One Hot Christmas (Mercy Island Series Book 2)

by Jacquie Underdown

  Every time she thought about Hayden, her chest ached, and a lump formed in her throat. He was the reason she drank too much last night. Imagining him spending the night with his gorgeous ex-girlfriend had washed her in dread, and she had tried to drown out the thoughts with liquor.

  Seeing those two together, the way he had smiled at her, took all her breath away. Felt worse than when she had read the article about her ex-husband’s new marriage. Because, at that moment, after being on the receiving end of a smile like Hayden’s, she wanted to be the only woman he ever looked at that way.

  She got to her feet. The scent of cleaning products and the burr of the vacuum sounded from up the hall. Her cleaner was already hard at it, preparing the rooms for Boxing Day. Christmas tunes sounded from the speakers, but she turned them off. She wasn’t much in the mood for Christmas anymore.

  But, no use moping around when she had a house to get into order. She strode through to the living room—how big and quiet the place was now that everyone had gone home. It amplified her loneliness.

  Tomorrow would be worse because when she woke up, she would be completely on her own. Not even a cleaner to add a little noise.

  She glanced at the tall Christmas tree and cringed. Tomorrow would be tough. Unless she had the courage to go after what she wanted, this was how Christmas would always be.

  Hanging on the mantel above the original, but scarcely used, fireplace were two Christmas stockings. The other participants were given their stockings, full of positive notes, upon departure this morning to read in their own time. The two stockings remaining belonged to her and Hayden.

  She untied hers, took a seat on the couch and tipped the notes out beside her. Multi-coloured squares of paper filled with handwritten compliments scattered on the cushion.

  Tennessee read one. From Scott. He had said she was beautiful, had a gorgeous smile, and nice breasts. She rolled her eyes but managed a grin. He single-handedly had been responsible for keeping most of the women occupied during these hot Christmas nights.

  The next note from Derrek said she had nice hair, was easy to talk to, and happy.

  She flinched when she picked up the next note—it was from Hayden. Her stomach flipped as she read his compliments.

  You are selfless, thoughtful and compassionate.

  You make me feel comfortable in my own skin every time I’m in your presence.

  You have an enormous heart deserving of so much love.

  She pressed the note to her chest. Tears pricked the back of her eyes.

  Hayden was a wonderful man—deep down in his heart. What had she been thinking, pushing him away as she had? Letting her horrible ex-husband still dictate not only her happiness but her future was ridiculous. He was a deficient human being—impulsive and horrible. Why would she allow someone like that to get in the way of something so wholesome, real and beautiful?

  I’m an idiot. And I’ve blown it.

  She was too late. Hayden had practically run for hills away from her and she had used every tool in her possession to make that happen.

  Hindsight was a mean bitch.

  She should have been brave. He had given her every indication he was ready for more and she had turned her back. Enough was enough. She couldn’t keep doing this, living her romantic desires vicariously through a group of single strangers. She had to talk to Hayden—try and let him know how she felt.

  But his ex?

  She shook her head, lurched to her feet. The risk was worth it. Hayden was worth it. And so was she.

  Out in reception, she grabbed her phone off the front counter and dialled Hayden’s number. It went straight to message bank. She called again only to hear the annoying high-pitched beeping.

  Had he turned his phone off, so he could escape these kinds of calls from her? Or worse, was he and Mandy entwined in bed?

  She charged out the front door, letting the screen snap shut behind her and, barefoot, rushed across the grass towards the beach on the off chance he may be surfing with Bear.

  She shielded her eyes from the beating sun with her hand and scanned the ocean. There were a couple of surfers and she squinted against the glare to see if one was Hayden.

  Too young. Too skinny. Wrong coloured hair.

  This was hopeless. She sunk to her butt on the sand beneath her feet, lifted her legs up so her elbows were resting on her knees.

  Her phone rang, and she jolted with fright. She hauled it out of her pocket. Hayden’s name was flashing on the screen. Relief filled her with an airy buoyancy.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi. Where are you?”

  “The beach. Why, where are you?”

  “I’m standing out the front of your bed and breakfast.”

  “Give me two seconds.”

  She jumped to her feet, shoved her phone in her pocket, and started back the way she had come.

  Hayden stood at the bottom of the front stairs dressed in knee-length board shorts, a tank top and thongs. Deep summer tan, dark hair that had lightened a little from the sun and salt this season, and dark brown eyes that seemed to know every part of her.

  “Hi,” he said when she stood before him. “Everyone has gone?”

  She nodded. “It’s just me…and the cleaner.”

  “Do you mind if we have a chat?”

  Her stomach twisted, but she nodded and started towards the bench seat. Hayden followed and sat beside her, keeping a distance between them.

  When he looked at her, he was frowning. “I’m sorry I bailed last night. I feel like I’ve really let you down.”

  She waved his apology away. “I understand why you…” ran? “…didn’t come back.”

  “Why do you think?”

  She swallowed hard, hating that these sharp words had to be said. “Because of Mandy.” She shrugged, calling on all her courage. “I get it. You had a long relationship with her. It’s difficult to let those emotions go. Especially at Christmas.”

  His brow furrowed as he shook his head. “That’s not exactly right. You think I wanted to get back with Mandy?”

  “Well, yeah. I saw the way you looked at her.”

  He flinched. “I think you might have mistaken my happiness to see Jilly as happiness to see Mandy. Believe me, I have to use all my self-control to even be civil to Mandy. I thought she was doing a favour by driving Jilly here to spend Christmas with me.”

  “Oh,” she said.

  “She only came here to get back with me. But when I told her I wasn’t going to change my mind, she snatched Jilly away and left. I was…gutted. And so angry. I didn’t have the wherewithal to spend the night with all those people pretending to be happy.”

  Air gushed from her lungs. Sympathy pooled in her chest. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” She rolled her eyes, shook her head. “I really had it all wrong. I kept imagining you two back together…” her stomach swirled with that familiar nausea. “It made me sick to my stomach to even think about it.”

  “It did?”

  She nodded. “Of course it did.”

  “Why, Ten? Because I think you and I are coming at this from two different angles and I need to know what’s real and what isn’t?”

  She drew on all her courage, all her hope, and forced herself to admit how she felt about him. “I really like you, Hayden.” Her muscles were tight, but now that she had made herself say it, admit it to him, a weight lifted. With those words, the wound that kept her heart closed began to heal. “But I was scared. You came across as comfortable moving forward and I was still confined by fear. I couldn’t see how, coming from those two different worlds, I wouldn’t end up hurting you.”

  A small smile flittered on his lips.

  “What?” she asked, curious as to how he could possibly see that as funny.

  “Bear was right. Of course he was right.” He sighed, shook his head. “You need to understand that I have come out of a relationship where no matter what I did, I was never good enough for my ex and her family. With
her, it was never more obvious that we had come from two very different worlds. So, when you said that to me, I thought you were saying I wasn’t good enough for you.”

  She nodded slowly. “Wow. Okay. I can see how you could think that.”

  He scrubbed his palm over his jaw. “I can be such an idiot sometimes.”

  She managed a small laugh. “You and me both.”

  He smiled so warmly, her heart sped up double-time to see it. How much she had wanted to see that expression of pure adoration and desire again, directed at her. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. And I’m sorry that I didn’t stand my ground. I know you’re dealing with a lot of pain from your divorce, but I can be patient. And I’m not going anywhere, Ten. I’m here for you.”

  Her throat squeezed, eyes pricked. For a man of few words, he seemed to know exactly what she needed to hear. And it wasn’t contrived but genuinely from his heart. She had had enough of fakers, actors, of double-speak and cheaters, to last her a lifetime.

  This was what she adored most about Hayden—he was who he was. Strong. Kind. Uncomplicated. He was everything she hadn’t realised she wanted.

  “I was scared,” she said. “But spending the very long night believing you were in the arms of your ex, and I had completely blown any chance of us starting something really great, was so much worse. I don’t ever want to experience that again.”

  A small curl of his lips. “What are you saying, Ten? Just so I’m really clear.”

  She bit down softly on her bottom lip and grinned up at him from under her lashes. “If you’re willing, I would really like to take the next step up from kissing.”

  He chuckled. “I can interpret that in myriad ways.”

  She laughed. “A relationship, Hayden. That’s what I meant.” She lowered her gaze, cheeks flushing. “And all the bonus extras that come along with that arrangement.”

  “I want nothing more. Relationship…and bonuses.”

  “Good. So, we’re clear.”

  “Crystal. I missed you so much last night,” he whispered as he reached for her and smoothed a finger down her cheek. His touch was so tender, and she didn’t move away or stop him this time. No more fear. No looking back.

  She nuzzled against his hand, holding it to her cheek. “I missed you too.”

  “All I have wanted to do since the last time we sat on this bench is kiss you again.”

  Her body ached with desire to feel his mouth upon hers. “Then kiss me.”

  Face closer, his hand cupping her cheeks, he pressed his lips to hers. This was rightness. She parted her lips, letting his warm tongue slip inside to taste her. The sensation was intense, like a fever raging in her blood.

  A delicious tangle of need swamped her stomach and she tugged him closer, aching for his body to be flush against hers. She didn’t care how hot the day was; his heat was life.

  She grabbed the back of his neck with one needy hand, fisted his hair with the other, wanting, needing so much more. Sparks of lust flickered over her skin as she sank deeper into the kiss.

  With all her might, she slowly drew away from his mouth, tried to gather her breath.

  A small smile as he whispered, “That’s so much better than running.”

  She giggled. “I agree, whole-heartedly.”

  * * *

  In between cleaning Seaspray House, shopping for last-minute Christmas items, and swimming in the ocean to cool off from the hot day as the sun sank behind the mountains, Tennessee couldn’t keep her hands off Hayden.

  That evening, she made him dinner—leftovers from the barbeque the night before and they ate it together as they watched a heart-warming Christmas movie.

  Before going to sleep that night, Tennessee turned on the colourful Christmas tree lights and parted the front window curtain a little, so passers-by could witness all the cheer inside this home.

  As she led Hayden up to her room, her cells were buzzing with anticipation. Her stomach fluttered with want for this sexy man standing in arms-reach of her. No distance anymore. Her mind, body and heart had synced, and all wanted the same thing.

  He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. Big hands, a little rough from all his manual labour. Different than what she was used to, but right for her. His touch sent a thrill of sensation up her arm, across her chest. She imagined how that friction would feel as he touched other parts of her body and her heart sped up, breaths came heavier.

  A step closer until his chest was against hers, and he cupped her face with tender hands. “You are the only Christmas gift I could ever want.” His lips lowered to meet her lips. Unabated need. Hayden did not hold back when it came to physical intimacy. Strong, confident—a leader in the bedroom.

  He stepped her back to the bed, and she fell onto the mattress with a giggle. On hands and knees, he climbed over her, legs astride her waist, hands either side of her head.

  Sunshine and salt filled her nostrils, drove her wide. His heat encompassed her.

  She ran her hands over his strong arms as she looked up into his dark brown eyes. Eyes that reflected all his desire.

  Then his lips were on hers again, and the pressure of that hard column of muscle met her as he gently lowered down, still holding most of his weight on his elbows.

  She sighed against his mouth as a flourish of sensation filled her.

  With her former fears dulled, she was brave, exploring his body, tasting his skin, undressing him until all his glorious nakedness was before her. What a flame to kindle it was to see his strength laid out for her taking. His chest was thick, his arms defined. Long, lean, tanned. Perfect.

  She rolled on top of him and pressed a kiss to the centre of his chest, over his heart. Her tongue darted out to taste his salty skin. Lower she went, stamping kisses upon his flesh. His muscles twitched beneath her lips.

  Her attention strayed to that big, hard evidence of arousal sitting between his thighs. Lower she went and drew his erection deep into her mouth until he was groaning, his fingers tangling in her hair, and she had to stop before he exploded. She willingly let him reciprocate, opening herself wide as his warm tongue lapped at the heat between her thighs.

  She sighed, moaned, whispered wicked words in his ear and against his body as they got to know every part of each other. When they could no longer wait, needing to be as close as physically possible, Hayden, at last, entered her, and she was soaring towards the stars.

  Each thrust, each roll of her hips to meet his powerful movements, was in sync, a fast-growing rhythm. Pleasure and friction, building and building. Why had she ever resisted this man? How silly to think she could have gone another day, let alone another minute, without Hayden.

  She looked into his dark eyes that burned into her and opened her heart, even more, letting him in. Chest to chest, breaths hard and heavy, as he filled her body as well as her heart, she contemplated what they could be, and it was beautiful…everything.

  Ahead of them was strong union. Joy. And, dare she say it? Love. She no longer questioned if she was ready to charge headlong into what they could be.

  ‘You are so gorgeous,’ he whispered against her ear, hot breath sending tingles across her skin, before taking her mouth with his.

  She kissed him hard, tasted him, allowed him into her heart that little bit more as he took her willingly, higher and higher. This, right here, was the very foundation of life.

  A tangle of heat filled her core, rose and built. She was close. She gripped his shoulder, his hip, drew her lips away from his and moaned through her climax.

  When she met his gaze, she was his sole focus. And what she saw in his face—all the adoration and affection—eased any last doubts she may have been harbouring.

  His rhythm built, stronger, harder until he come, and his expression transformed into shapes of unharnessed pleasure.

  Breathing heavy, he rolled onto the bed beside her. It had to be a thousand degrees in this room. The steamiest Christmas Eve she had experienced in her existence. She
allowed their hot bodies to cool before she nestled in beside him, head on his chest.

  This was good, right, and, without a doubt, Hayden was exactly who she not only wanted but needed too.

  Chapter 14

  Hayden woke late on Christmas morning with Tennessee wrapped in his arms. What a brilliant gift to feel the heat of her soft skin against him.

  He leaned over, whispered in her ear. “Merry Christmas, beautiful.”

  She stretched and rolled to face him, lips curling into a peaceful grin. “Merry Christmas to you too.”

  He kissed her mouth, stroked a hand over her hip and down her thigh, still in shock that she was really here in bed with him. If he had a wish list for Santa, Tennessee would be the only item on it.

  Her blue eyes met his and she smiled a teasing smile. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “You do?”

  She nodded, pressed a finger to the centre of his chest and slowly snaked it down his belly, lower, until his eyes closed, and he groaned as pleasure bit him. “But I’m not ready to get out of bed just yet.”

  “I wholeheartedly—” His breath hitched, and he couldn’t find the words through the thrill of sensation that blasted his bloodstream.

  Her lips found his. His fingers raked through her hair until he gripped gently, edging her face closer. And when she rolled on top, straddling his lap, breasts in perfect distance from his mouth and that slick heat between her thighs right where he loved it to be most, she almost undid him.

  “My God,” he whispered, lifting until her hard nipple was between his lips. He darted his tongue over the sensitive surface, and she rolled her head back and sighed.

  “Best. Christmas. Ever,” she said breathlessly when their eyes met. In that gaze was so much heat and wicked desire. She pushed onto her knees, lowered slowly onto his hard length until he was all the way inside her. He squeezed his eyes closed and breathed through the flooding pleasure or this was going to be over much too fast.

  But she didn’t wait for him, instead rocked her hips, sending him shuttling towards his bliss. It didn’t take long for them to find their release, but, boy, did they find it—like a star exploding.