I let her words sink in a little, but not all the way. "Maybe you're right."
"I'll see you tomorrow." She tells me.
"Drive safely."
"Always," Brinkley slides into her car and pulls away, and I do the same.
Entirely consumed by my thoughts, I'm pulling up in front of my house before I know it. I can't believe Tannon has me so twisted that I don't even remember driving from the bar to the house. It also takes me a second to notice the familiar truck parked next to mine. What in the world is Tannon doing here at nearly one o'clock in the morning?
Peering through the truck's windshield, I see the soft glow of the outside light lighting the porch. I also see smoke billowing from the chimney. Wait! How did he get into my house?
Gathering my purse from the passenger seat, I open the truck door and hop down. My boots crunch along the snow-covered gravel as I make my way up to the porch. After stomping my feet to knock the snow off, I open the door, and a blast of warm air hits my face. No way is the fireplace heating the whole house like that. Just as the thought crosses my mind, Tannon comes walking in from the kitchen carrying a pizza box and a six-pack of beer. He also looks freshly showered, his hair still damp, has on a pair of jeans, and a dark gray t-shirt. "Hey, baby. I ordered pizza and kept it warm in the oven."
I stand rooted in place as I stare numbly at Tannon. "You let yourself into my home and started a fire." I point to the living room where the wood is burning in the fireplace.
Tannon sets the pizza and beer down on the coffee table in front of the sofa. "I did."
"And, you fixed the furnace."
His lip lifts in a smirk. "The furnace is new."
I scan the room and notice new windows. "I have new windows," I point out yet another thing Tannon has taken care of while I was at work today.
"Wouldn't do much good having a furnace if all the heat was going to escape through the broken windows, baby."
There it is again—that word. Baby. It makes my tummy flutter whenever he says it.
"Um, not that I'm upset, especially since you have been busy all day fixing my house, so I don't freeze to death at night, but how did you get into my house exactly. I locked up before I left this morning." I cross my arms.
"Your locks are shitty."
"Okay," I stare at Tannon. I'm finding this whole scene a little unreal.
"Baby." Tannon moves across the room, and takes my purse from my shoulder then hangs it on a hook by the door. He unzips my coat and slides it over my shoulders. "Go upstairs, take a shower, change into something more comfortable, then come back down so we can eat."
"Yeah?"
He smiles, and I melt. "Yeah. I'll be here waiting for you."
A few minutes later, I am standing in my bathroom as I stare at the men's body wash sitting on the shelf inside the shower. I take in the extra toothbrush in the holder next to mine. I smile at the men's razer sitting beside the sink, along with Tannon's deodorant and cologne on the counter. I also didn't miss his dirty clothes placed in the hamper with mine or the jeans, t-shirts, and flannels hanging in my closet. I didn't miss the boots sitting on the floor under the foot of the bed beside my sneakers either. All these things should be freaking me out, but they don't. I like him fixing my house and standing barefoot in my living room while giving me one of his panty-melting smiles. I like that Tannon ordered pizza and waited up for me to come home. So far, I like everything about Tannon Christmas.
Tannon
I watch Winter disappear up the stairs, and it takes all the restraint I can muster not to follow her. She looked dead on her feet when she came home, and the last thing she needs is me jumping her. As bad as my dick wants to be buried inside her, I tamp down the urge. I feel the moment Winter notices my shit I purposely left all over her bedroom and bathroom. We will need to discuss how things will be between us from now on. Meaning, she is mine.
"I'm starved," Winter finally reappears, coming up behind me in the living room, her hair wet and her face fresh. She's also wearing a pair of pajamas with little reindeers on them and matching socks. Even in her oversized sleepwear covering her curves, Winter is still the sexiest woman I have laid eyes on.
"Come here." Winter fidgets with the hem of her top as she takes a few steps in my direction. I shake my head. "All the way." Winter gives me a shy smile and takes three more steps, stopping directly in front of me.
"Hi." Putting my arm around her waist, I lift Winter off her feet and pull her to my chest. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she lets out a small gasp. I take full advantage and waste no time plunging my tongue inside her mouth. Giving as good as she is getting, my woman threads her fingers through my hair and moans into my mouth—Winter tastes of peppermint and everything I have ever wanted.
Breaking our kiss, I set her back down on her feet. It takes her a moment to get her bearings. "I like the way you say hello," she rasps, gazing up at me with hooded eyes.
"Good, because I plan on greeting you like that every day." I give her one last kiss on the tip of her nose before I grab her hand, lead her over to the sofa, and pull her down between my spread legs. Winter settles back against my chest. I brush her hair aside and drag my lips along the column of her neck, causing her to shiver.
"You want a slice of pizza, baby? I got pepperoni. I hope that's okay."
"Please, and pepperoni is fine."
Using a napkin, I pass Winter a slice of pizza from the box sitting on the coffee table, then hand her a beer before taking a piece for myself. "I can get you something else to drink if you like."
She shakes her head. "Beer is perfect. No other way to eat pizza."
The two of us sit in silence for a few minutes as we devour our food.
"So," Winter starts after she finishes her drink and sits the empty bottle on the table. "I couldn't help but notice some of your things lying around. Is it safe to assume you will be spending the night tonight?"
"Yes." I ball up my napkin and toss it aside. "I'll be in your bed tonight, tomorrow, the next night, and the night after that."
Winter stares at me, her eyes blinking. Adjusting my body, I maneuver her to where she is straddling my lap. I want her eyes on mine when I speak so she can fully understand what I am about to say. "I told you, you belong to me now. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I wanted you. The second I kissed your lips, I vowed to make you mine. When my cock slid inside your pussy for the first time, the deal was sealed. You are mine, and I belong to you. There will not be a night I'm not in your bed or you in mine. Once you have had enough time to realize you are it for me, I will give my landlord notice. In the end, the decision is solely yours. I already know what I want," I finish laying my cards out on the table and wait for Winter to say something.
Finally, she does.
"I think." She looks away as if she is trying to collect her thoughts.
Placing my finger under her chin, I bring her eyes back to mine. "You think what, baby?"
Winter visibly swallows. "As ridiculous as it sounds coming out of my mouth, I think I like everything you just said."