All He Wants For Christmas

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

“Yes, yes, yes,” she called out. “Please.”

  “Then just relax and let me take you there.”

  Gabriel didn’t wait for a response. Gripping her thighs, he plunged his tongue into her sex. Deep. Carol gasped, cried out, then started mewling as his nose continued the exquisite pressure against her clit. With precision and an almost desperate need to please her, Gabriel started thrusting in and out of her, keeping his tongue hard and flat. She responded at once, trying to get more, closer, bucking her hips. But he held her still, trying to make sure he kept contact with her clit.

  Over and over, Carol called out his name as he tongued her, her hunger and fuck, her juices, fueling Gabriel’s need to make her explode. And when he felt the rise, the tremble—the pure invasion of climax upon her—he pulled out and covered her entire clit with his mouth.

  She screamed and started furiously bucking, her hands fisting the sheets, her head rolling from side to side. But Gabriel didn’t release her. She was his. And he suckled every twitch and spasm out of her until she went still, until she lay there, utterly undone.

  And then he reached for the nightstand and grabbed a condom.

  Breathing fast and furious, eyes wild and hungry, Carol stared up and him. “More.”

  It wasn’t a question. It was a demand.

  Grinning, he sheathed himself right in front of her, then settled once again between her legs. “Oh, yeah. So much more.”

  Grabbing her legs, he placed one on each of his shoulders.

  Her eyes widened and she grinned. “I can’t wait,” she whispered. “To know what you feel like—”

  Her words became a gasp as Gabriel buried himself inside her with one thrust.

  “Oh God,” she moaned, her head pressing back into the pillow. “Oh, yes. Best. Christmas. Ever.”

  Gabriel laughed, darkly, hotly. Couldn’t help himself. This woman…she made him feel things. All kinds of things he didn’t know he still possessed. Happiness, hunger, vulnerability, the need to connect—the need to fuck someone you really cared about.

  The need to claim someone’s heart for your own.

  When he started to move, she went with him. It was almost impossible to keep himself from coming. She was so hot, so wet, her walls still trembling from her orgasm. All he wanted to do was pound himself into her, come, catch his breath and do it all over again. But he wasn’t giving in to that hungry bastard just now.

  His eyes on hers, he fucked her nice and slow. In and out, deeper and deeper, holding himself there, then pressing the head of his cock against the spot that made her moan and quiver every time.

  “I want you to come again,” he said, taking her legs from his shoulders and letting her wrap them around his waist. He leaned down and took her face in his hands, kissed her, tasted her delicious sweat. “Give me that sweet present, baby.”

  She nodded. “Make me fly, Gabriel.”

  He grinned. God, he could fall for this woman.

  Too late, his mind, and the heart he’d believed was irrevocably broken, informed him. You’re so gone, buddy. Fallen. She belongs to you. And you belong to her.

  As Gabriel pumped inside her, demonstrating that unspoken union, Carol wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. It was truly a connection unlike any other. And he would never be without it again.

  As his mouth covered hers, their tongues twining, he felt the muscles in her sex start to ripple around his cock. And when she cried out into his mouth, he lost all control and drove into her. Over and over and over. Balls deep. Soul deep. Following her. Flying with her. Exploding along with her.

  His Christmas wish.

  His Christmas Carol.

  It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.

  -W. T. Ellis

  Chapter 7

  Stark sunshine played on the lids of Carol’s eyes, coaxing her to wake. She grumbled against it. At her back was the most delicious heat, and she wanted more of it. She pressed against it, and instantly a strong, masculine arm snaked around her waist, and a low growl sounded near her ear.

  “Merry Christmas, baby,” Gabriel said.

  She shivered. “Put a stocking on, Mr. Fox, and get inside me.”

  A soft chuckle met her words, and then he was gone for a moment. When he returned, she felt him, sheathed and hard as granite against her ass. She wriggled her bottom at him and he responded by pressing one of her legs forward with his knee.

  “Better access, baby,” he said, nipping at her ear.

  Heat surged into her and she arched her back, waiting for the delicious feeling of his thick cock sliding into her. And thank God, she didn’t have too wait long. With a soft growl, Gabriel pushed inside her, deep as he could go. The delicious invasion made Carol gasp, made her walls tighten around him, and she sighed with absolute contentment.

  “I can’t ever let you leave this bed,” he said, moving inside her with languid, steady thrusts. “You know that, right?”

  “Promises, promises,” she uttered, turning her head so he could kiss her.

  It was truly the most perfect morning ever. As Gabriel attended to her mouth, he made sweet love to her body, his hands slipping around her to capture her breasts. Time stood still and the sun cast radiant beams over their skin as Gabriel kneaded her sensitive flesh and thrust in and out of her wet sex. And all too soon, she felt the quickening of certain orgasm.

  “That’s right, baby,” he uttered, nipping at her lips. “Come for me. I love it when your walls squeeze me. Fuck, yes!”

  Heat spread through her like a wildfire that would never be contained. A fire that didn’t want to be contained. She ripped her mouth from his and let her cries, her screams of release be heard. To the empty house, the silent, snowy mountain, and him. The man she was falling hard and fast for. And as she did, Gabriel followed. Holding her tightly, grazing his teeth down her neck, pumping madly into her, completely unable to slow until they were both smiling and breathing easier and happy. So, so very happy.

  For several long, languid minutes, they lay together, still connected, cooling. Gabriel caressed her arm, and whispered things he wanted to do to her. If time allowed.

  “But I have to be at my parents by ten,” she said, all the while circling her hips.

  Gabriel groaned and thrust his hips forward.

  Carol sucked air between her teeth. “Might have to wait until later.”

  “Hell no.” He pulled out of her and sat up.

  “Where are you going?” she complained with what she hoped was a sexy pout.

  “I’ve got the perfect solution. Two hot and sexy birds, one rock hard stone.” He gave her a wicked grin.

  Lying on her side, she propped her head on her hand and stared him. All that gorgeous male flesh. Merry Christmas to me. “Whatever you’re talking about, I’m loving it already.”

  “Give me five minutes.” He was up and out of bed. And in seconds, Carol heard the shower running.

  Got it. Perfect.

  She could just see it now. Hands splayed on the tile, back arched, hot water pelting her skin…and Gabriel behind her.

  Her sex clenched in anticipation.

  “Get in here, baby!” he called from the bathroom. “And let me make you wet all over again.”

  Oh, my. Guess it was going to be her back to the tiles and her hands in his hair first.

  Her muscles quivered. Best. Christmas. Ever.

  She scrambled off the bed and was just coming to her feet when her cell buzzed. For two seconds, she thought about ignoring it. But if it was her parents she needed to get it. They might want her to grab something from the gas station. Eggs. Or extra milk.

  But it wasn’t her parents. It was a text. From Babs.

  You won’t believe who bought the building. Your very hot Gabriel Fox. WTF?

  Merry Christmas! Love you. Sorry for the shitty news.

  Carol stood there, staring at her phone, her heart threatening to beat right out of her chest. She read it again. Then again. Hoping that someth
ing would change. Hoping that his name would disappear and another name would somehow, miraculously be in its place. But it didn’t disappear. Her mind started to race. She sat back on the bed. Ten seconds ago, she was in paradise. Celebrating the best Christmas of her adult life. And now…

  “Fine,” came the dark and wickedly sexual voice she’d thought she’d never want to stop hearing. “I’ll get you wet right here.”

  As he started for her, naked and glorious, his smile broad and happy, she grabbed the sheet and thrust it to her chest. “Don’t come near me.”

  The sudden shift in mood stunned Gabriel and he froze. “What’s wrong?” He noticed the cell in her hand. “What happened? Is it your parents?”

  “No.”

  “Carol?” Again, he started toward her.

  “Stop.” Her eyes blazed into him as every inch of her skin went hot and sensitized. “It was you?” She shook her head. “You bought my building?”

  It was the last thing he was expecting. Clearly. He didn’t say anything at first. Just stared at her. But the expression on his face said it all. Finally, he sighed and said, “I did.”

  Pain lanced at her heart. “Why?”

  “Carol—” He tried to reach for her.

  “Stay away from me,” she warned, getting to her feet. “God, I’m such an idiot.”

  “Fuck…no,” he ground out, slamming his fingers through his hair. “You’re amazing. And wonderful. I’m the only idiot here.”

  She didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want to hear any self-flagellation from him. “I’ve got to get out of here.” She rounded the bed, looking for her clothes.

  “No.”

  Pants. Shirt. Bra. She threw them on, hating that he was seeing her naked. Even after the night and the morning they’d had. Moments of such intense intimacy. But it had all been a lie, hadn’t it?

  While she’d been dressing, Gabriel had thrown on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. “I don’t want you to go. Please. Just let me explain.”

  “Explain what?” She stuffed her feet into her shoes. They felt stiff and tired. “Why you’ve been lying to me? You could’ve told me last night.” She was nearly to the door of his bedroom when she had a realization. She felt the blood drain from her face. “Oh my God. You didn’t think I’d sleep with you if I knew. That’s why you didn’t tell me.”

  “That’s not why!”

  “I don’t believe you!” She charged out of the room and headed for the kitchen.

  He was right behind her. “Fuck! I didn’t tell you because I changed my mind.”

  She didn’t reply. She was texting the Holly Cab Company as she walked. At least one person would be on duty today. She sent them the address and told them it was an emergency.

  Once she hit the kitchen, she grabbed her purse and looked for anything and everything she might’ve left there.

  “Listen to me, Carol,” Gabriel was saying, trying to get her to look at him. “I bought that building to punish you, yes. Destroy your life because you destroyed mine. Yes. Fuck.”

  “Oh my God.” He’d admitted it. Right there. She could barely breathe. She rushed out of the kitchen and headed for the foyer. Her throat tight, she threw open the front door and prayed the cab would show up before she broke down.

  Gabriel was right behind her. “But I changed my mind, Carol.”

  “How great for you.” She flew down the stairs. The cab wasn’t there yet. Of course it wasn’t.

  “It’s freezing. Come back inside.”

  “Never,” she ground out.

  “Carol, it’s Christmas.”

  She rounded on him and said with pure, unadulterated venom, “There’s more goddamned dysfunction in that house than in the one I saved you from!”

  Her words fairly echoed over the mountain. And Gabriel just stood there, saying nothing. By the look in his eyes, those amazing ice blue eyes, she’d hurt him. But it was nothing to what he’d just done to her.

  She heard the cab pull into the driveway, and without another word, she turned from him and ran. It was a miracle she made it inside before the tears started to flow.

  * * *

  Revenge, anger, resentment. They had all fed on his heart and soul and turned him into something unrecognizable. Something dark and sad, and, if he was being truthful, sinister. For the past ten years, he’d allowed himself to live there. In that sad darkness. Feeding it and feeding it.

  Asshole.

  Gabriel pulled into the Cardinis’ driveway, knowing full well that it was Christmas day, that Carol had probably told her family everything, and that he wouldn’t be welcome. But he had to try. In fact, he’d keep trying, until she listened to him.

  If it were possible, the Cardinis’ house was even more homey and festive than it had been the night before. Maybe it was the bright morning sunshine that made the whole place glow. Maybe it was how he was seeing the world now. Through real eyes, instead of muddy, overcast lenses.

  It was Mike who answered the door. He was still wearing his pajamas, and looked tired and pissed. Exactly like a brother should look.

  “I know I’m the last person you guys want hanging around here,” Gabriel said. “But I need to talk to her. Just for a minute. Please.”

  “She doesn’t want to talk to you,” Mike told him, blocking the entrance.

  “I know.”

  “I should punch you in the face.”

  “Yeah, you should,” Gabriel agreed.

  Mike’s eyes bugged. “What?”

  “I’m saying do it. I deserve it. Punch the shit out of me, then please go and get your sister.”

  Mike stared at him for a second, then wilted. “I don’t want to punch you, man. But what you did—”

  “I know.” Gabriel exhaled heavily. “I’ve been fucked up for a long time now. I’m done. But I need to tell her that. I need to tell her that she’s the reason I can fucking smile, and feel and—”

  “Come in, Gabe.” Jack Cardini hustled his son out of the way and motioned for Gabriel to come inside. “She’s in the living room.”

  Gabriel couldn’t believe it. Instead of knocking him out, cussing him out, telling him how worthless he was, and not fit to even look at their daughter, this man was inviting Gabriel into his home. These people, parents of the woman he’d betrayed, were inviting him into their home.

  When Gabriel walked into the living room, he saw Kay first. She was seated on the couch. She looked up when he came in and gave him a cautious smile. “You two need to talk.”

  “No,” Carol said, coming out from the shadows of the unlit Christmas tree. “I have nothing to say to him.”

  “I think you do, honey.”

  “Fine.” She strode over to him, her eyes red from crying, and said, “Go to hell, Mr. Fox. And I hope the ceiling of the hotel you’re going to build on my property caves in the night you’re staying there.”

  “Carol!” her mother shrieked.

  “No,” Gabriel said, taking in the woman he’d fallen so hard and fast for. She looked disheveled and upset and gorgeous, and he just wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. But he didn’t even try to touch her. Not yet. “She’s got every right to be pissed at me. Furious at me.” His eyes implored her to look at him. Deep. Inside his head. “But know this, Carol—all of you—I’m not tearing anything down. I’ve already contacted my lawyer. I’m putting the building in your name.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, but she swiped them away. “You think that’s going to make everything better?” she asked him. “Use your money—”

  “No,” he said quickly and decidedly. “I don’t think anything’s going to make this, you and me, better. But it’s all I care about. You’re all I care about.” His voice broke, and he didn’t give a shit. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Carol.”

  Kay let out a little gasp.

  “It’s crazy, I know,” he said, shaking his head. “And maybe it started that night you saved me. Because make no mistake—you did save me.” He reached for her ha
nd. Just one. And when she miraculously allowed him to take it, he held it tight. “Just listen to me. For one last minute and then I’ll go. What you did, it was a blessing. I couldn’t see it then, but I see it now. It made me look at myself. It made me see the truth. Both of the past and the present. But more importantly, what you did that night, it got me here, to you.”

  She was listening now. Her lip was quivering and her eyes were filled with tears.

  “All I ever wanted was a family. I think that kind of deep want does things to a person. It made me cold and cynical, and it made me lash out at the one person who cared enough to speak up.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “Thank you, Carol Cardini. Thank you for saving me.”

  He turned to go. As promised, he wasn’t going to stick around and ruin their Christmas. He’d just wanted her to know the truth. Know how he felt.

  But Carol didn’t let go of his hand.

  Gabriel’s heart pulsed inside his chest. His eyes were pinned to hers.

  “Oh, Gabriel,” she said, blinking back tears. “You have a family here. You always did.”

  The room fell silent as Gabriel took in her words. With stunning happiness and deep humility, he pulled her up and into his arms and held her close. “I love you, Carol.”

  She squeezed him back. “I love you, too.”

  “All right, all right,” Kay said, tears in her voice. “Enough of this. It’s Christmas. Turn on the tree, Jack. Get the coffee, Mike. We have breakfast to eat and presents to open. Lots of Christmas wishes under there. Even a few for Gabriel.”

  His heart full and content for the first time in his life, Gabriel eased back and took in the beautiful woman before him, the woman who’d changed him forever. “I’ve got my Christmas wish right here, Kay,” he said, smiling. “And it’s one I know will last a lifetime.”

  Beaming, Carol wrapped her arms around his neck, and as the carols played and the lights flickered and the family talked and laughed and loved, Gabriel pulled her in for the deepest and most ardent Christmas kiss.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to Holly! The town where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. Well, at least for my character, Carol. Happy, optimistic Carol brings joy to everyone she meets. Unfortunately, gorgeous grinch billionaire Gabriel is hell-bent on destroying that joy. But can the spirit of Christmas and the love of a great woman change and heal a man’s broken heart?