A Maverick for the Holidays

by Leanne Banks

  Forrest took the leash. “Thanks. Looks like you dressed him in his holiday finest.”

  “He’s a good guy,” Annabel said and patted Smiley. “I’ll pick him up in a couple hours.”

  Forrest walked Smiley through the hallway.

  Angie couldn’t hold her panic inside one moment longer. “Forrest, I need your help. I need you to be Santa.”

  Chapter Nine

  Forrest stared at her in disbelief. “Me? Santa? Trust me, Angie, I’m no Santa.”

  “It’s just for a little while,” she pleaded.

  “Two minutes is too long,” he said. “You know I’m not the jolly type.”

  “The Santa suit will do most of the work. You can give a few ho-hos. The gifts and Smiley will distract them.”

  Forrest shook his head, but he felt himself weakening. Damn it.

  “We can’t disappoint the children,” she said.

  Forrest groaned. He couldn’t disappoint the children. He couldn’t disappoint Angie. Five minutes later, he stepped into the suit and gave himself a cursory glance in the bathroom mirror. Lord help him, he thought as he put on the hat and fake beard. He was the worst Santa he’d ever seen. He grimaced into the mirror. “Ho, ho, ho,” he muttered.

  He sucked as Santa, but walked out the men’s room ready to rock and roll.

  Standing in the hallway, Angie held Smiley’s leash as the dog barked at him.

  “Can’t blame him,” Forrest said. “I’m the biggest Santa imposter ever.”

  “Oh, stop it,” she said. “You look great. Everyone is going to love you.”

  “Even Smiley’s skeptical,” Forrest said, lifting his hand to the dog’s nose. Smiley gave it a sniff and lick of approval. The dog wagged his tail.

  “He’s good to go,” Angie said.

  “I guess I am, too,” Forrest muttered and waddled down the hall.

  Angie stepped in front of him and went to the front of the room to take the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are so honored by your presence tonight. We’re honored by the sacrifice and service your family is making. Your contribution to our country is phenomenal and we’d like to give you a token of our gratitude. Santa and Smiley are here to help,” she said and Forrest took his cue to enter the room with the therapy dog.

  The crowd erupted in applause. Angie rushed to Forrest’s side with one of the red bags of gifts. “Ready, Santa?” she asked.

  “As ready as ever,” he said. “Ho, ho, ho!”

  “How are you, little girl?” he asked a girl dressed in red velvet. “That’s a pretty dress you’re wearing.”

  “Thank you, Santa,” she said in a soft, sweet voice.

  “Here’s a little something for you,” Forrest said in a gentle tone, placing a wrapped gift into her hand. The girl beamed.

  He continued it over and over. Several children were brave enough to voice their Christmas wishes to him. Some whispered. The same requests were made over and over.

  I wish Mommy could come home. I wish Daddy was home.

  His heart broke at the words. All twenty-three times he heard them. Forrest knew plenty of kids hadn’t had the nerve to ask. Instead, they’d just wished. As the realization rolled through him, he injected a little more jolly in his laughter. They needed this moment. This one evening was a holiday escape and he was damned well determined to deliver.

  As they finally drew near the end of the long line of guests eager to meet Santa and Smiley, Angie noticed that Forrest had begun to limp just a little bit. She shouldn’t be surprised after how hard he’d worked today. She gave another hug to another soldier’s wife.

  Annabel stood in the doorway ready to take Smiley away.

  Forrest and Angie walked toward her with Smiley loping happily along.

  “Thank you,” Angie said. “He was perfect.”

  “Good to know,” Annabel said. “We’ve been putting him through his paces lately and the holidays are just getting started.”

  “Everybody loved him,” Forrest said. “You’ve done a good job with him.”

  “Smiley and I both thank you for your high praise. Now, let’s see if I can keep him from being a bed hog,” Annabel said with a grin and led the dog away.

  The military families streamed out of the Gallatin room with smiles on their faces. As soon as the last guest was gone, Forrest went to the men’s room and ditched the Santa suit. He felt a new sympathy for mall Santas. Hell, any Santas.

  He stepped into the hall and walked toward Angie as she talked to a man wearing a white chef’s jacket. Angie glanced at Forrest. “Forrest, this is Shane Roarke. He’s responsible for the fabulous meal tonight.”

  “It was delicious and the families really appreciated it,” Forrest said. “I thought about stealing Angie’s plate, but figured she deserved a few bites after all her work. This evening meant so much to all those people who can’t have their soldiers home for Thanksgiving.”

  Shane nodded. “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” He shrugged. “I know a thing or two about missing family,” he said in a cryptic voice then extended his hand to each of them. “Good night.”

  Forrest stared after Shane. “There’s something about that guy,” he said. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

  “What?” Angie asked. “Other than the fact that he’s a culinary genius and you devoured his food like you hadn’t eaten in days.”

  He glanced at her and laughed. “Okay, okay.”

  They continued down the hallway and she looked up at him. “You saved the day. You were a hero again,” she said with a smile that got under his skin.

  He felt himself sink into her gaze. She was so beautiful inside and out.

  “She’s standing under mistletoe, dude,” a server said as he walked passed them. “Go for it.”

  Angie’s eyes widened and she glanced up. “I didn’t—”

  Forrest followed an instinct he’d been fighting for weeks. “Shh,” he said and pulled her against him and pressed his mouth to hers. Her mouth was sweeter than he’d imagined; her body was softer and more sensual than he’d remembered.

  He finally pulled back. “You’re a very special woman,” he said. “Thank you for helping me have the best day I’ve had since coming back to the States.”

  He watched her audibly swallow.

  “It’s not over yet,” she said. “You’re giving me a ride home, aren’t you?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I’ll take you home.”

  Forrest drove Angie home, and it was all he could do not to grab her hand and hold it. Something in the very core of him called out to her. He wasn’t totally sure how she affected him that way, but she did. He wanted to hold her tight and absorb everything that was good about her.

  He arrived at her house, helped her out of the car and walked her to her front porch. Angie stood with her back to the door, looking at him expectantly. “Come inside,” she invited.

  “I should go,” he said, but he felt no interest in leaving her.

  “You should stay,” she whispered.

  Something powerful and inevitable kept him from turning around and getting in his truck. “Are you sure?”

  She shot him the sexiest smile he’d ever seen. “I’ve been sure forever, Major.”

  His heart stopped in his chest, and he knew he couldn’t turn away from her now if he’d tried. “Then let’s go inside,” he said.

  * * *

  Angie fumbled with the lock and opened the door. Forrest followed her inside. The house felt quiet except for the sounds of her breath meshing with his. He took her mouth and she felt as if he devoured her in the best possible way. Every inch of his body vibrated with honest need. Angie clung to him, reveling in the passion he was finally allowing himself to show her. Everything about him was hot, hard and muscular. Everything about him was what she’d always wanted.

  She clung to his shoulders, feeling her knees turn to liquid.

  He parted them slightly and she stared into his dark eyes that were full of want and
need. His arms were taut around her body, although she knew he would have let her back away at any time. But that was the last thing she wanted. Angie felt as if she’d been waiting for this moment her entire life.

  “Where’s your bedroom?” he muttered.

  Her mouth went dry. “Down the hall,” she managed to utter. “In the back.”

  She tried to lead the way, stumbling down the hallway. They traded kisses with every step. Angie pushed off her coat and let it fall to the floor. Forrest unbuttoned his jacket. She helped loosen his shirt.

  Finally they arrived in her bedroom with the queen-size bed and oak furniture. She’d never invited a man into her bedroom. She couldn’t believe how right it felt to have Forrest with her tonight.

  He pulled back again. This time, the space between them was a little wider. She felt a draft of cool air and uncertainty. She searched his gaze for reassurance. In that slice of a moment, she sensed that he was torn between what he wanted to do and what he felt he should do.

  “What is it, Forrest? Don’t you want me?”

  The expression on his face looked as if he’d been pushed over the edge. “Yes, I want you,” he said and guided her to the bed.

  He kissed her until she was breathless with need. He stripped off her dress. Her bra and panties soon followed. She scrubbed at his chest with her fingers. She longed to feel his bare skin against hers. Pulling at his jacket, she rubbed against him.

  Forrest muttered sexy sounds of frustration as he ditched his uniform and underwear. At last, he was deliciously naked with her, holding her, kissing her. Everywhere he touched her, she felt branded. He urged her down on the bed and the comforter felt cool against her back, but the rest of her was steaming. She wriggled beneath him, wanting to feel every inch of him on her, inside her.

  He touched her breasts and slid his thumbs over her nipples. His caresses only served to accelerate her arousal. His hand drifted down between her legs.

  “You feel so good,” he said. “So good. I want you so much,” he said, settling between her thighs.

  He thrust inside her and she gasped at the sudden stretching sensation.

  Forrest stopped short, staring at her. “You’re— You haven’t—”

  She grasped his hips and whispered, “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

  “Oh, Angie,” he said and began to pump inside her. She held on as the tension tightened to the force of a tornado, her climax coming in fits and starts. He rose above her and she saw pleasure take over his face. Angie had never been so vulnerable, yet awesomely complete. She hadn’t known such a feeling was possible.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as she struggled for air. “Oh. Wow.”

  Forrest shook his head and rolled onto his side, pulling her against him. A moment of pure bliss passed. Angie was so happy she could have cried, but she didn’t want to alarm Forrest, so she buried her head in his chest.

  Another moment passed and she felt him take a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

  “Tell you what?” she returned. “That I was, uh, inexperienced?”

  “Yes,” he said.

  She lifted her head to look at him. “Would you have gone through with it if you’d known?”

  He shook his head. “Probably not.”

  “Exactly. That’s why I didn’t tell you,” she said and pressed her lips against his throat. “I don’t regret this. Not one bit. I’m glad you were my first.”

  “Oh, you’re a sweetheart, but you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said, rubbing her shoulders and holding her close to him.

  “You didn’t seem to mind too much,” she said.

  He gave a low laugh that vibrated through her. “I can’t say I minded at all.” He lifted her chin and gave her a long, soulful kiss that made her sink even more deeply in love with him. Angie fell asleep to the sensation of his naked body against hers, strong and loving. In her mind, their future was set.

  Hours later, she awakened to the sound of Forrest screaming. Her heart leaped in a panic. He thrashed from side to side. She blinked, terrified. Was he hurt? What was happening?

  As Angie became fully awake, she realized Forrest was having a nightmare. She gently tried to awaken him. “Forrest. Forrest.”

  Sweating and out of breath, he stared at her as if he didn’t recognize her. “Where— What—” he gasped.

  She took one of his hands in hers. “It’s Angie,” she said in a low voice as she stroked his shoulders and chest comfortingly with her other hand. “You’re here with me.”

  A moment later, he focused on her and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and swore.

  Angie so wanted to help him. It was clear he was suffering.

  “Why can’t this just go away?” he muttered.

  Angie’s instincts went into high gear. “Iraq, right?” she asked.

  He glanced at her then looked away, refusing to meet her gaze.

  “Forrest,” she encouraged.

  But she could tell he didn’t want to talk about it.

  “I wish you would tell me, so I could help,” she said.

  “I’m okay,” he said. “I’ll be okay.” He took another deep breath. “Just go back to sleep.”

  “But—”

  “Not now,” he said, sliding his hand behind her neck and pulling her against him. “Not now.”

  In the dark silence, Angie worried. Even though he was so close to her, she felt as if he had withdrawn. He had pulled into some dark place inside him. She wished he knew he didn’t have to go there alone. She wished she could tell him, but he’d made it clear he didn’t want her words. She was surprised he didn’t abandon her in her bed. He stayed there with her and despite how upset she was, she drifted into an unsettled sleep against his chest.

  Some time later, she awakened. She rolled to her side to find Forrest gone. Her stomach dipped. Sitting up, she looked around the room for him. “Forrest?” she called.

  He came in from the hallway, fully dressed. “Hey,” he said, leaning against the doorjamb.

  She pushed her hair from her eyes. “I was afraid you’d left without telling me.”

  “I wouldn’t do that,” he said. “I’m not that bad.”

  “I never thought you were bad,” she said and started to step out of bed when she suddenly realized she wasn’t dressed. “Oops.” She pulled a sheet to cover her, wishing this awkwardness between them would go away. “What time is it anyway?”

  “Ten-thirty,” he said.

  “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m supposed to be at Haley’s house before noon,” she said. “I would love it if you would go with me.”

  He immediately shook his head. “I can’t make that. I really should head home.”

  Angie wrapped the sheet around her and rushed toward him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he said. “It’s just a busy day for both of us. We’ll talk later,” he promised and kissed her on the cheek the same way he could have kissed his sister, which was a lot different than how he’d kissed her last night.

  She studied his face, but he seemed so remote. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine.” He lifted his hand to cup her chin. “Thank you for a beautiful night. Happy Thanksgiving,” he said and walked outside to his truck.

  Angie stared after him, hoping and praying he didn’t regret their night together, but her stomach told her that he might. Biting her lip, she pushed the thought away. He’d said he was okay. She would believe him until he told her differently.

  Taking a shower and packing her pumpkin pies and chocolate chip pumpkin bread, she bundled up and headed over to her sister’s house. She was looking forward to the warmth she felt every time she got together with her sister and brother.

  Haley’s husband Marlon answered the door when she knocked and welcomed her with a bear hug. “Happy Thanksgiving, Angie. Are those pumpkin pies for me?”

  Angie smiled at Marlon. He seemed like a tough guy on the outside, but he was a
sweetheart to those he loved. Especially her sister. “I’ve brought the pies to share,” she said.

  He shot her a wounded look. “Well, maybe someone won’t like pumpkin pie.”

  “Good luck,” she said. “It’s a great recipe. How’s business?”

  “Can’t complain,” Marlon said. “I’d like to get Haley to spend more time in L.A., but she’s devoted to ROOTS. Can’t fault her for that. How are you doing?”

  “Good. I just finished up a charity event last night at the Gallatin Room for military families,” she said.

  “Impressive,” Marlon said. “That’s the best place to eat in Thunder Canyon.”

  She nodded. “It was a magical night,” she said, thinking that fact was true in more ways than one. “I should help Haley in the kitchen,” she said and headed for the back of the house.

  Haley was stirring beans as she glanced up to see Angie. “Hey there, baby. Good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving,” she said.

  “Happy Thanksgiving,” Angie said in return, giving her sister a big hug. “It looks like you have everything under control. No surprise there. What can I do to help?”

  “You can just be your usual sweet self. Oh, I can’t wait to dig into that pie,” she said. “The ROOTS recipe is the best.”

  “That’s because it’s Mom’s recipe,” Angie said.

  Haley met her gaze for a moment and Angie knew she was feeling the same nostalgic longing. “She was a wonderful woman,” Haley said.

  “We were lucky,” Angie agreed.

  “Yes, we were,” Haley said and heard the sound of the doorbell. “I believe that’s our brother and his sweet bride.”

  “I believe you’re right,” Angie said.

  She enjoyed the time with her family, but her mind kept wandering to thoughts of Forrest. As soon as everyone finished eating, she began to clear away the dishes from the table and started the cleanup. Haley and Rose were chatting about getting ready for the holidays when Angie started washing the pots and pans, still thinking about Forrest.

  “Angie,” her sister said in a loud voice.

  Angie whirled around. “What?”

  Haley and Rose giggled. Haley shook her head. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last three minutes. Where is your head today?”