It Happened at Christmas

by Debbie Mason

  Moonlight filtered into the room through the window over her bed. He froze. She wasn’t there. As he turned in hopes he’d find her in his room, a blow to the shoulders nearly took him to his knees. He stumbled, regained his balance, and whipped around to face his attacker. Adrenaline pumped through him at the thought someone had broken in, hurt Skye, hurt the baby. He needn’t have worried.

  He grabbed Skye’s hands before she whacked him again with the rolling pin.

  Her eyes went wide. “What are you doing here? I-I thought you were…”

  Nudging her against the bedroom door, he pinned her hands over her head. His heart still racing, relief coursing through his veins, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. It wasn’t a soft and gentle kiss. It was demanding, full of need and a hot, searing desire.

  She trembled in his arms, and he raised his head. “Sorry I scared you,” he said, his voice a rough rasp. Releasing her wrists, he took the rolling pin from her and tossed it on the bed.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. “I was so scared. I thought…” She shook her head, her voice muffled and shaky.

  He stroked her hair. “Makes two of us.” Lifting her into his arms, he ignored the dull ache across his back and headed for his room.

  Her gaze jerked to his. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “What I’ve wanted to do since the moment you walked back into my life.”

  “Oh no, not after what I saw tonight. Let your girlfriend take care of you,” she said, her eyes flashing as she struggled to get out of his arms.

  He tightened his hold. “Calm down, and I’ll explain everything.” He flipped on the light before he placed her on the middle of his bed. She went to scramble off.

  He looped an arm around her waist. “We need to talk. Your room’s freezing. Mine will be warmer once I get a fire going.” And it was going to get a hell of a lot warmer before the night was over. He wasn’t about to let her ruin the first opportunity he had to make this a real marriage because she’d jumped to the wrong conclusion.

  She scooted to the edge of the mattress, crossed her arms, and glared at him. “Talk. You have two minutes.”

  “You’ll give me as long as I need. Get in,” he said, pulling back the covers. He reminded himself that he’d scared her, and reined in his irritation. “Do you want anything, something to drink?”

  “I want you to stop being so bossy and let me go back to bed. I’m tired,” she grumbled, even as she crawled under the blankets, pulling them to her chin.

  “So am I.” He took off his jacket and tie, glancing at her as he rolled up his sleeves. She averted her eyes. He got the fire going, turned off the light, and walked back to the bed. “You going to keep ignoring me?” he asked, sitting beside her.

  Her gaze moved from the flickering flames to him. Along with her anger, he sensed she was hurt, and maybe a little embarrassed that Claudia had seen her in her panties. Ethan didn’t think any woman who looked as good in her panties as his wife did had anything to be embarrassed about. And maybe that was why Claudia hadn’t said a word, acting as though she hadn’t caught them in the middle of some sexy tech time.

  “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. And if you would’ve taken my calls, you wouldn’t have spent the night worrying about it.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Yeah, you were.” He took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles as he held her gaze. “There was a mix-up at the hotel, and we ended up in a suite. My mother shared one of the bedrooms with Claudia. She couldn’t ask her to help with the zipper because Mom had already left for the Reinharts’.” He let go of her hand and took his phone out of his pocket. “Call Claudia if you don’t believe me.”

  She pushed his phone away. “I’m not calling her.”

  “You believe me, then?” She shrugged, and he bit back a frustrated sigh. “If I was in love with another woman, wanted to be with another woman, I wouldn’t have married you, Skye.”

  “Oh, please, of course you would have. I’m having your baby, and you were worried how that would play out with your supporters. You were worried if you didn’t marry me, you’d lose the election.”

  “I married you because of the baby, not the election.” When she raised an eyebrow, he toed off his shoes. “Move over,” he said, giving her a gentle nudge. She complied, and he stretched out beside her, propping himself up on his elbow. “Seems to me you’re forgetting that you asked me to marry you.”

  “I did not.”

  “You were the one who insisted we get married that night. I was all set to back off. I didn’t want to pressure you. I know the only reason you wanted to get married was because of your dad, but I don’t care. I’m just glad that you did.”

  Her gaze roamed his face. “You are?”

  “Yeah, I am. And I’m slipping if you didn’t get that.” He drew her into his arms. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I told Claudia to fix my schedule so that I can come home at night.”

  “I’m glad.” She plucked at the buttons on his shirt. “I’ve been nervous here by myself.”

  “You should’ve told me. Is that why you had the rolling pin?”

  She nodded, then reached around to stroke his back. “I’m sorry I hit you. I heard footsteps and… Did I hurt you?”

  “I don’t think anything’s broken. I’ll probably be black-and-blue tomorrow, but that’s okay.” She grimaced, and he kissed her forehead. “I’m teasing, cupcake. I’m fine. And I’d be even better if we could pick up where we left off.” He waggled his brows and started humming the stripper song.

  With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she gave him a light push. “Get up there, Mr. Senator-to-be. Show me what you’ve got.”

  “I don’t know, cupcake. With the problem you’ve been having with your blood pressure, it might be dangerous for you to see what I’ve got.”

  “I’m willing to take the risk.”

  He could tell she didn’t believe he’d take her up on her challenge. “All right, you sit back and prepare to be amazed.” He saw the surprise in her eyes when he stood up and danced his way to the end of the bed. “I should warn you, my mother and Rosa forced me to watch Magic Mike with them. I picked up some moves.” He did a slow swivel of his hips as he started to unbutton his shirt.

  Propping the pillows behind her, she put two fingers between her lips and whistled. “Whoa, baby. Shake it.”

  He shook it, then turned and looked at her over his shoulder as he moved his hips and lowered his shirt in a slow back-and-forth motion.

  Skye clapped and sang “It’s Raining Men.”

  He did a spin, whipped his shirt off, and twirled it over his head before tossing it at his laughing wife.

  Since she was too busy laughing to sing, he took up the song where she left off and drew his belt through the loops. Swiveling his hips, he dropped it on the floor, then danced his way to the side of the bed. He undid his pants, slowly inching the zipper down. He mimicked the sexy bump and grind she’d done earlier and dropped his pants, kicking them out of the way. She stopped laughing.

  “You’re looking a little flushed, cupcake. I better check your pressure.” He crawled into bed with her and gently eased her onto her back. She held his gaze, her breath hitched when he took her wrist between his fingers and kissed the soft skin there. “On second thought”—he released her hand and lifted her T-shirt, placing his palm on her breast—“this might be the best way to gauge how you’re holding up. What do you think?”

  “Good… really, really good idea.”

  “Now I don’t usually let the women touch me, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”

  She gave a strangled laugh and reached for him, her fingers digging into his shoulders when he lightly nibbled on her neck. He smiled against her sweet-smelling skin and kissed his way to her lips. He grazed her mouth with his, teasing her until she begged him to kiss her. He did, and when he raised his head a few moments later, she
released a frustrated groan. “Hang on, cupcake. I’m gonna take care of you real soon.”

  Her stomach quivered as he trailed his tongue along the waistband of her pajama bottoms.

  “I need… oh, yes, yes,” she said when he lowered her pj’s and headed south.

  * * *

  Skye woke up to a phone vibrating on the nightstand and a warm, hard body spooned against her back. Ethan’s arm was wrapped around her waist, his big hand lying protectively on her stomach.

  He groaned, lifted his hand, and reached across her to pat down the nightstand. He rolled onto his back with the phone in his hand. Skye grumbled a protest at the loss of his warmth and turned to face him, snuggling against him.

  “Morning, cupcake,” he said, wrapping an arm around her and bringing her closer. “Should’ve turned the damn thing off. Sorry it woke you up.”

  “It’s okay,” she yawned, lifting his arm to glance at his watch as he answered the phone. “I should get up anyway.” Not that she wanted to, not after their incredible night together. She’d rather spend the day in bed with him. But from the conversation he was having with Claudia, that wasn’t going to happen. Skye smoothed her hand over his broad chest and reluctantly pushed herself upright.

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he said to Claudia at the same time as he looped his arm around Skye’s waist. “Oh no you don’t. I’m not done with you yet.” He disconnected and tossed his phone on the bed.

  She glanced over her shoulder with a hopeful smile. “You don’t have to head back to Denver?”

  “I do,” he said, pulling her down beside him. “But it doesn’t mean I have to leave right away.”

  “Claudia won’t be happy,” she said, tracing around the edges of his firm lips.

  “Too bad.” He smiled and nipped her finger. “I’ll have enough time to prepare for the debate.”

  She drew back. “The debate’s tonight?”

  “Yeah.” He rubbed the bridge of her nose. “What’s with the frown?”

  “You never said anything about it to me.”

  “No politics, remember? You’re the one who laid down the ground rules.”

  She pulled away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. “I also said no sex, but you didn’t have a problem breaking that rule.”

  “You didn’t seem unhappy about me breaking it last night.” He angled his head to study her. “You’re upset I didn’t invite you to the debate?”

  “No… Well, yes. Your mom and Claudia will be there. I’m sure Sam will be, too. Won’t people wonder why your wife isn’t there to support you?”

  “Not anyone who knows you,” he murmured.

  “That’s not fair, Ethan. Just because we don’t see eye to eye on the issues doesn’t mean I don’t support you. I know how much the election means to you.” She moved to get out of bed.

  He pulled her back, caging her in with his body. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d want to come.”

  She did. She wanted to be there for him. She didn’t completely understand her change of heart. Though it was possible the night they’d shared had something to do with it.

  “I do.” She glanced up at him. “Can I come?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Not with your blood pressure. You—”

  “My blood pressure wasn’t a problem last night.”

  “No, it wasn’t. But that’s because when we’re making love, we’re on the same page. We don’t argue. You like everything I do to you, and I feel the same way.” He nuzzled her neck, then brought his mouth to her ear and reminded her exactly how much she’d liked what he did to her.

  He was right.

  In fact, she would have gone so far as to say she’d loved every single minute she spent in his bed. She loved it so much she didn’t want to ruin her chances of it happening again. But it didn’t change the fact that she wanted to be there to support him tonight. She didn’t like being treated like… like an embarrassment. Like someone he had to hide away because he was ashamed of her, because he thought she was a loose cannon, a flighty, irresponsible woman who had no idea how to conduct herself in the political arena.

  He was wrong. He forgot who he was dealing with. She’d been spoon-fed Republican policy since she was a baby. “All right, if you need proof, I’m going to give it to you.”

  “You don’t have to prove anything to me.” Sliding his hand up her inner thigh, he held her gaze as he stroked her with his long, talented fingers. “I can feel exactly how much you love when I touch you.”

  “That’s not… oh, that feels good.” And he was very good at distracting her. “No, that’s not what I meant.” She shook her head when he raised a brow. “I mean it feels… oh, yes, yes.” She strained against his hand, threading her fingers in his thick hair. It was only when he stopped stroking that she regained her ability to speak without moaning. “What I’m trying to say is that just because we disagree doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the issues like two reasonable adults.”

  His lips quirked, and he lowered his mouth to her breast. “It’s not me who has a problem being reasonable.” Given where his mouth was, his voice was muffled, and she wasn’t entirely sure she’d heard him correctly. Plus it sounded like he was laughing.

  “You’re not funny.” She tugged on his head. “Look at me.”

  “I’m kinda busy.” And he got busy again, in a way that had her moaning her appreciation. Several orgasm-inducing moments later, he raised his head. “You sure you want me to stop?”

  Her eyes fluttered open. “Huh?”

  He laughed. “You’re real easy to distract, you know.”

  She really was easy where he was concerned. She nudged him onto his back and crawled on top of him. “Or maybe you’re just really good at distracting me. But I’m serious, Ethan. We can talk about politics without having a disagreement. I know we can. Let me prove it to you.”

  He patted her bare bottom, a lazy smile on his gorgeous, beard-stubbled face. “Okay, go ahead. Prove it to me.”

  Twenty minutes into their discussion, Ethan had her flat on her back with her arms pinned over her head. “That answer was a total cop-out, and you know it. When I ask your stance on gay marriage, Ethan, you can’t say the state doesn’t belong in people’s bedrooms.”

  “Yes, I can. And a couple of seconds ago, you agreed with me.”

  “Moaning doesn’t constitute an agreement.”

  He gave her a hard, fast kiss. “Sorry, cupcake, I’ve gotta go,” he said, and got off the bed. “But you proved your point. As long as we’re in bed and naked, we can talk politics.”

  She threw a pillow at his tight behind as he walked into the bathroom. His cell rang at the same time she heard the shower turn on. She glanced at the caller ID, and seeing it was Claudia, picked up.

  “Ethan, where are—”

  “Hey, Claudia. He’s in the shower. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “What do you mean, he’s in the shower? He should be on his way here.”

  “Relax. He’ll be there shortly.”

  “Relax? Kendall, do you have any idea how important tonight is?” A loud sigh gusted over the line. “I don’t know why I even bothered to ask. Of course you wouldn’t, because you don’t care about anyone but yourself. If you cared at all about Ethan, you would’ve answered the phone last night instead of worrying him half to death. But God forbid you act like a reasonable, mature adult. Instead your silence forced him to leave his own fund-raiser and drive three hours to ensure his baby was all right. You haven’t changed, have you? You’re still as self-absorbed as ever.”

  “Hold it right there. You have no idea who I am. And Ethan and my personal business doesn’t concern you. So keep your opinions and your—”

  “You’re wrong. As his campaign manager, anything that impacts his standings in the polls is my business. He needs a decisive win in the debate tonight. And instead of focusing on that, he was forced to deal with you and your jealous snit.”
r />   “You think I’m jealous of you?”

  Claudia snorted. “I don’t think you are. I know you are. You always have been. I’m everything your father wanted in a daughter and everything your husband needs in a wife.”

  “Gee, Claudia, sounds like you’re the one who’s jealous, not me. I obviously have everything you want.”

  “Grow up, Kendall, and for once, think of someone other than yourself. Do you have any idea how important this election is to Ethan? How badly he wants to win?”

  “Yes, Claudia, despite what you think of me.” What everyone thinks of me. “I do. And I plan to help him win.”

  “What do you mean?” Claudia asked, a nervous edge to her voice.

  “I’ll be at the debate tonight to support my husband.”

  “Over my dead body you’re going to the debate. Let me talk to Ethan. Let me talk to him now.”

  “Sorry, Claudia, no can do. Ciao.”

  “Was that Claudia?” Ethan asked, coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his narrow hips.

  “Yes,” she said, muting the phone when it started to ring again. She tossed it on the bed. “I told her you’d be there soon.” Since it was obvious neither Ethan or Claudia wanted her at the debate, Skye decided to keep her plans to herself. Because no matter what they thought, she knew Ethan needed her to be there tonight, and that was exactly where she’d be.

  Chapter Sixteen

  As Gage pulled up to the entrance of the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver, a wave of anxiety hit Skye. Her cell phone vibrating on the seat beside her didn’t help. She ignored it like she had the last eight times. She didn’t have to look to know it was Ethan’s mother. Skye had hung up on her while trying on clothes at Sophia Dane’s high-end ladies’ clothing store, Naughty and Nice. Liz had been trying to reach her ever since.