"Because you're here with me instead of your family?"
Winter's eyes widen. "Oh, god, no! Bringing you here, and sharing stories of family traditions with you is amazing. I'm just a little sad I didn't get a chance to put up a Christmas tree in my home this year. With the usual holiday chaos that surrounds the bar and working on the house, I didn't have time." She shrugs.
"Well, we can't have that, now can we," I say, lifting her off the ground and carrying her to where my truck is parked.
"Tannon! What are you doing?" she laughs as we stop at the back of my truck. I lower her feet back to the snow-covered ground, and reach into the toolbox, retrieving the ax I used the other day when chopping wood out at her house.
"You are going to pick out a tree, and I am going to chop it down."
"It's already Christmas eve, Tannon. There is no point in putting a tree up now."
"This is your first Christmas in your new home." I pull her body flush against mine and look down at her beautiful face. "It's also our first Christmas together. We are going to carry on the tradition that means so much to you."
Winter falls silent, and tears pool in her eyes. Worried I've done something wrong, I lay the ax on the open truck tailgate and take Winter's face into the palms of my hands. "Baby, what is it? Did I go too far?"
Winter shakes her head. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful man," she sniffles. "Thank you, Tannon."
"You don't have to thank me, baby. Making you happy makes me happy." I pull Winter's face to mine and gently kiss her lips. "Now, what do you say we go find the perfect tree?"
My woman nods. "Okay."
An hour later, we have the tree Winter picked out strapped down in the back of my truck bed and are on our way back to the house. When we arrive, I cut the engine, hop out, make my way to the passenger side, and open her door. "Why don't you go inside and make some hot cocoa while I bring the tree in."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Winter's face lights up as she hops down from the truck. I chuckle, watching her excitement, and swat her on the ass, making her giggle as she hurries toward the house with Duke on her heels. By the time I walk through the door with the tree in tow, Winter has changed into her pajamas. There is a tray of hot cocoa with marshmallows sitting on the coffee table, and in front of the fireplace, Duke is laid out on a rug with Mr. Jingles curled up beside him.
"Where do you want it, baby?" I ask.
Winter points to the large living room window to my left. "I think there will be a perfect spot." She bounces on her toes, and the smile I've been wearing all day grows.
As I set the tree in its stand, Winter begins unboxing ornaments and strings of Christmas lights. Over the next hour, I stand off to the side with my eyes trained on the beautiful creature in front of me. It makes my heart happy to see her smile, and her face light up with every ornament she places on the tree. Occasionally she hands one to me to put on the tree for those hard to reach spots at the top.
I listen intently, like a sponge, soaking in every word she speaks as she prattles on about all her childhood Christmas memories. Listening to her has me envisioning the two of us making the same kinds of memories with our own children. All these thoughts make it clear Winter Holiday is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.
A couple hours later, Winter and I are both exhausted from today's events, by the time we crawl into the bed, but it's not enough to deter me from being inside my woman, and by the way, Winter is currently grinding down on me, I would say she needed me as much as I needed her.
"Fuck, you look good riding my cock." I grip Winter's hips to help guide her movements.
"Oh, god," she gasps, cupping her breasts.
"Pinch your nipples for me, baby." Winter takes her nipples between her fingers, giving them a slight pull. She moans at the same time, her pussy spasms around my dick. Tearing my eyes away from her tits, I look down to where we are connected. Moving one hand from her hip, I zero in on her swollen clit, rubbing it with the pad of my thumb, causing her to cry out. Knowing her orgasm is close, I change our position, bringing Winter's body beneath mine.
The connection between us is lost briefly. As soon I settle in between her spread legs, I reach underneath her, gripping her ass in the palm of my hand, and surge forward, burying my cock inside her once again. Winter closes her eyes and tosses her head back as she wraps her legs around me. She clutches my shoulders, her nails stinging my skin. "Look at me," I growl. "I want you looking at me when you come."
Winter's eyes pop open. Keeping her gaze on mine, I continue to move in and out of her. Feeling like we are not close enough, I lower myself down to my elbows. My chest scrapes against her nipples, and my pelvic rubs against her clit on each upward thrust, triggering her orgasm. Simultaneously, a tingle works its way down my spine, and Winter's pussy clamps down around my cock. Not wanting to break the intense spell we are under, I place my forehead against hers. "Come with me." Just as the command leaves my mouth, the two of us crash over the edge together.
Several seconds of silence pass before Winter is the first to speak. "That was," she's still catching her breath, as am I, "that was…I don't even know what that was. I've never felt so connected to someone."
I brush a strand of hair away from her face then kiss her lips. "We were made for each other."
The next morning, I wake to sunlight creeping across the room through the window and my woman in my arms. I look over my shoulder, knowing I will find Duke sitting beside the bed, waiting for me to get up and let him out. "Alright, boy." Sliding my arm out from under her head, Winter stirs next to me and snuggles further into the blanket as I climb out of bed. Mr. Jingles stretches, only to curl up in a tight ball next to Winter's leg and go back to sleep.
Striding over to the dresser, I open the drawer and pull out a pair of sweats. Duke follows me downstairs, where I let him outside. From the looks of things, we got a couple of inches of fresh snow. With my thoughts drifting to last night, I walk over to the kitchen table, retrieving my cell phone, and dial Mr. Kent's number.
Mr. Kent owns Mistletoe Jewelers. His store will be closed with it being Christmas day, but he owes me a favor for some work I did for him two months ago. I know he will be more than happy to help me with what I need today. He answers on the second ring. "Hey, Mr. Kent, it's Tannon. I need your help with something."
Fifteen minutes later, phase one of my surprise is taken care of. "I'm walking out the door now, Tannon. I'll have what you asked for dropped off at Carol and Richard's home within the hour," Mr. Kent says, his mood chipper.
"Thanks, Mr. Kent. I appreciate you going through all the trouble on Christmas day."
"No thanks necessary, Tannon. I'm more than happy to help and be a part of this special day. Besides, my wife overheard. She's a hopeless romantic," Mr. Kent chuckles. "Anyway. Give me one hour."
"Merry Christmas," I tell him.
"Merry Christmas to you, too, Tannon."
When I hang up with Mr. Kent, my second call is to Mr. Holiday.
"I can't say that I'm surprised at how quickly things are moving along between you and my daughter, son," Mr. Holiday says after I told him of my plans. I knew Winter's father wouldn't be shocked by my news. After dinner the other night, he pulled me aside for a man to man conversation regarding his baby girl, and that I want to marry Winter. He laid his cards out on the table, and so did I. It was a great feeling when he gave me his blessing.