Stocking Stuffers: A Five Story Christmas Anthology

by E. J. Darling

  That was before. It was clear she didn’t know the man upstairs. The one who walked away, leaving nothing but emptiness and anger hanging between them.

  Cami shook her head. She had more important things to do than sit around and decipher the enigma that was her situation with West.

  She busied herself with cleaning up the kitchen and added another log to the fire. From within the closet, she pulled out her Christmas decorations. She’d been so busy with back to back retreat groups that she hadn’t had the chance to decorate. Tomorrow she’d make use of West’s extra set of hands and decorate the cabin, regardless of whether or not he was still in a piss poor mood.

  Feeling satisfied with a clean cabin and prep done for tomorrow, Cami settled in on the couch with Bear and pulled up her coziest blanket. Bear rested his head on her lap and looked at her, waiting for her to give him some attention.

  Cami smiled at the big, white oaf. “You really are an attention whore.” She scratched his favorite spot behind his front leg. “I’m sorry you didn’t get as much attention from me today. I promise tomorrow we’ll go on a long walk to find the perfect tree.” As if he understood her, Bear lifted his head and gave her hand a lick before snuggling into her thigh for a nap.

  A smile tipped her lips when the romance novel on the coffee table called to her. Sexy knights and capable princesses were a much better use of her time than analyzing the man in her bed.

  An hour later, a yell from upstairs pulled her from a seriously erotic chapter.

  “No! Save Shelby!” West’s frantic voice filled the cabin.

  The loft had never felt so far away. Her adrenaline spiked and Cami bolted from the couch, taking the stairs two at a time.

  West was tangled in her sheets, thrashing.

  Carefully, she climbed into the bed and situated herself behind him. Pulling his back against her, she ran her fingers over his naked chest. “Shh. West, you’re safe.”

  “No! We’re not.” He fought against her, and she struggled to keep him from breaking free. “Shelby, she’s going to die if you don’t help her first.”

  “West!” she yelled, hoping to break through his panic and wake him up. “You’re safe. You’re with me. It’s Cami. I’m right here with you.”

  His body went stiff and she worried he was still trapped in his nightmare. Then, he released a shuddered breath and slumped into her. “Cami?”

  She whispered against his hair, “I’m here, West.”

  “You shouldn’t be.” He pushed himself up and spun on her. She could barely see his features in the dimly lit loft, but the anguish in his voice spoke volumes. “I could have hurt you.”

  She reached out and ran a hand down his forearm, taking his hand in hers. “But you didn’t.” She gave it a squeeze.

  His hand tightened on hers before he pulled it away. “I thought I was done with these.”

  “The wreck today caused a flashback. It’s perfectly normal for you to have nightmares after as well.”

  His hands fisted in his lap. “Six years of the same shit isn’t normal.”

  Respecting he had pulled away once already, she fought the urge to touch him again. To comfort him. “You want to tell me about it? It might help.”

  West sucked in a breath, and for a moment she thought maybe he was going to let down his wall. “No.”

  She was happy the darkness shielded her disappointment. “We haven’t been in each other’s lives for years. I don’t expect you to tell me all your secrets after one afternoon together. I wouldn’t tell you mine.”

  His voice perked up and she saw him cock his head to the side. “You have secrets?”

  She shrugged playfully, hoping to distract him. “We all have secrets, West.”

  “You tell me yours; I’ll tell you mine?”

  “What are we twelve?” She huffed a laugh.

  He shrugged casually. “It worked for us back then.”

  “Until you sold me out to my dad.” She’d been grounded for a month after she snuck out and found her dad waiting for her at the gate, ready to guide her back home.

  “I’m not sorry. Tony Gianado was trouble. There was no way I was going to let you go out to the old Jackson farm alone with him.”

  “You always did look out for me.” She smiled at the thought. How easy it had been when she was twelve. When she was eighteen.

  West grew quiet and Cami wasn’t sure where his head was. He reached out and took her hand in his. She shivered at the unexpected touch.

  He sighed. “Stay with me?”

  Was he serious?

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She pulled away and shifted her weight from the bed. It was one thing to help him fight his demons. It was another thing entirely to ask her to risk toppling her walls … again.

  “Please? I promise no funny business. I was serious about the pillow wall. It’s just—” West raked his fingers through his hair, something he did when he was nervous. “You pulled me out of the nightmare twice now. No one has been able to do that and not get punched.”

  Cami’s stomach tightened, and she tried not to read into his words. She knew she could say no to him, but she didn’t want to. She wanted to be there for him. Despite the emotional whiplash he caused all evening. “Seriously, West, no funny business.”

  “Scouts honor.” He threw up a hand and made the three fingered salute.

  She rolled her eyes. “You quit the scouts when you found out there were no girls allowed.”

  “I fought for equal rights.”

  “Just go to sleep, West.” She huffed, trying to reel in her frazzled emotions at the thought of sharing a bed with him.

  “You’ll stay?” he asked uneasily, but there was hope in his voice.

  “Yes. Let me lock up downstairs and get some pajamas.”

  “We both know you don’t wear pajamas.” He cocked his head and she didn’t miss the sexy undertones in his voice.

  “Tonight, I do.” She stayed firm, not sure who she was trying to convince.

  Fighting off the need to panic and flee, she took her time setting the fire for the night and slipping into her flannel sleep shirt. When she snuck into the king size bed, West had already built a wall of pillows down the center. A small part of her was disappointed there wouldn’t be an accidental cuddle sesh, but it was probably for the best. West was so hot and cold, she wasn’t sure she could cuddle tonight and be rejected by morning.

  With her back to him, she took a deep breath. She could do it. It was as much for West as it was to prove to herself she could have him in her life as a friend.

  At least that’s what she was going to keep telling herself.

  Chapter Five

  The smell of citrus and lavender filled his nose. West instinctively leaned into the warm body that pressed against him, surprised it reacted by snuggling closer to him. He blinked open his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light pouring into the room.

  The first thing he saw was floor to ceiling windows that framed the gently falling snow outside. It was then he realized where he was and just who had their ass pressed up against his raging hard on.

  Red.

  Shit. He tried not to jerk away for fear of waking her, but he needed to put some space between them. He meant it when he told her no funny business, and there he was holding her like he had every morning they were together. His eyes darted around the bed to find the pillows he’d placed between them only to discover them scattered across the floor on his side of the bed.

  Fantastic. If she saw that he would definitely be read the riot act.

  A sigh escaped him and he relaxed into the bed, debating his next move. Cami shifted closer to him in her sleep. She was an absolute dream. He missed the way her body molded to his. The way her eyelashes flitted over her cheeks when she slept.

  But she wasn’t his and he’d do well to remember that.

  His dick stood at attention, questioning what the hell he was waiting for. She was back in their lives, but his libi
do clearly didn’t get the memo she wasn’t theirs to have.

  West rolled over, careful not to wake her, and slid his arm from under her pillow. When he pulled the covers from himself, he glanced over and saw her flannel sleep shirt had ridden up to her waist. He bit back a groan.

  The sight of her like that threatened to shatter his already fragile resolve.

  He stepped away from the bed and put on one of the flannel shirts Cami left out for him. She always did like him in a good flannel.

  Bear lifted his head from his spot on the floor and West could have sworn the dog was giving him a dirty look. He bent down and gave him a scratch behind the ear and whispered, “Sorry if I took your spot on the bed, bud. Let’s go, I’ll see if Red has some bacon I can accidentally drop on the floor for you.”

  Quietly he padded down the stairs, Bear in tow. Copious amounts of coffee needed to happen before his thoughts inevitably drifted back to the half-naked woman upstairs.

  On the counter, he found his dead cell phone and a charger Cami left out for him. That woman thought of everything. It was one of the reasons he loved her.

  Had loved her.

  Who the fuck was he kidding? He still loved her.

  After plugging in the phone, he set about making breakfast. Thank God Red had a fully stocked fridge and pantry. He made her the works. Eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Bear patiently laid at his feet, keeping a watchful eye for the promised bacon to fall on the floor.

  His phone lit up, and the chirping started. He quickly silenced it, hoping it didn’t wake Cami.

  Two missed calls from his mom and ten from Tiffani.

  West shook his head and pinched between his brows. The damn woman couldn’t leave well enough alone.

  It had been five years since the divorce was finalized, but recently Tiffani wanted to try and fix their marriage. No. She didn’t want to fix their marriage. She wanted back the cushy life West once provided her. Since she ran out of money, he’d put up with her extravagant attempts to woo him back, only to be followed by her violent outbursts when he rejected her. West had no doubt that if he let her back into his life, she would get comfy, then find another side piece the moment he let his guard down. Not that he wanted her back.

  He’d known she was trouble from the first night they met. Then Shelby came along and changed everything.

  The phone lit up in his hand, his mom’s photo appearing on the display.

  He slid the bar over and brought the phone to his ear. “Hold on a second, Mom.”

  Grabbing his jacket, he toed on his boots, not bothering to tie them, and stepped out the sliding door on the back patio.

  “Sorry, had to step outside. Cami’s still asleep.” The cold bit at his exposed neck and he flipped his jacket collar up.

  His mother’s panicked voice filled the speaker. “It’s so good to hear your voice. Are you okay? I was worried sick when Cami called last night.”

  “I’m fine, Mom.”

  “Are you?” She questioned him in a way only a mother could. Like she knew he was lying.

  “A little banged up, but I’ll be okay.” It was mostly true. Physically he was fine. Mentally was another story completely, but he didn’t want her to worry

  “I have no doubt. I know you’re in good hands with Cami.”

  If he knew his mother, she was tickled pink he was stuck on the mountain with Cami. She always hoped Cami would be part of the family someday and made no attempt to hide her thoughts on the matter.

  “About that.” West raised a brow and playfully scolded. “Don’t think I don’t know you sent me up here specifically, so I’d run into her.”

  She scoffed, and he imagined her clutching her pearls. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Uh huh. Sure you don’t.” He rolled his eyes. God love his meddling mother.

  “Far be it from me to help my son along when he’s got his head up his ass and won’t see reason.”

  “And just what is that supposed to mean?” He knew what she meant, he just wanted to see if she would go so far as to say it. She’d been growing bolder as she got older, and he loved pushing her buttons.

  “You and I both know she’s the great love of your life. You said as much when I visited you at the Air Force Academy. I won’t say you made a mistake when you knocked that wretched woman up because it brought me my granddaughter, but you didn’t do yourself any favors marrying her.When you returned a week ago and hadn’t asked about Cami, I knew you wouldn’t grow a pair and go up there after your interview, so I helped you along.”

  Well damn if she didn’t have him pegged. He hadn’t planned to seek her out until he knew if he got the job, and that could have been after the new year. Shit, it could have been a month from now. He would have kept putting it off until fate stepped in and forced him to see her.

  But of course, he wouldn’t tell his mother that and give her the satisfaction. “Am I supposed to say thank you?”

  “That’s customary when someone helps you, and I raised you to have manners.”

  He let out a deep laugh. “Well thanks, Mom.” He meant it, too.

  “You’re welcome, Son.” She sighed and her voice turned serious. “While I’m glad you’re patching things up with Cami after all these years, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m disappointed that after finally getting you home you won’t be spending the holidays with us.”

  “I’m sorry about that, too. I was looking forward to your banana pudding after Christmas dinner.”

  “I put a call into the sheriff. He’s going to see if he can get an emergency crew up there as soon as possible, but it still might not be soon enough.”

  West’s throat tightened at the thought. It was great he and Cami were talking again, but he wasn’t ready to leave her yet. He needed more time to assess what was between them. He knew he still loved her, one of the main reasons he was trying to get a job in Aspen in the first place, but he had no idea where her head was. Or if she’d be able to accept who he’d become. It was the risk of a lifetime.

  “We’ll celebrate Christmas when I get off the mountain. Save a plate for me.”

  “Bring Cami with ya.” He didn’t miss the hopeful tone in her voice.

  “Don’t count on it.”

  “I have faith in you, Son. I’ll check in with you again later, or if I hear anything from the sheriff.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  He had taken the phone from his ear, when his mom’s voice called out stopping him. “Oh, before you go, your bitch,­ I mean ex-wife, called looking for you.”

  West rolled his eyes. Fucking Tiffani. “Just send her to voicemail.”

  “I will from now on. But you should know, I may have told her you were stuck on the mountain with Cami. Call me petty, but it was worth hearing the string of curses she let loose.”

  He chuckled. “Fantastic. I’ll take care of her.”

  He could only imagine how Tiffani reacted. She knew about Cami and his past. His mom made sure to bring it up the only time he brought her home to Aspen. Then he heard about it for months. It’s why he never brought her back to Aspen, always insisting his mom visited them instead.

  “Love you.” Her sing-song voice made him smile. The woman was a riot.

  “Love you, too.”

  West ended the call and looked up from the far end of the raised patio to see Cami step out and close the sliding door.

  She looked at him, coffee in one hand, bacon in the other, and a smile on her face. “I could get used to waking up to coffee and bacon made just the way I like it.” Momentary panic crossed her face and fumbled over her words. “I mean—not that I want—”

  He smiled and helped her out. “Me, too. Which is why you’re on breakfast duty tomorrow. I like my bacon extra crispy, by the way. In case you didn’t remember.”

  She giggled and damn if he couldn’t live on that sound alone. “You got it. What are you doing out here?”

  “Mom called. I didn’t want to wake you.”r />
  “She was really worried yesterday.” Cami shifted on her feet. If he had to guess, his mom wasn’t the only one worried about him and his heart swelled at the thought.

  He nodded in agreement. “She’s more upset that I won’t be home for Christmas.”

  “I’m sorry about that, too. I’m sure she was thrilled to finally have you home for the holidays.”

  He wasn’t sorry he was there with her instead. Not one bit.

  “It’s not your fault. Plus, if I had to spend Christmas stuck on a mountain, I’m glad I chose your shop to get stuck at and not Stinky Sam’s.”

  “He’s not that bad.” She pressed her lips together in a smile and a small laugh escaped her, though it came out more like a snort as she tried to hold it in.

  West raised a brow. “Cami, he smells like feet all the time. I’m not sure how it’s even possible, but he does.”

  She tipped her head back and released the laugh. Her red curls fell behind her. They were the kind of curls a man loved to tangle his hands in. Something he wanted to do more than anything in the world.

  “So what’s on the agenda today?” He cleared his throat and tried to distract her from the growing hard-on his sweats did little to conceal, but the only thing that helped was shifting away.

  Which made it more obvious.

  “Well, I need to get a tree and decorate the house. You think you’re up for helping me?”

  He was a bit sore still, but he’d do just about anything to spend time with her.

  “How is it that Christmas is your favorite holiday, but it’s the day before Christmas Eve, and you haven’t gotten anything done?”

  “I’ve been really busy at the outfitter, and the retreat center has been booked solid for winter break. I’m sure if I hadn’t blacked out the dates, I would’ve had a group up here over Christmas.”

  “Sounds like you’re doing really well for yourself.”

  Cami stared out to where the retreat house sat beyond the trees. “I started the retreat center as a bit of a joke. I didn’t think it was going to take off, or that I was going to enjoy it as much as I do. But it’s become a dream job. I love the groups we’ve had up here, and many of them return year after year.”