First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

of disconnect well until she felt her phone vibrate.

Are u ok?

The text was from Lily. She sent her a thumbs up.

You’re acting strange.

Can’t explain right now. But I’m okay.

Leah felt instant relief when she saw her sister put her phone away. She expected Lily to push her and knew this was probably only a reprieve. She would take what she could get.

“Aunt Leah, look! Look!”

“This is like our favorite place, right Em?”

“Yesssss!” Emmie agreed enthusiastically.

“Where are we?” Leah’s voice sounded a bit panicked and she coughed trying to cover it up. She cleared her throat and tried again. “I mean, what is this place?”

“It’s just outside of where we grew up. Remember all these lake houses? We swam out here somewhere one summer with the youth group, remember? Anyway, there’s an older couple that lives out here who goes nuts for Christmas. They put on this whole display.” As Robert explained, he had turned around and pulled over. He parked in the long line of vehicles that lined both sides of the street.

The girls were unbuckling behind her. Leah did not move. She sat staring out the window, stunned by their location. This was the road Cade lived on. What if he was here? What if she saw him? She had no idea how she would handle seeing him. Leah wished she could hide in the van. But then Lily would have a lot of questions and she would have to explain. She shook her head.

As the girls climbed past her, they pulled at her.

“Come on! Get out!”

“We get to see this one up close!”

Leah followed them out. They each took a hand and led her forward. Allison showed her all her favorite parts of the display. Emmie pointed out everything that was new.

When they got to a shed labeled “Santa’s Workshop,” Robert came forward and took the girls to meet Santa. Leah hung back with Lily.

“You sure you’re okay?” Lily tried again.

Leah avoided looking at her sister. She gazed at the nearby display of reindeer until all the lights blurred together.

“Leah?”

When she did not respond, Lily moved close and looped her arm through her sister’s. Leah set her head on Lily’s shoulder and waited for the questions to start. None came. Lily just stood there like a rock, holding her up—as if Lily knew that if she pressed her to speak, Leah would break. It made her love Lily even more.

Eventually, Robert returned with the girls. He navigated them all back to the minivan. When the girls were buckled up they got back on the road.

The heater was blasting and Christmas music played quietly in the background. Her nieces’ chatter slowed until it finally stopped altogether. A quick peek told her they had fallen asleep. Leah sat back in her seat and closed her eyes too. Refusing to allow herself to think, she focused on the song lyrics.

Exactly six Christmas songs later, Leah felt the van coming to a stop. She unbuckled as the door slid open. Leah climbed out, whispering her thanks for the fun evening. Lily started to climb out after her.

“Leah?”

Leah shook her head. “I’m exhausted. See you on Christmas, okay?”

“Love you.” Lily’s face indicated she wanted to say so much more. “Call me if you need me, okay?”

“Love you too.” Leah waved and didn’t look back.

She let herself into the apartment and readied herself for bed. Eric hadn’t waited up or maybe he was not even home. She did not know and at the moment, she did not care. Leah curled up in her covers and slept to escape.

Chapter 27

Leah awoke in bed with Cade. The dawn was letting in the first hint of morning light. Cade rolled over and pulled her close and kissed her.

“Merry Christmas, love.”

There was no better way to start the morning than in Cade’s arms. Leah adored hearing him call her “love.” She smiled and kissed him back. Passion flared and she instantly thought of a way the morning could get better. Leah could tell that Cade’s body had the same idea as hers.

She moved the covers as she kissed Cade’s neck, working her way down to his chest. He watched her intently, while his hands touched her everywhere he could reach. She moved to his abdomen, kissing lower and lower.

Cade had his hands in her hair. She looked up at him. The expression on his face was controlled passion. She could feel how taut his entire body had become. Leah licked below his belly button and his hands fisted in her hair. She nibbled and he pulled her hair tighter.

When she got to his pajama pants, she bit and pulled at them playfully. Cade chuckled and released her hair. Leah watched as he lifted his hips and slid down his pants, freeing himself.

Face-to-face with one of her favorite parts of Cade, Leah suddenly found herself nervous and slightly embarrassed. She looked at Cade and felt her face grow warm.

Cade traced her lips with his thumb. He pulled at her bottom lip and she instinctively bit at it. He gently put his thumb in her mouth and she closed her lips around it. She swirled her tongue around it then sucked gently as he pulled back.

“See? You know what to do,” he whispered huskily.

Leah gave a tentative lick. She looked up to watch his reaction as she took him in her mouth. Cade strained for control. He put his hands back in her hair. She felt powerful. Leah sucked hard and Cade rose slightly off the bed.

“Dear God . . . Leah . . .” he groaned.

Leah smiled around him and continued her ministrations.

“Dad?” Liam was right outside the door.

In unison, Cade and Leah moved apart. Cade sighed at the loss of contact. Leah rolled over and plopped down onto the bed next to him feeling equal parts mortified and amused. She pulled the covers over her head and tried not to laugh.

“Dad? Are you awake? It’s Christmas!” Liam tried again.

“Dammit,” Cade whispered. “If it was any