a Beautiful Christmas

by Ember-Raine Winters

  After the kids went to bed, we pulled out all the little presents she had bought along with gift boxes to wrap them all in. “There’s only enough for the first ten days or so. I will get more when I get back.”

  “It’s perfect. You did an amazing job with all this stuff.” I smiled. She was bent over, fussing with the bags making sure everything was there, when I walked up behind her and smacked her ass. She yelped and stood abruptly.

  “What was that for?” She turned to me and I grabbed her hips pulling her to me roughly.

  “I just wanted to touch you,” I said into her neck and licked a path to her ear. The full body shudder that ran through her had me smiling against her skin.

  It took only a second for her to melt into me and start pulling at my hair. I loved when she did that. Too many years I’d missed her next to me. Her arms were on my shoulders and she held me to her neck as I licked and sucked and nipped my way down to her cleavage. She drove me crazy in those little V-neck shirts she wore all the time.

  Sliding my hands up underneath the hem of her shirt I smiled against her chest. “I need this off.”

  She lifted her arms over her head and smiled seductively. I slid my hands up slowly over her breasts and she moaned. Pulling the shirt up over her head, I made quick work of her bra and palmed her breasts before sticking one nipple in my mouth and sucking it, hard. I backed her up to the bed and laid her back before stripping her jeans and panties off in one swift movement. She was breathtaking and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to taste her. Her legs were hanging over the edge of the bed. Kneeling the best I could, I tilted her hips up and licked up her seam. Her honey taste exploded on my tongue.

  “You’re so fucking wet, darlin’,” I growled and thrust my index finger inside her opening, giving her no warning. Her back arched off the bed as I fucked her with my finger and sucked her clit into my mouth.

  “Oh my God, Adam. I’m gonna…”

  “Come for me, beautiful,” I said and she broke apart milking my finger with her inner muscles. God I wanted her to milk my cock like that. I kept a steady pace dragging her orgasm to the brink and then I stood, stripping my shirt from my body and unbuttoning my pants.

  “You ready for me, darlin’?” I asked, fisting my cock. She watched with hooded, hungry eyes as I stroked it up and down. She started to get up but I stopped her. “Stay right there.”

  I pulled her hips until they were at the end of the bed and tilted them up before slamming my cock into her tight dripping wet pussy. Grabbing a pillow, she slapped it over her mouth and moaned loudly.

  I took it from her, covering her screams with my mouth. She was about to go off again, I could feel it. Her walls were squeezing my cock. Her hips bucked, but at the angle I had her in she couldn’t do much accept enjoy the ride. I smiled against her lips. One final thrust had us both coming with a shout.

  I got off of her and bent to put my pants back on while she looked at me confused. “Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere,” I said and sat on the bed.

  Realization or something like it, dawned on her pretty features. “It’s your leg, isn’t it?”

  I nodded, but didn’t elaborate. I didn’t like people seeing my prosthetic. It was really the only insecurity I had. I never showed anyone and I hardly went without it unless I was sleeping or in the shower.

  “Can I see it?” she asked softly.

  “You know?” I asked, not realizing she had any idea since we hadn’t really seen each other much after breaking up.

  “No, I just noticed your limp and figured…something was wrong with it? I was talking about your scars, is it more?”

  Dread filled my system as I shook my head adamantly, still not wanting her to see that part of me yet, but she continued her sweet argument. “Okay, but you know I won’t judge you, right? I don’t think any less of you. I actually think you’re brave. The bravest person I know. And when you feel ready, which I hope you will, I want to hear the story. There’s nothing about you Adam that I don’t want to know.”

  Her hand came up to rub soothing circles on my back. It felt so good. I just couldn’t stand to see the look of horror that I was pretty sure would appear on her face when she saw my leg. The scars around my stump were horrific, but mostly I didn’t want to see the pity in her eyes. It would crush me. “I can’t. I’m just not ready for the look of disgust I know will be there when you see it.”

  “Really Adam?” she said, not disguising the hurt. “Do you think there is anything you could do to disgust me? Your scars are a part of you. I see someone brave and strong. I see someone who sacrificed everything for this country and was damaged in the process. I could never pity someone like that.”

  Her words hit me in the gut and I looked over at her angry face and kissed her lips. “I fucking love you.”

  I have no idea where the words came from, but as I sat there, her eyes wide, I realized it was the god’s honest truth. I had never loved anyone the way I loved her.

  “I love you too,” she admitted quietly. I could see the tears form in her eyes and I couldn’t handle it. I had to lighten the mood. I was feeling something heavy in my chest.

  “Let’s get some of this crap wrapped and go to bed.” She looked a little confused at my abrupt change in topic but didn’t comment. We worked for a couple hours and got a bunch of the presents wrapped. When neither of us could hold our eyes open anymore I stood up to leave.

  “Wait, you’re not staying with me?” She grabbed my arm stopping me before I reached the bedroom door.

  The look in her eyes was so sweet and I decided that I needed to man up or possibly lose her again. Putting out my hand, she grabbed it and I helped lift her up off the floor. I pointed to the bed, indicating for her to take a seat, then unbuttoned my jeans and slid them down my legs. She watched me as stood before her bearing all my insecurities to the woman I loved since I was sixteen. I was afraid to look at her face and kept my eyes down.

  “Adam,” she said softly. I felt her hand grabbing my chin, lifting it up to look in her eyes. What I saw in them was love and acceptance. There was no disgust or judgment. “You’re still the most beautiful man I have ever met.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  KATE

  I’d been in Milan for three days while Alexis used me as her personal assistant instead of the marketing executive that I was. We were supposed to be going to Big Bear the next day and I was getting restless. The need to get home to my family was all consuming.

  “Alexis, I really need to get back to the kids. I’m planning on taking the afternoon flight.”

  She just gave me the stink eye, saying, “No. I need you here.”

  “Alexis,” I reached out a hand to grab her arm as she walked away, “no I can’t stay. If you have any problems feel free to email me. I’m going away for the weekend with the kids tomorrow, but I will be available by phone or email if you need me. I’ve promised them.”

  She whipped back around and glared at me. “How dare you defy me. You work for me and will be where I need you to be, or I will call Allen and have you fired.”

  I sighed and tilted my head back, asking for patience. I couldn’t lose my job. What would we all do, if I wasn’t working? Resigned, I nodded and walked away to call Adam.

  “Hello?” he answered groggily and I could have kicked myself for not remembering the time difference.

  “Hey, sorry. I was so mad I forgot about the time difference.”

  “What’s the matter?” he asked sounding more alert then he had before.

  I sighed, realizing how much just after three days I missed him and the kids. “I can’t make it back for the trip.”

  “Why not?” he asked angrily. “You said it would be two days and you’re going on four.”

  “I know, but she threatened to have me fired if I don’t do what she wants.”

  “So what? You’re the best in the city at your job. You can freelance or start yo
ur own company. The kids have been freaking out wondering when you’re coming back.”

  “What’ll we do until I get clients, Adam?” I argued. “I have some savings, but I would need that to start my own business.”

  “I’ve got my disability. We can figure it out,” he said quietly, “but, Kate, the kids need you, I need you.”

  I so wanted to hop on a plane and leave right then, but he didn’t understand the work, the money, not to mention the connections it took to start my own business. “I can’t take that chance, Adam. The kids need a roof over their heads and food on the table more than they need my presence.”

  He didn’t speak for a moment which had me nervous. I wanted him to understand that while I didn’t want to sacrifice the family trip, we as a family needed the money more. “Whatever Kate. Your career always was more important to you.”

  “Adam,” I groaned. “It’s not like that…”

  “Look, I need to go. I have to get some more sleep before I take the kids to school. I’ll see you whenever you get back.”

  “Love you,” I said but he had already hung up.

  I felt like garbage the rest of the day, and I wanted to smack the smug look off Alexis’s face. She was punishing me by giving me menial garbage to do just to prove to herself and me the power she held. But the conversation with Adam had been plaguing me. His hanging up the phone was making me very nervous to what I’d go home to. Between the time difference exhaustion and worry, I finally snapped. “You know what Alexis? I’m done. If you want to get me fired, go right ahead. I have a family at home that needs me. I have no idea why I ever agreed to leave them in the first place.”

  Alexis gasped and took a step back. “If you leave, you’ll never work in Los Angeles again. I’ll have you blackballed.”

  “Go right ahead,” I said and walked out of the room, feeling empowered for the first time since I started working with her.

  Grabbing a cab, I was back to my hotel within twenty minutes and quickly packed my things. I thought about calling Adam and telling him what I did, but I decided to surprise them instead.

  I was at the airport within the hour searching for the next flight back to the States. Luckily, there was a night flight and with the time change, it would put me back home by noon the next day. It gave me plenty of time to surprise them before they left early evening without me

  The seats on the plane were uncomfortable. The only available seats were coach, and I was hating life. It was worth it though. I couldn’t wait to get home. Adam’s eyes flashed in my face and I smiled. I couldn’t wait to see him again. I found myself remembering the night he let me see him, insecurities and all.

  That night he shared himself with me, I’d been hurt that he thought I would be disgusted by any part of him. After he stood in all his gorgeous glory in front of me at the foot of the bed, I’d gotten up, turned him around and pushed him lightly onto the bed. “Take it off. I want to see it.”

  He did what I asked, I knelt down beside the bed and lightly placed my hand on his knee, running my fingers over his scars. “I don’t see anything wrong with you. These scars are a part of you, and you’re beautiful to me.” I whispered as I bent over his leg and kissed each jagged line. His hand went to my hair, trying to pull me to him, but I resisted.

  Pulling his boxers down, I found more jagged scars going up his thigh, there was one long incision-like scar, and I knew it had to be from surgery because it was too precise. I ran my tongue along the scar that made its way up his leg to his hipbone, feeling his body shudder as I went.

  “What are you doing to me, beautiful?” His voice was gravelly and his hand tightened in my hair.

  “Loving you,” I said softly and ran my hand up the underside of his shaft.

  Looking up, I saw the heat in his eyes as he watched me kiss my way to his cock. My fingers wrapped around him as I slowly stroked him the way he had stroked himself just hours before. I licked the head and tasted a burst of pre-cum on my tongue and moaned. He tasted so good. My tongue swirled around the crown as I took him in my mouth. His grip on my hair was almost painful.

  The power I had over him as I sucked him toward the back of my throat was heady and I began stroking my clit through my jeans. Adam looked down at me and groaned. He tried to pull me up by my hair, but I just sucked harder.

  “I don’t want to come in your mouth, beautiful. I want to be slamming inside that sweet little pussy as I come undone.” His words had me moaning around him and the vibration nearly set him off.

  He grabbed me up around my arms and pulled me up his body until my jean clad thighs were straddling his hips. “Those need to come off. Now.”

  The command had me grinding against him without a thought. The heat in his eyes was undeniable and he flipped me over to pull my pants off. Scooting up the bed, I laid my head on a pillow and waited for him. He was like a predator stalking his prey and it made me even hotter. I eyed him as I rubbed my clit with two fingers. He tracked the movement with his eyes and growled.

  “God you’re so fucking stunning and all mine. Make yourself come for me.” He rasped. Just the knowledge that he was watching me as I pleasured myself almost took me over the edge. I rubbed harder and faster as he laid down beside me and took one of my nipples between his teeth. The sensation had me crying out and exploding with an intense orgasm. He smiled against my skin and pulled me on top of him.

  I was still in a daze when he thrust into me and I bucked against him. “I don’t know how long I’ll last with your sexy ass on top of me,” he groaned as he drove into me roughly again.

  Out of instinct, because my brain was certainly not functioning at the moment, I started rocking against him. He pulled me down on top of him and kissed me passionately. I could feel every bit of love and desire he felt for me and it had me moaning and grinding down on him. He palmed my breasts and pinched my nipples between his fingers and I came again, harder this time. He followed behind me as I chanted his name. Wrapping his arms around me and pulling me down next to him with my back to his front, he laid his chin on my shoulder. “I love you,” he said softly.

  “I love you too,” I told him back right before falling asleep in his arms.

  Sitting in my cramped seat on the fourteen-hour flight, I hoped I hadn’t ruined everything by staying in Milan longer than I had intended. I wasn’t going to allow our past problem… my past problem of being career driven to drive a wedge between us again. If I corrected my mistake soon enough this time, maybe he’d forgive me for putting my career ahead of him and the family. He was right. We could survive for a while without me having a job. The house had no mortgage and I had a very good reputation no matter what Italian bitch thought she could do. I just had to get back to LA in time.

  When the plane landed at LAX I sighed with relief. Not only because I was getting out of the cramped seat, but because we’d landed with enough time for me to hail a cab and get back to the house.

  My phone rang in my purse and I looked down, smiling when I saw it was Adam. “Hello.”

  “Oh, thank God. I have been calling you for hours. Where the hell have you been, Kate?”

  “I was on a plane, Adam.” I needed to tamp down my frustration. He was ruining my big surprise.

  “Wait, what? Where are you? I thought she wouldn’t let you leave.”

  “I’ll probably be fired and blackballed by every company in the city, but you were right-” I was cut off, dropping the phone when a horn blasted next to my ear. Turning to look out the window, I screamed before everything went black.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ADAM

  I lost my fucking mind as I heard her scream and the loud crash in the background. She wouldn’t answer the damn phone, and I felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest.

  “Kate, Kate!” I yelled. I could still hear what was happening in the background, but she wouldn’t answer me. A bystander must have tried to help her and heard me yelling into the ph
one.

  “Hello?” the man said.

  “Where is she? Is she okay?” I asked panicked.

  “She’s a little out of it but conscious. Not really sure she can talk right now. The ambulance is on the way.”

  “Where are you?”

  He rattled off the cross streets near LAX and I took off out the door. The kids were still at school and I didn’t want to worry them.

  Picking up my phone before turning on the car, I dialed Kate’s office. “Casey? This is Adam. I need a favor.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “There was an accident. I’m headed out now. I was wondering if you could pick the kids up from school.”

  “Oh my God, it’s Kate, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know how bad it is yet. Can you just pick up the kids, please?”

  “Sure, yeah, of course,” she babbled. “Let me know how she’s doing.”

  “I will, thank you Casey.” I hung up the phone, put the car in reverse and sped out the driveway.

  I got to the scene and saw the ambulance there. Kate was awake and sitting on the back of the ambulance. I thanked God for small favors and jumped out of the car. Seeing her sitting there alive was a relief.

  “Adam,” she cried when she saw me and started to stand. I stopped her by wrapping her in my arms.

  “You scared the fucking hell out of me, beautiful,” I rasped. “Should you be sitting up? Is your head okay? The man said you were out of it.” I ran my hands over her, not quite believing she was there and safe.

  “I’m fine Adam. They did the concussion test and I passed. A few bumps and bruises.” She tried to reassure me, but I was still rattled.

  “Babe, your face is cut up and bruised. Maybe we should cancel the trip.”

  “No.” She glared, defiance all over her gorgeously battered face. “I’m fine. The kids need this trip. They are not missing out because I got a couple of scrapes. Hell, I flew fourteen hours back here, probably lost my job, we’ll starve for Christmas, so we are going on this trip!”