by Jody Holford
The sound she made twisted his stomach in knots. She was sexy without even trying. And she was his. He’d never been more certain of anything. Before tonight, before Ellie, he hadn’t given a lot of thought to fate or meant to be, but now, he felt it.
“Such as?” Her voice was a rough, sexy rasp that lit his skin on fire.
Running a hand over her leg, up her thigh, he stopped at her hip. She had great hips. Round and supple, leading to a slight dip in her waist. One day, he’d run his hands—his mouth, over every inch of her with nothing in the way.
“I was thinking we could play a game.”
Ellie stilled, her breath actually stuttering. “Like monopoly?”
Cooper laughed and leaned back. When he’d spoken to Tommy briefly, he’d made arrangements to ensure Ellie had a good Christmas. The best Christmas’ held some surprise and that was what he wanted for her. He hoped, with everything in him, this would be the first of many together.
“Not quite.” He put a bit of space between them because if she was touching him, thought was nearly impossible.
The pout of her lips tempted him to kiss it away, but he stayed focused. “More like twenty questions.”
“Oh. So we just ask each other questions?” One eyebrow arched.
He turned to face her, taking her hand in his. “Yup. Yes or no questions. You go then I go. We have to answer yes or no, nothing in between.”
Ellie shrugged then covered a yawn. Before he could suggest maybe she lay down, she pointed at him with her free hand. “You go first.
His grin was instant. “Will you go out on a date with me?” He wanted to be sure there was no miscommunication.
Ellie laughed. “Yes. Will you go out on a date with me? I mean after the date I go out on with you.”
“Yes.”
They smiled at each other and Cooper wondered if his heart had the ability to feel drunk.
“Did you have a crush on me when you were younger?”
Her cheeks went pink. “Dirty pool, Cooper.”
He waggled his eyebrows making her laugh. “Yes or no.”
“Yes.”
His breath caught even though he’d half expected the answer. “Your turn.”
“Did you have other plans for tonight that you changed to be with me?”
“No.”
He started to ask her a question but then added, “But I would have.”
Ellie sighed. He reached out and put his hand along the back of the couch as he had earlier.
“Is Christmas your favorite season?”
“Yes. Same question.”
It is now, he thought. “Yes.”
They went back and forth until he could see that her eyelids were growing heavy. He’d spent the night with other girlfriends and not girlfriends, but he’d never wanted to just be with a woman, near her, holding her close, all night, like he wanted to with Ellie.
But since he didn’t want to rush her, he planned to take the couch. Probably less torturous that way, too. She yawned and stretched and Cooper noted the way her top rode up, showing smooth, soft skin that his fingers ached to touch.
“I just realized I don’t have a gift for you,” she said.
Damn. She melted his heart. “Ellie. Don’t be silly. We hardly planned this.”
With an unexpected burst of energy, she jumped up off the couch, then wobbled slightly. Cooper rose immediately and pulled her against him. “Sudden movements probably aren’t the best idea, sweetheart.”
His heart flipped over in his chest when she snuggled into him, resting her head under his chin.
“You might be right. I have an idea. Let’s write down what we want to give each other and in the morning, we’ll open the pieces of paper.”
Cooper kissed the top of her head, certain what he felt for her was unlike anything he’d known. “You’re the sweetest person I’ve ever met.”
Ellie looked up at him and before he took her mouth again, giving into the pressing desire that pounded in his blood, he nudged her toward the couch so she sat down again. Finding some paper and two pens, he brought them over along with a book and a pad of paper so they both had something to write on.
“Complete honesty right?” He looked at her and even her eyes smiled.
She nodded. “Yes.”
They were both quiet as he thought of how to put into words what he’d most like to give Ellie. Smiling, since he already knew exactly what that was, he wrote it down and folded his paper several times. She glanced at him as she wrote something on hers and did the same. They put them under her tree and Cooper moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her stomach. She leaned back against him as if that spot was made for her.
“You really should get some sleep, Ellie.” She’d had a long day.
Turning in his arms, she looked up at him. He watched her inhale deeply, gathering her nerve.
“I don’t want to sleep alone.”
If he had it his way, neither of them would ever again.
~ Seven ~
Christmas morning was quite dreary, but even looking at the heavy, wet clouds couldn’t damper the brightness of Ellie’s mood. She lay in her bed, her hands tucked under her cheek watching Cooper sleep.
Fine hairs shadowed his chin and she traced her fingers lightly over them. She loved the feel of his skin. His nose had a slight tilt to it because of getting hit with a football when he was in ninth grade. The small scar on his chin was from a hockey puck. His dark hair was wavy and a little wild and his lashes rested against his cheeks in a way that made her heart twist.
In an effort to not feel sorry for herself this Christmas, she’d made a list of what the holiday meant to her and set about checking off every item. Tree, check. Lights, check. Movies and shows all lined up, check. Hot chocolate and sugar cookies, check and check. A steady mix of classic and pop songs, absolutely. Not once during all of her planning had it occurred to her that Christmas couldn’t be found in a song, a movie, or a beautifully trimmed tree. Those things were simply fancy wrapping paper around the real meaning of the holidays.
She hadn’t known, couldn’t know, until Cooper, that Christmas was a feeling. It was the way he made her feel when he looked at her or when he’d indulged her silly idea of putting paper presents under the tree. It was sitting side by side with someone who made her laugh as they watched re runs and stared at the fire. It was the connection she felt when their eyes locked or they shared a memory. And though she’d celebrated many Christmas’ without him, she’d never understood how special sharing the day with someone she cared for in just this way could be.
“Merry Christmas,” Cooper whispered.
Ellie looked down, her hand stuttering to a stop in its exploration of his bare chest. That in itself was a great gift. One she’d gotten to snuggle into all night. “Merry Christmas.”
They took their time getting up. She made them coffee while he made French toast. By silent, mutual agreement, she readied the berries and whip cream and stayed away from the stove.
“I want you to join me today at my parents’ house,” Cooper said when they’d finished eating and were clearing the table together.
She wanted that, too, but didn’t want to overstep. “Will your family mind?”
He came up behind her as he had the night before and wrapped his arms around her. His nose nuzzled into the crook of her neck and she arched, biting down on the sigh of contentment.
“They’ll be thrilled to see you. I want you there. Please?”
Happiness grew wings and fluttered against her rib cage. “That sounds great.”
“Good. Let’s open our gifts.”
Her nerves surged forward even as her body froze. What had seemed sweet in the moment the night before now felt incredibly…risky. She’d shared little pieces of herself with Byron and look how that had ended up. Cooper is not Byron. Not by a long shot. Still. She didn’t want him to open the paper and think she was still just the silly kid sister of his friend.
Coop
er took her hand and led her to the living room. She loved her basement suite and didn’t mind living alone. Over time, she’d picked the perfect pieces to compliment the space. A little lamp from the antique shop that sat on a cool table she’d found on sale at Marshalls. The soft multicolor blanket resting on the back of her couch. As the moved to the tree, she noted that Cooper fit in her space as though he was meant to be there.
With Christmas music playing softly in the background, they sat in front of the tree, both holding their respective paper presents.
“You first,” Cooper said. She liked the way he still looked a little sleepy and rumpled. It made her want to crawl onto his lap and snuggle in.
Hoping his gift to her would bolster her courage, she unfolded the paper.
In the middle of the white page, he’d written: A very Merry Christmas.
Her heart deflated. A withered balloon. It was sweet, no doubt. He was sweet. But in comparison to what she’d given him, she worried she’d gone too far. She’d made too much of his actions the night before. She’d read into them and blown them out of proportion. Can’t back out now. Making sure her smile was in place, she looked up at him.
“Thank you.”
Both eyebrows rose. “You’re not done. Keep unfolding.”
She unfolded the bottom piece and saw he’d added something at the end of the page.
For as many years as you’ll let me.
Ellie’s heart beat so hard she was sure he could hear it. She didn’t speak when she looked at him again, but she had a feeling he could read her thoughts. If not, opening her present would assure him they were on the same page.
He held it up and she nodded. “My turn. Let’s see what you wanted me to have for Christmas.”
Cooper’s smile filled the room and Ellie thought her heart might burst. Warmth seeped through her, over her, surrounding her like one of his hugs. He looked at her as he reached out and cupped her cheek.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” he whispered, kissing her with a passion that promised so much more than either of them had bargained for. As he pulled her closer and she snuggled into him as she’d wanted to, the paper fluttered from his hands. It wasn’t until later, that she saw it lying there, face up.
All the times she’d felt something was wrong with her because she was so inexperienced. Now, she was grateful that she could offer him everything she’d never given before. His eyes followed her gaze and he smiled when he re-read the two words: My heart.
***
Later that day, she put aside her nerves and focused on the excitement of seeing his family again after all of these years. Reconnecting with Cooper was like coming home and realizing you’d been gone far too long. Funny how she’d had to move from their small hometown for that to happen.
Cooper stopped before opening the door to his parents’ house. Pushing her hair back from her face, he gently kissed around the rough edges of the band aid that covered her stitches.
“Finding you makes me realize what I’ve been missing all these years. Why no one else has been the one.”
Her feet were on the ground, but his words made her feel like she was floating. Ellie put her hands on his waist, anchoring herself. “What if Tommy doesn’t give you the blessing you’re looking for?”
It was the fear that had been playing in her mind since last night. She’d teased him, but she knew he respected the friendship he’d had with her brother enough to at least take a step back if Tommy wasn’t comfortable. It hardly seemed fair since Ellie had been willing to spend Christmas alone in favor of her brother’s happiness. Before she could work herself up about it, he leaned in and kissed her.
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
He opened the door and once they’d shed their winter gear, they walked through the house toward the sound of laughter, music, and chatting. He’d said both of his siblings had married and his sister had two kids. His brother’s wife was expecting their first. Bracing herself for a full room, Ellie froze when she saw Tommy standing near the fireplace. He and his girlfriend were laughing at something Cooper’s brother was saying.
Tommy’s gaze caught hers and he laughed. “There she is. Don’t let her near the stove,” he said, making the others laugh as well.
Clearly, Cooper had shared the story. Had they spoken about it the night before? Maybe she should have listened to the conversation instead of chickening out and refilling their wine glasses.
Ellie and Cooper were both swept up into hugs and holiday greetings. When she finally reached Tommy, she couldn’t wait any longer to ask.
“What’d she say?”
His girlfriend, Becky, leaned around his shoulder, placing her hand in view. The ring Tommy chose shone on her wedding finger.
“She said yes,” Becky shared.
More hugs followed and Ellie hoped that this was the first of many Christmas’ filled with the noise and laughter of people she loved. She missed her parents and wished they were here. Next year. Casting a quick glance across the room to where Cooper stood talking with his mom, he caught her eye. The smile he shared made her feel like they were the only two people in the room. Until Tommy nudged her with his hip.
“So? You and Coop, huh?”
Ellie almost choked on her drink. She looked up at her big brother. You really should have listened in on the conversation last night.
“He told you?”
Tommy smiled and put his arm around her. “He said you guys had reconnected and asked me to come today. Thought you could use a dose of family. Just so you know, I planned to see you today anyway. So did Becky. She was pissed when I told her you were giving us some space so we could celebrate our engagement.”
Ellie looked over at Becky and grinned. “I guess a celebration like that should be a group thing. A family thing.”
“That’s what she said.”
Ellie arched a brow. “So, he told you we reconnected and then what?” Had Cooper gotten Tommy’s blessing or not?
“Then you walked in and I took one look at the two of you and realized I wasn’t the only one who ended up getting everything I wanted this Christmas.”
Cooper joined them then, taking her hand and pulling her into his side. Tommy simply grinned and her worries slipped away. She’d expected a solitary Christmas and fate had danced in, unexpectedly, giving her something she couldn’t have planned for: a chance at love.
Want more?
Check out these other holiday titles by Jody Holford
Forever Christmas
Always Time for Christmas
Falling for Kate
More than Friends
Did you enjoy this story? Please consider leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Also, watch for Some Kind of Love, Book Two in Ellie and Cooper’s journey. Out February 12, 2018.
Visit her website
www.jodyholford.weebly.com
to see her selection of titles
Thank you for reading Some Kind of Christmas. I hope you enjoyed it. I wrote it as a little break between edits and writing another book. I wasn’t sure what I’d do with it, but thanks to the FAN~tastic five, Christy, Tara, and Jenn, I decided it was worth sharing. Thank you, Tanya, for the gorgeous cover. Thank you to my readers. I know that the world is a scary place a lot of days and I’m grateful we have places like books where we can lose ourselves and pretend, at least for a little while, that happily ever after is a given. Take care of each other and have a wonderful, happy, and safe holiday.
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