Christmas with the Marine Read online

  So there was something.

  “I wish you would go ahead and tell me whatever it is that’s bothering you. I know this is temporary, but I don’t want secrets between us. Did you meet someone else? It’s okay if you’re having a hard time telling me.”

  He wasn’t sure where that had come from, but it would explain why she was acting so uneasy. But his gut churned and maybe he didn’t want to admit how much the idea unsettled him. A lot.

  She sighed and leaned her hands on the railing. “No. It’s complicated. I told you that I had to go to San Antonio to pick up the gift because the shipped one wasn’t going to arrive on time. I’m not sure what happened with that. We ordered it in plenty of time and, hello, it’s only an hour away. And after what’s occurred with my dad, I’m not so sure he didn’t have something to do with it.”

  “I really appreciate that you did that. I know how busy you are.”

  She nodded. “One of the main reasons I was late... Dad insisted I have lunch at the club with him. And, of course, being my dad, he had this guy he wanted me to meet. I felt...weird. Like I was cheating on you. I mean, I know all of this is supposed to be temporary. We only met a short time ago. But I really like you a lot. And it just seemed wrong being there with him.”

  Dang if Ben didn’t feel like throwing his arms around her. Okay. This was supposed to be casual, easy, but the truth was the last few days he’d been thinking maybe they should look at spending more time together. He wasn’t exactly sure what more was, but he couldn’t get her out of his head, and he had a feeling that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

  “I like you, too,” he said. “But it’s not like you initiated the date, right? And even if you did, I’d have to accept that. We aren’t really dating.” It was hard for him to say, he realized.

  “Yes, but I should have anticipated my dad doing that. And what bothered me the most was it did very much feel like I was cheating on you. I can’t, that’s... I’m just so confused. This thing between you and me, we’re having fun, right?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “But it feels, I’m not sure how to explain it exactly. I almost wanted to call you from the table and say, ‘Hey, I had no idea this was going to happen. This guy is pretty much a blockhead. I’ll be back as soon as possible.’”

  He chuckled. “I get it,” he said. And he did. They’d only spent a short time together, but they’d spent every night since Monday in her bed. Whether they wanted to be or not, they were connected. “If it makes things any better, I’m as confused about what’s going on between us as you are. But in a good way.”

  She glanced up at him. “Really?”

  He nodded, and then he turned so he could wrap his arms around her. “This thing between us is kind of intense.”

  “Kind of?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Okay, it just is. So we see it through, right? Neither of us has much experience with relationships, or at least long-term ones. We don’t have the time to maintain them. But we hang out, enjoy each other and see where it goes. Deal?”

  “It’s an exclusive deal, right?”

  He thought for a minute, trying to figure out what she meant. “As in we only date each other as long as we’re together?”

  “Yes.”

  He shrugged. “I kind of thought that was implied.”

  Then she hit him with one of her devastating smiles. “Good,” she said. “I was about to read the riot act to Clarissa. See how she kept looking at you like she wanted to eat you up? The only person who can look at you that way is me. Got it?”

  Smiling, she poked his chest with her finger.

  He smiled back.

  “Wow. Who knew Ainsley could get jealous? I kind of like this side of you.”

  “That woman rubs me the wrong way,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. It was crazy how she fit him so well.

  “She does that to a lot of people. You don’t have to worry about her. I’m more worried about these surprise dates your dad keeps setting you up on. Now every time you go to San Antonio, I’m going to wonder.”

  She sighed. “You don’t have to worry, either. You already know how I feel about all of that. And today, that guy, Todd, I think he was blindsided, as well. I doubt he had a clue what my dad was up to until I got there. He thought he was there to talk about a business venture. I felt bad for him. But he was a blockhead. He was nice to me, but only when my dad was looking. Not a very genuine type of person, to put it frankly.

  “Have I mentioned my dad has really bad taste in men, when it comes to picking out one for me? Fortunately, that was the last time, until the Christmas party in a few weeks, that I’ll see my dad. I now have the world’s best excuse and I’m really good at using it. Work is crazy! Which reminds me, I’ll be late tomorrow night. We’re wrapping all the presents for Clinical South.”

  “At the house?”

  “Yep.”

  “I could make you and Bebe dinner? I’m the world’s worst wrapper, but I can provide sustenance.”

  She kissed his chin. “You’re the best. As you find out more about my family, you’ll see I’m not like them in a few ways. They love me and I love them. But I’ve felt like an outsider at times. Like I don’t belong or I’m playing a part. That world isn’t who I am. I’m just a girl who runs a business, and is into a really hot guy.”

  He squeezed her tight. “And I’m just a Marine. I’m kind of a ‘take me like I am’ dude. But if you can deal with that, I can deal with the fact that your dad might not see me as a prime candidate for his daughter. I won’t fit in that world, either.”

  “That’s funny. Clarissa commented about my dress. But it didn’t even register who made it. You told me the other night that you liked the color red, and I wanted to wear it for you.”

  This woman was special, truly. “Ainsley, you were wearing red the other night when I said that. I love any color you’re in.”

  “You say the sweetest things,” she said. “Oh, I actually do have a favor to ask you.”

  “Name it. I’m yours.”

  “Be careful with that,” she said and winked at him. He loved when she did that. “This is more physical.”

  He couldn’t help his smile. “Even better. I’ve proven getting physical is my specialty.”

  She giggled. “You are so bad. That’s not what I mean.”

  He pretended to frown, and she rolled her eyes.

  “When I was looking for ribbon earlier today,” she said, “I found a box of Christmas lights and holiday lawn ornaments I’d forgotten about. I love having things all done up and festive, so I was wondering if you might put up the lights and decorate outside for me? I’d do it, but I’m afraid of heights. Bordering on ‘having a breakdown’ fear of heights.”

  Right. Well, the last thing she needed to be was on a two-story ladder. “I’d be happy to do it. I’ve got the Toys for Tots drive in the morning, but if the weather clears I can do it tomorrow afternoon or Sunday.”

  “You are my favorite person,” she said and then her lips were on his. Kissing her was nothing but sunshine. He couldn’t get enough.

  He lifted his head just as thunder hit. She jumped a little and he held her tighter.

  “Are you cold?”

  “Are you kidding? Every time you touch me I feel the heat. I’ve never—”

  His lips were on hers before she could finish speaking. That heat burned within him, as well. The storm raged around them, but they were lost in their own world.

  “Hey, Major, you know how the CO feels about PDA,” Brody said.

  She jumped away and then giggled. “You scared me,” she said.

  Their quiet alone time was over. They both turned to look at Brody. Ben’s frown was for real.

  “We’re just talking about putting Christmas lights
up on the house. Uh, Ainsley’s house,” Ben explained. There was no way to salvage the situation. They’d been caught.

  “Hmm. That’s interesting that you can still talk when your lips were together like that. Hey, I have an idea. If you help me with my lights,” Brody said, “I’ll help with yours. I had to buy new ones because suddenly Mari doesn’t like all white, now she wants blue on everything. I can’t keep up with her. She’s nesting, and by nesting I mean she decides she wants something and then it’s up to me to make it happen.”

  They all laughed. “Better not let her hear you say that,” Ben warned.

  “Say what?” Mari asked from behind Brody. “Step aside, Marine, I need some air. Look at that storm.” She went to the railing and gulped in the fresh gulf air. “It’s stuffy in there. Oh, hey, Ainsley. I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Good to see you again,” Ainsley said and let go of Ben so she could shake hands with Mari.

  “Same here. That dress is gorgeous. Chanel, right? So amazing. Man, makes me miss my waist.” Mari patted her pregnant belly, which was twice the size as it had been at the high school craft fair. Though Ben knew better than to say anything like that.

  “Oh, you look gorgeous,” Ainsley said. “Pregnant women have the most beautiful skin and hair. Even in the dim light out here you’re radiant.”

  Brody came up, put his hands on Mari’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Mari sighed. “And that’s why I keep him around. Never mind that he had to help me put my shoes on tonight because my belly is so fat I can’t see my feet anymore.”

  “Just more of you to love, baby,” Brody said.

  Some good-natured teasing ensued.

  “We’re saved, honey,” Brody said. “Ben’s agreed to help me with the Christmas lights if I return the favor and help with Ainsley’s house.”

  “Oh, that’s nice of you guys. I worry about him out there on the ladder by himself. He won’t let me be his assistant.”

  “No way,” Brody said. “You’re getting nowhere close to a ladder, even if it’s only to hold it.”

  “No prob,” Ben said. “Happy to help out.”

  “Toasts are about to begin,” Jake called to them from the patio doorway. “I should have known you guys would all be here making out.”

  “Jake!” Mari said. “We’re talking about holiday lights. Would you like to help the guys tomorrow?”

  Jake’s jaw dropped as he realized he’d just walked into a trap. “Uh, I’m busy?”

  “Too late,” Mari said. “Brody will text you the details. Once you finish at my house, you’re going to give a hand to Ainsley with hers.”

  “Fun times. Does anyone ever say no to you?” Jake asked Mari.

  “Nope,” she said. “And you’re not going to start. I’m pregnant, so it’s totally against the law to even think about saying no.”

  Everyone roared with laughter.

  They traipsed back inside, but Ben claimed Ainsley’s hand before they joined the others. They’d been interrupted. Well, technically, their kiss had been. It was a strange night, and he needed to make sure she was okay.

  “We’re good, right?”

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “We’re great,” she said. “We’ll be even better when you get me home and out of this dress.”

  Ben hissed out a breath. “You can’t say things like that to me, especially in public.” He pulled her against him so she could feel his erection. She wiggled into him.

  “This is work, Marine, and you should probably be responsible and mingle. But I really wouldn’t mind if in twenty minutes or so we said our goodbyes.” She slipped her arms around him. “This dress is suddenly feeling way too tight. I can’t breathe. I might be feeling faint. How are you feeling?” She slipped her hand between them, rubbing up and down his cock.

  Yes. Yes. Yes. This was happening.

  Desire crowded out any rational thoughts in his head. He couldn’t think, period. They had to go. Like yesterday. “Goodbyes be damned. We’re leaving.”

  “But my car,” she protested, laughing. “I can’t leave it here. That would look bad for both of us.” The wind was whipping her hair. And the dress outlined her curves.

  “Give me your keys.” He sounded like he was ordering one of his students to do something. “Please. Sorry. Those words came out of your mouth and now I can’t think about anything else.”

  She kissed him again and handed him the keys.

  He leaned his head inside the doorway, noticing the party was in full swing. “Brody,” he said because he was the closest.

  “Yeah?”

  Ben held out the keys. “Jake has to get Ainsley’s car to my place. I’ll pick it up tomorrow. Tell him he owes me. He owes me like ten times over.”

  Brody frowned. “Okay, what’s up?”

  Crud. He wasn’t expecting an inquisition. “Uh, she’s got a work thing, so I’m taking her home.”

  Brody glanced at Ainsley, no doubt noticing her flushed face, and then gave him a knowing look. “Right. She has a migraine. Got it.”

  They both smiled.

  “You’re a good friend,” Ben told him.

  “Yep, remember that tomorrow afternoon when you’re at the top of that ladder sticking lights on my house.”

  Ben didn’t care about tomorrow. All he wanted was to get Ainsley naked as quickly as possible.

  10

  BEN WOULDN’T LET her peek at what he’d been up to outside. She’d heard the guys laughing and thanks to him putting something in the Crock-Pot, the whole house smelled like yummy food.

  She was starving.

  They’d made love most of the night. She couldn’t get enough of him. Then he’d brought her breakfast in bed. She kept trying to find ways to surprise him, or do little things for him, as well.

  Like giving him a massage, but then that had turned into something for her because they’d ended up in the tub and wow. Yep. That had definitely turned into something for her.

  “You two look serious,” Bebe said as she finished up the last of the wrapping. The drill team had done most of the patients’ gifts, but she and Bebe had wrapped the gifts for the staff and executive board for Clinical South.

  “I told you. We’re just having some fun.” She couldn’t help the sly smile slipping across her face. Something had happened the night before. It wasn’t just sex anymore. They’d made love, and it was intense.

  Every time she thought about the way Ben looked at her as he came, tingles spread throughout her body. It was as if he’d committed to her in that moment, and she’d liked it...a lot.

  “Right. The kind of fun where he’s here every night. Cooks for you and puts Christmas lights on a two-story house for you. Where he stares at you as if you were the most beautiful woman in the world. The kind of attention that most women only dream of.”

  “Yep. That kind of fun,” she said sheepishly. “We can’t call it anything else. We’re both being honest about putting our careers first right now. He wants to make Colonel sooner than expected. Did you know he made Major about six years ahead of time? He’s such a hard worker and a good leader. Mari was telling me that Brody can’t say enough nice things about him. It scares me that he’s almost too perfect, and what experience do I have with that? None.”

  “Not that I have a lot of experience, either, with great relationships,” Bebe said, “but I’m pretty sure love doesn’t stick to a timetable.”

  “Love?” The word caught in her throat. She took a swig of water before she choked. “Oh. No. It’s not serious like that. I mean, shoot. We’ve only just met, or rather, it’s only been a week.”

  Bebe waved the scissors dismissively in the air. “Yes, love. Again, not really speaking from experien
ce, however, you have to know that whatever you call it, it’s special. Do you feel the same about him as you have the last ten men you’ve dated?”

  When she put it like that, it made Ainsley think. “You’re scaring me. Don’t go there. I’m not joking. You’ll freak me out. Why do people always have to put labels on things? Fun. It’s just some serious fun.”

  Bebe gave a dramatic sigh. “It shouldn’t scare you. If anything, you should be grateful and running toward the light.”

  Ainsley snorted. “This isn’t some Wuthering Heights drama. Yes, it’s something new for me. A man who puts me before his needs. Who supports my career. Wants the best for me. But I’m not rushing anywhere. I won’t get tied up with any guy.”

  “Tied up. Hmm.” The humor in Bebe’s eyes was plain to see. “Tied up by the Marine? Interesting. I bet you’re one present he’d definitely like to unwrap.”

  He already had. Many. Many. Many times. “Oh, stop it.” Ainsley threw a bow at her. “Don’t ruin this for me. Let me live in the bubble, at least until Christmas.”

  Bebe frowned. “What happens at Christmas?”

  “We put an expiration date on the whole idea. But then, last night... Well, it’s confusing. I’m just not counting on this being long-term.”

  “Nonsense. Do you actually believe what you’re spouting? You can’t schedule love or expect it to be there when you do want it.”

  “Ugh. It’s not love!” She very nearly screamed the word.

  “Ainsley?” Ben called for her.

  Shoot. She hoped he hadn’t heard her. “Shut it. And behave.” She pointed a finger at her friend.

  Bebe made the universal sign for a zipper over the mouth. Not that it would stop her.

  “In the conference room,” she called to him. “What’s up?”

  “Ready for your surprise?” he asked.

  Bebe stood and made an explicit back-and-forth motion with her hips like she was having carnal relations with the curtains.

  “You’re insane,” Ainsley hissed.

  Then they both laughed.

  “Yes,” Ainsley said and rushed to find him. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited.” She caught up to him in the front entry.