Christmas In Ghost Gum Springs

by Nicole Flockton

  The lights had been dimmed and the glow from the Christmas trees lent a very romantic atmosphere to the room.

  ‘Here you go,’ he said appearing beside her like a magician. A cocktail glass was placed on the centre of her dinner plate.

  ‘What’s this?’ she asked as she looked closer to the dish. ‘Is this shrimp?’

  ‘Yep, this is a prawn cocktail. Or maybe a shrimp cocktail, seeing as you call them shrimp.’

  Diana had never had a lot of seafood, Grandma Mary-Lou always said it was an unnecessary expense. The one and only time she’d had shrimp she’d loved it. She picked up her fork and pierced the soft white flesh dipping it into the creamy sauce. She took a bite and moaned in delight at the burst of flavours across her tongue. The tartness of the shrimp blended beautifully with the sweetness of the sauce.

  ‘I take it you like it?’ Connor asked, amusement lacing his tone, before he forked some of the dish into his own mouth.

  ‘It’s so good. Why isn’t this on the menu? I’m sure everyone would love it.’

  Connor finished chewing. ‘Chook likes to prepare meals with super fresh produce and meats every day. Prawns generally have to be freeze packed so they don’t go off while they’re being transported from Sydney. But I convinced him to order some for Christmas lunch.’

  ‘Are you saying we’re eating shrimp that should’ve been saved for Christmas lunch?’

  ‘Sort of. We’re kind of his guinea pigs too.’

  Diana swirled her last piece of food in the sauce and popped it in her mouth. When she swallowed she addressed his last comment. ‘What did you mean about us being your cook’s guinea pigs?’

  Connor placed his fork into the dish. ‘Chook was trying a new sauce. If we didn’t like it he’d go back to the more traditional cocktail sauce that’s used on prawns. But this is the best sauce I’ve ever tasted.’

  ‘I agree. I still don’t get why he’s cooking in a country pub. He could cook in any quality restaurant he wants to if this first course is anything to go by.’

  ‘He says, he’s been there done that and never again. It’s his story to tell. He’s happy to be a cook in a country pub. Less stress he says.’ He pushed his chair back and stood. ‘You ready for the next course.’

  ‘If it’s anything like the first, I sure am.’

  An hour later Diana laid her spoon in the bowl that had held the most delicious piece of chocolate cake she’d ever tasted. ‘I don’t think I can move. After the picnic today and tonight’s dinner. I’ve probably put on ten pounds.’

  Connor chuckled. ‘Chook really out did himself, although Beryl created the dessert.’

  ‘These people are hiding away in a country town when they should be living in the city. They’d make a killing.’

  ‘They like living here. I think they like the laid back nature of Ghost Gum Springs. Beryl is more than happy to run her café here. And I already mentioned Chook’s past.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I have to admit, they’re not wrong about staying here instead of living in the city.’

  ‘Did you run a bar back in Sydney?’ Diana asked. They had spent the whole day together and yet she didn’t know a lot about her dinner companion’s history.

  ‘No. I’m a lawyer.’

  Whatever she’d expecting him to say, it certainly wasn’t that. He looked so natural behind the bar pulling beers. ‘You’re a lawyer? What the heck are you doing running a bar?’

  Connor picked up his plate before standing and getting hers. ‘Let’s just say I needed a change and Smithy offered me the chance to take over for him while he was away. I said yes.’

  He walked away before she could ask him anything else.

  A lawyer.

  Wow, that still shocked her. She never would’ve picked him as one, although now that she thought about it, the first day he had peppered her with a lot of questions. It didn’t take much effort to conjure up an image of him in an expensive suit standing in a courtroom.

  ‘Would you like a coffee?’ he asked as he returned to stand beside their table.

  ‘No, thanks.’ Having sat down for most of the evening, Diana pushed back from the table, stood and stretched. Her muscles popped in release.

  Warm hands encircled her waist and she found herself resting against Connor’s hard chest. Gooseflesh bubbled over her skin when his lips brushed the curve between her neck and shoulder.

  Her head fell to the side to grant him more access and her eyes drifted shut. ‘What are you doing?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘I’m not sure.’ He turned her so they were facing each other. She put her hands on his shoulders. In her high heeled sandals their height difference was not noticeable. All she had to do was lift her chin and their lips would be on the same level.

  After the kiss they’d shared at the springs, Connor had been the ultimate gentleman. He’d kept his promise to not kiss her again, until now. ‘You broke your promise,’ she murmured.

  ‘I did.’

  Diana leaned a little closer to him. ‘I should tell you off. Then go to my room.’

  ‘You should.’ His arms tightening around her contradicted his words.

  Their bodies were aligned so closely it was impossible not to feel the evidence of his desire. An answering warmth pooled between her thighs. God, she wanted to kiss him again. ‘I release you from your prom—’

  Her lips were captured by his and she sighed, opening her mouth to allow his tongue entrance. Her arms tightened around his neck, anchoring his lips in place. His hands travelled down her back, her skin tingling to life.

  She wanted more. More than his hands cradling her ass. More than his lips roving over hers. More than her arms around his neck. She wanted it all.

  As reckless as it was going to be, she didn’t care. For once she was going to take life by the horns and go for it. She had no one to answer to. No petty minded towns people to judge her. Distance had given her the courage that Packenridge, Montana had suppressed within her.

  Diana broke the kiss. ‘Take me upstairs, Connor.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Chapter 9

  A wide grin broke across his face and he entwined their fingers together. He flicked off lights as he led her to the staircase.

  Their footsteps whispered on the carpet runner as they climbed the stairs. When they reached the top Connor led her to the right, not the left, which was the direction of her room. During the short time she’d been staying at the hotel, she hadn’t even considered where Connor slept.

  He stopped at the door at the end of the hall and pulled her close. She looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips. ‘No doubts?’ he asked.

  She rose on her toes and brushed her mouth across his. ‘None.’

  With a twist, the door was opened and he swept her inside. Before she could even take a look at her surroundings he had her back in his arms and his lips crashed down on hers.

  An urgency to be close to each other replaced the languid exploration they’d shared downstairs. Her fingers were busy on his shirt, while his found the zipper of her dress and pulled it down.

  A cool breeze from the air conditioner brushed against her heated flesh as the material pooled at her feet.

  ‘We need to slow down,’ he whispered against her neck.

  ‘No, I don’t need slow. I want this as much as you do.’ To prove her point her hands went to the waist band of his jeans, his breath hissed across her cheek when she brushed against his hard length.

  She took a moment to trace his flesh and Connor groaned long and low in her ear.

  ‘You’re killing me here.’

  She laughed and unbuttoned his jeans. ‘Can’t have that can we.’

  This brazen side of her was new and she liked it. She planned to embrace it when she returned to Packenridge. Her fingers faltered for a second at the thought of returning to her hometown, but she pushed those thoughts aside. The long flight home would give her plenty of time to think. Besides, she was s
elling everything and moving to a bigger city where it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. She was done with country living.

  ‘Hey, where did you go?’ Connor asked, lifting her chin. His eyes serious as if trying to delve into her tumbled thoughts.

  Clearly, he’d picked up on her momentary lapse into her thoughts. ‘Nowhere important.’

  They both stood in their underwear. The chest she’d admired while they’d been swimming was right there in front of her. Waiting for her to touch it. What was she doing thinking about the future? She should be living in the moment.

  Reaching behind her she unhooked her bra, shook her shoulders and the straps coasted down her arms. She tossed it aside and straightened up, thrusting her breasts toward him.

  ‘You are beautiful,’ Connor whispered as he trailed his fingers from her neck to the gap in between her breasts. Her nipples puckered in anticipation for the moment when he touched her.

  Her head dropped back when his mouth closed over a nipple, his tongue teasing the bud before his teeth nipped at it.

  Her legs buckled beneath her and she would’ve collapsed to the floor, but Connor scooped her up and placed her on the bed.

  Excitement buzzed through her, something she’d never felt before when she’d been with any other guy. Her encounters had been all about them getting in, thrusting a few times and then withdrawing, leaving her wondering if that was all there was to sex.

  Tonight, however, no way would Connor do that to her. The way he’d kissed her breasts had shown he was all about making sure she got maximum enjoyment out of their time together.

  The rustle of foil pulled her out of her past memories. Connor stood by the bed, condom in his hand. His erection straining against the fabric of his boxer briefs.

  Diana reached out and grasped him through the fabric. His flesh jerked against her hand as she began to rub him.

  His hand closed over hers. ‘Sweetheart, your touch feels incredible, but I won’t last if you keep doing that.’

  ‘Can’t have that can we,’ she murmured as she scooted back and patted the sheet beside her. ‘Come join me.’

  In a flash he was beside her, his arms around her pulling her so that she lay over the top of him. Her breasts crushed against his chest as their lips meshed together in another hot, hard kiss. Their legs entwined and his hands moved to her ass, stroking it before slipping beneath the thin fabric of her panties.

  Diana ripped her mouth away from his. ‘Please, Connor.’

  ‘Please what?’

  ‘Make love to me. Fill me.’

  She gasped when she was flipped over. Connor hands pushed down his briefs before repeating the action with hers. His heavy erection lay against her thigh and she couldn’t wait to have him inside of her.

  Connor grabbed the condom and protected himself. Anticipation fired through her and she lifted her hips, encouraging him to take her.

  ‘Not yet, sweetheart,’ he breathed against her breast. ‘I have so much I need to explore.’

  Her protest died on her lips when his mouth closed over her breast and his fingers found her pussy and stroked her.

  A million sensations zoomed through her. Her breasts tingled beneath his mouth and her core clenched and unclenched with every pass of his finger. It wasn’t enough though. She didn’t want his finger inside her, she wanted him.

  Reaching between them she wrapped her hand around his hard erection, guiding him to where she wanted him.

  ‘Impatient, aren’t you?’ He nuzzled her neck.

  She moaned, he’d found a sensitive spot she didn’t know existed on her neck. It only fired her desperation to have him take her. ‘I know what I want, Connor. And I want you. Inside me. Now.’

  Never before had she demanded the guy she was sleeping with to do anything to her. It empowered her and gave her more confidence than she’d ever felt in her life.

  He placed a final kiss on her neck. ‘Don’t let it be said that I don’t do what I’m asked.’

  Connor removed her fingers from his shaft and placed her hand above her head. He nudged her legs further apart before he settled at the juncture between her thighs.

  She wriggled a little closer and with one thrust Connor slid inside her. Her eyes rolled back in bliss at the sensation of him filling her.

  Diana found his mouth and kissed him as he began to move. Their tongues mimicked the thrust and retreat of his lower body action. Her legs hooked around his waist to deepen the penetration. They found a rhythm that worked for them and tension coiled inside of her so tightly she thought she was going to break.

  She broke the kiss and gasped for air as she shattered around him. Her legs shook and lost their grip on Connor as her orgasm overpowered her. A couple of thrusts later Connor stilled above her, and his hips jerked his own release as he cried out her name.

  As they came down from the heights of their lovemaking, Diana didn’t want the night to end. She wanted to experience this over and over again. She never wanted to leave Connor’s embrace. Panic set in with the road her thoughts were travelling and it replaced the pleasure flowing through her. She couldn’t let herself fall into this trap. Without a doubt in a couple weeks’ time Connor would grow bored and dump her. She’d be stuck in the middle of nowhere and people would look at her, shaking their heads in disappointment. No way could she let that happen.

  She had to get out of here. How big of a mistake had she just made?

  ***

  Connor pulled Diana tight against him. His chest heaving from the intensity of the moment they’d just shared. After a few seconds it registered that instead of being relaxed, like she should be after the orgasm she’d just had, Diana was stiffer than a piece of wood.

  ‘Everything okay?’ he asked, instinctively knowing it was anything but okay.

  ‘Um, yeah. I need to go back to my room. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.’

  Connor sat up and pulled Diana with him. ‘What do you mean?’

  She pulled away from him, opening up the distance between them. ‘Well the drive back to Sydney will take a while. I figure you’ll want to head off early so you don’t get caught up with traffic.’

  Connor couldn’t believe his ears. Even after one of the most magical nights of his life, Diana still wanted to leave. ‘You still want to go to Sydney?’

  ‘Yes.’

  He opened his mouth then closed it again. He was having trouble forming a sensible sentence. He’d been so confident that come tomorrow morning they’d share breakfast together before getting ready for Christmas Day. He was so sure he’d been able to change her mind. To show her that no matter what she thought, living in a small country town wasn’t bad. That she was safe with him. How had he got it so wrong? ‘What about tonight? What about what we just shared?’

  ‘I, uh. Look, Connor, I uh. I need to go.’ She jumped out of the bed, gathered up her clothes and was out the door before he could process it all.

  ‘What the hell just happened?’ he muttered out loud. Whatever it was, it wasn’t over. There was no way he was going to let her get away with announcing she was still heading back to Sydney, not after the magic they’d created in this bed.

  Determination fired through him and he got out of said magical bed. He went to the bathroom, disposed of the condom and splashed water on his face. What he needed to do was not act like a wounded boyfriend who’d been rejected by his girlfriend, but he did deserve an explanation.

  He returned to his room and pulled on some shorts. He was out the door and standing in front of Diana’s door before he thought more about what he was doing.

  He knocked on the door. ‘Diana, can you please let me in?’

  ‘Go away, Connor, I’m tired.’ Her muffled response irritated him, but he wasn’t giving up.

  ‘Please, Diana, I just want to talk.’

  He counted up to ten before the door opened a crack. ‘What is it, Connor?’

  ‘Can I please come in? I don’t want to have this conversation stan
ding in the hallway.’

  There weren’t any other guests at the hotel, so it wasn’t like their conversation was going to be overheard, but he still didn’t want to talk to her through a four inch crack.

  ‘Fine.’ She opened the door and walked away. He took note of the expensive suitcase sitting in the middle of the bed, clothes thrown haphazardly in it.

  ‘What’s going on, Diana? I thought we shared something wonderful today.’

  Her shoulders slumped, and he willed away the urge to pull her into his arms. Minimal physical contact was called for. If he got too close, he would be tempted to kiss away her doubts and he had an idea she wouldn’t appreciate it.

  ‘Connor, today was wonderful. The walk around town and dinner tonight was amazing. What happened in your room was out of this world. An experience I’m never going to forget. But it doesn’t change the way I feel. I want to go back to Sydney.’

  He appreciated her honesty even though it wasn’t what he wanted to hear. ‘I still don’t understand it.’

  ‘I’ve grown up my whole life in a small town. My Grandma Mary-Lou took me in when my parents died of a drug overdose. She didn’t want me but when CPS contacted her she had no choice.

  ‘Even before I arrived the whole town had judged me on the sins of my parents. They were all waiting to see if I’d slide down the same slippery slope, Grandma Mary-Lou leading the pack. We lived a frugal lifestyle. The boys tried to tempt me into drinking and smoking. I refused because I was still trying to win Grandma’s approval.’ She sat on the bed and plucked a t-shirt out of her case, twisting it in her hands. ‘When I went to college I was away from the prying eyes, and because I’d tried so hard to be a good girl, I was ripe to fall off the wagon. I don’t think I remember my first semester.’

  She tossed the t-shirt down and stood again, pacing around the small space. Connor crossed his arms to stop himself from grabbing her and pulling her close.

  ‘Anyway,’ she continued. ‘I got my degree and instead of staying away I moved back home in the hope that the time apart would’ve made Grandma Mary-Lou miss me and enjoy having me back. I was dead wrong. Nothing had changed. Grandma Mary-Lou still looked at me like a piece of dirt. The townsfolk still made fun of me and talked about me behind my back. I tried to ignore it all, but I was stuck in a job I hated and everything was getting too much for me to take.’