arms wrapping around me and holding me close.
"Me, too," I murmur.
Sighing, I take this moment in, thankful for all the sweet memories we made together today.
"Would you like something to drink?" Dean asks, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Sure," I say.
Standing, goes into the kitchen and returns with two glasses of spiked apple cider. Handing me a glass, he says, "You will have a hard time throwing a stick and not finding spiked apple cider here in Mustang Mountain.”
We sit in silence as we sip our drinks, and the warmth from the cider spreads through my body. Dean slowly moves closer to me, his arm wrapping around me and his hand gently stroking my side. Loving the feeling of his strong arms around me, I move even closer.
Dean looks down at me with a twinkle in his eyes and leans in, gently kissing me on the forehead before pressing his lips against mine.
Our kiss deepens, his tongue slipping into my mouth and exploring every inch. I let out a small moan, feeling my own desire build within me. His hands move down to my waist, pulling me even closer to him. I can feel the growing hardness in his pants against my thigh, and I know he wants me just as badly as I want him.
Breaking the kiss, he whispers, "Let's take this to the bedroom."
Nodding, I stand, following him to his bedroom. He lays me down on the bed and joins me, pulling me into his arms. We kiss, and he moves his hands slowly, caressing me over my hips and up my back, though he doesn't make a move to remove my clothes.
All I want is to feel him skin-to-skin, so I slip my hand under his shirt and move it up his chest. But then he stops me by taking my hand. Bringing my hand up to his mouth, he places a kiss in the center of it.
"I'm not sleeping with you tonight because you have been drinking. When I finally sink into you, I want you to remember every detail."
Feeling my cheeks heat up, I allow the thoughts of throwing caution to the wind to pass through me. He is taking this seriously, and in that moment, I know he is serious about us being together. That alone excites me even more. And I’m already burning hot.
Even though I try to change my thoughts and relieve some of the pressure building in my core, the feel of the fabric pressing on my pussy only makes things worse.
"You're turned on, aren't you?" he whispers, watching me.
When I nod, his breathing picks up.
"Do you want me to make you come, baby?" he says, and again, I nod.
Trailing his hand down my stomach and under my black leggings, I am an inch away from coming.
"Are you sure?" he asks, letting his finger feather over my clit.
Moaning, I cry out, "Yes, oh god, yes..."
Sensuously, he moves his finger in teasing circles, alternating between subtle touches and more aggressive ones.
Then he leans down and kisses me, catching my moans as they grow louder.
"Harder.... Please!" I beg.
He does as I ask, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.
"That's it, let it go," he whispers in my ear, and I do. His mouth is on me again, stopping me from screaming out his name as pleasure overwhelms me.
When I'm finally able to catch my breath, he pulls back, looking at me with satisfaction. Then he places a soft kiss on my lips. We lie there for some time in silence until I am able to get myself together again to cuddle up against him.
"Thank you," I whisper in his ear, feeling grateful for what he just did.
"Anytime, sweetheart," he whispers back, and I smile, feeling content and exhausted simultaneously.