Stuck With You: A Christmas Romance

by Lara Swann

  “Fucking hell…” I mutter again, gasping as I come down from the high. I collapse back onto the bed and gather her into my arms, her body still shuddering slightly as she curls into me.

  We lie together like that, just trying to catch our breath, hot and sweat-soaked and sticky…and feeling the best I’ve felt in a long, long time.

  “My god, Lauren…” I murmur, as my heart rate finally starts to settle again.

  She just laughs, a deep, throaty chuckle that warms me from the inside as she nuzzles against my chest. She shivers slightly and I shift, managing to throw enough of the covers over us to keep her warm, although neither of us feel like moving enough to properly get into bed. I’m more than content just lying here.

  She looks up from my chest, and the sated, languid glaze to her eyes makes me feel full and contented all over again.

  “So, I guess I’m sleeping here tonight.” She says, with a slow, self-satisfied smile that makes me laugh. I lean down to brush a kiss against her forehead, tucking a wild lock of hair back behind her ear.

  “Mm, believe me—if you wanted the master bedroom this badly, you could have asked anytime.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind.” She says, her eyes dancing as she wriggles to get herself fully under the covers, bringing me with her with yet another kiss. Her hand starts playing down my chest again, in a slow motion that feels like it could easily go somewhere else once we’ve got our breath back again, and I find myself hoping she ends up wanting the master bedroom for far more than just tonight.

  Chapter Seven

  Tristan

  “Mm…Tristan?” Lauren asks sleepily, as I slip back into bed beside her the next morning. She turns to cuddle up against my chest and I wrap one arm around her, staying mostly upright and not quite sinking down beside her. Although that is very tempting…especially with that mussed hair and those kiss-swollen lips of hers. “Is that…coffee I smell?”

  “Uhuh. I brought you some too.” I say, holding mine in one hand and inhaling it appreciatively as I glance over at hers waiting on the bedside table. She’s far too horizontal for it right now.

  “Ohhh, that’s nice.” She smiles, her eyes still half-closed as she wraps one leg over mine, clearly anticipating me sinking further into bed with her. I’m more than content to lie here with my coffee though, one hand stroking over her soft skin as I let her slowly wake up, and after a few moments she seems to notice that I’m not quite as asleep as she is.

  “Wait…why’d you get up?” She asks suspiciously, blinks her eyes open to cast a distrustful glance in my direction, shifting so that she’s a little more upright before taking one look at me and groaning. “Oh, please don’t tell me you’re about to leave to take photos somewhere and ruin our nice, lazy morning together…”

  “Well, the way I see it, we’ve already had a nice, lazy morning together.” I point out, amused. It’s almost mid-morning by now.

  “We were asleep for that! It doesn’t count until we’re awake!”

  “It doesn’t?” I ask, unable to help smirking as she scowls at me. Then I lean down to kiss her, unable to resist the way that makes her face pucker up adorably and fuels my lurking desire all over again. “But, as it happens, I’m not thinking of going photographing today, no. I had another idea.”

  “Does it involve lying here all day and enjoying this?” She asks hopefully, her head dipping to lick and nibble along my neck and over to the dip in my collarbone in a way that makes me groan and pull her to me a little harder. My ever-interested cock perks up half-heartedly too, despite how much attention it got last night. I take a sip of my coffee to distract myself.

  “Not quite that, either.” I say, though some of my amusement has deepened into something else now.

  “Then I don’t see the appeal.” She says, a hint of a pout in her voice. That’s also adorable. And at least she’s awake enough now to start arguing with me…getting out of bed can’t be far behind, right? Not that I don’t see the appeal in her plans for the day too, but there’s just something in me that can’t stand to see the daylight wasted. Particularly in winter.

  “You haven’t heard what I’m suggesting yet.” I say, smiling at her, one finger trailing the curve of her body from her shoulder all the way down to her hips. “I thought we could head over to the Maroon Bells area. My snowmobile will take both of us and it really is gorgeous…not to mention deserted. There are some great hikes.”

  “Wait, Maroon Bells?” She repeats, looking up at me in sudden excitement. I love the way that transforms her face. Hell, I just love how expressive it is, whatever she’s feeling. “Really?”

  “Yeah. You mentioned you wanted to see it, and I figured since you took me out last night…maybe I’d return the favor.” I say, my smile widening into a smirk as I read the answer written clearly on her face. “You have to get up before midday, though.”

  “Hey! I’m not that bad! And we had a late night, you know. I have no idea what time we actually ended up getting to sleep, or how long that lasted for before we were at it again…”

  “Mm, oh I remember.” I say, my gaze darkening at the thought. I kiss her again, long and lingering, before pulling away before either of us can get too distracted. “So, you interested?”

  “Yes. Shit, yes. A ride on a snowmobile too? One hundred percent, I’m there.” She says, pulling herself into a more upright position and leaning back against the bed frame. “Pass me that coffee.”

  * * *

  Less than an hour later, we’re cruising along on the snowmobile, with Lauren’s arms wrapped tightly around my chest and her body pressed up against mine in a way that’s far more distracting than I’d anticipated. I have to hand it to her - when she wants to, she really can get ready quickly.

  Neither of us seemed inclined to start talking about what we did last night…or what we were still doing this morning…and although I’m a little surprised she doesn’t want to over-analyze and dissect it, I’m glad that we’re just going with this now. I’d much rather spend the rest of the vacation like this than uncomfortably sharing the cabin after an awkward conversation.

  I guess this fits the self-indulgent, feel-good theme she was looking for this vacation, anyway.

  The idea of that makes me smirk all over again, a smug satisfaction filling me as I guide us easily through the snow, half of my mind already thinking about what might happen when we get back. Yeah, she might have had a point about that lazy morning after all.

  Maybe tomorrow…

  Lauren shouts something that gets lost in the wind and I turn toward her, slowing the snowmobile.

  “You okay?” I shout back, as the vehicle comes to a stop.

  “Yeah, just…look!” She points up ahead, to where the snow-capped peaks are starting to come into view, and I grin all over again, laughing.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. C’mon, I’ll take you on a ride through a couple of vantage points and then we’ll head down to the lake.”

  She grins back, nodding, her cheeks red from the wind and her eyes alive with the thrill of it.

  “I love this thing.” She adds, as I start it up again, the machine vibrating loudly under us. “I was so jealous when you mentioned it before.”

  “You could have borrowed it.” I say, raising one eyebrow at her over my shoulder. “I wasn’t using it every day.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if I would’ve been up for driving it myself. I’ve got no idea how these things work.”

  “It’s pretty simple—I would’ve shown you.”

  “Yeah, but I wasn’t going to ask you for all of that too.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, because that would have been way too much of an imposition, and…” She pauses, and I glance back at her in curiosity, until she finally relents and comes out with it in a burst. “…well, you’re kind of intimidating, too.”

  “You don’t seem the type to be intimidated by anyone.” I say, surprised.

  “I’m not.” She says
, immediately. “But still.”

  I wait for her to continue, but she doesn’t. That seems to be the end of her explanation.

  “Huh.”

  “See—that there!” She says. “Exactly that. You’re just…it’s like everything I say either washes right off you or you sit there and absorb it, thinking it over. And if you start thinking about it, then I do as well and let’s be honest, I don’t exactly filter my thoughts—most of what I say doesn’t hold up that well to reflection, so then I just feel stupid.”

  “I’m not sure I’m thinking anything over.” I say slowly, trying to follow what she’s talking about. “Maybe I’m just puzzled.”

  I certainly feel that way right now. Sometimes trying to keep up with her feels a little like chasing lightning.

  “Is that any better?” She asks, looking at me dubiously before shrugging. “Oh well, doesn’t really matter. Not when we have a lake to explore—onward, my knight, on our valiant steed!”

  She waves in front of us with a flourish, as I just look at her.

  “What? All those sex endorphins make me slightly ridiculous. You could’ve at least given me a laugh you know, played along a little—after all you’re the one that fucked me—”

  I don’t laugh—instead, I twist fully around and kiss her, one hand leaving the snowmobile to bring her head to mine and our cold lips meeting as breath steams between us. Her body sinks into mine as she gasps, then lets out a little moan, my tongue running along her bottom lip before slipping into her mouth and tangling with her own, all that buoyant energy - her simple joy and charm - meeting me and fusing into something so much more. I don’t know what it is exactly, but seeing all that in her makes this almost impossible to resist. I linger there for far longer than I intended and when I finally withdraw, both of us breathing heavily, I offer her a long, slow smile.

  “Shall we?” I ask softly, nodding toward the snow-covered path ahead of us.

  “I…yes…” She says, her voice slower and deeper now, tinged with desire that makes my blood pound. “Yes, let’s go.”

  I smile, brush my lips against hers once more, and turn back to the snowmobile before I get completely distracted. I can never predict what’s coming next with her, but at least I have a few ways to leave her speechless too. The thought makes me smile as I start the snowmobile up and send us hurtling forward once again, our attention gradually turning to the stunning landscape around us.

  I do exactly what I promised Lauren, taking her through all my favorite vantage points before heading to the lake itself. We spend the next several hours exploring the area together, leaving the snowmobile to hike a couple of the trails I found the last time I was here while admiring the spectacular views of the frozen-over lake with the snow-capped mountains in the background and bright blue skies.

  It’s another glorious day, with snow all around us but no hint of it in the occasional cloud above us—which is yet another reason I wanted to come out here. This time, though, I don’t take any pictures. Lauren does, of course, but I didn’t even bring my camera. Today, I just wanted to show Lauren around and enjoy the time together. I guess she might have had a point last night about actually being part of something, instead of just observing it, and for once, I don’t feel the urge to work. Not even on a few casual shots for my portfolio.

  None of this is anything like the vacation I’d pictured - even after Japan got canceled and I planned this trip to make up for it - but I can’t say I’m disappointed about any of that. Not anymore. I might not know just how we got here, but maybe this is what I need right now. It’s certainly a different way to spend the holidays, which is exactly what I was looking for…and maybe it’s for the best that I’m not spending this year alone, after all. I didn’t think I’d have a problem with that - and probably, I wouldn’t have - but I’m still a little grateful for the distraction, regardless.

  So today, I do what Lauren suggested last night and just enjoy the moment together. In this setting, with her teasing me one moment and making me laugh the next, I can certainly see the appeal in that. There’s something special about being all alone out here together, feeling totally isolated with just the world and each other. Sometimes you’ll see skaters out on the lake, but it’s probably a little too close to Christmas for most people today, which just makes it even better. Definitely the right vibe for a holiday romance and if the way Lauren keeps stopping for a kiss is any indication, laughing and chatting in obvious high spirits, it’s obvious she’s enjoying it more and more.

  We spend longer there than I expect, with the sizzling energy and anticipation of later growing between us in little touches, subtle looks and the kisses we snatch along the way - both of us eager to get home for more, but neither wanting to leave what we’re enjoying right now. It’s not until it’s starting to get dark and I get concerned about the ride home that we actually leave, so by the time we get back to the cabin, we’re exhausted from the long day of hiking and exploring.

  “I’m starving.” Lauren announces, as we walk in the door and start peeling off all our winter layers. “I can’t believe we didn’t eat more than that little sandwich before we left…or take food with us.”

  “I had no idea we were going to be out so long.” I say, shaking my head as I glance over at her with amusement. Somehow, nothing seems to go entirely to plan around her.

  She turns to me almost as soon as her jacket is off, stepping up against me and resting her hands on my hips as she leans up for a kiss. Her eyes are still dancing with their usual mischief, but there’s definitely a little less bounce in her step. “As much as I want to continue where we left off this morning…how do you feel about a little food first?”

  I thread my fingers through her hair, bringing her mouth into mine and kissing her long and slowly before I nod, smiling softly.

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “Mmm…” She sighs contentedly, stepping into me for a short embrace before we head for the kitchen.

  We end up on the couch with the rest of the chili, a roaring fire going and the first Die Hard movie playing on the TV in front of us, since Lauren figured it was enough of a Christmas movie for her, but one that I’d be able to ignore all of that and enjoy anyway. I’m far more interested in her than watching a movie, but I can’t deny curling up together after being out in the cold all day has its own appeal…and the movie is better than I remember, too. It’s easy to watch and there are even some genuinely funny moments, but it doesn’t take long for it to become a secondary focus, as Lauren and I get closer as soon as we’re done with food, cuddling up together and exploring in a slow, gentle way that matches our content, slightly drowsy state.

  We don’t do much more than kiss and cuddle as it plays in the background, simply enjoying the easy companionship, but it’s the perfect end to the day, and I almost feel like we could drift off together here. I barely notice the movie has even finished until Lauren starts talking again, her head resting on my chest with my arm around her and her hand sliding under my t-shirt, idly running over my chest.

  “So…it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow…” Lauren murmurs, her voice soft.

  “Mm…” I agree, most of my attention on how nice she feels against me.

  “I was thinking…maybe it would be nice if we got a tree in here. Just a small one. Make it look a little more festive, you know?” She says, almost idly, though the glance she gives me is a little more uncertain than that.

  “Really?” I ask, my hand making soft circles and tracing patterns on her back. “Where are you going to find one of those?”

  “Oh, I’m sure there will still be lots available in town - discounted too.”

  “Huh.” I say, noncommittal. I’m not exactly interested in the tree, I’d much rather—

  “What were you thinking?” Lauren asks, interrupting that thought as she tilts her head up to look at me. “You know, for Christmas day?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, like, for food - or any little celeb
ration, really - to mark the day. You thought you’d be here all by yourself too, so…were you going to do anything?”

  “I thought I might get KFC.” I say idly.

  “KFC?!” Lauren repeats, raising herself up to look at me in confused surprise. “For Christmas?! Are you joking? You don’t seem like you’re joking.”

  She frowns, looking at me with a mixture of skepticism and suspicion that only makes me want to kiss her again. The serious look she gets when she’s sizing me up does something to me, I swear. Especially when it’s in response to my obvious provocation.

  “It’s what they do in Japan.” I say, with a smile. “KFC for Christmas is really big over there - I guess because once they started getting into Christmas, they wanted Western style food to go with it and they’re not really set up for cooking full-blown turkey dinners for a one-off meal.”

  “But…KFC?” She still looks suspicious, and it’s obvious that she’s not sure whether to believe me or not.

  “Well, it is chicken—that’s pretty close to turkey, right? And the festive boxes and buckets you can get over there look great, too. Probably wouldn’t have been able to get anything like that here, of course, but hey—it would have kept with the theme, hm?”

  She looks vaguely horrified, which only makes me laugh, and I lean forward to kiss her, taking her chin in one hand and enjoying the way she frown lines smooth out into something else entirely.

  “Why?” I ask innocently, pulling back. “What were you thinking of doing?”

  She’s still got that half-suspicious look on her face, but she pauses at that, slightly hesitant.

  “Well…I was going to cook - make a small version of Christmas dinner for myself, or something like that.”

  “I thought you didn’t cook.” I say, raising one eyebrow.

  “I said I didn’t want to cook - not while I’m on vacation this week - but that doesn’t mean I can’t. And it’s different for Christmas - it would be worth it.” She looks up at me defensively, obviously expecting some kind of objection.