A Last Chance Christmas

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “I said, that, yeah.”

  “And I asked you to elaborate. Would you care to do that now?” She kept the light trained on the floor.

  That meant she was still mostly in shadow, and she was still bundled up like someone about to ski the Alps. But he sensed something in the air, a yearning that matched his own. “Instead of trying to explain it,” he said, “maybe I should show you.”

  “Show me how?”

  “Like this.” Tossing his hat onto the saddle horn, he gathered her into his arms. She squeaked in surprise, but when he located her mouth, her squeak turned into a sigh. Oh, yeah. She wanted this as much as he did.

  6

  AT FIRST BEN’S lips were cold, but Molly’s weren’t. She’d had them covered with a scarf. Warming his lips took no time at all. After the first shock of discovering he was going to kiss her, she threw herself into the experience with abandon.

  Rising to her toes, she wound her arms around his neck and gave it all she had. So did he, and oh, my goodness. A harmonica player knew what it was all about. She’d never kissed one before, but she hoped to be doing a lot more of this with Ben.

  Although she’d never thought of a kiss as being creative, this one was. He caressed her lips so well and so thoroughly that she forgot the cold and the late hour. She forgot they were standing in a cavernous tractor barn surrounded by heavy equipment.

  She even forgot that she wasn’t in the habit of kissing men she’d known for mere hours. Come to think of it, she’d never done that. But everything about this kiss, from his coffee-and-dessert-flavored taste to his talented tongue, felt perfect.

  As far as she was concerned, the kiss could go on forever. Well, maybe not. The longer they kissed, the heavier they breathed. His hot mouth was making her light-headed in more ways than one.

  That was her excuse for dropping her phone on the concrete floor. It hit with a sickening crack, but in her current aroused state, she didn’t really care.

  Ben pulled back, though, and gulped for air. “I think that was your phone.”

  “I think so, too.” She dragged in a couple of quick breaths. “Kiss me some more.”

  With a soft groan, he lowered his head and settled his mouth over hers. This time he took the kiss deeper and invested it with a meaning she understood quite well. Intellectually she was shocked, but physically she was completely on board. The stroke of his tongue delivered a message, one she received with a rush of moisture that dampened her panties.

  This time when he eased away from her, she was trembling. Like a swimmer breaking the surface, she gasped. Then she clutched his head and urged him back down. She wanted him to kiss her until the voice of caution stopped yelling at her that it was too soon to feel like this about him. “More.”

  He resisted, but he was panting and obviously as hot as she was. “This is crazy. I think we broke your phone. The light’s out.”

  “We don’t need light.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “Yes, it is. Come back here and do what you were doing some more. I really like it.”

  His chuckle was a little strained. “Me, too.” Apparently he had both a strong will and a strong neck, because he held himself away from her. “But I can do a better job of it in a warm house, plus then we can check out your phone.”

  “I don’t care about the damned phone.” She sighed. “Which is a measure of how you affect me if I’m unconcerned about my techie toy.”

  “I’m flattered.”

  “I hope you’re also turned on.”

  “That, too.” He sounded amused.

  “You realize the minute we step out into that Arctic air we’ll lose momentum.” And she’d begin to question the wisdom of sleeping with him. She just knew it.

  His gloved hand brushed her cheek. “Speak for yourself. The way I’m feeling right now, I could make love to you on an ice floe.”

  She shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with picturing them naked and going for it on any available flat surface. Oh, boy. She was actually considering having sex with a guy she’d just met.

  As the power of his kisses faded a little, her conscience resumed its tedious lecture about her wanton behavior. She tried not to listen, but it was no use. “Maybe we should lose momentum.” She said it with regret, but her conscience applauded. “How long have we known each other?”

  He was silent for a moment. “Yeah, you’re right. For the record, I don’t ordinarily move this fast.”

  “I never move this fast. I go through the normal steps—coffee date, lunch date, dinner date.” More smug applause from her conscience.

  “So we skipped a couple of steps.”

  “It’s not just the steps.” Her conscience was in full control, now. “It’s the time between the steps, when you talk on the phone with someone, when you have moments to contemplate them when they’re not around, when you begin to miss them if you don’t see them for a couple of days.”

  He took a shaky breath. “I know you’re right, but we don’t have that kind of time. You’ll be gone in a few days.”

  She noticed he still hadn’t let go of her. She could wiggle out of his arms, but she didn’t want to do that. “You make a valid point.” Take that, conscience! “I’ve never met anyone special when I was on vacation. My dating steps work great in Prescott, but this isn’t quite that situation.”

  “Same here. I’ve never been bowled over by somebody who’s about to leave town. Guess I don’t know how to handle—”

  “Bowled over? Really?” Her conscience was speechless at that.

  “Yeah.” There was a smile in his voice. “Really. That little pirouette you did for me after I took the dental floss out of your hair knocked me out.”

  “Wow. No one’s ever told me I bowled them over.” And if she needed justification for ignoring her dating steps, this might do the trick.

  “Surprised the hell out of me, too. You’re not my type at all.”

  “Oh? In what way?”

  “Uh...the women I date are usually more...full-figured.”

  With an internal sigh, she decided this cozy embrace was over and pushed against his broad chest. “Then maybe you’re hot for me because, even though I’m not your type, I’m handy and you’re in the mood.”

  “Hey, hey, I didn’t mean it like that.” His arms tightened around her.

  “Let me go, Ben. I get the picture. Chances are you’d be disappointed once our clothes are off, which they won’t be, because I’d sooner strip in front of a grizzly than you.”

  “Let me say my piece, okay? Then if you want to stay away from me for the rest of your visit, I won’t bother you.”

  Curiosity had always been both a blessing and a curse in her life. “Go ahead.”

  “You’re right about what I’ve always considered my type of woman.” He rubbed the small of her back while he talked.

  “Centerfold worthy.” She tried not to be affected by his touch. Logically she shouldn’t feel it much through her bulky coat, but when it came to Ben, she was extra sensitive. “I’m not built to those specs.”

  “You don’t have to be. You have something more important.”

  “Here it comes. You even said it already. You like that I have brains, but trust me, women don’t want to be adored just for their brains, even if they think they do. They want to be worshipped for their bodies, even skinny ladies like me.”

  His voice grew husky. “You have no idea how much I want to do that, Molly.”

  “Because you’ve been through a long dry spell?”

  “No, I haven’t. I broke up with somebody a couple of months ago.”

  “For some guys, two months is a long time. You could be one of those guys.”

  “I could, but I’m not. It wasn’t a very intense relationship, anyway.” He kept rubbing her back with slow, sure strokes. “But you—you would be intense. I thought so before I kissed you, and now I know it for sure. You’re so full of energy. That’s ver
y sexy.”

  “It is?” She was feeling a little better about being in his arms. A lot better, actually.

  “Oh, yeah. You glow, Molly, and I’m so drawn to that. I want...” He swallowed. “I want to touch you all over and see if you’ll glow even brighter. I bet you will.” His voice roughened. “I want to see the excitement in your eyes when you’re about to come. I want to see you go up in flames.”

  She gulped. And quivered. And decided that maybe her dating steps weren’t all they were cracked up to be.

  “That’s all I have to say. If you want me to let you go and keep my distance while I’m here, I understand. We just met. I’m not a sexual opportunist, but you don’t know me well enough to be convinced of that.”

  “Yes, I do.” Her words were barely more than a whisper.

  “You do?”

  She cleared her throat. “Yes.” She was smiling, but he wouldn’t be able to see that. “A sexual opportunist wouldn’t have announced I’m not his type.”

  He blew out a breath. “That was so lame of me. I’m sorry.”

  “Except you told me the truth.”

  “It was the truth until I met you. And besides that, you were insulted. I didn’t mean to insult you.” His sensual back rub continued. “Your body excites me in a way I can’t describe very well.”

  “You’re welcome to keep trying.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, let me see if I can come up with a way to say it that makes sense. It’s like you’re sneaky sexy. A stealth vixen.”

  “A stealth vixen. I like that.” She also liked the way he’d brought her closer until she was pressed tight against his warm body. Even with the layers between them, she knew for a fact he wasn’t making this up. He really did want her.

  “It’s taken me awhile to evolve, but I think I’m finally learning to appreciate subtlety.” He paused in midstroke. “How am I doing? Is any of this making sense?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Where are we on your dating chart?”

  “Is this your way of asking if I’ll go to bed with you when we get back to the house?”

  “I wish.” He hugged her a little bit closer. “Much as I would love that, all we can do is fool around a little. No grand finale tonight, I’m afraid. I wasn’t expecting this and I’m completely unprepared.”

  She had a genius IQ, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was talking about. She debated telling him what she knew and finally decided that keeping the information to herself might not be right. He should have all the facts, too.

  Besides, she liked the idea of rocking him back on his heels. “Actually, that’s not a problem.”

  His sharp intake of breath was gratifying. “Why not?”

  “There’s a box in your bathroom.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I would never kid about a thing like that, Ben. That would be cruel.”

  “And you just happen to know this?”

  “I had a headache yesterday and I forgot to bring aspirin. There wasn’t any in my bathroom, so I looked in yours.”

  “I see.”

  Honesty made her amend that statement. “Actually, I found the aspirin right away, but once I was in there, I wondered what else was tucked in the drawers, so I checked everything out.”

  “God almighty, you’re like a little cat, poking your nose in everywhere. And I love it.” He hesitated. “But I’m still trying to get a bead on where we stand. Are we at yes, no or maybe?”

  “We’re at maybe. I still think we need to slow down a little. Don’t you?”

  “Truthfully? No. We’re two consenting adults and what happens upstairs stays upstairs. We’ve both proven we can keep a secret, and we only have four nights before you leave. By denying ourselves tonight, we’ve taken a potentially great experience off the table.”

  “What if it doesn’t go well?”

  “Then I’ll leave first thing Saturday morning. You’ll only have to put up with me another twenty-four hours and I’ll be gone.” His voice dropped to a sexy murmur. “But it’ll go well.”

  Her heart beat faster. “You’re sure about that?”

  “Yes.” And he kissed her again.

  The second his mouth covered hers, he proved that he knew what he was talking about. A man who could kiss like this, who could use his tongue with such devastating effect, a man who knew exactly the right angle for maximum pleasure—that man would bring the same originality and expertise to lovemaking. She’d be a fool to miss out on even one night of sharing his bed.

  When he released her, he didn’t let go right away, which was a good thing because she might have collapsed onto the cement floor. She was just that unsteady. Mentally, though, she was extremely focused on returning to the house. So much so that she forgot both the uncovered saddle and her dropped phone. “Let’s go.”

  Laughter rippled in his voice. “First I have to cover the saddle.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  He turned on his flashlight app and aimed it at the floor. “And there’s your phone.”

  “Thanks.” She leaned down and picked it up. The screen was cracked, but the phone itself might be operational. She activated it. “Everything looks fine. I just need a new screen.”

  “Good.” He took his hat off the saddle horn and put it on. “Would you please hold the light for me?”

  “Sure.” She tucked away her phone and took his. “It really is beautiful. Now I wish I’d had a chance to contribute to the fund, but my trip up here was kind of a last-minute decision. I’m sure Jack had it handled long before I arrived.”

  “He did.” Ben arranged the blanket so the saddle was completely concealed. “He took up a collection back in October and gave me half my fee then.” He turned back to her. “You mean you almost didn’t make it here?”

  “Almost. Christmas is special at Mom and Dad’s house, and I usually spend the first part of my Christmas break helping cook and decorate. Plus the weather’s dicey this time of year. Originally I planned to wait until summer.”

  “Then we wouldn’t have met.”

  “Probably not.”

  “What made you change your mind and come before Christmas?”

  “Aunt Sarah’s birthday party tomorrow, for one thing, but then she told me about this set of diaries that her mother-in-law, Nelsie Chance, had kept for years. I was very eager to read them, which I have, and they’re wonderful. I even found mention of me in there. But I could have put that off until next summer, too. I just had this hunch that I should come up here now, for some reason.”

  “Hmm.” He adjusted the fit of his Stetson. “Listen, do you think...” Then he shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t believe in that stuff.”

  “What stuff?”

  “Fate, kismet, that kind of thing.”

  She didn’t say anything because she did believe in it and was beginning to wonder if her hunch had been about him. But she wasn’t ready to announce that thought. She might never admit it to him. So much depended on how the next few days went for them. Or the next few hours.

  But apparently he was over there interpreting her silence. “You believe in it, don’t you?”

  “A little.”

  “Well, I don’t.”

  That made her smile. He was the one who’d brought it up in the first place, but she wouldn’t point that out to him. The instant attraction between them excited him, but it probably made him nervous, too.

  Not surprising. It made her nervous. Going to bed with him tonight was so far out of her comfort zone it was in the next zip code. But that didn’t mean she’d decided not to. She was still thinking.

  7

  AS THEY HURRIED from the tractor barn back to the house, Ben still wasn’t clear on whether Molly wanted to have sex with him or not. She hadn’t specifically said she would, but her kiss certainly tasted like yes.

  Yet he should probably give her a little more information before they took that step. Her dreams had to include a family of her own, but all
he could share would be this brief time with her. Then he’d bow out of her life.

  She didn’t realize that, and he should be straight with her before anything happened between them. Someday she’d settle down with a man who wanted a family, but in the meantime, here they were, crazy for each other. If she was willing to share her warmth for a long weekend, he’d take it.

  On the porch they quietly brushed off the snow that clung to their jackets. The porch stretched the length of the house, and according to Jack, rockers lined it during the summer. If Ben came back this summer for Calamity Sam, he’d make a point to enjoy some time in a rocker and take in the view of the Tetons.

  Molly wouldn’t be here, though. A tug at his heart told him that he’d miss her cheerful presence. He’d have to get over that, because she was most definitely not for him, not for the long haul, anyway.

  But now, as he carefully opened the door hung with a giant pine wreath, he thought maybe she could be his for a little while. While they wordlessly removed their boots and set them on a mat by the front door, he thought about what he wanted to say to her. He didn’t relish giving a full explanation, but he had to tell her this wasn’t a lead-in to something more.

  That was assuming she would consider sharing his bed. As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, he unbuttoned his coat. Then he grabbed her by the hand before she could start back to her room. “Molly.”

  She turned toward him, her eyes bright and her skin flushed.

  “You know I want you.”

  “Yes.” She swallowed. “And I—”

  “There’s something you need to know about me.” He took a deep breath. “Saying this might seem weird, except...you’re so into family, and I’m...not.”

  Her expression grew thoughtful. “Okay.”

  “I never plan to have kids. I’m not even sure if I’ll ever get married.” He wondered if she’d laugh and say the topic was premature. Or maybe she’d ask him why he felt that way.