Christmas Eve

by Flame Arden

  Or judge.

  Judging she did not need. She was quite proficient at doing that herself.

  For one more day, she intended to let things ride. Then, tomorrow morning, she would drive down the mountain and resume her duties in the real world, take her turn running the office. For today, though, that world simply did not exist.

  But what about tomorrow? Was she ready to simply walk away from Nick?

  She had to, no matter how difficult it might be. She had long ago learned true love was not in the hand of cards life had dealt her. Her family's money would always represent a stumbling block to romance for her. Every unattached male she'd met seemed determined to win her. Would even profess his love to further his cause.

  Eve knew better. Once a man became aware of her wealth, a mere stumbling block turned into a major road block to love. She had long ago given up hope of finding a man who would — could? —love her and not her money. Liars, every one.

  Remembering the joys of the past few days, her heart grew unbearably heavy. The likelihood of spending the rest of her life with no hope of enjoying the easy companionship she and Nick enjoyed left a void she had no idea how to fill.

  She glanced over at him. Let her eyes linger on his face a moment too long. He looked up from his work and smiled warmly, giving her a short-lived thrill.

  How can I possibly walk away from Nick?

  From the thoughtful look in his eyes, his thoughts must have been on her.

  * * * * *

  Nick's were definitely not on the column of figures before him. They were on Eve.

  Over the past few days with an admiring look and appreciative smile, he'd encouraged her to enter a room proudly nude. And had succeeded. Almost too well. Earlier, he had watched her cross the room and seat herself, shoulders back, comfortable in her skin.

  Her movement implied, "This is me, and I'm proud of who I am." Now, he couldn't keep his eyes off her.

  She'd just shifted to another position, this one more prim and lady-like, legs crossed, the toes of that crossed leg pointing down. She could as readily be sipping tea at a garden party as sitting unclothed by his fire.

  Even when Eve wore nothing at all, she possessed a sophistication that sometimes took his breath away. Maybe she's always walked around nude, but is leading me to believe her current state of undress is all new to her, the cynical part of his mind suggested.

  She glanced back at her book and did a double take, then flipped the page. Her expression curious, she turned back. Color climbed up her neck and crept to her cheeks while she read.

  "Find something interesting?" he asked, intrigued.

  "One of your... naughty books. This one should be banned."

  "If it's one of mine, it probably already has been. What's the title?"

  "The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana."

  "What chapter are you reading?"

  "The one about... embraces."

  "Wait till you come to what the deer woman has to say about positions."

  "Lying down?" Her furious blush meant she'd already read that part.

  "Find anything you want to try?"

  Eve shook her head, her eyes round.

  "Don't look so worried. I'm game."

  She closed the book. "Why do men read erotica?"

  "Why did you? Was it simple curiosity that made you select that particular book from my shelf?"

  She put her hands to her cheeks.

  "Tell me, what do you like to curl up with on a cold winter night?" When she was slow to respond, he put her on the spot. "I'll bet it's a good romance."

  "So?"

  "Think about it. The Kama Sutra is just one step away from a good romance. The book in your hand describes intimate things to do with a partner. A romance describes the couple doing those things."

  "Not always. Well... at least not all the time."

  "Be honest. Which parts do you like the best? The heroine's mundane existence, or the time spent with her prince charming in bed?"

  Eve grinned. "That's easy. Their time together that leads up to what they do in bed. The best books get my juices really flowing long before the... uh... pay off."

  "Reading erotica does the same thing for me. And love made right after reading those scenes is some of the best to be had."

  Strange that she didn't agree. Her reticence made her innocent act almost believable. Almost. Always a lady, Eve refused to flaunt her experience.

  Nick shoved his work aside. Much as he'd like to, they couldn't spend all their time in bed. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

  Eve shyly hesitated. Inexperienced at that, too?

  "I'm a little bit rusty, I'm afraid."

  "Once we get started, the moves will quickly come back to you. Let's give it a try."

  Taking her hand in his, he led her to the game table surrounded by four upholstered chairs. While she took apart the completed puzzle and tossed the pieces in the box, Nick took down the carved ivory and jade chess set, the first purchase he'd made for himself after the casino became his.

  With loving hands, he carefully set out each piece. He'd learned to play chess in a home for delinquent boys and continued to play while in the service. He'd even carried a small magnetic chess set in his pocket, to help pass the time overseas.

  Eve watched as he set out each piece, sometimes reaching out to caress one or exclaim, "Mmm, nice." When he finished, she chose the jade army to defend her queen and moved a pawn forward two spaces.

  Feeling kindly toward her, Nick chose not to immediately capture it, convinced she'd forgotten the rules.

  After several powder room and coffee breaks, he realized his devious partner had not forgotten a thing. Eve's mind was like a steel trap, her goal to best him at his own game.

  Dammit. Women were not supposed to play chess so expertly.

  He'd been certain he could win, but now few pieces remained on the board. And with those few she'd kept his king in perpetual check.

  "It's a draw," he said, giving in. "Let's see what we can find to eat."

  Pushing back from the table to stand, she ranked a hell of a lot higher in his estimation than when the match began and looked as disappointed about not declaring a winner as he felt.

  "We can play again later, if you like," he promised as he followed her into the kitchen.

  "Same time next year?" she asked with an impish grin.

  "Uh...sure." His momentary hesitation caused her eyes to darken.

  Chin high, she walked over to the sink and washed her hands while Nick thoughtfully opened the refrigerator door and looked around. "There's a ham in here somewhere."

  Eve's eyes lit. "And leftover yams. I saw raisins in the pantry. Would you like ham with raisin sauce?"

  "Sure. What's this?" Nick removed a covered tray and opened it. "Hmm. Deviled eggs."

  As she tied his apron around her waist Eve studied the eggs with a wary look. "How long have those been in there?"

  "Not long. I forget. Christmas Eve?"

  Nick set the mincemeat pie on the counter so it could begin to warm. "And there's always fruit. Why don't I just arrange all the leftovers on this counter after dinner? Then whenever we're ready for a snack, the food will be right here."

  "Good idea. You're far too adept at working up my appetite. And yours."

  She unwrapped the ham, selected a sharp knife from the drawer and began to carve thick pink slices while he set the dining room table.

  His part accomplished, Nick walked up behind Eve and ran the tip of his tongue around her dainty ear, all too aware of how her bare butt set his genitals on fire. "Anything else you want warmed?"

  "The yams," she said with a sexy laugh, and elbowed him out of the way.

  He put the colorful dish in the microwave on low, then opened a bag of rolls. While he set out the butter and pickles, Eve melted brown sugar and butter, then stirred raisins into her sauce.

  "Is there any more salad?"

  "I think so. Want blue cheese dressing this time?"
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  Eve nodded, her attention focused on her great smelling sauce. He filled two small bowls with assorted greens and sliced tomatoes, sprinkled on sunflower seeds, then carried the salads and dressing to the table on a tray.

  "Ready?" Eve asked. Without waiting for his reply, she poured the sauce over the platter filled with ham and scattered fresh parsley on top.

  At the table, she removed her apron, hung it over the back of her chair and sat, he noticed from the kitchen, again giving no obvious thought to her lack of clothes, again delighting Croupier.

  Lifting an appreciative brow in tribute, Nick grinned as he removed the heated rolls. He managed to toss each one into a basket without burning his fingers, then retrieved the yams from the microwave.

  "How about a little champagne?" he asked once his hands were free. Croupier nodded his approval.

  Eve's expression softened into a delighted smile. "Sure, I'll get the flutes while you open the bottle."

  After filling their glasses, he sat opposite Eve and touched the rim of his glass to hers. "To us."

  When she didn’t respond Nick asked, "Is something wrong?"

  Nothing a stock market crash wouldn't fix.

  "No, I’m just moody." Which was certainly true.

  "Well, I'll see if I can't do something about that." He regaled her with stories about cheerful drunks, big payoffs on slot machines, and some record throws of the dice until finally making her laugh.

  Still smiling to himself, he walked over to a shelf and picked up his digital camera. "You mind?"

  Eve frowned, every hint of her laughter gone.

  "Don't worry. These are just for me. And I'll stick to head shots, if that's all you'll allow. To remind me of one of the best holidays I've ever had."

  "Oh. Well, sure. Head shot are all right. But no uploading to the internet."

  He snapped one of her cautious smile, then again took his seat opposite her, the camera strap draped around his neck.

  Nick grinned ruefully. "When I was younger and working my way across the country, taking any job I could get, I thought about becoming a journalist."

  "I'll bet you would have been good. Why didn't you?"

  "First time I stuck a camera in somebody's face, the camera and my nose got smashed."

  Eve laughed and Nick snapped her picture, an amused glint in her eyes.

  "That's not fair," she said, reaching for his camera. "Now it's my turn."

  She silently thumbed through the images he had made before aiming the lens at him.

  "Now I know how you felt," he said, self-conscious as she studied his image on the tiny screen.

  "Say butter."

  "Butter?"

  Eve caught him looking stupid, and grinned. When he laughed, she took another. Pleased with the results, she passed the camera back. "It's kind of hard, being photographed without clothes. I need props."

  She darted away from the table, returned with a silk scarf and a furry hat. "Here," she said, giving him the hat.

  She twice wrapped the scarf around her neck. The fringed edge dangled enticingly between her breasts. He longed to smooth the silky fabric over her satiny skin, absorb her heat, but since he was the one who had started this, reached for the camera instead. Eve didn't object when he focused it on her.

  A keeper, for sure.

  At her urging, Nick put on the hat.

  "Better, but that's not enough." She looked about. "I know. Get your briefcase, then walk towards me."

  She's enjoying this.

  Delighted to be ordering him around. He tried for nonchalance as he walked back to her, but it was damn hard with Croupier standing tall.

  He could tell that Eve took several images. Sure wished he had some idea how much she'd included in hers. She'd looked so vulnerable when he first brought the camera out, he didn't want to spoil her fun by suggesting cheesecake shots, if that was not what she had in mind.

  She beat him to it. While he was reviewing her images Eve got up from the table and walked across the room twirling the long end of the scarf in her hand and humming a burlesque tune most often heard accompanying a stripper.

  Nick circled her, quickly taking shots. He liked the view from the rear best, and the way she'd tossed a Betty Grable grin over her shoulder at him.

  He knew when to quit. Eve's two-minute skin show had him so damn hot he was afraid the camera would melt. He put it down.

  "Come here, woman."

  "Moi?" She fluttered her eyelashes.

  "Yes, you," he murmured, unable to take his eyes off Eve.

  Slowly, she unwound the scarf from her neck and wound it around her hips, then wrapped her hands with the ends so that the scarf cupped her butt and her hips moved from side to side as she pranced around.

  When Nick's eyes became heated, she grinned wickedly.

  "You want me, come get me," she said, a coquette enjoying the effect she had on him.

  He strode across the room and crushed Eve to his chest.

  "What's the matter, cowboy? Am I more than you can handle?"

  "Not quite." He swept her up in his arms.

  The far end of the dining room table was bare. He laid Eve down there, her legs bent and dangling over the edge. The vulnerable look had returned to her eyes so he smoothed a wayward curl from her forehead, replaced it with a tender kiss and let his hands wander over her soft, smooth skin.

  Eve moaned, all hints of vulnerability swept away by desire.

  "That's right, baby. You can trust me," he murmured into her ear.

  "Nick..."

  "I know. You're safe with me." He caressed her thighs. Ran his hands down her legs, then placed her heels on the table, her knees bent and Eve marvelously open to him.

  The kisses he worshipfully trailed up the inside of her thighs made her breath hitch. She threaded her fingers through his hair and shifted her hips. When he kissed her inner lips, she laced her fingers together, keeping his head there while he savored her passion, her need.

  She tasted like musky honey.

  Like spiked ambrosia.

  Like love.

  Nick could not get his fill, not with her yearning with passion and his mouth slickened by her desire. He lifted his head slowly, pulled Eve closer, then slid into her. Her heels no longer rested on the table. She'd locked her ankles around his back as soon as he entered her, drawing him into her depths.

  He kissed her deeply, letting her sample her taste lingering on his tongue. She shivered, quickening. Her involuntary movement caught Croupier off guard.

  He almost came, had to concentrate long and hard not to end his lovemaking before he'd even begun.

  "You taste good," he murmured against her lips, silently promising himself to slow down.

  Smiling, he kissed his way down to her shoulder, then around one perfect, rounded breast. Eve moaned. He laved the dark circle surrounding the crest, once again letting his tongue seek out each tiny ripple, each need-driven pucker, then sucking the entire crest into his mouth.

  "Nick..."

  With a knowing smile, he gave Eve's second breast the attention it so justly deserved, all the while gently rotating his hips.

  She shattered, bathing him in the white hot heat of her climax as her muscles contracted and squeezed. "That's my baby," he murmured, pillowing his head on her cushiony breast while he caught his breath. "Let yourself go."

  Then, his head thrown back, she took him with her, milking him dry as surely as if she'd used her hand and when the fantastic flight ended, the two of them floated back down wrapped in each other's arms.

  * * * * *

  That particular round of lovemaking left Eve's knees weak and her nerves raw, and after a nap she sat quietly while Nick took care of some work with the help of his laptop.

  She was not supposed to be feeling the things she was feeling about Nick. Things like love and happy ever after were not ever supposed to enter her mind.

  "Want to see?" Nick asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  She looked up
at him and smiled. "What?" But she was already on her feet and walking toward him.

  "My screen saver." He turned the laptop for her to see.

  An image of herself.

  The image was no worse than other pinup shots she'd seen. The scarf covered her butt, although anyone with a little imagination could tell what was hidden underneath. He'd caught her with a wide smile, one that indicated she was having a good time. And she had. That troubled her the most.

  "You're not—"

  "Do I look like the kind of man who would break a promise? I'm well aware of the danger I'd put you in if these photos appeared on the internet."

  "No, I wasn't worried about that."

  "Then what's caused that dark look in your eyes."

  "Your computer. Where—"

  "In my study. No one will see this but me."

  "Oh."

  "Do you mind?"

  "No. Not if that's true." It was flattering, seeing herself on Nick's screen. She looked happy. Like she was enjoying herself. And at that time she was.

  Jeffrey never once asked for a photograph. Implicitly she trusted Nick to be discreet.

  Later, when the dishes were done and only the food Nick insisted on leaving out on the makeshift buffet was not put away, he said, "I know just the thing. But you'll have to put on your robe and boots."

  "What on earth for?" But she smiled, feeling sated and more sexually satisfied than she'd ever dreamed possible.

  "I turned on the Jacuzzi earlier. The water should be just about right, now."

  "Sounds heavenly. Why will I need boots?" She leaned away, realization dawning, just as Nick tried to kiss the tip of her nose. "No. Let me guess. The Jacuzzi is on the deck."

  "What has you so worried? You won't melt." Laughing, he tied the belt of his robe.

  "A dip in the Jacuzzi would sound like a good idea.. .if I didn't have to go outside. Have you forgotten it's cold out there?"

  "I'll warm you up," he promised, smiling as he waited for her to make up her mind.

  After careful consideration, the thought of sinking into a relaxing tub of hot water tempted Eve into pulling on her robe and boots and accompanying Nick outside.

  As the door closed behind them, she drew a cautious breath. The first sharp bite of cold air found its way into her lungs, eliminating all thought of sleep. With brisk strides, Nick led her across a wide deck to the big tub in a sheltered corner. Deep snow drifts surrounded two sides.