by Becca Steele
“Well…um…” I shuffled my feet awkwardly, sadness filling me as our time together finally came to an end.
“I hope we meet again, Ashley. Until next time.” He bent to kiss my cheek, then turned to leave.
“Wait,” I said breathlessly, gripping his arm. “Look.” He followed the line of my finger to the mistletoe that was hanging over the doorway. “We have to kiss. It’s bad luck, otherwise.”
“Is that so?” A smirk crossed his face.
“I don’t make the rules,” I told him. Actually, I had no idea whether or not it was bad luck, but that was my story, and I was sticking to it.
He stepped closer to me again, pulling me into him so the full length of my body was pressed against his in the most delicious way. His hands tangled in my hair and his lips descended on mine.
Everything else ceased to exist as we kissed. He kissed me slowly, unhurriedly, as if he was savouring the feel of my lips against his. Sparks of awareness danced through me, and I never wanted the kiss to end.
All too soon, though, he pulled away. “You’d better go.”
“Do you want to come with me on Christmas Eve? To Trafalgar Square?” I blurted out the words quickly, before I lost my courage.
He looked at me, a sad smile on his face. “I’ll be working. Rain check?”
“Okay. See you soon, then.” My heart sank. I knew that in all likelihood he was going to say no, and we hardly knew each other as it was. But for one, tiny moment, I’d thought that maybe he felt the same magical feeling I did.
He lifted his hand in a wave, and disappeared around the corner, and was gone.
I was left alone.
4
Marcus
Groaning, I rubbed my temples, a headache forming. I pressed Send, and the email with the attached contract winged its way through cyberspace to my associate in New York. Looking through my list of remaining tasks, I realised I was ahead of schedule, with all outstanding issues finally dealt with. I could make a start on the more mundane tasks I’d been putting off, then continue them the following day.
An image appeared in my mind. Ashley. The look on her face as she came, riding my cock, would be forever burned into my mind. Head thrown back, Santa hat on her head, my cock pounding in and out of her as she moaned in ecstasy, she was like some kind of X-rated version of a Christmas elf. There was something about her—something different to all other women. I wanted more. I needed more. Whatever the reason was, I couldn’t seem to get her out of my head.
Focus.
Somehow, I managed to lose myself in my work. Until she appeared in my mind, again. Her sexy smile, those waves of blonde hair, that hot as fuck body, her sparkling personality… I glanced at my wristwatch to notice only fifteen minutes had passed. My concentration was shot to pieces—now I’d stared thinking about her, she was invading my thoughts in increased frequency.
Time to call it a day. Home for a dram or two of Scotch, and an early night, before coming back here Christmas morning to continue. I shut down my computer and called down to the security team to let them know I was leaving, and to call me a cab. Rising from my desk, I pulled on my thick overcoat and turned to leave.
I saw a flash of red out of the corner of my eye.
Ashley’s Santa hat.
Moving to the table, I bent down and picked it up from the floor. We’d both forgotten about it—it must have been knocked from the table the night before. I’d been so fucking wrapped up in her, that I’d only become aware of my surroundings when her phone started chiming.
I ran my fingers over the soft fur lining, thinking. I glanced at my watch, then at the hat, then with a growl I strode towards the lift and stabbed the button for the ground floor.
“Trafalgar Square, please,” I told the cab driver. She’d told me she stayed until the end of the carol service, then made her wish, and it was almost nine p.m. The carols would be long finished by now—I might not even get there in time before she left.
I had no idea what I was doing. This wasn’t me. I didn’t chase after women. Didn’t need to. But there was something compelling me to go to her, like nothing I’d ever felt before.
The cab sat at the back of a long line of traffic, that snaked along the road as far as I could see. Why were there so many people around? Didn’t they have homes to go to?
“Is there a back way you can take?” I leaned forward to speak to the driver, knowing his answer already.
“Nah, mate, sorry. This is the quickest way.” He shrugged, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, and I let out a frustrated breath.
“How far are we from Trafalgar Sqaure? Less than a mile from here, isn’t it?”
“Not that far. ‘Bout half a mile, give or take. You want to get out here?” He gave me a knowing look.
“Yes. Please.” I tapped my card to pay, and climbed out of the cab.
“Merry Christmas!” the driver called out after me, and I spun back around, lifting my hand in the air.
“Merry Christmas.”
My long strides turned into a jog, and my legs ate up the distance between us. Snow was falling, big, fat flakes, and I shielded my face with my arm to stop the flakes from going into my eyes.
Suddenly, I was there.
The square was quiet—a few clusters of people were still standing around, but the crowds that would have been there earlier had gone.
She wasn’t there.
I was too late.
I made my way to the huge Christmas tree that dominated the centre of the square.
Closing my eyes, I rubbed a defeated hand over my brow. The chances of her still being around had been low; I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Back home to my empty apartment, followed by another day at the office, tomorrow, then.
I opened my eyes.
5
Ashley
As the carol service ended, the final strains of “Silent Night” dying away, I finished up the last of my hot chocolate and disposed of my cup. Sitting down on the steps that led up to the National Gallery, I waited for the crowds to disperse. Eventually, they’d gone, and I made my way to the tree to make my wish. I knew exactly what I wanted to wish for this year. A chance with the man I couldn’t get out of my head. Marcus.
I sighed, watching a couple stroll by with their arms around each other. If only he’d said yes to coming here with me. Then again, why would he? We’d only just met.
That powerful connection between us though…there was no denying it. So, I’d make my wish, and do everything in my power I could to make it come true.
I closed my eyes.
I wish for Marcus to be mine.
I opened my eyes.
Snow started falling softly around me. I smiled, listening to the exclamations of happy people as they tried to catch the flakes, dancing around and laughing. The faint sound of Christmas music could be heard from somewhere in the distance, carried to my ears through the still night air. I walked away from the tree and left the square, ready to make my way home.
I’d reached the entrance to Charing Cross station, just down the road from Trafalgar Square, when I realised that I hadn’t taken a photo of the Christmas tree. How could I have forgotten? I always, always took one to send to my sister in Australia, and in return, she’d send me a photo of the beautiful tree in Launceston, the city she lived in.
I hurried back, as quickly as I could. The snow was falling more heavily now, settling on the ground and making everything sparkle under the streetlights and car headlights.
Slowing my steps, I smiled to myself. There wasn’t really any rush to get home. It felt magical, being out here in the snow, with the Christmas tree shining down on me.
Reaching the tree, my jaw dropped.
He was here.
He’d actually come.
Marcus was standing in front of the tree, a thick winter coat and scarf on, and his eyes closed. As I came to a stop in front of him, his eyes flew open, then widened in shock as he took me in.
“Are you really here?” he asked.
“I hope so.” I stepped closer, a smile spreading across my face. “What are you doing here?”
He blinked, the snow dusting his lashes. “You forgot your hat.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out my Santa hat, and placed it on my head, pulling it down to cover my ears.
We stood, staring at one another, the connection between us sparking to life, and then he tugged me into his arms and kissed me, a devastating kiss that left me completely breathless.
“Come home with me?” he suggested, when he finally drew away. “We can wake up together on Christmas morning, and maybe you can show me some of those Christmas movies you mentioned yesterday.”
My heart stuttered, then came to life with a roar. He wanted me. He was choosing to spend time with me. At Christmas.
“Yes,” I breathed.
“Don’t plan on being able to walk tomorrow,” he murmured in my ear, and I laughed at the sudden change of subject.
My laughter died away as he nuzzled my neck, holding me tightly. “If you’re going to be in my bed, I’m damn well going to make the most of it.”
I shivered at his words.
“Take me home, Marcus.”
Christmas night, lying naked in his bed after a day of laying curled up on the sofa watching movies and getting to know each other, interspersed with heady kisses and what was most definitely the best sex of my life, I turned to him. “Did you make a wish on the tree?”
He brushed a strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “No, but you managed to make a Christmas miracle happen. This is the first Christmas Day I haven’t worked in years.”
“I told you the magic of Christmas was real.”
“You did.” He husked out a laugh, and pulled me closer. “I know you made a wish. Tell me, did it come true?”
I straddled him, feeling him harden beneath me. “Oh, I think it did.” I rolled my hips and he groaned. “But I’m going to need one more round to make sure.”
“I agree.” He smirked up at me, then pulled me down, rolling us over, so he was on top of me, my legs wrapped around him. “Merry Christmas, Ashley.”
“Merry Christmas,” I said, placing my arms around his neck and meeting his lips with mine.
Outside, the snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in white.
* * *
THE END
Bonus Scenes
The following two short bonus scenes feature Ethan and Avery, from The Deal, and Luke and Olivia, from The Truce. If you haven’t yet read their stories, please note that the bonus scenes contain minor spoilers. You can find both books on Kindle Unlimited:
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The Deal: http://mybook.to/deal
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The Truce: http://mybook.to/truce
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Enjoy!
Christmas Day Bonus Scene – Ethan and Avery
ETHAN
“Good morning.” I pressed a kiss to Avery’s soft hair, and she mumbled a sleepy reply, still barely awake. “It’s Christmas Day,” I whispered in her ear, and her eyes flew open.
We were staying in a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, and our private lodge had huge floor-to-ceiling windows, with double doors opening onto a covered balcony with a hot tub, and a breathtaking view of the mountains beyond.
“Yes!” A beaming smile spread across her face, and she turned to kiss me softly. As she reached her hand to mine, her engagement ring caught the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, sparkling brightly. Her gaze followed mine, and she stared down at the ruby-and-diamond ring, twisting it so multicoloured facets of light danced across our joined hands. “Beautiful,” she breathed.
“Good choice?”
“Perfect choice. I couldn’t have picked anything better myself.”
I kissed her again, then stretched, my muscles aching. “I think I overdid it on the slopes, yesterday. How are you feeling?” It had been Avery’s first time skiing, and I’d booked her a two-hour private lesson, followed by a massage, while I spent the afternoon on the diamond runs.
“Sore, but not too bad. I think the massage and the soak in the hot tub helped.” Her voice lowered to a sultry purr. “Want to christen the tub tonight?”
“I think we did that, last night,” I smirked.
“Okay, re-christen it.”
“It’s a deal.” I checked the time on my phone, surprised to see that it was already eight a.m. “Come on, let’s go downstairs. The chef should have breakfast ready in forty-five minutes.”
We made our way down to the large lounge, where a huge Christmas tree stood in the corner, next to the window. A fire blazed in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth and the sound of crackling wood.
“Sit down,” I instructed Avery, leading her to the sofa, and draping a thick, fluffy blanket over her. “I know we agreed to save the gifts until we’re back home with the others, but I have a couple of things here for you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I wasn’t expecting anything today.”
“It’s Christmas Day. I couldn’t leave my fiancée with nothing to open, now, could I?”
She grabbed my neck and pulled me to her, kissing me deeply, before resting her head against mine. “I love you, so much.”
“I love you too, Avery Jenkins.” I placed a light kiss on her forehead. “Now, do you want these gifts?”
AVERY
He handed me a small gift-wrapped box, tied with a red ribbon, and an envelope. I balanced the envelope on my knees while I carefully opened the gold wrapping to uncover a black velvet box. Opening it, I saw a pair of delicate earrings nestled inside, a deep ruby colour, shaped like teardrops.
“Wow,” I breathed. “Ethan…these are beautiful. I wasn’t expecting this.” I reached over and hugged him tightly. “I love them, so much. I love you. Thank you.”
“As soon as I saw them, I had to get them. You can wear them when…” He trailed off. “Well, open your second gift.”
I placed the box down on the low wooden table next to me and opened the envelope, pulling out a pair of tickets to Wicked, in the West End.
My heart swelled with love for this man. “Ethan. This is…these are perfect. Did I mention how much I love you?” I put the envelope on the table next to the earrings, and turned to him. How had I ended up here? This amazing, sexy man was all mine, and soon I’d be his wife.
I let the blanket slip down, and lifted my top over my head, letting it fall to the floor. “I’m feeling the need to thank you properly.”
His eyes darkened as he looked back at me, and I leaned forwards to kiss him, sliding my hand around to cup the back of his neck as he deepened the kiss.
“Come here.” I shivered at his words, rasped against my lips. He pulled me onto his lap, so I was straddling him. “Now you can give me your gift.”
“I did get you an actual gift, you know.” We were sitting in front of the fire after breakfast, my body curled into his, as he caressed my hair. “A gift to have here, I mean. It’s nothing much, especially after the gifts you gave to me—”
“Avery.” His voice was gruff. “Don’t. One, I love to spoil you, and buying gifts makes me happy. Two, I love you. As long as I have you, I have everything I’ve ever wanted. Anything else is just a bonus.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I made reservations for Christmas dinner in the resort restaurant—it’s got three Michelin stars, so I thought it should be pretty amazing food.”
“I thought it was fully booked?” He stared down at me in surprise.
“It was, months ago, in fact, but as soon as I knew we were coming here, I put our names on the waitlist, and last week they emailed me to say a table had become available.”
“You’re incredible, you know that?” He pulled me closer.
“And after the meal, we’ll be picked up from the restaurant by a horse-drawn sleigh, which will take us back to our lodge, where we can watch the resort fireworks from the hot
tub, with champagne. Does that sound okay?”
“It sounds perfect.” Tilting his head down, he grasped my chin gently, and our lips met in a slow, sensual kiss.
That night, underneath the stars, fireworks exploding in the night sky, raining colourful sparks over us, I sipped my champagne, and turned to Ethan. “I didn’t think you could top our trip to New York, but this, this is better than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
He leaned down to murmur in my ear. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and no one else I’d rather be with. Merry Christmas, Avery.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Christmas Day Bonus Scene – Luke and Olivia
LUKE
I woke, rolling over to check the time. Seven a.m. Still too early to get up. I turned back around, pulling my girlfriend closer to me. My completely naked, gorgeous, girlfriend. She gave a sleepy murmur, wriggling closer, her ass pressing up against my dick.
“Hard already?” Her voice was amused, and a little breathless.
“Always, when it comes to you. Have you seen yourself, baby?” I kissed down her shoulder, then slid my hands up to cup her breasts.
Her laugh at my words turned into a breathy moan, as I manoeuvred her onto her back, and kissed down her body, flicking my tongue across first one nipple, then the other. She raked her nails down my back, hooking her legs around me. “Luke.” Her whisper was pleading.
“Olivia.” I lifted my head to meet her eyes, raising a brow. “Something I can help you with?”