Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

by Shyla Colt

  Okay, the hormone thing is out of control. I just need food. They say you can eat your emotions. I hope lust is included in that.

  JAMES

  I can’t help but stare at the beautiful woman seated across from me as she bites down on a cotton candy-flavored grape. Her back arches, her eyes drift shut, and she hums in a way that makes me think of a different kind of hunger slacking. I fixed her snack to tide her over while I prepare a traditional British meal. I half-heartedly stir the mushy peas. With her oval-shaped face, large doe eyes, and glowing, honey-kissed skin, she’s stunning. But it’s Faye’s inherent sweetness and the serenity that flows from her that pulls me to her like a magnet.

  How could any man treat a woman like this ... let alone one carrying his child? I wonder, recalling the way the man at the store acted. Dark brown hair frames her face and curls around the generous swell of her breasts. My hands itch to cup them, test their weight, and see how she responds. Aren’t they supposed to be more sensitive during pregnancy? Would she make more of the irresistible sounds spilling from between her plump lips if I did?

  She moans, and my cock twitches in response. I turn to face the stove to hide my growing problem. I think of the biting wind whipping outside.

  “These are my current obsession. It’s one of the few cravings I don’t mind.” Her soft voice spreads warmth throughout my body. Is this what it’s like to have someone home with you? I’d nearly forgotten.

  “What are the other ones?” I latch onto the small talk to further distract myself. It’s been a long time since I was this attracted to a woman.

  “Ugh. Roasted red bell peppers, and gravy on just about anything.”

  I chuckle. “I take it those weren’t a part of your usual diet?”

  “No. I loathe them. My parents think it’s hilarious.”

  “Oh, where do they live?” I ask, remembering she was spending the holidays alone.

  “Not too far from here.” Her voice is subdued and tinged with sadness.

  “I’m sorry, are they ill?” I glance over my shoulder.

  “No.” Her lower lip trembles and she blinks rapidly.

  I turn off the strove and move the peas to the side. “Hey.” I go over and stand beside her. “What’s wrong?” I shove my hands in my pockets to keep from touching her.

  “My parents don’t approve.”

  “Of the baby?” I whisper, shocked.

  She gives a curt shake of her head. “Of my decision to raise the baby on my own and end my engagement.”

  “I’m sure you had a good reason.”

  “He took a job in California three months before our wedding without telling me. He expected me to rearrange my life to suit his.” She shakes her head. “I never saw that side of him. Not in the two years we were together.”

  Disgust turns my stomach. What kind of megalomaniac is this guy?

  “I’m sorry.” I take her hand gently in mine. “For what it’s worth, I think you dodged a bullet.”

  “I thought so, too. I mean, I was devastated but at peace with my decision. A lie that big shouldn’t be ignored. It’s no way to go into life together. Then ...” her voice cracks, “I missed my period.”

  Understanding slams into me like a semi. “You didn’t know you were pregnant when you ended things?”

  She shakes her head and sniffs. “No. And suddenly, everyone who supported my choice switched to team Preston. He’s a wealthy doctor with a promising future.”

  “Life is more than money and status,” I answer automatically.

  “Yeah, but it helps. As a nurse, I don’t make half of what Preston does.”

  “And yet, doctors could never do their job without you. You help a lot of people. It’s an admirable job.” I watch her face light up.

  “I love it.” Her shoulders slump. “But I wonder from time to time if I’m selfish.” She shakes her head and swipes at her eyes with her opposite hand. “I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you. Maybe because you’ve already seen me at my worst.”

  “I’m happy to listen.” I squeeze her hand. “I think you’re an amazing, beautiful woman who’s remaining true to herself. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a mother having a career. You can love both your child and the passion that ignites the spark that lives inside of us all.”

  Smiling up at me, she sighs as her tears trail off. “Thank you for that.”

  “I can’t say I understand your situation completely, but I can relate in some ways. When I first started my practice, plenty of people thought I was foolish for putting my life on hold. It was a lot of man-hours and focused attention. I missed out on other opportunities.”

  Her fingers caress my cheek. “Someone hurt you?”

  “Clare and I dated for four years and were engaged for another. It was understood we’d marry once things settled down at the vet’s office—” The memories rush back, clogging my throat.

  “She got tired of waiting?”

  I nod. “Clare wanted the white dress and babies sooner than I could give it to her. I wasn’t content to be a dad who never saw his children. I want to be hands-on like my father was. We parted ways. It wasn’t the happiest time of my life.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I lean down, close enough for our breaths to mingle. “I like to believe things happen for a reason.”

  She licks her lips. “Same.”

  Pop. She jumps, and I mentally swear. “Well, now you know why we call it Bangers and Mash.”

  “I didn’t realize the process was so violent.”

  “You know us Brits. We like to do things with flare.”

  “All you have to do is talk for that to happen,” she mumbles.

  “Like my accent, do you?”

  Her cheeks darken slightly. “Who doesn’t?”

  I plate up our food, and just as I slide hers in front of her, a knock sounds on the door.

  “Go ahead and dig in. I’ll be right back.” I enjoy seeing her eat things I’ve prepared. It wakes some ancient instinct inside of me, providing for a woman growing a baby. I want to keep her comfortable and happy. Don’t forget, she’s not yours. I open the door and find the gray-haired city worker bundled in his brown work gear with neon reflective tape stripes, a badge, and the city’s emblem on his chest.

  “Good evening, sir. We’ve been working our way through the cars involved in the incident outside, collecting all the necessary information.”

  “Please come in. Faye’s the owner of the SUV She’s pregnant, and I don’t want her out in the cold for longer than is necessary.”

  “Oh, of course.”

  “I’ll go get her if you don’t mind waiting here, please.”

  “Sure thing.”

  I walk down the hallway to the kitchen. The bliss on her face as she dips a piece of sausage into the mashed potatoes and brings them to her lips has me dry-mouthed. I clear my throat. She peers up.

  “There’s a city worker here to talk to you about the accident and get your information.”

  “Oh, of course. Crap.” She sighs. “My purse is still in the car.”

  “I’ll get it.”

  “No. No. I’m not an invalid.” Her chin tilts stubbornly, and I opt to back down. I hold my hands up.

  “All right.”

  She smiles and nods, satisfied. “Thank you for the meal. It was amazing.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” I walk over and offer her my hand, helping her stand as I guide her to the front door.

  “Hi,” Faye says brightly.

  The man smiles. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Charles, and I’ll be gathering your information for the incident. The company will be contacting your insurance company tonight.”

  “That’s wonderful. I just need to step outside and get my purse.”

  “Please, take your time,” Charles says.

  Removing her coat from the stand, I help her into the warm outerwear and zip her up without thinking.

  “You’re really into caring for others, are
n’t you?” She arches a brow.

  I nod. You don’t feel like just anyone.

  “I’ll come with you in case the door is hard to get open.”

  “Smart thinking.” After carefully traversing the snow-coated drive, she unlocks the passenger door and grabs her black bag off the seat. Closing it behind her, she steps forward and slips.

  I grab her arm, pulling her against me. Her body presses into mine, and the sweet floral scent of her hair reaches my nostrils. I grip her hips tightly. “You okay?”

  “Y-Yes,” she whispers shakily. A small force pushes against me. “Flora says thanks, too.”

  “You’re both very welcome.” I carefully peel away from her. “Let’s get you back inside.” I watch for slick spots as we make our way back to the house slower than we’d come.

  They exchange information and make their claim quickly. The snow is continuing to fall, and the worker wants to get home. I see him out, and return to find her looking worn out.

  “Why don’t we relocate to the living room? I’ll make hot chocolate, and we can see what’s on the television.”

  “You don’t have to entertain me, James. I know I’m an unwanted guest.”

  “Unexpected is not the same as unwanted, Faye,” I say huskily.

  She glances up at me, surprised.

  “Without you, I’d be sitting here alone, drinking too much mulled wine and missing my family. I’m sorry that the situations that led you here were so stressful. But I’m glad for the company. Your company.”

  She cups her belly. “James ...”

  “I’m attracted to you, Faye. I know you have a lot going on right now, but there’s no reason why we can’t be friends.”

  She bites her lip and peers up at me through long, black lashes. “Friends?”

  “For now. But if we stay in contact, I’m going to want more.”

  “More?”

  “As much as you’d let me have.”

  “Why? Look at me.”

  I rake my gaze over her. “Trust me, I am.”

  “I’m six months pregnant with another man’s baby.”

  “It’s over with him, right?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I don’t see the problem.”

  “James, you’re a sexy British veterinarian with his own practice.”

  I grin. “You think I’m sexy?”

  “Yes.”

  I step closer to her and run my fingers through her thick hair. “The feeling is mutual. I have nothing but time. I don’t want you to feel rushed. But I did want you to know where I stand.”

  Her hazel-colored eyes darken to the color of chocolate. She opens her legs and grabs a fistful of my shirt, tugging me closer.

  “I can’t promise you anything, but I can tell you I’ve spent the past few months in a constant state of unfulfilled arousal. I would not mind your help with that.”

  “I could.” I lick my lips. “You want to be friends with benefits?” I clarify.

  “To start.” Her hopeful expression leads me to believe there’s room for growth, and though we just met, I’m positive that’s a chance I want to take.

  “We should test the waters out before we agree, don’t you think?” I bend over her, gripping her hip as she leans back in the seat and tilts her head back.

  “Most definitely.” Her eyes stare into mine as our lips meet. Goosebumps rise over my body. Heat pools in my belly. She parts her lips, and my tongue dips in. Her eyes drift shut as I learn the flavor and feel, restraining myself from roaming her body. She sucks on my tongue. Growling, I angle my head to deepen our connection as our tongues tangle, and her nails dig into my chest. My lungs scream for oxygen, and I move back.

  She whimpers. I bury my fingers in her hair and tighten them, tugging her head back to bare her neck. Nipping at her flesh, I kiss my way down the curve of the breasts that have been taunting me. I suck on her collarbone and trace the scoop neck of her shirt. She shudders, and I move lower, burying my nose between her breasts. She gasps, and I pull back. “Too much?”

  “More.”

  Kneeling, I push up her shirt and brush my fingers over the round curve of her belly. She moves her hands to cover it, and I grunt, forcing them away.

  “Don’t hide from me. Every single part of you is beautiful.” I kiss my way up to the breasts, begging for my attention. Swollen, the nipples protrude, straining against the black lace bra scarcely containing them. I suck one stiff peak into my mouth as I cup the other one. Groaning, she arches her back, forcing more into my mouth. I hum, mindful of how hard I suck. She shudders, and I suckle, plucking its twin gently. The wanton sounds spilling from deep in her throat have me straining against my zipper. I release her with a pop.

  “No,” she protests.

  “Shh. You deserve to be ravished in a better setting.”

  “Is that what you’re doing?” she whispers as I stand and lift her into my arms.

  “I have months to make up for, right?”

  “Yes.” She growls, pulling my lips down to hers. Nipping hard, she soothes the sting with her tongue and scratches the back of my neck, earning a moan. Her lips curve up against mine, and she repeats the action. Elbowing the door open, I move into my room and place her on the bed. I pause to admire the sight she makes splayed over my buffalo plaid flannel sheets. Crawling onto the bed, I remove her top and bra.

  “Is this okay?”

  “Very.” She nods, tugging on the bottom of my shirt. “But now you’re overdressed.”

  “My apologies.” I remove my top two layers, and she trails her fingertips down my chest. Her thumbs brush my nipples, and I jerk. She circles them, teasing me. Fast learner.

  “Lay back, let me take the edge off. I’m safe. I was tested after my last relationship, and I haven’t been with anyone since.” Her body tenses. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” I rub her hip with my thumb. “I only want to make you feel good.”

  She nods, sinking down. “I’m safe, too. I had a workup when I discovered I was pregnant.”

  Hooking my thumbs beneath the straps of her underwear, I tug them down her tone lips, drinking in her neatly trimmed pussy. Her slit glistens, begging for my tongue. The scent of her arousal hits me, and my mouth waters. I toss her soaked scrap of lace to the side and part her legs.

  “Hold on to the sheets, Faye. I’m going to eat you whole.” I slip her legs over my shoulder and lick up her slit. Her musky honey coats my tongue, and I find myself starved. Keeping her legs parted with my shoulders, I eat my dessert. Her walls flex around my tongue as I alternate between diving deep inside of her, flicking her bundle of nerves, and sucking her slick lips. I can’t get enough of her flavor or the husky way she calls my name. Her hips buck. I cup her ass, angling her so I can go deeper.

  “Right there, James. Don’t stop.”

  Slurping, I blow on her clit. She cries out. “Come on my tongue, Faye.” I plunge into her once more.

  “Yes. Oh, God.” Her body tenses and her walls flutter.

  I know she’s close. Thrusting in once, twice more, I suck on her clit. Screaming, she explodes, drenching me with a flood of nectar I can’t swallow down fast enough. I ease her down with gentle laps before I move to collapse beside her.

  “W-What about you?” she pants.

  “Oh. That was just a warm-up. We’ve got all night.”

  “Christmas came early after all.” Her satiated smile makes my heart beat faster. I’m already in trouble.

  I glance at the clock and see the red digitized 12:20.

  “Or right on time.”

  Chapter Three

  Faye

  My phone rings insistently, yanking me from the warm oblivion of sleep. I burrow my head from beneath the heavy blanket of sleep and freeze as I feel the press of something thick and hard against my ass. The previous day replays in my mind on fast forward. I snuggle closer into the body attached to the heavy arm looped beneath my breasts. His other hand cups my belly protectively,
and for a split-second, I allow myself to pretend. It’s a dangerous thing to do. Flora isn’t his, and our arrangement is tentative and questionable. I was thinking with my hormones, not my brain. However, the way he looks at me is worth any heartache that might follow.

  The phone rings again, and I groan. I’d spent the night woken intermittently by hot hands and an even hotter mouth. Not that I hadn’t done my own exploration. I slap the nightstand beside me and grip the phone, bringing it to me.

  “Where the fuck are you?”

  I cringe. Preston is not the first thing I want to hear after a night of sexual bliss.

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  “I’m at your place. It looks like you were never here.”

  “That’s because I wasn’t. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “You’re my fiancée who’s carrying my child.”

  “Ex. Those two letters make a huge difference, and don’t even try to use her as a way to control me.”

  He snarls. “Why don’t you just invite me to your parents’ house so we can all be together.”

  Thanks to you, I’m not comfortable there. An evil plan strikes me. “You can go there if you want to.”

  “Finally.” He hangs up without waiting for me to say more. Self-satisfied, I stretch like a cat.

  “Morning.”

  The sleep-worn, deep voice sends a jolt of excitement racing through me. I roll over to face him. “Morning, James.”

  “I couldn’t help but hear the ex called.”

  “He’s about to get a Christmas morning wake-up call.” I grin.

  “You’re wicked.”

  “I thought I proved that last night.”

  He chuckles. Things had never gone past third base, but I wasn’t keen to let another person I didn’t know well inside of me. Especially when that space was already being shared. I yawn, and my jaw pops from the workout I’d given it, swallowing down his thick dick.

  “As much as I’m enjoying myself, we can’t stay in here all day.”

  He sighs. “I know. How about a shower, breakfast, and we’ll figure things out from there?”