Page 11 of Celebrating the Season

“You okay?” I asked softly, pressing a kiss to the top of Boaz’s head.

He nodded against my chest. “More than okay. That was…intense. In the best way possible.”

I smiled, a warm feeling spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with our recent activities. “Good. I’m glad.”

As we basked in the afterglow, I marveled at how right this felt. Boaz fit perfectly in my arms, as if he belonged there. It was a dangerous thought, one that sent a jolt of both excitement and fear through me.

He didn’t belong here. This was a hookup, a one-time thing.

It had to be.

4

BOAZ

Iwoke slowly, my body feeling deliciously sore in all the right places. After a big yawn and a languid stretch, I opened my eyes. Where the hell was I?

I blinked. The bed was soft and comfortable, the mattress hugging me like an old friend. The sheets smelled clean but also held a faint scent of smoke from a fire. The quilt covering me looked handmade. It was gorgeous in shades of green, ranging from dark moss green to almost yellow.

Ellery. I was at Ellery’s.

I pushed myself into a sitting position. Sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting warm, golden rays onto the wooden floors. Colorful rugs on both sides of the bed promised warmth when you stepped out of bed, and the walls were made of dark, sturdy logs with knots and grooves adding character.

The previous night’s activities flooded back to me in a rush of vivid memories as I stretched again, letting out another yawn, grateful for the pleasant ache in my ass. A satisfied grin spread across my face. God, Ellery knew how to use those strong hands of his. And that glorious cock.

I’d woken in a stranger’s bed before, but I’d never felt this at ease. Was it the Santa suit that made me trust Ellery? I hardly knew anything about him, yet I trusted him.

Faint sounds drifted in from downstairs. Ellery was up already, and considering how cold his side of the bed was, he must’ve been up for a while. Oh well, he could’ve kicked me out if he wanted to, right?

I rolled out of bed, my feet hitting the soft rug next to the bed. The contrast with the warm cocoon of blankets sent a shiver through me.

I padded into the en suite, catching sight of my reflection in the mirror. My curls were a wild mess, and the faint marks on my neck made me smirk. Ellery hadn’t held back. Images of his strong, calloused hands on my body, his firm grip leaving its mark on my skin, sent a shiver down my spine.

After splashing some water on my face and running my fingers through my hair in a futile attempt to tame it, I headed back into the bedroom. My clothes from last night were scattered across the floor, but something else caught my eye.

A folded stack of T-shirts sat on a chair in the corner. I couldn’t resist. Picking up the top one, I brought it to my nose. The scent of pine and something uniquely Ellery filled my senses.

“Perfect,” I murmured, slipping it over my head. The soft fabric settled against my skin, and I reveled in how it hung loosely on my smaller frame. Wearing his clothes felt intimate. Like I belonged here.

My underwear was still on the floor and I bent over to grab it, my ass reminding me of last night’s vigorous activities. Zero fucks given…and zero regrets.

The rich aroma of bacon hit me as I descended the stairs, my sock-clad feet padding softly on the wooden steps. The scent wrapped around me like a warm hug, drawing me deeper into the cabin’s inviting embrace.

“Holy shit, that smells amazing,” I mumbled, my stomach growling in eager anticipation.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, the full scene unfolded before me. Ellery stood at the stove, his broad back to me as he flipped a pancake with practiced ease. Bacon lay sizzling in another pan. The muscles in his arms flexed with each movement, and I took a moment to admire him, remembering how those same arms had held me last night.

The kitchen was bathed in the warm, golden glow of the early morning sun streaming through the windows. A fire crackled in the nearby hearth, adding to the cozy atmosphere. The whole cabin felt alive with warmth and comfort.

“Morning, sunshine,” Ellery’s deep voice rumbled as he glanced over his shoulder, catching me mid-ogle. “Sleep well?”

My cheeks heated, but I grinned anyway. “Like a baby. Your bed is way comfier than mine. I might have to steal it.”

Ellery chuckled. “You’re welcome to try, but you’ll have a hard time getting it down those stairs.”

Hmm, he had a point there.

Ellery turned toward me, and I closed the distance between us in two quick steps, pressing my body against Ellery’s broad chest. My hands found their way to his bearded cheeks as I pulled him down for a slow, thorough kiss.

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