Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I open the package and start inserting the little rectangle candies into the dispenser. I take longer than necessary because I’m a little choked up. Fuck, if the guys could see me now. They’d call me a pussy for sure.
I finish loading it and grab her hand, turning it upside down to hold out for me. I put a piece of candy in it and then pop one in my mouth.
We both suck on the candies, just smiling at each other. “I know it’s not much, but you like it, right?”
“I love it,” I tell her. The whole time she’s smiling up at me, and I pull her to me for a hug. It would be so easy to change those words up and tell her I love her right now. I know I’ve felt more for her than just like. I hold on to her, and my hug is fierce, probably too hard, but she doesn’t resist or free herself. I’m resting my chin on her head, and we sit there while I try to figure out how in the world I’m supposed to let this woman leave my life in two days.
Chapter 7
Gavin
I pull back from her. “Thank you, Cassie.” I hold the candy dispenser tight in my hands and hold it to my chest. I don’t think I can express to her what this means to me.
“It’s no big deal, really,” she says, but I can tell that she’s pleased by my reaction.
“It is, though… to me.” I lean back before I do something stupid, like kiss her again. “I guess it’s your turn now.”
“Yep!” she says, picking up the box from the coffee table.
Unlike me, she rips off the ribbon and the wrapping paper in one fast swoop. She fights with the taped edge of the box and eventually just rips it open, sending the item inside to the floor.
I reach over to pick it up and bring it up to hand to her, but the soft black material draws my attention. I hold it up between us, and Cassie’s face turns fifty shades of red.
“Oh my God!” she exclaims, reaching for it. She stuffs it back into the box, but it’s too late. The damage is done. “My sister, how embarrassing.”
Her sister gave her an almost see-through nightie, and already I’m picturing Cassie in it with it wrapped around her curves. She is trying to put the silky material back into the box, but it seems to just slide around before she huffs, wadding it up and stuffing it in.
“So I’m going to get ready for bed.”
“Cassie, wait,” I tell her, holding back a groan. I’m so screwed, even her mentioning the word bed is enough to raise my desire another notch.
“No, I’m going to go.” She gets up, and I stand up too and start to follow her. Like a horny teenager, my cock is bulging in my pants, but I ignore it. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s just going to be a permanent state as long as Cassie is around.
“You don’t have to go to… bed,” I croak out. An image of her in the nightgown, sliding across the sheets of my big bed in the guestroom comes to light in my head, and I clutch on to the back of the couch.
She stops when she gets to the door. Her cheeks are still red, but at least she’s looking at me. “I had a great day today, Gavin. Good night.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to stop her, to beg her to stay, but I don’t. Instead I watch her disappear in the room and shut the door behind her. “Me too,” I whisper into the empty room.
Cassie
I throw myself across the bed and bang my head on the pillow. I jerk my phone off the nightstand and text my sister.
Really?!? That’s the gift you wanted me to open on Christmas Eve. Really?
Her reply is almost instant. Yes. I figured you would need them since I took out your old lady pajamas.
I gasp and jump off the bed, throwing open my suitcase. Sure enough, there’s no pajamas. Not even something I could use as a nightshirt.
You went too far!!! I text her back.
The little bubbles pop up, and then another text comes through. Oh really? You probably went too far by sending Ben here too without telling me.
I jab into the phone. It was for your own good.
I get two laughing emojis and then, The nightie was for your own good too. Just admit you love the guy and be done with it.
I roll my eyes. You admit you love Ben and be done with it.
That seems to stump her because a few minutes go by before I get the next text. I just want you happy. Be happy. Merry Christmas, sis.