Page 28 of Prairie Nights

* * *

Hayden and Whitney pulled into the garage. It was after midnight, Christmas Day, and both were exhausted. The unexpected visit to St. Augustine ER resulted in bed rest for Ever, but thankfully both she and the babies were fine.

Turning on the Christmas tree lights; Hayden flopped onto the couch, patting the spot next to him. Whitney sank down, letting out a long exhale. “Well, that was the most eventful Christmas Eve I’ve ever had,” she offered, snuggling into him.

Hayden nodded in agreement, putting his arm around her. They sat there together for a long time, mesmerized by the twinkling lights on the tree.

“Oh, I have something for you!” Whitney exclaimed, suddenly breaking their reverie. She popped up off the couch and reached down under the tree, retrieving a rectangular box.

“Aren’t we exchanging gifts Christmas morning?” he asked as she set the box on his lap.

“Technically, it is Christmas morning, but yes, we are. This is just something cute and fun for us both,” she offered. “A little Faris tradition.”

Hayden smiled at her and started unwrapping the box, colorful paper flying. Opening the box, he laughed as he held up a pajama shirt, the front of the shirt reading, “On Santa’s Naughty List.” Whitney laughed and clapped her hands, grabbing the second pair meant for her. She held hers up, and it read “On Santa’s Nice List.”

Hayden blurted out a bountiful laugh and pulled her in for a hug. “Let’s go put these on and maybe I will show you why I am on the naughty list,” he teased, nipping her ear with his teeth. She squirmed and giggled as he chased her down the hall to their bedroom.

* * *

Hayden’s eyes opened groggily, Whitney’s hair fanned out on the pillow and now tickling his nose. He held back a sneeze and smiled. She was warm and soft, molded into the groove of his body. He loved waking with her, his little spoon. Hayden ran his hand over the dip of her waist and the curve of her hip, relishing the feel of her under his touch. His hand roamed over the curve of her backside and back around to her stomach, where his hand rested. Yesterday had been crazy, seeing Ever in such pain, the fear of trouble with her pregnancy, a real worry. His hand spread wide over Whitney’s belly, his mind wandering. What would it be like to feel a bump here? What would it be like to see Whitney carrying my baby? Over the past month he had these thoughts many times. His desire to have a family coming to the forefront of his thoughts as his relationship with Whitney grew serious. Is she ready to talk about the future?

“Merry Christmas, Hays.” Whitney whispered sleepily, breaking him from his daydream.

His hand still splayed on her belly, she intertwined her fingers with his.

“Merry Christmas,” he replied, kissing her neck and nuzzling his stubbled chin against her cheek. She squirmed and wiggled back into him, her movements awakening his body with arousal. His hips instinctively meeting her with a slow sensual grind.

“A very Merry Christmas indeed,” she said, feeling his hardness grow against her. “Do I get my first present now?” she teased guiding his hand under her shirt to cup her breast.

“I think that can be arranged,” he replied, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned at his attention to her breast and turned her body to face him. Her hand roaming down to his manhood begging to be freed from his flannel pajama pants.

He closed his eyes and moaned as she slipped past the waistband and boldly took hold of him, sliding her hand up and down, making him slick and ready. Letting him go, she shimmied herself out of her sleep pants and climbed on top of him, straddling his hips. He reached between her legs running his fingers through her soft folds, making her impossibly wet. Positioning herself over him, she sank down, sheathing him fully inside the warmth of her body.

“Whitney, you feel so amazing, but gorgeous we need protection.”

Whitney shook her head and, bringing her lips to his, whispered, “It’s okay.”

Hayden gazed up at the beautiful woman above him, so trusting and vulnerable. She wanted him with no barriers, nothing between them. He had never done this before, and he needed to know that she was truly okay with this. “Are you sure?”

“I’m on birth control. We’re good,” she replied, grinding her hips into him.

Her words and movement fueling his pleasure. He closed his eyes and let out a deep, approving groan. She circled her hips a few times, teasing him, then set a pace rising and falling with him meeting her movements. Feeling the familiar tingle of his climax start up his spine, he revelled in the feel of her tight heat surrounding him like nothing he had experienced before. Reaching between them, he teased at her centre, making her cry out with pleasure at the contact.

“Come for me, gorgeous,” he commanded, feeling her walls grip him and tremors pulsate through her like waves. Her inner control was a marvel. He gave in to his release along with her. Their bodies shuddering and their sensual moans filling the room. Coming down from their intense mutual release, she collapsed on top of him, and they lay there connected for a moment, just savoring their connection. With the incandescent glow surrounding their joined bodies, Hayden felt emotions well up inside his chest and he swallowed down, a lump forming in his throat as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Whitney had now given him all of her and she was the one and only woman he would make love to for the rest of his life. The overwhelming realization washed over him like a wave crashing against the shore and all he wanted to do was drown in this glorious feeling.

* * *

Whitney topped off her cup of coffee as she made her way into the living room. Hayden had made them a delicious Christmas breakfast of his mother’s famous French toast, which he told her was a Hastings tradition and now they were ready to open each other gifts. Hayden was already seated on the floor by the tree, reaching underneath to retrieve his gift for her. She took a seat on the floor across from him and crossed her legs. He handed a gift to her, and she reached under the tree, handing hers to him.

“I want you to go first.” she said with an excited smile.

Obliging her request, Hayden ripped open the paper and gave Whitney a curious look as she gestured for him to continue unwrapping. He pulled out a piece of paper with information printed on it and he perused the printout, a slow smile tugging at his lips as he glanced up at Whitney with surprise.

“You didn’t?” he asked, his eyes wide. “NHL Season tickets?”

She nodded, delighted by his reaction. “Yes, you get a select number of tickets before the season ends. You can take Ben or me or whomever you want to go with you.”

He leaned in and kissed her softly. “This is far too generous!” he exclaimed. “Thank you.”

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