Conceding defeat, she struggles onto her feet from the couch and walks toward the door, pulling her fluffy welly socks over her festive outfit, then piling her huge jacket on top. While she’s dragging her winter hat down on her head, I grab the huge bobble on top of it and pluck it straight back off.
“Tell me you’re not wearing that to go out.”
“Of course I bloody am.” She smirks. “Not getting dressed today, remember? You either take me in my onesie or you take me naked.”
“I will take you any way I can get you… Okay, naked it is then.” I grab her around the waist and throw her over my shoulder, spinning her round and slapping her bum with my free hand playfully. She giggles and leans over to pinch my backside.
“Ouch!” Her shrill voice stops me in my tracks. “That fucking hurt.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You cracked my head off the door frame.” She laughs through her tears. “Lucky I don’t have much in there.”
I place her back on the floor and take her in my arms. “Sorry.” She squeezes me tight.
We finish getting ready for our walk, both wrapped up as if hiking to the North Pole. Taking her hand in mine, I lead her out into the crisp winter’s day.
***
When we return to the cottage, we’re exhausted and merry. Peeling our layers off, we scurry toward the still-burning fire and warm our extremities. Heat seeps through my body, and I feel myself return to a normal temperature.
We threw snowballs and rolled down hills, enjoying the craziness of each other’s company. Her hair stuck to her face like glue as it got wet and froze in the sub-zero air. Her smile radiated warmth though, no matter how cold we became.
“I’m starving,” she declares. “Let’s get dinner ready.”
The smells from the kitchen are divine. The oven is already working on our delicious feast. She pulls various containers from the fridge, obviously prepared for the occasion.
“What can I do to help?”
She looks at me sideways. “You can pour me a glass of wine, then stand there looking gorgeous. Use the time to consider all the ways you’re going to pleasure me later.” A dark smile crosses her lips. “I fancy being bent over and fucked hard.”
My breath hitches as the vision of her in that position floods my mind. Doggy style is my favorite. I love the domination and control; watching my cock slide in and out of her from above is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
“I’ll set the table,” I whisper, needing a distraction.
Later, she plays with the chocolate cake on her fork, running her tongue over it and licking the sauce from the surface before popping the piece in her mouth.
I growl at her. “Do that again, and I’ll fuck you over this table. Stop cock teasing me when we are trying to have a civilized meal.”
She snorts with laughter and repeats the tease with her next piece.
“Perhaps the punishment sounds appealing, Major,” she purrs, her dark eyes challenging me to take the bait.
***
Today couldn’t be more different from yesterday. At eight o’clock this morning, I extricated myself from Katie’s warm bed to go and collect Hannah. The 26th of December is my Christmas Day with her. After today, I won’t see her till after the New Year, as Ainsley is taking her to visit family in England.
I’d been furious. No conversation, just her telling me it was happening.
“Lance, just because we’re separated and must share Hannah doesn’t mean she has to miss out on tradition. I’m taking her to see my family. No arguments. Start making this awkward, and I’ll see you in court.”
She flicked her hair over her shoulder and slammed the front door in my face.
Bitch. Helplessness chews my insides.
Hannah climbs into the car wearing her pajamas. Her red hair is plaited down her back, a gloomy look on her face. She buckles herself in, and I pull away from my old home. The tree was in the window, as it is every year. From the outside, it looks like any other Christmas, but sadly, things are very different.
We sit in silence for the journey to my house. My daughter’s a thinker. She always has been. There’s no point fishing for the information—she’ll tell me when she’s ready.