All I Want is You this Christmas Final

by Codi Gary

“You’re still a wuss.”

  “I prefer to think of it as intelligent. If I don’t go down a giant hill with a crap ton of trees, I live to write another day.”

  Jared turned into the entrance of the farm and parked his truck. “First things first, tree cutting. Then we’ll discuss your lack of adventure.”

  Jared climbed out of his truck with his coffee in hand, downing the now tepid liquid and slipping the empty cup into the door of his tuck. He opened the back and grabbed Rip’s leash as the Lab leaped out of the back seat and onto the ground.

  “A.B., you wanna hang onto Rip while I grab the saw?”

  “Absolutely.”

  When she reached for the leash, their hands held for a moment, and he stared into her wide green eyes as lightning bolts shot up his arm from their connection. Her lips parted and a soft sigh escaped between them.

  “Do you feel that?” he whispered.

  Anna Beth blinked several times. “Yes.”

  Thank God, it wasn’t one sided this time.

  “What are we going to do about it?” he asked.

  “I’m…I’m not sure.”

  Jared released her hand, moving to cup her cheek. She swayed toward him when he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

  He released her suddenly, before he lost all sense and kissed her somewhere else.

  “We’ll put a pin in it for now,” He grabbed the chainsaw from the back of the truck, his heart still galloping in his chest. “Let’s get your tree.”

  Fourteen

  Was it possible to explode from pent up hormones? If so, Anna Beth would be considered combustible.

  She stared at Jared's broad shoulders as she followed him through the trees with Rip by her side. When he’d asked her if she felt it too, all the air left her body. She’d barely been able to release that breathy yes. Anna Beth could still feel the warm press of his lips against her forehead and the sensation of his breath on her skin. They were out here among the trees, trying so hard to be the friends they were before, but it was different. He was different.

  When they were teens, she’d thought he was cute and sweet. It was a simple, innocent crush. Nothing about the way her body reacted when they touched now was innocent, though and she had no idea what to do about this insane attraction to him. Because, as much as she fought it, the feelings weren’t going away.

  At least he wasn’t pressing her to figure out what she wanted to do about their chemistry yet, because she had no clue how to answer him.

  “How big does your aunt want the tree to be?”

  Anna Beth picked up her pace to match his, but the minute she sped up, so did Rip. “Ack, slow down, or Imma face plant, Rip.”

  “You can go ahead and drop the leash,” Jared said. “I just didn’t want anyone to see him off it and complain. A police officer breaking a leash law. Wouldn’t be right.”

  Anna Beth chuckled, dropping the leash to the ground. “Something tells me you’re a rebel with a badge.”

  “That may be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” In a deep, commanding voice, he called, “Rip, heal.”

  Rip ran to his master’s side, keeping pace with him.

  “That’s impressive.”

  “Not really. If you spend time working with a dog, they’ll respond to your attention.” He stopped, letting her catch up. “Now, you were going to tell me how big you want your conquest to be.”

  Anna Beth stumbled, catching herself before she fell. “What?”

  “The tree?”

  “Oh, right. We're putting it in the living room. With the vaulted ceiling, she thinks seven feet would be perfect.”

  “Mmmm, we’ll have to hike a little farther in then.” He turned around and kept moving as though the steady incline in the snow didn’t bother him a bit.

  Anna Beth sucked in a breath and followed, keeping her breathing as even as possible so he wouldn’t realize how out of shape she was.

  “Fine by me. You’re the one who needs his beauty rest.”

  Jared smiled over his shoulder. “You think I’m pretty, huh?”

  Her face warmed, but she didn’t let him completely fluster her. “Actually, I insinuated you need more sleep to be pretty.”

  “Tsk, tsk, so mean to the guy helping you cut down a tree.”

  “I was kidding and you know it, drama llama.”

  “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” Jared yawned and Anna Beth laughed. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. I know you should be sleeping right now, and I appreciate you staying up for me.”

  Jared stopped, letting her catch up. “Isn’t that what friends do?”

  “Of course.” She stopped next to him, taking a deep breath. “Hang on a second.”

  Jared made a guilty face. “Sorry, I have a long stride. My mom is always griping at me when I get ten steps ahead.”

  “No it’s fine, I just need to catch my breath. I don’t do a lot of hiking. My work is pretty sedentary, and I have a walking desk for my treadmill, but both are packed away in my storage unit.” Taking one last deep breath, she straightened up, “Speaking of work, do you like working nights?”

  “Yeah. I can get things done in the morning after I get off work and then crash.”

  “Yeah, I’m not much of a night owl. I prefer getting up with the morning sun.”

  “You mean bedtime?”

  “Not for everyone,” Anna Beth laughed.

  “I know, I’m just teasing.” Jared pointed up ahead. “I think I see our Huckleberry. Just a little bit further.”

  “Great.” Anna Beth eyed the chainsaw warily as Jared made a beeline toward a gorgeous noble fir. “I’ve never used a chainsaw before.”

  “I’ll show you how to do it. When you cut the tree, you’ll need to be on the ground to cut low enough.”

  Anna Beth looked around the trees they passed. Where there wasn’t snow, there was dirt. “On my stomach?”

  “Or squat, but it’s easier when you lay down. How about this one?”

  At least seven-foot-tall, the full tree flared out at the bottom with thick needles. It was beautiful.

  Anna Beth followed Jared around the tree as he inspected it. “No holes. You like?”

  “I like.”

  “Then, let’s do this.” Jared picked up Rip’s leash and led the dog off to the side. “Stay.” Rip lay down and watched his master walk back.

  Jared held the chainsaw out for her to take and Anna Beth hesitated. “Here, I’ll come behind you and go through how to get it going together.”

  When Jared wrapped his arms around her from behind, the front of his body pressed along her back. The contact created instant electricity between them, although he seemed oblivious. While her heart raced, he calmly spoke in her ear, his warm breath tickling the sensitive spot on her neck.

  “Is this okay?”

  The shiver that shot through her body had nothing to do with the cold. “Mmmmhmm.”

  “Good. Take the chainsaw from me.”

  She did what he said and he continued, “Now, we’re going to flip it to full choke, here, by pressing this lever up. Then, pull the cord until it starts and dies. After that, flip the lever to half choke like this and pull the cord till the saw starts. Once it’s running, flip the choke off and hold the blades against the trunk. When you’re ready, pull the trigger.”

  “What’s the trigger?”

  “This handle here.” He covered her hand with his and moved it over the end. “Feel it?”

  The motion brought his body tighter against hers and her breath rushed out. “Yes.”

  “Then let her rip.”

  Jared stepped back and to the side to watch her. Anna Beth went through his instructions again, and when the chainsaw came to life, it vibrated all the way down her arms. Her stomach fluttered nervously.

  “Do I need safety goggles for this?”

  Jared laughed. “You’ll be fine. Now, turn it off by flipping the choke lever and get into position. I th
ink you’ll have more control on your stomach.”

  Anna Beth lay down on the ground and crawled under the tree. The scent of moldy earth hit her nose and she wiggled under the lower branches Jared held up for her.

  With a deep breath, she went through the steps and pressed the rotating blades against the trunk. A fine shower of sawdust sprayed the ground in the opposite direction as the blade slid through the wood. When the tree disappeared above her, she shut off the chainsaw and stood.

  Jared held the tree a few feet away, grinning. “Look at you.”

  “I did it!”

  “You sure did. Next, you can come over and help me split wood for my fireplace.”

  “Not a chance. My arms feel like they’re going to fall off.”

  “It’s like that the first time, but you get used to it. Should we carry it back and get this baby ready for travel?”

  “Let’s do it. Wait!”

  “What’s up?”

  “Will you take a picture of me with the chainsaw and the tree?”

  He smiled. “Come on over here and I will.”

  Anna Beth took ahold of the tree trunk near the middle as Jared backed up with his cell phone.

  “All for the gram, right?”

  “Just for me. Proof that I did it.”

  Jared snapped the picture and walked back over to take the tree from her. “If you ever forget, I’ll remind you how awesome you are.”

  Anna Beth’s stomach fluttered again, but her reaction had everything to do with Jared’s warm brown eyes staring at her like he wanted to kiss her. Did she want him to? If Jared did, should she drop the chainsaw and hold him or hand onto it? Why was she overthinking this?

  Finally, he looked away and hefted the tree off the ground by the trunk and a branch. Relief and disappointment filled her at the same time.

  “Rip, heel.”

  The brown dog came up alongside them and Jared headed back toward the truck.

  Anna Beth did a better job keeping up with him on the way back. “Do you want me to take one end and you hold the other?”

  “Nope, I’m good.”

  “I feel weird watching you carry that tree alone.”

  Jared chuckled. “You shouldn’t. You cut down this big mother. Least I can do is get it back to the truck.”

  “Thank you for helping me do this.”

  “Happy to. It means, I get to spend time with you.”

  Jared’s words warmed Anna Beth from the inside out. After she paid and they loaded the tree and chainsaw into the back of the truck, she asked, “What about you? Don’t you need a tree?”

  “I’m not as tough as you. Usually get my tree pre-cut from Snowy Springs General.”

  “Sissy,” she teased.

  “Speaking of sissies…” Jared reached into the back of the truck and pulled out a sled. “You ready?”

  Anna Beth’s eyes widened. “Hell, no.”

  “Come on. I’m sure Ian would approve of this being added to the list of things you need to do. Overcome your fear, A.B.”

  Jared unclipped Rip’s leash. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go play.”

  “Jared, no. I’m not doing this.” Jared clucked like a chicken and she laughed. “Very mature.”

  “I promise you’ll be perfectly safe.” He held his hand out. “Trust me.”

  Anna Beth hesitated, ultimately taking it. “If I die, I’m going to haunt you forever.”

  “Deal.”

  Jared retrieved an extra pair of gloved from the truck for her and led her toward the hill. She followed behind him through the snow, Rip bouncing along beside them. Off the designated trails, snow flew up past her snow boots and soaked through her jeans, but Jared’s hand surrounding hers made the rest of her feel toasty.

  “What did you mean by you “usually” get your tree from Snowy Springs General?”

  “I decided not to do one this year. Save some money.”

  “Why?”

  “Cause it’s just Rip and I. We normally go to my parents for all holiday festivities. Didn’t seem practical. Besides, I never put any ornaments on, just lights.”

  Anna Beth frowned. “Why no ornaments?”

  “My mom has all the ones from when I was a kid, and it’s not something I shop for on my own. I think tree decorating is more of a family thing. Or a couples.”

  Anna Beth thought about the box of ornaments she’d asked her aunt to find. They didn’t belong with her aunt’s expensive glass ornaments. Maybe she should buy one of those three-foot-tall ones in a pot and set it up in her room.

  It suddenly sounded like a lot of effort and she understood Jared’s point.

  When they reached the crest of the hill, Anna Beth swallowed, all the elation melting away. The hill was clear for the most part, but towards the bottom, trees sporadically grew with only a few feet between them. Everyone she’d grown up with had gone down Slaughter Hill at least once and lived to tell the tale, but it still scared the hell out of her.

  “This is nuts.”

  “Come on, selfie time,” Jared said.

  Anna Beth laughed as he pressed his cheek to hers and held the camera up.

  “Say, danger!” He snapped the pic and showed it to her. “See? You barely look terrified.”

  “You are so not funny.”

  “I’m hilarious.” Jared set the sled down and got on the back. He pulled the gloves he’d brought her out of his pocket and held them up to her. “Put these on, sit your ass down and let’s go.”

  Anna Beth pulled the gloved on and then, slowly climbed onto the sled with her feet on either side. Jared’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against him, her butt cradled in his crotch.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  “If I yell, 'bail,' roll off.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep. Pick your feet up.”

  “Oh, God.”

  “One.”

  The trees suddenly looked much closer together. “Jared…”

  “Two.”

  “I don’t--”

  Jared pushed off before three, both his arms going around her body. Anna Beth screamed as the wind whipped her face, snow flying around them as they rushed down the hill. She heard Rip barking, but couldn’t see him.

  “Lean right,” Jared said.

  Anna Beth leaned and they glided past a tree. Exhilaration seized her and she squealed with laughter.

  “Not so bad, right?”

  “Not yet!”

  Jared laughed and she reached down, covering his hands at her waist with hers.

  “Left.”

  They leaned together, but the minute they rounded that tree, there was another in their path.

  “Bail!”

  She didn’t have time to react before Jared’s arms tightened around her and they rolled off, into the snow.

  Anna ended up on top of Jared, but snow still covered her back, soaking into her jeans. She pushed up, her gloved hands sinking into the powder.

  “Are you alright?”

  Jared’s beanie was nowhere to be found and his brown hair had a thick layer of snow clinging to it. He opened his eyes, grinning up at her.

  “I’m great. Fun, right?”

  Anna Beth returned his smile. “Yes, except I can feel the snow melting into my clothes.”

  His hands drifted down to her waist and squeezed over her jacket, massaging the muscles of her lower back. “I guess we should get you back to the truck and warm you up.”

  Her breath caught as his touch burned through her clothes. “What about you? Aren’t you cold?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  Anna Beth’s gaze drifted to his mouth and her head dropped. Jared leaned up, closing the distance between them.

  Suddenly, a brown snout pushed between them and a pink tongue caught Anna Beth right on the lips. She wrinkled her nose and sat back, pushing at Rip as he rained kisses all over her face.

  “Damn it, Rip. You have the worst t
iming,” Jared said, maneuvering into a sitting position.

  Anna Beth ducked her head against Jared’s chest with a laugh, avoiding more dog licks and felt Jared’s hand slide down her head to the back of her neck.

  She met his gaze, still smiling.

  “A.B.?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m going to wait until three this time and then I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want me to, all you have to do is say so. One…”

  Anna Beth blinked, her brain screaming that the dog interrupting them was a sign, that they shouldn’t be doing this. That it wasn’t good for either of them…

  Oh, screw it. Why would you fight something that makes you feel good?

  “Two.”

  Anna Beth didn’t let him get to three. She leaned in and pressed her mouth to his.

  Jared’s fingers tangled in her ponytail and he opened his mouth under hers, giving her access. Anna Beth drew him closer, moaning as their tongues met.

  God, it felt so good to be close to him.

  His other arm snaked around her waist and she rolled her hips as she straddled his lap, trying to ease the arousal between her legs.

  Jared pulled back, breathing hard. “Anna Beth, we need to get out of here. As much as I’m enjoying kissing you, I’m about to develop frostbite on my ass.”

  “Oh! Crap!” Anna Beth scrambled off his lap and climbed to her feet. Jared laughed, getting up off the ground.

  Once the haze of desire cleared, she realized her legs were stinging in the snow-soaked denim jeans. “I’m freezing too.”

  “Let’s get back to the truck. We can go to my place to warm up.”

  Anna Beth swallowed, her stomach performing somersaults all the way back to the truck. How warm was he talking? Getting cozy by the fire or heating things up under the cupboards? Because one of them, she definitely wasn’t ready for.

  Before her mind ran away from her, Jared reached back for her hand.

  “I suggested my house is because it’s only a few miles away. You can borrow some clothes and we'll dry yours before I take you home.” Jared kissed her hand. “That’s it.”

  Having him say it out loud left her disappointed. “Nothing else?”

  He glanced back at her and winked. “Not unless you want to.”

  Anna Beth knew she wasn’t ready to jump into bed with Jared but they’d already crossed the line. Another a kiss or two couldn’t hurt.