Page 14
C ole
The lights from Copper Mountain’s New Year’s Eve celebration glow against the fresh snow, casting a warm golden hue over the town square. I walk hand in hand with Ivy, her laugh ringing out as she pulls me toward the ice rink set up in the center of town. She’s dressed in that Mrs. Claus costume she insisted on wearing, complete with a fur-trimmed red skirt and black boots that look damn good on her. I can’t help but grin, shaking my head at the way she’s pulled me into all this holiday cheer. And hell if I don’t love every second of it.
She nudges me, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that look for?”
“Just trying to decide if you’re on the Naughty or Nice list this year,” I tease, adjusting the Santa hat she plopped onto my head about an hour ago. “Because from where I’m standing, it’s looking a lot more like the former.”
She smirks, tugging me toward the rink. “I’m sure I could say the same about you.”
We step onto the ice, laughter echoing around us from families and kids racing in circles. Ivy clings to my hand, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright as she glides beside me. For someone so light on her feet, she’s not exactly steady on the ice, and every now and then, she stumbles, sending a shiver of heat up my spine every time I catch her.
“You know, if you’re going to hang onto me like this,” I murmur, pulling her close, “you might just end up on the Naughty list.”
“Oh, is that so?” she challenges, a playful glint in her eye. “What would it take to end up on the Nice list then?”
I lean in, brushing my lips just beside her ear. “Maybe another year of putting up with me. Think you can handle that?”
Her laugh turns soft, her fingers tightening around mine. “I think I can manage. But you might need a few more Christmas miracles to really win me over.”
“Miracles, huh?” I pull back just enough to look at her, her breath clouding the cold air between us, her lips parted in a smile. “Maybe I’ve got one more up my sleeve.”
Before she can respond, I drop to one knee on the ice, keeping her hand in mine. Her eyes widen, and the laughter fades into something softer, more vulnerable. The sounds of kids cheering and the ringing of bells fade until it’s just her and me under the lights.
“Ivy,” I say, my voice a little rough as I stare up at her, feeling the weight of everything she’s given me, everything she’s brought back into my life. “You’ve changed me. You took a man who thought he didn’t need anyone, who’d closed himself off from everything, and you showed me what it means to really live again. I can’t imagine a single day without you, and I don’t ever want to.”
Her hand trembles in mine, her breath catching as she stares down at me, her eyes shining. I reach into my coat pocket, pulling out a small ring I’d been holding onto since Christmas Eve, waiting for the perfect moment.
“So what do you say, Ivy?” I ask, my voice low, steady. “Will you marry me and make every Christmas, every New Year, a little bit brighter?”
There’s a heartbeat of silence, then she nods, her face breaking into a radiant smile. “Yes,” she breathes, her voice barely a whisper before she’s pulling me up and into her arms. “Yes, Cole, a thousand times yes.”
The crowd around us bursts into cheers, and I slide the ring onto her finger, feeling a sense of rightness settle over me as I hold her close, her laughter mingling with the sounds of celebration. Knox and Perry are clapping from the edge of the rink, and Pope and Ruby give us approving nods, Ruby wiping her eyes with a grin. All around us, the townsfolk who’ve watched me resist this woman’s holiday cheer are now clapping, cheering as she throws her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a kiss that’s sweet and slow, filled with promise.
As we skate off the rink, Ivy’s arm looped through mine, she glances up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So,” she says, tugging me closer, “how about we start planning next year’s Naughty or Nice contest? This time, we do it together.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You really don’t take a break, do you?”
“Not when there’s work to do.” She grins, leaning into me. “Besides, now that we’re official, I think it’s time Copper Mountain gets a taste of the both of us, fully united. They won’t know what hit them.”
I pull her close, brushing a kiss over her forehead. “As long as I get to keep you by my side, I think we can handle anything this town throws at us.”
And as we walk hand in hand through the snow, Ivy’s laughter filling the night air, I know we’re not just building a life together; we’re building a legacy of holiday cheer, of shared joy and new traditions. And I can’t wait to see what the next year, and every year after that, will bring.
“You should move in with me,” I say an hour later as I carry her into my cabin, setting her on her feet in the hallway and kissing my way along the arch of her neck, “starting tonight.”
“Don’t be crazy,” she giggles.
“I mean it, I don’t want to be without you another minute.”
She shakes her head, but I continue to distract her with my lips, just how she likes it.
“We see each other every day, you don’t want to wait until we’re married?”
“Not good enough.” I don't give her a chance to reply as I guide her to my king bed and cage her in my arms on top of the mounds of down. “I want all of you, all of the time,” I growl, tension and tightly strung control twisting through me as I force every move of my body to be tender with hers. I lick my lips and slip my hands under the red sweater she wears, making contact with her skin. “You smell good enough to eat.” I pull the fabric over her head to reveal a fitted little pink tank top underneath decorated with candy canes, the outline of her perfect pebbled nipples standing out. “I've been starved for the taste of you on my tongue since you said yes.” With eager hands, I slip off her red skirt and take in the sight of what is mine.
She’s all soft curves and dips, enough to make my mouth water with the need to mark and bite and own every creamy inch of her skin. She is angelic and sexy, and just seeing the way she gazes up at me–with so much trust and love radiating from her eyes–it's enough for me to beg her to be mine.
“Mmm…” I shake my head as her arousal dampens the crotch of the tiny baby-pink lace-trimmed panties she wears. A low growl escapes my throat as my eyes dart up her body. A crooked smile plays on my lips. “Feels like a fucking year since I’ve been between your thighs.” I lean in, catching her ear with my teeth and dragging lightly. “You drive me crazy, woman. Every single moment spent without you is torture.”
I push down my pants and wrap my hand around the base of my cock, struggling to keep this sweet for her sake. ''I've been jerking off to you in my fantasies wearing this this cute little Mrs. Claus getup...imagining calling you Mrs. Mitchell makes my dick leak.”
“Cole…” Her breaths are hot and shallow, her pants making her chest rise and fall and causing her nipples to pucker irresistibly. I slide the tank top over her shoulders and kiss my way down her arms as my fingers slip the straps of her bra out of the way. A deep growl escapes me as I unhook the back and expose her full round breasts to my hungry gaze. My eyes hold hers as my lips connect with her nipple for the first time. She arches and groans, pleasure running through my system and hers in a swift current.
“Since the night we lost our virginities together, there’s never been another woman for me,” I tell her as I move to her other breast, kneading and sucking along her sweet skin.
“Cole, God…” Her voice cracks. She meets my eyes, emotion burning bright there. “I love you so much.”
“Baby,” I breathe, taking deep breaths to control my emotions. “I'm all in with us, I always was, it just took me a while to admit it to myself.” My words crack as my cock presses against her panties, leaving a slick trail of pre-cum on the fabric. “I've spent too many years without you, my heartbeat.” I push her panties aside and slide two fingers along her wet and swollen lips. She arches and moans as I press inside her. “This is mine,” I mutter before nipping at her pink nipple.
With one hand, I knead and squeeze her breast, feeling the softness under my fingertips. She writhes and thrusts against my hand, riding my fingers until she reaches orgasm.
“Only I taste this. Only I'm inside this beautiful tight little pussy. You only scream my name.” I suck and stroke her walls with my fingers until she comes undone around me. Her heat seeps out of her sweet cunt as she moans and pants my name, one hand tangled in her hair as she arches off the sheets, her breasts thrusting into the air.
“You own my heart, Ivy, and I own this.” With one palm smoothing up her stomach and between her breasts, I wrap my hand around her delicate neck and caress her pulse point with my thumb.
Her hands are traveling over my skin now, our lips locked together as we pant and sweat and share raw emotion between us. “I want all of you, Cole. I wanted you the first day I came to your workshop, and I want you even more now.”
I press my head to hers, my dick hovering just at the edge of her entrance. My heart battles inside my ribcage as this woman soothes all the dark parts of my soul.
"You look so at home in my bed. I want you here forever," I whisper against her lips. I slip my shaft against her slippery folds.
"I want to feel all of you,” she replies breathlessly.
Our lips connect in a powerful kiss as I sink into her, circling my hips to work deeper. The feeling of her again about undoing me. I dig my fingers into the creamy flesh of her curvy thigh. "I'll never hurt you, Ivy. You'll never have to worry about anything again. I've got you."
My thrusts ease into a steady rhythm as I try to keep my epic unraveling at her hands at bay. My fingers work against her quickly, our bodies moving together feverishly like we'd both been starved for this moment. My release burns low at my spine, my balls reaching an unbearable tingle. But it doesn't matter because I've already lost everything to her. She's taken it, taken me completely.
"I wouldn't survive another day without you," I murmur softly as my orgasm tears through my body, flooding my veins from my legs straight out to my fingertips. "I wouldn't survive you."
I drop her thigh from my waist and run both of my fingers through her damp hair. I pull her mouth to mine and caress her with my lips, our tongues tangling together, dancing and caressing, smoothing and tasting.
"I love you, Cole…” She cuts me off with another desperate kiss before pulling away and finishing, her lips dusting against mine. "Forever and ever."
I nuzzle my head into her neck, feeling her palms run soothingly over my back, her nails leaving faint marks on my skin. In every single moment, this woman never fails to amaze me.
We snuggle up together, our limbs tangled in a messy heap as our heartbeats gradually return to a steady rhythm.
"Mmm," I murmur contently, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her closer to me. My tongue darts out to taste the sweet, sweat-slicked skin along her neck. “I want you to wake up every morning with my tongue on your body.”
Life has completely turned around in the past few hours. She’s mine, officially. She said yes and it’s finally settling in that soon, we’ll be married and hopefully starting a family.
“You make me so damn happy, Ivy. It’s not every day your dream girl walks into your life." I kiss her knuckles tenderly, paying extra attention to the ring that sparkles on her finger. I’m unable to keep my hands off her for even a moment.
Her smile widens at how genuinely happy and content I am with her by my side. “Bet you never thought you’d marry Kandi Kane the Christmas elf.”
“You smartass,” I smack her on the bare flesh of her bottom.
“You love my smart ass.” She wiggles against me.
“It’s a beautiful one,” I agree, smoothing my palm across her round ass cheek and dusting my fingers along the sensitive flesh between her legs.
“Stop,” she moans.
“That stop sounds more like a go.” I drag my fingers through the wetness, pleased to find she wants me again.
“Mmm…” She traces her fingertips up the searing hot flesh of my quickly stiffening erection, making it jump and leak uncontrollably. I catch her by the wrist.
“Not fair play. Right now is about you.”
“Let me finish, it’s not every day I get the chance to steal Santa’s cum twice in a row,” she coos, hand back at my cock.
I laugh out loud at that. “God, look at your greedy little hands begging for my cock. I’ll let you finish only if you promise to let me finish after.” I tug at her nipple with my thumb and forefinger. “Horny like a teenager for me, huh, Ivy?”
“You’re the horny teenager.” Both of her hands are wrapped around my cock now, pulling gently. “You're so hard again. What did you do before me? A Christmas elf blowup doll under the bed?” she teases.
“No need for blowup dolls, baby.” I grin. “I've been this hard for you since the last time your hands were on me.” My cock jumps and leaks a bead of more pre-cum. “There's no taming me when it comes to you.”
She strokes my shaft, looking all gorgeous and attentive to my dick in the prettiest way, but I can't stand watching her please me without having something to do to her. I haul her to my waist, catching her in a long and slow kiss. My hands roam her skin tenderly, my cock darting just at her entrance before she angles her hips, slipping me just inside her until she is riding me easily, our moans echoing off the walls of my room—our room now.
“I want to put my babies in you–soon.” I pull her chin to me and kiss her soft lips.
“Babies, huh?” She giggles, and my heart lifts a little more. If I can keep her smiling and happy, I will forever count my blessings.
“As many as you want.” I nod and kiss her lips one last time. “And I plan on practicing. A lot.” I smack her bare ass, and she shrieks before I haul her over in my bed and ravage her with my tongue all over again. “I have a pressing need to see you cumming on my tongue again, Mrs. Claus.”
She laughs. “I can't wait.”