Page 11 of Gingerbread Hearts

Her hands, delicate and soft, start at the base of my hard shaft and in a slow motion moves them up and down. I’m moving through molasses, time slows down. I rock into her hands, the slight pressure just enough to work me into a frenzy. In a swift action Violet leans down to kiss me deeply, biting my lower lip before she lowers herself onto my dick.

The tightness around my cock as she rides up and down makes me moan from pure pleasure. I grip her hips, thrusting mine faster. Harder. Violet’s head tilts back, her own moans of satisfaction escaping. My breath quickens, the coil inside me ready to release. In a blur of movements, my hands grip her ass as I continue to thrust until finally, total bliss. And I take her with me, her shout of relief an echo to my own.

Violet seemingly collapses against my chest. Her breathing rapid and I can feel her heartbeat against by chest. As she rolls off of me and nestles into my side, as she lays her head on my chest, pride rolls through me.

I feel complete.

I run my fingers up and down her spine, her little murmurs of joy tickle my chest. I don’t know what time it is or how long we stay like that, but it’s a moment that I don’t want to end. At some point we both fall asleep. Violet tucked into my side, wrapped in my arms, feels natural.

***

It’s early morning when I wake up. I rub my eyes, letting them adjust to the new lighting. Violet is snoring away, completely cocooned in the blankets. I chuckle at how loud of a snorer she is, it’s not something I would’ve pictured. I slowly and as quietly as I can get out of the bed without waking her up. I snag my clothes off the floor and head out of her room.

I put my clothes back on and tiptoe to the kitchen. I see she has a whiteboard on her fridge, so I write a short note. Just letting her know I left to take a shower at my place and be there when my grandmother’s back from her morning errands.

She’ll probably just assume it’s my bachelor’s ways. The whole sneaking out before the girl wakes up, and honestly, it’s a little bit of a habit. I want to stay. I want to make her breakfast, cover her in kisses, then shower together. Maybe indulge ourselves in another round of mind-blowing sex.

But that’s not me.

That’s something for a guy who stays around.

The guy in love.

My chest feels tight and my stomach clenches, like something is wrong. I shake my head and finally leave Violet’s place. It’s just a fling. And so does she.

So why do I feel like something is wrong?

TEN

VIOLET

I wake up from the best, most blissful sleep I’ve had in a long time. I stretch and roll over, fully expecting to find Jake’s muscular body next to me. My hand only touches more comforter, the other side of my bed is empty.

Odd. Maybe Jake is in the living room?

It’s only nine in the morning, but for someone who constantly gets up before the sun this extra little sleep is quite welcome. So is the slight muscle soreness in my thighs. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex that passionate and fulfilling. Thinking back to last night I realize we both skipped the use of a condom. Luckily, I’m consistent in my birth control pill use, but still. If this is to continue, I’ll need to pick up a box of condoms. Or two. Who knows what can happen in just a couple of weeks. I need a fun way to work off all those Christmas cookies.

I get out of bed and snag my robe on my closet door. After pulling it on and wrapping the ties, I leave my room. I wander through my home, seeing if Jake is laying about somewhere. I call out his name a few times, but my home is silent. The low ticking of clocks and chirping birds outside the only noise in return. I make my way into the kitchen and realize that the cookies were left out all night.

But hey, at least they’re not burnt.

I chuckle thinking about last night’s timer panic. I start to munch on a gingerbread cookie and scan the kitchen when I notice a note on my whiteboard.

Jake: Had an amazing time last night. Went to check on my grandmother. You snore like a sailor. But a hot one. Meet me for an after-lunch coffee? I know a bakery that makes great pastries.

He doodled a little winky face at the bottom of the note. My heart lurches, the flirty note affecting my feelings just a little more than I’d like. But what did I expect? That he’d stay the entire night, make me breakfast, and then want to spend my whole day together? Those are what people in relationships do, not flings.

But that’s what I wish was happening today. And it scares me.

I’m not quite sure how to shake these feelings that I’ve tried to shield myself from all these years, but I know Bethany might be able to help. First, I need a shower and then perhaps something more substantial than cookies for breakfast. Only after those can I face anything remotely close to a serious discussion.

***

Jake

As I enter my grandmother’s home I feel at ease. It’s familiar. I take a deep breath and my lungs expand as the scent of fresh flowers and lemon Pine-Sol cleaner. My grandmother is nothing if not consistent. She’s been using the same for as long as I can remember.

I wonder how I’ve gone all these years without running into Violet. I suppose that most of my time in Kastle Harbor has been short trips around the holidays and full of family time. It’s also been a few years since I’ve visited for longer than a weekend.

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