Gifted To His Dad: Christmas Novella

“Wake up, babe. We’re here.” Cole leans over, guiding a strand of my hair behind my ear. Sleep still holds on to me, and the cab of his truck feels like a warm cocoon I don’t want to break out of.

A yawn takes over my face as I come to my senses. “Sorry.”

His clear green eyes focus on me as his soft chuckle fills the space. “You’re adorable like this.”

I don’t know how to respond. I’ve never considered myself anything but ordinary. Boring brown eyes, mid-size frame, with a below-average height. The only thing distinct about me is my copper hair, which my mom swears I inherited from my father. Not that I can remember him. My mom never missed an opportunity to remind me that I was the reason he left her. Apparently, I was colicky as a baby, cried for hours at a time, and he just couldn’t take it. Even as an infant, I was too much trouble.

So how am I dating Cole? He’s perfect in every way. Captain of our college hockey team. The highest-scoring forward in the division and somehow manages to be at the top of our class in grades. That’s not even touching on his popularity. There’s not a single person who doesn’t know him, or at least wants to know him, on campus. He could have anyone he wants.

So why is he here with me?

“What are you thinking about so seriously?”

I gaze out the windshield at where a mansion of a log cabin stands tall in front of us. Lantern-shaped lights illuminate the rustic details even in the night.

“I don’t belong here.” I bite my lip, looking anywhere but at him, but he catches my jaw and brings my gaze back to his.

“Don’t say that. I’ve spent weeks begging you to come here. That should be enough to convince you I want you here.” He leans over and kisses me gently. His broad frame eclipses mine as his tongue runs along my bottom lip, coaxing my mouth open. The sweet taste of peppermint gum takes over my taste buds as he deepens the kiss. My fingers dig into his shirt, tightening the fabric in my fist as a soft moan escapes my lips.

Tension eases from my shoulders with each stroke of his tongue. This is the one thing I’m sure of. He wants me. With every touch, he devours me more until I feel like he’ll consume me whole, wiping away all my worries.

It’s not until my lungs burn for air that he lets me go, resting his forehead against mine. “Let’s go in before I fuck you in the car.”

I can’t stop my smirk. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Before I can pull him back into me, he opens his door, and the crisp winter air sends a chill through me. He somehow convinced me to come to his family’s mountain retreat for Christmas break after hearing I wasn’t going home to Florida. Cole comes around my side of the car, opening the door and wrapping his arms around me the second I get out. “So…what do you think?”

The full moon casts a glow over the entire area, giving it an almost ethereal look as giant, fluffy snowflakes float down from the sky. I inhale deeply, the cold air stinging my cheeks, but I don’t want to break the moment. “It’s beautiful.”

Cole’s gaze is on me, a small smile curving his lips when he responds. “Yeah, you are.”

A shiver rolls through me, and Cole entwines our fingers as he leads me up the front steps. He doesn’t let go as he punches in the lock code, and the heavy wood door swings inward, revealing a large entryway that’s lit by a giant chandelier. Every light is on in the house like someone’s here.

I tense, feet sticking to the floor. “I thought you said your stepdad wasn’t coming until tomorrow?”

I’ve been counting on the fact that I’d have an entire day to prepare myself to meet his stepfather. If he’s anything like his stepson, I can only imagine how overwhelming it will be. Guys like Cole don’t bring girls like me home. We’re from different worlds. Not that Cole would ever say that.

He nudges me deeper into the house and shuts the door behind us. “He’s not.”

I turn my chin up so I can look at him. His six-foot-three height makes it impossible for me to see him eye to eye. He curls his shoulder, cutting the space between us. “I turned the lights on with an app when we got here. I thought you’d be more comfortable that way.”

He’s sweeter than should be possible, and a tinge of guilt tightens in my chest. It’s not fair to him that doubt still creeps in, that somehow none of this feels real. Especially since he’s done nothing but be good to me for the last several months.

My fingers tighten in his as we move through the hall to where it opens to an enormous living room. The exposed wood beams at least twenty feet above us look like they’re holding the ceiling up. Windows shaped in an A-frame take up the back wall. They’re black in the night, but I have no doubt the view is phenomenal.

The focal point of the room is a giant stone fireplace, running floor to ceiling. Large, soft leather sofas flank it, with two extra-deep club chairs in the middle.

“Your mouth’s hanging open,” Cole says playfully, bumping his shoulder against mine.

My cheeks heat. I’ve never seen anything like this. “I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it in no time. Think of it as a hotel.”

He’s trying to soothe me but has no idea I’ve never been in a hotel that holds a candle to his vacation home. I’ve been to his apartment several times, and even though the furniture is obviously expensive, it didn’t make me feel as out of place as I feel here.

Cole’s warm arms wrap around me, tugging me against his solid chest. His heart pounds against my ear as he strokes his fingers through my hair.

“Should I not have brought you here? Do you want to go back?”

By his tone, I know he means it. With a word from me, we’ll be back on the highway and headed straight home. He’s proven time and time again that he’ll always take my comfort into account, patiently waiting for me to catch up.

I nuzzle into him, breathing in his deep sandalwood scent, then meet his gaze, giving him my most reassuring smile. “No, I don’t want to go. I think I’m just a little tired.”

His eyes search mine before he nods. “Okay, let’s get you comfortable while I get our things from the truck.”

He gestures for me to sit on the sofa, and I climb on, tucked into the corner with my feet pulled under me.

“The doors are going to be open for a bit, so it might get chilly.” Cole grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and drapes it over me, then leans down to light a log in the fireplace before walking out toward the car.

It’s surreal being here, in a place I would never have imagined being invited, with a guy I’d never imagined would be interested in me. I cut off those thoughts and pull the blanket higher as I rest against the armrest. I promised I wouldn’t be so hard on myself. That I would finally accept the good things that have been happening in my life. I moved across the country to get away from the past, and I will not let it hold me back.

Cole comes back, his warm breath fanning over my forehead before soft lips press against my skin.

“Are you nervous?” he hums against my neck, his nose running up the column until he grazes my ear. “I can help you with that.”

Tingles follow the path, raising goose bumps in their wake.

His startling green eyes are as deep as the forest in the warm light. “I can’t tell you how delicious you look wrapped up on my couch. Like a gift just waiting to be unwrapped.”

Warmth fills my veins at his words, and I open the blanket and spread my knees in invitation.

He groans deep in the back of his throat and climbs between them, his weight pressing me down into the cushions. His thumb runs along my bottom lip, and I suck it into my mouth, causing his hips to grind into me.

“You’re already hard.” My voice is a whisper as he rocks his hips.

“Of fucking course I am. I finally have you all to myself.” He leans in and kisses me until I surrender to him. His warmth takes over, chasing away any remaining chill.

“You’re beautiful,” he hums, then takes my breath again, filling my mouth. Our movements grow frantic with each time his cock rubs against my clit. I cling to him, his shirt balled up in my fist, but it’s not enough. I need to hold him, feel his skin against mine. I tug at the shirt until he sits up, wearing a cocky smile.

It’s well-earned. My heart nearly stops as the fabric clears his chest, revealing row upon row of defined muscles. No matter how many times I see him, I can never get used to it. His tanned skin glows in the soft light, and it feels unfair that he’s so freaking hot.

I wrap my hands around my middle, stopping him from lifting my shirt.

“I think we should leave it on.”

He raises one dark brow, then leans forward, kissing my hands, before peeling them away one at a time. I swallow hard as his hand travels under my shirt, tracing the roundness of my stomach, then moves upward. He cups my breast and squeezes, drawing out my gasp.

“Don’t you dare hide your body from me.”

Within seconds, my shirt’s over my head, leaving me exposed, but instead of feeling self-conscious, his dark gaze warms me to the core. He bites the corner of his lip as he takes me in. “You’re perfect.”

My skin flushes with his words. I know I’m anything but perfect, but that doesn’t stop the ache in my lower stomach.

I arch my head, falling back, giving in. “Touch me.”

“Fuck yes,” he growls, mouth descending on my lace-covered nipples. I’d worn this bra for him, but nothing could prepare me for the way his hot tongue soaking the fabric would make me feel.

With each stroke of his tongue, I press my hips up, no longer able to control their movements. A tiny voice in the back of my head reminds me we’re in the living room and we should not be doing this, but I have no will to listen.

His hand slides under my waistband and panties, moving directly to my core. Thick fingers slide through my folds, spreading my wetness until I’m soaked with it. I barely have a second to breathe before he’s pushing two thick fingers into me, stealing my breath.

“Cole,” I gasp, only driving him further.

His fingers stroke deeper, filling me completely. “That’s it. Say my name. Tell me what you need.”

“More,” I plead, and he gives it to me, adding another finger, stretching me wide.

The burn quickly turns into pleasure, and my hips rock against him, urging him faster.

“Come on my hand,” he demands as he grinds his palm into my clit.

Tension explodes from my core up my spine, sending tingles throughout my limbs. My voice cracks as I cry out his name with my release over and over.

He’s sliding my leggings down my thighs while I greedily undo his pants.

I jolt when someone clears their throat behind us.

“I thought I would surprise you, but it looks like I’m the one getting a surprise.” His voice is a deeper timber, the sound seeping into my bones. There’s maturity in it that unfortunately gives away who the man is, even without looking. I bury my face in Cole’s chest, and he bands an arm around me.

“Eve, this is my stepdad, Griffin.”