by Amy Wiseman
She looked at him incredulously. “WTF?” she growled, though she was breathless, which took most of the bite out of her question. Jason smirked, then laughed and shook his head at her. Saying nothing, he sat up, grabbing her by the hips, and hooking his fingers into the waist band of her pants he pulled them down to her ankles, stopping at her shoes which he made quick work of. With her shoes off he finished stripping her, taking her socks off with her pants. Kara lay before him naked from the waist down but apparently he needed more. He pulled her arms, getting her to sit up and pulled her shirt up and off, quickly followed by her bra, then sat back gazing at her as though to admire his handy work.
Kara flushed at his scrutiny and felt the urge to cover herself, but Jason quickly had her laying back down, once again covering her body with his clothed one. He kissed her mouth, then her neck, her breasts, the middle of her chest over her heart, down her stomach, stopping to dip his tongue in her belly button, and finally stopped, hovering over her heated sex. He gently placed his hands on her inner thighs and spread them, diving in to her heat. This time he didn’t stop until she yelled his name.
As Kara came back down from her orgasm, Jason quickly undressed and positioned himself above her; pausing for a moment and staring at her intently.
“I’ve never made love in front of a Christmas tree before,” he stated.
“Me neither,” Kara admitted quietly, unsure of why she felt the need to tell him that. Something in her wanted him to know this was all for him, and only him.
He leaned in to kiss her while his body took over and once again brought her to climax, with him quickly following her over the edge.
~*~
On Christmas Eve, Kara was going to go with Jason to his parent’s home. She baked a pumpkin cake to bring for dessert, and never one to show empty handed, made sure to stop by the store for a nice bottle of wine as a gift. Knowing Jaime would be there, Kara pondered what to get her, as she felt as though they’d become something of friends. At first she considered just grabbing a gift card, but then decided to take a chance on an actual gift, crossing her fingers Jaime would like it.
At six-thirty, after Jason picked her up, they headed across town toward the lake. Kara’s mouth fell open in shock as they pulled up the drive. Jason’s family was loaded! The house, or more aptly, the mansion, appeared to be two stories from the front, but had been built into the hillside, adding another level down from the back. Jason reached out and grasped Kara’s hand, holding it as they entered the house without bothering to knock.
“Mom!” he called out, from the empty foyer, where they could hear Christmas music playing softly, throughout the house, from a speaker system. Jason pulled her hand lightly, heading further into the house. They finally located his mother in the kitchen, checking on the turkey baking in the oven. Kara sat the cake carrier on the counter as Jason greeted his mom.
“Hey,” Jason announced their presence, slightly startling her.
“Oh, honey!” Jennifer Dietrich pushed the turkey back in and closed the oven door. Pulling off her oven mitts, she tossed them on the counter and reached for Jason to give him a hug. “Merry Christmas!”
Jason grinned, looking slightly sheepish at his mother’s attention. “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Kara … Baker,” he added as an afterthought.
“Welcome, Kara Baker,” his mom laughed as she pulled Kara into a warm hug.
“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you Mrs. Dietrich.” Kara returned the hug, momentarily feeling a pang of loss for her own mother.
“Jennifer, please,” Jason’s mom insisted.
Kara smiled and nodded, acquiescing. Remembering the wine and cake, Kara handed over the bottle, and motioned to the dessert on the counter, “Merry Christmas.”.
“Thank you!” Jennifer took the wine, holding it out in front of her to admire the label before putting it down on the counter. “We’ll have it with dinner,” she said, and then motioning to the cake, “and this for dessert!” Kara blushed, smiling gratefully at Jason’s mom.
The three of them continued with mild pleasantries, Jennifer asking about Kara’s bakery, while Jason expounded on how fantastic all her creations were, when Jason’s father walked in and embraced Jason in a one-armed man-hug, complete with back pat.
“Good to see you, Son.” Kara noticed immediately how similar Jason and his father were, and how handsome the elder Dietrich was, easily envisioning Jason in twenty years. Her heart rate increased slightly, at the mere thought of knowing him then. His father was most likely in his late forties, but could honestly pass for a man in his late thirties, having kept himself in excellent shape. His dark hair was peppered with gray, giving him a distinguished look, bringing to mind a handsome actor when Kara looked at him. His deep blue eyes popped from behind the black framed glasses he wore, and Kara could imagine seeing Jason in a similar pair as he grew older.
“Likewise, Dad, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Kara.” Kara held out her hand, but instead of shaking it, Jason’s dad did just as his mother had, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
“It’s very nice to meet you Kara, we’ve heard a lot about you.” Jason’s dad winked at him, and Kara could see Jason blush slightly.
“Jaime,” Jason muttered, and his dad grinned, showcasing the same beautiful smile Jason possessed. Could a man in his late-forties be considered adorable? Because this man? He was.
Kara and Jason stood together, both slightly embarrassed by the attention, but Kara just smiled, “Thank you Mr. Dietrich, I’ve been looking forward to meeting the rest of Jason’s family.”
“Please call me Jeff. Mr. Dietrich just reminds me I’m old enough to have a doctor for a son, and then I get the feeling I should start planning out my mid-life crisis.”
“Oh, please, sweetheart you passed planning five years ago; I’m just waiting to come home to find the sports car in the drive,” Jennifer piped up.
“Well, now that I know you’re expecting it, and are apparently alright with it, I’ll get right on it after the holiday,” Jeff retorted in good humor.
“Do it and you’ll be sleeping in it.”
“So then that’s a no on the two-seater I’ve had my eye on …” Kara laughed at their banter, as Jeff leered at his wife. Their repartee portrayed a long history together, and showed were clearly still very happy with one another.
The car-slash-mid-life crisis discussion was interrupted when Jaime walked in, date in tow. Kara was the only one surprised to see him, but when she did, a squeal of excitement erupted as she dashed toward him.
“Ryan!” she exclaimed, enveloping him in a huge bear hug.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” Ryan asked, returning the hug enthusiastically, while swinging her slightly back and forth. She pulled back and glanced over Ryan’s shoulder. Grabbing his hand, she dragged him over to Jason.
“Ryan, this is Jason, my boyfriend.” She felt the familiar surge of heat that spread across her cheeks every time she introduced Jason that way. Jaime walked over, joining them with a surprised look on her face, causing Kara to gasp and apologize.
“Oh Jaime, I’m so sorry for attacking him like that!” she chuckled, a little breathless as she explained; “I’ve just known Ryan since right after high school. It’s so great to see him here; you guys are great for each other.” Jaime smirked and waved Kara off, while giving her a hug hello.
“It’s nice to meet you, man,” Ryan said, holding out his hand to Jason, and Jason shook it.
“Same,” Jason nodded.
“So how did you guys meet?” Kara asked to nobody specific while looking back and forth between Ryan and Jaime.
“Her accounting firm needed a programmer. They wanted to try out some new software.” Ryan smiled over at Jaime, which she returned flirtatiously.
Jason’s dad walked up to their small group and held out his hand to Ryan, “Nice to meet you, I’m Jaime’s father, Mr. Dietrich.” He enunciated the father part.
“Jeff!” Jennifer cam
e closer, chastising her husband. Turning to Ryan, she continued, “He’s Jeff,” she paused, giving her husband a pointed look, “and I’m Jennifer, and we’re very happy to meet you, Ryan.” Jennifer finished her introduction graciously, then swatted Jeff with a dish towel. Everyone laughed, except Ryan, who only managed to give a small, seemingly unsure smile, as he glanced between Jaime and her father.
“Good job, Dad, freak my date out on Christmas Eve.” Jaime lightly punched her dad in the arm before taking Ryan’s hand and pulling him toward her, and away from her father.
“I was kidding,” Jeff chuckled, shrugging innocently. Then, as soon as Jaime turned toward her mother, Jeff motioned to his eyes and pointed to Ryan, indicating that he’d be watching him closely. Kara could see Ryan gulp and look to Jason, who just shrugged and nodded in agreement with his father. Kara rolled her eyes and elbowed Jason in the ribs, before succumbing to the laughter bubbling up inside her.
“Dinner’s ready,” Jennifer announced, as the timer on the oven sounded.
“You guys are evil!” Kara chastised Jason in a whisper as he took her hand and led her to the dining room, followed closely by Ryan and Jaime. The table was set with beautiful china, and holiday detailed place settings. To Kara, the room felt like something in a Martha Stewart catalog. It was the perfect holiday set up, and once again she felt the pangs of loss of her own mother. Caroline had always made the holidays a big deal, especially when Kara was little.
Walking around the table to the far side, Jason pulled out Kara’s chair for her, earning a nod of approval from his father. Kara cringed when Ryan, who obviously noticed the exchange, went to help Jaime who had already pulled out her own chair and sat down. Chancing a quick look Jeff’s way, she saw him shake his head slightly, as Ryan sighed quietly and sat down. Jeff glanced at Kara, and looked shocked to see her watching him. He gave her a sly wink to let her know he was just messing with Jaime’s new beau.
Jennifer interrupted Jeff’s antics by bringing the turkey to the table, placing it in front of him to carve. He picked up the sharp carving knife and fork and sliced into the turkey, letting the juices flow.
“Now, what does everyone want? Ryan?” Jeff looked pointedly at Ryan and raised his eyebrows. “Breast or thigh?”
Kara actually felt bad for Ryan, as he sat there; a deer in the headlights. Had she ever seen him look so uncomfortable? Not Ryan, he was always so smooth and unruffled. Perhaps Jaime would be different, Kara smiled at the thought, but was distracted as Jason leaned in, close to her ear, “I think I actually felt his balls ascend, back inside, under my dad’s stare,” he whispered, earning a loud snort from Kara.
Ryan looked in Kara’s direction before answering Jeff, “Neither, sir?” It came out as more of a question.
“You don’t like turkey?” Jeff asked him, incredulously.
“Uh, I…I’m a vegetarian.” Kara was sure she could actually see Ryan sweating as he swallowed hard, grasping for an excuse to avoid the breast or thigh question from the father of the girl he was currently sleeping with. Still, she was shocked at the tactic he chose.
“Since when?” she asked. Ryan looked to Kara, then to Jaime in a panic. Jaime, as though sensing the imminent point at which the sweetest guy she had ever met would flee the table and she’d never see him again, glared at her father, and then her brother. “I’m a vegetarian, too,” Jaime announced. “It’s just something we’re trying. Together,” she said pointedly, reaching over to hold Ryan’s hand on the table.
At Jaime’s declaration, Jason could no longer contain it and burst out laughing. They could all see the sweat on Ryan’s brow, and nobody missed the lasers shooting from Jaime’s eyes. Jason covered his face and tried to stifle his chuckles. After finally getting them under control he looked at Ryan, who now appeared slightly less nauseous by the save of Jason’s sister, and leaned in to whisper, “He was just fucking with you. Jaime should have just let him run another background check, like the one on the last guy she brought home.” Ryan just stared back, incredulously.
“Oh, shut up, Jason,” Jaime snapped, then turned her attention back to Ryan, giving him a demure smile, while gently squeezing his hand. Jason just chuckled again. Ryan simply nodded his head and returned the squeeze to Jaime’s hand.
“Okay then,” Jennifer said, a little loudly, regaining everyone’s attention while handing her plate to her husband, “I’ll take some dark meat, dear, it’s always juicier.” From the look she gave him, Kara knew Jeff was anything but a dear at the moment. She imagined he was in for quite the tongue lashing later, but damn if he didn’t look like it had been worth it. Kara noticed Jeff look over at his son, giving what could only be described as an internal high-five paired with a wink. Jason obviously knew exactly what his father was saying with that look, probably due to years of unspoken communication, returned the wink with a nod. Kara, feeling slightly protective of her long-time friend, once again jabbed Jason in the ribs with her elbow after catching the exchange.
Jennifer placed her plate, now with turkey on it, back on the table then grabbed the bottle of wine Kara had brought, and opened it. She walked around the table filling glasses, and as she approached Kara’s, Kara declined, asking only for water, which Jason immediately got for her. His mother paused, looking at Kara curiously for a brief moment as though running through the reasons a woman would decline a glass of wine. Kara could actually see the moment a possible pregnancy had registered, and was rather entertained how Jason’s mother’s features morphed from mild concern to excitement in the span of a nanosecond.
“Just not a fan,” Kara explained, speaking clearly and without hesitation, and she snickered softly as Jennifer’s face fell slightly before she moved on to fill another glass.
After passing around the rest of the food, Jeff stood up for a toast:
“Here’s to a long life - and a merry one.
A quick death - and an easy one.
A pretty girl - and an honest one.
A glass of wine - and another one!”
They all raised their glasses in cheers, and Jason leaned in to kiss Kara on the cheek. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered in her ear.
When dinner was over they gathered in the living room to open presents. Jason’s parents had given Kara a gift certificate for a spa day downtown, and she was floored by their generosity. She momentarily felt bad about the gift card for dinner she had gotten them in return, but Jason insisted his family was always like this, and they didn’t expect anything other than his and Jaime’s happiness. Kara did an internal Snoopy dance at the implication she was gift enough to their son. She was pulled from her internal celebration by Jaime’s squeal of delight. Jason had given her tickets to Wicked, inside the box for a Ped Egg. Kara snorted when she saw the box, giving Jason a questioning look, to which he just shrugged and smiled.
Jeff, clearly trying to make up for his earlier harassment of Ryan, pulled him aside and apologized for messing with him, before handing him an envelope with a gift card inside.
“We didn’t know anything about you, so it’s pretty generic,” he half apologized gruffly, but Ryan waved him off and thanked him profusely for the gift. Jeff smiled and gave him the same type of one-armed man hug he’d given Jason earlier, before returning to his wife’s side.
Kara’s attention returned to Jaime, when Jason’s sister once again clapped for joy after opening Kara’s gift. Inside was a deluxe microplush Snuggie. Kara smiled proudly as Jennifer declared she wanted one, too.
“Christmas Eve’s a little late to be adding to your list, don’t you think?” Jeff asked.
Jennifer just bumped his shoulder and shushed him, then told him it would be fine if he ordered it after the holiday. Jeff rolled his eyes at his wife but gave her a chaste kiss.
~*~
As the evening wound down, Jaime announced she and Ryan were leaving, giving Jason and Kara an exit, as well. He pulled Kara up from the couch to say their goodbyes, and soon they were back in his car headed
for his townhouse.
“Your family is wonderful,” Kara stated, turning away from gazing out the window.
“Thank you, they liked you, too.” He reached over and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips to brush a soft kiss across her knuckles before settling it in his lap as he drove..
Noticing movement, he glanced over to see her slowly reaching over and unbuckling her seatbelt, turning to face him as she pulled her hand free from his. He returned his eyes to the road, but continued to glance at her, unsure of what she was doing.
“It’s past midnight,” she whispered in a sultry voice, “want one of your gifts?” Jason continued the rapid back and forth between her lustful gaze and the road, as he swallowed hard and nodded, unsure his voice would work.
Kara gingerly reached over and unbuttoned Jason’s pants, slowly slipping the zipper down, licking her lips as she did so. Jason was sure now that spontaneous combustion was real, and it was going to happen to him at any minute. Once she had his zipper down, she eased her hand into his boxers, pulling out his now fully aroused cock, gently stroking it up and down. Jason’s breathing became heavy as he switched on the cruise control for the car, not trusting his multitasking skills that far; they’d be lucky if he could brake and steer at this point. When she lowered her mouth to him and his eyes rolled back, he quickly signaled to pull into a vacant shopping strip parking lot.