From Paris With Love This Christmas

by Jules Wake

  ‘Yup,’ Jason swung through the door behind him with a crate of glasses. ‘Time to go home, Cinders.’

  Siena rolled her shoulders. Her body felt knackered but inside she felt a bit hyper.

  As she left the pub, following Jason out to the Land Rover, Will stuffed an envelope in her pocket. ‘You saved the day today. Well done.’

  Half way to the car, bouncing along on her very sore feet, feeling like she’d conquered the world, she had a thought. ‘Hang on, I’ll be right back.’

  When she came back to the car, Jason had started the engine and was looking at her curiously.

  ‘I can’t stand this anymore,’ she declared and began scooping all the rubbish out of the footwell in to a bin bag. ‘If I’m sharing this car with you, this is going.’

  ‘Blimey, you are the General today.’

  ‘Yes,’ she retorted, ‘and when we get home, you can put all of this in the recycling.’

  ‘Yes, boss.’

  Happy that she’d laid claim to her seat, she chucked the bulging black sack in the back of the car.

  ‘That feels much better.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Jason had the grace to look a bit shame-faced, she was pleased to see.

  ‘Gosh, I feel like going dancing.’ Siena stretched her arms.

  ‘Dancing? I thought your feet would be killing you.’

  ‘They are, but I feel like doing something.’ Today had been one of the happiest of her life. She buzzed with the sense of achievement and satisfaction. It had been fun and she’d fitted. She belonged. She had friends. Real friends.

  ‘I’ve never worked so hard in my life. You are a slave driver, woman.’

  ‘Yes.’ She grinned happily. ‘I am.’

  ‘You were bloody amazing today.’

  Siena remembered the envelope Will had given her. Five ten pound notes fell out onto her lap.

  ‘Wow. Will’s given me fifty quid.’

  ‘Good,’ grunted Jason, ‘he owes you. I nearly decked him this morning.’

  ‘I noticed,’ her voice turned husky at the memory, not of him defending her but the way he’d done it with such gentle firmness. Without violence. It said so much about him. Her heart flip-flopped.

  ‘He was out of order.’ Jason sounded defensive.

  ‘He was panicking and you’re over-reacting,’ she leaned over and patted his thigh, ‘but I appreciated the gesture.’

  He laid his hand on hers, gentle again, it would have been easy to pull away but she didn’t want to. ‘I don’t care whether he was panicking or not, no man should ever use his size or strength to intimidate a woman.

  ‘However it was nice of him to give you a bonus. You must be rolling in it. What with the seven hundred and fifty pounds you made on eBay, you’re rich.’

  Tiredness made her speak without thinking. ‘Oh, that’s gone already, I gave it to Lisa’s Nanna.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  She closed her eyes, wishing she hadn’t said anything. She had a feeling Lisa’s Nanna might be embarrassed if all and sundry knew her business.

  ‘Siena?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Let me get this straight.’ He turned to her and then had to swerve as the car wandered towards the middle of the road. ‘You sold your Prada handbag and gave the money to Lisa’s gran?’

  ‘Yes.’ She wished she’d kept her mouth shut. ‘So what?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because she’s eighty-seven, misses her garden and her next-door neighbour and doesn’t have any hot water or heating because she can’t afford to get her boiler fixed.’

  Jason shook his head as if he still didn’t understand.

  ‘You sold your handbag to pay for boiler repairs for Lisa’s Nanna who you’ve met how many times?’

  Siena glared at him, his patient repetition starting to grate. ‘Once, actually.’

  He started to laugh, gentle sniggers rumbling out of his mouth.

  She folded her arms and stared out of the window at the passing hedgerows.

  His laughter had turned to full blown snorts. Why he would find that funny, she didn’t know.

  ‘S-seriously.’ The car had slowed down as he tried to gain control of his increasing merriment. ‘B-boiler. P-priceless.’ He clutched his stomach, doubling over the steering wheel.

  ‘I don’t see what’s so funny,’ she said tightly, unaccountably tearful as he continued to wheeze and splutter, banging the steering wheel. A lump lodged in her throat.

  ‘Siena?’ She ignored him and hunched into her seat. ‘Siena, I’m sorry,’ his voice was still full of mirth as he twisted round. Like a gushing tap silenced, his amusement dried instantly.

  The car swerved slightly as Jason pulled hard on the steering wheel and pulled over in a gateway, with an emergency stop.

  Pulling off his seatbelt, he unclipped hers and jumped out of the car. Startled, she watched him cross in front of the car and wrench open the passenger door.

  ‘Shit, I’m an idiot.’

  ‘That’s never been in doubt,’ she snapped as he lifted her out of the car, cradling her to him. A flush of heat roared through her as he put her down, her body sliding down against him.

  Lightly he threaded his fingers into her hair, cupping her head, his blue eyes intent.

  ‘I wasn’t laughing at you. I was laughing at me. For getting it so wrong. For being a prize dick. For underestimating you, again.’ His hand slid to her chin and with a crooked smile, his eyes blazed with something that made her heart want to burst. ‘You are amazing.’

  ‘Yes, I bloody am and it’s about time you realised it. And I’m not made of china either.’ She wound a hand around his neck and pulled his head down. She’d had enough. Time to grasp life by the scruff of the neck and kiss it senseless, starting with Jason’s mouth.

  Who wanted delicate arms-length kisses, when you could have a full on snog that took yours and his breath away?

  Taking charge of his lips, ranging hers over the mobile full mouth, she plundered, showing him what she wanted. Being protected in the face of danger was one thing, but she wanted to live.

  Without a second invitation, Jason moulded his body to hers bringing her hips to his, nudging between her legs. They almost buckled and he turned them, still kissing her, to lean her against the five bar gate. Greedy for him and high on the passion that exploded like a nuclear bomb radiating out through every pore, she ran her hands down his thighs. Soft denim moulded taut muscles. She shivered and traced upwards to cup the bottom she’d eyed up so many times that afternoon. Standing in the circle of his arms, she explored as she savoured the relentless kiss. His tongue met hers and her pulse spiked. Dear God, she felt so hot. Bothered. Shaky.

  She wanted more; the touch of skin on skin. Burrowing under his jacket, she teased his T-shirt upwards with determined purpose. Driven by the power of what she was doing to him. Her hands brushed hair roughened abs. Liquid heat pooled between her legs and she stroked upwards, tracing his rib cage.

  He shuddered beneath her touch and pulled away from her mouth to nuzzle along her neckline, nipping under her chin, the tender patch under her ear lobe. It made her squirm, lust coiling hot and dark in her belly.

  His hands slid down her back to cup her bottom and urge her up against him, against the erection bulging at his flies. Huskily, he breathed her name as her hands stroked down his back, slipping beneath his jeans. Intoxicated by the touch of warm skin, the desire in his heated kisses, she let instinct take over. Want and need pushed her. When his hand slid into her shirt and pushed into her bra, she moaned. The spark of heat darted straight to her groin and she ground against him, urging him on.

  Hot and hungry, she pulled at the button on his jeans, fumbled with the zip and plunged her hands into the jersey fabric to release him.

  ‘Fuck, Siena,’ groaned Jason, breathing heavily.

  Nuzzling kisses into his neck, she explored the smooth, heavy length of him, heady with the power of his laboured breaths.

  ‘Yes
please.’

  He jerked his head back in amazement and she gave him a wicked grin. ‘Oh my, this feels good.’

  ‘Fuck,’ he groaned.

  ‘You said that before,’ she teased. His ragged breaths were turning her inside out. ‘Jeez … Siena … oh …’

  His lips crushed hers, his tongue delving in to duel with hers, inviting her to fight back. He led but he didn’t take control, letting her find her way. The power was utterly intoxicating.

  Thrusting her body towards him, wanton and inviting, she urged him on. The ache between her legs had heated to an unbearable level. Impatience gave way to the sharp sweet ache. She writhed against him. She heard herself squeak. ‘Please. Oh please.’

  The bastard laughed.

  Looking up into his face, she half smiled but it was hard when the only thing her mind could possibly focus on was the heat building inside her. In fact it was hard to think of anything. It was like being in a race she couldn’t see the end of, but knew she needed to get to. Desperate to take control and speed him up, her hold on him firmed. Sweat broke out on his brow, his face screwed up with intense concentration. He leaned his forehead against hers.

  ‘You’re … killing me.’

  Her mouth curved in satisfaction.

  ‘Good,’ she whispered as she gave another deliberate slide up and down, he bucked slightly in her hand, trying to resist the pace. He stifled a groan but pulled back to give her a wicked smile.

  ‘Good?’ Her heart jumped at the intent in his eyes.

  His had slid up her thigh in slow teasing circles. ‘Good?’ he repeated.

  She caught her breath, frozen with anticipation.

  He spun out the moment.

  ‘Siena, stop.’ He tried to slow her down but she kept up the relentless pace. ‘Christ, if you don’t stop I’m going to come.’

  As if by mirroring her actions he hoped to stop her, his fingers stilled.

  ‘No, don’t please.’ Her breath ragged, she turned pleading eyes up to him. ‘I want this.’

  ‘We’re in full view. There’s bloody snow on the ground.’

  ‘Have you got anything?’

  His eyes widened. ‘Condom?’

  ‘Yes.’ Impatience made her fierce.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Oh for fuck’s sake, a woman could die here.’ Her face sobered. If she didn’t give in to this burning need right now, she might never feel this wild abandon again.

  ‘Not this woman, not on my watch.’ He pulled out his wallet and shook it, dislodging a packet onto the palm of his hand.

  She pushed open the gate and kissed him, pushing him into the field, out of sight of the road to a tree. Snow trickled out of its branches as she pulled him with her to lean against the trunk. It caught in her eyelashes making her giggle.

  ‘You’re mad.’ He stroked her face with his thumbs, unable to tear his gaze from her face. She radiated life and joy.

  ‘Please Jason.’ Wanton and fierce, her expression was so intent. Condom on, he hardly drew breath before she’d tugged him to the ground. They sank into the snow but it didn’t seem to bother her. Her hands raced over him, exploring his balls, pushing into his jeans to stroke his thighs. Her excited sighs and the wicked smile on her face turned him on so much that despite this being utterly crazy, he had to have her.

  Never had a woman beneath him been so decided, so sure, so hell bent on having her way. This earthiness was a hell of a surprise and if she’d been shy or unsure, he would have reined back, had some common sense. Caught in the moment, her eyes dancing with delight and desire by turn, he sank down onto her and guided himself into the hot tight wetness.

  Sensation exploded as he slid home. Her eyes grew round and locked on his, widened with wonder and her mouth curved with sudden joy.

  Tucking an arm around her, he pulled her to him, with a fierce ache of possession, watching every expression on her face, feeling the spiralling sensation of fullness and desperation peak.

  Her breath came in shallow pants, her eyes desperate with unspoken entreaty. Unable to stop himself and so lost in her wonder, he drove the pace, feeling her hips rise up to meet him. He couldn’t, couldn’t …

  With a breathy sigh, she clenched around him. Her hands fluttering at his back. With one last plunge, he let go, sinking into her, coming with a force that made him shudder.

  Lying, spent, on top of her, he buried his head in her neck. She still smelt of perfume.

  ‘Jason.’

  He tensed. Her voice sounded worried. Damn, he should have slowed down, but he’d been so caught up in the moment.

  He lifted his head. Her eyes danced with merriment. A kitten that had well and truly had its cream and eaten it.

  ‘You OK?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m fine, but,’ she giggled, ‘I think we might have shocked the horses.’

  Chapter 22

  Still high and soaked through, they raced for the door and juggled their keys.

  ‘I can’t believe we did that,’ giggled Siena. ‘Although, I think there might be something horrid in my hair.’

  ‘Ugh, you might be right,’ said Jason taking a peek at her dishevelled plait. ‘I’m not sure my extremities will ever be the same again.’

  She pulled at the edges of his very wet denim jacket and drew him down for another searing kiss. She didn’t seem to be able to keep her hands off him and her skin tingled everywhere. ‘You weren’t complaining half an hour ago,’ she teased.

  ‘Not complaining now,’ he said, his lips sliding over hers, ‘although there is a bit of a pong. I wonder if we shouldn’t get you into the shower.’

  The idea set light to nerve endings and without further ado, she pushed the jacket from his shoulders letting it drop the floor.

  ‘I’m feeling quite dirty. No, very dirty.’

  ‘Nothing for it then.’ With sure, deft fingers he began to unbutton her shirt, not a difficult task as only about three of them were still done up and even then not in the correct buttonholes.

  Backing up the stairs, she tugged at his T-shirt. Half way up the stairs he managed to pull off her shirt.

  ‘You’re better at this than me.’

  ‘Easier access,’ he said with a triumphant grin as he unhooked her bra strap.

  They paused at the halfway mark for another fumbled kiss as she fought with his zip and tugged down her skirt which pooled and slithered away down the stairs.

  She swallowed hard as he took another step up, her eyes level with his bare chest. Dark hair spread down his sternum. Talk about gorgeous. She turned and raced up the last few steps.

  Jason had the foresight to switch on the shower. Stripping off quickly, she laughed at him as he pulled off his sodden jeans one-handed and hopped about barefoot.

  Clothes flew, pants, tights and then somehow they were in the shower, naked body to body, chest to chest, kissing under the flow of water.

  Jason undid her plait and, while she reached up to wash her hair, took advantage and from behind thoroughly soaped her breasts while rubbing his erection up against her bottom.

  Tumbling out of the shower, grabbing towels as they went, Jason pulled her out onto the landing.

  ‘Your room or mine?’

  ‘Don’t ask difficult questions,’ grumbled Siena, missing the warmth of his mouth on hers. ‘I’m done with decision making today.’ And if he slowed down, it would let memories crawl through her defences. Bedrooms and beds. Dark, heartless fumbling. Dry, forceful couplings.

  Hooking her arm around his neck, she stroked the nape, pressing kisses down his chest.

  ‘I’m going to hold you to that.’ Tugging her hand, he pulled her to his room, clumsily barging the door, sending it flying with a loud crash and rattle. Stumbling, gloriously uninhibited, they fell through the door as he propelled her towards his bed. She felt soft cotton behind her knees as he pushed her down onto the bed, to join her naked, full-length skin to skin.

  Panting and laughing, she looked up at him.
/>   ‘I’m all wet.’

  ‘I should think so too, otherwise I’m not doing my job properly.’

  ‘My hair, you idiot. The pillows …’

  ‘Will dry. Besides, I know where there’s another bed.’

  He dipped his head and returned to the serious business of kissing her, which she had no intention of complaining about.

  In the aftermath, tucked under the duvet, legs entwined, she idly stroked Jason’s chest, wondering at how comfortable she felt touching him.

  ‘I’d never have done this with Yves,’ she said. ‘I know I’m not supposed to talk about another man straight after sex.’ Sated and warm, the earlier buzz and restlessness of the day had died down to a low level hum and she was horribly aware that normality had to impinge at some point.

  ‘So why are you?’ asked Jason. The hug accompanying his sleepy words robbed them of any dissension.

  ‘Because you know what happened before, but you didn’t make allowances. You let me be me.’ She plonked a heartfelt kiss on his cheek. ‘It’s never been like that. Fun, happy. Orgasmic.’

  With a rueful smile, he said, ‘By accident rather than by design, not the latter of course, because I am a highly skilled …’ his words petered out into sniggers. He hesitated and she saw the vacillation in his eyes.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  ‘To be honest,’ he paused and shook his head, ‘you didn’t give me much choice.’ He sighed. ‘I mean, one minute I was innocently trying to be nice, the next you’d vacuumed yourself to my lips and had your hand down my pants.’

  ‘You!’ she punched his arm, giggling at his pitiful attempt to look put upon.

  He rolled on top of her, his chest rumbling with mirth, his hands stroking her bottom. ‘Siena, I’ve never been so bloody turned on in my life. Couldn’t think straight. That is the best …’ he stumbled over the word, ‘it’s ever been.’

  ‘Sex, you mean.’ Her hands roaming over his back in wonderment that she was here in bed with this gorgeous man.

  ‘Yes, er ahem, sex.’ He cleared his throat and squinted down at her.

  She beamed at him. ‘It was amazing. Wasn’t it? It’s never been like that before for me. Has it for you?’ She didn’t regret for a moment the last few glorious, sexually wild hours. Feeling enormously liberated, now she knew what it was all about, she felt slightly aggrieved that she’d been cheated for so long.