Countdown to Christmas: (A Christmas Romance Novella)

by Betty Shreffler

  “Hey, Devin,” Jaxson nods, his expression serious. “I see you’ve met Sophia.”

  “Yeah, I was offering her a drink, but it looks like you got that handled,” Devin frowns. “It was good to meet you.” Looking defeated, he walks off toward the punch bowl.

  “I can’t leave you alone, huh?”

  “You were busy with your friend, so I was making my own. So, who is Claire?”

  Jaxson rakes a hand down the side of his face and blows out a breath.

  “She’s someone I dated not too long ago, who I’m not interested in rekindling things with at all.”

  “She didn’t get the memo.”

  “She has it now. I can’t handle her level of cling. Seriously, Soph, it was overload. Multiple texts a day and wanted to talk on the phone before going to bed every night.” His eyes widen in emphasis.

  “Aww, you didn’t want to soothe her into sleep with your sexy voice?” My tone is mocking, and it makes his mouth tilt.

  “You think my voice is sexy?”

  “Oh, jeez. Get over yourself.”

  Jaxson laughs as he leans forward and kisses my forehead.

  “Gather around,” Sarah calls to everyone. “Pick a partner. Someone you know.”

  Jaxson puts his hand on my lower back and pulls me closer. Sarah hands out sheets of paper and pens to her right, and they’re passed around until everyone has one.

  “This is a drinking game and will show how well you know your partner. The more you miss, the more you drink,” she says as she grins.

  Jaxson looks at me and winks, then starts in on his sheet. The sheet has ten questions. After writing your partner's name, you have to answer the questions about them—their favorite Christmas drink, their favorite Christmas movie, their favorite Christmas cookie… I go through them, answering them pretty easily, only one making me think hard.

  Ten minutes later, Sarah calls time. “Let’s see how well you did. Hand your sheet to your partner so they can mark if it’s correct or not. Every time it’s wrong, take a drink!”

  Jaxson and I swap sheets, and I watch him go through my sheet. Raising his pen, he puts an X next to the question, Where would your partner spend Christmas if they had the choice to go anywhere?

  Jaxson lifts the sheet and faces it toward me, tapping on the bottom of it. “You missed one. Take a drink.” He nods to my cup, and I lift it, swallowing down the sweet liquid.

  “What’s the right answer?”

  Shrugging a shoulder, he holds my gaze as his softens. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I’m spending Christmas where I want to be, with you.”

  “You really mean that?”

  “I mean it.” Taking my hand, he brings me closer so he can put his arms around my back. “I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas with you.”

  “Jaxson.”

  “What?”

  Blowing out a breath, I don’t know what to do about my rapid beating heart, the warm sensation spreading through my body and my clouded mind.

  “You didn’t miss any of the questions about me.”

  “I know. No one knows you better than I do.”

  I’m held against his warm chest as he hugs me. Over his shoulder, I notice Devin and Claire partnered up. They’re both repeatedly taking drinks. Chuckling, I turn Jaxson toward them.

  “Look.”

  “That’s a perfect match,” Jaxson laughs. “He clearly likes things that cling to him.”

  Tapping his shoulder, I giggle.

  “You want to get something to eat, then vote on sweaters?”

  “Yeah.”

  Tossing the papers in the trash, we move over to the table, and he hands me a plate before taking one for himself. Gathering up a plateful of finger foods and pasta, we sit at the empty table next to the food table. Joe fills a plate too and sits across from Jaxson.

  “Hey, man, Sarah wants to plan a New Year’s Eve party. You two should come.”

  Jaxson bumps my shoulder and winks. “You want to go with me?”

  The corner of my mouth lifts that his first thought is to bring me. “Yes.”

  “Great!” Joe claps his hands together. “I’m glad you came, Sophia. I was beginning to think you were a figment of Jax’s imagination.”

  Joe winks, and there’s a private exchange that passes between them as they look at each other. Jaxson laughs to himself.

  “No, she’s real.”

  “And just as beautiful as you said.”

  Remembering Jaxson’s phone call, I wonder if it was Joe he was talking to.

  “Thank you.”

  Jaxson smiles as he puts an arm around me. The three of us work at cleaning off our plates as a couple of Joe’s guests belt out karaoke to a Christmas song. When we finish eating, Jaxson sits back and pats his belly. Moving his hand, I take over rubbing. Adoration fills his eyes as he strokes his hand over my loosely curled hair.

  “Would you both like to go ice-skating tomorrow? Sarah wants to go, and if you like skating, Sophia, it’ll give me and Jax the opportunity to stand on the side and drink beer. What do you say?”

  Joe smooths his thumb and finger over his beard, shedding sparkles all over his empty plate and table beneath it. Laughing, I nod.

  “Yes, I’ll assist in your beer-drinking endeavors.”

  “I knew I’d like you.”

  While Joe and Jaxson chat, I take our plates and toss them. At the food table, I think about my votes for the sweater contest and write them on the post-its, fold them, and drop them in. The guys are still chatting when I’m done, so I get another drink and admire the view from Joe and Sarah’s balcony doors. Claire steps up next to me, scrutinizing me with narrowed lids.

  “It won’t last with him. Sarah tried to warn me, and I didn’t listen.”

  My stomach knots as I avoid looking at her flawless face. “Mmm-hmm.”

  “He’s a gorgeous heartbreaker with commitment issues.”

  “I’m not his girlfriend,” I bite back. “I’m his best friend and roommate… and coworker.”

  “So, you’re the reason I wasn’t allowed to visit him at his workplace?”

  “What do you mean?” My brows pinch inward as I glance at her smoky eyes.

  “He didn’t like me showing up there. He told me not to. It made me think he was sleeping with someone at work too.”

  Ugh. Too. Of course, he slept with her. Why wouldn’t he? He was dating her, and she’s stunning, but I still hate hearing it.

  “It’s none of your business, but we’ve never slept together.”

  “Well, once you do, he’ll drop you just like he dropped me. It’s all about the chase for guys like him, and once the chase is over, you’re no longer exciting.”

  There’s a war inside me, and it’s not over a ten-day bet. I believe I can hold out ten days and not sleep with Jaxson, but Mick was right, it’s only a matter of time before the opportunities of living together encourage the attraction we have for one another. I’m slipping right into where I never wanted to be—the territory of friends with benefits.

  “Thanks for the girl chat.”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  She saunters off, and I lower my head as my stomach churns with nausea. In my periphery, Jaxson is standing by the table, facing me. Approaching, concern fills his eyes and tightens his jaw.

  “What did she say to you?”

  “Nothing I didn’t already know.”

  “Like what?”

  When I look away, he takes my hand in his.

  “Soph.”

  “My stomach is upset. I’m going to head home early.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Withdrawing my hand from his, I shake my head. “You should stay and enjoy the party. I’ll see you back home.” Walking away from him, I hurry to the closet and gather my jacket and purse.

  Glancing back over my shoulder, Jaxson’s expression is pained as he watches me leave.

  Chapter 8

  Jaxson enters my room t
he next morning with a smoothie and sets it on my nightstand. Dropping onto my bed, he fills the opposite side as he lays his head on the pillow and gazes at me with his gorgeous hazel eyes.

  “The party sucked after you left. I came back shortly after you, but you were already asleep.”

  Guilt is like a thorn in my side, prickly and sharp. I hadn’t been asleep. I was in bed reading, but when I heard the front door open, followed by his footsteps, I turned the lamp off and pretended to be asleep to avoid talking.

  “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”

  “You didn’t ruin my night. Claire ruined it when she said something that upset you. Are you ready to tell me what she said?”

  “She warned me not to enter into a relationship with you and told me if I did, you’d get bored with me after we had sex and move on to someone else.”

  There’s a tick in his jaw as his nostrils flare. Reaching out, he takes my hand.

  “Come here.” Lying on his back, he brings me atop him, his hand caressing my hair. “You’re not a fling. You’re not someone I’m trying to get to know only to learn things that drive me crazy. You’re the one woman I’ve always been able to be myself around, to joke with, to ask for ideas and help. The only thing you’ve ever judged me for is my sex life, and it’s the same reason I hassle you about every guy you date.”

  As he stares up at me, caressing my face and hair, I can sense my wall crumbling.

  “You wanted me once, and I messed it up. I’m not going to mess up again. Our friendship isn’t enough. I want more, Sophia. I want you.”

  Lowering into his arms, I let go, allowing my emotions to freefall. I’m as terrified as I am thrilled about the possibilities. I tried all night to make excuses why I shouldn’t be with him, but they all dissolve when his lips press to mine. Despite my fears, giving my heart to Jaxson is the only thing that feels right.

  Turning us, he puts me on my back and sits upright. Unbuttoning my pink button-down nightgown, he opens the fabric. With his arm holding him up, he brings his lips to my breast, sucks my nipple into his mouth, teasing it until it’s swollen, and my body is aching with need. Moving the fabric away from my hips, he slides a hand into my underwear. Wet with desire, he coats his fingers as he swirls them around my clit. Moving his fingers down, he slides them into me, and I arch my back as the pleasure rushes over me.

  “I have a confession,” he whispers between nipping my breast.

  “What is it?”

  “When I decorated your room, I might’ve done some snooping and found your vibrator.”

  My mouth curls, knowing the reason he snooped is that he wanted to know what toys I had. Thrusting harder, he works me toward an orgasm as I look up at him and his wayward grin.

  “I want to use it on you. Will you let me?”

  Putting my hand over his, I keep him at the angle he’s at, and he keeps his pace.

  “Yes,” I whisper between moans.

  “Yes, on the vibrator, or yes, you want to come?”

  “Both.”

  He withdraws his fingers, and I whimper. That widens his grin as he opens the drawer of my nightstand. Pulling out the blue, lifelike vibrator, he turns the knob at the end, starting the vibration as I remove my underwear. With his hand on the inside of my thigh, he spreads my legs and places the head of the vibrator at my opening. Moving it up and down, he rubs it along my clit and pussy lips, ensuring I’m ready. As my moans increase, he pushes it in, pulls out, then pushes further in. He repeats, and each time, he angles it up to press against my G-spot. Quickening his pace, he leans down and sucks my nipple, adding to the pleasure that’s reaching its crest. Gripping his shoulder, my body shakes as I reach my orgasm. Smiling, he covers my lips with his.

  Turning the knob to off, he drops the vibrator to the side as he lowers himself on top of me, keeping our kiss going, prolonging the pleasure tingling through my body. My hands go to his pants, and he reaches down to help remove them. Kicking them and his briefs off, he moves farther up and straddles my chest. Leaning over, he grips the bed frame as I take his erection in my mouth. As I suck, he thrusts into my mouth and throat, then back out. With each thrust, he holds his hand over mine at the base of his cock while the other makes the bed frame creak with the strength of his grip. Several more thrusts, and he slows as his cock thickens. Warm cum fills my mouth, and I swallow before he pulls out.

  Dropping onto his back, he exhales a breath as he puts his arm over his head. His other arm curls around me as I lie on his chest.

  “That was hot, so fucking hot.” Putting his fingers through my hair, he brings the other hand down and presses his finger on my bottom lip. “This mouth is capable of bringing me to my knees. I’ll do anything to feel these lips.”

  Twirling my fingers on his muscled chest, my mouth curls.

  “It turns me on how much you enjoy it.”

  Turning us to our side, he props his head on his hand and bent elbow as he caresses along my side.

  “Is there anything that’s off-limits? Anything you don’t want me to do to you?”

  “I’m not into being hurt or humiliated during sex.”

  Gathering my hand in his, he kisses my fingertips.

  “Good, because I could never hurt you. What about anal?”

  With a wink, I grin.

  “Yes, I’m into it.”

  “Fuck, yes.” Leaning forward, he smiles against my lips as he kisses me. “What’s your favorite position?”

  “Doggy style or me on top. Both hit my G-spot the best. What about you?”

  “I won’t know until I do all of them with you.” There’s a wicked glimmer in his eyes as his mouth upturns. “What about having sex in public places? How do you feel about that?”

  “It’s a turn on, but some places are too public.”

  “I agree with both. How about at work?”

  “We can’t make it a habit because sooner or later, we might get caught.”

  “It’s going to be very difficult for me not to bend you over your desk, lift your skirt, and have my way with you.”

  My cheeks warm as my stomach flutters.

  “It’s going to be difficult not to let you have your way with me.”

  “We’ll have to find excuses for late-night work sessions, so I can pleasure you before we come home.”

  Putting my hand on his cheek, I lean in to kiss him. “I’d like that.”

  Lying on my back, my mouth curls in response to the joy I feel.

  “We did this backward. We’re supposed to date, then move in with each other later. We went for moving in together first before you became my boyfriend.”

  Jaxson lies above me, grazing his spread fingers between my breasts as he watches my eyes.

  “Am I? Your boyfriend?”

  “It doesn’t feel right to say we’re just dating.”

  “Because we aren’t.” His lips feather kisses along my stomach, and it stirs my arousal. “We’re in a relationship.”

  “What makes it a relationship?”

  Coming back up, he licks my nipple, then kisses my breast, sending goosebumps along my arms.

  “I don’t want to be with anyone else, and I definitely don’t want you dating anyone else.”

  Taking his hand, I put it between my legs.

  “I don’t want you to date anyone else either. I want you all to myself.”

  Sliding a finger into me, he thrusts slowly.

  “You have me.”

  In the park, an ice rink has been set up along with booths for vendors, food, and drinks; the leafless trees filled with sparkling white lights give a romantic and festive atmosphere to the snow-covered surroundings. Walking hand in hand, Jaxson leads me to where we’re meeting Joe and Sarah. At the edge of the rink, we see them ahead and wave. Joe notices our hands together and grins. It’s a different look, seeing him without a glitter-filled beard.

  Sarah gives me a hug when we reach them.

  “I’m glad you guys came.”

  She and
I head to the rink stand, Joe and Jaxson following behind.

  “Do you like to skate?”

  “Yeah, it’s been a year or so since I’ve done it, but I think I’ll pick it back up quickly.”

  “Oh, good. This will be fun.”

  As we approach the stand, the guys catch up and purchase our tickets. Jaxson gets mine and kisses me when I try to protest. Sitting on a bench, I push my feet into the skates while Jaxson locks our shoes in one of the lockers in front of us. Sitting next to me, he puts on hockey skates.

  “Are you comfortable on skates?”

  “I am, but it’s been a while.”

  When I stand, Jaxson puts his hands on either side of me in case I lose my balance. With success, I’m able to balance on the blades and make it to the rink. Jaxson takes my hand as I wobble onto the ice, then slowly move my feet forward. It takes a few minutes before muscle memory kicks in and I’m gliding smoothly. Jaxson releases my hand, turns, and skates backward while holding my hands.

  “Showing off those hockey skills is pretty sexy.”

  Glancing over his shoulder, he makes sure there’s no one for us to run into.

  “I was hoping it would impress you.”

  “It worked. When is your and Joe’s next game?”

  “After Christmas. Would you like to come?”

  “Yes.” My brows knit together. “Will that make me a puck bunny?”

  Jaxson slows us, lets go of one of my hands, and spins me. Bringing me into his arms, he propels us forward as I skate backward, my balance kept steady with the strength of his arms.

  “Are you there for me or the game?”

  “You. The game is a bonus.”

  “Technically, that makes you my puck bunny.”

  “Should I get a cute costume and ears for some role play?”

  Jaxson laughs, and it vibrates across my chest, making me laugh.

  “You would look sexy in a pink one-piece and stockings. The ears would have to go pretty quick, though. They’d ruin it for me.”