Don't Turn Back (Coming Home Book 1) (23 page)

“I met up with mom today and helped her with some last minute Christmas shopping. Looks like we are going to have a late lunch Christmas Day and we’ll exchange gifts that afternoon.” Just the mention of gifts puts a sparkle in her eye. I swear, she reminds me of a little kid that can barely contain her excitement Christmas morning, while waiting for the rest of the family to wake up.

I think back to the bracelet hidden underneath my car seat. I really hope she likes it.

Christmas Day finally arrives; it’s been such a relief to be home the last few days. I told Jennifer I was off until after New Year’s Day because Jared claimed business would be a little slower. I take advantage of saying this by adding how much I would enjoy having a better job that has dependable hours and better pay. Unfortunately, she doesn’t comment one way or the other, so I still don’t know how this will all play out.

We are still in bed, and I roll over and place my arm around her, pulling her close to me. “Have I told you lately how much I really appreciate you taking me in and loving me?” I throw in that “L” word just to see how she reacts. 

She turns to face me and traces her finger along my jawline. “How about you let me show you just how much I love you being here with me.” There’s that “L” word again, this time coming from her.

I slide her t-shirt off, and she tosses it to the floor. I reach down to grab her ass and feel nothing but nakedness. Somehow, she was able to remove her panties without my knowing it. 

“Merry Christmas, baby.”  She whispers.

I feel chills run down my back as she lightly glides her fingers from my shoulders, down my back, and stops at the boxers that I am still wearing. Hooking her finger in the waistband, she moves from the back towards the front. I’m instantly hard, ready for her to touch something else. I thrust my hips towards her, indicating to her that I want her to touch me more.

She picks up on my hint and together, we slide my underwear down to my feet. I slip my finger between her legs, and she opens them further for me, exposing herself. She is dripping wet for me already. I’m amazed how easily she is turned on.

Rubbing back and forth, I insert two fingers, and she lets a pleasurable moan escape her mouth. I know she’s ready for more by the way her hips rise up from the bed. I climb on top of her, and within seconds, I’m sliding in and out of her, but then I realize that I’m not wearing a condom.

“Baby, hold on a second. I need to get something from the bathroom.” I try to pull out, but she holds onto my butt cheeks and pulls me in deeper.

“Please, don’t stop. I need to feel you. I’m so close already.” She’s into this, hot and heavy.

And before I have a chance to mention the condom again, she’s breathing heavy, lifting up from the bed, and meeting me, thrust for thrust. It doesn’t take long before I’m coming too, and I swear she climaxes twice before we are finished. The sex with her is out of this world.

I prop my head on her chest between both breasts, listening to her heart race, then gradually slowing down to a normal beat. We lay there for a few moments not saying anything. She runs her fingers through my hair, applying light pressure with her fingertips on my scalp, and I am amazed at how this feels. I have never had anyone do this to me before.

I’m just about to doze off when she shifts underneath me. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Do we have to move?” I ask her. “You feel so incredible; your skin is so soft.”

I slide over and allow her to get up. It’s nice knowing we have the next few mornings together to hopefully repeat the events of this one. Jennifer is taking the next few nights off since her parents are in town, and I plan to take advantage of every chance I get to be alone with her.

I see the light turn on from underneath the bathroom door, and I lay in bed, listening to the silence that fills the apartment
. How does someone like me deserve someone like her?
The silence comes to an end when I hear the water turn on in the shower.

I get up and walk to the bathroom door. Deciding not to knock, I push open the door she failed to lock behind her, and take in her reflection through the sliding shower doors.

“What’s up, babe?”  She asks me.

“Mind if I join you?” I slide the door back slightly, startling her, and catch a glimpse of her naked body, a trail of water running over her breasts. 

She opens the door enough for me to step in beside her, and I accept her invitation. We take turns pleasing each other again. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable sex is for me early in the morning. The water begins to turn cold, so unfortunately, we have to cease our play time.

I prepare us a light breakfast of eggs and toast, not wanting to eat too much since we are expecting a big meal this afternoon. As I’m cooking, Jennifer walks into the kitchen, her hair still damp from the shower. I am amazed at how refreshed she looks following our morning escapade. I wish that she didn’t have to work nights so we could wake up together every morning.

She’s grinning like a kid with a new toy. 

“What?” I ask her, with mock innocence. “Why are you so happy?”

Looking at me, I see there’s something she’s holding behind her back. “Would you like to open one of your presents early?” 

Jokingly, I make an attempt to tease her. “I don’t know. I thought I had been a bad boy this year, unless of course, that’s a bag of switches you’re holding.”

“You don’t have a mean bone in that body of yours.” She’s quick with her response.

“
Ahh
, is that what you think?”

She pulls the wrapped box out from behind her back and hands it over to me. 

I feel bad because I only have the one gift for her; I’m not sure if I should give it to her now or wait until this afternoon when we are with her family. 

“Happy first Christmas together,” I tell her. I place the package on the table and pull her to me, kissing her briefly on her lips. When we break apart, I add, “I hope there are going to be plenty more Christmases to share with you.”

“
Awww
, Brian. That’s so sweet. Here, open it.” She picks up the present from the table and passes it to me once again.

I carefully pull back the paper from the box and see that it’s a new pair of jeans. “Thank you, baby. I really need these.” 

“I know you needed some new clothes, and I thought having an extra pair might help. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to have to work out in the cold wearing shorts.” 

Why did she have to mention my job again?
Everything has been going so good this morning. I wish it would just go away. I don’t need anything ruining the next few days we have together. I must find something else soon.

It’s Christmas morning, and I’m thankful to able to share this day with my family and Brian. Even though we’ve only been together a few weeks, he makes me so happy. I only hope my family can try to welcome him with open arms.

Brian tries on the jeans I gave him and walks around the kitchen modeling them for me. He’s got them hung low around his waist, and if he doesn’t stop with his fancy moves, I’m going to start drooling uncontrollably. He damn sure knows how to fill out a pair of jeans. Maybe if he had a shirt on I could stop fantasizing dirty things I want to do to him. 

He walks over to the tree and pulls a small box out from underneath it.
How did I not notice this box earlier?
He must have had it wedged between the packages for my family. The box is neatly wrapped in gold paper and has a glittery gold bow on top. Judging from the wrapping, I know he didn’t wrap this himself.

As he hands it over to me, I see a concerned look appear on his face. “I know it’s not much.” He pauses before continuing. “I really wanted to get you something more, but since I haven’t had much time to save up, consider this only the beginning. I hope you like it.”

I pull off the bow and carefully slip my finger underneath the tape. Inside is a white box with a jewelry store’s named embossed in gold on the top. “Brian, you shouldn’t have.” I look up at him, surprised he would buy me jewelry so soon in our relationship.

I’m almost afraid to lift the lid. Inside the outer box is an actual cloth lined jewelry box with a hinged lid. I slowly lift it and see a beautiful silver bracelet inside. I bring my hand up to cover my mouth, surprised by such an elegant gift.

“Do you like it?”

“Brian, it’s gorgeous.” I wonder if he had help picking it out. “Here, help me put it on.” I lift the bracelet from the box and hand it over to him, extending my left arm.

He fastens the clasp, and I hold my arm out for both of us to see. “I hope you like the colored stones. They aren’t real gemstones, but someday I will replace them with the real thing.”

“I love it. I can’t wait to show Rebecca. Let me grab my phone so I can take a picture of it to send to her.” 

I take my phone from the bedroom and return to the kitchen. 

“Come here. Be in the picture with me.” I pull him close to me and hold the bracelet up close to my face.  I snap the picture and send it to Rebecca.

Me:
 
Look at my Christmas present from Brian.

A few minutes go by before I hear the phone alert me to an incoming text. I pick up the phone only to see there’s no text waiting on me.

“Hmm, that’s funny. I thought I heard the phone go off. Could that be yours?” I ask Brian as I set my phone back down on the table, disappointed.

“I doubt it.” He quickly responds. “Who would be texting me?” 

He’s got a point, since he hasn’t mentioned sharing his number with anyone or contacting any of his friends or family back home. He picks up the phone and taps it a few times.

“Was it yours?” I ask questioningly.

“Wrong number, again.” He adds quickly.

“Oh.” About that time I hear another beep, only this time it’s from mine. I instantly forget all about his mysterious text.

Rebecca:
 
Very nice bracelet. I’m assuming it’s from Brian. Hope you both are having a Merry Christmas.

Me:
 
Oh, we are. Merry Christmas to you too. What did you get?

Rebecca:
 
Engaged!

Oh my goodness!
 
I am bouncing around the kitchen, jumping up and down. “Brian, Rebecca got engaged. Greg proposed.
Yeaaah
!” Even though the proposal was almost eminent, I am so happy for my best friend.

Me:
 
OMG!
 
What an awesome Christmas present for you.

Rebecca:
 
I was not expecting it at all.