Stranded for Christmas Read online

  Plopping down on the cushion as far from him as I can politely be, with my leg bent up under my butt, I hear him chuckle as he turns , holding the remote out to me. “Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would bother you.” I wave the remote away, not really caring, and grab my glass of wine; trying not to totally gulp it down. Shooting him a sideways glance I notice that he’s still watching me, his stare on my lips and that’s when my awkwardness betrays me again and wine dribbles down my chin.

  Going to wipe it away with the back of my hand, I’m shocked when his fingers find my skin. Although they are lightly gripping my chin, his thumb pad running softly over it wiping away the wine, his touch is burning right to my core. My eyes finally move to his and I see they are still locked on my lips, his stare hungry and somewhat primal, softening only a tiny bit when they meet mine. His wine covered thumb hovers over my lips, his eyes never leaving mine and I can see the want in his eyes, but I place my hand over his, lightly pushing his touch from my skin while wiping the rest of the wine away.

  I can’t help but let my hand linger with his, if only for a moment, a familiar slight disappointment running through his gaze before it leaves mine. His fingers squeeze mine for a second before he turns back to the TV, taking another sip from his glass.

  It lasted only a second but the exchange has left me breathless and I realize that I’m practically panting like an animal in heat. My heart is racing and my hands shaking as I try to drink my wine, having to hold the glass to my lips with both hands to stop from sloshing more of the liquid down my chin. ‘Get ahold of yourself, you dumbass!’ I curse myself and finish off my wine, setting the glass down and heading back into the kitchen to retrieve the bottle, plus one. I’m going to need it if I am to survive this night with this gorgeous man in my house.

  Settling back into my seat, I fill my glass up to the brim. The cheery, pre-teen advertisements of the Disney Channel fill the room stating that their version of the Christmas Carol is coming up next in their programing. “It’s stupid, but I love Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” Jeez, how pathetic of me and I take another large sip of alcohol.

  “It’s not stupid at all.” His hearty laugh fills the room, his half a smile making my blood pump all over again as his green eyes seem to drink me in like I’m his wine. “I’ll admit I still watch all the classics just like I did when I was a kid.” He holds his glass out and I fill it up, setting the now empty bottle on the table as Bullet circles a spot on the rug to lay down in front of the fire.

  “Somehow I don’t think a guy like you would sit around and watch Christmas movies… let alone cartoon ones.” I snicker, the wine thoroughly pumping through my veins right now, and when I see the look on his face I can’t help but laugh even more obnoxiously. The look he’s giving me is of sarcastic hurt and shock.

  “And what do you mean by that? Do you think I have no life?” He huffs, turning his attention to the TV screen for a second while taking a long drink. My eyes go right to his lips and I wish, oh Lord, I wish I was that glass right now. Just to feel his lips lightly on my skin I know would send me over the edge right now and I squirm on the couch. My gaze drags down over his strong features, his chin covered in a five o’clock shadow, and I wonder if he’s the kind of man who enjoys having his neck kissed. My tongue darts out and runs slowly over my lips at the thought.

  James wasn’t one for me kissing his neck. Hell, he wasn’t one for me doing practically anything to him. He was a ‘just lay here and let me finish’ kind of guy and yeah I went with it, because I was in love. Since our breakup I haven’t been out much and it’s showing right this second when I have to suppress a wanton sigh when Shane’s muscles ripple and flex as he stretches his arms toward the ceiling.

  He caught me biting my lip and his eyes have a mischievous twinkle to them. “So? Do you think I have no life?” His eyebrow cocks up and he finishes his wine, setting the glass on the table and turning toward me, his arm on the back of the couch with his hand just brushing my shoulder making me shiver.

  “I know you have more of a life than I do, that’s for sure.” I scoff, the gulp of wine making me cough a bit as I stand and fumble through a pile of magazine on my bookshelf.

  “And why is that?” he laughs. Finding the issue of Hollywood Today I was searching for, I turn to see his eyes had been locked on my ass, but are now creeping up my body lingering on my curves making me blush. I can’t help it. I’m not use to a man openly eye-groping me but add in the wine and I’m just a nervous, shy puddle.

  “This is why.” Throwing the magazine in his lap, I sit back down in my spot and pull my legs up Indian style, seeing his eyes move over the salacious cover he’s plastered on. Leaning over I flip some of the pages and point to the lavish yacht he’s fishing from on page 6. “You see, I’ve never been fishing on a yacht. Hell, I’ve never even seen one up close.”

  He’s looking through the magazine and even laughs at a couple of the captions on the photos, claiming that his Playboy ways are going to end him in rehab, then throws the magazine on the coffee table in front of us. “Gotta love tabloids.” He laughs again, rubbing his hands over his face and then smiling at me. “So you knew who I was the entire time?”

  “No, but I knew you looked familiar.” I chuckle, trying not to sound like a total star-struck school girl. “It only clicked when I saw your tattoo.” I point to the scene tattooed from the top of his right shoulder to just above his elbow. It’s a curving stream bed with a few fish visible under the blue of the water, surrounded by trees with leaves just starting to change. Having seen it pictured in tabloids featuring him vacationing, I’ve always wondered what the meaning behind it was. Up close, it really is intricate and amazing. The stream is detailed to the point where I think I can almost hear it trickling.

  “Oh, yeah. I’ve had it so long I sometimes forget it’s even there.” His laugh is distant and a little sad this time, and rubbing his hand over his arm he stands, scratching his head. “So, you know who I am, let’s hear a little about you.” His smile is something that if he had said anything else, and I mean anything besides asking me to talk about myself, I’d be shedding my clothes begging him to take me. I make my reluctance more than known and he turns his attention to my Christmas tree, touching some of the ornaments.

  He looks back over his shoulder, and I know that he’s just waiting. I shake my head and then he gives me the puppy dog look. The begging pretty please, eyes wide open and sappy looking like a whiny girl gives her boyfriend when she wants something and I just can’t take it anymore. “Okay, okay!” I throw my hands up in defat and get up to retrieve something more to drink. “But before I get into any of that, I’m going to need something stronger to drink.”

  Heading to the small cabinet under my bookshelf, I’m not as steady as I thought and I stumble around the edge of the coffee table, bumping into Shane. My hands go out in front to stop my fall just as strong arms surround my waist, keeping me upright. We stumble back, Shane’s back hitting the tree and some of the ornaments clang together. We’re steady when I finally look up at him, his green eyes roaming over my face as I brush some loose curls behind my ear.

  “I don’t think you need any more to drink or I’ll be picking you up off the floor.” His grin mixed with my nerves of him being so close make me burst out in a giggle that I try to tamp down right away, but his smile is genuine and it makes my skin tingle in need of more of his touch. His arms loosen around me with his hands resting on my hips, holding me tight to his front, and I can’t help but flex my hands over his chest, removing them in shock of my brazenness.

  “I think I might need the entire bottle.” I grumble and push out of his arms, reaching the cabinet and pulling out a bottle of whiskey and two rocks glasses. Holding them up as I turn, I again catch him watching me intently and I stumble a little more, catching myself on the fireplace.

  “Whatever you say.” He laughs at me and I try to flip him off, but drop the glasses in his lap instead. He huffs as I’m sur
e one of them hit him in his junk.

  “That’s what ya get for laughing at me.” I wink at him and head for the kitchen. He swats at me as I pass him and his fingers snap on my butt cheek making me yelp. Turning back I really can’t believe it just happened as he grins at me, but the heat building where the blow landed runs right to my core. I slowly walk backward trying not to give away my sudden rush of lust other than my red face and quick breaths.

  Reaching the fridge I swing open the freezer door, close my eyes, and just stand there hoping that the cold will kill the rampant desire that is rushing through me for this man. I mumble to myself that this can’t happen, that he’s not my type of man, that he’s not in my league, but all that runs through my head is the feeling of his body against mine and the thought of his lips running over my naked body.

  “Whiskey, give me strength.” I plead and grab the ice cube tray.

  CHAPTER 6

  Shane

  Smacking her ass as she walked away just now was a mistake because now my dick is throbbing, threatening to break through these sweatpants. I haven’t had this kind of reaction to a woman in a long time, even before my engagement broke up I hadn’t lusted after my fiancé like I am over Caroline. I hear her feet scuffling along the hardwood so I adjust myself to try and hide it, I really don’t want her to think I expect this to go anywhere.

  But that wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

  Her red curls are falling around her face again as she leans over, shaking a few ice cubes into the rocks glasses from a plastic cup and then she places a few on the floor for Bullet. He’s eagerly chomping away on the ice when she plops down next to me. A spicy, fruity perfume wafts my way when she reaches over to pour some whiskey in my glass and I have to reign it in so that I don’t bury my hand in her hair and pull her to me, kissing her till she’s begging for more.

  “So, tell me about you.” I say again, knowing by her attitude before that it’s not something she likes to talk about and she rolls her eyes at me over her glass. “Oh come on… your life can’t be that bad.”

  “Psssh.” She scoffs at me, emptying her glass and setting it beside me. Either she really dislikes me or she’s needing some liquid courage. “Sure, the guy who has everything- jet setting, private islands, yachts, and twenty cars-assumes my life can’t be bad. What a surprise.” Her speech is really slurring now so I take the bottle from her grasp as she goes to pour another.

  She gives me an annoyed look when I say, “Don’t act like I’m some rich bastard who doesn’t care about anyone but themselves. I really want to know about you. You’re… intriguing.” She finally looks me in the eye when she hears this and I can see the confusion behind the alcohol haze. “What? You’ve never heard that before?” I whisper and she shakes her head, her eyes still locked on mine as if she’s trying to read my mind and see if I’m lying.

  “Well it’s true. There’s just something about you that’s different from the women that surround me in my everyday life.” There are my close employees and my secretary, but other than that the only other women I socialize with are ones that are thrown at me by friends and family.

  She lets out a loud laugh, then sighs, still chuckling a little bit as she leans over and scratches Bullet behind the ears when he perks up at her laughter. “I’m jus’ a small town girl who is stuck in a going nowhere job, with family that always bug her about getting married and having babies.” Her blue eyes meet mine again and through the reflecting glow from the fire I can see an underlying sadness.

  “Yeah I hear that.” I agree, finishing my whiskey and recalling the last conversation about the very same topic with my mother. She wants to be a grandmother. Soon. She brings it up almost every time we are alone when I visit my parents’ house.

  “Oh, pa-lease! You’ve got to have women throwing themselves at your feet, begging to be your baby-momma.” She fidgets again and situates herself on the couch, her legs up under her this time facing me; her elbow resting on the back with her head resting in her hand. Loose curls are dangling down by her face so that I catch myself mid-move with my hand almost headed to sweep them behind her ear.

  “Well of course I do,” I don’t lie. Why should I? She’s read the tabloids. “But that’s all they want to be. The want to be my baby-momma, as you say, or my arm candy. They don’t really care about me. They want the Kelson name and all the status that comes with it. Everything I’ve worked my ass off for, they want just because it’ll look good on a credit card.” She nods her head, standing and making her way to one of the windows by the door, flicking on the porch light and peering through the curtains.

  “Don’t get me wrong though, Caroline. I’ve burned my fair share of bridges. I’ve used and been used, so I’m no angel. But I’m not looking for the kinda thing that will further my status. I’m there, I’m happy with how hard I’ve worked and where I am in my professional life. When I come home I don’t want it to be about work or money. I want it to be about me and the one I’m with and that’s it.” I think she sighs, her forehead against the window pane so that it’s fogging and I can see the flakes still coming down in the lightbulb lit darkness.

  I sit here, just watching her watch the snow, the fire crackling away and the sound of the Christmas movie in the background. Did I say something wrong? Did I say too much? Is she wishing she could just run away, out into the snow?

  “What are you thinking about, Miss small town girl?” I finally say and God damn it, don’t know it brings a smile to her lips. When she turns there is a rosy tinge to her cheeks and she’s biting her lip, seeming to be debating on what to say with her eyes on the tree beside me. Damn, that does way too much to me and again I have to adjust myself so my growing erection doesn’t become obvious, but at this rate, these sweatpants aren’t going to hide much.

  She sighs again and finally comes back to sit beside me. “I’m thinking about why a guy like you would’ve asked me out while I was cashing them out on Christmas Eve? I’m thinking about why in the hell did I let that guy come back to my house in a snowstorm? I’m thinking about why in the hell am I sitting here playing 20 questions with this amazingly hot guy when all I really want him to do is just kiss me and get it over with?”

  After the words leave her lips her entire body turns red, I watch it creep down her neck to the swell of her breasts and I’m done for. It seems to be way out of her comfort zone and she’s not looking at me, so slowly I put my fingers under her chin and raise her gaze till it meets mine. I’m kind of at a loss for words, in this short time I’ve known her I didn’t think she’d ever be so brazen, but I can’t help but run my thumb over her cheek, in a slow circle. When she leans into my touch I move the pad to her bottom lip, lightly tracing it and slightly pulling it down, seeing if she’ll react.

  Goosebumps fill her skin with a fresh blush and that’s what I wanted. Her tongue darts out, running along the path I left on her mouth and I lean over to her, not wanting to rush her but not wanting to let this moment pass either. Just a breath away from her mouth I stop, looking her in the eye and seeing the lust haze that has fallen over them. Still I want to know this is what she wants, so I wait, just watching her chest rise and fall with her rapid breathing.

  What I can only describe as a whimper comes from her and my groin throbs in reaction. “What do you want, Caroline?” I ask, a grin playing across my lips when I brush them along hers, teasing her.

  “I want you to fucking kiss me, Shane.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Caroline

  What the hell am I doing? I barely know this man and I’m acting like a star struck school girl. But, God, his hand in my hair and his lips brushing along mine are doing something to me that I can’t rightly explain.

  “I want you to fucking kiss me, Shane.” As soon as the words leave my lips his mouth is covering mine. He’s hesitant at first but when I can’t help but lean in, his arms wrap around me, pulling me off of the couch and into his lap. His kiss is demanding, his lips keeping a slow, sear
ching rhythm that is hypnotizing me and I press my chest into his, making him tilt his head back and a smile breaks out on his face.

  I grind down into him, his sweats and my yoga pants leaving little in between us and I can feel his erection begging for some attention. When I roll my hips again, a groan rips through him and he grabs my hips, gripping them tightly and making me keep my rhythm.

  “Damn, Caroline,” he groans into my mouth, breaking our kiss and traveling along my cheek and down my neck, causing a fire to light within me like I’ve never felt before and a full on shiver rolls through me. “Are you okay?” he murmurs against my collarbone and all I can do it nod, resting my cheek on his hair as I run my fingers through it and then rake them across his back, silently begging him to continue.

  His hands roam over my ass and up my back, lifting my tank as he goes. I lift my arms up as he pulls the material from my body, leaving me in my black bra. He brushes the loose curls from my face so gently and carefully that I close my eyes and relish the feeling, leaning into his hand as he cups my cheek.

  “I’m fine,” I finally whisper, turning my face into his hand and kissing his palm. With his eyes roaming over me I can’t help but blush and now I feel like a total idiot for everything that has just transpired and I turn to get off of his lap. With only one foot on the ground he pulls me back to him, his arms surrounding me, making me look into his eyes.

  “What are we doing?” I whisper more to myself, but seeing the smile on his face makes me feel a little better. “I just…I don’t know.” I just really can’t think of anything to say to not make me look like an inexperienced and unconfident woman, but I don’t have that much time to worry about it as his lips crash into mine, his hand wrapped in my hair holding it tight.