A Date for Christmas

by Erika Phillips

  “Carl, I’ll do everything we can. We’ll find her, I promise!” she exclaimed.

  “What about Brad?” Todd interjected.

  “They’re both missing?” Evelyn asked, more concerned. “This isn’t good.” Evelyn turned to the front desk clerk. “Frank, I need you to contact the local authorities. We have two missing guests out in the storm, and we need help finding them,” she commanded.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, picking up the phone to start calling the police.

  “And have them radio me with any updates,” she interjected.

  Evelyn gathered Carl by the arm and led him away from the front lobby, Todd trailing behind. “Let’s go get a drink to calm your nerves, both of you. I have my radio with me and once they find them, I’ll know.” Evelyn reassured them both, “We’ll find them.”

  ********

  Brad and Maggie spent the better part of the morning in bed. After realizing they wouldn’t be getting back anytime soon, they decided to make the most of their time together. Luckily for Brad and Maggie, the Millers never showed up.

  Eventually, hunger drove them from the bed. Brad went to the kitchen to make them something to eat and Maggie went to take a shower. When she finished, she came out and sat down to eat. Brad had made a couple of turkey sandwiches and had pulled out a bag of chips to munch on. After lunch, Brad walked over to see if the T.V. was working and if they could get any stations. Unfortunately, the cable must have also gone out but there was a rather large supply of old DVDs to choose from.

  After arguing for several minutes over whether to watch Terminator 2 or Sleepless in Seattle, Brad gave in and let Maggie win. They spent the afternoon watching movies and cuddling on the couch. As the sun began to set, they started a fire to help keep the chill out and opened another bottle of wine. Brad had found everything to make spaghetti and set to work while Maggie watched and sipped wine.

  “Who taught you how to cook?” Maggie inquired.

  Brad smiled, a warm memory of his mom in the kitchen when he was a young boy popped in his head. “My mom. She was actually a chef. She had me cooking in the kitchen since I was about four,” he reminisced.

  “Sounds like your mom was a nice woman,” Maggie added.

  “She was amazing. I wish you could’ve met her. She’d really have liked you,” he gushed. “She always told me that I needed to learn to cook, so one day I could impress the ladies,” Brad grinned.

  “Well, I’m certainly impressed,” Maggie informed him. “I’ve never once had a man cook for me...well, besides my father--but that doesn’t count.”

  “Yeah, well you’re the first woman I’ve actually cooked for...besides, Christy,” Brad said absentmindedly not even realizing he had mentioned his ex-fiancée’s name.

  “Who’s Christy?” Maggie asked tentatively, now rather curious who this woman might be. She figured she must have been someone important to him for him to make that comment.

  Brad tried to avoid the topic by changing the subject. “No one important--but what is important is my sauce flavor.” Brad dipped a spoon into the red sauce and pulled it out and then leaned over to offer Maggie a taste. Maggie obliged and opened her mouth, allowing Brad to place it in. Maggie licked her lips, “That’s absolutely delicious! How the hell do you make that from a canned jar of spaghetti sauce?”

  “That’s my secret and I’ll never tell. Now go sit down, dinner’s ready,” Brad claimed.

  Maggie let the subject of Christy drop for now, but she had no intention of letting him off the hook that easily. She knew there was a lot more to the story and part of her suspected she could be the reason for his bad boy image.

  Maggie opened a second bottle of wine and Brad joined her at the table. They sat by firelight enjoying each other's company and shared stories back and forth about their childhoods. By the end of dinner, Brad had Maggie laughing so hard with some of his stories that she nearly spat wine all over the table. She could not believe that the man sitting across from her was the same one she read about in the magazines who had a different woman in his bed every night.

  By her fourth glass of wine, Maggie was ready to get to the bottom of who he truly was and why he slept around and had not settled down. “So, can you tell me who Christy is now?” Maggie tried again, knowing she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Brad’s demeanor changed. He was no longer laughing, and his facial expression turned dark. He had avoided this conversation with people for a long time, but with Maggie he didn’t want to keep hiding. “She’s my ex fiancée. I was engaged for over a year and she left me after my parents died,” Brad started.

  Maggie felt her heart sink. How could someone be so heartless? Maggie offered out her hand on the table for him to take. “I’m so sorry,” Maggie replied as Brad placed his in hers.

  “Well, I didn’t handle things well. I mean we’d never really been right for each other. She was your typical blonde Barbie. When we met, she was just starting out in the business. She was an extra on a show I’d been in...and let’s just say I let my penis do the thinking. At first, things were fine and then her career started to take off, with my help of course,” Brad stated bitterly as he rolled his eyes.

  “Anyway, when my parents suddenly passed, she wouldn’t even take time off to be at the funeral with me. Then there were the rumors that she was sleeping with the director of the new movie she had just gotten the lead role in. About a month after the funeral, I came home, and all her things were gone. She just left, no note, nothing,” Brad shrugged. “Truly, it was for the best. But, after that I just spiraled even more and no longer cared about anyone or anything. So, Todd decided we needed to clean up my image and the contest was the last ditch effort to get the public to love me again,” he shook his head, seeming embarrassed. “He hoped that having the world see me as this caring guy, who actually does give a shit about one woman may help. I had my reservations to say the least, but I’d do anything for Todd. He’s been a great manager. He’s stood by me and cleaned up my messes no matter how bad they were,” Brad ended.

  Maggie was not sure what to say. She now understood why Brad did the things he did, but she wasn’t sure if what was happening between them these last few days was still part of the image repair or if he truly cared for her. She was too afraid to ask; afraid that knowing the truth would be too painful. Instead, she decided to enjoy the moment, knowing it wouldn’t last forever and they would both go their separate ways.

  Maggie pulled her hand back. “Terminator 2?” she asked, wanting to lighten the mood.

  Brad smiled, “I’ve something else in mind.”

  Brad stood up and walked over to Maggie, taking her hand in his. He knew that most likely by tomorrow someone would find them and tonight might be their last evening together, alone with no cameras around. He planned to take advantage of every last second, he got with her.

  Brad led her to the bedroom and began to slowly undress her. He removed her sweater, bra, and pants, grazing her skin with his knuckles as he took his time. Goosebumps went up and down her spine as she lost herself in the moment. Brad swept her long locks to the side and kissed the nape of her neck, biting and sucking the soft flesh. Maggie’s nipples hardened, brushing against the course fibers of Brad’s sweater he still had on.

  Maggie reached out to take his shirt off and Brad willingly allowed her. They stood topless holding each other and kissing, enjoying the feel of their naked skin touching. Maggie’s hand reached out to touch the hard, firm muscles of his chest and abdomen. Her fingernails raking up and down his muscular torso.

  Slowly her hands descended to the base of his pants. She undid the top button and reached her hand down the front of his pants to touch his cock. Brad sighed into Maggie’s mouth at the feel of her hand holding him. Wanting to return the favor, Brad grabbed her by the waist of her pants and mimicked her motions. He slipped his hand into her pants and cupped her warm mound. He slid a single digit into her wet folds making her moan in pleasure.


  Brad could feel himself losing control, and he was not ready to come just yet. He wanted tonight to be long and slow. He pulled his finger from her and he pulled back away from Maggie, making her release her hold on him as well. He took his pants off and then removed hers. He took her by the hand and led her over to the bed and laid her down on her back.

  Brad climbed on top of her, making no motion to touch her. He only gazed upon her naked body. With a devilish wink, he bent his head down and took one breast within his mouth. He nibbled on the pink pert fruit, while his hand caressed and massaged the other one. Taking the nipple between his fingers he pulled and lightly pinched at it. Maggie moaned loudly as he expertly played with each breast.

  Biting her lip, Maggie thrust her hips upward, indicating that she wanted more. Brad was not ready to give her exactly what she wanted just yet. Instead he trailed kisses down underneath her breasts, down her stomach, past her hips, and stopped at her entrance. Maggie closed her eyes, knowing his lips were millimeters from her most intimate spot. The moment she felt his tongue touch the tip of her swollen nub her body bucked upwards and then she relaxed as he continued to lick and suck on her. His tongue was like magic as it flicked over and over, driving her to the brink of ecstasy.

  Maggie moaned and sighed as he continued to manipulate her in a way, she never knew was possible. The floodgates of her orgasm were so close to opening when Brad paused to slip a condom on. She waited in hot suspense until he finally slid his cock inside her and her body convulsed with an orgasm that threatened to consume her. Maggie cried out, never having felt such a strong emotion in her entire life. She had no idea anyone could ever feel so many things simultaneously. A single tear slipped out of the corner of her eye. Brad found his release while Maggie’s body relaxed. Brad saw the tear and asked with concern, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I just never knew anything could ever feel that intense,” Maggie replied with a weak smile, her breathing still ragged.

  Brad smiled, not because he was proud of himself, but because she had felt such immense pleasure. “I only hope this is not the last time then,” he said in a deep, throaty voice.

  Maggie smiled back at him. “Me too,” she responded as her eyes closed softly and she drifted to sleep overcome with a sense of peace.

  Chapter 12

  The sun woke them both from their slumber and then a loud pounding at the door forced them out of bed. Brad quickly got up and dressed. He figured that they had finally been rescued and was a little saddened to realize this. When he opened the door, he saw a path had been plowed and the snowdrift was gone. Before him stood a police officer. “Bradley Thomas?” he inquired.

  “Yes,” Brad acknowledged.

  “I’m officer Pat Downs. Is Maggie Vaughn here with you also?” he asked, hopeful he had found them both alive.

  “She is,” Brad replied.

  “And you’re both unharmed?”

  “Yes,” Brad said quickly.

  The officer held the button on the mic attached to his uniform. “Dispatch, this is Downs. I’ve found both parties, they’re alive and well. Can you let Ms. Florence know? Copy, over,” he spoke into the mic.

  “Roger that, Downs. Good job, sir,” the voice on the other end called back.

  “I have a SUV here to take you and Ms. Vaughn back to the resort. When you’re ready you can meet me by the vehicle,” Office Downs stated. He nodded and then walked towards the car parked outside.

  Brad nodded and closed the door. Maggie wandered out, her face crestfallen. She knew their time was going to come to an end, but she had prayed for one more day. She also knew one more day would never be enough. Yet, she had no idea if or how they would work in the real world. Or if Brad even wanted anything more than a weekend fling.

  Maggie grabbed her coat and boots and headed to the door. They had nothing to take with them and didn’t need time to pack things up. Brad walked out first, and Maggie followed behind. Closing the door, she turned back around and whispered, “Goodbye.”

  They walked to the car and got in. The officer greeted Maggie and informed them that they had been searching for them since the first night and they had been afraid they wouldn’t find them alive. Brad and Maggie rode in silence for the short ride back to the main lodge.

  When they arrived, they weren’t greeted by their family at first, but instead by a team of news crews and T.V. reporters. The moment they stepped out of the vehicle; microphones were thrust into their faces. “What was it like being stuck for two nights all alone with Bradley Thomas? Are you two together now? Were you afraid you were going to die?” The questions came fast and furious and neither had a chance to speak or react before Todd came barreling out to save them.

  “Ladies and gentleman, I know you want to hear from them both, but they were just rescued and I’m sure they need some time to process everything that has happened,” Todd replied and then ushered them both into the lobby area.

  Once inside, Carl rushed up to Maggie and held her tight. “I thought I’d lost you forever,” he started to bawl.

  Maggie patted him on the back. “Dad, it’s okay. We’re fine. The storm came in faster than exp--” she tried to tell him, when he stopped her.

  “You have no idea what I’ve been through. It was like losing your mother all over again. Don’t you ever do anything that stupid again, do you hear me?” Carl chastised her and then pulled her close again.

  At that moment Maggie felt like she was five years old and could do nothing but apologize. Then Carl turned his attention to Brad, ready to unleash his full wrath on him for taking his daughter out skiing in the middle of a snowstorm, when Maggie stopped him. “Dad. Please don’t blame Brad. I’m an adult and chose to go. If it wasn’t for Brad’s mad breaking and entering skills we would have perished out in the snow,” Maggie laughed thinking back to watching him crack the lock on the cabin door.

  Carl’s eyes grew wide, not sure he should be impressed or concerned. Then he looked at Maggie and saw the way she was looking at Brad and he stopped talking. Whatever had happened these last few days had changed her. Carl knew his daughter was in love and now he only hoped Brad wouldn’t break her heart. He knew she may not recover a second time.

  Evelyn had been standing behind Carl the whole time watching the two of them reunite. Maggie turned back to her dad and saw her standing in the background. Smiling at her, she stated, “Thanks for finding us.”

  Evelyn smiled. “I’m just glad you’re both safe.” She walked up and stood by Carl. He reached out and grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. A movement that didn’t go unnoticed by Maggie. She saw the twinkle in his eye when he looked at Evelyn and she was truly happy for her father.

  “Well, I guess we need to get packed up and reschedule a flight back to Chesterville,” Maggie stated. “I’m sure you need to get back to L.A. too?” Maggie stated, glancing over at Brad. “Didn’t you have some audition or something today you’re missing?” she asked.

  “I’m sure Todd took care of it all,” Brad replied without concern.

  “Well, I need to go take care of a few things myself, so I’ll see you around then?” Maggie asked, waiting for Brad to stop her and tell her he couldn’t live without her. When he made no move to say anything, Maggie’s shoulders slumped a bit and she turned to walk down to her room to pack her things.

  When she got back to her room, she looked around. Everything seemed so surreal anymore. Maggie couldn’t explain how her world had turned upside down in the matter of a few weeks and now she was going to be going back home and had to act like nothing ever happened. Maggie could feel the tears start to well, thinking about what she thought she had with Brad and wondering if it was all an act.

  A knock on the door, kept the flood works from opening up. “Just a minute,” she called out. Maggie wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand and went to open the door.

  Standing on the other side, Brad waited for her to answer. When Maggie opened the door, he stepped in and kiss
ed her, kicking the door closed with his foot. Maggie wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. When Brad pulled back, he said, “I couldn’t leave without kissing you one last time.”

  Maggie smiled. She wasn’t sure what would happen next, but she prayed that that would not be their last kiss. “What now?” she asked, slightly afraid to hear his answer.

  “Well, I guess that depends on you,” he answered. “Are you willing to see where this, I mean, us goes?” he asked, hoping her answer was yes.

  “Well, I’m willing to give it a go. I think I may need two or more dates to really see if you’re someone I’m interested in at least,” she jested.

  Brad laughed. “Well then, are you free in a couple weeks?” he asked. “I know it’s Christmas and all. I thought maybe we could spend it together?”

  Maggie smiled, liking that idea. “If you can handle the holiday with my dad, Mittens, and Rex, then, sure,” Maggie agreed.

  Brad grinned. “Who is this Rex fella?” he asked, feigning concern for a minute.

  “He is actually rather handsome. He comes over to my house a lot and he loves hugs and belly rubs. But he’s very hairy and sometimes drools,” she continued. Brad laughed, getting the idea who Rex was.

  “I like belly rubs too,” he joked, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her close. “How come you’ve never offered to give me one?” he winked.

  Maggie hit him on the shoulder. “Seriously!”

  “I can’t wait to spend the holiday with all of you,” he promised. “But right now, I’ve other plans in mind. See, my plane doesn’t leave for another four hours and…” Maggie stopped him mid-sentence by kissing him squarely on the lips.

  Brad needed no coaxing as he picked her up in his arms and carried Maggie over to the bed. Laying her down on the soft comforter, he pulled his sweater off and yanked down his pants. Maggie followed suit and disrobed in seconds. Brad slipped a condom on and leaned back in and kissed her deeply. His hands traveling from her breasts to her stomach to her hips. Memorizing every inch of her body with his fingers.