A Christmas Wish

by Evie Knight

  He’d expected anything. Anything but what she told him. How did he not know this? What an idiot.

  What would you do if you were me?

  Her question and pained expression were imprinted in his mind. Scanning the deserted parking lot, he strode to his car. As much as their situation sucked, she’d let him know something she wouldn’t have otherwise, had he not made this innocent mistake. If he didn’t press harder now, steering them in the direction he wanted to take them, he’d never break through to her.

  Chapter Four

  Jasmine exchanged brief good mornings with the staff already at the practice as she found her way to her office. She set her venti vanilla macchiato on her desk, and swore tonight she’d take a couple of sleeping pills. Another restless night would take whatever little energy she had left. Jasmine sat and turned on her laptop as she continued reminiscing about last night’s events.

  The time she spent with the kids at the hospital had been great. Their hopeful, happy faces always did things to her heart, made her wish she had what she couldn’t have. Rather, what she didn’t allow herself to have because of the fear of losing it all the way she’d lost her family.

  Ethan’s promise to the kids was another matter altogether. Livid didn’t begin to describe how she felt. Last night, she tossed and turned in her bed, going crazy out of her mind. She’d shared with him only what few people knew. By the time she’d told him, it’d been too late to take the words back. For a moment she thought he’d say something. Instead, he stood there speechless. But what did she expect him to say? Jasmine didn’t want his pity or meaningless words.

  Her thoughts filtered to the kids’ smiling faces. How could she deny them of something they were excited about, something they were looking forward to? She’d be a royal witch if she made up an excuse not to go with them. Their hearts would break.

  “Good morning, boss,” Laurie said from the door.

  “You’re early.”

  “Pfft. I’m on time. Your nine fifteen is here.”

  Jasmine rose and shrugged into her white coat. “Is Sinclair here yet?”

  “He’s with a patient right now.” Laurie’s inquisitive gaze roamed her face. “Do you need—”

  “No. I don’t need anything.” Not giving Laurie a chance to ask anything else, she strode out of her office.

  Halfway down the hall, Ethan stepped out of an examination room, running right into her. “Jas.” His hand settled on her waist. “I didn’t see you.”

  “It’s all right.” The heat of his hand burned through her clothes. Jasmine took a step back, but he kept her in place for a moment before letting her go.

  “Last night….”

  “I’d prefer if we didn’t talk about it.”

  He nodded. “Can we discuss the field trip with the kids?”

  “Sure.” The least she could do was agree to change the date. Letting the kids down wasn’t an option.

  “Dinner after work tonight?” His lips slid into a devastating grin, making her knees weak.

  Dinner? Unsure she’d heard him right, Jasmine asked, “I beg your pardon?”

  “It’ll be a working dinner.” Ethan glanced over her shoulder, and then his gray-green gaze returned to her. “It’s for the kids.”

  Tongue-tied, Jasmine stared back at him in shock, having a hard time believing she’d walked herself into this. “I don’t think—”

  “It’s only dinner.” Ethan gestured with his hand. “We’ll be two colleagues making plans for their patients. Nothing else.”

  “I don’t—”

  Leaning forward, he said in a low voice, “I promise not to kiss you.”

  “Of course you won’t.”

  “Not unless you ask me.” With a wink, he straightened and continued on his way.

  Unable to move and still trying to understand what had just happened, Jasmine stood there. The thud of a door closing brought her back to the present. Shaking her head, she headed for the room where her patient waited. Her mind went wild, thinking of a million and one ways to get out of having dinner with Ethan. The problem was, all of her excuses sounded lame.

  It’s for the kids, she reminded herself.

  Chapter Five

  Stunned by the rich tapestry combined with modern decorations, Jasmine followed their maître d’ through the front courtyard. Clear lights suspended from tree branches formed a triangle up top, where a chandelier hung. Within minutes Jasmine felt transported from Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to a cottage somewhere in Sorrento, Italy. The sight was surreal. It was as if she’d stepped out of the world as she knew it and into a heavenly space.

  “Miss?”

  Jasmine forced herself to focus and looked at the maître d’, then at Ethan. It wasn’t until then she realized Ethan held her hand. She didn’t recall when, in the few minutes they’d been here, Ethan had laced his fingers with hers. Her stomach flipped and her knees trembled in response to his irresistible smile. Letting go, she sat on the chair the maître d’ held out for her. It’d be a while before she forgot about this place. Its warmth and charm made her feel at home.

  “This is beautiful,” she finally managed to say after the maître d’ left. Avoiding Ethan’s piercing eyes, Jasmine dropped her gaze to the tabletop. A lit candle in a silver holder sat in the middle, along with a couple of wine glasses with rose petals in them.

  “Wait until you try their food,” Ethan said. “Have you given the field trip with the kids a bit more thought?”

  “As a matter of fact, I have,” she said, somewhat relieved when their waiter showed up to take their orders, giving her more time to consider her words. After the waiter left, Jasmine eased back in her chair, more comfortable with Ethan. She couldn’t tell if her comfort was as a result of the beauty and enchanting feel of the place or not. “What do you think about planning the field trip for the week before Christmas?”

  “I think we’ll break the kids’ hearts if we change plans on them.”

  Jasmine stared at him, then scanned their surroundings, taking in the other tables and the dimmed lighting. “It isn’t fair. You put me in a bad position. You should’ve consulted me first.”

  “Jas.” His large hand grabbed hers, the unexpected touch made her body jolt in response. “If I’d known what you shared with me last night, I would’ve never promised anything to the kids.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry.”

  Ethan shouldn’t have promised anything regardless, not unless he’d checked in with her. Jasmine could either accept his apology, or make a bigger deal about it and ruin the delicious dinner this place promised. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, the kids—her patients—hadn’t been the only reason she’d come anyway.

  “I can’t do Christmas Eve,” she said, tugging her hand from his.

  Holding on to her hand, he asked, “You can’t or you won’t?”

  “Both.”

  “Jasmine.” He took a breath. “I can’t even begin to imagine what you go through every Christmas. I won’t pretend I understand because I’d be lying.” Ethan ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Can you make an exception and do this for the kids… your patients?”

  Her patients weren’t just patients. They were her kids. Two of them would still be here next year, if they took well to their therapies. And one wouldn’t be here by this time next year. Her heart broke in half at the thought. She’d give anything so kids didn’t have to suffer and could outlive terrible diseases like leukemia. As much as the memory of her parents and brother pained her on such a holiday, it’d shatter her to a million pieces if she broke the kids’ hopes for spending Christmas Eve at Disney World.

  “Jose, Frankie, and Roxie are the only reasons I’m doing this.”

  His lips spread into a smile. “Thank you. I’m sure Roxie’s mom will appreciate this more than we’ll ever know.”

  Jasmine wouldn’t argue. She knew about loss, but no way would she compare her kind of pain to what her patients’ parents must be going through,
uncertain of their children’s future.

  The rest of their dinner went by in a flash. It wasn’t until the waiter dropped off their check that Jasmine realized the late hour. Their conversation had carried on from one topic to the next, surprising her each and every time at how comfortable Ethan made her feel.

  She’d just reached for her purse when Ethan said, “It’s my treat tonight.”

  “No.”

  “Jas.” He quirked a brow. “It’s the least I can do. You can pay next time.”

  Her heart jolted at his words. “There won’t be a next time.”

  Ethan seemed to study her for a moment before he grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. “Come, let’s take a walk.”

  The warmth from his hand moved up her arm, slowly sliding up and down her body until her insides boiled. Unable to utter a word, Jasmine allowed him to lead her along a narrow moonlit wooden path, where trees and shrubs lined their way. A white gothic door appeared at the end of the trail, and sudden excitement filled her chest with the need to know what stood behind it.

  Ethan paused and looked at her, mischief dancing in his eyes. “You want to see what’s out there?”

  “As long as it’s not the Boogeyman, then yes.” A nervous laugh fell from her lips. Being here with Ethan—in the dark, with no one else around, and standing in front of a secret door—brought back memories of when she was a kid.

  His rich laughter rippled through the air, making her pulse skitter. Ethan pulled the door open and gestured her in.

  The moment Jasmine crossed the threshold, she imagined being transported yet again to another place. Moss and ivy climbed the stone walls, enclosing them. Three wooden benches stood around a ring of limestone flooring, and a water fountain sat in the middle. Images of Queen of the Night tulips, purple basil, and black pansies came to mind, and she bet this walled-in garden became even more beautiful in spring.

  “Do you come here often?” she asked, turning in a circle, taking in every detail her eyes came across.

  “It’s been a while since the last time I was here.” Ethan approached her. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, but—”

  “But what?” Jasmine stared at him. “Afraid you’ll give women the wrong idea?” A soft laugh escaped her, not believing what she’d asked.

  He grasped her hands and drew her to him until her breasts made contact with the wall of his chest. “I’d never give you the wrong idea, Jas.”

  The muscles of her face froze in place, and her laughter soon turned into silence. “I-I should go.”

  “You should stay.” His arm circled her waist as he angled his head, searching her face through lowered lashes. “I had a wonderful time tonight.”

  “I did too. Thank you,” she said in a low voice. Her mind raced with thoughts of his strength, his enchanting eyes, his velvety voice, and most of all, she wondered if he’d kiss her.

  “You feel just like I imagined.” Closing the little bit of space between them, he continued. “But I’m still wondering how you taste.”

  His hot breath fanned her lips one second, and the next, his mouth moved over hers. A gasp fled her and Ethan took the opportunity to deepen their kiss. Warmth flooded her as his scorching tongue explored her mouth. Trying to think clearly became a difficult task. Every stroke of his tongue and the way Ethan tightened his hold around her fogged her mind. Unable to resist his coaxing lips, she returned his kiss with the same fervor. Since she’d already let him kiss her, she might as well make it a good one.

  She rose to her toes and slid her hands up his arms until reaching his shoulders. Jasmine sucked his tongue gently into her mouth, swallowing his groan. His hands dropped to her ass, where he cupped her, pressing her firmly against his groin, causing a pool of heat to form low in her belly.

  Breaking their kiss, he said against her lips, “Give me one night.”

  Already missing the full contact of his lips on hers, she nibbled on his bottom lip. “I don’t think that’ll be a good idea. This—” She bit his lip. “—isn’t a good idea.”

  “Yet, you’re still kissing me.” He squeezed her ass, pressing her harder against him. “Just one night, Jasmine.” Ethan outlined her lips with the tip of his tongue. “It doesn’t have to be tonight. Think about it.”

  Jasmine dropped her arms to her sides, and stepped back. “I don’t have to think about it. My answer will still be no.”

  “I can be persuasive.”

  She smiled, recalling they’d had the same exchange not too long ago. “I can be stubborn.”

  “As I said, I like stubborn.”

  Chapter Six

  Give me one night.

  Jasmine stared at the note in her hand, pondering just when Ethan had slipped in and out of her office without anyone noticing. Running her fingers over the four words, memories of the kiss they shared a few nights ago surfaced. Her lips tingled as she recalled how his firm mouth felt against her soft one, and the way he’d held her firmly to him.

  One night.

  If she dared sleep with Ethan, would she regret it later? Would their interactions at the practice become more awkward? She sighed. It’d be just one night. How weird would it be to see him at the practice every day after she spent a whole night in his arms? What did she have to lose? What would she gain? Her reputation would be on the line in exchange for a night in Ethan Sinclair’s bed. Was it worth it?

  Her body temperature rose almost instantaneously at the thought of him kissing her, caressing her, whispering meaningless words in her ear as he drove into her. A shudder passed through her, settling low in her belly. Jasmine pressed her legs together, ignoring the growing ache in her sex. The hands on the wall clock changed to eight o’clock, reminding her everyone in the practice had been gone for a few hours now. Still holding the small note, Jasmine closed the programs in her laptop, getting ready to head home.

  Her office door swung open, startling her. Relief washed over the sudden panic in her chest when she met Ethan’s gaze. “I thought you were gone.”

  “You thought wrong.” The door closed behind him as he approached her.

  Her pulse quickened and she swallowed. “What are you doing here?”

  “That’s not exactly the kind of greeting I expected,” he said, rounding her desk.

  Shutting the lid of her laptop, Jasmine rose. “Just what kind of greeting did you expect?”

  “Hi. How are you? It’s good to see you. That sort of thing.” His large hand covered hers, sending an explosive current straight to her sex. Ethan drew her to him and placed a hand on the small of her back. “Do you have any idea of the hell I’ve had trying not to think about you these past few days?”

  That made two of them. It wouldn’t do his ego any good if he knew the hell she’d been through trying to erase his kiss from her memory. “You haven’t tried hard enough.”

  “Perhaps.”

  His nearness overwhelmed her, and breathing became a chore as his searing gaze searched her face.

  “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “But I want to be.” His fingers dug on her waist as he pulled her closer toward him until she stood between his legs.

  “You don’t give up easily, do you?”

  His lips twisted into a grin. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “You—” Jasmine pressed a finger to his steely chest. “—and I, are never going to happen.”

  “Jas, we are happening.” Ethan leaned forward and stopped right before his lips touched hers.

  “Men like you leave nasty scars that even the best plastic surgeon can’t make disappear,” she said, dropping her gaze to his lips.

  “I’d never hurt you.” Ethan brushed his lips over hers as he spoke. “Not intentionally.” He sealed his mouth over hers in a gentle kiss. “One night, is all I ask.” He grazed her lips with his teeth. “A night neither one of us will regret.”

  It’d be so easy to give in, say yes. Damn the consequences that came with it. It was up to her to listen to h
er heart and body and be reckless. The problem was, the memory of that one night would last forever. That much she knew. Would it be worth it? If it tortured her to stand this close to him, feel his body flushed against hers as he kissed her now, she could only imagine how painful it’d be once their night together was over.

  Breathless, she reached for his hands at her waist and stepped out of his grasp. “We’d be insane to take this any farther.”

  “We’d be insane if we don’t.”

  “You’d be my worst mistake.”

  He narrowed his gaze at her. “You’d be my best mistake.”

  Chapter Seven

  Ethan stared out in the distance, taking in the dimly lit, deserted parking lot at the back of the children’s hospital. After adjusting his jacket, he shoved his hands in his pockets, braving the chill of the night seeping through his clothes. Roxie, Jasmine’s patient, had a terrible episode, and Jasmine had been called away from the practice early in the afternoon.

  On his way home, Ethan stopped by the hospital to check on his patients and to see if Jasmine needed any help. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to talk with her and offer his assistance—not for lack of trying. According to the nurses, she had it all under control, but one look at Roxie’s mom’s teary eyes told him nothing was as they all hoped things were. Fortunately, Jasmine and one other doctor had been able to stabilize Roxie, and the staff allowed her mom to keep Roxie company in her room.

  Life sucked. It tore him inside to see kids fighting for their lives. No one, especially kids, should have to go through anything like this. Roxie’s case reminded him of his younger brother. The difference was, Tyler had lived to tell his story, and he’d been the reason Ethan decided to become a doctor. Roxie would be lucky to make it through New Year’s.

  Footsteps resounded at his back, jerking him out of his thoughts. Ethan turned in time to see Jasmine striding in his direction. Except, by her darkened expression, he could’ve been a ghost for all it mattered—she wasn’t seeing him.