A baby for Christmas (Season of Romance Book 1)

by Carnie, Dilys J.

  “You have no idea how hard this is for me to not to take you here and now against the kitchen wall.”

  “The wall sounds good to me,” she spoke in a breathy voice as her hands stole across his chest and around his neck.

  He ran his hands from her hips to her waist and up over her small round bump to her shoulders. He couldn’t help but kiss those pink upturned parted lips. It went on for what felt like a lifetime and beyond, and every time he thought it might finish she pushed her lips harder against his, and he let his tongue dance a tango with hers.

  It was only when his breath caught and he could feel her heaving chest against his that he paused.

  Damn…this had to stop they needed to talk…they had to talk…but perhaps just one more kiss.

  Chapter 6

  Belle breathed in, for a split second it was as though they were back in Virginia. Their ease of movement, a moment of joining that would, and did, give them a lifetime connection. For the first time, she didn’t care that she shouldn’t be doing this. It was the most sensual experience of her life.

  It was a moment in time just like before. Belle knew she should stop it, but how? It was like a potent drink—once you took that first drop and tasted the sweet nectar you just wanted to sip every last drop and even lick out the bottom. Dear God, what was happening to her?

  Ethan Thompson. That’s what was happening.

  “Sweetheart, I would love for us to make love right here and now.”

  “Why do I hear a ‘but’ in your tone?”

  Ethan rested his forehead on hers. Belle moved her hands from around his neck to the large hands that rested on her hips, and covered them wrapping her fingers with his. She felt safe when he gripped hers and raised them above her head. It seemed as though Ethan couldn’t stop himself. He kissed her again, rendering her boneless against the onslaught of those warm, soft lips.

  Every time she thought he’d finished, he started all over again. His tongue was persistent and it danced sensually with hers. The solid pressure of his hard body against hers told her that she was going nowhere soon.

  Only the need for air separated them but he only moved back far enough so that he could kiss his way down her neck, moving her sweater to one side so that he could rain small soft kisses along her collarbone.

  She tipped her head to one side.” I think that we either stop this now or move to somewhere more comfortable.”

  “You don’t like being ravished against the wall.” He chuckled and then pursed his lips as he lifted his head to look at her.

  “I like it too much,” she said as her mind carved out every detail of his handsome face. She wasn’t sure what was happening…the baby was something they had made together and although the feelings in her heart were strong for Ethan— and had been the first moment she set eyes on him— the thought of him wanting her just because she was pregnant with his child made her wince inwardly

  At this instant she could see the desire in his eyes and that decided her to take this moment where he wanted her and not what she represented. A responsibility that he’d not asked for.

  How lucky was she to have a memory of something that was so very special. If it hadn’t been for the baby maybe they would have taken this further. Her heartbeat reverberated through her ears…Holy cow, she didn’t just have feelings for this man…Belle was in love with him! Was that even possible after only being with him once?

  “Did I kiss you enough?”

  “Not nearly enough,” she whispered.

  His grin was so captivating, she wondered if he knew how utterly sexy he was when he smiled at her with that desire in his eyes.

  “However I believe that before you kissed me you were about to object to us getting somewhat closer than we have been,” she teased.

  “That was before you suggested us getting comfortable.” His gravelly voice was sexy to her ears.

  Her nipples hardened painfully against the wool of her sweater.

  “While I would willingly follow you up those stairs, you obviously were worried enough to say something.” She gave him a gentle shove and took his hand so that he followed her into the sitting room.

  His groan made Belle grin as she pushed him to sit on the sofa and before joining him she stepped over to the already laid fire that was always the first job of the day…thankfully. Lighting the kindling around the coal it sparked immediately and before getting up, she reached over to switch on the Christmas tree lights. The fire crackled to life and the garland which surrounded the fireplace glowed with the lights that were decorated around it.

  She didn’t switch the lamps on, it was romantic enough as the room glowed with Christmas cheer; it reminded her that it was Christmas Eve. Picking up the remote control, she switched the television to the music channel where they were playing seasonal music.

  “Are you coming to sit by me or are you going to avoid the inevitable in which case I’ll have to come over there and get comfortable. I like the kissing.”

  A shiver of pleasure smoothed its way inside her. Keeping her hands of him was never going to work He was delicious, kind, and gentle all the things she would want in a man…a father to her child.

  “Sit.” His tone indicated that if she didn’t he would come over to her. The expression on his face left her wanting to feel those kisses again, but he was right. They needed to talk.

  Ethan couldn’t keep his hands off her. As soon as she sat down he pulled her close, his arm going along her shoulders, and his fingers caressing her neck with intense purpose. Having a serious conversation with him while he did that was going to be difficult.

  Every single caress created a reaction that rippled through her body until even the soles of her feet tingled. It was the same uncontrollable feeling she’d had six months ago…that same touch that had gotten her into trouble the last time they met. Trouble of the pregnant kind.

  “You know I want nothing more than to take you to bed and keep you there for days, months…forever,” he said the tips of his fingers caressing the skin along the inside of her sweater.

  Bella swallowed, this was getting a trite serious, keeping her expression neutral was difficult and hard to deal with. The feel of his fingers as they rubbed up and down her neck nearly undid her. Damn if it took all her strength just not to turn into him, and ravish him there and then.

  “But?”

  “First of all, I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re pregnant.”

  “Umm, I know that, Ethan.”

  “Are pregnant ladies allowed to have…sex?” He looked a little sheepish and she burst out laughing.

  “Listen, I haven’t had sex since we made this little thing inside of me. Just now, you made me remember why I enjoyed it so much with you. It’s perfectly safe for us to get involved with extracurricular activities.” She couldn’t help the chuckle that erupted from her chest.

  Belle turned her body and faced him, her right leg tucked beneath her as she fiddled with the hem of the throw pillow beside her. His arm fell away leaving her immediately bereft of its warmth.

  “Is this because I won’t commit to your preconceived idea of how we should deal with the pregnancy?”

  “No, I understand that you think I’m just doing my duty…but I’m not. I really want you to come home with me, I want to take care of you and the baby.” He spread his fingers on her belly. “I want to make sure that I do everything I’m meant to, in taking care of your needs.”

  His unwavering support of her requirements pleased Belle and gave her hope that she did actually mean something to him. Gazing at him her skin sizzled at the contact of his fingers smoothing her belly; with each movement he pushed her sweater further and further away. She almost held her breath waiting for the contact of skin on skin.

  “So what does this mean?” She raised her shoulders “Do we just ignore the attraction we have for one another just because I won’t commit to what you want me to do.
”

  He took her fingers and brought them up to his lips. “No what we do now is get to know each other a little better. What’s your favourite colour? Time of year you like the most? Do you want a boy or girl?”

  Belle smiled at him encouraged by his words. “Browns and golds, Christmas…I don’t care what the sex is as long as he or she is healthy.”

  He looked past her to the window. He took hold of both her hands, pulled her up and kissed her hard on her mouth. Come on, let’s have lunch then we can go for a walk.”

  Her eyes widened as she looked beyond his shoulder and out the window. “But it’s snowing?”

  “It will be fun,” he said as he pulled her through to the kitchen.

  “Freezing cold.”

  “Fun.”

  Belle shivered, but she hid the smile secretly pleased he’d suggested the outing.

  ****

  Ethan grabbed Belle’s hand as they walked down the steps from her home. For a moment he thought she was going to pull away but then her fingers enfolded his. He’d wrapped up warm the same as her; he liked the way the red wool hat hugged her head, the wide matching scarf was wrapped around her neck several times and her mittens reminded him of a similar pair his sister wore.

  He breathed in the smell of pine needles in the crisp winter air and thoughts of home filled his mind. They walked down the small road that led away from Belle’s home and the trees either side of them soared upwards; some of the branches drooped beneath the heavy weight of the fallen snow.

  Even though it was early afternoon the light was fading, the sun was just peeping through the clouds. It was retreating fast leaving an almost mystical glow on the snow. The silence was only broken by their boots crunching in the condensed pure white flakes and the occasional thud of snow falling from the over-laden branches.

  When he gripped her mittened hand, she turned to look at him and he smiled.

  “What?” she asked as he held her gaze.

  “You haven’t been this quiet since I got here.”

  “I’m thinking.”

  “I know I can hear you,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

  “Funny man,” she replied. “Tell me what sort of guy just takes off from his home looking for a woman he had a …fling with.”

  “One who was irresponsible with birth control.”

  “And that’s the only reason?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, when we–” she cleared her throat “When we had sex, was it just sex?”

  Ethan stopped walking making her stumble. He caught her by the waist stabilising them both as she came face to face with him.

  “Initially it was chemistry, I felt.” He smiled “So did you, but Belle, we didn’t just have sex, we made love creating something that is totally amazing.” He felt the pull in his chest, his voice had just lowered by a few octaves as he thought of what was inside of her…a part of them both united into a human form that would be as precious as the air he breathed.

  He turned up her collar against the cold breeze pulling her closer as he did. It wasn’t what he’d intended to do but it just happened.

  “Belle. What made you sleep with me that day?”

  She laughed. “I think we both know that sleeping wasn’t on the agenda.”

  “Don’t be facetious.” He narrowed his eyes.

  The smile on her face disappeared instantly, and he knew she had been trying to lighten the mood but they needed to get this out in the open.

  Belle let out a deep sigh and the cold air furled in front of her. “I don’t know, Ethan. I’ve never done anything like that before.” She shrugged her shoulders, her hands were lying on his chest. “Let’s keep walking, it will be dark soon. We will have to turn back.”

  He let go of her, and for a moment just watched her small frame go ahead of him. What the hell was the matter with him? He’d never in his life been like this, but then, he’d never gotten a woman pregnant before.

  He strode forward catching up with her and they walked side by side quietly.

  “Do you want to see something?” she asked him her breathlessness meeting the cold air in a swirl.

  “What?”

  She took hold of his hand pulling him down a small path. He hadn’t realized how big the property was, although they’d been walking for about ten minutes they were still on the drive that led to the B&B.

  “Hey, slow down or you’ll fall,” he admonished as he took hold of her hand more firmly.

  She laughed. “I’ve been walking down this path for more years than I can remember. I could do it in the dark.”

  “That may be the case but the snow is deep here.”

  They walked a further one hundred yards when Belle suddenly stopped beside a home-made swing attached to two trees. An old tyre was covered in snow and she cleared it off before sitting on it.

  “When my mum and dad fell in love, my Gran said they were inseparable.” She pushed her feet on the ground making the swing move slowly backwards and forwards. “They used to sit here together. Well, my dad sat on it and Mum sat on his lap.”

  “Do you remember them?”

  “She shook her head. “No, I was too young when they died but when I come here I feel close to them. My dad built this for my mum when she was expecting me…he carved their names into the tree.” She jumped off the swing. “Look.”

  He took a step towards her leaning down to see what she was showing him. Belle took of her glove of to trace the lettering. “Stephen loves Bella and baby xx”

  “You have your mum’s name.”

  She nodded.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Belle turned to him her head tilted back a smile on her face. “What for?”

  “For missing out.”

  “I never went without, financially or emotionally…my gran loved me fiercely she was my mum and dad rolled into one. I had a very happy childhood.”

  When he thought about his own parents and the loss of his dad when he was twelve Ethan understood. However he was lucky still to have his mom and siblings, he reminded himself how lucky he was to have the family he did.

  “This is how I know that I can do this on my own. You don’t need to feel responsible. It was just sex.”

  Without thought, he bent down and kissed her. He had meant it to be soft and caring but instead within seconds it was intense and hungry as a need rippled through him not just sex but something more intense.

  Chapter 7

  Belle didn’t have a chance to pull back. A strong hunger rippled through her, the chemistry between them so strong that she was sure the heat from them would melt the snow around their feet. It was a kiss so erotic, so explicitly sexual that she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck surrendering to the moment.

  “Jesus, Belle—” Ethan moaned the words against her mouth. Warm breath meeting cold air funnelled around them as they both sought control. He had one hand wrapped around the back of her neck and the other on her lower back pressing her close to him.

  Belle thought it amazing that he was more than at least a foot taller than her but their thighs were pressed together. She was very aware of his hardness and the heat that was emanating from him. Her fingers grasped at the front of his jacket inadvertently pulling him closer, wanting more than he was giving.

  He walked her so that her back was against the tree, she would have lost her balance if he hadn’t steadied them both. His hand rested beside her face against the trunk, and still he kept his mouth on hers, effortlessly gliding. The moan that was elicited from her chest only interrupted by her whispering his name.

  Her fingers fumbled with the buttons, one glove on and one off wasn’t enough for her, the need to feel him with both hands was overwhelming. She slipped off her other glove letting it fall to the ground. Belle’s fingers sought and found the hard muscle she knew existed. His scent, the smell of the pine trees around them, drove her further into a haze. Time no longer meant anything.

  She
gasped when his cold fingers settled on her breast. His thumb dragged over her hardened nipple.

  Jesus. She barely registered the sudden cold from the snow that dropped onto their heads from the branches above. The erotic glide of his tongue against hers made the muscles in her tummy contract as the heat pooled lower down.

  The only sound was the beating of her heart as it pumped the blood around her body. The silence around them was almost spiritual; their passion locked inside the cloak of magic that echoed the love of her parents.

  When Ethan slowly lifted his head it was as if he was caught in a battle between want and willpower. Bella lifted her lashes, dazed as he looked down at her with eyes that were deep and dark, full of want and desire. His mouth was unsmiling as he buttoned up her coat before crouching down to pick up her gloves.

  “So now you have your answer.” He stepped back away from her.

  “Answer?” She could still taste him on her lips.

  “Sex, one night?”

  She frowned gazing at him dizzily wondering in her heart how any man could kiss her like he did, and make her feel completely brain dead.

  He tugged her hand. “Come on its getting dark.”

  Ethan walked at her pace, and she was glad; it gave her time to reflect. Each and every time he kissed her, Belle fell just that bit harder. God, it was going to be so difficult to turn him away. There was no way she could marry this man knowing that he could fall in love with someone and hate her at the same time

  “Stop it.”

  “Huh, what?”

  “You’re thinking again and I just know they’re not good thoughts.”

  “How do you know that,” she asked hating the way he was able to do that. What was he a mind reader? Damn!

  “Because the look on your face says it all…you have very expressive eyes, Belle.”

  Do I really?

  She looked down trying to hide the windows to her soul. They reached the steps to her home and he turned the handle, propelling her in with his hand resting on the small of her back.