Straight Up [Frostbite Falls Christmas 4] Page 6

  “Now, isn’t that a gorgeous sight.” Sam smiled over at him, laying back relaxed on the couch, relaxed and at peace in a way Trevor wasn’t sure he’d ever seen his cousin before. Not that he could blame him, after the show they’d just put on. Every part of him relaxed except his cock that was still semi-hard. But given where his eyes were focused, on the spot where Trevor’s dick thrust into Vic’s warm, welcoming body, he wasn’t exactly surprised.

  “Fuck, yeah it is.” He ground out between clenched teeth. Every fucking inch of her was gorgeous, but damn, watching her fuck his cousin had been down-right magnificent. And now it was Sam’s turn.

  “Come on baby, let’s give him a show.” He whispered in her ear. She nodded against his shoulder, her breath panting, and that was all the acceptance he needed.

  He slammed back into her, harder than he probably should have, but he couldn’t hold himself back. Control wasn’t one of his specialties, and with his cock pressed into her tight cunt, it was next to impossible. He didn’t understand how Sam had lasted so long. With her sweet little muscles clenching around him, her soft panting breath in his ears, he was already close to his limit, and he’d only been inside her for a minute. Maybe less. It was hard to tell anymore. Time had begun to stand still around when he’d rolled the condom on.

  He thrust into her faster, grinding against her as each pulse pushed him closer to the edge. He was a complete asshole, pushing in and out of her with hardly a thought to her pleasure. It was the type of thing a kid did, or a jerk that didn’t care about her. And he was neither. Even before he’d plunged his cock into her, he’d begun to realize this was about more than just tonight. More than just sex. It meant a whole lot more.

  She was the most amazing woman he’d ever meet. Tonight proved that even more. Only a truly exceptional woman could not only handle two men, but proposition them the way she had. With all confidence they would submit to her. If he didn’t know anything more about her, that would be proof enough she was meant for them.

  But there was so much more to love about her. The way she walked into a room and owned the place. The talent she had for knowing what anyone needed and how to give it to them without being a doormat. Her complete lack of shame about taking what she wanted. That was a woman worth walking through walls for.

  If only it were possible they could be happy together. If only this could last.

  At least for tonight he could enjoy her. Tonight she was all theirs. And his desperation only propelled him on further. Demanding he push back inside her as fast as he could, not wanting to spend a single second from her.

  He pounded away, eking out each shiver of pleasure he could. God, he wanted this to last. All night and all day. Yet each successive plunge only pushed him closer to release.

  Even now fire burned down his spine, roasting his nuts like chestnuts on an open fire. His cock throbbed, but he fought back against the need with every fiber of his being. Hoping to draw this out for just a moment longer. A second longer, if that’s all he could get.

  “I’m sorry, baby,” he groaned against her shoulder, pressing large open mouth kisses to her skin. “I know I’m going too fast. But I can’t stop.” He wanted to. God did he want to. Nothing in his life had ever competed with this. But it didn’t matter. The mind might be willing, but his body wasn’t up to the challenge.

  She stared up at him with a vehemence that took his breath away. “Don’t you dare slow down, Trevor. Don’t ever stop.”

  He groaned beneath her threat. He loved a fucking challenge. And she was one big challenge all wrapped up in a delicious package. She’d never let him get away with anything. No smooth talking or bright smile would have ever get past her. She’d put him in his place every damn time, and he’d love it.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  He picked up speed, slamming into her over and over, drawing moan after moan from her parted lips. She moved with him, undulating beneath him in time with each thrust, pressing up to deepen each plunge.

  Her inner muscles fluttered around him, signaling the explosion to come, and he almost screamed in relief. He wasn’t sure how much more he could take. But he had to try. He’d do anything to hold on for her. To hear her moan, to watch the flush steal over her features while he was still buried inside her. When she cried out beneath him, her back arching and her legs tightening around him, it wasn’t a surprise. It was a blessed relief.

  Her pussy clamped down, clenching him so hard he saw fireworks all over again. But they were inside this time. And they were all because of her.

  He held on to the edges of his control, like a tattered rug ripping beneath his fingers, as he thrust into her one more time. He drove in hard, then let go with a loud roar.

  Spent, he leaned against her. Every muscle in his body twitched, too tired to do anything more than lie there and breath. She tangled her fingers through his hair. Her touch calmed the pounding of his heart.

  “Not that I’m not thrilled to have you lying on top of me.” Her fingers continued along his scalp, sending tingles across his skin. “But I don’t know how much more this coffee table can hold. We’ve already put it through its paces.”

  It took a second for him to realize what she said. But when the words penetrated the thick soup his brain had become, he almost jumped. The coffee table didn’t creak, but there was only so much a few planks of wood could take. He hated to think what the commotion the table collapsing might cause. He scooped her in his arms, and managed to wobble the three steps to the armchair. He plopped in the plush seat, hauling her onto his lap. She nestled into him, nuzzling her head beneath his chin, so sweet his chest constricted.

  “That’s much better,” she mumbled against his neck.

  He stared down at the bundle of contradictions in his arms. He’d never met another woman like her. She could be feisty one minute, and soft the next. She walked around town like a queen, but underneath that cool demeanor beat the heart of a warrior willing to go to battle for the people she cared about. There were so many complexities in this woman, and he couldn’t wait to figure them all out. She might be the best puzzle he’d ever played.

  Stroking his hand along her back, he relaxed back into the chair, enjoying having her close all too much. Sam watched them from the couch, the corner of his lips turned up in a happy smile. Even better, she was a puzzle they could figure out together. It might be the greatest endeavor they’d ever embarked on.

  Chapter Six

  Sam curled his arm beneath his head, staring at the sleepy woman spread across his cousin. She’d cuddled into Trevor, like a kitten finding a nice place to nap, soft and serene in her sleep. Probably more open and vulnerable than he’d ever seen her. She was truly beautiful.

  He could stay here forever. Secreted away with her and his cousin, just the three of them in their own little world. Damn the town, damn the store, damn the whole world.

  Except they couldn’t damn the whole world. Or the town, or the store. Reality would have to intercede eventually, and when it did so would the reality of their situation. The truth neither he nor Trevor wanted to admit.

  He rubbed a hand down his face, fighting back the urge to groan. It hadn’t seemed so bad before. That was until he met her. The little bundle of piss and vinegar lying on top of Trevor.

  God, he wanted her. He wanted her with everything inside him. He wanted to see that devilish smile when she came up with a plan or hear her sweet little laugh when she joked with them.

  He even wanted to share her with Trevor again. Watching the two of them together had set a fire alight inside him he’d never known existed. With his cousin inside her, he could watch every reaction of her body as she came. He wanted to take note of every way Trevor made her scream, so he could do the same. So the two of them could make her scream together, until she was exhausted and more fulfilled than any woman had ever been.

  If only it was possible.

  He glanced at Trevor. His eyes were open. His face just as grim as Sam
felt. His eyes focused on the woman spread out across him. Sam wasn’t the only one in pain, or the only one that would be haunted by what had happened here. At least in that, he wouldn’t be alone.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” Amazingly Trevor usually did. It didn’t surprise Sam at all that he did now, too. “I want to keep her, too. But we can’t.”

  Sam nodded. Trevor was right. They couldn’t keep her. They couldn’t offer her anything. They were failures, fuck-ups. She deserved so much better than them. It was only a matter of time before she figured that out, too. Before she left them behind. Just like everyone had.

  But that didn’t make it any easier.

  It was better if they broke things off now. Just leave this amazing night as a memory. Before she found out the truth. Before she realized who they were. Taking a deep breath, he tried to memorize every aspect of her. Her smell, her taste, her touch. He grabbed a lock of her hair off Trevor’s shoulder, absorbing one more feel. One more touch of her cheek, of her soft lips.

  If this was the last time he’d be this close to her, he wanted every touch. After tonight, she’d never want to see them again. Which was better for all of them. If she continued these seduction plans—which were far more effective than he’d ever guessed, though he wasn’t completely sure why. Vic was amazing at everything she did, why would this be any different? Eventually he’d break. He was only a man after all. And she was his kryptonite. It was better she hate them. It was easiest for everyone.

  She moaned in her sleep, leaning toward his fingers. “That feels good.” She nuzzled a little deeper into Trevor’s chest, and Sam’s heart almost broke in two.

  God, he hated this. He hated that he had to do this. He didn’t want to hurt her. Not even if it was for her benefit.

  He swallowed hard, forcing down the regret and anger threatening to choke him to death. But he had to do this. “I was trying to wake you up. We’ve got to get going.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes popped open, shifting around the room before she blinked up at Trevor. “You’re right, we can’t stay here all night. There’s not even a bed.” She sat up, and Sam grabbed onto the couch cushion to keep from reaching for her, to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and holding her tight. Even if it was only for one more minute.

  “We’ll have to go back to your place. I love my father, but living with him does pose a few inconveniences.”

  “I don’t think that’s a great idea.” Trevor’s voice held more regret than Sam had ever heard from his cousin. Trevor didn’t regret a lot, but apparently leaving her made the list. It was at the top of Sam’s, as well.

  The way her face fell had his stomach twisting. “That’s too bad. I was hoping to try out a few more fantasies that require a mattress.” She wiggled her eyebrows at them, and every part of him sagged. Leave it to Vic to always have a plan on how to convince them in her direction. Though it wasn’t a particularly original thought, as the three of them sat together naked.

  And god how he wished they could give in. He had quite a few fantasies for her, too. More than he knew how to count.

  “That’s a real nice offer, Vic.” He couldn’t deny the chance to use her nickname again, just one more time before he forced himself never to do it again. Though he hoped he didn’t have to work that hard at it. Mostly he hoped he didn’t see her at all. Or that he’d never be close enough to her to talk to her for a while, let alone call her any name at all. And given how this was going so far, there was a good chance she’d agree to keep her distance. “It’s probably better if we head home. Alone,” he added to make his point clear.

  “Oh.” Clearly stunned, she shifted away from Trevor.

  It was already happening. She placed some distance between them. As much as he knew it was good, his stomach still lurched. “Well, when is a good time to meet up again? Maybe we can try and get together later.” Always determined, she wouldn’t make this easy. It was what he loved and hated most about her. “The town will be mostly dead tomorrow, maybe I could—”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Sam cut in before she could finish her invitation, too afraid of what she might say. With each progressive word, the temptation of her--sitting only a few feet away from him still buck-ass naked--was getting harder and harder to resist.

  “It’s probably best we don’t see each other again.”

  “What?” She squeaked more in surprise than anything else. But the pain would come soon. And when it did, it would tear him apart. “What do you mean it’s for the best?”

  “Baby.” Trevor smiled at her as he stood up and grabbed his pants off the floor. “We had a really good time, but this can’t last. You’re the queen of Frostbite Falls, and we’re two lowly peasants. It’s best we end this now and part as friends.” He tugged his pants on, acting nonchalantly, though Sam could see the pain on his face, even if no one else could.

  “You can’t be serious?” She was still determined, and a bit angry, but the slight quiver of her lower lip hinted at the pain that was to come. She fought against it, continuing on in that determined Vic way that only wrenched his heart some more.

  He hated this. He hated every second of it. He didn’t want to hurt her at all. Not one bit. He wanted to hold her and keep her close. To protect her from any pain that might come her way. But that was selfish. And would only delay the inevitable. One way or another she’d end up hurt. It was only a question of now or later.

  “Did you really think this was for more than a night, baby?” Trevor caressed her cheek as he pounded the last nail into the coffin, knowing Sam couldn’t do it. “Sure, it’s fun for a little while, but something like this can’t last. Not permanently. It’s just not possible.”

  And there it was, the wound that hit deep enough she didn’t have a comeback. Her face dropped, her shoulders slumped, and everything inside him froze. Sam hated himself, even though this was exactly the reaction they’d been counting on. It was simpler for all of them if she hated them, but it wasn’t easy. Not by a long shot. Not when every instinct in his body was to tug her closer and hold her until every last pain vanished from her face.

  “You’re right.” She plucked her dress off the floor, using the move to cover her face and the little sniffle that made him want to rip out his own heart and present it to her to demolish—in whatever form she preferred. Stomping, hacksaw, rusty butter knife, he deserved it all.

  Hurting her was the last thing he wanted, but it was better to hurt her now than let her down later. And it wasn’t a question of if. It was when. They’d definitely fuck up again someday, someway. She shouldn’t be the one to suffer this time.

  She held her dress over herself, using it as a shield to cover her nakedness. She’d been so comfortable with them only a minute ago, sitting between them bare and beautiful. But now she closed them off, using the lacy fabric to protect herself from their view. He hated it, even though it was his own fucking fault. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  He knew what she was thinking. She’d thought this night was the best night of their lives. That they worked perfectly together. Because he was thinking the same damn thing. The difference was she didn’t have all the information. She didn’t understand who they really were.

  No, this was better for all of them. No matter how much it might hurt. This was the right course.

  “I’m sure you guys can find your way home.” She slipped her dress over her head, tugging it down to cover as much of her body as possible. He couldn’t blame her, but he still hated it. He hated every single inch she covered, every single scrap of lace that obscured her from his gaze.

  “We’ll be fine, honey.” That was the least he could give her. A quick exit. An easy out. Even though every fiber of his being wanted to keep her close, he had to let her go. She gave him a quick quiet nod, before grabbing her shoes by the door. Holding the heels in one hand, she slipped down the stairs, out of his life for good. It was the right thing to do. He knew that. But that didn’t stop t
he pulsing ache that materialized just below his ribcage.

  Trevor cast a glance his way, but they didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to. They both knew the truth. They’d just thrown away the best thing to happen to them, and there was no turning back. All they could do now was get dressed and head home, hopefully leaving this empty nagging feeling that had taken root in his gut behind.

  But Sam had a feeling it didn’t matter where they went, that ache would follow him. Most likely for the rest of his life.

  Chapter Seven

  “You got in late last night?” Her father looked up at her over the top of his paper as she sat down across from him at the dining table. Most people saw the mayor as imposing and authoritative but to Victoria, Robert Willis was just her father. And like most daughters, she didn’t share her exploits with him. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

  She didn’t bother to look at him. She couldn’t pretend. Not this morning. Everything in her body hurt, especially her chest, which felt like it had been kicked in a dozen times. “There was a lot of cleanup to handle.” Sure, she didn’t need to handle it, but there still had been a lot of cleanup.

  She wasn’t sure exactly when she’d gotten home. But it definitely had been late. After she’d fled the town hall, and most importantly Sam and Trevor, she couldn’t just retreat to her same old bedroom to live her same old life. After six months of planning, of hoping, it had all gone up in smoke, calling into question all that she was. If she wasn’t Victoria the planner, Victoria the manipulator, who was she? Just the thought had her skin feeling too tight, like the life she had—the life she’d loved until yesterday—didn’t fit anymore.