All He Wants For Christmas

by Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Laura Wright, Skye Jordan

  She wasn’t sure how to take that at all, but she knew she didn’t like the knot in the pit of her stomach. “Why?”

  “I’ve been single a long time. You knocked me on my ass when we met. Then when we got together, it was intense. I pussied out. There’s no other excuse for it. But I want another chance, to start over with you.”

  “No.” She held up a hand when he started to protest. “I like you Jackson, but no. We can be friends.” She wasn’t going to give him more than that. Because what happened when she let him back in and he got ‘scared’ again? No way. Her last real boyfriend had bailed when she’d gotten guardianship of Sasha.

  His jaw tightened, the gleam in his eyes something she couldn’t quite define. “Friends?”

  She nodded. “We were friends before. We’ll just pretend that little…date never happened.” Even as she said it, her cheeks warmed up. Pretending she’d never felt his hands and mouth on her body was going to be very hard. She’d missed him so much; more than she would admit to anyone. She’d missed the way he made her feel just by being in the same room, the way he always made her smile, the way—

  He took a small step forward, slightly crowding her against the glass counter. He didn’t touch her, but placed his hands on either side of her, caging her in. A subtle, spicy masculine scent teased her nose, wrapping around her and making it difficult to think straight. That and the way he was looking down at her with unrestrained lust in his gaze. “You want me to pretend I’ve never kissed you, never seen those pretty pink nipples shiny from my kisses?”

  His words sent a rush of heat through her, flooding between her legs with no warning. Her nipples tightened as well as she remembered him doing exactly that. She resisted the urge to squirm. “Yes.” The word came out as a scratchy whisper.

  He leaned a fraction closer. “Pretend I’ve never felt your slickness on my fingers and watched you come apart in my arms?”

  Oh, God. His words set her on fire. She ached for him everywhere, the pulse between her legs wild and out of control. It was almost too much. Somehow she managed to nod, which was good, because she couldn’t find her voice.

  He watched her for a long moment, those intense eyes searching hers. For a second she thought he might kiss her. The weakest part of her considered letting him, but he just nodded and stepped back a few inches.

  She immediately missed the warmth of him—and cursed herself for it. But at least she could breathe now that he’d given her space. It was as if all her surroundings came back in a rush; Jackson O’Connor was no longer her sole focus. It was like she’d completely forgotten where she was. This man was dangerous in so many ways. Even being friends with him was going to wreak havoc on her senses.

  “Are you free tonight? To get together—as friends.” The last word held a note of distaste.

  A small part of her was disappointed that he was accepting just friendship so easily, but she knew it was for the best. “I can’t. Sasha and I are going Christmas tree shopping.”

  He blinked, all lust fading to be replaced by shock. “You don’t have a tree yet? Christmas is in—”

  “Four days, I know.” She threw up her hands in mock self-defense. “Sasha was crazy with school and I’ve been the same with work since she got out for winter break. It just got away from us. And in my defense, it’s Christmas here year round. It’s easy to lose track of time.”

  “I can meet you guys here, help you lug it home.” The offer sounded innocent enough, but there as a glint of well, hunger, in his gaze as he said it.

  “Look, Jackson—”

  “As friends. Seriously. You’re never going to be able to get a proper sized tree tied down on your car roof.”

  She hated that he was right. She’d been dreading trying to figure out how they’d even get a tree home. Since she lived downtown she’d thought about just dragging it. “If Sasha’s fine with it, then okay.”

  “I, uh, saw her yesterday.”

  “She told me.”

  “She also tell you I dropped an F bomb?”

  Nora’s lips twitched. “Yeah but I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure she’s heard worse at school.” The fact that he looked guilty about it, however, just served to melt her heart even more. Which only annoyed her. There would be no melting for Jackson O’Connor.

  “Want me to meet you here after work?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to let one of the girls close up so five is good if it works for you.” And if Sasha was fine with him coming.

  “I’ll be here at five unless you tell me otherwise.”

  “Okay.”

  When he left she ordered herself not to stare at him as he walked away but it was hard not to drink in the sight of him. Thick, muscular legs, a tight…gah. They were just going to be friends from now on.

  Unfortunately she figured that was something she’d have to remind herself of more than once. And that pretty much sucked. She’d allowed herself to see a future with him, especially after he’d opened up to her, had told her that he wanted to be with her and no one else. Now…she shook her head. She wouldn’t allow herself to go there. Not again.

  Chapter 3

  Jackson cursed under his breath when he saw his mom stepping out of Silver Bells. Her auburn hair fell right below her shoulders and had clearly just been styled. He loved his mother, but she was going to ask what he was doing and if he told her the truth she’d offer advice about courting Nora, as she put it.

  Her blue eyes lit up when she saw him. “My favorite son.” Smiling, she pulled him into a tight hug.

  “You say that to all of us,” he murmured, laughing against the top of her head. For such a petite woman she had a firm grip. “Hair looks good.”

  Stepping back, she patted it lightly. “It does, doesn’t it? I heard you were in here yesterday buying flowers.”

  His lips quirked up. “Is there a question in there?”

  “Don’t be smart with me. And no, because I also heard from Macy Baker that you gave them to Nora. Why haven’t you invited that girl to our Christmas Eve dinner?”

  “We’re just friends.” Unfortunately. His fault. “Besides I think she’s going to the Winter Wonderland Festival.”

  “So? Invite her as your friend. She can come after the festival. Half the town’s going to be there. Oh, invite Sasha too. I just love those girls. Best thing that ever happened to that shop was Nora taking over.” She snorted and flicked a glance down the semi-crowded sidewalk. “Doesn’t even look like the same place anymore.”

  He nodded in agreement. An aunt, some distant relative of Nora’s on her father’s side, had left the place to her because she was the only family left. Before Nora had whipped it into shape the place had been a used bookstore in serious need of help. It had been the only eyesore on Main Street. “It’s not.”

  “Oh, I heard through the grapevine that there are a few young men interested in Nora. Some have asked her out—and she’s said yes. Thought you might want to know.” Her tone was so mild she might as well have been talking about the weather. Before he could respond she’d turned on her heel, her long green coat billowing at the ends as she swiveled.

  Jackson frowned as he continued down the sidewalk. Since his mom was just coming from the beauty shop there was no doubt she’d heard all the latest gossip of the week. And young men to his mom were guys his age. He couldn’t blame anyone for being interested in Nora. She was beautiful, smart and sweet. Didn’t mean he had to like it. He wanted to know who had asked her out, but knew that would be a bad idea to actually ask Nora. He had to play things right with her. He wouldn’t win her affection by grilling her about potential dates.

  “Jackson.”

  Blinking, he realized he’d reached Nora’s shop and she was standing outside, bundled up in a thick black pea coat, crimson scarf and a red and white, knitted cap with candy canes on it. She half-smiled. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” He’d just been lost in his thoughts—something that never happened to him. He ha
d situational awareness at all times. It had been drilled into him in the Navy, specifically when he was with the SEALs. He could traverse any terrain on the planet, kill someone countless ways with his bare hands and can and had survived behind enemy lines with his team on more than one occasion. But the thought of Nora going out with someone else twisted him up. He could try to chalk it up to simple jealousy but it was more than that. “I like your cap.”

  “Sasha told me it was geeky.”

  He lifted his shoulders. “I like geeky.” Or her brand of it. God, he adored everything about her. He’d never had a problem with women. Not talking to them and certainly not bedding them. With Nora, he seemed to lose most of his charm because it was too damn hard to think and breathe around her. Mainly because he knew that she was it for him. He’d known on one level that once they crossed the line from friends to lovers things would change, but after their date he’d realized that it was more than a simple change. He’d seen his bachelorhood completely wiped out. He was fine with that, wanted a future with Nora, but it had knocked his legs out from under him. Which was a lame excuse for why he’d stopped calling her, but there it was.

  Her cheeks flushed pink; a delicious shade he’d seen her turn when he’d made her come. Something he shouldn’t be thinking about right now. Too late to forget about it though. “Where’s Sasha?”

  “I was just about to call you. She cancelled because she wanted to hang out with friends instead.” Nora smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  Though she’d never say it, he knew that it likely hurt her. “She’s seventeen.”

  “I know. God, am I that transparent? I’m glad she’s made so many friends since we moved here. I was just looking forward to getting a tree today.”

  “I’m still game.” Anything to hang out with Nora. He just loved being with her, and being alone with her was even better because it allowed him more time to show her that he was still the same guy he’d always been—and to win her over for good.

  “You sure? Don’t feel obligated—”

  “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. Come on.” He slung an arm around her shoulders in a completely friendly manner. At least that was what he told himself. He just wanted to touch her, to hold her close—to claim her mouth so intently she never wanted to walk away from him. When she was pressed up against him, he always felt content in a way he’d never imagined. She simply fit with him; this was where she was supposed to be.

  Thankfully she leaned into him. “You smell good.”

  “Yeah?” He’d just come from his woodworking shop.

  “Like pine and some kind of oils.”

  “I finished up on my dad’s new rocking chair.” He’d been working on it for weeks.

  “Is it a Christmas present?” she asked as they maneuvered around a woman walking three poodles—all of them wearing little Santa hats. Poor pooches.

  “Yeah, been working on it the past few weeks.” The instant the words were out of his mouth he felt her stiffen just the slightest fraction. If they’d been talking the last three weeks it was something he would have shared with her. God, he was such a freaking idiot. “I’m right here,” he tacked on as they reached his truck. He’d managed to snag a spot right on Main Street.

  She stepped out of his embrace and he felt the loss immediately. “This will be so much easier to get the tree back to my place. Thanks again.”

  He didn’t audibly respond, just opened the passenger door for her. He didn’t want her thanks, he just wanted her—in his bed and in his life with a ring on her finger. Yeah, it was too soon for the ring, but he knew himself well enough that she was it for him and the ring would come soon enough. When he made a decision, he rarely changed his mind. Nora was his. Now he just needed to convince her.

  * * *

  “Jackson O’Connor. You’re not paying for that.” Nora went to snatch the cash out of his hand but he did some sort of smooth sidestep thing—unapologetically blocking her—as he passed the cash over to Mr. Collins, the man who ran the local Christmas tree lot.

  “You want me to help you load it up on the truck?” Mr. Collins asked, both the men completely ignoring her.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Jackson said.

  She followed after them, not holding onto her steam very well. She couldn’t exactly get mad that he’d paid for her tree, but it felt like too much for just a friend to do. Who was she kidding? She wanted more than friendship and knew he did too. And she only got whiplash thinking about that. She wanted to give him another chance, but…the hurt of the past few weeks was too fresh. She’d forgiven him, but she still felt raw.

  Refusing to think about that right now, she watched his graceful movements as he hoisted up one end of the tree as if it weighed absolutely nothing. He was wearing his favorite beat-up leather jacket that looked as if it had been custom made for him. A bomber jacket, dark jeans and work boots apparently equaled the sexiest thing she’d ever seen on a man. Or at least on Jackson. She loved the way it smelled too. Like leather, wood, oils and something masculine that was all him.

  Part of her hated that she’d felt his hands on her bare skin, stroking across her breasts, down her stomach and… Yeah, they were just friends all right. She nearly snorted at the thought. She missed his touch way too much for that to be true. And there had been nothing friendly about his teasing and kisses.

  Once the men had tied the tree down to the bed of the truck she slid into the passenger seat. “Jackson, you didn’t—”

  “I wanted to,” he said as he started the engine.

  “Okay, then thank you. And I’ll make you hot chocolate when we get back to my place. If you can stay?” She chose her words carefully because he’d just offered to help with the tree, nothing more.

  “Yeah, I’d love to.”

  That shouldn’t make her so happy, but knowing they’d get to spend more time together turned her inside out. She’d missed him so much these past few weeks. Settling into Holly had changed something inside her for the better. The people here were real and she finally felt like she’d come home. “I think Sasha is interested in a boy,” she said as he turned down a side street. Her townhome was only about five blocks away.

  He shot her a quick glance. “Who?”

  “I don’t know, that’s the problem. She’s been a little secretive lately and she’s always been nuts about texting but in the past few weeks it’s been out of control. And, it’s a girl thing, but I can tell from her expressions when she’s texting that it’s someone she’s into.”

  “She hasn’t said anything?”

  “No. And we’ve always shared everything with each other.” Nora had had to tow the mother-sister line pretty carefully since becoming Sasha’s official guardian. Though the truth was, she’d always been more of a mother than their own had been so slipping into the role hadn’t been much of a stretch.

  “You think that’s who she’s with today?”

  “Maybe. I mean, I don’t think she’d lie to me though.” Nora hoped not. They’d always been honest with each other and she’d made it clear that her sister could come to her about anything.

  “Fallon never said anything when she was interested in someone. It’s probably just a teenage girl thing.”

  Nora snorted. “Fallon probably didn’t say anything because of her three older brothers.”

  Jackson’s lips pulled up in a smile that melted Nora from the inside out. “Yeah, there’s that too.” He cleared his throat. “By the way, my mom wanted to know if you and Sasha were available on Christmas Eve. My parents do this big dinner party thing. No pressure though.” The words came out in a rush, which was unlike him.

  “Ah, I’ll let you know.” Christmas Eve dinner seemed like a big deal. She didn’t know from personal experience considering her own mother had rarely done anything special for the holidays, but she’d always tried to do something fun for Sasha the last few years. Even if it was just the two of them. A big thing with Jackson’s family sounded fun, if a little intimida
ting. Though she didn’t know his brothers well, she adored his sister and mother. She’d planned on going to the local festival but she could do that first.

  “I’d like you to come as well. In case that wasn’t clear.” The deep tone of his voice wrapped around her, making her lightheaded as it often did.

  She simply nodded, unable to find her voice. What was she doing, thinking they could just be friends? The longer she was around him, the clearer it was that was pretty much an impossible feat. Thankfully they’d reached her place and apparently it was a Christmas miracle because there was parking in front of the townhome next to hers.

  “If you get the door I’ll get the tree.”

  “You’re sure?” It was over six feet and pretty thick.

  Jackson just gave her a look that said he couldn’t believe she’d asked that question. And yeah, okay, it was clear he could get it by himself. That didn’t mean she wanted him to have to. Anticipation hummed inside her as she headed for the door. She might have said they were just going to be friends, but soon they’d be hanging out alone. She wasn’t sure she had the willpower to resist him, even to protect her heart.

  * * *

  Jackson lugged the tree into Nora’s place, ready to move ‘Operation Win Nora Over’ into full effect. If Sasha was out with friends, now was the perfect opportunity. “It smells like Christmas in here already,” he said, moving past the entryway into the foyer.

  She let out a light laugh and motioned to a glass bowl on the small table by the front door. “I sprayed the decorative pinecones with cinnamon oil.”

  “Where to?”

  “Living room. I’ve already got a place ready.” She held out a hand, motioning to the room right off the foyer.

  Careful with the blue spruce tree, he maneuvered it inside. Two gold and red throws were draped over her couches, stockings were up on the faux fireplace mantel and a stack of shiny presents were next to the window nook. She already had a gold tree skirt and stand laid out.

  “I’ll take this end while you maneuver the bottom in,” she said, moving up beside him. Her sweet vanilla scent teased him. Even with the Christmas scents permeating the air, he could pick out her scent anywhere. It was subtle and all Nora—and made him crazy.