He smacked her ass. The burn mingled with the pleasure sent another orgasm rocketing through her. Her eyes rolled back in her head. She bowed from the intensity, tucking her face in his neck. “Bently. It’s too much.”
He flipped her over onto her back, never breaking the connection as he slipped between her legs. “Then let me do it for you. Let me carry you.”
Bently grunted as he slid in and out of her, holding her as she came apart again and again. She surrendered to him, boneless and limp as he thrust her towards the heavens once more. He was there, each time she came down, to catch her, encompassing her with awe and reverence as everything else ceased to exist.
“I love you so fucking much,” he said, kissing her cheek and neck before locking his eyes on hers.
“I love you too.” She clenched her inner muscles.
Bently thrust twice more, roaring as he released inside her. Bently held her, body and soul, while she floated back to earth.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For the orgasm? I think I should be thanking you.” She chuckled as he slid out of her.
He tucked her against his chest, his mouth by her ear. “Well, that too. But I meant for giving me the most amazing gift. For loving me.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. Her emotions were all over the place. Sex with Bently wasn’t just amazing—it was transcending. She’d been destroyed and put back together. He’d exposed and protected all at once. Elation lit every cell in her body. She was happy, truly and incandescently blissful.
For once in her life, she could let go, and without a doubt, she had someone who loved her enough to catch her when she fell.
Chapter 40
Belle
The scent of peppermint and chocolate wafted over Belle as she followed Remy into the café. Jasmine and Mia trailed behind, and they shook off the chill as they browsed the menu above the counter.
“This place is cute,” Mia said.
“I love coming here whenever we visit the city,” Remy replied.
“Their chai latte is to die for,” Jasmine agreed.
When Belle got to the counter, she ordered a peppermint latte with extra whipped cream. She joined the ladies with their drinks at a table, their shopping bags set underneath.
“I can’t believe I’ve been so last minute this year. I’ve just been so busy.” Remy sighed, unwrapping the scarf from her neck.
“Dios mio. I know. It’s impossible to shop for your brother.” Mia chuckled.
“I’m sure Dre would appreciate you in something lacey . . . or is he a leather kind of guy?” Jasmine teased.
Remy covered her face with her hands and shook her head with a grimace. “Ugh! You guys, he’s my brother! Stop. I don’t need to know that answer.”
Belle laughed.
All three women turned to look at her.
Remy reached out her hand to Belle’s. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you with us today. It’s so good to see Bently committed to someone finally.”
Jasmine set down her tea. “I’m just glad you’re a genuinely good person. You make him smile.”
“Bently is always smiling. I swear those Evans boys have a devilish smirk permanently plastered onto their faces.” Remy laughed.
Jasmine met Belle’s eyes, knowingly. “Yeah, but now it’s for real.”
Belle grinned reassuringly. “He’s definitely changed my life.”
“Aww, she’s totally smitten.” Mia giggled.
“And now we have another sister!” Remy cheered.
Belle tapped her cup against the others’ before she sipped her peppermint coffee. The warmth started in her chest and blossomed. She glanced around at the small group of women. Sisters. She was being welcomed into their family. She’d never had anyone but TJ, now it seemed she had been adopted into the fold.
***
On Christmas morning, Belle turned down “Let it Snow” as Bently pulled his truck into Jasmine’s parking lot.
“Christmas by the sea,” Belle mused.
“Jasmine was so excited to host this year.” Bently turned the ignition off.
“Did you get the gifts I picked out for Mr. and Mrs. Stone?” TJ asked.
“Yes. They’re in the back,” Belle said.
“Good.” TJ sighed with relief. He almost seemed as nervous to impress this family as she was.
Bently leaned across the console and kissed her as if sensing her unease. “Come on. Let’s go have some good food and laughs.”
He opened his door, sending a rush of cold air inside the cab. She smiled as he came around to help her down. TJ climbed out after them.
“You go on in and I’ll get the gifts.” Bently kissed her cheek. He could barely keep his hands off her and she loved it.
“I’ll bring the wine in.” She reached into the floor of the truck and grabbed the three bottles.
Bently shut the door behind her. Belle walked up to the front of the inn, the sound of laughter and revelry bleeding out into the snowy afternoon. She closed her eyes, tipping her head upwards, listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the distance. The air was salty and crisp, carrying the essence of the ocean in the breeze.
TJ and Bently chatted and joked as they came closer and her heart squeezed. She opened her eyes, her joy spilling down her cheeks. This was everything she thought she’d never have. Everything she had been afraid to hope for. A lifetime of Christmas wishes, of lonely Decembers, of darkness and pain had brought her to this moment.
Concerned blue eyes met hers. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Just happy tears.”
Bently leaned in, his woodsy scent caressing her senses as he kissed her forehead and then her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She smiled.
“Yeah, yeah. We get it—you’re both sappy in love,” TJ joked as he pushed past them to the front door as it swung open.
Belle and Bently laughed.
Jasmine greeted them. “Come on in, guys. You’re the last to arrive and Lyra is getting more impatient by the minute to open her gifts.”
Bently gestured for Belle to go first. She held up the bottles of wine. “I brought a little something to spread
