~Christmas Eve, 2010~
*for the record, Spencer is 20, I'm going with Rip being like 24/25 at the most*
Rip felt a little foolish as he snuck up the side of the Dutton's main house that night. Between the time of night and how cold it was, he knew he should've just stayed in the bunkhouse. But the idea of trying to give Spencer the bag he now held in his hands in front of everyone tomorrow, well that was more overwhelming than he could bear.
He wasn't entirely sure why he had gotten her anything. She had said she didn't need or want anything, knowing her father and the rest of the family tended to buy her more than she could ever think of for the holidays. But when he had seen the sweatshirt in the store he couldn't help but laugh and think about how much she'd like it.
His knuckles tapped quickly on the glass, quick enough so he could shove his hand back into the pocket of his own hoodie.
"What on Earth are you doing out there it's freezing!" Spencer hissed although her voice was only a whisper as she opened the window up to let Rip in. He had scared her half to death when he had knocked, startling her from the trance Home Alone had put her in.
Rip smiled at the shocked look Spencer still had as he tugged his boots off and left them by the towel she kept next to the window for that very purpose. "I figured I'd come up and surprise you."
"And what about the footprints you absolutely left in the snow?"
Rip shrugged, "Santa?"
Spencer deadpanned at the boy, but her eyes began to narrow at the bag he had put down when he teetered into the window. "I thought we said no presents."
Rip began to chuckle as he pulled his jacket off, placing it on the chair before pressing his lips against her hairline. "I think you said no presents, and I hadn't planned on one but it was too good to pass up."
Spencer grumbled, turning toward her closet where she pulled two boxes out, a guilty expression on her face. Rip lifted his eyebrows, as if to tell her that he saw right through her facade.
"I thought we said no presents," he mocked lightly, laughing at the light smack that came to his forearm. He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him once she had settled the boxes onto her bed. "Merry Christmas Darling."
"Merry Christmas Cowboy," Spencer smiled up at him, and it damn near took his breath away. "Now what did ya get me?"
Rip handed the bag to Spencer once she finally sat down on her bed, watching with a wide grin as she ripped apart the tissue paper. She pulled the hoodie from the bag, laughter immediately filling the air over the sound of the movie still playing.
"This is amazing!" She continued to chuckle as she pulled it over her head, untucking her hair from the hood as she stood up. "What do you think?"
"You look gorgeous Spencer."
A light blush fell across her cheeks at his words. They had been testing the waters of what this could be since that night over the summer, but damn if she hadn't already started to stumble into deeper feelings than she had anticipated. Seeing this whole other side to Rip, it had made every ounce of her childhood crush ecstatic. She had never felt more alive in her life.
"I almost feel bad that I got you something practical now," Spencer laughed as she handed the boxes to Rip. She had gotten him a travel coffee mug with a handle, mostly so he'd stop stealing hers when she was home, and a book on the stars. Because he always seemed fascinated with them whenever she talked about them as they sat on the roof and he listened to her talk. Rip's eyes sparkled with amusement at the gifts.
"I always felt like I was being watched, and I reckon I was right," he winked at Spencer as he spoke. "Thank you, although I do think your pink mug is more my color."
Spencer's blush deepened. "I mean we could send it back, you can pick a different col-"
"I'm messin' with you Darling, this one is just fine," Rip's smile widened at her concern.
"I got you one last thing," Spencer spoke, pulling a small envelope from her bedside table, her smile turning wicked as she handed it over. Rip's eyes darted in nervousness between the envelope and Spencer. The temperamental redhead had merely grown into a bigger wild child with age, much to the disappointment of her father. And much to the delight of Rip.
He carefully pulled apart the envelope, not sure what was hiding inside and if it was bound to rip apart in his hands. To his surprise he found a Polaroid picture, two small butterflies on what looked like skin. The longer he stared at it in confusion, the more Spencer's delight grew. She leaned close to whisper to Rip, as he looked at her, his nose crinkling like it does when he doesn't understand.
Spencer could barely contain her laughter. "I'm your present, you get to unwrap me and find that."
The questions in Rip's eyes quickly melted, blinking away to a wildfire of desire turning his blue eyes stormy. Spencer pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, a smile fighting against her as leaned back to her heels. Putting a distance between them that Rip quickly closed. His lips were on hers almost instantly, his hands pulling her hips closer while hers tugged him down by the hoodie. It wasn't anything they hadn't started before, but this time there was an ending in sight.
Spencer gasped for air as Rip went for her neck, finding that spot right above her shoulder that he knew drove her wild. She hummed, pulling back just far enough to tug his sweatshirt upward, causing him to smile as he got the message pulling it over his head.
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Beth went to knock on her sister's door and say goodnight, but the breathy moans and grunts of a male made her stop in her tracks. She chuckled to herself, taking another sip from the bottle of bourbon as she stumbled to her room for the night.
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The soft glow of the sun off the snow on the roof was the first thing Spencer noticed as she began to wake for the morning. The next was the arm wrapped around her not so clothed waist. She smiled to herself, squirming as she rolled over to look at Rip, whose eyes were still closed. But she knew he was awake as she kissed his lips once, causing his hand to pull her closer to him.
"Good morning Sunshine," he grumbled, his eyes still closed as if he was soaking in every moment that he could.
Spencer smiled, leaning up to tap her nose against his. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but-"
"I know."
Rip sighed, finally opening his eyes to see the beauty laying in front of him. Flashes of the night before danced in his mind and all he wanted was to pull the covers back over their heads and recreate them, but if he didn't leave now they'd both be in trouble.
Spencer's own solemn look matched his thoughts as he brushed the hair from her face, pressing a kiss to her cheek before standing up.
Spencer giggled, "Well good morning to you too."
Rip looked at her in question, before remembering the lack of clothing they both passed out in the night before. He jumped, getting a move on to at least get his lower half covered before someone came to the door. Better to be caught half dressed than with your dick in your hand.
"You're gonna be the death of me Spencer Dutton," Rip laughed as he tugged his boots back on.
"Maybe one day Cowboy, but I'll let you hang around long enough to figure it out."
Rip chuckled as he nodded, "That sounds like a good plan to me."
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Spencer ambled down the stairs, her new sweatshirt holding her hair back from her face as she made her way to the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas Daddy!" She spoke to her father as she rounded the island to hug him.
"Merry Christmas Tiny. I think this is the only time I'm ever going to see Beth up before you. Did you sleep alright?"
"Oh I'm sure she slept just fine Daddy," Beth spoke over her coffee cup, sneaking a quick look to Spencer before turning back to her phone. Spencer felt her cheeks heat slightly, but she turned before John could see the flare of blush on his youngest daughter's cheeks.
"Right, whatever that means," he waved his hand between his daughters, not bothering to mess with their shenanigans. "When you two are ready, meet us in the living room, alright?"
The girls nodded, and Spencer whipped her head around to glare at Beth who donned her own wicked smile.
"I'm just glad you remembered to lock your door Tiny, otherwise it would've been a not-so Merry Christmas for you and your lover."
"Ew, please never say that again," Spencer laughed, sitting next to Beth as she looked to the living room and back. "You didn't tell anyone about it, right?"
"What? That my sister let herself be a present for some unknown man last night? No, I think we like our heads attached to our bodies Tiny. Word of advice from me, pick a spot somewhere off the ranch for that shit. The last thing you need is Daddy or Lee pounding down your door and-"
"Got it, message received." Spencer's blush deepened as she stood abruptly from her seat to head to the living room. The last thing she wanted, or needed really, was innuendos from her sister all morning.
Spencer took a seat in her favorite chair in the living room. Despite the lack of Kayce, something still felt off as she scanned the room. To her surprise, Rip was sitting on the couch across the coffee table from her, a brand new coffee mug in his hand as he winked at her before Lloyd sat down next to him. She had forgotten the pair usually joined them for the day when everyone else went home to their families.
She gave him a shy smile, putting her own mug down as she accepted the first gift passed to her, flashing the words on her sweatshirt as she did. His smile matched hers as she glanced at him quickly, the two spending the morning flitting in and out of their own little world.
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author's note. sorry i went MIA, had to finish my massive end of semester paper and then published the first parts of His Daisy (an outerbanks fanfic if anyone is interested!) so i was a littler preoccupied. and why Christmas you may be asking? my AC has been warm at best and i'm warm so snow lol
anyway, i am also looking for maybe like 3 or 4 people (or more if there's interest) to read a few of the first chapters of Sunshine once they are ready! if you want to send me a personal message on here, and we can discuss! i am looking to possible add some more in depth spice to that one over time so i'd prefer if you were comfortable reading through that as well when those chapters come up and giving genuine feedback on it!
thank you all for your love and support, I cannot believe we are just shy of 75K reads rn that is beyond wild to me.. you all have been so amazing with your comments and love on this book and i can't wait to get Sunshine out for you!