Page 4 of Babygirl for Christmas

“I-uh-I didn’t realize it was you on the phone. Gosh, it’s been years,” I say stupidly.

“Can I come in?” he asks with a sexy smirk.

I shake myself out of my daydreams. “Yes, sorry… I’m just surprised as all.” And unbelievably turned on.

“It’s almost exactly like I remember it,” he says, not realizing how cutting his words are.

He looks around the living room, taking it in. I can’t help but wonder what he sees. Everywhere I look, I see my grandma. A bolt of sadness creeps in. He’s right. Everything is exactly how it was when my grandma was still alive. I haven’t been able to change a single thing. I swallow around the lump in my throat, nodding my agreement.

He gives me a knowing look, then smiles. “Let’s see what’s going on with the furnace and get some heat in here before you freeze.”

Nick looks terribly upset at the thought. Almost possessed by the idea of something terrible happening to me. He’s always been protective of me, and it’s nice to know that after all these years, he still feels that way. I just wish he saw me as more than the kid neighbor, though.

I trail behind him as he unerringly makes his way to the basement. He lets out a low whistle as he takes in the stacks and stacks of boxes, all color-coded and organized to the nth degree. Grandma’s holiday decorations—her pride and joy—are yet another reminder of my pathetic lack of holiday cheer.

“Looks about like mom’s garage, but this is more organized for sure.”

There’s no holding back my snort of laughter. Grandma did nothing in halves. “I don’t doubt that. Grandma took this stuff seriously… these decorations are…” my voice cracks when I catch myself, “wereher pride and joy.”

“I noticed you didn’t have a Christmas tree. Did you need help getting one from the farm?” He asks the question with kindness, but I can’t help feeling like it was an accusation. I know that’s my guilt making more out of it than there is.

“No. No tree this year.”

He makes a humming noise low in his throat as if he disagrees with my decision. Without a word, he turns to the furnace and gets to work. In less than a minute, he’s found and fixed the problem—the pilot light was out, an easy fix. Back in the living room, he adjusts the thermostat, and a few seconds later, the comforting whir of the furnace kicking on fills the house.

“There you go, all fixed.”

“Thank you for coming so quickly. I was dreading sleeping in the cold.”

Nick takes a step towards me. Our bodies a mere hairsbreadth apart. My pulse races as I look up at him, my heart pounding a staccato rhythm in my chest. He’s so close it wouldn’t take any effort for him to press his lips to mine. My focus falls to those kissable lips, and I silently will him to kiss me like I’ve always wanted.

“You can call me anytime, Cherry.” His voice is a sensual caress. I’m entirely ensnared by him—the heat from his body and the minty freshness of his breath has me craving him… It’s the look on his face that has my brain short-circuiting. He’s looking at me like he’s starving and I’m his next meal.

4

Nick

This isn’tpart of the plan, but Cherry is right in front of me, looking at me through bedroom eyes. Her body is practically begging for my touch. I’m starting to realize that she wants me just as much as I want her. Her plump lips part just enough for her to lick them. The wetness left behind has my cock thickening behind my zipper.

I want nothing more than to crash my lips down on hers and feast on her sweet taste. But I have a plan, and I’m determined to stick by it… for now. I have a feeling this little meeting has drastically moved up my timeline.

It’s painful to step away without kissing her perfect lips, but somehow, I manage to put some distance between us.

“How much do I owe you?” she breathlessly asks.

“No charge.” She gives me a pointed look, and I can tell she’s about to argue. “Mom would skin me alive if she found out I charged you.”

And it’s true, I’d never hear the end of it. Not that I would ever consider charging Cherry a penny. I would do anything for her.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to see you wandering around without any skin,” she teases.

“Have dinner with me?” I mentally cross my fingers that she accepts, that she wants to spend time with me as much as I do her. Now that I’ve had her in front of me, I can’t stand the thought of waiting for my plan to play out. I need her in my life now.

“I…”

She’s trying to talk herself out of it. She wants to say yes, but for some reason, she’s ready to deny herself.

“Please?”

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