Ten Minutes for Christmas Page 4

  Chapter 7

  Christmas Eve

  Logan-

  It’s been a long night at work. People bought in their cars, one after the other, in a constant stream to get checked out for holiday travel. I didn’t even get lunch. I know Mary invited me to have dinner with them, but since I had to work late, I can’t show up this late. I called them before I left the shop, and said I would try and make it over for Christmas morning.

  I decide to go back to the park where I’ve been staying. I stumble through at the dark front of the building. When I hit my ankle on a piece of metal, I swear. Finally reaching the other side, I pat a hand down the wall to find the light switch and flip it on.

  The place is freezing. I quickly move to the pot belly stove and swing open the door. Stuffing wood and paper inside, I light it and wait for the warm glow before I close the grate. I watch the flames lick at the wood.

  I wonder what Ev is doing? I seem to think of her most all the time. Day. Night. In my dreams. Every day I try and tell myself that I deserve to be with her, but my dad’s voice pops in and says otherwise. I wonder if I’ll ever stop hearing him.

  The room starts to warm. I kick off my work boots and wool socks and pull on a pair of flannel pajamas. I take a quick shower. At least the place has a bathroom. The warm water feels great. When I come back out, open a beer from the mini-fridge, and then I remember there’s no food.

  “Shit.”

  There’s no way I’m going back out in this cold weather when I just start to warm up. I unzip the side of my backpack and pull out a pack of Cheetos. Dinner of champions. No wait… that’s Cheerios and it’s breakfast. Who cares? I wash the orange sticks down with the cold beer and lick off my fingers. I sit in the chair and prop my feet by the fire. I hear the outside door open. No one ever comes here.

  “Hello?” a voice call from outside in the shop. “Logan… hey, are you here?”

  I open the door to find Ev. She’s holding a shopping bag and her purse.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “When you didn’t show up for dinner, I went to your shop. Brian said that you’d just left. This was the only other place I could think of where you might be. You’re not at your friend’s house?”

  “Ralph said I can stay here anytime I want, so it’s been easier than at Rick’s apartment. It’s too loud there and kind of a party central. Not my scene anymore.”

  “This place is small, but cozy… I guess.”

  “Come on in, it’s freezing out there.” I wait until she walks past and then shut the door.

  “We were worried that you didn’t get dinner, so I packed up some cartons with left overs.” Ev sits the bag on the end table and pulls out the food.

  “You must have read my mind. I forgot to stop and the cupboard is bare. You guys really look out for me. I’m starving.”

  She opens one of the cartons and hands it to me with a fork. “It’s mac and cheese with ham.”

  “Your mom always made mac and cheese from scratch.” My mouth waters from just the smell. Ev sits in the chair across from me as I finished off the food in a few minutes. I try not to come across as a pig. I offer her a bite, but she shakes her head.

  “You’re coming over for Christmas morning, right?” she asks and pulls her chair closer to mine

  I shrug. “Haven’t decided.”

  “When are you going to stop doing this?” She frowns and unwinds her scarf off her neck then placed it over edge of the bed.

  “What?”

  “Push people away. Logan, don’t push me away.”

  “I just…”

  “What? Sitting here thinking of all the reasons your dad told you why we shouldn’t be together? Why you shouldn’t be a part of my family?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You’ve run out of reasons.” She takes the carton and fork from my hand. Her eyes twinkle with mischief and I can’t seem to take my eyes off her mouth. It’s stupid how my heart slams in my chest every time I’m near her.

  I hope and then pray. I get my wish. She leans forward and kisses me. Lingering for a few moments, she deepens it.

  “Ev.” I pulled back. “You’re trying to kill me.”

  “No, just the opposite. I’m trying to get you to live.” She reaches in her purse and pulls out a small rectangle box. “I know Christmas isn’t until tomorrow, but, I wanted to give this to you when we’re alone.”

  I take the box and open the lid. Inside is a copper and silver chainmail bracelet. Ev whips it from the box and loops it over my wrist. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever made… next to trying to figure out Calc.”

  She pushes the toggle through. I tip my wrist in the light and give the bracelet a closer inspection. “It’s great, Ev.”

  “Do you like it? I really tried hard to make it manly looking.”

  “Yeah… I like it a lot.”

  “The other thing I can’t figure out is us.” She rubs a finger along the loops of the bracelet. “This chainmail is complicated, like us. The pattern is Celtic love knots. Once the knots are intertwined, it’s almost impossible to undo and the pattern is as old as time. I’ve known you for as long as I can remember, but I still can’t figure you out.”

  “Is that good or bad?” I ask.

  “Complicated. I don’t know which way to go.” She takes my hand in hers. “The problem is, I don’t want to be friends.”

  “You don’t want to be friends? I understand.” I pull my hand back and start to stand.

  “Geesh. That’s not what I mean.” She pulls me back down. “I know your dad’s beat it in to you that you’re no good, but none of that’s true. You’re the best guy I’ve ever met. You deserve to get everything in life that you want. But, the question is, do you want me?”

  “Ev…”

  “I don’t want to hear your dad’s words, I want to hear yours.” She takes my hand and cups it to her cheek. “I want to spend tonight with you. Do you want me?”

  “Of course I do.” For a moment, I can’t believe what she’s asking. But, how can I let this moment slip by. “I want you more than anything in this world. If we sleep together it’s going to change everything. Between your family and between us. Are you ready for this?”

  “Yes. I’ve thought about this for the past month. I think we’re ready for what might arise.”

  “What if this doesn’t work? What if we don’t work?”

  “How does any couple know if they will be together for a month, a year, or a lifetime?”

  “You’re right.”

  “I know I’m right. Let’s start with ten minutes.”

  With her still tucked under my arm, I use my free arm to yank my coat off the chair and reach in the pocket. “I’m spoiling Christmas, too. But, here.” I open my hand.

  “It’s a watch on a chain!”

  “I found it in an antique shop downtown. I don’t want it just to be my minutes anymore, I want it to be our minutes.” I loop the chain over her head. “I don’t know how or when this happened, but I’ve fallen in love with you, Ev.”

  When we kiss, for one of the first times in my life, everything’s right. I brush my lips gently across hers. I have a fierce and sudden need to… feel.

  She turns off the table light filling the room with only the warm glow from the open grate on the stove. Ev stands and unbuttons her bulky sweater. She has a tank underneath. Lifting is off, she slides out of her bra. She holds the lace to herself for a moment and then lets it drop away. Her breast are perfect with high, pink nipples. I can’t seem to breathe.

  Her cheeks blush to a deep pink. “This is a part where you’re supposed to touch me, right?” She takes my hand and guides me to stand. I take the hanging watch that is now warmed from her skin and swing it around to her back.

 
“You’re so damn beautiful.” I take a nipple between my thumb and forefinger and pinch slightly before putting my mouth on her.

  I want to devourer her. Go. Slow. When I hear her sigh in pleasure, I almost come undone

  “Oh, shit.” I look around the room and mutter another curse.

  “What?”

  “I don’t think I have…”

  She slides a silver foil packet out of her jean’s pocket. “One of these?”

  I can’t help but smile. “Looks like you’ve been planning this?”

  “Of course.” She mirrors my smile. “You know how I love to plan. I’m not a spur of the moment kind of person… but, you know that.” When I take the condom from her grasp, she comments, “Your hands are trembling.”

  “Yeah… they are. I want you so much.”

  Ev reaches for my t-shirt and I helps tug it over my head. Her hands slide down the hair on my chest and torso to curl around the waistband of my pajamas. I stop her hand. “If I let you touch me, it will be all over. I have an even better idea.”

  She reads what I’m thinking and kicks off her shoes and socks. I unzip her pants and push them down. She steps out. I can tell she’s nervous. I take her hand. “Have you ever… made love before?” I ask.

  “No. Have you?”

  “Yes. But, I can’t remember any other women before you.” I can’t stop running my hands down her warm, incredible soft skin. It’s amazing. Her butt’s cold. “Are you warm enough?” I ask, worried that the stove isn’t putting out enough heat. “This place… you should be in a nicer place.”

  “This place is perfect.” She inches on to the bed. The springs squeak as she sits and then lays back. Only in my dreams. Ev spread out before me. My mouth is so dry, I have to wet my lips. The thought of being the first man to touch her is… more than I can process right now. I want to know everything she likes. How she wants to by touched. Her delights. Suddenly, I’m nervous too. I want to be a good lover.

  I slide off my pajamas which leaves me naked. I’m hard as steel. She gives me a long appreciative look which makes me even harder. I crawl to cover her body with mine and catch her face. She kisses me with another sole-destroying kiss. I feel myself at her entrance and slide in. I hit her barrier. I grind my teeth and stop.

  “Ev…” I push up on my arms. “I have to know that this is the right thing. That this is what you want.”

  “Yes. I’ve never wanted anything more. But, I hope it’s what you want too. I love you.”

  All I can do is reply with how I feel. “I love you, too.”

  I push through. The sensation makes my head spin. I wait. I slowly move inside her, but I know I can’t hold back much longer. I start quicker, faster, harder. She digs her heels into the backs of my thighs.

  The small sounds and sighs she makes drives me to the edge. I wait using all the restraint I have left until I feel her shudder and then cry out. One more thrust into her welcoming body and I’m there. I groan, let myself go, and bury my head against her neck. The only sound in the room is our harsh breathing.

  I don’t want to move. Ever. Not sure I can.

  Finally, I roll off and run a finger along the skin of her hip.

  “Amazing…” Ev says and then sighs.

  “Yeah.” I can’t help feeling a burst of relief.

  “That’s what everyone is always talking about. Is sex always this good?” She opens her eyes to slits and smiles.

  “Depends on who you’re with.” I kiss her.

  She looks at the watch I gave her. “It’s two hours until midnight and Christmas day. That’s twelve ten minute segments. How long does it take for you to recharge?”

  “It takes ten minutes for me to recharge… that is if you have more packets in your jean’s pocket.”

  She rolls over, fishes free more condoms, and then hands them over.

  “Three. That should maybe cover it, cause this time, it’s going to take much longer. Screw the time.” I laugh and pull her under me again. Lifting the time piece off her neck, I place it on the night stand alongside my grandfather’s watch.

  Chapter 8

  Three weeks later

  Everly:

  “What are you doing?” I cry out at Logan scoops me off my feet, kicks open the door, and carries me through. “You’re crazy. Put me down.”

  He grins and drops me down on my feet. “Home sweet home.”

  A look around the studio apartment. We got the papers to move in today. My first apartment. Our first apartment. I squeal as I run over, throw open the sliding glass door and step out on the four foot wide balcony. I look out at the back of the restaurant building next to us.

  Logan comes up behind me and wraps arms around my waist. “Well, it’s not a million dollar view, but it could be worse.”

  “I’ll wait until spring to worry about what we can put on the balcony. It’s freezing right now and I don’t think we’ll be out here much.” We head back inside. “We can put a couch here and a coffee table there.” I point to various places around the room. “I’ve got that big painting I did in high school. Remember?”

  “I remember. Trees. Right? I’m happy you can envision what it’s going to look like. Now, it’s an empty room. A small, empty room.”

  “But it’s ours.” I grin and spin around with my arms outstretched. “You have to dream.”

  “I don’t need to do that anymore.” He pulls me to him. “I think all my dreams have come true.”

  “Then you have to think up more dreams. Your classes start next week. That’s exciting. I can’t wait to see what classes you like to take.”

  “The thought of going back to school is a little scary.”

  “Everything’s scary. It’s called life. You gave me help in Calc, I can help you in English.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Speaking of plans, I’m going to see my dad tonight when I get off work. Will you go with me?” Logan seems hesitant to ask. “He wants us to come over for pizza.”

  “Of course, I‘ll come.”

  “It’s a good first step. He’s the one who called. He’s been doing well with his rehab program. He’s been going to meetings three times a week. I can’t believe your dad’s agreed to go with him.”

  “Brett’s his best friend, he want to make sure he’s going to follow through and stay clear of the casinos. Did you hear that they’ve taken up fishing after work? They drive up to Granite Lake and stay there until its dark.”

  “You’re shitting me.”

  “Nope. When you go out into the kitchen, check the freezer. There’s a full Cod and a half of a Salmon. Mom says she’s already getting sick of fish every night, so we’ll probably see more. And I know that we’re not going to turn down free food.”

  “Your dad was here?” Logan asks.

  “We made a quick run over here earlier. He wanted to see the place and I was anxious to see it again too. We packed up the truck with the first load of their hand me down furniture.”

  “Has your dad voiced an opinion on us living together? Not that I’m going to change things, but I just want them to know that I’ll keep you safe now that you’re out of their house. I’m going to call and take them out to lunch for a thanks for covering my first quarter of classes. You dad’s a traditional man, and I want to make it clear that I’m paying for the rent and utilities from my wages. I want to be the one making your life easier for now.”

  “I’m not going to be the housewife in the kitchen waiting for you to come home.”

  “I know that. Like I would want you to do that.” He rolls his eyes. “You’re going to be an anesthesiologist. You’re going to be my sugar mama someday in the not so distant future.” He laughs. “Maybe I’ll be the house husband. I like to clean and I love kids. But for now, I’m paying for the rent. You can pay for i
t later when you have a job.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Dad and mom are happy for us. And, instead of two daughters, Dad finally has another man around again. When you guys worked on the Chevy’s engine last engine, he was in little hog heaven.”

  “We got it running in no time. Just needed a new belt.” He looked around. “You said you brought over furniture? Where did you put it?”

  “Well…” I kiss the tip of his nose. “I thought we’d start with the important things first. We brought over a dresser and the bed.”

  “The bed… huh.” He grins and scratches his chin. “Well, that is important.”

  “Right now, there are no sheets. I need to get them the next go round. Mom said she can spare a set and will look for them.”

  “Do we need sheets?”

  “Not really. There’s a few blankets already in the bedroom. We’ll have to make due. You know snuggle up to generate body heat.”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What?”

  “I think we need to try out the bed and make sure it’s going to work. I’m not used to sleeping without sheets” He has a naughty twinkle in his eyes. Logan reaches for my long, black sweater and tugs it over my head. Then he makes quick work of my shoes, socks and jeans. I stand before him in my bra and panties.

  “We don’t have drapes yet. What about the windows?” I ask.

  “That’s the best things about this cheap apartment. We face an outside wall. No neighbor’s windows.” He smiles, yanks me closer, and kisses me open mouthed through the lace of my bra. I’m already on fire. It’s always hot and needy when I’m in Logan’s arms.

  “Don’t you have be at work?” I ask, out of breath.

  “I have an hour. I’m the manager and I have some overtime to take. If we run over… I’ll text them and tell them I’m on my way. Time’s no longer chasing me.”

  I tap his wrist. “You’re still wearing the watch.”

  “I wear it now to see what time it is. That’s all.” He kisses me. His golden brown eyes glow with emotion. “We have our first place. This ten minutes is special. I don’t want to miss it. I love you, Ev.”