Maplewoods
1365 Words
Caleb carried the bags effortlessly as they walked toward the bus terminal. Autumn felt lighter—maybe from the free clothes, or maybe from the surge of warmth she felt every time Caleb’s hand brushed hers.
The journey home was peaceful.
Autumn leaned her head against the bus window, watching the world blur by. Snow dusted the pine trees like powdered sugar, and tiny towns passed in soft, twinkling lights. Caleb sat beside her, long legs stretched out, one arm draped along the back of her seat—not touching her, but close enough that she felt his presence like a warm shield. With him, everything feels comforting.
He kept glancing at her.
She kept pretending not to notice.
But every time she caught him, he smiled in that slow, melting way that made her heart thump like a drum.
“You look happy,” Caleb murmured after a while.
“I… haven’t been home in so long,” Autumn admitted. “And Christmas… it always feels different there. Something magical.”
“Yeah.” He shifted closer, voice rumbling low. His finger traced the stray curl around her face. “You deserve every single magic in this world.”
Her stomach fluttered. The bus rushed through the snowy road.
When they stepped off the bus, the small town looked like something out of a Christmas postcard—string lights everywhere, wreaths on lampposts, children building snowmen, and the smell of cinnamon drifting from the bakery on the corner.
Autumn inhaled deeply, her eyes soft.
Caleb watched her. Just… watched her. Like seeing her glow was enough to warm him all the way through.
They walked to her grandmother’s cottage—a cozy wooden house wrapped in garlands and glowing warm yellow from the windows.
The door flew open before they even knocked.
“Autumn! My sweet little Autumn!” Eleanor, her grandmother wrapped her in a tight hug, “oh I missed you so much.”
Autumn smiled, tears clouded the corner of her eyes, “I missed you too, grandma.”
Then she eyed Caleb from head to toe with a knowing, mischievous grin. “And is this handsome young man your fiance?”
Autumn opened her mouth—too slow.
“Yes, Mrs, Hays,” Caleb said instantly, slipping his arm around her waist. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he continued, “I am honored to have her in my life.”
Autumn’s heart stopped.
Eleanor clasped her hands. “Oh! A Christmas miracle indeed! Come inside. It's cold out.”
Caleb leaned down and whispered, “a Christmas miracle, huh?”
Autumn elbowed him lightly—but her face was red.
Eleanor ushered them inside, chattering happily and refusing to let them help with anything. The cottage smelled like gingerbread, pine, and warmth.
Finally when they settled on the table for dinner, Eleanor asked, “so, how did you two meet?”
The fork stilled on Autumn’s hand. Shoot! I know nothing about him and he knows nothing about me. I should have made up a story before we got here.
With a nervous smile, she stammered, “haha… yeah in the library.”
To her luck, Caleb spoke at the same time, “in the cafe!”
Autumn sighed. We are doomed. Not even five minutes here and grandma already saw through us!
Caleb chuckled as he said, “we met in the cafe of the public library.”
Autumn sighed in relief. He is quick witted. The evening flew too quickly.
Caleb fit in so easily…helping Grandma carry dishes, complimenting her décor, laughing softly at her stories. It's hard to believe this is fake. If grandma finds out the truth— she will be so disappointed! Autumn shivered internally.
When it was time to show them to their room, Autumn panicked.
Her childhood room. A small bedroom.
One bed.
Grandma led them in, smiling too sweetly.
“Don’t worry, dears. I washed the sheets. Kept a handwoven blanket even. Nice and warm for two.”
Autumn choked on air. She is saying as if she expects us to do… something. Oh god! Her eyes moved to Caleb.
But he just nodded like sharing a bed with her was the most natural thing in the universe. His expression was all natural.
“Sleep well,” Grandma said, patting the doorframe. “I’ll… finish my chores. Let me know if you two need anything.”
“Thanks, grandma,” Autumn forced a smile.
Once they entered the room, Caleb closed the door softly.
Autumn hissed, “She’s checking if we’re doing anything!”
Caleb chuckled low, amused. “Then we better act like a real couple, hmm?”
Her pulse jumped, her breath catching somewhere between her ribs and her throat.
“Wh-what—!” she squeaked as Caleb reached for the hem of his shirt.
In one smooth motion, he pulled it off and tossed it aside. Autumn’s spine liquefied.
His abs. His chest. The V-line that should’ve been illegal.
Caleb dragged a hand through his hair, making it even messier—unfairly hot—and took slow, deliberate steps toward her.
Autumn backed up until her legs hit the bed.
“Ca-Caleb!” she stammered.
“Relax,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. His touch was feather-soft, dangerous. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want.”
Another noise came from the hallway.
A tiny, unmistakable sneeze.
Autumn slapped a hand over her face. “Oh my God… she’s not leaving.”
Caleb’s jaw flexed. His eyes flicked toward the door.
And then, completely serious, he said, “Then let’s make it quick.”
Autumn froze. “M-Make what quick?”
He leaned in, voice dropping an octave. “Start moaning.”
Her soul left her body.
“Moaning?!” she hissed, choking on oxygen. “I—I can’t just— I don’t— Caleb!”
He shrugged like this was the most logical, innocent solution in the world. “She’s waiting to hear something. Give her a show,” he whispered.
“I—I can’t just fake a moan on command!”
Caleb smirked slowly, his gaze sliding down her body and back up with sinful confidence.
“I can help,” he said. “If you want.”
Her knees nearly buckled. “Help how?”
He stepped even closer—so close she could feel the heat radiating off his bare chest.
His fingers brushed her waist lightly, teasingly, barely there.
His voice was a deep rumble against her ear.
“Say the word,” he murmured, “and I’ll give Grandma exactly what she’s waiting to hear.”
His voice slid down her spine like warm honey.
“D-Don’t be absurd.” Autumn crossed her arms over her chest, as if that could shield her from the way his eyes slowly, hungrily, trailed down her body.
God, he is too close.
And half naked…
Too much.
And the things he is saying—I can’t keep his words out of my head. In fact I want him to talk more. This is completely insane.
Yet her core throbbed at the thought of moaning his name—under him… or while climbing on top of him and taking exactly what she wanted.
Heat pooled between her thighs.
She squeezed her legs together, but it didn’t help.
Caleb gave her one last smoldering look before taking a step back.
“Fine,” he said casually. “Don’t moan. Let your grandma camp outside our door all night. I’m sure she brought snacks.”
Her mouth dropped open.
Her chest tightened—not with annoyance… but with disappointment.
Why am I so disappointed? Did I want him to keep convincing me?
Am I really hoping he would have pushed just a little more?
He’s a stranger, Autumn. Get a grip.
But people have one-night stands all the time.
And this isn’t even s*x.
This is… acting.
Performing.
A harmless sound show for her grandmother’s overactive imagination.
Right?
Her thoughts tangled into a knot of panic and desire.
“Wait!” she blurted.
- Writer
