Christmas Showdown

by Mackenzie McKade

  “You know, you didn’t get a good look at the house. Maybe when the movers leave and TJ wakes up, we can take a stroll around the grounds.”

  “I’d like that.”

  A sudden crash in the living room jerked both of their heads around.

  “Oh no.” Kelly ran from the kitchen, her voice firming as she yelled, “No, TJ. No,” even before they reached the living room.

  Standing at the Christmas tree in the corner was their son, and several broken bulbs were at his feet. His eyes were like saucers as his bottom lip quivered.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t expect him to wake up so soon. He’s Houdini. He’s learned how to shimmy off the bed backwards, holding on to the comforter until his feet touch the floor.” Kelly sighed. “Oh, TJ, look what you’ve done.” With those words, he puckered up and a wail burst from his mouth. She grabbed him before he could fall on the shards scattered about the tile. “I’m sorry, baby, but you can’t touch things in this house.”

  “Kelly, please don’t tell him that. I want him—you—to feel welcome here. This is your home now. Besides, I should have realized why your tree had decorations only on the top of the tree.” He patted TJ on the back. “It’s okay, li’l buckaroo. They’re just ornaments. I’ll get the broom and dustpan.”

  After Trey cleaned up the mess, the movers announced they were finished and the three of them went to check out the room. Kelly stopped just inside. Tears filled her eyes, but she batted them away.

  She buried her face against TJ. “This is your room, baby.”

  The tender moment made Trey’s throat thicken with emotion. He quickly scribbled his name on the paperwork the man before him held out. “Thank you.”

  When the man disappeared, Trey closed the distance between him and his new family, circling his arms around both Kelly and TJ. In silence, he held them.

  That is until TJ yelled, “Down.”

  Kelly released him, and the second the little tike’s feet struck the floor he was off, both Trey and Kelly running to catch up with him. The kid was like a streak of lightning going through the house, touching everything and giggling like a madman. His laughter was infectious as Trey and Kelly joined in and instead of trying to catch him in earnest, they made a game of it.

  When Trey finally snatched the boy around the waist, he raised him up in his arms and twirled him around. “I think you need to run off some of that energy. Let’s take him outside.”

  After getting their jackets on, Trey carried TJ through the kitchen and out the back door. He set the boy down on the porch and TJ took off like a bullet. What came over Trey, he didn’t know, but he slipped his arm around Kelly and pulled her to his side. She gazed up at him with something close to wonder in her eyes.

  “You’ve done a great job with him, Kelly. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help.”

  “Thank you. I just wish—”

  “That I’d never walked back into your life, or for that matter that you met me in Denver that night?”

  “No. If that night never happened I wouldn’t have TJ. I won’t lie, Trey, it’s not been easy, but I have never regretted having him. It’s just that I wish things had been different.”

  “They can be, Kelly.” Trey turned her in his arms so that they were facing each. “After I discovered I’d lost your telephone number when I got home that day, I was sick. I didn’t know your last name. How to find you.” He shrugged, not knowing what more to say. “Please, give me a chance.”

  Silence stretched between them as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Trey bent his head to hers, nudging her nose with his. She didn’t back away. Instead, she leaned forward, her eyelids drifting partially closed. His lips skimmed hers.

  He wanted this—she wanted this.

  Something slammed into their legs with nearly enough force to bowl them over. They looked down at their feet to discover TJ on his butt, giggling, before he started to roll.

  Trey and Kelly burst into laughter. The heated moment was shattered, but somehow more precious because of their son’s antics and his happiness.

  Kelly stepped out of Trey’s warm embrace. “If you’ll watch him for a little longer, I’ll slip the sheets in the dryer and start the comforter.”

  “Sure thing.”

  As she strolled back into the house, she heard Trey make a roaring sound and turned to see TJ back on his feet running from his daddy.

  His daddy.

  A wave of emotion rose so quickly it almost choked her. She never thought she’d be able to say those words. Standing there, she realized Trey was right. He deserved a chance and TJ deserved a father. Yet she had to be wise, cautious. Her choices would affect TJ and he was the most important thing in her life.

  By the time she walked back outside, the sun had begun to dip in the west, painting streaks of orange, yellow and fiery red over the horizon as if the sky were a canvas. Inhaling the serenity, she noticed all had fallen quiet. Pivoting, she found Trey holding TJ and both watched her with expressions that made her heart beat faster. TJ’s face held love so tender that goose bumps raced across her flesh, while his father’s simmered with lust that made her tense and swallow hard.

  Licking her suddenly dry lips, she cleared her throat. “He’s finally slowed down?”

  “Yeah. I think the li’l buckaroo is ready for a bath, pj’s, and bed.”

  The emphasis Trey put on his last word made Kelly’s nipples rasp against her shirt, beading into taut peaks. Thank God she had her jacket on to hide the effect he had on her. She licked her lips, this time reminding herself that she had to be wise and lead with her head not her heart.

  “He needs to eat something first. The food is here. When did you call for it?”

  Trey closed the distance between them. “Just before we came outside.”

  TJ jutted his hands to her. “Momma.” She stepped closer and he crawled into her arms, hugging her neck. “Eat.”

  “Okay, baby. Let’s clean up.”

  Trey held the door as they passed through it, closing it behind him. “I’ll get things set up. Do you want another beer?”

  “Momma.” TJ began squirming. “Eat.”

  “Okay. Sure.” She rushed off to the bathroom.

  When she and TJ returned to the kitchen, Trey had already washed down the high chair and was standing with the tray in his hand. The table had been set. She had removed TJ’s jacket in the bathroom, so she slipped him into the high chair and Trey fastened the tray. Then she slid her arms out of her own coat and hung it on the back of a seat, along with TJ’s, before she started to fix him a plate. The minute the food was set before him, he dug in and she sat down.

  Kelly realized that this was the first time she had actually sat down with another adult and had dinner since her parents had chosen not to dine with her and TJ. It seemed strange, but at the same time comfortable. When Trey offered her a spring roll she took one, tearing it in half and setting part on TJ’s plate, part on her own.

  “I should probably ask what you like to do for fun?” He dipped his roll in sweet-and-sour sauce and took a bite before starting on the hefty servings before him.

  “Fun? Well, let’s see.” She tapped a finger against her mouth. “Oh! There’s McDonalds, the playground, the park, watching Bert and Ernie, and I can’t forget Big Bird.”

  “I get the point.” He chuckled, but it held little humor. “You know we could get Mel, my seventeen-year-old sister, to babysit. Maybe we could do something together, just the two of us. You know, to get to know each other better. Maybe a movie or—” A lo mein noddle slapping him in the forehead cut him off.

  Kelly had to pinch her lips from laughing. Instead, she turned to her son. “TJ, no.” Gently, but at the same time firmly, she shook his hand. “We don’t throw food.”

  His little lips puckered, his chin trembling. Alligator tears filled his eyes.

  “Please, baby. Eat.” She held up another noodle and he took it, shoving it into his mouth, the reprimand all but forgotte
n.

  Trey wiped his forehead with a napkin. “He has quite a right hand.”

  “It’s the age. He’s discovering new things and I’m trying to stop him from making it a habit.”

  He placed a hand over hers. “So what do you think?”

  “About?” Tension climbed up her neck.

  “You and me. Getting to know each other better.”

  Easing her hand from beneath his, she inhaled and then released the breath slowly as she struggled with the undeniable desire his touch stirred. “Maybe we should keep this agreement platonic—for TJ.”

  “Hmmm. That won’t work for me.” He trapped her hand again with his. “You see, I’m having a helluva time keeping my hands off you.”

  “Trey—”

  “Momma,” TJ whined. His tiny fists rubbed his eyes. When he lowered his arms, his eyelids drooped, exhaustion taking hold of him.

  Kelly pushed from the table, her chair scraping the floor as she jumped to her feet. “He needs a bath.” She started to unfasten the tray and abruptly stopped. “Crap. I need to put the comforter in the dryer and make his bed.”

  Trey got to his feet. “You give him a bath and I’ll take care of the rest. We’ll continue this conversation later.”

  “What if I don’t want to continue this conversation?”

  He gave her a wicked wink as he strolled off to the laundry room whistling.

  Her fingers felt like they’d turned into thumbs as she released TJ from the high chair and picked him up. Quickly she made him a sippy cup of milk. Maybe she’d just take a bath with TJ and go to bed too. Then she remembered all the gifts left to wrap.

  Kelly knew without a doubt this would be a very long night.

  Chapter Seven

  For the second time in the last thirty minutes, Trey nursed a paper cut. He had no idea that wrapping presents was so dangerous, or at least painful. After he made TJ’s bed, he found several blankets and laid them atop the bed. Then he went into the living room, built a fire in the hearth, turned the radio on and gazed around, discouraged, at the stack of gifts. It would be a while before he got the opportunity to woo Kelly, because he first needed to get things ready for Christmas.

  Trey had just finished wrapping the last couple of presents he had purchased for Kelly when she stepped into the room barefoot.

  “Is he asleep?” Trey moved the small box he’d just wrapped aside.

  “The minute his head hit the pillow.” She stood before him, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “Uh, Trey.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve been remiss in thanking you for all you’ve done for TJ today—for Christmas. I don’t know if I would have ever been able to give him what you have in less than a day.”

  “Darlin’, you don’t have to thank me. He’s my son, too. Besides, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” And much to his surprise, it had been.

  Kelly gazed around the floor where he sat surrounded by numerous rolls of paper, tape, ribbon and bows of every color and size. “Where do you want me to start?”

  “Why don’t you begin with TJ’s. I put some of his larger gifts in my closet. I thought we’d set them around the tree and place a big bow on them, if that’s alright with you?”

  “Fine.” She selected a couple of presents and wrapping supplies before moving a good distance away from him, and then she took a seat on the floor.

  Soft music played in the background as the fire crackled and popped, emitting a fresh woodsy scent. The peaceful moment gave Trey a feeling of contentment, reminding him of his parents. He couldn’t count the number of times he and his brothers had snuck down the stairs and watched their mother and father do the same thing Trey and Kelly were doing on Christmas Eve. The domestic scene only deepened his desire to make things work between him and Kelly. Within his heart, he knew they could be a family—a real family.

  Judging the size of the paper in his hand, he chose a small box that held a belt buckle for Lance. “Do you like to ride?”

  “Horses?”

  No, me, slipped into his mind. “Yes. Horses. We usually take an evening ride on Christmas.”

  “I rode a little as a child. A friend gave me riding lessons.” He watched her fingers work effortlessly on a package as she spoke. “I guess it’s like riding a bike. Hopefully it will come back to me.”

  Trey took her willingness to participate as a good sign. “I don’t know if you’d be interested in gardening, but I have a small one beyond the backyard. Nothing but tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini.”

  “Really? I love gardening.” A smile curved her full lips, drawing his attention. “I noticed your flowerbeds are bare out front and back. If you’d like I could plant winter flowers. I mean, if you like flowers. I love the feel of soil, the earthy scent.” Her eyes darkened.

  “After the holidays we can go shopping for whatever you need. The li’l buckaroo and I can help. If he’s anything like me, he’ll like getting down and dirty.”

  Their eyes met and he swore they weren’t talking about gardening anymore. Then she looked away and started on another present.

  He stood, needing to stretch his legs. “Would you like another beer?”

  “No. I think two is enough for tonight.”

  “Afraid I might take advantage of you?”

  That’s exactly what she was thinking, judging by the wariness in her eyes. Moving before her, he extended her a hand.

  “Dance with me.”

  “Trey?”

  She went quiet again, continuing to stare up at him. Her innocent beauty was like a beacon calling out to him. He let his gaze slip lower to the rest of her body, one he had held close and made love to, but which seemed so utterly different tonight.

  Kelly was the mother of his child, not just a woman he picked up one wintery night.

  What would she think if she knew that he’d foolishly stopped in Denver on his way to Atlanta last year on the way to another conference? He’d flown in early. Like an idiot he’d haunted the honky-tonk where they had met for two nights, hoping to run into her again, but she never showed. Now he knew why she hadn’t been there. She’d been home taking care of their child.

  “It’s one dance, Kelly. What can it hurt? It’s Christmas Eve. We should be celebrating.”

  His timing was right. When she reached for his hand, the song switched to a slow, sultry tune. She hesitated, but he pulled her up and into his arms. The second their bodies touched, something rolled through him with an impact that stunned him. His pulse raced, his heart beating out a staccato.

  The need for this woman had to be unnatural. Trey barely knew her, but damn if his feelings didn’t go beyond anything he’d ever felt for another.

  Burying his face into her hair and inhaling her soft feminine scent, he slid his hand down her back, resting it in the small hollow and urging her closer. She fit perfectly against him as they moved together, like they’d danced a million times before.

  The way her svelte figure glided against his was fire to tinder, sparking the flame inside him. He smoothed his cheek across hers until he nibbled on her earlobe, blowing a warm breath into the shell.

  Kelly moaned his name. He answered by raining butterfly kisses down her neck, pleased when she arched into him, making his mouth dry and his chest constrict so that his breathing took on a whole different rhythm—taut and labored.

  As her body said one thing, her mouth said another. “We shouldn’t—”

  Trey stole her objection with a gentle kiss, one that cajoled her lips apart as he slipped inside to convince her he knew what both of them needed. Her mouth was warm, sweet like honey as he tasted her tentatively. He didn’t want to move too fast—to scare her.

  Taking his time was heaven and hell.

  While he stroked her back and smoothed his palms up and down her arms, allowing her time to get used to his touch again, he burned for her with a fire that threatened to consume him. Each kiss set off a series of tingles in his groin that tightened and tugged
at his balls while a roar started in his head. He pressed his growing erection to her belly because he had to. He knew the moment she surrendered, her body relaxing into his, her tongue seeking. His heart thudded against his chest with anticipation.

  “Darlin’,” he whispered before he angled his head and deepened the kiss.

  Another low moan eased from her throat. Her fingers clutched his t-shirt, her hold growing firmer around him.

  Somewhere along the way his hands had slid beneath her shirt, the silky skin of her back making his mind spin. When he moved to cup a breast, she gasped, breaking their caress.

  “Trey, please.”

  “Please what, darlin’? Stop?” His fingertips breached the barrier of her cotton bra, finding a needy nipple that reacted to his touch, hardening. “Or please more of this?” He squeezed the bud lightly. “Or maybe this?” He shoved her shirt upward, leaning down to replace his fingers with his mouth.

  Kelly made a small choking sound before she grasped his head. For a moment he thought she’d push him away. Instead, she pulled him closer, crying out his name.

  “Oh my God,” she groaned.

  Trey felt the tremor that snaked through her.

  Sucking harder, he flicked his tongue over the tip, his teeth adding more pressure.

  “Trey!” Shaking, she did push him away this time. “Wait. Oh God. Wait.” Face flushed, she lolled her head back, her eyes closing briefly as her mouth parted on a breath.

  He could see her internal struggle for control. Something he wished she would simply let go of. But he stopped, against his body’s better judgment to take her. Now.

  With all the strength he had left, he released her. “Darlin’, what is it?”

  She inhaled on a shudder, taking choppy breaths. “It’s been so long.”

  “Since?”

  “This. Sex.”

  Curiosity got the better of him. “How long?”

  More color dotted her cheeks. “You were the last time.”

  “Fuck, that’s hot.” So hot that blood slammed into his groin, creating a sweet, sweet ache. He felt like throwing back his head and roaring.