All My Christmases (Holiday Belles) Read online

  My heart pounds inside my chest as he threads his fingers through my hair, tugging roughly on the strands to deepen the kiss. I’ve been dreaming about what it would feel like to kiss Lincoln for years, and this is beyond anything I could ever have imagined. My soul is on fire, burning me from the inside out with need, desire, and lust. I need Lincoln Kane like I need air. I tried to ignore the magnetic pull I’ve always felt towards him, afraid of being rejected, but now there’s no going back.

  "You're the sweetest thing I've ever tasted." He trails kisses down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin as his hand snakes between our bodies. "This is your last chance, Noelle. If we go any further, I'm not sure I'll be able to stop."

  "I don't want you to stop," I moan.

  He unbuttons my shirt before sliding it down my arms. I lean back, grip the bottom of my tank top, and pull it over my head, leaving me in a white cotton bra.

  Without hesitating, Lincoln smashes his lips against mine for a second time, pinning me to the wall with his body. This kiss feels different from all the others, as if he's sharing a part of his soul with me and giving me a part of himself. A part he has never shared with another.

  He continues to nip and suck along my neck before pulling back, searching my eyes for something. I don't wait for him to find what he’s looking for before leaning forward and brushing my lips against his, whispering the words I know he’s dying to hear.

  "I’m yours, and you're mine. God help anyone that tries to get between us."

  3

  LINCOLN

  The words I've been longing to hear for years have finally reached my ears.

  "Mine," I reach into the cup of her bra and pinch her left nipple as she hisses.

  My other hand slides up her leg, hooking it around my hip. I shift my hips forward, grinding my cock into her.

  "Are you wet for me, baby?" I ask as I slide my hand between our bodies.

  I pop the button of her jeans and slip my hand into her panties, running my fingers along her slit before sinking two fingers into her and latching my lips on her throat.

  "Your pussy is hungry for me," I growl into her ear, finding that magic spot and curling my fingers. "So beautiful."

  I pull my fingers from her and shove them into my mouth, licking them clean before standing.

  "Please," she begs, her eyes hooded with want.

  Her eyes travel down my body, locking on my cock as I unbuckle my pants and pull it out. Her pupils dilate and she licks her lips, desire written all over her face.

  "Do you want my cock, baby?

  "Yes," she moans breathlessly.

  I hoist her up by her ass cheeks and thrust into her core, both of us moaning. Her juices drip down my balls as I pump in and out of her at a punishing pace. Noelle bumps her head against the wall, meeting me thrust for thrust.

  "I'm close, baby. I've wanted to be inside you for so long. I can't last much longer." I grit my teeth together as I try to hold off my impending release.

  Noelle's eyes meet mine as she snakes her hand between our bodies, rubbing her clit, slowly at first before picking up the pace, her walls tightening around my shaft with each pass. My balls tighten as I feel my release approaching.

  "Come for me, Noelle." I lift her higher on the wall. "Give it to me. Give me everything."

  My hips continue slapping against hers until she shouts my name and both of us tumble over the edge into oblivion. I slow my pace, pumping in and out of her as both of us come down from our high, not wanting to lose the connection we have finally made.

  I lean forward so our foreheads are touching. "Was it everything you were expecting?"

  "And then some."

  She presses a gentle kiss on my lips, and we continue to stare into each other's eyes just as my cell phone rings.

  "You aren't answering that," she says as I gently lower her legs to the ground.

  "I have no intention of it." I lean forward, planting a kiss on her lips. "I'm not finished with you yet."

  I give her ass a swat before she takes off running for her room, my ringing phone all but forgotten. I strip off my clothes as I follow her down the hall, catching her just as she crosses over the threshold, and we both tumble onto the bed.

  "Did you mean what you said?"

  Her entire body stiffens as I climb onto the bed, pulling her back to my front. My dick hardens as my hand slides down her stomach, tickling the hairs that cover her pussy before pinching her clit between my fingers.

  "Every word."

  I slide down her body, sucking it deep into my mouth.

  "You belong to me," I say before biting down gently and sliding two of my fingers between her lips.

  "Fuuuucccck." The words are dragged from her lips as I find the magic button, her back bowing off the bed.

  "I want to hear you say it, sweetheart." I look up the line of her body, our eyes locking with each other. "Tell me you belong to me."

  "I belong to you," she whispers as a single tear trickles down her cheek.

  Unable to wait any longer, I pull my fingers from her pussy and climb up her body. "I need you."

  Her legs part slightly, allowing me to enter her in one swift motion.

  "Fuck me," she moans as she lifts her hips, and I slide deeper inside her.

  I want to take my time this time, love her the way she deserves, but there's no going back now. Noelle has meant everything to me for years, and it's finally time to show her. I had every intention of keeping my libido in check and delivering her to my sister's wedding, but there was something about how she looked at me when she talked about having children. It was at that moment I knew I had to make her mine.

  I pull out slowly before slamming back into her so hard that the headboard smacks against the wall, mixing with our moans of pleasure. Her legs tighten around my waist as her walls grip my cock harder.

  "You're everything to me," I growl, pulling her ear between my teeth as her walls tighten, sending a tingle of pleasure up my spine as my orgasm builds. "Are you ready to come? I want you to soak my cock."

  Her mouth pops open in response, her nails raking down my back as she tumbles over the edge. I raise her legs, throwing both over my shoulder and sliding deeper into her channel.

  "That's it, sweetheart. Milk my cum from my cock," I growl, pounding her petite body into the mattress.

  Her walls tighten as she comes for the second time, making my body convulse. Ribbons of cum shoot from inside me as I find my release and collapse on top of her.

  After a few moments, Noelle squirms from the pressure of my body on hers. I roll to the side, pulling her body flush against mine.

  "This wasn't a one-time thing. I meant what I said. You’re mine now."

  Her body stiffens before I plant a kiss on the back of her neck.

  "Say it." I hold my breath, waiting for her to give in to the chemistry between us.

  "Are you sure?" she asks, spinning around in my arms.

  I nuzzle into her palm as she cups my cheek.

  "We're both adults. This can be a one-time thing. No one ever has to know." Her eyes flit across my face, searching for any signs of doubt on my face, but she won't find anything.

  "This is forever," I respond with conviction, needing her to know that I’m hers as much as she’s mine.

  She opens her mouth to reply as I hear a phone ringing in the living room.

  "I’d better answer that this time," I grumble, kissing her before climbing out of the bed. "I'm sure it's Julia demanding to know why we aren't there yet."

  "She's just worried about making sure we're there for her special day." Noelle sits up, resting on her elbows as her eyes widen in surprise, motioning toward her bedroom window with her chin. "I know one thing for sure. We aren't going anywhere before the roads are cleared."

  I turn and look out the window and notice a thick blanket of snow covering the ground.

  "Oops." Noelle giggles before dropping on the bed. "She's losing her mind right now."
>
  I pinch the bridge of my nose, regretting the time I spent in bed with Noelle for the first time. I'm happy to finally have my one and only, but I'll be damned if it costs my sister her perfect day.

  "I'll go call her and see what happens," I grumble.

  I pull on my boxers and head toward the front of the apartment, grabbing my pants off the ground and fishing out my cell phone. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for my sister's wrath as I hit the redial button.

  "Where are you?"

  "At Noelle's," I respond, not feeling the need to give her any more information than necessary. "The weather took a turn for the worse when I was coming into town, and we bunkered down until it passed. The last thing you would want is for us to get into an accident because we were rushing to get to the rehearsal on time."

  Julia sighs. "I know neither one of you would do anything to ruin my day, but I was worried. No one has heard from you since you talked to Mom while you were headed to Noelle's, and that was hours ago."

  I glance down at my watch, my eyes widening. It seems time flies when you're having fun.

  "Shit. I'm sorry, Jules. Noelle ordered dinner, and we’ve been catching up ever since. I completely lost track of time.”

  Only part of that is true; my stomach rumbles.

  "I guess I can forgive you, but only if you're here first thing in the morning."

  "I promise. We’ll be on our way to Santa Claus as soon as we know the roads are clear enough to drive."

  "Be careful and drive safe. I know I've been a pain in the ass about you being here, but I'd rather have you alive and safe than getting into an accident rushing to my wedding." I can hear her sniffle before she continues. "I'd never forgive myself."

  "I know. I'll call Mom in the morning and let her know what the plans are."

  "I love you, big bro."

  "I love you, baby sis," I say with a smile before ending the call and plopping down on the couch.

  What was I thinking?

  That's it. I wasn't thinking at all. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts and feelings that I forgot there were people depending on me. I wanted Noelle as soon as I walked in the door, and I was unable to think past what it would feel like to taste her skin. Everything else became background noise.

  Sound familiar?

  This is the same thing that happened with Meghan. I was so wrapped up in getting my business off the ground that I never noticed she was unhappy, which drove her to sleep with someone else.

  Everyone has told me a million times that she chose to cheat, but I should've noticed she was miserable. She always begged me to make our relationship a priority, but I never listened. My desire to make a name for myself and give her the life she deserved overrode everything else. Now the only thing I have to show is a booming business.

  If that were to happen with Noelle…

  "No," I growl into the empty room as indescribable pain shoots through me.

  I refuse to lead her down a road of misery.

  But she's yours.

  I don't regret one moment of the time we shared tonight. But one-night stands happen, and that's all this can be. She may hate me for a little while, but I just have to show her it was for the best. Being with me will bring her nothing but misery.

  Right now, my sister's wedding is my priority. I only need to make it through the wedding, and everything can go back to normal.

  Or at least I hope it will.

  4

  NOELLE

  I'm not usually a morning person, but today is different. As soon as I feel the warmth of the sun hit my face, my eyes pop open, and a smile spreads across my face.

  I want to pinch myself as memories of what happened between me and Lincoln fill my mind. I'm disappointed that I fell asleep before he came back from answering his phone. I could have gone for another round, although the idea of him making love to me in his childhood bedroom sounds appealing.

  Wait, what?

  I roll over, expecting to find Lincoln lying beside me, but the bed is empty. The sheets are even cold.

  "Did he even come to bed last night?" I say out loud as I throw my legs over the side of the bed and sit up.

  Maybe he’s just an early riser, my inner voice says, trying to calm the panic rising inside me.

  Neither one of us planned for anything to happen between us, but I can't say I regret it either. But that nagging voice in the back of my mind won't shut up. I've tried to ignore it, but I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right.

  I glance at the clock. It's only a little after seven o'clock, so we have plenty of time to make it to Santa Claus.

  "Morning," I hear Lincoln say from the other side of the room.

  My smile falls as I notice he's already dressed in a crisp white shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows and a pair of dark washed jeans.

  "I was worried you took off without me," I giggle as I push off the bed and stride toward him, hoping to entice him to take a shower with me. "I know you're already dressed, but I could use some help washing my back."

  I try to wrap my arms around his waist, but he takes a step back.

  "Rain check," he deadpans, not even a hint of disappointment in his voice.

  "Okay." I stand up straight, crossing my arms under my breasts. "What's going on?"

  I get that we have places to be, but no red-blooded male would turn down sex without a reason. I would love to think it's just because we’re in a hurry to get to Santa Claus, but there is something in his eyes that causes my heart to fill with doubt.

  Something changed after I passed out, but I'll be damned if I know what it is.

  "We need to get moving. If we can get out of here in the next twenty minutes, we'll be there in time for breakfast."

  I cock my head to the side, examining his face for any signs of what’s going on, but find nothing. I was over the moon when Lincoln kissed me last night, believing the man I’ve loved for years felt the same way I did. I expected Lincoln to feel the same, especially after everything he said to me last night, but all I can sense is regret, leaving me wondering if he meant anything he said.

  Tears well in my eyes as I turn and head toward my closet. "I just need to take a shower and get dressed. Give me twenty minutes."

  "Great," he mutters.

  I pull some underwear out of my drawer and grab a change of clothes, my heart breaking with every movement. It feels as if my entire world is crumbling down around me, and my heart right along with it. I want to scream and cry, but right now I need to get ready for my best friend's wedding. Not to mention spending the next hour plus in the car with the man who just broke my heart.

  Oh, goodie.

  I shuffle into the bathroom on autopilot, turning the water on to warm before locking the door behind me. I don't even check the temperature of the water before climbing in, letting the stream hit my skin.

  I stand there for a few moments, trying to wrap my head around what could have possibly happened in the last few hours. Everything was fine. Lincoln gave me pleasure beyond anything I could have imagined, proclaiming that I was his. But now, in the light of day, he wants nothing to do with me.

  What changed? Did I do something to make him regret what happened? Every single moment from last night filters through my mind on a movie reel as I examine every detail of the night and come up empty. That only leaves one possibility: he just wanted sex. All the promises of forever were nothing but a pickup line to get me into bed, and I fell for it.

  My legs wobble as I slide down the wall and pull my knees into my chest, closing my eyes tightly and desperately trying to keep my composure. But after a few moments, I lose control.

  Everything was perfect last night. We finally gave in to our desire for each other, something Lincoln said he’s been wanting for a long time, but it was all a lie. He got exactly what he wanted from me last night, and now it's as if nothing happened. As if I didn't lay my heart on the line, ready to give him the world. But instead of accepting my gift, he cast me
aside. I would never have imagined he could use someone like this, especially me, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

  My bottom lip trembles as the tears I was fighting slip down my cheeks. A gut-wrenching sob bubbles out of my mouth, and I slap my hand over it, trying to keep the sound from reaching him in the other room.

  Sadness unlike anything I've ever felt overtakes me. Images of how I wish the morning would have gone filter through my mind. Lincoln would have joined me in the shower, washing my hair and back, caring for me in the way I always hoped for before entering me slowly and reiterating all the things he said to me last night – that he was mine and I was his – before we got in the car and headed off to help his sister find her own happily ever after.

  But that was only meant to be a dream.

  I slap a second hand over my mouth as a sound I've never heard before tears from my body. My tears mix with the water from the shower as I work through all my feelings. Grief. Disappointment. Shock. Before I cling to the one emotion I have left: rage.

  Although I'd love nothing more than to climb back into bed and hide from the world, I don't have that luxury. My best friend is getting married today, and she needs me. I refuse to ruin the happiest day of her life with my bullshit, even though it's her brother's fault.

  He broke me, but I'll be damned if I let him know it.

  With my newfound resolve, I climb out of the shower and stand in front of the mirror to give myself a pep talk.

  "I'm going to get dressed, walk out of this bathroom without a care in the world, and make it through today for my best friend, but most of all, for myself.”

  There was life before Lincoln Kane, and there will be life after. I just need to get through the wedding, and everything will be all right.

  "He’s just a man.”

  A man I've been obsessively in love with for years.

  "And you’re both adults. If he wants to pretend like nothing happened, then so be it."