by Julia Goda
“I miss her every day, especially during the holidays. She loved Christmas and Thanksgiving. Loved to cook and entertain. Since her death, Dad and I celebrate Christmas just the two of us. This year is the first time we haven’t.”
“Just you and him? No boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “Not that there were many, but Dad never liked any of them, so they were never invited.”
He grinned. “I suppose it’s his job.”
She bit her lip. “He wasn’t happy when I told him about you. That you were spending Christmas Eve and staying overnight. I think it kinda hurt his feelings. I didn’t occur to me earlier, but now that I think about it… He wasn’t just worried about my safety.”
She was probably right, and Daxton understood and felt for her father, but he certainly wasn’t leaving. He would have to get used to having him around, since Daxton wasn’t planning on going anywhere. He was even more determined now to be with her. To call her his. Life as he knew it was about to change. And he welcomed it.
“I’m not leaving,” he stated.
“I don’t want you to. And anyway, we already established there’s nowhere for you to go.”
He smiled at her. “Even if there were, I wouldn’t leave. Not now. Not after you’ve shown me the beauty you are and I know how much I want it to be mine.”
She returned his smile. Then her smile died and she asked, “Are you okay?” She was genuinely worried about him, he could tell. Since his parents had died, nobody had ever cared about him like she did. He never let anyone get close enough to make it that far. Frank and Joy had tried, but he’d gone back to California right after the funeral services and had cut any contact. With Emersyn, he couldn’t imagine it any other way. They’d only known each other for hours, yet he felt like he’d known her all his life. It was bizarre, absolutely ludicrous, but he didn’t want to imagine a life without her.
“I haven’t been this okay in fifteen years.” Her eyes melted, and so did her body as her arms went around his neck again—loosely this time—and she rested her forehead against his. “That’s good. I’m glad.”
“Me, too.” He knew he still had a long way to go in dealing with the loss of his parents, but he wasn’t lying. He hadn’t felt this at peace since seconds before the accident.
Emersyn
We stared into each other’s eyes. I could see something new in his, something I was certain hadn’t been there in a long time. That something resembled peace. Contentment. There was still a fair amount of pain there as well, but watching the change happen, knowing my words of reassurance were helping him to see the tragedy that killed his parents from a different perspective, brought tears of happiness and relief for him to my eyes. It hurt to know this man had lived the past fifteen years, all of his adult life if you think about it, drowning in guilt. I could only imagine what it would do to a person’s psyche. His hard and arrogant exterior now made sense to me. It was his shield. His protection from the potential of suffering more pain. More loss.
“Hey, what’s this?” His thumb glided underneath my eyes. Tears had gathered there. Even his tone was different now. The underlying sternness was gone. It was soft. So very soft and…hopeful. I smiled at him.
“I’m just happy you heard what I said and it helped. I can see the relief in your eyes and I… Nobody deserves to live under the cloud of guilt for as long as you have.”
He studied my face for long moments. “You gonna be there and help me work my way out from under that cloud?”
My heart skipped a beat. The certainty and tenderness in his eyes took my breath away. This was crazy. Absolutely insane. Dad was going to lose his mind when I told him I was falling for the horrid jerkface of a man I had vented to him about.
Which was exactly what this was. I wasn’t a person who lied to herself. I knew exactly what was happening. And no matter how bizarre, preposterous, and foolish it seemed, I could feel myself falling for this man I had only met a few short hours ago. And I could tell it was happening to him, too, even if he didn’t know what it was yet. No man looked at a woman the way he was looking at me this very moment without it meaning something. It reminded me of how Dad had always looked at Mom, of how he was still looking at her picture to this day.
So the answer was yes. Yes, I would be there for him. I couldn’t wait to be there for him.
“I will,” was all I could say before his mouth was on mine. He kissed me long and deep while his hands cupped my face and angled it just the way he wanted it. I clenched his hair in my fists and gave him what he needed.
When he pulled back, he caught my eyes. “I want this, Em. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything in my life as much as you. I don’t give a shit how crazy this sounds or what I have to do to prove to you that I won’t let you go. I can feel it in my gut.” He brushed the side of his nose against mine, then whispered, “I didn’t let myself get close to anyone for what feels like forever, but with you, closeness all I can think of. Has been since I watched you climb out of your car this afternoon. There’s a pull between us, a force I can’t deny. I don’t want to deny it. It tells me you belong to me and I to you. Tell me you feel it, too.” He sounded almost desperate in his plea. It broke my heart a little. At the same time it skipped a beat. It didn’t matter that he had been the jerk of all jerks when we’d met. I was compassionate enough to understand why and let it go. He had found something in me that broke through his shield, something he needed; not only had he let me in, but he’d pulled me through. Which said a lot. So the way he had treated me didn’t matter. This man in front of me was the real Daxton McArthur. And I wanted him.
“I do. I feel it, too.”
The need in his eyes intensified as his hand moved to my neck and gripped me tight. It was possessive, claiming, and a complete turn-on. My breathing accelerated and came out in small puffs.
“I know I promised we would take this slow, but I need to be inside you. Say yes.”
The desire in his eyes overwhelmed my senses. I squirmed in his lap and could feel his hardness pressing against me. It felt so good all I could do was whimper. The desire turned into raw hunger as he pushed up against me.
“Say yes, Em. I need you to say the word,” he gritted through clenched teeth. He was holding on by a thread. I could see and feel it vibrating through his entire body.
“Ye—“
He crashed his mouth to mine before I could finish. Then all thought left my mind as he kissed me, taking me, claiming me while worshipping my mouth at the same time. He groaned when his tongue dueled with mine and I moved against him. Then my back was against the couch and he was on top of me, my legs around his waist. Our hands were frantic as we started exploring each other. He whipped my sweater over my head and then stared at his hand with passion-filled eyes as it glided over my shoulder then down between my breasts.
“So beautiful,” he murmured. Then his tongue tasted the skin at my neck, drifting down slowly, savoring every inch as he kissed and nipped along the way. It was driving me crazy. “God, Em, the way you taste… I know I’ll never get enough of you.”
When his mouth closed over my lace-covered nipple, I couldn’t help but groan and push my center against his. “Daxton…” He worked my breast, then moved to the other. But it wasn’t enough. I needed his mouth back on my skin. Impatient, I gripped my bra cup and pulled it down roughly, the friction causing me to hiss. Then his mouth was there, his tongue playing, lapping, teasing, his teeth nipping and biting, his hand squeezing and massaging. It felt so good I never wanted it to end.
“Fuck, woman. You taste like heaven.”
My stomach dipped as I felt the heat and wetness growing between my legs. My fingers shook as I took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, while his mouth moved back to mine and his hand kept at my breasts, his thumb alternating between circling and flicking my nipple. Then his shirt was gone and his naked chest touched mine. You now that moment when your naked chest touches your partner’s for the first time? It�
��s overwhelming and arousing, yet soothing and comforting at the same time. It’s perfect. Daxton ripped his mouth from mine, and we both stopped breathing as we stared into each other’s eyes. I knew I wouldn’t forget this moment for as long as I lived. And neither would he. It was spelled out for me to read clearly.
He held my eyes as he brushed his lips gently against mine. “Keep going,” he whispered through small kisses. I didn’t need any encouragement. My hands and breathing were steady now as I undid his pants and pushed them over his hips then down his legs, using my feet when I couldn’t reach to get them off completely. Then he did the same to me, never breaking eye contact, both of us calm now, in no rush, as if we knew we could savor the moment because we would have hundreds, thousands more of them. It was as if we were in a trance, as if something had clicked into place, something we both trusted would stay that way forever.
When we were both naked, he lay back on top of me, our bodies touching from chest to toes, his hardness nestled against my heat.
“You know this is it. You feel it, too.” It wasn’t a question.
Still, I answered, “This is it.”
He brushed a lock of my hair out of my face as he said, “I don’t have a condom.”
I did. Upstairs in my bedroom. I’d never gone without one, not even in my two-year relationship with Mark. But I didn’t want to bring that up nor leave him to get one, didn’t want to break this perfect moment. And I wanted to feel all of him. “I’m on the pill.”
”You trust me?” I nodded without hesitation. Call me crazy—again— but I did. I knew he wouldn’t put me in danger.
“Good,” he whispered, “I trust you, too.”
“Good.” My whisper turned into a broken breath as he moved his hips and glided through my folds.
He smiled and kissed my nose. “You ready for me to make love to you?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
We held each other’s eyes as he slowly sunk into me, taking me gently, inch by inch until he filled me. That connection I’d talked about? That click that had locked into place? It solidified when our bodies became one, when we made gentle love to each other. Solidified in a way it was cemented on our souls.
That night, on Christmas Eve, a day that had been hard for both of us for many years, by my lit Christmas tree, in front of a blazing fire, Daxton MacArthur and I started something, something we both knew was big.
We started.
There would be obstacles, there would come hard times. Life was life.
But we both knew this wouldn’t end until one of us took their last breath.
And maybe even beyond.
It was the best Christmas ever.
The End.
About The Author
Julia Goda is the self-published author of the Cedar Creek Series and The Girl Series. Her novels touch on all kinds of different topics, but the things she tries to focus on no matter what are strong women and romance. When she’s not in her writing cave, spinning the tales that have been hounding her, or editing (she is also a professional editor,) she enjoys reading, drinking coffee, eating good food, and listening to rock music. Her current home is Vancouver Island, Canada, by way of German and the Albertan Rocky Mountains. She lives with her husband and two Labs to enjoy the beauty and wildness that is Pacific Northwest living.
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The Cedar Creek Series
Bent Not Broken
Life has taught Ivey Jones early on that with trust come pain and betrayal. Out of survival she has created walls around her to keep anyone from getting too close. Though she lives in her dream house in the Rocky Mountains and loves being the owner of the town’s quirky little bookstore Serendipity, her life is narrow and governed by strict rules that she never deviates from…until Cal Bennett enters her life.
For the past nine years Calvin “Cal” Bennett has stayed away from Ivey, thinking she deserved better than to be saddled with a single dad who has never been good at relationships. Until a few chance encounters show him what he’s been missing and he can’t stay away any longer.
Little does he know he’s got a fight on his hands that he might not be equipped to win. Shadows from Ivey’s past lurk in the dark, ready to strike and bring her low once and for all. But Cal swears he will do whatever it takes to break through that wall of steel to win Ivey’s heart and keep her safe.
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKQEJU0
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00VKQEJU0
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00VKQEJU0
Be Here Now
Six years ago, Loreley Cooper thought she had it all. Head over heels in love with her boyfriend Jason and ready to take on the future after college, she landed the internship of her dreams. But things came crashing down during a fight when she believed she found out he’d done something she knew she could never forgive. Completely heartbroken, she walked away and hasn’t talked to him since.
Now, six years later, Loreley is recovering from a painful tragedy that almost killed her. She is finally finding her way back to herself when now famous rock star Jason Sanders returns and seems determined to win her back. Why he would seek her out after all this time, Loreley has no idea. She has sworn to never talk to him again after what he did to her.
Jason Sanders has regretted not chasing after Loreley to fight for what he knows would have been a life filled with happiness. Now he is back and he is determined to remedy his mistakes and not let the love of his life walk away from him again. He is willing to do anything and everything to make her give them another chance.
But misunderstandings are uncovered and secrets are revealed that lead to pain and heartbreak yet again. Will they have what it takes to forgive each other and themselves and fight for their happily-ever-after or is it too late?
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012HK98JY
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012HK98JY
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012HK98JY
Dive into more Scrooged Christmas stories with these joining authors. Please note: These stories are a collaborated collection to A Scrooged Christmas. They are standalones, not interconnected stories.
Braxton – A Scrooged Christmas
By BSM Stoneking
When his parents die in a car crash just before Christmas, and the abusive orphanage he’s sent to grow up in kicks him out the day before Christmas Eve, Braxton Scrooge chooses to leave the one person who completes him, leaving her in tears on Christmas Day, to become a cold big-shot million-dollar business owner.
Forget the Ghost of Christmas Past. With a history like Braxton Scrooge’s, how could one ever enjoy the Christmas season?
Braxton regrets nothing—until his true love, Gemma, re-enters his life. Only the Ghost of Christmas Future can give him the reality check he needs to stop being such a vengeful scrooge—before he loses her forever.
When it comes to love, the real question to ask yourself is, how far are you willing to go to ensure your partner still feels your love even after you’ve left her side? Because the love Braxton and Gemma rekindle will turn out to be the most unconventional love you’ll ever find.
Brendan – A Scrooged Christmas
By Jennifer Domenico
I hate Christmas. Hate. I have my reasons, none of which I talk about. Ever. It suits me just fine to wallow in misery every year from late November to January. I just want to be left alone in my quiet home far away from the nonsense of the season.
Unfortunately, one of Santa’s elves just bought the unit next to mine, sprinkling her ridiculous festive spirit all over my perfectly insulated existence. But she can spread all the Christmas cheer she wants. It has no effect on me.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself
Daxton – A Scrooged Christmas
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By Julia Goda
Daxton McArthur is a successful but cold businessman. For reasons he never discusses, he has no time for the frivolities the Christmas season brings. A surly man normally, he turns it up a notch when Santa’s elves come out to play. This year, that personality flaw might cost him.
Instead of finding joy by helping a friend, Emersyn Moore finds herself bearing the brunt of Daxton McArthur’s disdain. Usually a good-natured person, Emersyn is pushed to the end of her patience by his scowls and sneers.
When he’s stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, she feels obligated to take him in. It is Christmas Eve, after all.
What happens when two worlds collide and they’re not as different as they thought? Will the light Emersyn’s smile promises be enough to bring Dax back to life, or will he run, forever hiding in the darkness of his past mistakes?
Grayson – A Scrooged Christmas
By Regina Frame
Grayson Decker is a man with many titles. New York’s Man of the Year. New York’s Most Eligible Bachelor, but when he meets the feisty Aubree Lane, he earns the title of Scrooge. When Grayson’s parents push him to marry and even force to assist in finding the perfect wife, Grayson takes matters into his own hands.
Aubree Lane is a college dropout, working part-time in a coffee shop, desperate to make ends meet, but finds herself in danger of eviction from her run-down apartment in a sketchy neighborhood. When Grayson Decker sets his sights on her, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse or is it the other way around? When he offers her $50K to be his fake fiancée for three weeks, she throws a wrench into his plan. She’ll go along with his idea, but it will cost him $100K and Christmas Dinner with her family.