The Trouble with Christmas

by Kaira Rouda

  Avery looked perplexed, but followed Lily out of the kitchen.

  “What is it?”

  “I need something sexy, quick,” Lily whispered, pulling Avery up the stairs.

  “And you didn’t pack anything because you thought you’d be a spinster the rest of your life,” Avery said using a thick southern accent. “Poor old Lily, never to have sex again.”

  “Shhhh,” Lily hissed, her face bright red, hurrying into Avery’s room.

  “You crack me up. You’re so puritanical,” Avery said, “but that’s why I love you. Okay, here are some choices.”

  Avery pulled open a dresser drawer and started flinging lingerie in Lily’s direction. Lily didn’t know what she wanted, just that she wanted to surprise Cole. “I don’t know, Aves, maybe something Christmassy?”

  “Oooh, I like that. Let’s go with the candy cane theme of his cottage. Here, this is perfect,” she said and handed Lily a ruby red silk camisole and a white lace thong. “Not too slutty, but still sexy.”

  “Oh, this is perfect. I love it,” Lily said and stuffed the items into the pocket of her pink fleece. “Please don’t tell anybody, just, don’t, okay?”

  “Your secret’s safe with me,” Avery said, and Lily knew her friend fought to keep from laughing. But she didn’t care.

  “Okay, I’ll see you later,” Lily said, smiling at Avery before opening the door.

  “Have fun, my little sex kitten,” Avery yelled after her. Lily blushed bright red, but thankfully, nobody else was in the hall as she ran down to her bedroom to grab some more things.

  *

  She probably should just pack a suitcase and move her things into Cole’s cottage, she thought as she carried her things up the stairs. But he hadn’t invited her, and she wasn’t about to presume. She’s grabbed a dress for tonight, her favorite red cocktail dress, which didn’t make her think of Bob anymore and all of her makeup. She hoped they’d finally have a chance to celebrate, that maybe, just maybe, he could take the night off from the restaurant. She’d be ready, just in case.

  As she walked down the upstairs hallway, she hoped she’d made it home before Cole. Home, she thought, and realized the cottage did feel like home. The white woodwork, the high ceilings, the bright sunny kitchen, the wonderful master bedroom with its oceanfront view—it was out of the pages of a magazine. The scale was much more comfortable to her than the Putnams grand plantation home.

  She walked in the bedroom and smiled. “Cole?”

  No answer. She hurried into the bathroom and plugged in her curling iron and pulled her makeup out of the bag. She yanked the cami and panties out of her pocket, glad to see they weren’t too wrinkled as she undressed and then pulled on her attempt at sexy. She looked in the mirror. Not bad.

  She added a thin layer of foundation, a brush of mascara and liplossed her lips a red shade. She used the curling iron to add soft waves to her hair, hoping she could accomplish everything before his arrival. She had locked the front door to slow him down, so he’d have to knock to come in, but still, she was nervous. And excited.

  She heard the knocker on the door. Her heart thudded. She checked herself one more time in the mirror, unplugged the curling iron, and hurried downstairs. At the last minute, she remembered to look through the peephole in the door. What if it isn’t Cole?

  But it was. She smiled when she saw his confused look staring back through the tiny lens. He wasn’t used to locked doors on the island.

  She opened the door slowly, standing behind it so he couldn’t see her.

  “Lily?” he asked, confusion in his voice as he stepped inside.

  She closed the door and locked it as he stood staring at her.

  “Oh. My. Look at you.” He grinned and looked her up and down.

  She felt loved and a little bit shy.

  “Are those for me?” she asked looking at the bouquet of red roses in his hand.

  “Oh, yes, I, yes, honey, you look amazing,” he said, holding out the roses with one hand and touching the top of her shoulder with his finger. “And this fits you like a dream,” he says, his finger running down the strap of the camisole, and then across her breasts, her nipples instantly responded.

  Lily shuddered as Cole took her hand in his. “What do you have in mind?” he asked in a low husky voice.

  Lily struggled to keep her breathing even. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at his darkened blue eyes.

  “Upstairs,” she said, trying not to blush, trying to be bold and sexy. She would become the woman who picked her man, instead of having men like Bob select her.

  And she picked Cole. “I want to make love to you.”

  “Oh, Lils,” Cole said following behind her, still holding the roses in one hand, her hand in the other.

  As she led him upstairs, remembering to sway her hips, she worried. She wished again she’d had a mother who had talked her through things like sex and relationships, but she hadn’t. By the time the Putnams became her family, they assumed she knew all of the rules of romance and sex. She didn’t feel confident in the bedroom, not at all. Her only experiences had been with Bob. But he hadn’t been a patient teacher, nor a considerate lover. She’d discovered the difference with just this little time with Cole. And she wanted to show him how much she appreciated him.

  You can do this. You can be assertive in bed. It’s not bad. It’s good when it’s with the man you love.

  She pulled him into the bedroom. The curtains were closed but sunlight peeked through in odd streams, adding intriguing light to the otherwise darkened room. Cole put the roses down on the dresser and stood looking at Lily, waiting for her to instruct him further.

  Lily reached for him, rubbing her fingers across his sculpted chest, circling each of his nipples and then dropping her hand to his firm stomach, reaching the bottom of his t-shirt. He gasped as she pulled his shirt up and he helped her take it off, tossing it on the floor. Her fingers worked fast, unbuckling his belt and the top of his jeans, unzipping them as she kissed his firm stomach.

  Cole moaned and his hands were on her shoulders and then in her hair as she bent to pull his pants down. As he stepped out of his jeans, she quickly pulled his underwear down, releasing him and his already hard shaft. She had never taken a man like this before, but she wanted to with Cole. She knelt before him, sucking and swirling him in her mouth, using her hands to pull him deeper inside.

  “Lily, I’m going to—” he cried, trying to pull away, but she held his buttocks tight, as he shuddered and came in her mouth, calling out her name as she tried to swallow it all.

  “Honey, that was amazing,” he said, still convulsing but helping her up to standing, cupping her chin, tilting her head up so he could stare into her eyes. “Thank you.”

  She blushed as he picked her up into his arms, holding her tight.

  “I know you’re in charge, but I would really like to return the favor,” he said, kissing her on the forehead as he carried her to their bed, placing her gently against the pillows.

  “If you insist,” she smiled into his handsome face.

  “I do,” Cole said and climbed on top of her, straddling her. “I love this top, but it has to go.” He pulled at the bottom of the cami and it slid up easily, gliding across her skin, grazing her nipples. Cole lowered his head to her breast, his eyes never leaving hers. Taking one nipple in his mouth he rolled his tongue around it, as Lily arched, pressing into him. “Not yet,” he said, biting her nipple, sending an electric current of pleasure and pain soaring to her core. She grabbed his thick hair in both hands.

  He moved lower, his mouth making a trail of kisses down her stomach to the line of her white lace panties. Lily was beyond wet, beyond ready, but he stopped. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He stared at her.

  “Lily, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he said.

  “I love you, too, please,” she said, pushing into his hand, wanting him inside her.

  “Please what?” He
kissed the base of her throat, moving back down to her breast, open mouth sucking and then kissing, sending waves of pleasure to her core.

  “Make love to me,” she said.

  “Soon,” he answered as he yanked down the lace and plunged his fingers inside her, opening her, expertly finding her center, pushing her closer to the edge. She moaned his name. His mouth worked its way down her body again, caressing her stomach with his lips while his fingers danced inside her until he found the spot that sent her over the edge. She screamed as the orgasm shocked her system. When she finally stopped shaking, she realized Cole spooned her and murmurred “It’s okay.”

  “Um,” she said as he rolled and pulled her on top of him. She was still shaky but loved the feeling of his chest under her head, his heartbeat in her ear. She felt his erection pushing against her and slowly shifted, positioning him at her entrance.

  “Lils,” he said as she began moving against him and he arched and pushed inside her, pushing her shoulders up until she sat on him, his shaft in deep, as his hands guided her hips up and down. Lily was dizzy and she clenched, about to come again when he rolled her over onto her back, taking over the rhythm, until they both came together.

  Lily opened her eyes but couldn’t see a thing. The room was completely dark. She felt Cole beside her and smiled. She couldn’t believe all of the things they did together, and just thinking about it made her excited again. She was having trouble recognizing this new sexual person she’d become since she met Cole, but she’d try to get used to it.

  She reached over and touched his cheek, and he murmured, “Hi.”

  “Hi. I’m so hungry. You?” she asked.

  “Famished,” he said, pulling her into his warm embrace. “Good thing I made a reservation for us at the inn for dinner tonight. And it’s in an hour. It’s time to celebrate the night before the night before Christmas.”

  *

  COLE

  The afternoon had been mind-blowing. He had been emboldened by her and had tried things he hadn’t dreamed of trying with Lily before. And she’d enjoyed it. They’d both enjoyed it.

  He showered and changed in one of the bedrooms down the hall. Lily wanted to get dressed and surprise him. She had hoped they would have a date tonight, and he was so glad he had it all arranged. He’d called Jack just a few minutes before and everything was set. It was time to go. He checked himself one final time in the mirror. He wore his only remaining suit from his past life. It was black, and fit perfectly, although he noticed his biceps had gotten bigger since he moved to Indigo Island. Physical labor, he assumed. His tie was, of course, Christmas themed, striped red and white. He matched his cottage décor.

  He walked down the hall and knocked on the master bedroom door. “Lily, it’s time to go,” he said, as she pulled the bedroom door open. His heart pounded in his chest. She looked gorgeous. She wore a tight red cocktail dress that hugged her body in all the right places. Her shiny hair was loose, curled, and flowing over her shoulders. She wore a simple gold and pearl necklace around her neck, and almost no makeup that he could tell.

  “What do you think?” she asked, her brown eyes wide, searching his face for approval. Cole realized he hadn’t yet spoken.

  “You took my breath and my words away,” he said, “You look beautiful.”

  “You look quite handsome yourself,” she said, turning to grab her coat off the bed. “Shall we?”

  He parked the golf cart in front of the inn and helped her out. They walked up the stairs, enchanted by the poinsettias and the sparkling lights. Inside the lobby, the inn was busy with groups of vacationers admiring the gold and silver tree, or sitting in groups enjoying drinks from the bar. Cole waved to the woman behind the front desk, “Merry Christmas, Paula,” he said and he felt Lily squeeze his arm. “What?”

  “You’re amazing, that’s all,” she said. As they admired the huge tree, Cole pulled out his cell phone.

  “Selfie,” he said, aiming the camera at them as Lily started to laugh. “That’s what I wanted to see. A joyful Lily, with me. Come on.” He would frame this photo, replace the picture next to the bed.

  Lily was puzzled as he led her to the grand staircase. “I thought the dining room was down the hall?” she says.

  “It is.” Cole held her hand and guided her up the stairs. At the top, they turned left and walked down a long hall. He stopped in front of a set of double doors. “We will be dining here,” he said and threw open the doors, revealing a formal, private dining room with a long mahogany table, and gold-framed oil paintings lining the walls. The room was lit with candles and the light danced off the paintings and the sparkling glass windows with a view of the white gazebo out on the lawn, lit up and decorated with twinkle lights for the holiday.

  Next to the windows, a small table for two had been set, with a white tablecloth, a glowing votive candle, and a single red rose in a crystal vase. Cole helped her shrug off her coat, and settled her into her seat.

  “So, come here often?” Cole asked, enjoying the way the light bounced off her hair, her eyes shone. “Are you crying?” Worried, he reached for her hand, covered it with his.

  “I’m just so happy,” she said, wiping a tear away with her finger. “This is so special. I can’t believe you planned this evening.”

  “And I can’t believe you planned this afternoon. Now that was special,” Cole said squeezing her hand. “Look, I know we both are amazed by how close we’ve grown in such a short period of time. I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I want to be with you for all my life. Lily, will you marry me?”

  “What?” she said, looking at him like he was an alien.

  Cole stood and walked to her side of the table, knelt on one knee. “I said, will you marry me?” He reached inside his suit coat pocket and pulled out the ring. It wasn’t as big and grand as the ring she’d had from Bob, but he really hoped she’d like it. Of course, he got Avery’s seal of approval, as well as all the Putnam men.

  “This is happening?” she said, dazed. “For real?”

  He feared she might faint. He handed her a glass of water from the table.

  “Drink this,” he said, pulling her into his arms after she’d taken a few sips. “Lily, I want to grow old with you, raise children with you, well, you know, in the right order.”

  And then he heard it. Her magical laugh. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.”

  Cole slid the ring onto her finger and it fit perfectly. It was antique, from an estate sale, handled through the best jeweler in Savannah.

  “Well, Lils, do you like the ring? Did I do a good job?” he asked, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight.

  “That’s the trouble with Christmas, Cole. It’s almost like this is too good to be true,” she said, holding her hand out, allowing the ring to sparkle in the candlelight. “I’m afraid I’m dreaming and soon I’m going to wake up in my apartment in Atlanta, all alone, pulling daisy petals.”

  “It’s not a dream,” Cole said, wrapping her hair around his hand and tilting her head up for a kiss. “This is the rest of our lives.”

  “He loves me,” she said, her eyes glistening with happiness.

  “He always will,” he said, meaning every word.

  Chapter Ten

  LILY

  ‡

  It was Christmas day, and as she looked around at the smiling faces gathered together in the Putnams’ dining room, she saw love and happiness, family and hope.

  In the twinkling candles and crystal chandelier light, the dessert course was being assembled on the sideboard. Lily’s red velvet and white chocolate layered cheesecake was displayed on a sterling stand, nestled amongst the eucalyptus branches, decorating the table. Avery’s sugar cookies—Christmas tree cutouts with white icing, hung with her favorite silver balls, with a Key Lime glaze were arranged on a silver plate. Evalyn and Millie had made sugary peppermint bars, cut into squares and individually cushioned in a bright red cupcake liners. Dorsey and Jack brought gooey brownies from the in
n’s kitchen. Samantha and Shelby worked together, and made Griscotti—grits plus biscotti. Lily had been skeptical of their choice, but the results, as the crunchy treat melted in her mouth with dried cranberries baked into the mix, had convinced her she was wrong.

  Ever since Cole’s proposal her life had been a blend of love and festivities. The day after their engagement they had enjoyed a leisurely morning. After getting ready for the lunch shift at the restaurant, they had driven together in the golf cart to Marshside Mama’s. Sally Ann’s scream scared Otis, who had run into the kitchen from out back, certain she’d chopped off her finger slicing something.

  “No, old fool. It’s these two. They’re getting married,” she had said, arms still wrapped tightly around Lily. When she’d finally released her from the crushing hug, Lily had grabbed her own red apron and joined Sally Ann, boiling shrimp for lunch, while Cole headed to the front of the house. By the time lunch was over, enough islanders had heard the news that it seemed the whole island would know.

  “We need to go tell the Putnams!” Lily had said, rushing out of the kitchen and pulling Cole away from the reservation list. “They can’t hear from anybody but me. I know Avery helped pick out the ring, but still, we need to make it official, and it won’t be until I get to tell them!”

  By the time they’d bounded up the steps to the Putnam Plantation a thick layer of clouds had covered the sun, the ocean was as gray as the sky. Lily shivered on the front porch as Cole wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to live here, in paradise.”

  “It is paradise, isn’t it? Chilly, but paradise,” Cole had said as the door swung open.

  “And?” Avery had said, grinning, hurrying them inside. The house smelled like gingerbread and pine and Avery was wearing an apron with a smiling Santa Claus face on it.

  Lily grabbed her in a huge embrace. “We’re engaged!”

  “Yes! Mom, Dad, Mark, Sam, Blake, Denton, James, Shelby, Millie get out here! Oh, and Jessica,” she bellowed, as Putnams and girlfriends began to appear from the library, from upstairs, from the kitchen joining them where they stood under the Christmas tree.