I stop before ever taking a step, shocked to find Hudson curled up on top of the comforter, sleeping soundly. She hasn’t changed out of her jeans and t-shirt, and knowing that she’s used to getting up before the crack of dawn, I can only imagine she’s been asleep for quite some time. I also know she was probably scared to leave Caleb alone, afraid he’d have a seizure and she wouldn’t be around to hear it, even though he’s been episode free for fifteen days now, the last one being at Hudson’s house a couple of days before we went home to pack up for the move.
After lowering my brother onto the mattress, I move around to scoop her up in my arms and carry her across the hall to my room. She stirs when I lie her down in my bed, her long lashes fluttering open as her sleepy blue eyes focus on my face.
“You’re home.” She smiles softly, reaching up to brush her fingers across my cheek. “Did you have a good night?”
I nod, taking in her beauty, which seems to be magnified lying on my pillow, surrounded by my sheets. “I am and I did, but I’m happy to be home,” I grasp her wrist and drag it over to my mouth, kissing the inside against her pulse, “especially when my girl’s waiting for me.”
Her gaze hones in on where my lips press against the delicate skin, a hushed moan escaping her lips. “I like being here waiting for you.”
Releasing her hand, I kiss her forehead and stand upright. “I need to take a quick shower and wash off this stink. I’ll be right back, okay?”
Nodding, she watches as I retreat from the room, and when I return ten minutes later, clean, fresh, and ready to get some much needed rest, I slide onto the mattress to discover her stark naked between the sheets. She rolls over with her long blond hair fanning out on the pillow, and curls her lips up in a naughty grin.
“Remind me who your girl is again.”
So it turns out I like sex. Like really, really like it. I’m not sure why I waited so long to try it out, but now that I’ve discovered how great it can be, I don’t plan on stopping. Ever.
Maybe it’s just Crew, but he’s so gentle and patient with me, never rushing or rough, always ensuring I’m enjoying it as much as he is, despite the fact last night was the first time we’d done it in a real bed. The greenhouses, the storeroom in the lodge, and even both of our cars have been more than accommodating over the last couple of weeks, as we’ve been unable to keep our hands and mouths off of each other. But there was just something different about being in a bed—his bed—and then actually sleeping together afterwards that made it seem like something…more.
Oh, and there was the part where he called me his girl and I nearly melted into his sheets. Perhaps that had something to do with it too.
I lie awake for quite some time before I finally wriggle my way out from under the dead weight of his limbs, finally realizing that because he got home so late and then stayed up to pleasure me, he’s not going to be getting up anytime soon. My dad covered the greenhouse chores for me this morning, but I need to get home to help Mel and Grams with Thanksgiving dinner, which like all Sunday dinners is open to the resort guests.
Slipping back into my jeans and shirt from the night before, I kiss him on the forehead, grab my purse off the dresser, and quietly exit the room. As soon as Mary sees me emerge from the hallway, she jumps off of the barstool where she’s sipping on a cup of coffee and thumbing through a magazine, throwing her arm around me in a tight hug.
“Thanks again for staying with Caleb last night. I hope he was on his best behavior,” she greets me with a cheerful smile as she releases me from her embrace.
I chuckle while padding over to where I left my boots by the front door and sliding my feet into them. “He minded his manners for most of the night, even offering me his bed while he played his game.”
“Oh, Lord,” she laughs. “Now, he’ll never want me to wash his sheets, and not to mention, he’ll love gloating to Crew about finally getting you in his bed.”
“Anytime you need me to stay with him, I’ll be more than happy to,” I offer as I push my arms into the sleeves of my coat, “and let me know when you guys start to run low on supply. I brought over another two ounces last night, which should last a few weeks.”
“I will, but I really think he’s okay at this point. The new doctor is very encouraged with his responsiveness to the CBD, and hopefully, if he continues on this path, he’ll be ready to enroll at public school for the spring semester. We’re going to start with leaving him alone a couple hours at a time. I know he’s dying for some privacy, having had Crew and me in his face constantly for the last couple of years. It’s hard for him, especially at his age.” She stops momentarily as she rounds the bar into the kitchen, grabbing the coffee pot. “You sure you don’t have time to stay for a cup of coffee? The boys will be asleep for hours.”
Smiling regretfully, I shake my head. “On any other day, Mary, I’d love to, but if you want mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to go with your turkey and dressing this afternoon, I better get home and help out.”
“Ah, yes. I forgot about you needing to help with the Thanksgiving prep. We should get together soon, just the two of us, and have coffee or lunch or something. I feel like I’m not doing my motherly duty if I don’t show you embarrassing pictures of Crew when he was a kid…though I’m not quite sure which box those are in.” She snickers, tipping her head at the mountain of unpacked boxes still lining one wall of the dining area.
“I’ll take you up on that offer any other time,” I pause to glance at the digital clock on the stove, noting it’s half past nine, “but for now, I’ll see you around two?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Everything about Thanksgiving dinner is perfect. Absolutely fucking perfect.
All of the guests, including the Elliott family, rave over the meal, particularly the side dishes made from homegrown vegetables and seasoned with herbs out of my garden. My older sisters, namely Dakota, apparently left their jealousy at home this time, and even more, they seem to be happy for me, flashing knowing winks and mischievous grins in my direction. I feel like I'm walking around with a flashing sign around my neck that says ‘Freshly Fucked by This Guy’ with an arrow pointing at Crew, who hasn't left my side all afternoon. Not that I really mind any of it; after all, I like being his girl.
While the adults and Caleb take a 4:20 smoke break, Mel makes fancy after-dinner coffee drinks—both with and without alcohol—and I begin to gather the copious amounts of desserts Grams prepared from the lodge kitchen. After placing the first of the pies and banana pudding on the serving table, tastefully decorated in harvest oranges and autumn reds, I return to the back to grab the next round of goodies, when a strong hand circles my waist and yanks me backward to collide with a firm chest. The heat from his body, along with his familiar clean, masculine scent, infiltrates my senses, snugly wrapping around me like my favorite jeans fresh out of the dryer.
"Hey, gorgeous." Crew nuzzles his nose into the sensitive area beneath my ear, nipping playfully at my lobe. "After that big meal, I've got a sweet tooth, and I was hoping you could help me out a little before I go to work."
Giggling softly, I lean my head back onto his fleece-covered shoulder and grant him full access to my neck. "I think between the Caramel Coconut Cannabis Cookies, the Pot Pecan Pie, the Milk Chocolate Mary Jane Mousse, and the other normal desserts, you can find something to satisfy your craving."