'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas

by Stacey Espino

  “Um…aren’t you freezing in just a shirt? It has to be twenty below,” her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

  He shrugged. “I was caught unprepared for the weather.” She raised an eyebrow in disbelief but didn’t challenge it. Elric moved closer and bent down, balancing on the balls of his feet. Lightly, his fingers stroked hers up and down in a slow rhythm. “Tell me something about yourself, Laura.”

  “Not much to tell.” She shrugged, her body now relaxing from his soothing touch.

  “I find that hard to believe. Are you here alone? A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be hidden in the frozen wilderness like this.” He found himself fixated on the sudden blush to her smooth cheeks.

  “I happen to like being alone.”

  He could hear the defensive edge underlining the tone of her voice. No, she didn’t like being alone, not at all, and the pain flashing within her brown eyes told him this was a woman who’d loved and lost. She knew grief and found the strength to push through it. He didn’t want to feel the warm rush of admiration swelling inside of him…didn’t want to feel the pull she had on him. His feelings perplexed him, fascinated him, made him want to delve deeper into what Laura Holt was like.

  His fingers stilled in hers as he held her gaze. “How much time has passed since you have been with a man?”

  Chapter Three

  Her eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected question. “It’s been awhile.” She hedged, remembering her words just that morning wishing for someone to fill the void living inside of her for the last five years. Well, here it was in the flesh and she was absolutely terrified.

  “I don’t think I’m ready for this.” She waved a hand toward him. “For you, right now. It’s just too fast.”

  “I believe this is exactly the right time.” He leaned in giving her no time to react; his lips touched hers lightly at first then more demanding as he slanted his mouth for a deeper kiss. She felt her toes curl as his tongue licked at the seam of her lips, seeking entrance. Laura opened for him with a sigh, his tongue dueled with hers. Her arms curled around his strong neck, fingers clutching at his soft silky hair as she held him closer to her, her breasts rubbed enticingly against his hard chest causing a ripple of heat to flow down her belly.

  Elric groaned into her mouth. “Gods, I want to fuck you, Laura. Let me give you pleasure.”

  Laura moaned as once again he claimed her mouth with savage intent. His teeth nipped her lower lip, his tongue stroked hers, devouring her with his hunger. Her blood heated feeling like molten lava in her veins as her pulse pounded in her temples. She felt hyperaware of the brush of her clothing, his hands brushing up her arms. One hand cupped the back of her head, angling her more fully into his kiss and he rubbed his chest over her achingly aroused nipples. Lightning streaked through her arms, down her spine, legs and feet, her clit throbbed in time with her heart as she clung to him.

  Her mind became blank, aware of only the primal feelings this man provoked in her. Lust, bone deep and all consuming ate at her with greedy teeth. Her body ached for Elric’s hands on her breasts and further down his fingers stroking her wet folds, his cock filling her, stretching her. Wetness pooled between her legs, saturating her jeans. If he did not touch her soon she’d go mad!

  A whimper escaped her as Elric pulled away abruptly, breathing heavily he stood and ran a shaky hand over his face. His eyes were stark with hunger, glittering like ice. His cock strained against the fly of his jeans and she watched, riveted as he stroked himself through the denim.

  “Undress for me, Laura, I want to see you.” He urged her, his voice deep and husky with need.

  Laura blinked up at him as his words registered. Her face grew warm with sudden shyness. She shook her head slowly. “I’ve never done anything like this before. I—”

  “Don’t,” he cut her off gruffly. “Don’t think, only feel. This is your chance, Laura. Take what I’m offering you. Now take your clothes off for me.”

  Could she really do this? She didn’t know him, and yet, need like she’d never known clawed at her, driving her half mad with want. Perhaps it was the isolation getting to her, or perhaps she went too long without a man. Whatever the reason, it did not matter. She was going to grab hold of this before it slipped through her fingers. Slowly she stood on wobbly legs, her eyes locked on his as she grabbed the hem of her sweater and pulled it up and over her head, letting it drop to the floor. She resisted the urge to cross her arms in front of her breasts, glad she wore one of her prettiest lacy white bras. Her boots, socks and jeans came next, landing over her sweater in a heap.

  Standing in only her bra and panties she raised an eyebrow in challenge. “You seem a little over dressed, don’t you think?”

  His laughter moved over her like silk making her shiver with awareness. He bent at the waist; his hair fell forward in a shimmering silver curtain over his face as he quickly removed his boots and socks. Damn, even his feet were sexy!

  He straightened, his gaze heated. Her mouth went dry as his long tapered fingers made short work on the buttons of his shirt. As he removed it she watched with appreciation at the play of muscles rippling beneath tanned skin. Her gaze roved hungrily over his defined abs, following the small trail of white blonde hair that went past his belly button to disappear under his waistband. God, she wanted to lick him from top to bottom and caught herself from smacking her lips at the thought.

  Elric’s hands hovered over the button of his jeans for a brief second before he slowly popped the button, then another, revealing the thicker white blonde hair of his groin. Laura groaned as he undid the last button and pulled his jeans down his long legs. She noticed he wore no underwear as he stepped out of his jeans. His massive erection jutted proudly from between his legs, rising up to touch his taut belly. It’s large, dark hood beaded with pre-cum at its slit. Laura never saw a more erotic sight in her life! This man was a living breathing sexual fantasy and he was all hers, at least until the storm ended and they went their separate ways. The very idea sent a tinge of sadness through her but she squashed it down. The one thing she learned the hard way was nothing ever lasted forever. Losing Ryan taught her that. It was all about the here and now and that would just have to do.

  * * * *

  Elric drank in the sight of the exquisite beauty before him, standing proudly in only her white lacy bra and matching bikini panties. Her full breasts arched up in an open invite to touch. Her small waist flared to rounded hips and long toned legs. He took a step toward her, then another, until he found himself a breath away from her. Her body heat hit him like a freight train, amping him up. Taking a deep breath, pulling the scent of vanilla and the musky scent of her arousal into him, his already stiff cock grow even harder. Lightly his finger traced the flesh above her bra, and then hooking a finger on each side of her straps, he eased them off her shoulders. Elric’s mouth followed the path of his fingers. His tongue and lips teased the soft creamy skin from her shoulder to the tops of her breasts. Laura’s breath caught as he freed one breast and laved the puckered nipple then sucked it into the warm wetness of his mouth. His hand found the front clasp, releasing the bra to fall to the floor.

  Gods, she was perfection; her dark red nipples like berries begging for his touch. He groaned as he turned his attention to the other breast. He heard her whimper, felt her heart racing as he pinched one nipple while he sucked on the other. The perfume of her arousal got stronger and he let his hand trail over her ribs down her flat belly to the waistband of her bikini’s, then beneath to the wet heat of her pussy. He pushed one finger in her tight channel, his thumb circling her clit as he moved his finger in and out. Her muscles squeezed his finger as he placed a second inside her welcoming flesh and she squirmed, lost in the sensations he caused. Leaving her nipple he licked the seam of her mouth and she opened to him without hesitation, plunging his tongue inside for another taste of her. Like a starving man given his first meal in ages, he devoured her, his fingers and tongue mimicking the thr
usting motions of sex.

  Unable to wait a moment longer he tore her bikinis off with savage determination and picked her up, placing her on the small bed. Lying between her thighs he bent his head, swirling his tongue down her taut belly to the dark curls covering her mound. Lifting her legs onto either side of his shoulders he lapped at the wet, swollen folds, so pink and glistening with her juices.

  “Gods, you taste so good. Come for me, Min skönhet,” he muttered, his voice deep and gravely with desire.

  “Oh…yes, don’t stop, Elric.” Laura panted, arching into him as he continued the exquisite torture, sucking at her clit with increasing speed.

  His fingers again found her hot core and she came apart with the force of her orgasm. Screaming with the intensity of it, her body writhed in pleasure.

  “I have to fuck you now. Can’t wait any longer.” Elric grunted, rising above her with his cock in hand, guiding it toward her entrance. In one thrust he seated himself to his balls. A groan of sheer pleasure rumbled through his chest.

  “So good…please, Elric, I need more!” Laura cried, wiggling her body in encouragement.

  With a chuckle low in his throat, he obliged. Thrusting slowly at first, relishing the feel of her tightening around him, he withdrew to the crown of his cock then plunged back in a slow rhythm. He felt her legs tighten around his waist as she rose to meet each thrust, her eyes closed, a small smile on her beautiful face.

  “Look at me, Min skönhet. I want to see you come, and know you are with me,” he demanded in a husky growl.

  Suddenly he found himself drowning in warm brown eyes glazed with desire as they locked onto his. He quickened the rhythm, felt his balls tighten; his breath caught in his lungs and he gritted his teeth. No way was he going over without her. He knew she was close again by the little noises she made. Reaching between their bodies he stroked her clit. Her muscles contracted around him, and her nails scraped down his back as she arched toward him with a scream of release. His control was ripped away as she milked him with her contractions and with a horse shout he came with shuddering force.

  He felt shaken to the core of his being. As he lay on top of her, his weight braced on his arms, he rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, concentrating on regulating his breathing. In all his considerable years he had never been affected as this one human woman seemed able to do. Never had he felt so deeply sated, contentment so profound and complete he wondered how he lived without it.

  Elric felt at home buried deep within her, her warm body under his pulsing still with the aftermath of their joining. Slowly he withdrew and rolled to his side. Propping himself up on his elbow, he stared down at her, studying her with an intensity that made her squirm beneath his gaze. Her body was flushed with his lovemaking and satisfaction settled over him.

  Mine. The word echoed in his brain. No, this could never be, she was a mortal and he…well he would live indefinitely. He couldn’t give his heart to her only to lose her for such a brief span of time. She would be better off if he just left once the storm passed. Laura could continue with her life and he could concentrate on his responsibilities to his family. Some sign of his thoughts must have showed on his face, for Laura frowned up at him.

  “Is everything okay?” Her question was colored with her uneasiness and he wanted to curse his stupidity for showing his emotions to her.

  “Sure, everything is just fine,” he lied smoothly, giving her an encouraging smile which didn’t make it to his eyes. Wanting to redirect her pursuing it further, he blurted out the first thing which came to his mind. “Do you live here alone or is there someone special in your life?” Damn, he really didn’t need to know there could be someone she cared about. He may be forced to tear his head off.

  “No, there’s no one.” She lowered her lashes, veiling her emotions from him.

  He gently placed a finger under her chin and lifter her face up, seeing the play of emotions on her open face she was unable to hide. “There was someone, though, I can see it and he hurt you badly, didn’t he?” He couldn’t keep the growl from his voice as anger surged through him.

  Her brown eyes widened with surprise. “It’s not what you think, okay? He, Ryan…he was my husband. He D…Died.”

  Her words were like a punch in the gut. “Ah, Min skönhet, I am sorry. Can you tell me what happened? I find myself very curious about your life. About you.” He pushed a stray curl from her face, marveling at the softness of it.

  “It was five years ago,” she started on a sigh. “He was killed in a car accident. We were living in PortlandOregon at the time and it was raining, which is the norm for Portland. He was on his way home from work when a driver lost control of his car and hit Ryan head on. He died instantly, so he didn’t suffer.”

  Unable to help himself Elric pulled her into his arms. She looked so venerable, her eyes haunted as she relived that day. Resting his cheek against the top of her head he reveled in the feel of her, her scent teased him, and he knew he would always think of her whenever he smelled vanilla. Despite his best efforts he felt his heart open to her. The only one in five hundred years who’d slipped past all his barriers. Letting her go was going to hurt like a bitch, but what option was there?

  “How did you come to be here? So far from humanity, not the healthiest choice for you I think.”

  She stiffened in his arms, her voice sharp, telling him he hit a nerve. “I have never been very good with a lot of people.”

  “You are so full of life and your talent should be shared. Not hidden so far from those who would appreciate it.”

  She abruptly changed the subject. “Why do you keep calling me Min skönhet? What does it mean?”

  “It’s just an endearment from my homeland, it means my beauty.”

  “Beauty, huh?” She gave a very unladylike snort of derision. “Give it up, GQ, you already got lucky. So you aren’t from around here, I got that from your accent. Where is home?”

  A chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. ”Scandinavia originally, but I have traveled extensively all over the world.”

  “There is something about you. I can’t quite put my finger on it but you are…different somehow.” She frowned at him.

  And he felt the urge to tell her what he was; he wanted to share it with her and the realization shocked him.

  She sighed and muttered something under her breath. “Look, it’s not like I’m hiding away or anything, it’s just I always wanted to see Alaska and when I came across this little settlement and saw this barn and the house, I felt comfortable here. I bought it from the savings left over after Ryan’s funeral and, well, I like it here. I have some friends.” At his snort she pulled away and looked him straight in the eye. “I do have friends you know. There’s Jay, he’s an old timer who comes by to check on me every few days and then there is Helen, my agent who sells my artwork. You’re uh…sculpture the exception of course.”

  “Of course,” he agreed, humor lacing his words.

  “Then there is Omak, she is a native to these parts and comes by once a week to gossip. So I have everything I need.”

  “Everything but a man to see to your other needs you mean,” he stated pointedly, staring at her bared breasts jutting up proudly before him. He felt his cock stir again with sudden interest.

  Laura turned bright red. “Hey, eyes up, GQ.” She let out a big breath. “Okay, there is that, but one must make sacrifices you know. You can’t have everything.”

  “You are far too delectable to make that kind of sacrifice. Your passion burns too hot to be pushed aside.”

  “Well, until you showed up I really had very little interest in having my itch scratched.” Shyness colored her words.

  Elric found himself even more intrigued with her, and he wondered if he would ever get bored with this mortal. He was afraid he knew the answer to it already. In that moment he knew, without any reservation that all he wanted was to be with her. Laura was everything he’d lost hope in finding. She was the perfect fit to hi
m in every way. The fates were cruel to give him such a fleeting taste of happiness. He wished he could be mortal and live out this measure of life with her, die with her, and be with her in the afterlife as well.

  If only there was a way…

  Chapter Four

  Laura watched his beautiful eyes grow distant. There was something he was keeping from her; she knew it deep in her bones. This man was a virtual stranger to her and yet she felt as if she knew him her entire life. And the sex was mind blowing! Even with Ryan it had not been that intense. She waited for guilt to bombard her and found…nothing. Perhaps it was time for her to open her heart once more. She studied Elric from behind lowered lashes. The man was gorgeous and damn, that body! All golden skin stretched tight over rippling muscles. Her hands had been all over him and she still ached for more.

  Yet there was more to it than that, his humor and intelligence pulled her just as strongly, with him her heart felt lighter, he gave her contentment. She could see him in her life easily that the revelation surprised her. Never one for one night stands, this was the first time she allowed herself to be led by passion and a spike of fear rose within her. What if this was just a fling for him? After all, what did she really know about him? Well, there was only one way to find out.

  Taking a big breath, she plunged in. “So, do you have anyone special waiting for you?”

  He smiled, humor sparkling in the depths of his blue eyes. “No, no one. Just family.”

  Yes!

  “Do you have a large family?”

  “Just my father. Mother passed…a while ago.”

  “Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I lost my mom to cancer, my dad followed soon after. I think he didn’t want to live without her and just, well…gave up on life.”

  “They must have been deeply in love.”

  “Oh, they were.” Laura remembered the look of love shining in their eyes whenever they were together. “So you don’t have any brothers or sisters?”