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CHAPTER 10
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ:
2022-12-24 21:34:15
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SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 11
Elijah withdrew almost completely. For a moment, Starlight worried he was having second thoughts, then in one quick thrust, he plunged deep, slamming her down on the bed and giving her what she asked for. At that first sweet stab of pleasure, a gasp ripped from her lungs and Starlight wrapped her arms around him to hold on for the ride. He stayed still for a moment as his fullness stretched her apart, filling her in ways she’d never imagined possible. She shifted, encouraging him to move, and in no time at all, he began pumping. Starlight threaded her fingers through his hair, her body opening for him, eager for Elijah to take them both where they desperately needed to go.“So good…” she murmured as his groin pounded against hers. The
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-25SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 12
Elijah looked at her face. She was so easy to excite, so responsive. To see her come alive under his touch was the most powerful aphrodisiac. He couldn’t get enough of her, never could. Starlight was meant for him… Her body was meant for his touch. And she was offering herself to him for twelve days. Twelve days of no-strings-attached sex. With Starlight... The only woman he’d ever loved… The only woman he’d really wanted…“You think twelve days will be enough?” Elijah asked, stroking her nipple with the pad of his thumb. She hardened beneath his touch, and she had the exact same effect on his body. He’d come twice in the last hour and he was already ready for round three. Starlight clasped his wrist, holding his fingers in place against her br
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-26SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 13
Starlight stretched and rolled onto her side. But when she opened her eyes, she realized she was alone. A bit confused, she sat up.“Elijah?” she called out. No answer. A peek at the clock told her it was eight-fifteen. Sleeping in was a rarity. But after last night... Starlight smiled, stretching with a soft squeal before collapsing back on the mattress. She stared up at the ceiling, enjoying images from last night to warm her up. Elijah… Her first love… Her greatest love… Elijah’s hands and mouth and his incredible body. Last night had been... Her breathing grew a little unsteady and her heart rate picked up. How she could want him again, and so fiercely, whe
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-27SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 14
“I’ll carry it,” Starlight offered, taking the large pot from Mrs. Thomas and heading up the path.“I’ll be in, in just a minute, sweet girl!” Mrs. Thomas offered, making the three men groan. “Oh, shush you three, I only have a few ideas… The right ones, as always!” Meghan hooked arms with Starlight and headed inside.“The cider was totally a ploy.”“My aunt is amazing!” Meghan said laughing. “It’s hard to argue with her when she’s bringing you something to eat or drink. She’ll probably keep them out there for another hour… the least…” Starlight glanced back at the group, the three men stooping to hear whatever Mrs. Thomas was telling them.“Smart lady!”“She is!” Meghan exclaimed n
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-27SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 15
‘Our house.’ Those two wonderful words… Those sweet, unexpected words that Starlight said jolted him.“My pleasure,” Elijah said, winking at her before he hurried out of the kitchen. Once out of her sight, he shook his head. Maybe he liked what she’d said a little too much. After finding more strands of white Christmas lights, Elijah set about filling the holes his mother had found. And he tried his hardest not to let James and Gary linger inside a hell of a lot longer than five minutes. The smile James wore when he did finally show up rubbed him the wrong way. Ever since they were kids, James liked to get a rise out of him.
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-28SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 16
After James left the house, Starlight counted to twenty before locking the door and hurried back to her bedroom. She was amazed by how quickly her heart rate picked up. Her body seemed to rise and tighten, already sparking with the fire that gripped her moments before. Finding Elijah propped up on the pillows, the sheet resting low around his waist, was oil to her flame.“Is he gone?” he asked, tossing a small heart-shaped pillow at her. “Did he try to charm his way into your pants once again?”“Will you stop it?” Starlight said smiling. Then she leaned back against the wall, enjoying the view. He was absolutely gorgeous… His black hair was mussed, and his jaw and chest were dusted with a dark shadow. She could see the outline of one thigh beneath her sheet and th
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-29SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 17
It filled her with excitement, and a longing so deep and profound it made her feel a bit uneasy. Before she could examine it further, or remind herself they weren’t playing for keeps, Elijah slowly caressed her sex. He sucked in a sharp breath, the sound curling around her.“Dammit,” Elijah murmured and Starlight could hear the need, the impatience in his voice. The scent of her arousal saturated the small room and teased her nostrils. A shiver tingled all the way to her toes as her blood pulsed hot.“Dammit,” he murmured again, desire deepening his voice and fueling the need inside her. Her sex pulsed at the warm and wicked sensations.“I need your mouth on me,” she said unable to hold back any longer. “I need you to put your tongue on my
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2022-12-29SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 18
Elijah was happy. The radio was on and Starlight sat in his truck, singing âRockin' Around the Christmas Treeâ along with Brenda Lee while holding a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Her eyes were sparkling and she looked happy like a little girl on Christmas DayâĶ He drove five miles an hour down First Lane, uncaring that they were wedged, bumper to bumper, among the opening-night crowd. At the rate they were going, it would take an hour before they were done. And he couldnât be happier. Not that their adventures in the bedroom an hour ago hadnât been amazing. They definitely were. Starlight was amazing between the sheets, so passionate, so sexyâĶ so mind-blowingâĶ And that bodyâĶâWow,â she said, stopping the train of his thoughts, âLook, Elijah,â Starlight added, tapping the window at one especially lit-up home. âCheck out those animatronics. Do you get extra points for that?ââDepends on the judging committee. There was a big fallout a few years
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2023-01-02
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SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 35
Her phone was ringing. When it had started, Elijah didnât know. And, at the moment, he didnât even care. But the ringing sent Starlight into a tailspin, smoothing her tangled hair into place and holding her sweater closed. He frowned, reaching for her, trying to process what heâd heard. She loved him? She loved him, and he was staring at her like an idiot. She answered her phone.âHey, Megs.â Elijah wasnât prepared for the anxious look in her eyes. Or the uncertainty on her face.âHeâs here,â she replied to his cousin. âHis key doesnât work.â She paused, then nodded. âOkayâĶ Iâll send him down.â Did she seriously doubt how he felt? Because heâd be happy to fix thatâĶ now. Elijah waited as she hung up the phone.âYou need to goâĶ Your mother needs you now,â she said, brushing past him into her bathroom. âDonât forget to have your key fixed.ââStarâĶ DarlinââĶââBaby, tonight is about Jeremy and AnnaâĶ We can waitâĶâ Starlight murmured.âYou
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 34
When they arrived on floor seven, Elijah brushed past her, eager to get to his room and take a very cold shower. But Starlight followed him down the hall until he reached his room. She went around him, to the door next to his.âWellâĶ Looks like weâre neighbors,â she said, smiling his way. He nodded stiffly, trying not to think about the fact that sheâd be so close. His hands fumbled with his card key, dropping it. Starlight smiled and disappeared into her room.âDammit,â he growled, picking up his key and resting his forehead on the hotel room door. Sheâd gone off to California and hung out with firemen? And did tequila shots? And who knows what elseâĶ! And then she came back wearingâĶ what she was wearing. Elijah adjusted himself, his erection pressing against his already fitted pants. He tried his key. It didnât work.âWhat the hellâĶâ He tried again. Still nothing. Elijah punched the wall.âDammit!â he bit out, then stared at her door.
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 33
Starlight smoothed her hands over her hair and straightened the tie on her sweater. Her skintight black pencil skirt, clinging cream wrap-sweater and tall black boots hadnât been the most practical traveling outfit, but it had definitely drawn a lot of attention her way. Hopefully, it would have the same effect on Elijah. Heâd been right all alongâĶ They really needed to talk. And even though sheâd shut him down, Starlight hoped heâd give her another chanceâĶ Being vulnerable was something she avoided at all costs. And Starlight was nervous as hell. The last five days had been good for her but not great. Kara had been a truly generous host and friend, showing her the sights of San Diego, the coastal beauty, and the friendly people. Thereâd been a lot of laughing, a lot of drinking, and too many late nights talking about what they wanted out of life. Starlight hadnât wanted to bring up Elijah. But Kara had asked.ââTalk to me about himâĶ Iâve been dy
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 32
Starlight finished cleaning up the cups of cocoa, empty bowls of popcorn, half-eaten cookies, and candy cane wrappers. Meghan busied herself straightening the pillows and putting the television cabinet back to rights. And Elijah was asleep in the recliner in front of the fire. Heâd dosed off halfway through the movie and had been snoring softly ever since. Every time Starlight brushed past him, she hesitated. âAre you ready for tomorrow?â Meghan asked. TomorrowâĶ CaliforniaâĶ Going awayâĶ She hoped, with time and distance, she could finally let go of Elijah. She couldnât exactly start over if she was holding on to the past. âNot quite.â âWhat time is your flight?â Meghan asked again. âSeven thirty,â Starlight answered. âOn Christmas Day?â Meghan frowned. âYou could have waited.â âI didnât know how depressing this year would be,â Starlight admitted, sitting at the kitchen table. âNot as bad as you thought it would be?â Meghan suggested.
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 31
Starlight stretched, feeling all sorts of aches and pains. All of her right side was covered in bruises. She groaned, going limp against the sheets. Everything ached. âThatâs gotta hurt,â Elijah said, standing in the doorway. âIt does.â âI brought you something.â Elijah sat on the edge of the bed, offering her some pain pills and a glass of water. âGodâĶ Best present ever.â She sat up and took the pills, aware that his eyes were fixed on her bruises. âI know it looks badâĶâ He winced, shaking his head. âYou were extremely lucky. Unless your carâĶâ Starlight wanted to reach for him. She loved the concern that creased his face. And hated herself for it. Sheâd lied to him last night. And she would keep lying to him. He didnât need to know she was coming to him. Or that she loved him. Or that the way she felt, how overwhelming it was, scared her. She didnât want to be scaredâĶ to hurt. Seeing his face in the hospital room,
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 30
Starlight turned the moment Meghan was entering the room. Her face was pale. âAunt Hazel calledâĶâ she whispered. âElijah?â Starlight asked, already knowing the answer. Meghan took her hands. âHeâs okay, sweetie.â âWhat happened?â she asked, her voice trembling. âDonât freak out, okay? He was stabbedâĶâ âWhat?! No!â Starlight yelled. âHeâs in stable condition.â Meghan hurried to the door. âWhere is he?â Starlight asked. âSaint Croix HospitalâĶâ she said then paused. âBut... EJ said for you not to come.â Starlight frowned. âOhâĶâ âI need to take Aunt Hazel. She canât drive on the ice, too jumpy,â Meghan replied, hugging her. âIâll let you know as soon as I know more.â âOkay,â she whispered, feeling numb. After closing the door, Starlight stood still, like a statue. The man she loved was hurtâĶ But he was stable enough to tell her not to come. Starlight hugged herself, hating how cold she felt. âIf he doesnât want me there,
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 29
Elijah woke to Christmas songs, laughter, and singing. It took a minute to understand where he wasâĶ He groanedâĶ This was Starlightâs bed, alone, covered in blankets. A shout of laughter made him grin. Starlight and Meghan, from the sounds of it. He kicked back the blankets, ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and glanced at the clock. Elijah covered his face with his hands and groaned againâĶ It was almost 6:00 p.m. He had an hour before he needed to be at the station. Elijah turned on the bedside lamp and stretched. It had been a long time since heâd slept a solid five hours without waking. It made sense that heâd done it in Starlightâs bed. It was the one place he could truly relax and justâĶ breathe. He glanced around the room, taking in the many changes made by her and Meghan. The pom-pom and trophies were goneâĶ The walls were bare. Even the curtains had been pulled down. Swallowing hard, Elijah remember
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 28
The next day, Meghan came over and helped her weeding through her old things. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. There were three large boxes that she and Meghan tackled together. But there wasn’t much. Mostly pictures and keepsakes gathered from before her father had left them. Nothing from her high-school years, or her life with Daniel… They hauled the boxes onto the front porch.“I can call James…” Meghan offered. “My brother has a truck.”“No, Megs… After what I did at the party... I can’t keep leading your brother on.”“Girl, you just kissed him under the mistletoe,” Meghan said, nudging her. “I didn’t see tongue, or groping…” Starlight laughed.“Be
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOMEÂ Â Â CHAPTER 27
“Okay, dude,” Edward said, “tell us what the hell did you do… We’re here for you… So, start talking…” Elijah took a deep breath.“Remember our breakup?” he asked.“The one where you were basically catatonic for a year?” Edward asked. “Yeah, good times… Fun times!” Elijah flipped him off.“That was a hell of a long time ago.” Jeremy crossed his arms over his chest.“I know we were kids, but I really loved Starlight. I mean… she was my everything. Losing her was a nightmare. I believed we were forever. It felt like it would be. But if you love someone like that, you have to put them first, right?”
