She’d thought Abby looked a bit shell-shocked. Poor thing. It was kind of clear, even to someone who didn’t know her, that the whole news of the baby had come as a shock. Doc had been teasing Kent over fainting but it was Abby who’d looked like she was about to pass out.
Kent must have sensed something was wrong because he’d whisked her away pretty quickly. Caley had gotten on the phone immediately, preparing a congratulations party for them.
“That would be so much fun, but we should get going.”
To her relief, Archer was just as calm and kind in real life as on the phone. And to her amazement, she had discovered that Caley was none other than C.J. Bennett. Millie loved her books, she may have squealed when she found out.
“Oh, but can’t you stay?” Caley begged. “There are spare cabins for guests. You’ll have your own space. Just stay tonight. Go on. It will be so much fun. We’re going to have tubing and sledding and hot cocoa. Gifts! How are we going to get gifts in time?”
“I’m sure there will be time over the next few months to buy plenty of gifts,” Archer said soothingly as he brought them over a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
“Ooh, cookies. Millie, do you like chocolate chip cookies?”
“Um, yes. I do. Thank you.”
Caley picked up one in each hand.
“One at a time,” Archer scolded.
Callie pouted but set one down. “Sugar police.”
“And no sledding for you, not without one of us.” Doc pointed at her.
Archer’s brother Isaac, who everyone seemed to just call Doc, was nothing like him. Abrupt and abrasive, he didn’t seem to have much of a social filter. It had been a bit of a shock at the beginning, but she could see how much he loved Caley.
“What?” Caley asked. “Why?”
“Too dangerous,” Doc replied.
“It’s sledding, Issy,” she complained. “Children do it on their own.”
“Well, that’s on their parents. You’re my baby. Yesterday, you bumped your toe into the corner of the coffee table three times.”
“You moved it!”
“Baby, it’s in the same place it’s always been.”
Caley muttered something to herself. Doc reached over and pulled her onto his lap, whispering something in her ear that made her blush bright red.
Caley sighed. Archer winked at Millie and Spike. “Caley has the ability to trip over nothing.”
“I just have my mind on other stuff.”
Millie nodded understandingly.
“Please stay,” Caley begged. “It will be fun.”
“We’ll stay,” Spike said to her surprise. “If there’s a cabin to spare.”
Millie glanced back up at him. “We can stay?”
He gave her a nod. “But we leave after the party.”
Caley clapped her hands. “Yay! The party is going to start just after lunch. It gets dark early. I’m so excited.”
Archer gave her an indulgent smile then turned to them. “Well, let’s go find you a cabin to stay in and sort out some dinner.”
* * *
The cabin was gorgeous. It was really one big room with a small, attached bathroom. But it was perfect. A log-cabin in the woods with an open-fire. Millie felt herself relaxing as soon as she entered.
They’d had dinner with Caley, Archer and Doc. It had been pretty funny. Doc and Archer had bickered back and forth good-naturedly. Caley had gone through her next book ideas with Millie, who had been thrilled.
Now she was coloring in her book that she’d brought with her while sitting on the couch in front of the fire.
“Time for your exercises, baby doll,” Spike told her. He’d been on his computer working at the small kitchen table.
“Nooo,” she groaned. She had daily exercises that the physiotherapist had set for her to do and she hated them. They made her shoulder ache and it wasn’t feeling that great right now, anyway.
“Yes.”
“I don’t wanna.”
“Millicent Margaret,” he said in a warning voice.
Ooh. Both names. He meant business. But she still didn’t want to do them.
“Daddy. Those exercises suck. They were thought up by a sadist, otherwise known as my physiotherapist. He’s the spawn of Satan.”
Spike gave her a look, although she knew he didn’t like her physiotherapist any better than she did.
“Do your exercises and then Daddy will give you a nice rub-down.”
Hmm. Tempting.
“Could I have the rub-down anyway?” she asked.
“Not the way it works.”
Darn it. Okay, next try.
“Could I have another cookie if I do my exercise?”
Caley had sent them down with a plate filled with chocolate chip cookies.
“Nice try. Not happening. You’ve had enough sugar.”
Well. That sucked.
“But it’s Christmas, you can eat whatever you want at Christmas.”
“It’s not Christmas yet. And if you don’t get your butt over here to do your exercises by the count of three, instead of a rub-down, you’ll be in the corner having time-out.”
Well, she guessed she better get her butt over there then.
After helping her through the exercises, which had her in near tears, Spike drew her into his arms and sat on the chair with her on his lap. He held her gently.
“Fuck, baby. I hate causing you pain.”
Oh no. Now she felt terrible. “It’s not your fault.”
“If I could take your pain on as my own, I would,” he told her gruffly.
“I know you would. Really, the exercises aren’t that bad. And I know they’re helping. I’m just being a big baby. Sorry I was acting like a brat before.”
“You weren’t a brat. I know you’re getting impatient and you want your shoulder to go back to normal. But it takes time.”
“I’ll try to be more patient,” she promised him.
“Come on, I’ll give you that rub-down. You’re so tense, you’re gonna give yourself a migraine. And then it’s bed for you. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.” He put her on her feet and then undressed her. Grabbing some towels out of the bathroom, he laid them out of the bed. Then he had her lie down on her tummy with a pillow under her injured shoulder to support her.
He retrieved the oil from their luggage and poured it on her back, massaging out the kinks in her back. He moved down to her ass, squeezing the two globes. Ooh, she loved when he rubbed her bottom.
Soon, she was a pile of goo. Especially once he’d done her legs and feet.
“Roll over, baby.”
He helped support her as she rolled onto her back. Gently, he slid his fingers down her chest, cupping her breasts, squeezing lightly as he spread his oily hands over them. She let out a deep sigh of pleasure. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples.
So. Good.
Her eyes were closed as she drifted, relaxed yet turned on at the same time. His hands glided down her tummy, towards her pussy.
“Open your legs. Wider. That’s a good girl.”
The massage oil was an all-natural one and could be used on her entire body. Inside and out. He rubbed his fingers up and down her labia, massaging her pussy until her hips were arching off the bed and she needed more. A faint strawberry scent filled the room. Then his mouth descended on her pussy.
“Delicious,” he told her right before he started flicking at her swollen clit with his tongue, driving her wild. Her orgasm flooded through her, making her cry out in pleasure.
Darn. Now she really was a pile of goo.
But he didn’t stop there. Nope. He pressed a finger deep inside her, in and out as he flicked his tongue just beneath her clit until another orgasm rushed through her.
“Please. Please. Please.” She needed him inside her. Wanted him to take her. To make her his.
By the time orgasm three hit her, she couldn’t even think. Could barely breathe. The head of his cock nudged against her and he sank
deep.
She wrapped her legs and good arm around him, her slick body against his muscular one as he took her. Deep and hard. His mouth against hers, kissing her as though he wanted to consume her.
Heaven.
By the time he roared his release, Millie was at peak number four. He reached between them, strumming her clit and sending her soaring after him. She pulsed around his hard cock as she let out a low cry.
Spike lay on his side beside her with a groan, gathering her in close. He kissed the top of her head. “Damn, baby doll. You’re trying to kill me.”
“I’m trying to kill you? You just made me come four times.”
“Had any energy left I’d go for five.”
“I have nothing. I’m dead. Totally dead.”
“Got to have a bath yet,” he told her
“No. No way. Can’t.”
“You can’t sleep covered in oil.”
“Can too,” she countered. “Just watch me.”
He just snorted and rose from the bed. She heard the sound of water running but there was no way she could get up.
Not happening. Nuh-uh.
Then she felt him slide his arms under her, lifting her in the air.
“Daddy, no.”
“Hush, Daddy is going to do all the work, but you’re not sleeping like this.”
Well, as long as she didn’t have to do anything.
And true to his word, she didn’t. He bathed her, washing her thoroughly. Then he dried her and got her dressed in one of her rompers, before putting her to bed.
The lights were turned out except for her special dinosaur night light which they’d brought with them. Chompers was placed into her arms and then she was pulled up against his chest. A rubber nipple was pressed against her lips. She opened her mouth and gulped down the cool water.
After a while, she settled back. Her pacifier was placed in her mouth and with a contented sigh, she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Millie took in the party with a smile of delight. How had they arranged all this with less than a day’s notice? One of the empty cabins was being used to house all the food and drinks and for anyone who felt the chill to get warm. There was food spread out across two tables. Pies of all flavors and snicker-doodle cookies. Even eggnog and hot cocoa with whipped cream. The fire had been lit.
Outside, though, was where all the fun was. Out the back of the cabin, the incline had been cleared of trees at some point, making it a perfect hill on which to run sleds and tubes down. She watched as a woman with dark curly hair screamed and laughed as she flew down the hill.
A huge man with a neatly-trimmed beard moved quickly over to her. He helped her up and checked her over. To Millie’s surprise, he carried the tube back up the hill for her while holding her hand the whole way. Then he held the tube while she got back in and sent her flying down the hill while he ran behind her.
That was one of the sweetest things she’d ever seen. And he repeated it over again. The woman almost danced along in the snow beside him, chatting away. He didn’t seem to be saying anything, he just nodded his head a few times.
“Millie!” Caley turned from where she was standing beside a woman with dark-blonde hair. “Come over here!”
Millie looked to Spike. He gave a nod then took gentle hold of her good arm. She knew he was worried about her slipping in the snow and hurting herself. Which is why she’d been given a list of rules before she’d even been allowed out of the cabin.
She had to wear long underwear and snow pants. She was more of a dress and skirt type of girl, but these would keep her warm and dry. Winter in Nebraska wasn’t as harsh as in Montana, but she still owned clothes for those snowy, chilly days.
Topping off her outfit was a white jacket with red polka dots all over it, a red hat with a fat pom-pom, a white scarf, and gloves. She’d thought he was overdoing it, but it seemed all the other women were dressed similarly.
Her rules included not going anywhere without him. No getting on any sleds, tubes, or horses. No lifting anything—she had no idea what he expected her to be lifting. And no running.
Sheesh. You’d think he would know better by now. She’d given him a look at that last rule and the damn man had actually cracked a smile.
Those smiles were like finding black opal. Rare and beautiful. And he’d wasted one laughing at the idea of her running.
He was just lucky she loved him.
“Hi.” Caley gave her a careful hug. Warmth filled Millie at her easy affection. “Millie, Spike, this is Charlie Jensen. Her husband, Clint, runs the ranching side of Sanctuary. While Kent, who you met last night, runs JSI.”
“Nice to meet you,” Millie told her, shaking her hand with her good one. “Thanks for letting us stay.”
“You’re welcome. I met a friend of yours the other day. Sunny?”
“Oh, you did? Where did you meet Sunny?” Millie asked excitedly.
“Clint decided to get a tattoo and apparently, Duke is the best tattoo artist in the state. Sunny is going to try and convince Duke to bring her here to visit.”
“She’ll have so much fun.”
“Did you both sleep okay?” Charlie asked her.
Spike gave her a nod.
“The cabin was amazing,” Millie told her. “This is awesome. I can’t believe you have a real sleigh.”
“Isn’t it awesome! Clint surprised me with it. Would you like a ride?” Charlie looked at Spike. “Have either of you had anything to do with horses before?”
“I have,” Millie said excitedly. “I had riding lessons when I was twelve.”
Spike looked down at her. “How many?”
“Two. But I’m sure I can figure it out.”
Charlie and Caley gave her skeptical looks. “Don’t you have a sore arm?” Caley asked gently.
“Oh. Yeah. That.”
Spike sighed. “I know a bit about horses.”
“You do?” Millie gave him a shocked look.
He nodded.
“It’s not the same as riding a bike.”
His right eyebrow arched up as he stared down at her and she flushed. “Guess you know that. I just . . . I mean, you don’t seem the horse type.”
“Do you want a ride or not?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes,” she squealed.
“All right, if you’re sure.” Charlie still didn’t look convinced.
“Charlotte!” A deep voice boomed and a man dressed in jeans, boots, and a long jacket walked towards them.
“Oh, that’s my husband.” Charlie smiled dreamily. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”
“Charlotte, get your naughty butt over here now,” the frowning man said.
“Uh-oh,” Caley commented as Charlie started to frown. “What did you do?”
“I don’t know.” Charlie bit her lip. “I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I was supposed to take a nap this morning after staying up half the night making all the food for the party. But instead of napping, I came over to help set up instead.”
Caley shook her head. “Ya think?”
The big rancher crooked a finger at Charlie.
“Gotta go. Have a nice sleigh ride.” She started moving slowly towards Clint.
Millie watched worriedly. The big man seemed awfully upset.
“She’ll be fine,” Caley told her. “Clint is prickly on the outside and all marshmallow on the inside. He takes care of everyone on this ranch like they’re family.”
Millie nodded, watching as the big man pulled the much smaller Charlie close and whispered something to her. Then he gave her several hard pats on her ass which she probably didn’t feel through her layers of clothing before taking her hand and leading her over to the cabin.
“I mean, the spanking she’s got coming will likely hurt, but he’d never harm her.”
Millie turned back to Caley who gave them both a cheeky grin. “Have fun on your sleigh ride. I need to go convince Issy that I’m not going to kill myself by going s
ledding.”
Caley waved and left.
They were left standing by the gorgeous sleigh on their own.
“Can you really handle the horses?” she asked him.
He just gave her another look then picked her up and set her on the seat. There was a blanket along the back of the seat and he picked it up, setting it around her and tucking her in nice and tight. Then he took a moment to pat each horse, talking to them quietly.
Up until then, she hadn’t been entirely convinced that he was telling the truth about having experience with horses.
Climbing in, he sat next to her and grabbed the reins. The sleigh set off and she let out a small gasp as he expertly led the two horses away from the party.
“I can’t believe I didn’t know you had experience with horses.”
“Lot about me you don’t know.”
Yeah, she guessed that was true.
“But you got plenty of time to find out.”
She smiled and leaned her face against his arm as they slid along the snow. It was magical. Beautiful.
Millie slipped her phone out of her pocket to take some photos. Holding her phone out, she leaned close into him. “Smile!”
He grunted. She took several photos of them. When she was finished, she scrolled through them. As she’d figured, he wasn’t smiling in any of them. They were still cute photos.
She quickly took some more photos of the sleigh and their surroundings. Then she set her phone aside and settled in for the ride. By the time they got back to where the party was still happening, she felt more peaceful. Happy.
Someone screamed with laughter and she looked over to see Caley on a double sled with Archer, her arms up in the air as they slid down the hill.
“Hold onto the sled, damn it. You’re going to fall off and break your neck!” Doc yelled out.
Millie couldn’t help but giggle.
Off to the side of the cabin, a dark-haired, slightly built woman was attempting to build a snowman. A big, scary-looking man came over to help her. Every so often, she’d stop and give the man a kiss and he’d visibly soften.
A Little Christmas Cheer Page 6
