A Home for Christmas

by Vaughn, Ann

  "I'm sorry, excuse me a minute, I need to take this," she said as she got up.

  Riley watched her go, his gaze catching Cam's as he turned back to the table. A frown creased Cam's brow, letting Riley know the boy was concerned.

  "It's Lainey, calling her back," he told Cam, keeping his voice low and calm.

  Cam glanced back over his shoulder to where his mother had walked out, then looked back at Riley.

  "If Lainey thinks I should go talk to him, would you come with me?"

  "Absolutely," Riley promised.

  "Everything OK, son?" Brody asked, seeing the looks of worry on Riley and Cam's faces.

  "Lainey has been working with Cam and his dad, trying to iron out some rough spots they've hit lately. Wade is...well, he's in..."

  "My dad's in rehab," Cam explained. "He started doing drugs a few years ago and Mom told him if he wanted to spend time with me, he had to get cleaned up."

  The brothers sobered and fell silent, looking at Cam and then at Riley. Cam looked up at Riley for reassurance and smiled when Riley winked at him.

  "Wade got into drugs?" Trevor asked.

  "Yeah," Riley answered, locking gazes with his brother to silently communicate that they didn't need to get into a discussion about Wade there in front of Cam.

  "Is that why they split up?"

  "They split up because he cheated on my mom and she caught him," Cam replied.

  Trevor shook his head. "I think someone would have to be a fool to cheat on your mom."

  "Yeah, well, that's my dad in a nutshell," Cam said, sounding much older than his ten years.

  "Do you ride dirt bikes like your dad, Cam?" Jack asked, shifting the subject.

  "Yeah," Cam answered.

  Riley reached over and put his hand on the back of Cam's neck. "Cam just won the local season championship in his division."

  "Way to go, little dude!" Aaron said, reaching across the table to high-five Cam.

  "Thanks. That was the day after we met Riley. He came to see it."

  "It was awesome," Riley said.

  "Riley?" Jenna called from the entry-way.

  He turned in his seat and looked over at her.

  "Yeah, babe?"

  "Can you come here a minute?"

  "Yeah, sure...Cam, we'll be right back, OK?"

  Cam nodded and Riley got up to join Jenna in the living room. She had a strained look on her face that he knew couldn't be a good thing. Before even speaking, Jenna stepped to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. He slid his arms around her, holding her tight, kissing the top of her head.

  "What's the matter?" he asked.

  She took a deep breath then stepped back from him, raking her fingers through her hair.

  "Lainey talked with Wade again. She thinks I should probably let Cam see him tomorrow. Just briefly."

  "OK."

  She scowled at him. "OK?"

  "Lainey knows what she's doing. She wouldn't recommend this if she didn't think it would be good for Cam."

  Jenna glanced past him into the dining room, seeing Cam laughing and talking with Riley's brothers. He seemed his normal, carefree self in there with them. She didn't want to do anything to change that.

  "I'm sure she is good at what she does, but she isn't Cam's mother."

  "I know that...and at the end of the day, you have to do what you feel is right for your son. All I can tell you is...Lainey has helped a lot of families since she became a family counselor. She's dealt with a lot of kids whose parents were pulling them in every direction, using the kid to hurt each other. And, personally, Lainey has helped me settle the mess that was in my head when I came home from the war."

  "So, you think I should let Cam see Wade?"

  "I think, Cam is old enough to at least have a say in the decision...but, Jen, you're his mother and I wouldn't want to step on your toes."

  She closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them, she looked up into Riley's green eyes and nodded.

  "I'll tell Cam what she said and see what he wants to do...and it's not stepping on my toes if I ask you for your opinion," she said, smiling at him.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "What did Lainey say?" Cam asked when they were on their way back home.

  Jenna took a deep breath. "Well, she said she thought it would be a good idea if you did go by to see your dad tomorrow. Just for a little while."

  Cam was quiet a moment, then he sighed. "Fine."

  Jenna turned in her seat to fully face him. "Yeah?"

  He shrugged. "It's Christmas, and Riley said he'd go with me."

  She glanced up at Riley's profile, feeling a rush of love for him. How could someone she'd known for such a short amount of time come to mean as much to her as he now did? It went beyond all comprehension. She had lived the last five years so safe and steady, and in less than a month, Riley had come in and completely changed everything.

  "Thank you," she whispered to him, just barely loud enough for him to hear.

  He glanced down and winked at her but didn't say anything.

  "Your brothers are really cool," Cam said to Riley, changing the subject. "It would be neat to have brothers."

  Jenna's eyes widened and Riley laughed, meeting Cam's gaze in the rearview. Cam was smiling and Riley had a feeling the kid knew exactly what he was doing to his mother by talking about siblings.

  "Brothers can also be a pain in the a...butt," Riley said, thinking of Trevor.

  Cam shrugged. "That wouldn't bother me. If Mom were to have a kid right now, I'd be ten years older than it. Would still be cool but not quite the same as having them all close together in age."

  "I'm eight years older than Aaron and six years older than Trev. Doesn't really make that big a difference once you're older."

  "How old are you, then, Riley?" Cam asked and his tone made Riley laugh.

  "Thirty-five."

  "So, you're six years older than Mom, too."

  "Yeah."

  "Mom's almost thirty."

  "Gee, Cam, thanks for reminding me," Jenna said, dryly.

  "Well, I'm just thinking...you're getting almost too old to have more babies."

  "Cameron!!"

  "Well? I've heard Grandmother getting on Aunt Jackie for waiting until her thirties before she has babies and saying how hard everything is after thirty."

  Jenna groaned. Yes, her mother was always saying that to Jackie.

  "I don't think your mom is too old to have more babies. If she wants them," Riley said.

  Cam looked at his mom. "Do you want more babies, Mom?"

  Thankfully, Riley had just pulled into her driveway. "What I want, is for you to go inside and get in bed, mister. It's late."

  "It's a valid question!" Cam said, scooting out of the truck.

  "Good night, Cameron."

  "One more thing...if we go to see Dad tomorrow, can we do it early and get it over with?"

  Jenna sighed. "I'll think about it. Go get in bed."

  "Good night," he said, dashing off toward his room.

  Jenna rolled her eyes and led Riley inside. He took her coat and she went into the kitchen to check the messages on her business line. She'd just finished jotting down the last of the notes from the messages when Riley came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

  "It was a valid question," he said against her ear.

  Surprised, Jenna glanced up at him.

  "What?"

  "Do you want more babies, Jenna?"

  Truth be told, she hadn't ever thought about it. After the divorce, she put all her time into Cam and building her business. Riley was the first relationship she'd had since the divorce; and thinking about being pregnant again, having Riley's baby growing inside her sent all kinds of chills through her. She could just picture a gorgeous, blonde haired, green-eyed baby in her arms.

  She turned in his arms to face him, looking up into his handsome face.

  "Only if they are blonde and as gorgeous as thei
r daddy," she whispered.

  He shifted his arms so that he could cup her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. Jenna stood on her toes and twined her arms around his neck, feeling tears prick the backs of her eyes. She loved him so much it was a physical ache.

  Riley scooped her up into his arms and carried her into her room, all pretense of him staying in the guest room gone. He stood her on her feet and undressed her slowly, lovingly, taking his time and kissing each new area of exposed flesh, worshipping her with his hands and mouth. Jenna was trembling with need by the time he'd gotten her nude, while he was still fully clothed. She tried to reach for his shirt but he took a step back from her, denying her. For several long moments, he simply stood admiring her. It was hard, standing there under his scrutiny, but she held still, not wanting to break the spell of whatever mood he was in.

  "Turn around," he said softly.

  She raised a brow but did as he asked. She heard him moving behind her, knew he was undressing and it sent shivers down her spine. When she heard the clink of his belt buckle and the slide of denim down his legs, she knew it wouldn't be much longer...but then it was.

  "Riley," she called, her voice raw with anticipation.

  "Shh," he said, quieting her.

  Several more minutes passed. She was facing the bed, her back to the rest of the room, which was dark. She could feel anticipation gathering in her belly and between her legs. After what seemed like an eternity, she felt his heat as he approached her back, but he didn't touch her directly. Instead, she felt him skim his fingertips down her spine, causing her to shiver all the more. She could feel the heat from his body; he was close but he wasn't touching her. It was sensual and it was driving her insane with need.

  "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Jenna," he said, low, his lips near her ear. His hands finally made full contact, sensuously sliding around to cup her breasts and pull her back against his chest. His lips slid slowly down her neck, turning her knees to jelly.

  "Riley," she moaned when one hand slid down her torso and a finger dipped inside her.

  "Shh," he repeated, stroking her slowly.

  She could feel him hot and heavy against her back and wanted nothing more than to feel him deep inside her. His other hand continued to knead her breasts, effectively pinning her against him. Her arms were pinned under his, keeping her from being able to touch him.

  "You fit so perfectly against me, like you were made for me," he let a second finger join the first and Jenna had to fight to stay on her feet. She began to writhe against his hand, making him chuckle. "That's it, baby," he encouraged, teeth grazing her neck.

  "Riley, please," she breathed.

  "Shh," he said yet again, making her whimper.

  "Please," she begged when his fingers picked up intensity.

  The hand at her breast left to cup her cheek and turn her head so that he could cover her lips with his own, his tongue plunging and invading her mouth, robbing the breath from her. At that point, she didn't even care; she just wanted whatever he would give.

  "Lie down on the bed," he ordered, releasing her. She whimpered when he withdrew his fingers but then immediately did as he said. "Bend your knees and spread them wide. Let me see you." She did as he instructed, biting her lip when she saw him reach down to stroke himself as he looked at her. "So beautiful," he murmured.

  "Come to me, Riley," she said, raising her arms to him.

  "Shh," he said, smiling at the frustrated look on her face. He sat on the edge of the bed near her hip, then leaned down and began a burning trail of kisses that began at her knee and slowly made it's way up the inside of her right thigh. When he reached her center, he cupped her butt in his hands and lifted her, then began a long, slow intimate kiss that had her crying and writhing with each thrust and lick of his tongue. She buried her fingers in his short blonde hair and held on tight. The scrape of his stubble against her sensitive flesh had her trembling unbearably.

  "Oh, God, Riley, please," she cried and was rewarded when he finally covered her body with his and entered her on a powerful thrust that had her digging her nails into his shoulders.

  His mouth descended on hers. She could taste herself on his lips and it gave her a sensual thrill. It was an incredibly intimate, private moment with him; one she knew she would always cherish. Riley was insatiable. Every time she thought he was nearing his peak, he would push past it and give her more. His thrusts were powerful, hard and demanding; his stamina more than she could have ever imagined. This was more than just making love, she realized. This was Riley staking his claim and she loved every hard, pounding thrust of it.

  "Tell me you love me," he demanded as his hips picked up speed.

  "I love you, Riley Stanton!" she cried, her body shattering around him. Defying all reasoning, her words kicked him into even higher gear and he pounded into her so hard her teeth were clattering. She didn't care. This was the most intense love making of her life and she was determined to ride it out, even though she was to the point of wanting to scream her release. She knew she would be all kinds of sore by the time he was done; she just didn't care.

  When his release finally came, Jenna was sobbing, clinging to his shoulders for dear life. He collapsed against her, panting hard, sweat pouring off of him and onto her. She didn't care. She held him tight, combing her fingers through the hair at his nape, kissing his ear, his cheek, his neck; whatever she could reach.

  "I love you, Jenna," he said, his lips against her collarbone.

  "I love you, too," she echoed.

  He slowly raised his head, looking down into her eyes.

  "Did I hurt you?" he whispered.

  She smiled, biting her lip. "I am deliciously sore and well-used, but not hurt."

  He brushed her hair back from her brow, his eyes intense as he looked down on her.

  "Seeing you and Cam at the table with my whole family tonight...I can't put into words how that made me feel."

  "Hearing your mother refer to me and Cam as your family was like that for me. We feel more like a family than Cam and I ever did with Wade...and I hate bringing him here into our bed but I want you to know that. And talking about having children with you...you will be a wonderful father, Riley. I've seen it already with Cam. How could I not want babies with you?"

  "You are...every dream I've ever had rolled into one. Every fantasy I ever had...the reality of you blows them away."

  She smiled, then laughed when a bead of sweat dripped off his brow onto her.

  "You need a shower."

  He chuckled, sliding off of her and standing. "So do you. Come on."

  She placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet, then stopped him when he started toward the bathroom. She stood on her toes and snaked her fingers around the nape of his neck to pull him down for a final, breathtaking kiss.

  "Thank God for purse thieves," he murmured, making her laugh.

  "Amen!"

  They made quick work of showering, both becoming heavy lidded and ready to get into bed. Falling into bed nude, they snuggled together, facing each other, Jenna's face pressed to the hollow of Riley's throat. Jenna had her hand over his heart, feeling the strong, steady beat beneath her fingers, allowing his warmth to envelope her and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Christmas Eve was normally Jenna's absolute favorite day of the year. She loved everything about it; the busy parts and the quiet parts. This morning, however, she woke up with a huge knot in her stomach. Taking Cam to see his father was weighing heavily on her.

  Glancing to the right, she saw that Riley was no longer in bed with her. She didn't hear him in the bathroom so she knew he wasn't there. Sighing, she got up and went into the bathroom herself, and found a note taped to the mirror over her sink.

  Went for a run. Back in about an hour. Love you.

  Smiling, she pulled it down, studying his writing. It was small and bold and typically male, but at least it was legible. She got
dressed and went into the kitchen to start breakfast, only to see that Riley had placed a box of doughnuts on the bar with another note.

  Take it easy this morning.

  She couldn't contain her happiness then. Riley was doing his best to spoil her and she absolutely loved it. She went down the hall to Cam's room, then froze when she saw his bed empty. A moment of panic seized her at first, and then she saw a note sitting on his bed.

  Went jogging with Riley. Merry Christmas!

  Cam? Jogging? She wondered how in the world that would go, but loved that he was willing to get up and try it with Riley. The only drawback to them getting up and going out while she was asleep was that she had no clue as to how long they'd been gone.

  She took advantage of the time to herself by going over her list of things they needed to do for the day. Lainey had informed her that visiting hours for Wade began at 10:00 am so she planned to have Cam there right at ten. Depending on how long that took, and what Cam's state-of-mind was when they left, she figured they could grab lunch in town, then come home to make their cookies and have time to get ready and head to her parents and to Riley's parents houses.

  She'd just finished her list when Riley and Cam came in, laughing. Her heart leapt at seeing them bonding together. She knew that Riley would never take the place of his dad, but that he was definitely helping to bridge the gap left in Wade's wake.

  "We ran three miles, Mom!" Cam told her, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

  "That's awesome, bud! I'm impressed!"

  Riley winked at her as he took a bottle of water from the fridge. He barely even looked like he'd broken a sweat. What he did look like, was all kinds of hot, so much so that she had to look away to keep from needing to fan herself.

  "Go get a cleaned up, kid," Riley told Cam after he'd snagged a doughnut.

  "Yeah, yeah, I'm going," Cam said, heading down the hall.

  Riley waited until Cam was in his room and then came over to where Jenna sat and cupped her face in his hands to kiss her. She jumped when his hands touched her; they were still cold from being out in the December air.

  "Sorry," he chuckled against her lips.

  She kissed him, laughing. "It's OK. Did you really get him to run the full three miles?"