by Jodi Olson
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and characters are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events or persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.
A Christmas Wish
Copyright © 2008 Jodi Olson
ISBN 978-1-934446-30-0
Cover Design by Viper
All rights reserved. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
Published by
Romance Divine 2008
Find us on the
World Wide Web at
www.romancedivine.com
Dedication
To Barb Ledbetter: Thank you for all your encouragement and support and listening to me when I get frustrated. You are the best.
To the Erotic Ranch: Kim, Cindy, Brenda, Krissy, Dave and everyone else at the ranch. You are the best cheerleaders an author could have in her corner.
To my Editor Greg: Thank you for all the help you have given me along the way.
To all my readers: Thank you for all your support and for reading my books. Hope you enjoy reading about Spencer and Maggie's romance as much as I've had writing about them.
Jodi
A
Christmas
Wish
Jodi Olson
One
Spencer Martin hated Christmas. The lights, decorations and shoppers were bad enough but those carolers; didn’t they ever shut up? The one night he didn’t stay in his office past nine p.m. and they had to show up in front of his house as he was getting out of his car. He looked at them and grumbled, “Only four more days and Christmas will be over, thank God.”
His house was the only one on the block without decorations or Christmas lights. One of his neighbors, for the past four years, had brought him cookies saying she’d baked too many again. Not wanting to hurt her feelings he thanked her graciously, and immediately after she left he dumped them in the garbage. He hated Christmas cookies.
I can’t figure out what made me accept Karen’s invite to spend Christmas with her and her family. I’d much rather be in my office than with my sister and her family. He couldn’t comprehend why no one else wanted to work during this time of the year. His sister had been trying to get him to visit for the last three years and he’d always said no. So why am I doing it now? Hell, I know why and it’s only because Karen said she’d invited Maggie Sinclair. Damn! I can’t believe I’m doing this-but I want to see Maggie again.
When Spencer asked his sister how Maggie was doing, she’d made a point of telling him Maggie was still single. In fact, like him, Maggie was going to be alone this year because her parents were going away on a cruise. That’s why Karen had invited her to spend the time with them.
He wondered what Maggie looked like now. It’d been quite a few years since he’d last seen her. She’d been a little too skinny from what he remembered, and very shy. Several times, he’d considered asking her out, but he figured she’d turn him down so he never bothered.
Spencer walked to his bedroom and packed. His flight took off at six a.m. tomorrow morning and his thoughts were only on Maggie-and the dreaded family Christmas.
At five, Spencer arrived at the airport; his shoulders sagged at the sight of the long lines ahead of him. This is the last time I’ll schedule a trip at Christmas. “Oh, this is great,” he muttered, not realizing he’d said it out as loud until the woman in front of him turned and spoke.
“Don’t you just love Christmas? Are you traveling to see family?”
“No, I don’t love Christmas; matter of fact I hate it.” He looked to find a shorter line, but no luck.
The woman’s jaw dropped, not believing how rude he’d been. Hurriedly, she turned around to talk to the person in front of her.
He heard the woman tell the man in front of her that he didn’t like Christmas, adding fuel to his sour mood. I don’t give a fuck if the entire airport knows how I feel about Christmas. If the lines don’t get moving I’m going home. But he knew if he did it would break his sister’s heart and he didn’t want that. Plus she’d probably kick my ass. He smiled as he visualized exactly how she’d handle that.
Finally, he stepped to the counter. The clerk had to be in her eighties. When she moved, it was like watching a slow motion replay of a football pass. Crap, I could time her with a calendar. She smiled as she handed him his ticket. He grabbed it from her wrinkled hand and walked away.
Her retort was heard by everyone in line. “Have a nice flight Mr. Grinch.”
Spencer snarled and continued walking to the security checkpoint. Once through he looked at his watch. He still had half an hour before the flight boarded. He took out his laptop to check emails. All was junk mail as far as he was concerned; most were Happy Holiday e-cards. YUCK! The last time I sent anyone a card was five years ago Christmas Eve, the last time I saw Lynne alive. It’s my fault. I fought with her all day continuing the argument at the office Christmas party. I never should have left her that night.
*****
Thirty-one year old Maggie Sinclair loved this time of year: looking at all the pretty lights around the neighborhood, seeing her neighbors decorate their trees and houses with Santa Claus and snowmen. It was wonderful. Yesterday had been the last day of school and she’d baked cookies and decorated them to look like a snowman for her first grade students at Thomas Elementary. Each student gave her a hug before they left on their long Christmas break and some had given her presents their parents must have picked out.
Karen called and invited her to spend Christmas and Maggie hadn’t hesitated in saying she’d love to come. This Christmas would have been the first time she’d truly been alone and she hadn’t been looking forward to it. After checking in at the ticket counter and going through security, Maggie set down her big shopping bag. It held gifts for Karen and her husband Tony as well as a small gift for Spencer. She was excited to see him after all this time.
She sighed, I had the biggest crush on Spencer when I was in high school, and thought about how handsome he was back then. Six-two and oh so good looking, even at the age of twenty-one, he had the perfect build. She knew he spent a lot of time at the gym. His t-shirts fit snugly across his muscled torso. Sometimes when he stayed at Karen’s he’d come in all sweaty and rush upstairs to take a shower before he joined them. She remembered the sweat glistening on his arms and shoulders, the cut of his physique reflecting the light as if he were a precious gem, a diamond in the rough?
One day in particular, she remembered accidentally running into him as he was drying himself off. Everyone else was downstairs and she’d run up to get her purse from Karen’s room. Not looking where she was going, she suddenly smacked right into Spencer, who was wearing nothing but a towel. Maggie didn’t move; her legs quivered like jelly. She was afraid to say anything, and her face turned ten shades of red. Noticing how quickly he fled to his room and shut the door, she guessed he’d been embarrassed as well. It was awkward sitting down to dinner that night. He kept looking at her, yet when their eyes met he’d quickly look away.
Lost in thoughts of the past, she didn’t hear her flight being called until a man walked past her, knocking over her shopping bag.
Spencer looked down at the packages that fell out of the bag. I should have kicked them harder. When he looked down at Maggie he didn’t immediately recognize her and continued on his way. He didn’t stop or attempt to assist in cleaning up the mess he’d made until the woman called out to him.
; “Spencer Martin! When did you get so rude? I sure didn’t expect that from you. The least you could do is help clean up this mess so I don’t miss my flight.”
He stopped and turned, looking at her again, she looks familiar. “How did you know my name? Did we go out once? I’m sorry; but-I don’t remember.”
A coy smile formed on her lips. “We didn’t go out; but we did fool around in the barn at your parents place once.”
Maggie couldn’t believe he didn’t know who she was. Have I changed that much? I sure didn’t think so. Well maybe just a little, I’m definitely not that skinny kid anymore. I now have curves in all the right places. My hair is shorter but that’s about it. Maybe the barn remark will trigger his memory. Didn’t Karen tell him I was coming?
His carry-on fell from his hand. “Maggie? Maggie Sinclair? Is that you?”
“Yes Spencer it’s me.” She nodded, partly an excuse to look him over, head-to-toe. “Now could you please help me gather these up so we can get in line? I don’t want to miss the plane.”
She smiled at him as he helped her gather up the packages. There was one left on the floor and its tag read ‘Spencer’. Both reached for it at the same time; his fingers touched hers. When their hands met, she felt a spark and wondered if he felt it too.
The flight from Ohio to Kansas City was a two- hour flight, but to Maggie it flew by quickly. Spencer had asked the man sitting next to her to trade seats with him so they could sit together. She was enjoying Spencer’s company, knowing that once they got to the farm, their time alone would be limited.
When they arrived, Spencer stepped back into the aisle to allow Maggie to precede him off the plane. I definitely like the view. The jeans she had on fit like they were molded to those long legs and she had the cutest ass. The way she walked drove him crazy. Will I be able to keep my hands off her? Do I want to? He didn’t want to think about the answer to that just yet.
Karen was waiting for them when they got off the plane. He knew he’d made the right choice in coming home. His little sister’s smile lit up the moment she saw them and it made him happy-in spite of the Holidays. As long as I don’t have to eat any Snowman cookies.
*****
The drive to his sister’s place took thirty minutes, but to Spencer it felt like forever. Not because of the company, that was great, he just didn’t like being cramped in the back seat. There was literally no place for him to stretch out his legs. As he got out of the car, he shook his head at the lights surrounding the front of the house and the giant Santa sitting in a rocking chair on the porch.
Karen told him lunch would be ready in twenty minutes so he rushed upstairs to unpack. After lunch, Karen told him Tony was taking her into town for a doctor’s appointment and they would return in a couple of hours. He went into the kitchen and started washing the dishes. Karen had seemed tired and he wanted to surprise her when she got back. I hope she’s all right and this is only a normal check up.
Before the last dish was washed, he felt Maggie lean against his back and look over his shoulder.
“Wow, Spencer I’m impressed.”
He rinsed off a dish and placed it in the dish drainer. “I have many talents. I can wash dishes and even cook my own meals. Bet you’re really impressed now,” he laughed.
“Oh, I’m more than impressed.” Her finger traced a line down his neck. “My panties are soaked from all this domesticated male excitement.”
Spencer was shocked by her comment and didn’t know exactly how to respond. He waited a few seconds, what the hell. Go ahead and say it. “Maggie, if your panties really are wet, I could make them even wetter.” He turned and pulled her into his arms, bringing his lips down on hers. The kiss was slow and tantalizing; his tongue tracing the fullness of her soft lips. He suddenly pulled away, walked into the living room and straight out the front door without saying a word.
Oh man. What came over me? We’ve been alone for just twenty minutes and all I can think about is getting her into bed. What’s wrong with me? No one had ever made him feel the way Maggie did, not even Lynne. Every time she was around, he’d begin to tremble and his heart would beat faster. Whatever was going on between them, he knew he had to back away. There could never be anything more than just sex. I will never hurt Maggie the way I hurt Lynne. Never!
His muscles tensed as her fingers stroked his shoulder. He was concentrating so hard he hadn’t realized she’d walked up behind him. “Come inside Spencer, it’s getting cold out here.”
“Maggie, I’m-I’m sorry I kissed you. I had no right.”
“I’m not, and you had the right if I said so. I’ve ached for that kiss since I first laid eyes on you at the airport.”
Spencer stepped back, gazing at her, as if seeing her for the first time. “Really?”
“Yes! Now come inside and help me hide the presents I brought. Since there’s no tree I don’t know where to put them.”
“Karen usually hides gifts for Tony in the barn, up in the hay loft. He never goes up there.”
“I guess out to the barn they go then. I’ll get my coat. Why don’t you put yours on and join me?”
“I don’t need to be told to put on my coat like I was one of your students-and it’s not that cold out,” he grumbled.
“Fine, freeze your ass off. I could care less,” she snapped, shaking her head.
He watched her walk in the house, slamming the door behind her. She’s hot when she’s mad.
Two
By the time Maggie returned with her coat and the gifts, Spencer was waiting outside, and wearing his coat. She smiled, knowing he’d put it on just for her.
They walked to the barn in silence. Maggie could tell that Spencer was preoccupied. She wondered if it was the kiss earlier that still worried him.
Spencer pulled open the weathered, wooden door and they entered the barn, shafts of light leaking through cracks in the wall, the smell of hay in the air. Once inside, Maggie turned and smiled, “Remember what happened the last time we were in a barn together?”
“Definitely; I chased away some skinny-assed kid who had his hands all over you. I wanted to beat him senseless. Can’t remember his name though, do you?”
“No, I don’t remember it either.” She bit her lower lip and looked at him through half-closed eyelids. “I do remember what happened after he was gone though.”
“I do too. I kissed you hard on the lips and you kissed me back.” He reached out, his strong arms pulling her close to him. “Hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to do it again, just like that.”
Maggie put her arms around his neck as he pulled her into his arms. What is it about this man that makes me forget everything else around me?
Spencer’s hand slid down her back pressing her firmly against him. She couldn’t stop the sound that escaped her as their bodies molded tightly together. The kiss was deep and smoldering and she didn’t want it to end. Suddenly, almost as quickly as the kiss had begun, Spencer was pushing away from her.
He saw her eyes question why; the kiss being something they both wanted to continue, but he couldn’t. He pointed to the loft. “Let’s get those packages hidden before Karen and Tony get back.”
As she looked up and saw the height of the loft Maggie shivered. “Spencer, I don’t think I can climb all the way up there. What if I get dizzy?”
“I’ll be right behind you sweetheart; you won’t fall. I promise.”
He watched Maggie climb up. The view of her cute ass was becoming addictive. Thinking about what he could do to that ass made him hard as a brick and as hot as a firecracker, ready to go off at the first spark. He’d no idea Maggie was afraid of heights until now. She was actually trembling. He encouraged her to continue. “You’re almost there, Maggie.”
When Maggie reached the top and was off the ladder, he handed her the bag of gifts he’d carried up. As soon as he was on firm footing, he pulled her into his arms again. He kissed her, hoping it would help her get over her fear of heights. His hands roa
med over her body, slowly stroking and teasing her over her shirt. His fingers brushed across her nipples until they became tight little nubs.
Spencer quickly undressed her, with his clothes joining hers on a bale of hay. He laid her down with the hay as a cushion and placed his body over hers. Continuing to stroke her, he pinched her nipples with one hand as his other moved down to her belly. One finger circled her belly button before traveling further south to brush the tight curls between her thighs.
Slowly he kissed her lips and she kissed him back with equal intensity. Loving her mouth he wondered what it would feel like wrapped around his cock. That would have to wait until later. Spencer needed to be inside her and couldn’t wait any longer. His tongue ran across her lips, than dipped inside her mouth.
Her hands caressed his hard body driving him insane.
His fingers played with her nipples until they were hard and ready for his mouth. His tongue traced around the pink flesh before taking it into his mouth and softly sucking it between his teeth. With one hand he spread her legs further apart and she moaned softly as his finger entered her aroused sex. He teased her, pumping his finger in and out, until her rhythm joined his. She was ready for him and he was more than ready for her. He rubbed his cock along her slit and slid it greedily into her nether lips.
“Spencer, don’t stop. It feels so good.”
“Do you have any idea what you do to me Maggie? I need you so badly right now.” His voice was low, almost a whisper.
Spencer took his time pleasing her, but he couldn’t wait much longer. His hand circled her clit, rubbing it slightly. He felt her body tightened as he pressed against her core. She cried out his name with her release, which caused him to ram into her one last time and erupt with his own climax.
Quickly, he pulled out and moved next to her. He watched as she relaxed trying to catch her breath. She was beautiful, and that aroused him all over again, but he knew they needed to get dressed as Karen was due back any minute.
