Page 14 of Havoc for the Holidays

“Ollie, fuck… you're full of surprises.”

Mnn… I've been told that before.” He gave a subtle roll of his hips with a crooked grin. “Shy doesn't always equal submissive, Ez.”

“I couldn't be happier to learn this very important lesson.” I responded to his movements with a jerk of my own hips. “I still want to take you apart until you can't even remember your own name.”

“Good thing I'm a big fan of the flip-fuck.”

“Jesus Christ, who are you and what have you done with my date?”

“This is me. The real me. Once I get comfortable enough—shit… shit, I'm sorry.” He twisted and squirmed until he could pull his cell from his front pocket. My dick loved every minute of it while simultaneously begging for more, more, more.

“Oh, shit.” He nearly fumbled his phone in his haste to answer. “Hello?”

I couldn't make out the words on the other end of the line, but the rapid change in Ollie's expression instantly doused my wildfire lust.

“No, I'm on my way. I’ll be there as fast as I can. I'm so sorry, Linc. Tell her I'm coming.”

He hung up the phone with a sigh and leaned forward to rest his head against my shoulder.

“Everything okay?” I ran my hands up and down his back in slow, soothing movements.

“Becs got sick after the girls snuck a dozen donuts Chip made.” He sighed again and nuzzled my neck with a gentle, subdued movement. “I'm so sorry.”

“Hey, no. It happens. Remember? We talked about this. Becs is priority and if she's ill, that's top-top priority.” I slipped my arms around his body and squeezed him close. Was I disappointed? Absolutely. Ollie was beyond disappointed. He was downright devastated. “Let's get you to your car, Olls.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

He withdrew into himself so quickly, my heart rang countless alarm bells, but the fact that he reached out and held my hand for the entire drive to his vehicle in the restaurant parking lot kept the hope burning. One taste of this man and I was hooked. One look at his remorseful face as he reached for the car door had me falling. I stopped him before he could escape and sealed our mouths together in a kiss. Not one driven my passion or lust, but one driven by promise. It was an unspoken one, but his soft smile and crinkled eyes as he pulled away convinced me he knew exactly what I was trying to convey. I wasn't ready to walk away. Not after getting a glimpse of the man hidden inside.

Chapter nine

Ollie

Despite not having work, I found myself with little free time. The buzz of the season had swept through town and everyone was filled with excitement and stress in equal measure. Becs’ school schedule was filled with holiday activities, and in the few free moments I was able to carve out for myself, I had to wrap and hide all her presents. I thanked my lucky stars that I had been slowly accumulating things for months, because the repairs to my car ate up far more money than I would have liked.

Despite all the stress, I was on cloud nine. Granted, Ezechiel was just as busy as I was preparing for the showcase, but we managed to steal a few quick lunch dates and always managed to text throughout the day and night. The less said about the contents of our texts, the better. Let's just say, I had a new password on my phone to avoid any uncomfortable discoveries in the event my daughter stole it when I wasn't looking. The promise of a new relationship buoyed my spirits even more than the holidays, which I didn't think was possible.

We still hadn't crossed the one threshold that would be a make or break for this thing blossoming between us, so when he texted to ask if I'd like to join him for dinner tonight, I figured the time was right. My nerves were ready to explode as I typed out my reply.

Ollie: Actually, would you consider staying in with us? Becs and I had something planned for tonight if you wanted to join us?

Ez: Count me in. Do you need me to bring anything?

Ollie: Just yourself. :)

I sent my address and set my phone on the counter with a shaky hand. It could be a good thing that Becs already knew Ez from dance classes, but it could also make it uncomfortable for her. That paired with the fact that he had admitted never dating anyone with a child before made me even more nervous as I glanced around the apartment. It was nothing like his adorable cottage, but it was home. I raced around tidying up the chaos that came with living in the same home as a five year old girl, losing all track of time in my anxious speed cleaning.

The knock at the door had me jumping out of my skin and sent Becs into a tizzy. With a wish on my lucky stars, I stopped her from opening the door and carefully pried it open myself.

“Hello, handsome.” He winked at me and dipped at the waist, extending a small bouquet of flowers to my daughter. “Evening, beautiful.”

“Ez? Whoa, so cool!” She grabbed the flowers and stuffed her face into the blooms with a giggle before taking a deep sniff. “Yummy!”

“Your Daddy invited me over. I heard there were special plans?”

“Uh-huh. It's cookies and movies night. Wanna see my room?” She lifted her hand up to him before I could intervene.

“Of course. I need the tour of your house!” Ez winked again as my child towed him past me. I mouthed an apology, but he simply waved it away with a smile. I exhaled and hoped for the best as I shut the door and returned to the kitchen.

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