Home for the Holidays Ch. 04

A small shriek escaped my lips. I windmilled my arms, praying to find something to grab on to.

"Whoa, little one." Strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close to a hard chest. The masculine scent of spicy cologne filled my nose and I grabbed tight, panting as I tried to get my heart to go back down my throat.

"Are you okay?"

I took a step back, trying to gather my composure. Looking up, I stared into the face of a stranger. "Not that I'm not grateful, but who the hell are you?"

He was tall, with dark brown hair and eyes the color of cinnamon, which sparkled with good humor. His shoulders were broad, encased in a soft cable-knit sweater. "I'm Alex Crandall. I'm a friend of Shawn and Jenna's.

They took pity on the fact that I'm new around here and invited me over for dinner. You have to be Kenna."

"Well, since Bekka's nine month's pregnant and Mara's all of seventeen, you had a really good chance at being right. Thank you, Alex."

"You're a tiny thing. What were you scaling the wall trying to get?"

"I'm not tiny, I'm vertically challenged," I said. "My mother wants the big Thermos on the top shelf." I watched with ill-concealed jealousy as he stood on the first step of the ladder and easily snagged the Thermos, handing it to me.

"Maybe next time you should ask for some help from someone not so vertically challenged," he teased.

I let out a sigh and headed back into the kitchen just as Nicky and my father walked through the door. Nick's eyes lit up as he saw me and I gave him a shy smile. Then his eyes shifted, going over my shoulder to the man who was following me into the room. He went still, the look in his eyes growing confused. I walked over to him.

"Do you want something to warm you up?" I asked him quietly as the noise of Shawn's two kids and all the adults made the room very chaotic.

"Can I have you?" He wrapped his arms around me, nuzzling his cold nose into my neck and making me shiver.

"Yes, you can," I moaned softly, snuggling into his arms. I felt eyes on me and looked up, seeing Bekka's glare and Steven's narrowed gaze. I decided right there and then that I didn't care. Turning my head, I found Nick's lips and kissed him gently. "Have I told you yet how glad I am that you came with me?"

"No, but I'll remind you later and you can show me just how glad you are."

"Kenna, did you get the Thermos?" Mom came over, her eyes expressing how glad she was to see me with Nick and looking so happy.

"Here you go, Mom. Why you put the damn thing on the top shelf and then send me to get it, I don't know."

"I guess I always forget how short you are, baby. You always act so much larger than life." She caressed my cheek with her hand, in a gesture only a mother can do the right way. "You two need to get out of those wet clothes and warm up. Go on upstairs and I'll call you when we're ready to leave, okay?"

"I think we've been dismissed," I said, glancing up at Nicky. He'd taken off his boots and coat at the door but the bottom of his jeans were soaked from wading in the snow. He was shivering slightly.

I took his hand and headed for the stairs, looking back in time to see Bekka glare at me. "Why does she hate me?" I wondered out loud.

"Because you're twice the woman she could ever hope to be. You're genuine, Kenna. She's little more than a fragile shell that will need constant bolstering through her life to feel good about herself. Bekka's too high maintenance for any one man to deal with."

"I'm high maintenance," I said forcefully.

Nicky slapped me on the ass. "Nope, try again."

"I am, too," I said, leading the way into the bathroom. I leaned in the shower and turned the water on, adjusting it so that it was at mid-scald.

Then, under his very interested eyes, I slid my top over my head.

"What are you doing?" he gasped, his eyes dropping to my breasts.

"What my Momma told me to do. I'm getting us warm." Moving closer to him,

I put my finger in my mouth, slowly drawing it out to run it down the front of my body. "Don't you feel warmer yet?"

"A bit," he admitted, his eyes following that finger as it stopped at the button on my jeans. "I don't think she meant for us to take a shower together."

"You don't want to take a shower with me?" I pouted. With an easy twist of my fingers, the button was undone.

"I never said that." His eyes followed my hand as I trailed the zipper down its length and then reached for the waistband of my jeans and dragged them off my hips. When I stood back up, I wore only the satiny pink bra and matching thong that barely covered the small triangle of red hair that I kept trimmed on my mound.

Nick's eyes roamed over me and I could see the bulge in his jeans. "You sure?"

I could barely nod. My heart was in my throat and a wave of heat tingled through me.

"Take off your bra," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," I grinned, reaching behind me and easily flicking open the clasp.

The bra slid down my arms to fall at my feet with the rest of my clothes. He crossed the last two steps that separated us, his hand coming up to cup my breast.

"I can feel your heart pounding," he whispered as he looked down at me.

"It's pounding for you."

His fingers slipped down further, until they rubbed gently over the thin satin covering my pussy. "What about this? Is it mine, too?"

"Do you want it to be?" I think I forgot how to breathe as I waited for his answer. I became dizzy, reaching out to place my hands on his chest while he continued to play with the thin strap that went between my legs.

"Yes," he nodded. "Definitely." He looked into my eyes, his other hand coming up to touch my cheek. "I don't like to share either."

"Neither do I," I whispered, wishing he'd just pull the damn thing off and push me against the wall. When he did nothing more than slip two fingers inside of me, I moaned, reaching out for his shirt and yanking it up and over his head.

His tee shirt came with it, leaving him naked from the waist up. He took his hand away from my body long enough to get the shirt off, then it was back, driving me insane.

"God, you're gorgeous," I couldn't help but stutter. He was, muscled and firm with hard abs that were defined and sexy. That damned trail of hair seemed to be teasing me again. My hand shook as I reached out to touch it, my hips moving against his hand as he continued to thrust inside of me. His head fell back against his shoulders as my fingers swept down to his stomach. I could feel his muscles tightening as I reached for the buckle on his belt.

"We've got to hurry," I said softly. "They'll be ready to go soon."

He pulled his fingers out of my wetness, bringing them to my lips. Painting my mouth with the proof of my arousal, he drew closer, dropping his head to kiss me. I thought I'd gone into sensual overload when he lifted his head, my mouth swollen with his kisses, my body straining toward him, my restraint gone.

"Fuck me," I begged. "Please, Nicky. I want you. I need you."

His breathing was harsh as well, his cheeks ruddy with passion. His handsome face was strained as he glanced at the closed bathroom door and then down at me. With a groan, he yanked my thong down until I could kick it off my feet then pushed me back against the wall. He held my hands in one of his above my head. The other was between my legs, his fingers stroking the wet flesh he found there, zeroing in on my clit.

But I wanted more than that. I wanted him inside me and I told him so.

"I need more than your fingers."

It seemed to be the one thing he was waiting for. He yanked down his jeans, wrapping his hands under my butt and lifting me. Stepping between my spread legs, I could feel his engorged cock pressing up against me. For a moment, I realized where we were and what we were doing and thought about putting a stop to it. Then he began to push inside of me.

My head fell back against the wall. I swore I could feel every vein in his cock as it pushed deeper and then deeper.

"Is this what you want?" he growled in my ear.

"Yes," I moaned. "Fuck me."

I could feel the tension mounting, the friction creating sparks that were going to burn me alive. No man had made me ever feel like this, like I was drowning and soaring all at the same time. I clung to Nick, my lips on his shoulder, biting gently as he drove me towards a high peak of pleasure, one I'd never attained before.

"Oh God, yes!" I cried, arching against him.

"Shh. You don't want your mother to know you're being fucked up here, do you?"

"No," I panted. "She might want to give you a ride herself."

"Kenna!" he exclaimed, shocked. He moved away from the wall, pulling out of me, much to my dismay.

"Nicky," I began, only to feel myself being spun and bent over the sink. He held me with one arm across the small of my back, his other hand delving between my thighs, playing with my clit until I was almost crying with need.

Only then did he push back inside of me, groaning as he held me still with one hand, the other caressing my ass.

His thrusts were long and hard and I pushed back into every one of them.

Nick reached around me, gently cupping my breasts and pulling on my nipples. He twisted one, pinching the tender flesh just hard enough to make me moan.

It could have been hours or just minutes that we were there. Wave after wave of orgiastic bliss blew through me until I was shaking and crying out, begging for him to come.

"You want me to come?" he groaned, his hips slapping against my ass.

"Yes," I moaned.

"In you?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, not really paying attention to what he was saying, not caring for anything but the next orgasm. "Please."

He pulled me up so that my back was against his chest, dragging me off of my feet. Cupping my chin in his hand, he kissed me, his tongue a frantic fire in my mouth. I could feel his need, his desperation to please me. He thrust into me, hard enough to jolt my body, making my soft tits sway against his arm. He shook, jerking against me as he came inside of me, the heat of his spunk setting off one more wave of bliss that seemed to last forever.

Afterward, he held me close, sitting on the lid of the toilet and pulling me onto his lap. "Miss Kenna," he said softly, nuzzling his mouth against my neck. "I have to admit to being shocked."

"Oh shut up," I giggled. "Your Southern Gentleman is showing."

"You know, I told him he couldn't come along this time. He must have hidden in my luggage." He smiled down at me, listening to me laugh at his silliness.

Then his face changed, growing serious. "Are you all right?" he asked me softly.

I stretched, letting him hold me up. "I'm perfect," I said softly.

Nicky had taken advantage of my stretching, his hand stroking over my still hard nipples, playing with them. "Why yes, that you are," he said drolly.

"Ass, you know what I mean. Are you warmer?"

"Oh yeah. Remind me when we get home that you are better than my electric blanket. I'll just drape you over me and I can save on my electric bill. Of course, we might have to stretch you out a bit. You are a bit on the short side."

"What is it with you guys and complaining about my height today?" I stretched one more time and then got up, giving him a quick kiss before I jumped in the shower to clean up.

"Speaking of which," Nicky said casually, almost too casually. "Who was the guy following you like a lost puppy downstairs?"

"He was not following me." I jumped when the curtain pulled back and Nicky climbed into the warmth of the shower with me. "He's some friend of Shawn and Jenna's. He didn't have anywhere to go this Christmas so they dragged him over here. My folks have always been great about taking in strays. Anyway, he caught me when I started to fall off a ladder in the pantry. That's all."

I turned around, glancing up into his face. "Nicky, are you jealous?"

His face turned red and he shook his head no. "Hell yes, I'm jealous. He doesn't have any right to make a move on my girl."

I snorted, I couldn't help it. He looked so frustrated. "So which is it, yes or no?"

"Yes," he groaned, burying his face in my hair. "I almost lost you to that jerk Steven and then God rescued you at the last moment. Now that you're mine, I don't want some slick Don Juan stealing you away."

"Honey, no one is going to steal anything. I only have eyes for you." I kissed him then stepped out of the tub to grab a towel. "We've been up here longer than I'd thought, baby. We should get going."

I grabbed my clothes, sliding them on my still damp body. I was still struggling with my jeans when he got out of the tub. Using my towel, he dried off as well. "You go down first," he said. "I'll be down in a few."

I winked at him then opened the bathroom door, sliding out before the cold air could get in. I was on my way down the stairs when my mom showed up at the bottom. "We're coming, Mom. Nicky was just getting out of the shower."

"Good, you know how your dad feels about leaving them beasties of his standing in the cold."

I nodded. We'd heard the speech enough times now to have it memorized. "

Animals have feelings, too," I said in a deep voice.

"

Hush," Mom said, but her voice was full of laughter. "Do you think you can help me con Bekka in to staying here with me? I don't think she should be out walking in the snow in her condition."

"

Mom, I don't think I'm the one to suggest anything to Bekka. Mara might have a better chance."

"

Mara hasn't spoken two words to Bekka since she broke up your wedding, Kenna. She just can't forgive her for what she did to you."

"That's funny." I said, wrapping my arm around my Mom's waist and feeling hers come around my shoulders, holding me close. "I should be the one holding the grudge but I actually feel sorry for her."

The door opened in the hallway behind us and Bekka stepped out, her cheeks flushed with anger. "I don't want your pity, Kenna. I don't want your sympathy or your empathy. You're still jealous because Steven left you. You bring down this guy who pretends to be with you to save face when I have a man who'll do anything for me and I'm having his baby! My life is perfect, do you hear me? It's perfect!"

"Shit, Bekka, the whole west coast heard you. Okay, so your life is perfect. I'm happy for you."

"You're jealous of me, just like you always were. Beautiful Bekka and sad, pathetic little Kenna. How could two such different people come from the same parents?" Bekka taunted.

"Bekka," Mom said, her voice filled with warning. "Watch what you're saying."

"It's okay, Mom, if she needs to get this out, than by all means, please do."

"It's not okay, Kenna. You two are sisters, you should behave as sisters."

"You should have told her that before she snuck into bed with Steven the first time, Mom."

"He begged me to, Kenna. He wrote me the most beautiful love letters. He called me and sent flowers. He wanted me, not you. He just didn't know how to tell you without hurting you."

"Oh? Is that why he just cornered me in the mudroom and told me he wished he'd given you the money for an abortion and married me anyway?" I couldn't believe I said that. I hadn't meant to. It had just poured out of my mouth. But I could tell it struck a chord. Bekka's face went pale and she swayed as if she would fall. I reached out for her, but she shrugged my hand away.

"Bekka, God, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Did he really say that, Kenna?" Bekka asked, her eyes begging me to deny it, to say that I said it to hurt her.

"No, Bekka. I wanted to hurt you so I made it up."

Nick came down the stairs, stopping as Steven came rushing up to Bekka's side. "Baby, are you okay?"

"Fine, but I think I'd like to lay down now."

"What about going out to get the tree? You've been looking forward to that all week."

"I can do it next year and we can take the baby then." She turned and touched his cheek. "You can go if you wish."

Steven turned and glanced my way as if trying to make a decision. Mom took it out of his hands.

"A husband's place is with his wife at a time like this."

"You're so right, Evelyn. Come on, baby, let me help you upstairs."

We watched them go up the stairs, Nick getting out of the way to let them pass. "He did say that to you, didn't he?" Mom asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Yeah, he did." I smiled at Nicky as he came up, taking my hand and squeezing it.

"You okay?"

"Uh huh. It would take a lot more than one of Bekka's tantrums to upset me today."

"Good, because I spread a load of hay on the sleigh and I can't wait to get you in it." He winked at me and then swatted me on the butt. "Hurry up, slow poke," he said, walking toward the kitchen.

I stood back, my eyes on his ass as he walked away. "Mmm," I hummed.

"Yep, he does have a nice ass, baby."

"Mom!" I said shocked.

"Hey, I'm married but I'm not dead. I can admire a good-looking man when I want. Your Nicky is a fine specimen in more ways than one."

I chuckled and followed him into the kitchen. Shawn and Nicky were talking cars when I arrived and I rolled my eyes. "It's either cars or football with you, Shawn."

"Well, we had to do something, I mean the horses are hitched and Dad's waiting. You seem to be taking your sweet time."

"Shawn..." Mom's voice held warning.

"Ha ha, you got in trouble," I teased him in a sing-song voice.

"Okay, brat, you're going head first in a snow bank." He made a move as if to grab me and Riley jumped up from his bed in the corner, growling, his teeth bared.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I said, nodding back at my dog.

"Damn mutt, I still have scars from the last time he got me."

"Well, if you'd leave me alone, he wouldn't bite you." I whistled and Riley left his protective posturing and came over to me. "Good boy," I said, bending to pet him. "Want to go for a run?"

He raced to the mudroom door, whining and going in circles excitedly waiting for me to get there. I went in, stomping into my boots and warm clothes, digging out a new pair of mittens for myself and a pair of snowmobile gloves for Nicky. I tossed them at him when he came through the door, followed by Shawn and his family.

Outside, the sound of bells could be heard as well as my dad's booming bass singing Christmas carols. Mom came into the mudroom, handing Nick a huge picnic basket and me the thermos of coffee she'd filled, as well as one of hot chocolate.

"You guys have fun and remember...

"No trees with holes," we all chorused with her, making her laugh.

We poured out of the house as dad pulled the sleigh up to the back porch. It was little more than a hay wagon with runners instead of wheels, but we'd called it the sleigh since we were kids. Hay bales had been piled in back to make places to sit and a pile of blankets had been put at the bottom of the wagon. Dad was covered with his big fur lap robe, the one we kids had got for him at Christmas many years ago. He was bundled up, with his hat pulled down around his ears and his cheeks rosy from the cold. I took his coffee Thermos to him. "Here you go, Daddy. Something to keep you warm."

Shawn's two kids were already in the back of the sleigh, pelting each other with handfuls of loose hay.

"Did you meet the twins?" I asked Nick as he ducked a handful of hay.

"These two are twins?" he asked.

"Yep. The little redhead is Adair, the big one is her brother Ian. They are a handful." I grabbed two blankets, and accepted a boost from Nicky, which included his hand squeezing my butt. He jumped up after me, Riley following him. We found places behind Dad where I knew we'd be safest from the kids and their shenanigans. Riley curled up between our feet, his butt on my foot, his head on Nick's.

When Shawn sat down, he stared in disbelief at Riley. "What did you do to that dog? I've been trying to make friends with him since he was a puppy but he hates me."