Waking up on Christmas morning with strong arms wrapped around me is something that I haven’t experience before but it’s something that I could definitely get used to.
In fact, I could get used to everything about Ryder.
Rolling over in his arms, I pepper small kisses across his jaw which earns me a tiny smile. “Merry Christmas Liv.”
“Merry Christmas Ryder.” Moving up the bed, I start kissing his lips and pull my leg over his. “It’s present time.”
“But I’ve gotten so many presents already,” is his smart reply.
“True but the present I’m thinking about giving you this morning will also benefit me.” Besides, you can never have too many presents.
He smiles and opens his eyes. Reaching down, he grabs my ass and pulls our centers together. “Those are the best kind of presents.”
His mouth connects with mine and I let out a squeal as he rolls us both over so he is lying on top of me. Grinning like a maniac, he starts grinding into me.
We are both still naked from the night before and if he keeps this up, he’s going to slip inside me. “You need to either put a condom on or let me give you your present.”
He leans down and takes my breast into his mouth, “But it’s so hard to choose.”
Laughing, I push his head away, “Well, I’m not getting pregnant because you can’t make a decision.”
He kneels on the bed between my legs and stares at my body. His dick is still precariously close to my pussy and he seems to be weighing his options.
Without taking his eyes off me, he reaches over to the bedside table and pulls out a condom.
He puts it on with expert precision and grins at me. “I want the first thing I feel on Christmas morning to be your pussy wrapped around my cock.”
Lying back down on top of me, he starts rocking his hips slowly. He loves to tease me by pushing inside just enough to get me excited then pulling out again. “Careful, I may think you have an obsession with me.”
“Oh but I do,” he winks. “And I’m so fucking in love with your pussy.”
Without warning, he slams inside me all the way to the hilt and I scream out his name.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, he continues to fuck me while kissing and licking every part of my body that he can reach.
He picks up my body and kneels on the bed, never breaking his rhythm. My body practically molds to his and as I feel his hands on my ass, my orgasm starts to build quickly.
As I’m kissing his sweet lips, my orgasm hits and Ryder grunts in response, upping his pace for a few seconds before finding his own release.
After his movements slow, he keeps me in his arms, peppering kisses all over my neck and chest. “This is by far the best Christmas I have ever had.”
“Ditto but you know what the best part is?”
He pulls back and stares into my eyes, “What’s that?”
“We still have all day together and I have a feeling things are only going to get better.” With Ryder by my side for the holidays, how could things not get better?
“Hmmm,” he squeezes my ass cheeks. “I have a feeling you’re right.
Pulling out of me, he carries me to the bathroom and starts the shower.
After disposing of his condom, he lifts me into the shower and starts washing my body with careful attention.
Once he is satisfied, he cleans himself up then we both hop out to get ready for the day but he stops me when it’s time to leave. “Um Liv, do you mind if I give you your present here?”
“Yeah sure.” Ryder never mentioned getting me anything and I didn’t expect to get me something either. Just having him here is enough for me.
I watch as he rifles through his bag and pulls out a small, neatly wrapped box. As he hands it to me, he says, “It’s not much.”
Excited, I tear into the paper then stare at a beautiful box that clearly contains some form of jewelry. With a racing heart, I lift open the box to see a silver necklace with a single tear trop pendant. “Ryder, it’s beautiful.”
I’ve never received jewelry from a guy I’ve been dating before and this is stunning, it’s the exact type of thing I would buy for myself.
“You like it?” Looking up, I see Ryder is watching me nervously with his hands in his pockets.
“Ryder, I love it, this is perfect. Thank you so much.” I can’t believe he did this for me.
Shyly, he says, “I just wish I could have gotten you more.”
“I don’t need anything more than this Ryder, just having you here with me is enough.” It’s more than enough and I don’t know how many times I have to say it before he’ll believe me.
He instantly relaxes and a stunning smile takes over his face, “Would you like me to help you put it on?”
“Yes!” I squeal. Handing him the box, I turn around as he lifts his arms over my head and positions the necklace onto my chest.
I move my hair out of the way so Ryder can do the clasp up and as soon as he’s done, I run to the mirror to admire myself. “I hope you know that I’m never taking this off.”
Walking up behind me, he kisses the side of my head, “I’d like that.”
Turning around to face him, I become nervous myself. I have one more thing we have to take care of before we leave and I hope he doesn’t get mad.
“So,” I begin nervously.
He eyes me critically, “What is it?”
“There’s one thing about Christmas that I left out.” On purpose because it’s lame.
Backing away slightly, he groans, “Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like this?”
“Because you probably won’t.” Walking over to my bag, I pull out the two Christmas sweaters I have been hiding in there.
Holding them up, I expect to see utter disgust on Ryder’s face but after a moment he smiles. “This?” he points to the sweaters. “This is awesome, why did you think I would be mad?”
“Um, because it doesn’t exactly scream style and well…I got matching ones.” I tried to get the best ones that I could find. They are both white sweaters, covered in reindeer and snowflakes but my pictures are green and Ryder’s are red.
He grabs his sweater and puts it on, “Foster kid remember, I would be lucky to get a present on Christmas Day. I haven’t had a decent Christmas since my parents were alive and I kind of started hating the holidays but I’m pretty excited about today.”
Trying to hide the tears that are springing to my eyes, I wrap my arms around him tightly, trying to comfort the little boy who had to grow up without his parents.
The only experience I have with foster kids are the ones that Uncle Alex and Aunty Ryleigh look after but they provide such a loving and supportive home, it’s hard to imagine what Ryder would have had to endure over his childhood and teenage years.
He kisses me lightly on the forehead, “I don’t need pity Liv, let’s just enjoy today.”
Pulling back, I quickly pull my sweater over my head and discreetly wipe my eyes. “My family is bound to make you love the holidays again. Actually, they are kind of intense so they may have the opposite effect.”
“You’re family’s amazing Liv, you’re incredibly lucky.”
“I know.” I may complain about Dad and Tyler all the time but I know they only do it because they love me.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate growing up and being with Ryder only makes me appreciate my family even more.
Leaving our room, we walk hand in hand to the large common area where we meet every Christmas morning.
We normally open presents together then head to the restaurant for breakfast.
When we were all younger, it was a very chaotic morning but thankfully, we don’t cause as much chaos as we used to.
Walking in, I can’t help but laugh as I spot Jake, Asher and Aurora. They are all sitting on a couch together wearing Christmas sweaters and looking around the room with matching expressions of bewilderment.
They are being handed presents but they just stare at them like they don’t know what to do with them.
Ryder notices as well but seems a bit concerned. “Do you mind if I go hang out with them for a bit? They seem a bit overwhelmed.”
“No of course not.” It’s really sweet that he cares so much about them.
He leans down and kisses me gently, then squeezes my hand once before walking over to join the kids.
They look relieved to see him and I watch as he starts talking to them about their sweaters and trying to convince them to open their presents.
Emily walks up to me and leans her head on my shoulder, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in love before.”
I scoff, “Please, I’m not in love.”
She smiles softly, “On the way to being in love then.”
“Please, it takes longer than a few months to fall in love.” When did my baby sister become a crazy person?
She gazes at me out of the corner of her eye, “Are you sure about that?”
Shoving her sideways, I take great pleasure watching her stumble. “Let’s go find Mom and Dad and exchange presents. You better have gotten me something good this year.”
She rolls her eyes, “I got you exactly what you asked for, like every year.”
“Good.” Lovely and predictable Emily. I can always count on her to follow the rules, Tyler likes to be a smart ass and gets me something stupid most years.
The rest of the morning practically flies by and Ryder and I sit with Jake, Asher and Aurora for both breakfast and lunch.
Ryder is great with them and they seem to be warming up to him and coming out of their shells little by little.
They are still wary of everyone else, including me to some degree but Aurora especially is a huge fan of Ryder.
It’s adorable.
She’s lucky she’s only ten otherwise I might have to stake my claim.
Ryder has taken the kids outside to build a snow man, mainly for Aurora’s benefit. Jake and Asher seem a little old for building a snowman but they both put on a smile when she suggested it.
I’ve chosen to give them some time alone and have opted for sipping hot cocoa in front of the fire in the common area.
A few other people are dotted around the room but I’m happy to have a moment to myself.
Ella joins me after a few minutes but she brings gingerbread cookies so I don’t complain. Ella and her twin sister Mia are a year younger than Emily and spent a great deal of time at our house growing up.
Their dad Uncle Kyle is just as bad as my dad when it comes to being overprotective so we have a lot in common and I made it my life’s mission to give them as much advice as I could when they became teenagers.
Like me, they both chose a college where they could have some space to flourish and it seems to be agreeing with them. They both seem really happy.
With a coy smile, she says, “So, your boyfriend is like ridiculously hot.”
“I know right?” There’s no point trying to deny it because it’s the truth.
Plain and simple.
He is ridiculously fucking hot and I’m one lucky girl that I get to share a bed with him every night.
She brings her feet up underneath her on the couch and cradles her mug in her hands. “How’s Uncle Mason dealing with him?”
“Not as bad I as thought but Mom promised she would keep him under control.” Which is probably the only reason he is behaving. “I really like Ryder and I don’t want Dad to scare him off.”
Ella rolls her eyes, “Tell me about it. Mom and Dad came to visit one weekend and Dad glared at every single guy who said hello to me.”
“Just don’t accidentally send him a photo with a half-naked dude in the background along with a drunk text like I did.” I’ve never regretted something more in my life.
Now when I text someone, I triple check who I’m sending the message to so I don’t ever do that again.
My anxiety becomes even worse when I want to text Ryder something naughty. Most of the time I chicken out because I’m scared I will somehow send it to Dad by mistake.
Ella starts laughing hysterically, “I heard about that and Dad had a lot of fun winding Uncle Mason up about it.”
Of course he did. “Yeah, well, Uncle Kyle still owes me for embarrassing me in front of Ryder.”
Ella cringes, “I heard about that too.” Picking up another gingerbread cookie, she looks over at my brother, “What’s up with Tyler?”
“What do you mean?” Glancing over at him, he has his head buried in his phone.
“I’ve never seen him so agitated before and he started drinking just before lunch. Normally he keeps himself under control until at least dinner time.”
“Yeah, I noticed he drunk more than normal last night too.” I have a feeling I know exactly what’s wrong with Tyler but it’s not something that I can discuss.
With anyone.
Both Maddy and Tyler would kill me.
I’m hoping that because Ryder’s my boyfriend and he kind of figured things out for himself that Maddy won’t be mad at me for talking to him about them.
It’s actually been nice being able to share this secret with Ryder.
He’s weirdly observant.
I never would have thought that Tyler and Maddy could have been hooking up on these trips but ever since he mentioned it, I can’t help but think there’s some truth to it.
Especially with the way Tyler has been acting.
But I can’t feel too sorry for him.
If he truly wanted Maddy, all he has to do is break up with Laura and tell Maddy that he wants to be with her.
She would jump at the chance.
“Anyway, Mia, Emily and I are going to go into town tonight to try and hit up some bars. Would you and Ryder like to join us?”
“Um,” I start but she cuts me off.
“I’m guessing you would rather spend the night with Ryder?” she starts laughing lightly.
I cringe, “Yes and that makes me a loser, doesn’t it?”
Shaking her head, she gets a faraway look in her eyes, “Not at all, I wish I had someone like Ryder.”
I’m glad she said someone like Ryder and not Ryder himself because he is all mine and I don’t plan on giving him up. “Your time will come and when it does, keep him away from Uncle Kyle at all costs.”
She laughs, “That’s a given.”
We hang out together until Ryder and the kids come back in from building a snowman and once they have warmed up, it’s time for dinner.
Apart from Maddy not being here, this has been my favorite Christmas yet.
She sent me some pictures of her and Blake in Switzerland earlier and it looks absolutely stunning.
In return, I sent her a few of Ryder and I in our matching Christmas sweaters.
After dinner, Ryder and I make our escape back to our room to watch a movie.
I’m not even bothered in the slightest that we aren’t going out tonight.
I actually prefer being holed up like this with him.
When the movie ends, we get ready for bed but Ryder stops me from changing into my pajamas. “Uh, you won’t be needing clothes for the next few hours.”
“Is that so?” I ask coyly.
He grabs me and throws me on the bed. Settling between my legs, he kisses me passionately and I waste no time removing his clothes.
Just when things are getting good, there is a knock on the door.
Glaring at the door, I turn my attention back to Ryder, “Ignore it, they’ll go away.”
His lips find mine once more but then the knock sounds again.
Then again.
And again.
Why won’t they take the fucking hint already?
After a moment, a pathetic and whiny voice calls out, “Livvy, let me in.”
“Fucking prick all of a sudden thinks it’s funny to call me Livvy,” I growl.
Much to my dismay, Ryder gets off the bed and starts putting his clothes back on. When I start to wrestle him for his shirt he calls out, “Just a sec Tyler.”
I smack his six pack, “What did you do that for?”
Now he’s going to know we are awake and will want to be let in.
Shrugging, he grabs his shirt and pulls it on. “He’s not going to go away so just see what he wants.”
Grumbling under my breath, I dress in my pajamas then stomp over to the door.
Opening it, Tyler pushes past me and starts looking around the room.
“Tyler what are you doing?” I ask angrily.
Fucker stinks of alcohol and is stumbling around like an idiot.
He stares at something then walks over to the bed and sits down, he picks up my phone which is on the bedside table and enters my passcode. “Just go back to what you were doing.”
“How do you know my passcode?” When he doesn’t answer, I look at Ryder, “How does he know my passcode?”
Ryder walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist, “I think everyone knows your passcode. You mumble it under your breath when you enter it.”
“Fuck! Why did no one tell me this?” and more importantly how did I not realize that I did that?
He shrugs, “Because it’s cute?”
Tyler puts my phone to his ear like he’s making a phone call. “What the fuck is he doing now?”
Whenever the person he is calling answers, Tyler sits upright on the bed. “Matty it’s me, Merry Christmas…I know and I’m sorry but you’ve been ignoring me…I’m sorry I woke you but this was the only way I knew you would talk to me…just give me a minute…please? Why didn’t you come home?...But you promised Matty…we both promised…I know but…but I miss you…I’m sorry but…FUCK!” He slams my phone down, “She hung up on me.”
I watch in dismay as he buries his face in his hands and his shoulders start shuddering. “What was that about Tyler?”
Ignoring me, he stands up and walks straight past us out the door and doesn’t even bother to close it.
Walking over to the door, I shut it then turn to face Ryder, “Any guesses?”
Glancing sideways, he mutters, “Some but I don’t really want to make assumptions again.”
Which means that Ryder was right about Tyler and Maddy. “Well, right now I think your assumptions are pretty damn accurate.”
Next time Maddy and I talk, she has some serious explaining to do.