Promises to Keep (14 page)

Almost.

He pressed harder on the now very swollen nub.
Hayley could feel the blood pooling in it where he’d brought its nerve endings
to life.

“More, more.”
She barely
was able to get the words out.

He circled it, flicked it, and that’s all it took
for her to climax, and when she did, she shook in Santa’s arms. Cole pressed
his mouth against her hair. She heard him drawing in his breath.

He deserved a little treat, too.

She pushed the slit in his Santa pants apart and
eased her hand underneath, quickly finding the opening in his boxers.

His cock was hard, hot, pulsating. She stroked it.

“I think you can get arrested for doing that to
Santa,” he whispered close to her ear.

“Yeah, I bet he doesn’t complain when Mrs. Claus
gives him a hand job.”

She ran her hand up and down his shaft, around the edge
of its tip, feeling it grow harder as a bead of pre-cum escape from it.

“Geez, you know how to turn Santa on,” he said.

“I’ve only just begun.”

She pushed one of her legs over him so she was now
straddling him. He seemed to sense what she was about to do so he reached over
to the bed and then handed her the condom that was sitting there.

She tore open the package, reached into his outfit,
and sheathed him.

He massaged her breasts, making them ache and the
nipples to have a heartbeat all their own. Hayley inched up her dress, pushed
her panties to one side and then as Cole held his cock up to her, she impaled
herself down upon it.

“Do you think this sort of thing goes on at the
North Pole?” he whispered.

“How do you think they keep warm?”

She bounced up and down on his lap with him holding
her hips and pressing his face into her cleavage.

A woman couldn’t ask for a better position to have
sex. Cole’s cock hit every part of her pussy, and yes, the G-spot was getting a
massage like never before.

“Oh, Santa, I think I’m about to come,” she said,
putting her hands on either side of his face.

They both laughed as she bounced harder and Cole
lifted his hips off the bed to help her.

It was like an erotic bomb exploding inside her.
Christmas tree lights popping on, and New Year’s Eve fireworks bursting to
life.

“Shit, Santa, you know how to make love to a girl.”

They laughed again and he pulled her backwards so
she was resting on top of him with his cock still buried deep inside her.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at Santa in
quite the same way,” she said.

“Oh, yeah, just wait till you see what the jolly old
man does next.”

****

Hayley was gorgeous.

He stroked the length of her thigh as she lay in
front of him on her right side, her hair spilling over the pillow like a
Christmas angel. Cole leaned over and kissed her, not knowing how much longer
he could last. When she’d climaxed while rocking up and down on his lap, he’d
felt her orgasm take charge of her body. Her pussy clenching his cock like it
might never let it go. She hadn’t faked it one little bit.

 
Blowing
across her earlobe, he brought his hand around to her mound and pushed his
finger downward, finding her folds wet and hot, and her pussy entrance
slithering wet.
 

Yeah, he couldn’t hold off a second longer. He
pressed his dick against her butt cheeks, the pressure parting them and then he
slide it slightly downwards greeting Hayley’s pussy entrance. He gave a tiny
thrust, sending it slipping inside. He held her, wrapping both his arms around
her body and burying his nose into her hair. She smelled like a spring day,
fresh and just like that season, she was his chance of a new beginning.

He slapped his body against hers, groaning as the
movement sent his cock deeper inside her channel.

She stroked the back of his hands.

Cole kissed the side of her neck, feeling warmth
spread through his groin and a familiar stirring that told him he was about to
find release very, very soon.

Hoping that he hadn’t hurt her, he bit playfully
into her neck at the same time he enjoyed his own orgasm. He was out of breath,
and laid his mouth against her skin, feeling her pussy once again grip him.
She’d climaxed, too.

“Santa, that was wonderful,” she said.

“I aim to oblige.”

He wanted to stay and hold her, but the clock on her
bedside table told him it was going on midnight, and although Eileen was
staying at his place to look after the kids, he knew he couldn’t stay in
Hayley’s bed. He just wasn’t ready for that, especially tonight.

“I have to be going.”

“Yes, sure, of course.”

She pulled away and he knew deep down she was hurt. He
could tell by the clipped words, and now she’d gotten off the bed and was
wrapping her bathrobe around herself.

Cole stood and put on his clothes, and then sat and
pulled on his socks and boots. He’d leave the Santa outfit in her care. If he
had any say they’d use it a lot, and he’d buy the fire department a new one.

Glancing over at Hayley, he saw her swipe the back
of her hand across her cheek. She was crying, and he knew he was the reason. He
didn’t want her to ever be unhappy, especially over something he’d done, or in
this case, hadn’t done.

“You didn’t tell Santa what you wanted for Christmas
this year,” he said.

She turned to look at him. Yes, those were tears in
her eyes, and it broke his heart.

“I guess I’d like to have you sleep all night with
me, and find you right beside me when I wake up one morning.”

Chapter
Sixteen

She wasn’t going to break down and cry now that Cole
had driven off into the night. He had his reasons for not staying, and he’d get
over them one day. Wouldn’t he? What if he never did? What if he was so
traumatized by his wife’s passing that he couldn’t move on to the next part of
a relationship?

Hayley sat down on her bed. She rubbed the spot
where just thirty minutes ago Cole had been laying. What if this was all they’d
ever have?
Dancing, laughter, great sex, and nothing more?

She wanted it all, but maybe if she stuck with Cole
she’d never have that.

Hayley slumped down on the pillow, dog bone tired,
but knowing she wouldn’t get any sleep. Her mind was racing. She loved being
with him. Hell, she was pretty sure she was falling in love with him.

Throwing a pillow across the room, she burst into
tears. Why was love so damn complicated?

****

Sadie paced up and down. Usually she was a sound
sleeper, but she had a lot on her mind. First up, she sensed that Hayley was in
love but was now having doubts about Cole being the perfect man for her. She
had to hold on, because he was just that. Maybe she’d have to do a little
intervening.
And poor Cole.
Very soon he was going to
stumble upon something that would tear open a wound in his heart. He’d need
Hayley more than ever.

And if that wasn’t enough to think about, tomorrow
Sadie was flying to Helena and then driving to Brad and Lucy’s house just north
of town. At any other time she’d be excited about visiting them, but she knew
she had an awful task ahead of her.

Explaining to them about their
baby girl and her magical abilities.
Would they
believe her? Would they call the police? Maybe they’d never speak to her again
and that would break her heart. All her Perfect Pairing couples were like the
children she never had. They were her mortal family and she’d do anything to
keep them all safe.

****

Hayley dialed the number Sadie had given her for Gen
Harris. She heard it ring and thought it was going to go to voicemail, but then
a woman answered.

“Hi, Gen Harris speaking.”

“Hi, my name’s Hayley Ward. Sadie Sutton gave me
your name and number.”

“Oh, yes, hi, Sadie did mention you might be calling
for some recipes.”

“I’m giving an afternoon tea at my bed and breakfast
in a few days’ time and was looking for something special to serve.”

“That all sounds so romantic, only wish I could be
there.”

“Sadie said you’re having a baby.”

“I’m having two babies. We found out the one baby is
twins.”

“How exciting.
Do
you know what sex they are?”

“No, we’ve decided to wait to find out.”
“I hope you don’t mind me bringing this up, but Sadie said that your husband
was a widower.”

“Yes, his wife died of cancer.”

“I’m dating a widower and…”

“And what?”

“He has this thing about staying the night.”

“He’ll come around. Jake refused to kiss me for
months when we first got together. Trust me, just give him some time.”

Hayley smiled. Somehow Gen had convinced her that
was what he needed, more time.

“How about I go through my recipe file and you give
me your e-mail so I can send you a whole bunch of recipes for cakes and
scones?”

“That sounds perfect.”

****

Hayley’s hands shook as she carried in trays of
teapots and cups. She had a full house, largely due to Cole’s sisters bringing
all their friends along. She didn’t know if Cole had told them about their
relationship, but she did feel like they were checking her out as she placed
the pots on their table. Not that she could blame them. Wasn’t every girl
protective of their baby brother?

“Hayley,” said the woman Cole had introduced to her
as Eileen. “I don’t know how you’ve done it, but you’ve got my brother in the
holiday spirit. I can’t wait to see him in his Santa outfit.”

“Believe me, he was born to play Santa,” said
Hayley.

“It’s been such a long time since he even recognized
that it’s actually December,” said Michelle, pouring herself a cup of tea. “It
makes us feel a whole lot better.”

Nina stepped into the room carrying a tray of
scones.

“And look at our niece looking so pretty in that
dress.”

“Dad bought it for me and Hayley gave me the
necklace, bracelet, and ring to wear. Oh, and she painted my nails for me.”

Nina looked at her and smiled.

Hayley thought Cole’s daughter was adorable. And Jon
who was still manning the door was the funniest kid she’d known. She hoped he
never lost his strange sense of humor, because it was going to win over a lot
of young ladies.

“Ho, ho, ho, ladies.”

Hayley laughed as Cole entered the dining room in
his full Santa outfit, complete with a bag filled with gifts, slung over his
shoulder. Each box had half a dozen of the famous chocolate chip cookies for
each guest. Cole began handing them out.

“And a Merry Christmas to you,” he said, setting
them down on the plates. “These are special cookies straight from Mrs. Claus’
kitchen in the North Pole. Eat one of these and all your wishes will come true.”

Hayley leaned against the doorjamb and smiled. He
was great at playing Santa, not only in the dining room but the bedroom, too. No
wonder Mrs. Claus had a smile on her face in every picture Hayley had seen of
the lady in red.

Cole looked over at her as if he knew what she was
thinking. He winked at her.

She hoped he remembered what she’d wished for and
that he’d finally say yes to
staying
a whole night in
her bed.

Walking over to her, he had a box of the cookies in
his hand.

“I can’t leave you out of the festivities,” he said.

She took the box from him, opened the lid, and took
out a cookie. She bit into it, letting the chocolate melt on her tongue. Hayley
offered the other half to Cole. He opened his mouth and she slipped it onto his
tongue.

“When do I get my wish, Santa?” she asked.

****

Cole took off his costume in Hayley’s room. The
afternoon tea had been a complete success. He was happy for Hayley. Maybe now
business would pick up at the inn. It had to be scary for her.

And speaking of scary, he knew she wanted him to
stay the night. He couldn’t blame her. He didn’t want to be the type of guy who
made love and then left. He wasn’t that sort of guy. Hayley deserved better.

He sat down on the bed and ran his fingers through
this hair.
Partly to straighten it out where the Santa hat
had ruffed it up.
The other reason, it always seemed to help him think
more logically.

Spending the whole night with another woman wasn’t
something he was ready to do. He didn’t know when he would be.