Holiday Heat III

The day feels so much brighter since I actually slept. Feels crazy to say, but there was no waiting meeting, no to-do list and no existential dread. Just me, the blankets and a peaceful sleep.

It’s magical really. The golden sun streams in through the windows, illuminating the old cottage in such charming light.

I could get used to this.

And I’m in a good mood. Like, an actual good mood. Not sure the last time that happened.

The tree farmer may have a little something to do with it… he said he’d be at a market today… and that I should come. That smile of his when he said—

“I’d like to see you again.”

It’s all I can think about. Because if I’m being honest, I’d like to see him again too.

And why shouldn’t I? I can go to the market, wander around the stalls, pretend I know what I’m doing at a Christmas market. Maybe find some gifts to take home too. And maybe I’ll see Nick, and if I do, maybe he’ll smile at me the way he did last night.

Maybe, I really want him to.

Maybe that’s him.

…Oh. It’s not Nick it’s… My ex.

He’s been radio silent for months. I thought he might have finally stopped, with the whole hashtag blessed post and everything…

But of course not. He “just wants to check in”... as if I can’t handle the memory of what he did to me without a reminder.

Should have thought of that before, you...I don’t have to text him back. I won’t text him back. This… the way he makes me feel… It just sucks all the joy out of any room I’m in and…

I know it’s silly, and I know it shouldn’t, but seeing that text from him has deflated me. I was actually… excited. It was going to be a good day. Look at me, acting like some hopeful heroine in a snowglobe Christmas romance. Unbelievable.

That’s enough feelings for the day. I’ll just stay in. Mind my own business. Maybe it’s better this way.

Who could– I’m not expecting anyone…

“Coming!”

“Rose, good morning.”

“You… brought me coffee? Do you want to come in? ”

“One cinnamon latte. With oat milk.”

“How did you…”

“It’s what you ordered at the coffee cart. I... pay attention. ”

He pays attention. He knows my coffee order. It shouldn’t affect me as much as it does, but I can practically feel myself swooning.

“Mmm, it’s perfect. That’s so kind, thank you.”

“And I’ve made us a plan. ”

“A plan?”

“May I present to you… the perfect Christmas in New York Day. Number one: Macy’s window displays Number two: Bryant Park Christmas market. Number three: the BEST hot chocolate in the city. Number four: Ice skating at Rockefeller centre. Only if you want to, of course. This is your day. Your trip. But I want it to be special for you. ”

He made a holiday bucket list. An actual, honest to god list. For me. For us.

“This is unbelievably sweet, Ben.”

“Is that a yes, then? Will you let me show you my city?”

“Yes.. let’s do it, let’s go.”

“Oh for fucks sake”

“Hi, I...I didn’t see you at the market this morning. Just wanted to check in, make sure you’re okay, that you don’t need anything. ”

“Hi… what is… all that?”

“Emergency Christmas supplies. For the tree, you see. The one you tried to condemn to a lonely, cold Christmas because it looked too festive. ”

“I did not say it like that.”

“You absolutely did. And I also brought lunch. I was hoping between the two, I might be able to persuade you to feel just a tiny bit festive. Uh… can I come in? ”

“If you must”

“Everyone needs a little bit of Christmas, even city people with terrifyingly expensive wardrobes.”

“My wardrobe is not terrifying.”

“It terrifies me. In a fun way. ”

I really can’t tell if he’s mocking me or if it’s a compliment, but I like it. Why am I like this?

“Come on, let me help you decorate. Just the two of us, no one has to know. It could be fun. ”

“You’re not leaving until I say yes, are you?”

“Nope, I like spending time with you. ”

“Fine. But you have…15 minutes. We can decorate for 15 minutes. ”

“Brilliant! Then, maybe after that… we can take a little walk? Get you out of this cottage for a little while? ”

“Maybe”

Ben’s list was even more magical than I expected. And I’d even been better at ice skating than I expected. I only almost fell like… 5? Times. We’ve checked everything off now, and even added dinner at a greasy diner with some world famous sandwiches. It was perfect, and now we’re heading for drinks in some fancy hotel he says we can’t miss.

With all the things I thought might happen, nothing we’ve done today even crossed my mind… but honestly, before this, I didn’t think men like Ben existed. Thoughtful, charming And very generous in bed.

“Come onnnn Rose, you’ve been staring at the tree forever. I know it’s big, but size isn’t everything. ”

I shake myself out of my thoughts, realising I’ve stopped on the sidewalk… I think I’ll just let him think I really was looking at the tree. It is pretty incredible after all.

“You’re incorrigible. Fine, fine. Let’s go. What’s next on that list of yours, Mr. Christmas? ”

“Come on, follow me. You’ll love this.”

“Wow, it’s…”

“I’m captivated, the building in front of me stretches to the sky, twinkling in golden splendor that splashes off the marble columns and only gets grander as he escorts me through the lobby with a tree as tall as the Rockefeller.”

“It’s our next stop. This hotel has some of the most elegant decor in the city… and the most expensive drinks. But it’s worth it for the view. ”

We make our way to a luxe little bar, where marble gives way to dark velvet. The effect is a sultry, more intimate space than anywhere we’ve been today.

“It is stunning, really”

“I meant you, Rose. You’re stunning.”

The way he’s watching me is intense, and it sparks heat in my chest that slowly dips lower the longer he holds my gaze with his. I know I should say thank you, but I want to say please instead. I want to ask for more, but I’m not sure of what.

He tucks us into a quiet corner of the bar and orders us drinks, and I try not to spiral at the way a single glance has me wanting him. But it isn’t just the glance, is it? It’s everything. It’s the way he planned this entire day, his big hand holding mine tight as we navigated crowded spaces. It’s the bear he bought me in that massive toy store and the way he watches me… so that I can’t forget how it felt to be with him, to have his attention fully on me.. On pleasing me…

“Yes, can you tell me what champagne you’d recommend for celebrating a special occasion? Perfect, we’ll take a bottle of that. Thank you.”

I cannot be thinking about things like that when he’s been nothing but kind all day. Just because I can’t keep my thoughts off the way his tongue felt when he… Stop being inappropriate Rose. Your wet panties are your problem. Not...

“Champagne for the lady”

“Thank you kindly.”

“So, what was your favourite part- Oh, god. Sorry…. Taking up too much space as always… ”

“No, no, it’s okay. I...I don’t mind I… kind of like it, actually.”

I don’t know what makes me say it, maybe it’s the heat of his palm on my thigh re-routing all my blood from my brain to the single point of contact… Well, and the hot throb of my far too aware body as I feel my nipples harden in response to his proximity.

“You do?”

“Yeah, I… really do.”

“And… you want me to keep my hand there? You want me to keep touching you, Rose? ”

“Yes. Please. ”

don’t know who closed the gap, but his head is tipped down, mine tilting up and only a breath is between our lips. His hand on my thigh is still, but emboldened by the raw want in his eyes, I cover it with mine and slide it higher, closer to where I really want him to touch me. I’d blame it on the alcohol but I haven’t had a drop. Our champagne is entirely untouched, and instead I’m drunk on the memory of his hands on me.

“Rose..”

“Ben… please.”

““I can’t get enough of you, Rose, I– the way you feel, the way you smell. The way you taste. ”

“He’s saying everything I want to hear, and it fuels the flame of need as his hand finally reaches the apex of my thighs, lightly teasing my pussy over the seam of my jeans as he holds my gaze. ”

“This is what you want. Isn’t it? I can feel how hot and wet you are for me already… but I’m a greedy man, Rose. I want to hear you say it”

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Ben. I need you… please”

“Fuck, baby. Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”

When I shake my head, he smirks lightly, using his free hand to find mine until our clasped hands are cupping the throbbing heat of him through his jeans as he taps the seam of mine over my clit and–

“Shhh, we’re in public Rose. You don’t want to get caught, do you?”

I don’t… but the thrill of it only drives my desperation higher and I can’t help the way I can't my hips into his touch, squeezing and stroking his dick in time with the music pumping through the quiet bar.

““Let’s get out of here…”

His words are music to my ears, but my body is strung tight, flush with arousal and desperate to feel more of him than layers of clothes and this public setting will allow. And I don’t know if I can wait.

“I’ve got a better idea…”

“This is the nicest loo I’ve ever been in.”

As soon as the bathroom door shuts behind us, my lips are on his neck and his hands push beneath my sweater. His touch sparks my need like wildfire and I’m arching into him, aching for more contact, more heat, more everything with him.

He kneads my breasts as he kisses me, and I’m arching into him, moaning desperately. It feels so fucking good… just the right pressure, just the right— (soft gasp/moan) He tweaks one, then the other, his full lips curving into a wicked smile at the way I’m turning into putty in his arms.

“On the counter, Rose. But first, these… off.”

“His thumbs hook my belt loops, and I am tugging at my jeans in record time, so eager to obey him that I nearly trip as I try to shimmy out of my jeans and turn to hop on the counter at the same time. ”

“Easy baby, I’m not going anywhere. Just need you out of these jeans so I can slide this hard cock inside…”

“When I look down, I realise he’s unzipped, one hand wrapped around his thick dick and slowly stroking. His tip glistens with how bad he wants me and it fills me with a swirl of pride and need. ”

My legs spread without my meaning to, making space for him as he steps between them and begins kissing me again, his hard cock pressed against me as I arch into him and the hot need of his mouth.

“Please, Ben, I need… Please fuck me.”

“God, say that again…”

“Yes, please, yes, I need you inside me. Please fuck me. ”

“The way he fills me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I can’t believe we’re doing this– It’s crazy and I can’t get enough, especially when every upward thrust grinds my clit against the base of his cock.”

“Oh, fuck Ben, look.”

I tip my head, rocking on him as I indicate the mirror to my right where we can watch as he fucks me on this marble counter and—

“Look at us Rose. Don’t look away. Watch me fuck you… look how fucking good we look. How perfect you feel. Fuck, oh fuck ”

And I don’t know if it’s the riskiness or the angle, or maybe the way he’s talking to me but fuck, I am so close and I need to cum but I never want this to end.

“You feel so good, I can’t. I’m so close, so close… can you cum with me? Can you cum all over my cock, baby? ”

His filthy mouth and perfect cock are too much to take. It’s too much and not enough, so I drop my hand between our bodies and I watch in the mirror as he fucks me while I stroke my clit and–

“That’s it, that’s it. Just like that, don’t stop. Cum on this cock. Cum with me. ”

“I cannot believe… we did that.”

“We definitely did… and I don’t want to forget it.”

“There she is! Thought you’d given up on me… again.”

“Thank you Donald! And you. I don’t ‘give up’... I selectively participate.”

“And today, you’re participating in this.”

“And what, exactly, is this?”

“Follow me.”

“Oh. my God… you have a sleigh?”

“I mean, technically it’s my mum’s. But she lets me borrow it for special occasions. ”

“And I’m a special occasion?”

““Of course you are”

He is not allowed to be this charming, and yet, here I am… charmed.

“I feel manipulated”

“Great, means it’s working. Come on. I promise I won’t let you fall.”

I try not to notice the neat way his hands fit on my waist, or how close he’s sitting in this small space. The blanket covering our laps traps us in a little bubble of shared warmth.

“See, it’s not so scary. Or so awful, is it?”

“It’s beautiful... And I kinda hate that it’s beautiful. ”

“You’re allowed to like things, Amelia. Even Christmas. Even… this”

“Careful, if you’re too nice to me, I might melt”

“I’d like it if you did.”

“I had… plans, you know? I was going to avoid feelings, ignore problems. Hide in a cottage and talk to no one. You’re messing it all up. ”

“Good, maybe I want to mess it up. Maybe I want you to feel something warm for once. ”

He’s too close, and too gentle. It’s too much, because I can’t deny how good it makes me feel.

“You’re very…sunny. ”

“And you’re very…Stormy. ”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“It’s an observation… But yes, I like it. A lot. ”

“We’re back…And Amelia…I’m really glad you came today ”

“Me too.”

“I want to kiss you, Amelia.”

“Okay…”

“You want me to kiss you? You’re nodding, but I want to hear you say it. ”

“Yes, I—”

“Nope! Nope… moment ruined.”

“Maybe not ruined, just… postponed.”