Christmas with the Marine Read online

  They were in her bed watching Fallon. Well, he was watching. She’d dozed off after their escapades in the shower. Her bedroom wasn’t as girly as he’d expected. The walls were chocolate-brown, the trim and furnishings white. Except for some pink flowers in a vase on one of the nightstands, that was it for frills. She’d said she liked to keep things minimal where she slept so there were less distractions.

  But sleep wasn’t in the cards for him, not with her next to him. She might be the best distraction he’d ever come across. The sex was... Well, he thought he’d known what great sex was. But with her, it was more.

  And they couldn’t do it again. They’d talked about that on Saturday. This was a fluke. A one-off.

  The last thing he needed was a girlfriend. Between his duties as a major and all the extra work he was creating for the incoming crew of new grunts, he was busier than he’d ever been.

  They’d joked after the shower that maybe they had this lust out of their system.

  She snuggled into him. He had to go. Needed his space, to clear his head. He couldn’t think when she was around.

  “Hey,” he whispered as he kissed her cheek. “I need to go home. I’ve got to be on base at oh-four hundred.”

  She blinked her eyes open. “You can stay,” she said sleepily. “It’s okay with me.”

  “Thanks, but I have to get ready for work in the morning. I wasn’t planning on staying even this long.”

  She sat up and blinked again. “Oh, sorry. Sure, you should go. I didn’t mean to keep you.”

  He’d hurt her feelings. Even sleepy she was apologizing for what had happened. That was something he definitely didn’t want. What they’d shared was great. But that had to be it.

  He chuckled. “Ainsley, I wanted to be here. This was amazing tonight. I just... Well, you understand better than anyone about work priorities.” He felt a bit like a jerk. But he did have reports to finish, and he needed space. Otherwise he might say something he’d regret. Like, they should do this every night...

  Yep, definitely time to go.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.”

  She’d need to lock the door behind him, so he nodded.

  When they were downstairs, he kissed her. And it was hard to lift his head and pull away.

  “Hey,” she said and grabbed his belt loop. “Anytime you want to come over and cook for me, I’m good with that.” Then she gave him one of her smiles.

  “Is that so,” he said, wondering if she meant what he was thinking.

  “Yep. You know, so you don’t have to eat alone or anything.” She wanted to spend more time with him. Interesting.

  He was beginning to speak Ainsley.

  “You said earlier that you were hoping we’d gotten this,” he said to her and pointed between them, “out of our systems.”

  “Is it?” she asked. “Out of your system?” She glanced away, as if she didn’t want to hear his answer.

  “No.” He wouldn’t lie to her. “How about you?”

  She shook her head, and then grinned. “So we keep it simple, right? Friends with benefits. We’ll be each other’s plus one at a couple of events, but that doesn’t mean we can’t also have a little fun, right?”

  For some reason, and he knew he should, there was no way he’d argue with her logic.

  “How about tomorrow night? I’ll make us something good.”

  “That sounds like a plan. And by good, you probably mean healthy. But when you cook, it’s better. Maybe I won’t mind so much.” She yawned.

  “I better go.” He kissed her cheek and then headed out. He waited on the porch until he heard the lock turn.

  It wasn’t long before he was back at his place, and he flipped on the light. The stark contrast between Ainsley’s place and his home hit him like a slap on the face. He basically had a recliner in the living room, and a bed in the bedroom. An old, beat-up dresser he’d had when he was kid was the only other piece of furniture he owned.

  It wasn’t as if he couldn’t buy more things. He’d planned on it, but he didn’t mind the sparseness. Still, it was a far cry from her house. He’d never be able to invite her over.

  And there it was again, him wanting what he shouldn’t—couldn’t—want. Even though she’d made it clear that they’d keep things simple. They were merely helping each other out. That was it. Okay, along with the best sex he’d ever had in his life.

  It was dangerous for him to think about more. Not that he wanted to. He was as married to his career as she was to hers. And he really wasn’t sure he’d fit into her world. That reminded him, he wanted to look up her dad.

  He pulled out his phone and typed in Ainsley’s name. There were tons of photos of her at parties and galas. And then her father’s name and his bio.

  The dude wasn’t just rich, he had an empire. He owned sporting goods stores, restaurants and an oil company.

  Ben scratched his head. That confirmed it. No way would he ever be the type of man who could hold on to Ainsley. She wasn’t just out of his league, she was out of his universe.

  So, he was going to appreciate their fun. And after Christmas, well, they’d both be moving on.

  And he was going to keep on pretending that wouldn’t bug the heck out of him.

  He wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon, so he grabbed his laptop and took it to bed. After finishing his last report, he turned off the light and stared at the ceiling, thinking about Ainsley and her curves.

  When his phone rang, he sat up straight. Years of training had him instantly alert.

  “Yeah?” he grunted into the phone.

  “Dude, open your door,” Jake said.

  His feet were on the ground before he even thought about it.

  When he opened his door, Jake stumbled forward, looking and smelling pretty rank.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Don’t want to talk about it. Please tell me you have coffee. I’ve got to sober up before going back to base, because the CO will make my life a misery if I show up drunk.”

  True. He took in his friend’s rumpled appearance, and then checked the time on his phone. Three in the morning—they had to be at the base in an hour.

  There was a cut on his right eye.

  “Did you get in a fight?” His friend was more a lover than a fighter, although he could hold his own if need be.

  “Man, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  Ben headed to his kitchen and pulled out the coffee. “Try me.”

  “So, remember that dance teacher from the other day?”

  He tried to remember her name but couldn’t. “Yeah, you were going out with her tonight. Did she punch you in the eye?”

  Jake leveled him with a stare.

  “Fine, so what happened?”

  “Turns out she had a boyfriend. Well, technically they were taking a break. Guy shows up at the restaurant. Punches me in the face, and then proposes. Who does that?”

  He coughed to hold back the laugh because Jake was so serious. He also wanted to hear the story. His friend was right, this was something else.

  “No clue. A jerk?”

  “That’s what I was thinking. I was ready to punch him back when she grabbed my arm. Begged me not to, and then told him yes. That she’d marry him.”

  “Wow.”

  “The whole time I’m thinking, why does she want to marry this violent jerk who just punched my face? She tells me she’s really sorry, but she loves him. She just wasn’t sure he loved her. Then she hopped up into his arms, and he carried her out of there. All kinds of messed up. I’m telling you, I probably dodged a bullet with that one. What a night.”

  Ben couldn’t hold back. “You do know how to pick ’em.”

  He grabbed some ice, and then threw it in a plasti
c bag and handed it to his friend. “That will help with the swelling. So what happened once they left?”

  Jake leaned on the breakfast bar, clearly dead on his feet. “Dude, you have got to get some furniture.”

  “Go sit in the recliner. I’ll bring you the coffee.”

  “I paid for dinner, and then headed to the bar a block away from here. Tried callin’ you but you didn’t answer. Nine beers later, I decided maybe walking was better than driving.”

  Well, at least there was that.

  By the time the coffee was ready, Jake was asleep in the chair.

  Ben decided to let him sleep for twenty minutes while he showered and changed.

  This was why he didn’t date or get serious about women. It wasn’t only about work. He didn’t need the drama. The “why didn’t you call me or text me?” messages. Having to make plans that would impress. Jake provided the perfect reminder of why it was probably best to keep things simple with Ainsley.

  It wouldn’t do for him to think they could ever be anything more than friends with benefits. Albeit very good benefits.

  He needed to make that clear the next time they were together.

  9

  AINSLEY WAS LATE. Ben tried not to think about it. He forced himself to focus on Brody’s story about putting something together for the baby’s nursery, but he was bored. And a little worried. She had texted him about an hour ago apologizing for running behind. She’d had an emergency situation with a client, but said she’d be there soon.

  He’d told her to just show up when she could, but now he was wondering if she would arrive at all. And that had to be okay, because she was doing him the favor. There was one problem, though—she had the CO’s gift.

  He was about to text her again, when there was a commotion at the door. He glanced over the crowd to see long, feminine arms holding a gigantic present wrapped in gold, with a big red bow in the doorway.

  “Excuse me, guys,” he said to the little group around him. “That’s Ainsley. I’ll be right back.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Matt’s wife, Chelly, said. “Mari says she’s gorgeous.”

  Clarissa beat him to the door. Great. Who knew what the brat would say.

  “Wait, you’re here for Ben?” Clarissa asked as he stepped up to the door. He took the heavy package from Ainsley and then blew out a breath.

  She wore a red dress that fit her figure perfectly. It had crisscross wide bands across her chest, and then flared out at her tiny waist. And she wore the red shoes from the other night.

  “When people talk about stealing their breath, they’re looking at you,” he said honestly.

  Her cheeks turned a deep shake of pink. He wanted to ask her to go back to her place and beg her to take him to bed. But he had to remember where he was.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m so late. I actually had to drive up to San Antonio to get the gift. It didn’t arrive today like it was supposed to. Some mix-up at dad’s office. And then I got stuck in traffic. But I’m here.”

  “So, I was the problem client,” he said.

  She smiled. “Yes. But I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that for me. We could have picked another gift.”

  “Oh, no. It’s fine.” This time the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. He didn’t know her well, but something had happened today that bothered her.

  “I understand you’re really busy and that was four hours out of your day that you probably didn’t have to spare.”

  “Maybe you should let her come inside,” Clarissa said. “That Chanel dress is terrific and it looks like it might rain.” He stepped back so Ainsley could come in. The back of her dress swooped down, exposing most of her beautiful back. He shifted the present to hide just how much that turned him on.

  “I remember you from the charity event. Wasn’t your sister in charge of that?” Clarissa asked.

  “She was the chair, yes. Hi, I’m Ainsley.”

  “Clarissa.” They shook hands. Then she glanced over at him. “Looks like you’re dating up,” she said.

  That woman. She was right, but you didn’t make those sorts of comments in public. She had no filter, which inevitably made everyone uncomfortable at some point. He’d talked to her about it numerous times. He was one of the few people whom she actually listened to.

  Occasionally.

  “Clarissa!” he said. “Just because you think it, doesn’t mean you should say it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Mr. Polite Manners. I simply meant that she’s pretty and rich. You could do worse.”

  He sighed.

  Ainsley was laughing, and this time the sound was genuine. “Thanks,” she said. “But if anyone is dating up, it’s me. This guy.” She squeezed his arm. “Best man I have ever known. I’m definitely the lucky one. And he cooks. What kind of guy looks like him and can cook? I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

  She sounded genuine. That gave him a sense of pride—that she enjoyed spending time with him. From what he’d heard about her dating past, she’d been connected with a fair number of jerks.

  Before Clarissa could say something else controversial, Ben broke in and said, “Let me put the CO’s gift by the tree, and then I have some people I’d like you to meet.”

  She waved goodbye to Clarissa and followed him. The house was very modern and stark, much like the CO. He preferred things to be neat, ordered. Most Marines did, but he took it to the extreme. The best part was the view that looked out onto the beach.

  After dropping off the present, he introduced Ainsley to his friends.

  “So where did you two disappear to the other night?” Jake asked.

  The guy had not given him a break for leaving him the night of the auction. He’d been so caught up in Ainsley that he’d forgotten that Jake had hitched a ride with him to the hotel.

  “Dude, I told you she wasn’t feeling good so I took her home,” Ben explained, trying to stop the conversation before it went much further. He didn’t want everyone knowing his and Ainsley’s business.

  Before Jake could mention that he had to take a cab to Ben’s house to pick up his truck, Ben whisked her away...and right into the CO.

  “Sir,” he said.

  The CO smiled. “Welcome. So, who’s this, Major?”

  “Sir, I’d like to introduce you to my date, Ainsley Garrett.”

  The CO held out his hand and shook hers. “Are you having a good time?” he asked her.

  “Yes, thank you. It’s nice to put names and faces together. Ben’s been talking about everyone.”

  The CO shot him a glance. “He has? I hope it’s been all good.”

  She laughed and nodded. “Absolutely. It’s fascinating what you are doing on the base. Certainly, he doesn’t tell me everything. But it’s interesting that your squad is working with other branches of the military.”

  “Have you told her all of our secrets?” The CO smiled as he said it.

  “No, sir. She’s just a good listener.”

  “Clarissa tells me that your dad is Ed Garrett.”

  Her smile disappeared. “Yes, he is.”

  “We’ve been in a few charity golf tournaments together. Known him for years. In fact, I was going to hit him up for that new putting prototype he was talking about the last time he was here.”

  Ben glanced at Ainsley and did an inner hallelujah. That was the first gift she’d shown him. She was very good at what she did.

  She smiled. “Hmm. Call it a guess, but I have a feeling that when you open your present from your staff, you’re going to be very happy.”

  The CO’s eyes rounded. “Really?”

  “It was Ben who asked if we could get one for you. And it’s hard for me to
tell him no. I drove to San Antonio today to pick it up from the factory.”

  “Good call, Ben. Come on. Let’s open it,” the CO said. Never had he seen the CO behave this way. He was like a little kid.

  They all shared a laugh together.

  “Excellent suggestion,” he said to Ainsley as they followed his commanding officer across the crowded living room. “And thanks for giving me all the credit, which you deserve. This might keep him off my ass for a day, maybe even a whole week.”

  He slipped an arm around her shoulders.

  “It’s my pleasure,” she said. But she didn’t smile this time. Something was bugging her.

  Ten minutes later, much to the chagrin of Clarissa, they had the new putting machine set up in the middle of the party. All the guys were trying it out.

  “You did good,” Ben said. “I’ve never seen him this happy or relaxed. The guys and I owe you.”

  She frowned. “It’s no problem.” But it didn’t look like it.

  “What’s wrong?” He was genuinely concerned. In the short time he’d known her, he’d never seen her do anything but smile.

  She shook her head. “Nothing. Sorry. Just thinking about today. We can talk about it later.”

  He glanced around and noticed everyone was focused on the CO’s new toy. “Want to grab some air? The deck is covered, and he has a great view from there.”

  She twisted her lips and glanced nervously through the windows. “If that’s what you want.”

  What was going on?

  The rain had stopped, but the wind had picked up. He took off his jacket and put it over her shoulders. “Thanks,” she said.

  “You want to tell me why you’re upset? I really am sorry about you having to take so much time to get the CO’s present.” They might be just friends, but he wanted to help if he could.

  “No. Because this is nice. The party is great. Your friends are fun. I like the way you covered with Jake. Thanks for that. It’s been a long day, and I want to focus on what’s going on right now. Nothing else matters.”