We had stopped at the solarium entrance to catch our breath for a moment, when an event planner came and pulled Matt away to handle an issue. ”Will you be okay?” he asked.
“Of course,” I answered. “Go on. I’ll be around.”
A few people were milling about the solarium, pointing up at the night sky, having quieter conversation, or just relaxing in the lounge chairs. I stood at the glass enclosure, enjoying the few moments alone. It was the quiet void in the whirlwind of festivities around me. As I turned to go back inside, I bumped into the ripped wall of a man in a white tuxedo.
“Sorry, I didn’t see y-” I stopped speaking and stood motionless in my tracks as I realized it was Chad Bridges. I was frozen, unable to speak or move.
“Hello, Kate,” he said, standing in place, crowding me so I couldn’t move. Not that I could in any case. I didn’t think he would have the audacity to confront me this way; and certainly not while I didn’t have the support and safety of Matt near me.
“Wh-what do you want?” I said when I could finally speak.
“Calm down, Kate,” he said dismissively. “I just came over to say hello and congratulations to my boy’s new girlfriend.”
“Well you just did,” I said, anger finally unleashing and lacing my tongue with fiery prowess. “Now please excuse me and let me pass.”
He wouldn’t move. Instead he placed a wayward hand on my waist and looked up and down my body. “I won’t bother you any more, Kate. You were the sweetest piece of-, I mean you were one of the nicest girls I dated. I had my chance and I fucked up. I’ve fucked up a lot lately. Maybe I’ll grow up one day. Anyway, now you’re the property of Matt Lewis. See you around, Kate. And have a very Merry Christmas.”
I pushed Chad’s hand off my waist and squeezed past him, almost running inside to find some safe haven within the bustling crowd. Eventually I got back to the ballroom entryway, and walked past the stairway to the kitchen. Matt was arguing with a catering manager about champagne, but noticed my agitation the moment he saw my face.
He walked over and caressed my shoulders. “What’s wrong honey?”
“I just saw Chad,” I answered, the anger thick in my voice.
“What happened?” he asked. “I hope he was an absolute gentleman with you.”
“Nothing happened,” I answered. “I just can’t be in the same room with that man.”
He pulled me into his warm chest and held me close. “Do you want me to ask him to leave?”
“You’d do that for me?” I asked, pulling away from his strong, comforting chest to look up at him.
“Best friend or not, no one messes with my woman,” he said, with a fierceness in his eyes.
“No, no. It’s okay,” I answered. “I’ll just avoid him like the plague unless you’re right beside me.”
“Well it’s time for the big toast, then some dancing. And after that, we can kick Chad and all these people out of our house. C’mon, let’s get in there.”
Matt gave a memorable toast, which was met with loud applause and a few whistles from his firefighter buddies. Soon the room transformed once again to a fairy-tale dance floor, filled with women in whirly evening gowns, postured men in tuxedos, and magical Christmas classics. Worlds collided in that room, and surprisingly, the group was cohesive and cheerful. They all had one thing in common. Matt.
Chapter 11
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Matt and I, Sara and one of her girlfriends, and a team of his security detail, piled into a few SUVs to go search for a Christmas tree. It had been their tradition to drive into the nearby forest as far as they could go, then walk the rest of the way in, to find that one-of-a-kind pine that would become their special addition for the season. Matt was sentimental about keeping traditions alive. He and Sara had no other living relatives, so they took it on themselves to preserve these rituals.
I was extra perky that morning. George had finally confirmed I’d be able to DJ a segment of the online radio show that afternoon.
We parked on the side of the road at the base of a small hill. There was light snow on the ground, remnants of the beautiful, fluffy snowfall that fell the night before. I welcomed the time outdoors. Even with daily morning runs with Matt, I couldn’t get enough of the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. There was a small clearing between the pines, which we took to get closer to the more pristine trees.
“What about this one?” Sara called out to us. As Matt turned to look, she threw a wet muddy snowball toward his face. His reaction time was just fast enough to narrowly miss it. He chased after Sara, and we could hear her squeals booming between the trees. They emerged from the pines a few minutes later. Both had snow all over their coats. Their hands were behind their backs. Before I could react, I was covered in snow too.
I’ll get you for this!” I called out to them both, laughing as they split up and disappeared between the trees. I got ahead of myself and threw a messy snowball in Matt’s direction, and it hit one of the security guards. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, trying to hold in a giggle, as the men were so serious. He just looked down at the spot on his tan coat, and brushed it off, and continued monitoring what he probably viewed as asinine behavior.
I ducked between one of the denser clusters of trees to form a few snowballs. I was intent on exacting my revenge on the two. Before I knew it, Matt appeared and pulled me down onto the snow beside him.
“Finally, a little privacy,” he said softly, rolling me on top of him. “I want you right here. Right now.”
His demand was unrealistic, but tempting. Being this close to him, feeling him beneath me, made the offer near irresistible. I was already heating up from the core. “Matt! You know we can’t. They’re just a few feet away.”
“Fine,” he said, disappointed. “Kiss me at least.” He lifted his head up and I met his lips for a gentle kiss. He brought his hand to the back of my head and kissed me passionately. His kiss was wild, and sent a heat raging through me. The passion between us only seemed to intensify as more time passed. I was already wet by the time he grabbed my ass, pulling me closer to feel his arousal through our bulky winter clothes.
I jumped off him quickly when I heard Sara and her friend dash between the trees near us. “We’re gonna gross them out if we keep this up,” I said, standing up and brushing the snow off my clothes.
“Alright. I’ll have to wait to ravish you when we get home,” he said, and gave me a wink.
As he stood up, I noticed a beautiful pine behind him. It was fresh and green, and just the right height. I walked past Matt and got close to it. I grabbed a low hanging branch between my thumb and forefinger, gently pulling down the needles. Only a couple came off, which was a good sign. I crushed the few needles and brought my hand to my nose to pick up the scent.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Checking to see if this is the tree,” I answered. I put my hand close to his face. “See? Smell this.”
He leaned down and smelled, with a quizzical look on his face. “Smells like a pine tree.”
“Yes of course, Matt. But the right tree has a fragrant smell. And look, when I shake the tree, it bounces and no needles fall off. This is a good tree, Matt. Can we get it?”
“Where did you learn how to pick a tree like that?” he asked.
“My dad,” I answered. “It was our father-daughter thing to do at Christmas.”
“OK let’s get it, then,” he said, and kissed my cheek before walking off to get the power tools from the truck.
I held the broken pine needles to my nose, and the smell transported me back to my last trip to the woods with my father. Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood there, questioning how I could let another Christmas pass without reaching out to at least tell them I was fine and missed them. Matt was right. Life was too short to keep them shut out.
Matt came back with two of his security men. They all carried a lot of saws, power blades and other tools to cut down the tree. I walked toward the ca
r to pull myself together, as they tackled the conquest of the tree. As I sat and closed the car door, I took my phone out and looked at it, hesitating that maybe it wasn’t the right time, or that I wouldn’t say the right things. I decided I’d phone them right away. I nervously keyed in the house number. It rang but went to voice mail. I took a deep breath and left a short message, “Hello. It’s Kate. I just wanted to tell you that I’m fine. Thank you for the donation at the fundraiser. That was very generous. And Merry Christmas.”
As I hung up, I wanted to punch myself for belting the words out like a heartless machine. I could imagine the way I probably sounded. I leaned back in the seat, feeling a weight off my shoulders. It was a small step closer to healing.
* * *
We returned to the house just in time for me to prep and setup for the Christmas Eve online radio show. I didn’t tell Matt I had tried to phone my parents. He noticed I was more at ease, but as Sara and her friend drove back with us, he didn’t raise it. He may have thought I was extra upbeat because of my DJ gig, so he didn’t press me for answers.
George was right that the online DJ work was straightforward. All I had to do was log into a special account, add the song sequence from the online database, then speak with a basic headset when my time came. It was perfect. I could do this from anywhere in the world. I used Matt’s office as it was quieter, and had all the technology I could ever need. By the looks of it, I could probably run my own show from there.
After a short sound test before my segment was up, I was clear to rock and roll.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Christmas Eve and you’re listening to Kate Rock for the next hour on 92.7 FM. Keep it locked in, because I’ll be bringing the holly and the jolly right to your hearts. Let’s kick it off with one of your all-time favorites, Burl Ives and “A Holly, Jolly Christmas”, and afterwards, we’ll come back to one of today’s hottest Christmas beats, Ariana Grande with “Santa Tell Me”. Keep it right here on 92.7 FM.
Sara and her friend popped their heads in just long enough to give a thumbs-up as the song faded in. I nodded and continued organizing the music sequences. From time to time, I also checked the social media account for requests.
“And we’re back with Kate Rock on Christmas Eve for a little under an hour with my favorite listeners. We’ve seen some of your Facebook requests and three of the most requested songs for today are about how wonderful Christmas is. Personally, I love Christmas. But it’s been some time since I had that warm and fuzzy feeling around the holidays. Well this year, listeners, it’s different. But don’t let me explain it, when Paul McCartney, Andy Williams and Bruce Springsteen sing it so well. Keep listening as we remember how great it is to celebrate, with “Wonderful Christmas Time”, followed by “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Santa Claus is coming to town”.
My phone lit up as the next set of songs started, but I’d been in the DJ business long enough to never keep the volume up on my phone during a show. I placed it on a table near the door so it wouldn’t distract me again. I was enjoying the segment, and it was moving along smoothly. George came on the system’s instant messenger to tell me it was going really well. Soon enough, it was time to wrap up.
“Well, listeners, they say all good things must come to an end, but that is not the case this Christmas Eve. Although I’ll be signing off for now, you’re going to be tickled, teased and pleased with the Mistletoe segment led by none other than Frankie Fine. Before I sign off I’d like to give a special shout-out to my parents Karl and Kiera. Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone! Let’s give it up for Frankie Fine.”
Frankie was ready and on queue so once he took over, I was able to log out. Matt came running into the room a few minutes later, and swooped me off my feet, lifting them off the floor so he could give me the warmest hug.
“That was amazing, Kate,” he said. “You were already awesome for the entire show, but that dedication was a brave thing you did there.”
“Thanks Matt,” I answered softly. “You were right. I just needed time.”
“Think your parents might have been listening?” he asked.
“Probably not,” I answered, “but I think I needed to get it out. I’ll phone them after dinner tonight.”
“That’s why I love you, Kate Samuel,” he said, and reached his lips up to mine with a warm and hungry kiss. “Now let’s get downstairs. Sara and Amanda decorated the tree, with my expert help of course. And Yolanda prepared a turkey Christmas dinner that’s fit for a king. Let’s eat.”
We all stayed up late after Yolanda’s elaborate 6-course dinner. We sat near the fireplace beside the Christmas tree, while Sara and Amanda dropped some holiday beats with the Karaoke machine Amanda had brought over. They were hysterical. It was one of the most enjoyable and heartwarming Christmases I had had in a long time. Some magic re-entered my heart that night. I think it did for all of us.
Chapter 12
I was up surprisingly early on Christmas morning, from all the merriment and excitement of the night before. Matt was beside me in the master bedroom, which had become our room over the past few days. The allure of its fireplace was irresistible for both of us, so we had given in and slept there almost every night. Although, there was not much sleeping going on; at least not until we were good and spent.
I was excited to give Matt his present, which I had kept in my original room, to make sure he didn’t try to sneak a peek at what it was. Sara had mentioned that he was notorious for opening presents early, so even she had kept hers hidden from him until Christmas morning.
“Merry Christmas, Kate,” Matt said in a husky voice as I sat up to get out of bed. He rolled over and turned to face me.
“Merry Christmas Matt,” I answered.
“Not tired from all the festivities last night?”
“A little, but couldn’t sleep,” I said, leaning over to give him a swift peck on the cheek. ”Did I wake you?”
“Maybe, but I like to get up early,” he answered, pulling me back into bed, smiling. “Now, how about some Christmas morning frolicking under these cozy sheets?”
“I was about to get your Christmas present, Matt,” I said, smelling his warm, masculine scent, and coming around to his idea. His look of longing pierced my heart and wrapped a vice around my stomach. I needed him.
“We’ll have all day for that,” he whispered. “Right now I want to enjoy you. You’re the best Christmas gift I never thought I’d have this year.”
We sank down into our own little world for a while, succumbing to our primal desires for physical touch where we most needed it. My body flooded over with heat, and I accepted his arm’s caress on my back like it was sex itself. Every touch set me on fire. His licks, nibbles, and kisses on my neck drove my senses wild, and there was no more resistance. My clit throbbed like violin strings, and I pulled his shoulder, motioning for him to mount me.
“I need you, Matt,” I said in a raspy voice.
Clothes flew off in different, frenzied directions. Matt laced his hand through my hair and brought my lips to his, planting a maddening kiss that possessed me completely. Our tongues entwined, driving my need to the point where I had to feel him as close in other places. I reached for his swollen shaft, guiding the head to my opening, and shifting my hips down to take it inside me.
“God, Kate. Oh Christ,” he pled. “I crave you all the time, Kate. I need you more than air.”
He stretched out over me, slowly pressing his engorged cock into the folds of my opening. I pulled his hips tightly, wanting to feel him fused together with me; needing the physical bond to match how close I felt to him emotionally. My hips lifted instinctively to meet his sharper thrusts, searching for deeper contact. As his thrusts pillaged my channel, there was no more control; no more waiting.
With his intensified surges into me, I felt my orgasm slam hard inside me, spreading my warmth in sharp pulsating tremors that violently shook my body. I let out a soft scream, not able to hold back the
sound. My channel tightened over Matt’s shaft, ascending him to the summit of his climax.
“Fuck! I’m coming baby,” he said wildly, burying his shaft into me in one final, carnal attack that flooded my womb with wet heat. Matt fell weakly onto me, panting, and unable to speak or move.
“You were right, Matt” I said when I caught my strength.
“About what?”
“That was the best Christmas present ever,” I whispered. He smiled weakly.
“I’m glad you agree,” he said. “But you’ll love what I got you.”
We showered together, got dressed and were all set to go down for breakfast. I had picked up Matt’s gift in my room, as well as my phone to take down with me. I had planned to give my parents another call, as they had not answered the night before.
“Come here, you,” Matt called me into his room. “I want to give you this before we go down for breakfast.”
“Really? Well that’s funny, because I was feeling the same way about what I got you,” I said. “Here, this is for you.”
Matt’s eyes lit up as he took the small package and carefully removed the wrapping paper. He neatly placed the paper on the bed, looking up at me intently to see if my facial expression would give away what was in the small box. He smiled broadly as he opened it.
“What’s this?” he asked. “It’s sparkly.”
“Pick it up and look closely,” I encouraged him.
As he lifted it up, his breath hitched. It was a set of sterling silver, interconnected, Christmas ornaments. His parents’ names were engraved on one, Sara’s name on another, and his name on the third. “Wow, Kate. This is beautiful. How did you know my parents’ names? And when did you get a chance to get out and buy these?”
“I can thank Yolanda on both counts,” I replied shyly, looking at him as he marveled at it. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” he answered, and bent over to kiss me. “You’re amazing. This is perfect. Thank you, baby. Now you. This is for you.”
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