Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“I like the way you do it.” I smile.
He laughs, then is serious once again. “No, I mean I really like it.”
“I really like it too.”
I like it way too much. It’s something I could easily become addicted to and not have the willpower to quit. But, I can’t ignore the fact, he didn’t say he liked me. So, I can’t let multiple orgasms cloud my judgement and twist this into something more. Because that’s all this is—sex. If I tell myself that enough times, maybe it will stay true.
Chapter 9
Graham
“Ishould just trek off into the damn forest, and keep going,” my father grumbles. “We have enough money to buy a tree so why am I chopping one down every year?”
“Because it’s tradition,” I mimic my mother’s words. Every year, we do this, and every year dad complains and then complies.
“Yeah, well, so is turkey, doesn’t mean I’m going out to shoot it.” And then he gets to the real reason he woke me at the crack of dawn when he arrived to hike into the woods for a Christmas tree search. “You’re going to need a prenup if you really plan on marrying this girl.”
Even though our engagement is fake, I’m offended for Zoe. Having her sign a piece of paper essentially expecting it to fail wouldn’t be in the cards, if this were real. I don’t do failure.
“We’re good,” I say, stalking away to scope out trees while he continues to advise me of the dangers of not having an agreement in writing while he surveys our choices of pines.
“Listen,” he says, “I don’t care who you marry. Your mom has her heart set on Trudy because of what she brings to the table.”
“Yeah, well, she can sit at the table with her then. I’ve got what I want.” I don’t want to be at the table, I want to be coming hard in the car because I’m with someone who makes me forget about the table. Zoe has my head all fucked up. Two nights ago, after I took her back here, and kissed her goodnight, I couldn’t sleep. At All. She’s avoided me since that night, and I’m sure she’s compartmentalized all of this into not mixing business with pleasure. And she’s right; I shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But, it’s too fucking late. Now I’m trying to not mix pleasure with feelings. I’m not supposed to have feelings. And getting feelings for Zoe is not what I need right now. It’s not what should be happening. But guess what? It kind of is happening. Maybe after we break off this engagement we can go on an actual date.
“Up here, Graham,” my father calls to me. “Found one.”
I trod through snow, over to where he stands, eying a gorgeous Douglas Fir with full branches.
“Ah yeah, it’s perfect.”
We get to work chopping it down and then tie it with rope atop the red sled my father brought along. No one is stirring when we arrive back at the house, and my father and I set the tree up in the living room.
“A real tree,” Zoe exclaims as she comes into the living room. She takes a deep, calming breath, and lets it out slowly. “I’ve always wanted one, but my mother always does a fake tree.”
“Oh, there’s nothing fake when it comes to me.” Except our relationship, and that thought stings when my mind goes there.
“It’s really beautiful,” she says, stepping closer to examine it.
But what’s really beautiful this early morning is her in something as simple as jeans and a cowl necked black sweater. Her dark hair is pulled back in a low ponytail, emphasizing the beauty of her face. Is it bad that all I want for Christmas is Zoe? I want her wrapped in a big red bow, that I can undo and use to tie her to my bed. She’s smart, and sexy. And she’s ...cute. Have you ever met a girl who’s just plain cute? Every smile, every little glint in her eyes, is just cute.
“I’m Douglas, Graham’s dad,” my father introduces himself. “Nothing better than a real tree. Chop one down every year.”
I give him a little side eye as she shakes his hand and compliments his tree finding skills.
“It’s great to meet you. I better go find Eleanor so she can inspect it.”
When we’re alone, I curl my arms around her from behind as she continues to marvel at the tree. There’s no one to pretend around, but I still can’t let go of her. Truth of the matter is, I don’t want to let her go. I like holding her close.
The smell of warm vanilla takes over my senses, and I nuzzle my nose into the crook of her neck, smiling as I kiss along her smooth skin.
A cough behind us breaks us apart before I can get any further. We both spin around and come face-to-face with my mother.