I kiss her nipples as my cock is buried deep inside her, squeezing her big, round tits. I’m loving the way her skin feels against my rough hands. Soft and sweet. Innocence and love. By the time we're through, we're out of breath and high on one another. We don't need anything else.
“Do you have any more Christmas ornaments?” she asks with her arms around my neck, as she looks at the Christmas tree.
I nod. “There's a box somewhere.”
When I find it, she stands on her tiptoes hanging the colored glass balls around the tree.
“Merry Christmas, Maple,” I tell her, pulling her close, and then falling into bed. With the tree all lit up, our hand-cut snowflakes covering it, and the snow falling outside, it is a Merry Christmas indeed.
Maple
In the morning, my phone rings and it takes me a moment to realize where I am. Blinking, I reach for my bag, finding it at the foot of the bed. The foot of Filson's bed. A smile spreads across my face as I turn the call to silent. I spent the last day making crazy love with the man who loves me back. It was seriously the best day of my life. And as I look over at Filson, whose morning wood is rising at attention, I smile, thinking maybe this day can be pretty good too.
Recognizing that the number is my real estate agent, and not wanting to wake Filson, who is still asleep, I tiptoe to the kitchen. Of course, the cabin is small, and I realize that he will hear everything I say from here. So instead, I step into the bathroom, and close the door, wrapping a towel around me. I sit down on the closed lid of the toilet and return the missed call.
“Hello, Maple. Thanks for calling me back. I have great news!”
My heart sinks for a moment. Remembering that I'm going to be out of the house by the new year if I'm lucky.
“How great?” I ask. I wouldn't mind putting off the inevitable a bit longer. Still, I know that what is inevitable is the bank seizing my property. So, selling now is the best course of action. It doesn't make it any easier. The grieving process is real, even if it's what I know I need.
“We had a cash offer yesterday. I tried calling last night but I couldn't get through.”
“Cell service is pretty wonky up here. I'm in the mountains.”
“Well, I would love it if you could pop into the office so we could do a bit of paperwork.”
“So soon?”
“Well, Christmas is two days away, Maple. You said you wanted this done by the new year.”
“Right, of course.”
“We have another twenty-four hours before everyone's going to be off for the holiday. Of course, we'll have a few days after Christmas before the new year. Everything should be squared away in time.”
“But what about the inspection?”
“Ah, the offer was in cash and they are waiving the inspection. It’s really your ideal situation.”
“Really? Why would they even do that?”
“They loved the house. They saw the listing and called right away. Put an offer in without even seeing it. Though I have a feeling most people in Snowy Valley have been eyeing that house for a good while. It's a gorgeous property. That gingerbread trim alone makes it a one-click.”
“I don't think people one-click houses,” I mutter, feeling bitter at what I am losing.
She laughs. “Well, this buyer did.”
“Right,” I say, resigned. “So, what do I need to do?”
“Come in here later today, and we can draw up some paperwork. I think I need a few documents from you. I can email them to you if you'd like.”
“That's fine,” I say, craving a shower and hot water to wash my tears away. I wipe my eyes. “Great. Sure. Just let me know what you need me to bring in.”
“And congratulations. The offer is 10 percent above asking.”
“Wow.” It’s all I can manage to say, realizing I hadn't even asked what the offer was, just assuming it was better than nothing. I hang up and step into the shower, turning the water as hot as it can go. Tears fall from my eyes and I want to get all the emotion out before I see Filson. Not because I'm trying to hide anything from him, but because I know that me selling the house hurts him and I don't exactly want to fuel that fire.
I don't want to hurt Filson anymore than he already has been over me selling the house. I take my time showering, washing my hair slowly, and running a bar of soap over my skin, thinking about Filson running the same bar of soap over his skin. The sheer thought gets me all excited. My body is warm and piqued and I'm thinking about crawling back into bed with Filson and prolonging our time together.
But as I step out of the shower and begin to dry off, I remember my actual responsibilities. Namely, the soup kitchen. Jody and Isaiah are already doing so much to throw the New Year’s Eve fundraiser. The last thing I want to do is let them down by not showing up for work. I need to prep for the feast for Christmas morning and I need to get some grocery shopping done to actually be able to provide that.
When I get out of the bathroom, Filson has already made us tea and he hands me a cup of Earl Grey.
“Thank you,” I say wrapping my hands around the mug.
“Look at you all cleaned up,” he says, giving me a morning kiss.
“What are you trying to say?” I ask, eyebrows raised.
“Just that you were really dirty last night,” he teases, slapping my ass.
I run my hand over his thick beard. “I wish I could stay for round one hundred, but I have to get dressed and go to town. I need to be at the soup kitchen this afternoon and prepare for Christmas morning. It’s only two days away.” I feel the tightness in my voice and wish it weren’t there. But the growing stress of the situation is eating at me.
“Something bothering you?” he asks.
“No,” I say. “I’m fine.” I give him another kiss and then I force myself to get dressed. Slip my feet into my boots and then grab my coat. My hair is still wet, but I put my knit cap over it.
Filson, like a gentleman, has warmed my car up for me and scraped the ice from the windshield. Is this what having a man in your life is like? Not having to do everything on your own. A girl could get used to this.
I grab my purse, tossing my phone into it and then I lean down to give Sammy a kiss on her nose. I ruffle my hands under her curly ears. “I’ll see you later, girl,” I say, and then I head out, thanking Filson for getting the car ready.
“Anything for you,” he says, and I bite my lip.
“Thanks, Filson.”
“Of course.” He leans down and gives me a kiss. “I’ll see you later, baby.”
I drive away, wishing I didn't have to but knowing that duty calls. I turn on Christmas music on the radio and find myself singing along to “Silent Night” all the way home.
All afternoon I find myself watching the clock, wondering when Filson will stop by. But he doesn't call, and he doesn't show. Jody finally asks what's my deal is.
“You keep staring at the clock like it's going to tell you a fortune for the future.”
“You’re imagining things,” I say, waving her comment off just as Annabelle steps inside the kitchen.