The Assistant's Christmas Wish (The Christmas Wish Series Book 1)

by Lexi Ostrow

  Nick twisted the water off and towel dried quickly. When he stepped out of the bathroom he saw the clock and cursed a little. He always enjoyed sleeping in. But not getting a start on the day until after noon was a bit ridiculous. The digital numbers didn’t lie though, it was half past twelve.

  He could hear Leena and Jake in the main room, or at least in that direction, as he dressed. He had nothing in the world to care about now though. He wasn’t entirely certain what he had witnessed with Jake and Leena last night. But it was most certainly a moot point now. Everything was out in the open feelings wise and it would be so easy to make a future with Leena. He had a feeling Jake wouldn’t mind, the guy had a crush on her on and off, but so did Nick. Brothers fought sometimes, but it wouldn’t drive a wedge between them he was certain.

  Dressed, he looked in the mirror and smiled. Christmas was always hell on him, because of being stuck with his mother and a girlfriend he had no intention of marrying being grilled by his family. But this year, well he’d thought he was in love with Leena for years. Last night proved they had chemistry and he planned on taking the chances he could up here to get to know her.

  “What room are you guys in?” he shouted through the Chalet and heard Jake respond with the media room.

  He walked in and kissed Leena, he hadn’t meant to do it quite so deeply, but his blood swirled lower and he pulled back, now was not the place. He sat on the chair next to Leena and tossed a package at Jake.

  “Sorry about last night. Merry Christmas, Jake. I’m glad you made it safe through that monster.”

  Jake set down the Xbox One controller and looked at the expertly wrapped box covered in green paper and a red and white glitter bow. Leena had wrapped it of course. “Shit, yours is in my room.” He popped up and assumedly went to go grab it.

  Nick smiled at Leena. She looked beautiful. More so than ever because now she was his. Well, he assumed she was. There didn’t appear to need to be anything to discuss, but he would once they were alone alone, not with Jake in another room.

  “You look beautiful, Leena.”

  She smiled and he liked that she didn’t blush. That she just took the compliment and sipped on whatever was in her mug; probably cocoa. “Thank you, Nick. You look well rested.” She smirked and he laughed.

  “What can I say, my assistant wore me out.” He grinned and she flinched. “Too early to be making ‘I slept with the boss jokes’ ?”

  “Mmm. Definitely too early. What are we going to do about that, by the way?”

  “We will worry about it later, Leena. We can keep it quiet until you are ready. Not as if anyone can get into my office without getting past you.” He winked and she shook her head and grabbed the controller off the couch, replacing her mug for it. “I didn’t know you played video games.”

  A car expertly slammed into a wall with a fiery explosion and she laughed. “I don’t. But it was sitting there so helpless and lonely.”

  “Oh Jake is going to kill you if that knocked him out the race. Don’t mess with his video games.”

  “Shh I won’t tell if you won’t.” She told the Xbox to turn off quietly just as Jake was walking back in. He looked from the now black TV screen minus the word “input” and to the remote in her hand.

  “Oh, you so owe me. And after I cooked for you too!” He handed Nick a box wrapped insanely similarly to the one he just gave his brother. It was big and when he jokingly shook it nothing rattled.

  “On the count of three, big brother?” They’d always opened gifts together, with Anna.

  “One.”

  “Two.”

  “Three!” Nick shouted as he gleefully ripped into the box and saw the leather prize within. He’d always been the big sports enthusiast while Jake had preferred the computers and video games. He couldn’t believe what was inside. ‘Wow, Jake. This is amazing. Thanks, bro.”

  Jake was smiling at the pre release game from one of their biggest clients. “Right back at you. I don’t suppose I’m allowed to play it now?” He gave Leena and Nick puppy dog eyes and she busted up laughing.

  “I want to go for a walk in the snow anyway. Nick you up for seeing some lights with me tonight?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about going out into the cold tonight. He’d been planning a nice round of chocolate and seduction for after they said goodnight to Jake. Especially since it didn’t look like skiing was on the books for today.

  “How about Jake takes you?” Both of them snapped their heads up at him. They probably figured they weren’t allowed to be alone together. But Jake wasn’t competition. Not anymore.

  “You won’t go with me?” She gave him a look he couldn’t identify and for a second he thought it was a trap.

  “I want to set something up for tonight. That’s all. Plus I’m forcing you to cook us dinner tonight and I have other ways of repaying you that Jake can’t.” That time she did blush and he laughed.

  She shifted her eyes over to Jake and tucked her legs under her on the chair. “Jake, would it be too much trouble? I can go myself, I just like someone taking pictures of me with my favorite setups.” She used puppy dog eyes that if they’d been directed at him a moment earlier he would’ve forgone going to the lodge and getting champagne and chocolate for tonight. At one point last night she’d mentioned a very sexy sounding red teddy that he had plans of seeing.

  “Sure. I love lights. But most people up here just string up some white flickering ones and call it good.”

  She frowned at Jake and Nick laughed. “Take her up to the lodge. The cars should be able to get through tonight if it doesn’t pick back up again.”

  Jake’s eyes flew open and he stood up. “Shit. That rental car is still on the road. Nick you want to take me in one of the cars to grab it so I don’t have to pay for the damn vehicle? Plus I can tell you about Mom’s arrival plans.”

  “Sure. Let me grab the keys from the main room where Mom keeps them. Leena be safe on your walk and don’t forget, you’re in charge of cooking tonight!”

  She laughed and they all got up, Christmas was over and the whole family hadn’t arrived so it was time for a day doing whatever they wanted and whatever needed to get done before their mother arrived.

  Chapter 7

  Jake wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go. He’d promised Leena, and essentially, Nick that he would take her to look at the lights yesterday morning. The snow had kicked back up and they’d had to put it off. Tension had completely drifted away and the three of them had gotten along just fine.

  Leena’s dinner was amazing. She’d cooked the turkey that had been dropped off, probably at the beginning of the week since his mother never liked to see deliveries happen. They’d even sat down and played fucking Yahtzee for a few hours. Nick had made every excuse to touch Leena and while she’d certainly leaned into each and every gesture, Jake noticed she didn’t make any on her own. Question was, was she being nice to him or had his comment the other morning made her doubtful of her choice?

  It was insane, the emotional response he’d felt every time he saw them touch. It was as if someone was dunking his body into boiling water. But he wasn’t going to push her. He’d pushed her into a kiss, twice, and then pushed her mentally into thinking about it. If anything was going to happen, she was going to come to him this time. He’d heard small sounds last night that had him jacking off so hard his head spun with his release.

  So spending the night, looking at Christmas lights alone with her was going to be maddening. His brother wasn’t much for lights, and that was probably the real reason he’d been suckered into taking her. He grabbed his grey coat out of the hall closet and waited by the door.

  He had seen Nick come back earlier with a bag, most likely from the lodge shop and had been dying to know what he thought was going to happen between him and Leena tonight. Because his little brother wouldn’t be stupid enough to sleep with her once their mother and stepfather arrived. They weren’t quiet enough to not get killed by their mother.

&nb
sp; “Leena, are you by any chance coming?”

  She rounded the corner, dressed in a cream sweater and black leggings. And the most ridiculous earmuffs he had ever seen. He didn’t even attempt to not laugh at her.

  “I take it you’re laughing at my sexy UGG earmuffs. Well I’ll be the one laughing when your ears are red and you’re begging me to hold them in my hands.” She lifted her chin and smirked.

  “All right if you say so. Let’s take a quick peak at the chalets and if you aren’t satisfied we can head back, grab the car, and see the lodge. Nick said that definitely won’t disappoint you.” He opened the door and the blast of cold had his teeth chattering. Just because the snow finally stopped, didn’t mean the wind had.

  He snorted out a laugh as the wind took her slightly backwards and he heard her stomp her boots into the ground just outside the door. When she gasped he turned quickly to see if she was ok.

  Which she was. Her eyes had gone wide, looking at the outside of their chalet. The whole house was covered in tiny white lights from roofline to ground line. The trees out front had outdoor ornament balls dangling from them and a Santa’s sleigh as a light fixture was lined dead center on the roof next to the chimney. He let out a low whistle himself, not shocked at seeing it so much as shocked it was still standing.

  He walked back up to her side and nudged her shoulder. “You didn’t see this two nights ago?”

  She gave him a rather playful glare and rubbed her arms over her coat near her shoulders. “There was a storm going on, thank you. Besides, this is my first time up here. I had no idea what to expect. I still don’t really since you know, this hasn’t been what you normally do.”

  “Oh? You mean my mother and sister normally don’t bail on us?”

  She punched his shoulder and it actually hurt a little. “Jesus, tell Nick to stop taking you to the gym with him will you?”

  Leena grinned. “Poor baby. I know just what will make it better. Come on, let’s keep looking.” She grabbed his hand and held it for a split second before dropping it. It was enough to charge the frigid air around them and sucked in a breath too. “Sorry.”

  Hands tucked into their pockets they walked the few minutes of non lit houses until coming upon one that was most likely decorated by the family that owned it. Bright, colored lights twinkled around the roof and a blow up Frosty, Santa, and Rudolph sat on the porch, barely contained in the smaller space.

  “Take a picture of me with Rudolph!” She shoved her phone into his hands and ran to pretend to place a kiss on the balloon’s bright red nose.

  She stayed paused that way after he took the photo and suddenly pulled her head up. “Seriously? Did you get it yet, DeMarco? There are other houses to look at!”

  “Oh, shit yes. Sorry. Didn’t realize I needed to tell you.”

  She jumped down the three porch steps and sunk to her knees in snow. Her cry out was pathetic, like a wounded bird and he shook his head and helped her climb out.

  “There are so many comments I could make about that, Leena. It’s the holiday season, I’ll let it go.” He winked at her she punched again, this time in his stomach. He’d been prepared though and barely felt it. “Careful or I’ll start hitting back. I may be more of a lump than my brother, but who do you think picked on him while we grew up?”

  “You’d never hit a girl,” Leena insisted and started walking back toward their chalet.

  “Do I need to remind you I tackled you to the ground Christmas Day?” He jogged to catch up to her, the snow seeping inside his jeans when it got higher than the boot stretched because of his quick pace.

  “You and he are like two peas in a pod did you know that?” She slowed her pace and they were walking side by side.

  Her blue eyes looked into his and the urge to kiss her poked its tiny head out again.

  “I don’t think I’ve really heard that before. Enlighten me.”

  “Well you’re very similar in looks, you’re just taller. Your eyes aren’t lined like his, but they’re the same deep midnight blue. Which, might I add, hide every emotion either of you ever have. You’re both successful, playful when you want to be, competitive, thoughtful.”

  “You’re leaving out the fact that Nick is work and play and I’m all play unless I’m in a meeting. That I don’t have an athletic bone in my body and Nick was almost all state in high school for basketball. Not to mention the only thing we really have in common, you missed.” He said the last part almost under his breath, but not completely.

  “What might that be?” Her voice had gone soft too, as if she knew the answer and insisted on hearing it directly from him.

  He ground his teeth together. He’d told himself he wasn’t going to make another move on her. The question hung in the cold night between them. His jaw ached he was clenching it so hard. Then she did it. She turned, grabbed his coat and tugged him down.

  Her mouth was on his before he had any chance of stopping her. His arms wrapped around her and tugged her against him. She sighed as their bodies connected, a perfect fit. He just wondered if she’d felt it too.

  She nipped his lower lip as he tried to keep the kiss light, more for himself than for her. But he couldn’t resist her advancement and he opened for the kiss. Their mouths moved together as if they’d been kissing one another their whole lives. Her arms looped around his neck once she must have been sure he wasn’t going anywhere.

  He didn’t feel anything as they stood next to the tree, directly in front of his mother’s chalet, and kissed her. He felt his body come to life with want. Desire curled in his toes and began to work its way to where it mattered.

  God help me. He pulled back from their kiss and stared at her. Her eyes didn’t look frantic with worry. There was no sign of regret painted across her lips. Her nose was red with cold and her lips were from him. Her breath was coming out in quick puffs because of the temperature. But her eyes never left his. He broke eye contact and looked up. The curtains were drawn. Nothing could be seen, not that she seemed to be worried.

  “Why did we walk back to the chalet, Leena?”

  “That’s what you’re going to ask me?” Disbelief echoed off the trees they were standing between.

  “I think it’s a very appropriate question given that in about another minute I’m going to want to strip your clothes off your body and make love to you.”

  She didn’t take a step back, in fact she leaned into him more. Her face smashed into his chest and he couldn’t understand what she said. Gently, he peeled her off his body.

  “What?”

  “I wanted to go see the lodge, Jake.”

  “And now?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer, he was afraid he wouldn’t like it. He dipped his head back down and kissed her. Slowly this time, letting their mouths dance together in a slow and sensual caress. The power of it rocked through his body and almost knocked him on his ass.

  “I think we should go see the lodge.” Her eyes still met his, lust colored her words, but her eyes were blinking rapidly, as if she was trying to see clearly.

  “Is that smart right now, Leena? You and I alone in a car, a mile or so up the road? Think about what you just did, Leena. Think about the door you just opened.” He thought his voice had a dangerous edge to it. It was unintentional, but what she had done was dangerous. He wasn’t going to touch her again, unless she touched him first.

  That was when she finally pulled herself from his arms. He steeled himself to the spot to stop from reaching out to her.

  “I’m sorry, Jake. I, I don’t know why I did that.” She looked down at the snow and started walking in the direction of the garage. “I’d like to see the lodge, please. I can take myself if you want.”

  “I know why, Leena. It’s because you want me as much as I want you. Probably as much as you want Nick for all I know. I’ve never been tied up on the same woman as another man before, but I have a feeling there is always a winner, and always a loser and right now, you’re holding all the cards and aren’
t willing to make a choice in case you make the wrong one.”

  She turned back to him, her eyes filled with fire. “That’s not fair, Jake. I’m not some emotionless bitch.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re quite the opposite, but what you are is scared. Scared you’ll pick Nick and wonder about me. Scared you’ll pick me and loose your job and your crush. But you can’t play this game, Leena. Especially not once my mother gets here, so I encourage you to pick, and quickly.” He did grab her wrist and tug her in then. He pressed her body into his and leaned his face down to brush a kiss against her lips, but he didn’t. “Think about what this feels like. Touching me, being near me. Think about the difference between longing for someone for so long you think you love them, and actually falling in love with someone.” His mouth didn’t move, but she did.

  She shoved him into the side of the house and pulled him down to her, their bodies crashing together as they kissed again. Her legs wrapped around his waist in an effortless movement. He turned and pinned her back to the wall. There was no way anything was going to happen out in the cold, they couldn’t even feel each other through the layers of coats on their bodies. But their kiss. Their kiss was going to go on and on in the dark spot against the side of the house with Nick just inside.

  His body was jackhammering with the need to love her, to touch and taste every inch of her skin. Their kiss sent him soaring. Attaining what he’d honestly never thought possible. Her affection. His words had been hypocritical. He’d been slowly falling in love with her after only one night and endless stories told to him by Nick. Stories that Nick never even realized were sensual or beautiful. Just another day at the workplace details to him, except for the few where he talked about his feelings for her of course.