The Christmas Key

by Pierce, Chacelyn

  "Hey, want to watch a movie that is not mine and analyze them together?" Xander hoped to make her feel better. Her face brightened, making her look radiant and though he didn't believe in that lock-and-key theory, Xander thought her smile was pretty damn bright and could open a ton of possibilities.

  ****

  After three movies, Xander was beat. Shalaine had put in Barefoot in the Park and it was past midnight and she could barely stay awake. She'd done some heavy grubbing on the food, which impressed him. The popcorn bowl was half-empty, the chocolates were half-eaten (all from her), and the only alcoholic beverage was wine that she certainly didn't skimp on. He'd only had a glass, so there weren’t drowsy effects beating down on him. He was used to seeing women eat like birds. This woman being comfortable enough to gorge on snack foods fascinated him.

  Halfway through the classic movie, Xander put his arm on the back of the couch, letting his fingers touch her neck. Sighing deep, Shalaine shifted to lean into his chest. He felt like they'd crossed an intimacy milestone. With him, it wasn't just about sex anymore; Xander wanted to blame the movies they'd watched for his change of heart. A part of him was starting to care about Ms. Shalaine Harper, more than the average fling, more along the lines of a good friend. A friend he didn't want to lose. He worried if she was happy or down at every moment and he tried to make her smile when the sad parts in the movies made her teary-eyed.

  He was even starting to care that there was nothing under that damn tree for her.

  It was past midnight and now Christmas and he wanted Shalaine to have something. She deserved that much.

  His thumb began drawing circles on her skin and he noticed the movement made her nipples perk. She was so gorgeous, her skin the color of rich chocolate, hair the shade of ebony that had a beautiful glow in the firelight. He yearned to touch it, to caress any part of her. Xander sagged deeper in the couch, pretending to get comfortable, but it brought him closer to her body. He was surprised she couldn't feel the emotions pulsing through his body. Or perhaps she did and that's what triggered this touchy-feely moment as she laid her hand on his chest.

  She yawned and stretched. "I don't think I can make it through another film, but I don't want to move either. I should get my lazy ass up and go to bed."

  "Oh." Xander tried not to sound bummed. She was ready for bed and he would be stuck in the living room with empty arms again. Would she think him insane if he asked to hold her all night? Where is this sappy shit coming from?

  "I'll try to watch the rest of this one then go to bed," she murmured and lowered her head on his chest. The fact that she didn't brush him off or shift away spoke volumes. Shalaine liked being in his arms and he liked her being there. He found himself making room not just in his arms but in his heart.

  His mother often talked of sparks flying and that was how she'd met his father. He'd long been a skeptic of their history of quick romance, but he'd never seen a moment of them being unhappy with one another. He didn't think this was anything other than his loneliness weighing heavy on him, but her company had been the best he'd had in a long time. That was something he didn't want to give up.

  SEVEN

  Xander blinked and noticed the TV was on the main menu of the DVD. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the watch on his wrist. It was one-thirty in the morning. Shalaine was passed out beside him, hugging his body like a pillow. He stared into the low flames of the fire for a moment and decided to move her to the comfortable bed. After lifting her into his arms, he walked into her room and laid her on the thick comforter. He took the folded quilt from the chair in the corner and covered her with it, making sure her bare feet were tucked. He turned to flick her lamp off, but she grabbed his wrist, halting his movement.

  "Stay with me tonight." Her eyes were soft, just like her body had been as he held her tight.

  Xander twisted his wrist to grab a hold of her hand. "Are you sure?" What the fuck was that? Xander Christian didn't ask for surety; he just did things. Was he getting soft over the years, or was he just getting soft for her?

  A flirty smile spread across her lips as she looked at him. "Yes."

  Xander rose up and unbuttoned his shirt, aware that Shalaine's eyes were watching his every move. He kicked off his shoes, trying to remember why he had them on in the first place. Snowed in somewhere in Alaska, yet he still tried to maintain the appearance of looking his best to impress. He moved to the waist of his pants but paused. Shalaine's gaze was hot as it roamed over his body; she wanted him and he wanted her too. "Is this okay?" She nodded and he pulled the belt loose and started unzipping his pants. When he was only in his boxer-briefs, he clicked the lamp off and slipped beside Shalaine.

  He lay there, wondering what she was thinking about. He was thinking about sliding his cock into her, experiencing the warmth that made up everything that there was to know about Shalaine Harper. She twisted and turned to face him. The moonlight outside the window gave him enough light to see she was biting her bottom lip, a nervous habit she seemed to have.

  "It's Christmas."

  He cleared his throat. "It is."

  "I wanted a lot of things for Christmas." Shalaine scooted closer and ran a finger down his chest. "One has always been you, Xander."

  Those words drew him up to one elbow and he eyed her face in the moonlight. There could be no mistakes about it; he needed no mixed signals of what she wanted.

  "If we do this, no going back. I want you now and I will possibly want you in the future." He was sure he would. The no-seconds rule might not apply to her. This was the beginning of Shalaine and him, though he had no clue where or when it would end. He knew where she worked; he'd search her out if he had to.

  He saw her shudder. "I'm okay with that," she said breathlessly.

  "Good. I'll be right back, I want you down to your panties when I get back."

  Xander removed himself from the comfortable bed and padded back into the living room. Finding his suitcase by firelight, he palmed the deep pockets where he’d stashed his condoms. He'd grabbed three and was heading back to Shalaine when he heard a soft vibration and saw a white glow coming from the kitchen. Glancing around the corner, his gaze fixed on the small two-seating table. Shalaine's phone juddered across the smooth tabletop. He was going to ignore it, but the number on display was Rich's.

  Xander snatched the phone and answered in a whisper, "Rich?"

  "It's a about fucking time. Have you two been that busy? I've been calling all night."

  "Sorry, not my phone. I didn't know she had it on vibrate."

  Rich scoffed. "Anyway, new production opened up. The lead male in Secrets of Sydney walked. They are willing to pay you a huge—I mean a huge—amount of money. It's a romantic drama and they want you as the replacement." Rich hadn't sounded this excited in a while. It must've been a pretty big cut of money. His good mood was contagious. Xander couldn't help the rush of exhilaration that flowed through him and he did a little hop, getting pumped to be back in front of the camera.

  "This is awesome," Xander whispered, trying not to shout.

  Rich chuckled. "I know. I'm the best damn agent there is. News says the blizzard's rough winds are over. It's just that a shit-ton of snow has laid over you guys. I know a guy who does search and rescue. I might be able to pull some strings. Tell me your location and I'll have a copter pick you up by noon your time."

  Xander hesitated. "Noon? On Christmas?"

  "Well, yeah, this movie is being filmed in Australia. We gotta get you on the next flight pronto, X."

  "Can't wait a day, Rich?"

  "Fuck no, they halted production. You need to jump on this now, X. What's the hold up?"

  What could he say? He didn't want to leave Shalaine alone on Christmas, but Rich's argument would be that he'd just met her a few days ago. It wasn't like there was anything special between them. It was a valid point, especially when facing a new potential flick that would raise the bar higher in his career.

  "I have no clue where I am.
"

  Rich sighed. "There a phone on the wall? Check for a map somewhere. There has got a be an emergency info sheet on the wall.

  Xander spun a half circle in the small kitchen and caught sight of an old rotary phone on the wall that looked like it hadn't been used since the eighties. Beside that was a tacked sheet of paper with the cabin's location and a few emergency phone numbers scrawled on it. He used the backlight of the phone to see the cabin's coordinates. Without thinking further on it, he gave Rich the address. Xander would be back in the game in no time. It was what he wanted. Right? So why was the thought of leaving Shalaine bothering him so much? He figured it had a lot to do with sympathy during Christmas and all that.

  He hung up with Rich and walked back into the room. He had to get back to reality. This fantasy he'd been living with a bombshell beauty had to end anyway. Now that he only had one night with Shalaine, he would make the best of it.

  EIGHT

  Shalaine watched Xander slip back into the room like a sex god. She'd obliged his request and stripped down to only her bra and panties. He clutched the wrapped packages in his hand and she couldn't believe this was happening. What woman experienced the wonderful fantasy of meeting and sharing a bed with her favorite movie hunk? He eyed her in a way that heated her blood and caused her heart to race. Would he call on her again in the future, or was it a one-time deal? Did it even matter? She glanced out the window and marveled at the snowflakes that flittered down against the moonlight, slow and steady, like Xander as he crept up the bed.

  She spread her thighs to make room for his muscled frame. He lowered his head, trailing his soft lips along the inside of her leg as he moved higher. She couldn't help but roll her hips when his mouth rested over her panties.

  Wasting little time, he pushed the cotton aside to slide his tongue up her wet center. She trembled. The hungry way he lapped against her skin coalesced into a hot ball of desire that wanted to burst free. She tamped it down. She couldn't come this soon; the moment needed to last for a long while. Xander didn't stop. She watched his face in the moonlight and marveled at how he looked going down on her. He seemed to be enjoying himself and when he fixed those Caribbean blues on her, the world started to fray around the edges.

  God, it wouldn't be long now. She would shatter against his mouth and she had no doubt it would be the best orgasm she'd ever have. The visual of him alone almost brought her to climax. X's muscled body seemed highlighted in shadows, adding a dark allure. He ground his erection on the bed and his mouth continued to tempt her closer to climax. His wide hand snaked up across her stomach, his warm palm rumpling her shirt up higher to expose her stomach. She moaned as he slipped a finger in her moist center. The dual caresses against her chest and her pussy caused her to tremble.

  Xander's hand found her breast and massaged the nipple to a point. He flicked it, causing her to hiss at the sensitive shockwave that traveled up her legs and stopped between her thighs. The rhythm of his finger inside her wet core spurred her closer. She fought off the overwhelming urge to grab a handful of his dark hair and keep him there all night.

  "Oh, Xander." She twisted the sheets in her hands, turned her head toward the pillow, and bit down against the cotton as she lost control. Waves of euphoria caused her to cry out and Xander was there, still giving her pleasure, until her orgasm came to a breathtaking crescendo. When she was able to breathe again, Shalaine looked at Xander and smiled at the desire she saw in his eyes.

  He wiped his mouth, rose up, and gave a voracious smile a moment before grabbing her ankles and pulling her down the bed. With her legs stretched out on either side of him, she watched his cock twitch as he reached for the condoms on the bed. With a swift movement he slipped the rubber on his hard shaft, igniting a spark in her dimming arousal as she watched his finger slide down its thick length. There was more to come and she wanted everything Xander had to give.

  With the condom fitted over his cock, he grabbed her limp legs and braced them against his shoulders. Her ass barely touched the mattress because of the angle he held her. He wanted to go deep inside and though she wasn't quite ready to come again, she knew it wouldn't take Xander long to get her back to that point.

  He rubbed his firm erection against her slick core, teasing in a way that caused her to groan in frustration. She wanted him to take her in one full stroke. His hands cupped her ass and spread her wider. With slow strokes, he worked himself inside, the swollen head teasing her entrance and her clit. She couldn't help but move against him, grinding herself in an offset rhythm that caused her to find a tantalizing spot.

  He gained more depth as he slid in and leaned forward a little bit. He was so gorgeous, towering above her, letting her see him in a real sexual situation instead of onscreen. She reached up and stroked his cheek, marveling at the best experience of her life. He turned his head to kiss her palm and refocused on her as he continued to penetrate more than just her body. He moved faster, maneuvering his arms to where she could lower her legs. His thrusts were deep, hard, and the sound of skin slapping skin echoed in the silence. Soon, his soft grunts joined into the chorus and Shalaine found herself all warm and tingly. He was building her up to another climax. Already hyper-sensitive from the last climax, she knew this one would consume her.

  "Fuck, baby, you feel good." Xander's thrusts were rougher, unsteady, and the changes in his body hadn't gone unnoticed.

  Unable to stop herself, Shalaine gave in to the pull he seemed to have on her. The changes in his movements and the hardening of his cock caused her resolve to splinter into a million pieces. As her inner muscles constricted around Xander, it proved too much for him to rebuff. He flattened her knees to the mattress and fucked her harder, growling like a hungry beast. The veins in his arms were accentuated by the light sheen of sweat on his skin. The turquoise fire of his eyes was enthralling, but they'd always held her captivated. She'd never felt so exhilarated in all her life. With brute strength, he claimed her with his body. She'd never been so turned on. Not even by any of the sappy love scenes from his movies. This was the side of Xander she wanted, the side that she and only a few were privy to see.

  He rocked hard against her, breathing heavy as he ejaculated. The soft pulse of his cock, still inside, sent chills down her spine and she shivered as if cold, but she was on fire.

  He laughed and kissed her softly on the lips as he rolled to put her on top.

  "Wow. That was fun, Xander." It almost made her sad that whatever they did in Alaska would be the only time it happened. She couldn't see them hooking up when they returned to reality. The fantasy web of fun that fate spun would only last so long.

  "It was fun, but it was just your first present." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand then back at her with a mischievous flicker in his eyes. "The next one will be given to you in a couple of hours."

  Shalaine heated up all over. Christmas with Xander was winding up to be the best holiday vacation she'd ever been on.

  ****

  It was the misplaced sound of a helicopter's retreat that awoke Shalaine. Naked and sore from the lovefest she and Xander had enjoyed, she padded to the window and wiped the condensation away. The black helicopter disappeared over the distant tree line. Deep down she knew Xander was on the helicopter. The emptiness of the cabin threaten to crush her once again as it had before he arrived. He was gone, no doubt about it; nothing about this seemed okay to her. She hoped something more would happen between them, but who was she kidding? She and Xander came from two different worlds. It wasn't meant to be anything more than a fleeting good time.

  Wrapping the thick quilt around her, she journeyed into the kitchen and flicked the coffee machine on. The nostalgia seeped back into her bones as she found herself alone on Christmas anyway. Well, at least it was only half the day. She and Xander had been pretty busy in the early morning.

  The crackle of the fire caught her attention as well as the photo album stuffed into the corner. Back to square one. At least Xander had the dec
ency to start a fire before he high-tailed it out without a goodbye. He also took her mind off Nathan for a little bit, which had been a blessing in itself.

  She refused to let sorrow become a theme for her in this cabin. Shalaine had a great career, friends, and her health. Wasting her time moping over a deadbeat like Nathan made it seem like she had nothing to live for. That wasn't true.

  Shalaine sat down in front of the fire, leaned forward, and grabbed the photo album. She ran her fingers along the gold lettering on the cover. Sorting through them, trying to find the best shots of just her to keep, seemed tedious and she didn’t feel like doing it anymore. Any photos she kept would be a reminder of him since he was the one to snap the photos. There wasn't any need to salvage anything from something that wasn't real.

  She pitched the whole album into the fire and curled her nose up at the awkward smell. That time in her life was gone. She didn't need any reminders of the lies Nathan had lived with her. She needed to start fresh and she could now. Shalaine had been limiting herself at work by not interviewing Xander and many other important celebrities. Many important opportunities had been turned down. No wonder Tia hadn't raised the subject of a promotion. That all ended now, in the fire. In the flames, more than just her photos burned.

  Something to the left caught her eye. Under the undecorated tree was a folded piece of paper propped up like a tent. After scrambling over on her hands and knees, she snatched the paper. A car key bounced out onto the wooden floor with a loud plop. On the page, Xander's calligraphy was legible and brief.

  Beautiful Shalaine,

  As you know, I'm a busy man with opportunities knocking briefly at my door before they're gone for good. I had to leave, but I didn't want to walk away from you forever. You looked so happy sleeping and your happiness was something I was glad to see. I knew if you saw me leaving, I'd be compelled to stay by your side and lose an opportunity that would have even you kicking my ass. Earlier you spoke of keys and locks being people and the relationships they find with others. Still a skeptic on that one…sorry. Anyway, I wanted you to know that I enjoyed spending time with you this holiday and hope to do it again. I may never give you a key to my heart, but I will give you a key because I want to see you again. No, scratch that, I will see you again. This is the key to my Maserati and as soon as I get the chance, I'll be by to collect it from you. Keep it safe. I love that car. This isn't a goodbye but an, "I'll see you again soon". Take care and Merry Christmas, Shalaine.