Page 14 of Connected By Christmas
“Good thing I’m bringing my new reindeer pajamas to keep my balls nice and toasty.”
“I’ve got you,” Bella says, throwing her arms around his neck.
“You always know just what I need, baby.” He nuzzles her neck, and I clear my throat.
“I think that’s my cue to say goodbye before I see something of my sister’s I would rather not see.”
“Good call,” Mav’s voice is muffled in her neck as he whispers something in her ear.
“Bye Noah! We’ll see you tomorrow.” I hear her shriek before the line goes dead.
Chuckling, I shake my head. Even though it was awkward at first having your best friend date your younger sister, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love seeing them both so happy. There’s not a guy on this earth that I would trust more with my sister’s heart than Maverick.
I pick up my pace again and head back to the cabin. Going to the garage, I grab the snow shovel to get the steps cleared off in case Emma gets out today. My body breaks out in a sweat under this hoodie by the time I’m done.
I see Emma right where I knew she would be, finishing the last pages of the book under her fuzzy blanket. She looks up when I walk in, and I can tell she’s been crying. The last pages of the book were some of the hardest I’ve ever had to write.
“How was your run?” She puts on a smile for me, but I can tell she’s emotional.
“Good. I talked to Mav and Bella. They are excited to come tomorrow.”
She nods her head and flicks her eyes back to the page she was reading. Wanting to give her this time to finish the book and process her emotions, I leave my shoes at the door and head to the bedroom.
“I’m going to take a shower real quick while you finish.”
“Okay. I should be done soon,” she softly says, her eyes never leaving the page.
Emotions clog my throat when I enter the bathroom. I know exactly what part she’s reading, and just thinking about it sends a cold chill to my bones. I turn the water on as hot as I can stand it while I get undressed.
The warm spray hits my back as I stand under the water, trying to ease the ice flowing through my veins. Whenever I think about how close I came to losing her, it always feels like the air is sucked out of my lungs. I remind myself to breathe as I bow my head and place my hands on the cool rock tile. She’s here…she’s alive. I keep repeating the words in my mind. I must have stood there longer than I thought because I feel her hands wrap around me from behind. My thoughts were too loud in my head to even hear her come in.
I grab her hand with one of mine and hold it to my chest.
“I finished,” she says quietly. Her cheek rests against my back as she holds me tight. “Thank you.” I hear her breath catch and can tell she’s trying not to cry. I squeeze her hand and close my eyes tightly. “You’ve given me the greatest gift, and I don’t know how to explain everything I’m feeling. I laughed, I cried, I got angry all over again…I felt my pain and my loss,” she chokes out.
“This time, though, I got to feel you. I felt your longing for me…I felt how scared you were…I felt your pain…God, did I feel your pain,” she sniffles against my back, and I blink back my tears as I remember the day in the hospital. “But most of all, I felt your love, Noah. You poured your love for me onto those pages, and I can’t tell you how deeply I felt it,” she whispers.
“It's all I ever want you to feel,” I manage to get out through the lump in my throat. “I got a second chance with you, and I’ll never take that for granted. Youaremy life, Emma. I can’t do this life or any other life without you.”
“You won’t have to. We always find each other, remember?” I turn and face her. The water mixes with our tears as it blends together and washes away. I step closer and grasp the sides of her face with my hands.
“I remember,” I breathe. “I love you so completely, Emma.” I close my eyes briefly when her hand comes up to lay against my cheek.
“I love you so completely. Always, Noah.”
My lips crush to hers, wanting something tangible to hold onto. Her tongue seeks out mine, and I moan at the invasion as I deepen the kiss. Walking her back until she hits the tile, my hands roam her body, wanting to touch what is alive and here right now…needing the reminder that she’s mine…that she will always be mine.
My hand drops between her legs as I sink two fingers into her warmth. Her moan caresses my ear as I lean down and suck the soft flesh on her neck. I set a pace with my fingers that I know will bring her a quick release. I want her to remember how alive she is in this moment.
Her head falls back on the tile as she arches further into my hand, matching my pace. I pull a tight nipple into my mouth and suck deeply. Her fingers dig into my hair on a gasp as I devour the other one.
“I’m so close, Noah,” she whimpers.
“I know, baby,” I rub her swollen clit hard with my thumb pushing her over the edge. “Let go for me, Em. I’ll always be here to catch you.” Her body responds as my name leaves her lips. Her pussy squeezes my fingers tightly as I milk every last drop of her orgasm from her. I hold her up as her body trembles beneath me.
She’s breathing hard as her forehead falls to my shoulder. I slowly remove my fingers, and she lifts her head to look at me. Her greens take hold of my soul as they watch me enjoy the taste of her on my tongue. When every last drop is savored, she lowers to her knees and licks her lips.
“You’re very pregnant, Em. You shouldn’t be on the floor like that on your knees. I don’t want you uncomfortable.”
