Spice warning!

After another grueling fall term at Dayton, we've finally reached the first day of winter break. It's been a whirlwind of studying, football practice, and prepping for the draft, but now Jade and I have two whole weeks to spend together—uninterrupted and preferably naked.

She's heading home to Washington this Christmas, and I'm traveling up-state to visit my mom. It's a bummer that we'll be apart for the actual holiday but we'll have to make the most of our time together now. Next year, when we're living in our own shared apartment, we can split the time between our respective families.

Because there's no way I'm spending another Christmas Day without my girl.

For now, I'm posted up on the couch, lounging around in a comfortable pair of ratty sweatpants. I'm expecting Jade to arrive any minute, since we have plans to spend the night watching obnoxious Christmas movies and gorging ourselves on hot chocolate.

Like clockwork, a gentle knock signals her arrival. It may be a bit pathetic, but I jump out of my seat to meet her at the door. It's not like I can help it—part of me still feels like a giddy kid on Christmas morning whenever she turns up. Mostly because I never know what to expect.

From Jade’s sharp tongue to her soft edges, she continues to surprise me every day.

Like now, when she's standing on my doorstep wrapped in a satin dress and sheer patterned stockings. There's a generous sliver of exposed skin between her neck and her chest, one that dips and swells in all the best places.

"Fuck, baby," I murmur, eyes raking across her gorgeous body . . . from the tips of her toes up to the untamed curls at the top of her head. "You look—wow."

She tugs on my hand, pulling us both inside the house. "My coat's in the car, but I'm wearing this for our date tonight."

"To watch movies on the couch?"

"No, silly." She rolls her eyes, rubbing some warmth back into her arms. "I have a whole thing planned for us. Dinner, ice skating, and then hot chocolate by the pier."

My goofy half-smile melts into a full-on grin. "Wow, shit's romantic."

"This is our first holiday season as a couple," she insists, nose scrunched in playful irritation. "Damn right, it's romantic."

I swing one arm around her shoulder, crushing her soft curves against my chest. "Look at my girl, wining and dining me."

She tilts her head back, gaze meeting mine. As I lean down to press our lips together, her eyes flutter closed, lips curved into a sweet smile. The kiss is short-lived, though, because she pulls back a second later to smack me on the ass.

"Now go get properly dressed," she teases. "And you better wear something pretty for me."

I feign a pout, fingers curling around her waistline. "You won't let me have my dessert before dinner?"

"You're not that lucky."

I gently dig my thumbs into her hips, pushing her back at the last second. "I'm lucky no matter what. Because I've got you."

"Why do you insist on being so corny?"

"You're the one that loves me!" I shout over my shoulder, jogging down the hallway to change out of these godforsaken sweatpants. It's time to get dressed up nice and pretty for my girl.

***

Two hours later, we've officially stuffed ourselves full of some overpriced pizza. Jade chose this Italian spot downtown for our impromptu night out. It was sweet, romantic and fancy, with the perfect date-night atmosphere.

Unfortunately, much to Jade's dismay, the restaurant didn't consider pineapple and jalapeño to be authentic Neapolitan toppings.

Who knew that a pizza place would have such stringent requirements? I mean, sure, the combination is an absolute tragedy. But it usually puts a smile on my girlfriend's face, so I really don't give a shit.

In the end, I think the two heaping scoops of Nutella gelato rectified the situation.

By the time we arrive at the indoor skating rink, it’s nearly nightfall. Jade's visibly excited, with her flushed cheeks and untamable smile. She tightly grasps my hand, those tiny, gloved fingers threading mine as she tugs me behind her.

"You stay right here." She presses on my shoulder with one hand, forcing me to plop onto a nearby bench. Her oversized purse and a large YETI thermos are carefully set down beside me. "I'm gonna go grab our skates. Watch my stuff!"

Ten minutes pass, then fifteen, before I start scanning the crowd in search of those signature curls. She's been gone for a long time, and this steaming thermos of hot chocolate is calling my name.

I know we're supposed to save this for the pier tonight, but I can't help it that I'm thirsty. And lonely. Very lonely.

It only takes me about five minutes to finish off most of the bottle. I saved a cup or two for Jade, of course. I'm not a total monster. 

It's just—this shit is seriously addictive. There are melted marshmallows on top, and it carries a smooth pepperminty aftertaste. I could have easily downed the entire thermos. But I didn't.

Because I'm a gentleman.

"Hey, stranger." Jade prances up beside me, dropping a set of size twelve ice skates in front of my feet.

"Finally!" I quirk one brow, quickly shoving myself into the skates and lacing them up. "I thought you got lost or something."

"No, sorry.” She shrugs, her expression downright gleeful. "But you'll never guess who I just ran into."

I cinch my laces and sit up straight, a sudden rush of wooziness clouding my brain. "Who?"

"Fred Tomlin! He's here with his little sister," she explains, gesturing toward the photo booth in the far right corner. "They're getting pictures with Santa."

My brow furrows. "How sweet."

"He was actually really nice. Wished us both a Merry Christmas." She bends forward at the waist, securing her own skates into place. "I hope you don't mind but I invited him to Cam's Christmas party."

I blink back my surprise. "You what now?"

"Cam won't mind. He told me to bring whoever I wanted, and we kind of owe it to Fred."

Now I'm actually light-headed, and that hot chocolate is starting to sit heavy in my stomach. "You invited a guy you used to hook up with to my best friend's party?"

"Oh, come on." She cringes, shooting me an apologetic glance. "That was only like, twice. And it doesn't really count."

"Right, right." I shake my head, a warm and fuzzy feeling settling in my chest. "Because he couldn't make you come. But he still had his hands all over youuu." I tap the end of her nose, an unexpected chuckle breaking free.

Fred Tomlin. Limpdick Freddy. Who would actually be jealous of that wet noodle?

She quirks a brow. "Um—"

"Are you trying to torture me?" I pout, gaze drawn to her beautiful features. That tiny spattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her pretty little heart-shaped birthmark. Those rosy plump lips and her deep brown eyes. This gorgeous girl is all mine. "God, you're so beautiful."

"Sorry, what?" she sputters, confusion coloring her tone. "What's happening right now?"

"I love you so much, babe." I sling an arm around her shoulder, drawing her to my side. "And you're right. Let's forget about noodle-dick Frederick and go skate our hearts out."

She slaps a hand across her forehead, glancing from me to the floor and back to the near-empty thermos beside me. "Theo, did you happen to drink all the hot chocolate I brought?"

"Not all of it, cutie. I left you a couple cups." I hiccup, scratching at the back of my neck. "I think."

"Oh God, that was for us to share after we skated."

"It's fine." I toss my hands up in surrender. "We can get you some more at the um, the kiosk thingy-majig. They got hot cocoa-co. Uh, hot chocolate," I correct, grinning at her frustrated expression. "Add the mint, so it'll be just like yours."

She groans, scrubbing both hands over her cheeks. "The peppermint?"

"That's the golden ticket."

"You know this thing was loaded with peppermint schnapps, right?"

"Fuck," I whisper-shout. "Schnapps? So that's why. . ."

"Yeah, that's why." She snorts, head tilted back as she attempts to fight a smile. "You're drunk off your ass, aren't you?"

"I may be a tiny bit tipsy, baby. But I'm good to go," I reassure her, weaving our hands together. "I can skate circles around all these losers, especially Fred."

"I bet you can't even walk straight."

"I'm a natural on the ice, you'll see." I tug at her hand, pulling us off the bench together and slinging her purse over my elbow. "I played Pee Wee hockey. Or, Atom hockey. Or, whatever the fuck it's called. But I was eleven, right? And I was the best on the whole team."

"I'm sure you were."

We waddle across the carpeted floor in our skates, hand-in-hand as we approach the entrance to the rink. "Just keep hold of me, and I'll show you what to do."

"No, I can almost guarantee that you're gonna fall." She yanks her hand out of my grasp. "And I'm not trying to get crushed by a two-hundred-pound man tonight."

A smirk tugs at the corners of my lips. "You don't want me to crush you tonight?"

"There are children here, Theo."

"Yeah, and they're about to be impressed." I take off, skating alone toward the center of the rink, slowly and surely gaining my footing. I attempt to pick up speed, but tumble a bit until I'm crashing face-first into the barrier.

"Fuck—shit," I attempt to swear under my breath. You know, to protect the children.

Jade skates up beside me, her face scrunched into an expression that screams "I told you so."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm good, I'm good." I push myself off the ground, dusting off my pants. "We're all good here, folks!"

"Okay, I think that's enough skating for tonight." She pries her purse out of my hands, lacing our fingers together again. "Let's just do something back at home. Something safe."

"But I want to skate with you," I insist. "We're on a date, and I love you."

She gives me a warm smile, gently guiding us back to the front of the rink. "We can be on a date at home, love. Let's go sit by the fireplace at your house and I'll make us some more hot cocoa-co. With mint."

"Yeah, okay. I'm pretty good on skates though, right?"

She tilts her head, choking back an eye roll. "The best."

***

Back at the house, I take a few minutes to splash some cold water on my face before downing a bottle of grape Pedialyte. It's my special hydration cure for drunkenness, and it's pretty much foolproof.

By the time I join Jade on the couch, I'm practically sober.

"You feeling okay now?" She curls her body against mine, tossing her legs over my lap and snaking her arms around my middle.

"Much better, although my head's still a little wobbly." I lean into her, reveling in the subtle heat of her cheek against my chest. "It's a good thing we ate all that food beforehand."

"That fancy-pants pizza soaked up all the alcohol?"

"Yes, thank God." I brush her curls back, placing a chaste kiss against her forehead. "I'm sorry I ruined our date."

"I should've warned you about spiking the drink."

"True." I gently nudge her with my shoulder. "It's all your fault, really."

She pulls back, an indignant puff of air escaping her lips. "Excuse me? You should've waited for me anyway. And maybe not drank the whole thing in less than ten minutes."

"You were gone for at least twenty minutes," I protest, pinching her hips. "And I got bored, and lonely, and thirsty. You left me waiting for ages."

"Drama queen," she mutters.

"What did you just call me?" I grip my hands over the curve of her hips, easily flipping her onto her back beside me. I proceed to tackle her into the couch, tickling her waist and planting a row of sloppy, wet kisses against her neck, her cheeks, her nose.

"I call mercy," she shouts, giggling and squirming beneath the weight of my body. I trap both her wrists, tugging her back into my lap. She's straddling me on the couch now, one leg placed on either side of my thighs, and my cock is twitching with excitement.

She reaches up, gently stroking her hands over my shoulders. "Danny went home early, right?"

"He and Sof are back home until the end of break."

"And Cam?"

"He's off somewhere doing God knows what." I roll my eyes, a flash of unwelcome irritation settling on my brow. "He's been hanging out with Miller and those guys lately.”

She gives me a half-hearted smile. "I’m sure he’s just trying to pass time since you’ve been so busy”

I curl my fingers against her hips, tamping back the frustration as I lift a suggestive brow. "Yeah, well, there are much better ways to pass time, if you ask me.”

"Not everyone’s as insatiable as you are," she insists, peeling my fingers back.

"You're right. I'll work on withholding my judgment . . . keeping my mouth shut."

"I know that's so hard for you."

I buck my hips against her, bunching up her dress and pressing against the seam of her panties. "You know what else is hard?"

"Oh, my God."

"What? I was gonna say—waiting until Christmas to give you your present." I gently lift her off my growing erection, biting back a grin. "That's hard."

"Well, since we're not going to be together for Christmas. . . you could always give it to me now."

"I'll be right back." I push off the couch, tuck myself in, and jog down the hallway to retrieve her gift. By the time I come back, Jade's already perched on the edge of the couch, hands outstretched and eyes pinched closed.

"Open your eyes, baby."

She smiles wide, plucking the tiny package from my hands and carefully removing the wrapping. Inside is a faux leather-bound journal with her initials inscribed. "It's beautiful."

"You should open it."

She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, untying the latch and flipping to the first page. "Plane tickets to Washington D.C.?"

"I arranged a lunch meeting for you, an interview really, with Rachel McKinley."

McKinley is a sports journalist for the Washington Post—one of Jade's faborite female reporters in the industry. And if I know one thing about my girlfriend, it's that she fucking loves to ask questions.

"No, you didn't," she squeals, clapping the journal shut and pressing it against her chest.

"I did." My grin stretches wide as she jumps from the couch, hopping into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist as I hold her up and crush her to my chest. "You like it?"

"This is the most thoughtful gift. Thank you so much."

"I love you, Jade." I press a kiss to the top of her head, palms pressed into the underside of her thighs to keep her steady. "And I want to spend every day making you happy."

"I love you." She plants a string of kisses against my jawline. "I wish I had your gift with me right now."

She slides out of my arms, feet landing softly onto solid ground. "Come on, you already planned a whole date for us. I may have unintentionally fucked it up, but that was gift enough for me."

She pushes my shoulders back, shoving me onto the couch. "Well, I do have one tiny gift for you tonight."

"Yeah? And what's that?"

Her smile is coy, seductive as she nibbles on her lower lip. Ever so slowly, she reaches up, slipping the straps of her dress off both shoulders and letting it pool at her feet. Underneath, there are scraps of crimson lace tied together with little silk bows. 

And her stockings? They’re held up by the tiny, delicate strings of a garter belt.

"Fuck." I scrub a hand across my forehead, my dick jumping back to attention. "You've been wearing this all night?"

She runs her hands over her silky, tanned skin, caressing her breasts and smoothing them over her trim waist and thick hips. "Just for you, Theo. Merry Christmas."

I stifle a groan. "I'm the luckiest man alive. And you have the most gorgeous fucking body."

"It's all yours." She steps closer, placing her knees on either side of my hips, straddling me once again into my favorite position.

"Goddamn. Say that again."

"I'm all yours, Theo. These,"—she clasps my hands in hers, cupping them around her breasts— "this,"—she sucks my finger into her mouth, teasing and swirling her tongue along the tip—, "and especially, this,"—she bears down, grinding her pussy against my pulsing erection.

My hands move frantically, groping and caressing the soft flesh of her hips, her ass, her thighs. "I need you. Now."

"Then take me."

My fingers finally settle on the lace trim of her panties. I push the tiny scrap of fabric aside, knuckles grazing against the slickness of her arousal. At the sound of a sharp inhale, I plunge two fingers inside of her warm pussy. She's already soaked, dripping onto my hand as I fuck into her.

I'm pumping at a frantic pace, grinding my palm against her clit. She's moaning, whimpering as she bucks against me, the friction nearly suffocating my throbbing cock.

Her arms maneuver around her back, mindlessly tugging at the clasps on her lingerie.

"No, baby," I rasp, fingers pumping and curling to the rhythm of her moans. "Keep it on. I want to have my present while it's still wrapped."

"Please." She releases another strangled moan—one that's shallow, and breathy, and so fucking intoxicating.

"Please what?"

"I want you."

"You want me to fuck you?"

"Yes," she whimpers, hips writhing against me.

"Then take my cock out."

She wastes no time, yanking my zipper down and pulling me out in a matter of seconds. She strokes me, moving her hand up and down, squeezing and kneading as I relentlessly fuck into her. Then, without warning, she pushes my hand away, plunging her own fingers inside that tight little pussy of hers.

She’s frantic as she rides her hand, and I have to bite down on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from coming.

Eventually, she withdraws her fingers, returning to pump them around my waiting cock. Her palm is slick now, covered in the sweet stickiness of her own arousal.

The lubrication eases the glide and slide of her strokes, but it's still not enough. I need to feel her walls clenching around me, spasming against my dick as she comes.

"Sit on my cock, baby."

"Mm." She takes me in one hand, yanking her panties further to the side and lining me up with her entrance.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I chant, groaning as she impales herself on top of me. She's impossibly wet, and tight, and so fucking sweet. And I know, without a doubt, that nothing could ever compare to this feeling.

She's moaning, writhing with me now, circling her hips as she grasps onto my shoulders for dear life. Her nails are digging against my skin, but that tiny pinch of pain sends another jolt of pleasure straight to my balls.

My fingers press into her waist, guiding her up and down as I tease her clit. I follow this tiny figure-eight pattern that drives her wild, head tilted back, teeth pressed into her swollen bottom lip.

Our hips pound together, meeting thrust for thrust, spurred on by the sounds of her chanting my name.

"I know, I know," I rasp against her skin. "Feels so good."

After a few more moments of jerking, pumping, and the sounds of our mingled moans, we come apart together. She collapses against my chest, my fingers still digging into her hips, cum leaking from where we're joined. 

When she finally catches her breath, she tilts her head up to meet my gaze. I capture her mouth in a soft kiss, lingering on the sweet hints of minty chocolate.

"Wow," she mumbles against my lips. "Merry Christmas, Theo."

"Merry fucking Christmas, baby."