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CHAPTER 15
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2024-10-29 19:42:56‘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.
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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
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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
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Elijah was happy. The radio was on and Starlight sat in his truck, singing ‘Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree’ 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 Day… 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 couldn’t be happier. Not that their adventures in the bedroom an hour ago hadn’t been amazing. They definitely were. Starlight was amazing between the sheets, so passionate, so sexy… so mind-blowing… And that body…“Wow,” she said, stopping the train of his thoughts, “Look, Elijah,” Starlight added, tapping the window at one especially lit-up home. “Check out those animatronics. Do you get extra points for that?”“Depends on the judging committee. There was a big fallout a few years
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Starlight stared out the front window. She saw him sitting in his truck, looking at the house. Beyond the steady stream of headlights and the happy sparkle of her Christmas lights, Elijah was there. Waiting… She was testing him and she knew it. She’d sent him away and he was listening to her. Even if she hadn’t really wanted to stay away, not really. What the hell was she doing? Starlight crept closer to the window, watching him run a hand over his face, shake his head, and back the truck out of the driveway. He headed down the road, his brake lights glowing red before he turned right.“Fine… Go!” she gasped. “See if I care… Time to bake anyway.” She changed into some thermal leggings and a large sweatshirt, the feel of her own fingertips on her skin making her pause and sigh. Her fingers felt soft, not rough like Elijah’s. His fingers… His lips…“Stop it, Starlight!” she scolded herself. Irritated, Starlig
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“You’re taking all of this?” Meghan asked, eyeing the double-stacked cake plate and Tupperware container full of her sugarplum cookies.“Too much temptation sitting around,” Starlight said smiling. “Tonight’s the whole reason I made them.”“EJ let you out of bed long enough to cook? A huge sacrifice…” Meghan teased. Starlight laughed.“We’re not that bad...” Which wasn’t true. Every time Elijah was in the same room, she wanted to touch him, kiss him... to have him.“Whatever,” Meghan said and snorted. “Are you two really trying to keep this thing a secret?” Starlight glanced at her friend.“‘This thing’?”“Starlight, there’s obviously something going on between you two.”“It’s called sex,” Starlight argued. “Nothing else.” She had to keep reminding herself of that. Waking up to him, his tongue stroking between her legs and his fingers sliding deep, had been the perfect way to start the day. Before he left for work, the hot coffee and kiss had be
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“Girls, this is Starlight,” Meghan said, making the introductions.“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you,” Harper said, hugging her. Anna exchanged a quick smile with Harper, her large eyes sweeping Starlight from head to foot.“It’s so nice to meet you.” She nudged Jeremy. His hug was awkward and brief.“Welcome back, Starlight.”“Thank you, Jeremy.”“Hey, Starlight,” Edward said, hugging her. “Glad you’re home.”“It’s nice to be back,” Starlight said. “Congratulations to both of you… Well, all of you...” Starlight ignored the hollow ache in her stomach at the clear adoration both Edward and Jeremy had for their women.
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Elijah yawned, beyond tired as he steered his truck down the dark streets toward home. Nothing like working forty-eight hours straight… A long forty-eight hours shift… Between Bobby Sutton’s disappearance and a pop-up meth lab tip, he’d driven over most of the county and turned up nothing but an abandoned barn and cold trails. He’d busted two teens selling pot at a corner store but lost another in the park. At least he hadn’t spent much time at his desk. Nothing like sitting underneath humming fluorescent lights to make a man doze. Being up, out, and adrenaline pumping kept him sharp and focused. He hadn’t been slated for the shift, but when his coworker’s wife had gone into early labor, he’d volunteered to cover the man’s shift. Unlike the vast majority of the Smithville force, he was… single. Had Starlight noticed he was gone? Missed him at all? Elijah blew out a deep breath. Dammit, he’d thought about her a hell
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Meghan shook her head emphatically.“Girl, stop it! Hearing this about your brother might make you wanna puke, but to me and all the other women in Smithville, they are gorgeous,” Summer argued.“I can’t marry one of them…” Starlight replied to Summer reaching for the next dress on the rack, “I grew up with them. They were the closest thing to a brother to me. Gary used to put worms in my pudding. And James was always trying to look under my skirt or down my shirt. But he did punch a guy for me once,” she added laughing.“I remember…” Meghan said, grabbing Starlight’s hand. “We were… What? Twelve?” Starlight nodded.“Twelve was such an awkward time. I got my braces and my boobs. There was this boy in my class, and he was teasing me…”“And James
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Her phone was ringing. When it had started, Elijah didn’t know. And, at the moment, he didn’t 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 he’d heard. She loved him? She loved him, and he was staring at her like an idiot. She answered her phone.“Hey, Megs.” Elijah wasn’t prepared for the anxious look in her eyes. Or the uncertainty on her face.“He’s here,” she replied to his cousin. “His key doesn’t work.” She paused, then nodded. “Okay… I’ll send him down.” Did she seriously doubt how he felt? Because he’d be happy to fix that… now. Elijah waited as she hung up the phone.“You need to go… Your mother needs you now,” she said, brushing past him into her bathroom. “Don’t forget to have your key fixed.”“Star… Darlin’…”“Baby, tonight is about Jeremy and Anna… We can wait…” Starlight murmured.“You
SANTA BABY... I'M FINALLY HOME 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.“Well… Looks like we’re neighbors,” she said, smiling his way. He nodded stiffly, trying not to think about the fact that she’d be so close. His hands fumbled with his card key, dropping it. Starlight smiled and disappeared into her room.“Dammit,” he growled, picking up his key and resting his forehead on the hotel room door. She’d gone off to California and hung out with firemen? And did tequila shots? And who knows what else…! And then she came back wearing… what she was wearing. Elijah adjusted himself, his erection pressing against his already fitted pants. He tried his key. It didn’t work.“What the hell…” He tried again. Still nothing. Elijah punched the wall.“Dammit!” he bit out, then stared at her door.
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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 hadn’t 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. He’d been right all along… They really needed to talk. And even though she’d shut him down, Starlight hoped he’d give her another chance… 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. There’d been a lot of laughing, a lot of drinking, and too many late nights talking about what they wanted out of life. Starlight hadn’t wanted to bring up Elijah. But Kara had asked.“‘Talk to me about him… I’ve been dy
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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. He’d dosed off halfway through the movie and had been snoring softly ever since. Every time Starlight brushed past him, she hesitated. “Are you ready for tomorrow?” Meghan asked. Tomorrow… California… Going away… She hoped, with time and distance, she could finally let go of Elijah. She couldn’t exactly start over if she was holding on to the past. “Not quite.” “What time is your flight?” Meghan asked again. “Seven thirty,” Starlight answered. “On Christmas Day?” Meghan frowned. “You could have waited.” “I didn’t know how depressing this year would be,” Starlight admitted, sitting at the kitchen table. “Not as bad as you thought it would be?” Meghan suggested.
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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. “That’s gotta hurt,” Elijah said, standing in the doorway. “It does.” “I brought you something.” Elijah sat on the edge of the bed, offering her some pain pills and a glass of water. “God… Best present ever.” She sat up and took the pills, aware that his eyes were fixed on her bruises. “I know it looks bad…” He winced, shaking his head. “You were extremely lucky. Unless your car…” Starlight wanted to reach for him. She loved the concern that creased his face. And hated herself for it. She’d lied to him last night. And she would keep lying to him. He didn’t 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 didn’t want to be scared… to hurt. Seeing his face in the hospital room,
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Starlight turned the moment Meghan was entering the room. Her face was pale. “Aunt Hazel called…” she whispered. “Elijah?” Starlight asked, already knowing the answer. Meghan took her hands. “He’s okay, sweetie.” “What happened?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Don’t freak out, okay? He was stabbed…” “What?! No!” Starlight yelled. “He’s in stable condition.” Meghan hurried to the door. “Where is he?” Starlight asked. “Saint Croix Hospital…” she said then paused. “But... EJ said for you not to come.” Starlight frowned. “Oh…” “I need to take Aunt Hazel. She can’t drive on the ice, too jumpy,” Meghan replied, hugging her. “I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.” “Okay,” she whispered, feeling numb. After closing the door, Starlight stood still, like a statue. The man she loved was hurt… But he was stable enough to tell her not to come. Starlight hugged herself, hating how cold she felt. “If he doesn’t want me there,
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Elijah woke to Christmas songs, laughter, and singing. It took a minute to understand where he was… He groaned… This was Starlight’s 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 again… 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 he’d slept a solid five hours without waking. It made sense that he’d done it in Starlight’s bed. It was the one place he could truly relax and just… breathe. He glanced around the room, taking in the many changes made by her and Meghan. The pom-pom and trophies were gone… The walls were bare. Even the curtains had been pulled down. Swallowing hard, Elijah remember
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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 HOME 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?”
