His Christmas List: – Naughty Stories For Your Stocking

His lips softly take mine as he kisses me. It’s a soft kiss, with an undertone of suction. My arms are around his neck as he holds me in the air. It’s as if I am light as a feather. We kiss again and again and oh… this man is such a different species of male to what I’ve ever known before. He’s not flashy or trying to woo me with smoothness. He just is as he is, and it’s so refreshingly honest.

Real.

His lips take mine again and this time with hunger. I can feel the arousal as it takes over his body. With every thrash of his tongue, his grip tightens around my body. Seven years is a long time for a person to go without physical touch and I want to give it to him. I want to be the first person that he…

He carries me down the hall and places me carefully on the ground in the kitchen. His eyes hold mine and it’s as if he’s assessing the situation, thinking carefully about his next move or sentence. Wondering if I’m going to run… or if he should.

I pause as I try to get the wording right. ‘I like you, Jack.’

His arms snake around me once more and he pulls my hips to his and I feel his large erection as it presses against me. ‘I like you, too.’

My stomach flutters… fuck, he’s big.

He kisses me and this time with purpose. This isn’t a promise of a grand love affair. We both know that’s impossible, or rather, it’s a decision. A conscious decision to get to know each other physically. And I’m okay with that, and by the feeling of his hard body up against mine, I’m pretty sure that he is, too.

Our kiss turns frantic and he lifts me up to sit on the kitchen counter. The sound of the rain on the roof hammering above is adding to the dramatic feeling between us. His hand snakes up my leg as he wraps it around his hips. His open mouth drops to my neck as he kisses me hungrily, his teeth grazing my skin.

Goosebumps scatter all over.

I glance up and see our reflection in the kitchen window. Me on the counter with my legs spread around him, his two hands on the counter behind me as he holds himself up, his lips on my neck and his eyes tightly closed.

He’s completely lost in the moment.

The thought of what he’s been through and what he’s missed since then tears my usual defenses wide open and suddenly, I’m frantic. I want this man. I want all of this man; I want to spoil him… bring him undone.

I whimper as I pull him closer. His hand runs up my thigh and he slides it into my shorts. He brushes the backs of his fingers through my sex and his eyes flutter closed with arousal. ‘Fuck,’ he murmurs.

‘Touch me,’ I whimper. Oh God… don’t stop… I want it all…

Fuck me.

With his eyes locked on mine, he slowly glides his fingertips through my dripping wet sex. He lets out a low whistle. ‘You. Feel. So. Good.’

I arch my back, searching for a deeper connection.

Reading my queues, he slides his thick finger deep inside of me and I clench around it. His eyes are dark and I clench again to show him what I can do.

He inhales sharply in appreciation. ‘Fuck yeah.’

I shudder hard.

Oh Hell, this could get embarrassing. I haven’t been touched for so long. I feel like I’m about to come already. He begins to pump me, first with one finger, then with two. His lips take mine as he kisses me hard. With one hand he grips the back of my head and with the other he adds another thick finger and I clench as I bite his bottom lip.

Oh Hell, that feels good. Too good.

My hands grip his shoulders as he works me hard and I can feel his muscles contract with every pump of his hand. His moves get faster and faster, more violent.

And I grip his shoulders as I whimper into his mouth.

‘You like that?’ he says as he watches me, though it wasn’t a question. It was more of a statement.

And I don’t like that, I love that.

He takes my bottom lip between his teeth and bites down and the pinch of pain on my lips reacts with the wave of pleasure from below and I shudder hard as I clench around his fingers, the orgasm so strong that I convulse. He smiles against my lips in triumph.

I pant as my eyes hold his, well… that’s an embarrassing record. I came in three minutes flat.

He scoops me off the kitchen counter and carries me into the bedroom and stands me next to the bed. He slowly peels the T-shirt over my head and then takes my pants down and throws them to the side. I stand before him, naked and vulnerable.

His eyes roam over my body in reverence. ‘Holly… you’re beautiful,’ he whispers in awe.

I clench my hands at my sides, nerves dancing in my stomach. I want him to be happy with what he sees.

He lies me back on the bed and spreads my legs and before I can protest, he bends and kisses me there.

I convulse off the bed, still sensitive from the orgasm I had only moments ago.

He smiles into me as his eyes hold mine, his thick tongue licking deep into my core.

His hands are on my inner thighs as he holds my legs open. I try to close them, and he slams them back to the bed. ‘Don’t move,’ he growls in a warning.

Nerves flutter in my stomach and I get the feeling that Jack likes his own way in the bedroom… not that I’m complaining. His touch is dominant, controlling. And dare I say it, on the edge of control.

His tongue laps my orgasm up and his eyes flutter closed in pleasure.

I can feel it building again and I run my fingers through his thick hair.

Oh Hell.

His hand splays over my lower stomach to hold me down as my back arches off the bed.

‘Get your clothes off,’ I plead. This isn’t fair. I’m lying here open and wet at his disposal and he’s still fully dressed.

Fire dances in his eyes and he stands and peels his shirt off over his head. His broad chest comes into view. It’s thick and wide with a scattering of dark hair and I clench in appreciation.

With his eyes locked on mine, he slowly unzips his jeans and slides them down. His thick hard cock springs free and I have to concentrate on not dropping my jaw.

Fucking hell… he’s hung.

Thick veins are coursing down the length of him and pre-ejaculate is dripping from its engorged end.

I begin to quiver, knowing what’s in store for me. He hasn’t been with a woman in seven years and, oh my God, I’m going to get it good.

This is Alaskan porn at its fucking best.

I lean up onto my knees and take him into my mouth. He tastes good and I put my hands on his thick quads as my sex clenches. Hell, he’s the perfect specimen.

His hand goes tenderly to the back of my head as he watches on, our eyes are locked, and he has a sexy smile on his face. ‘How’s your ankle now?’ he asks.

‘What ankle?’ I smirk around him. I’m not even joking. The only thing I can feel is my pulse pumping between my legs, preparing for battle. Demanding it.

I begin to fist him with my hand while I suck him, and his eyes roll back in his head. I smile around him. ‘You like that, baby?’ I whisper.

He shudders and screws up his face and I know he’s trying to hold it off, but I need him to come. I want him to lose control like I did.

He grabs my hair in his two hands and begins to ride my mouth as his instincts take over. His breathing is labored, and I know that he’s close. ‘Holly,’ he pants. ‘Holly.’ He pumps my mouth hard as he tips his head back to the sky. ‘Oh fuck… Holly.’ He comes in a rush down my throat and I smile as I drink him down.

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something so beautiful.

I’m not usually one for swallowing, but damn it… for him, I am.

I keep licking him up, taking my time as our eyes stay locked. A tenderness runs between us and he brushes my hair back from my forehead. I smile softly and then he does something unexpected. He bends and takes my face in his hands and kisses me with everything he’s got, and my heart somersaults in my chest.

I’ve never been kissed like this before, so completely.

He crawls over me and takes me in his arms and for a long time we kiss, making out like teenagers in love who have all the time in the world.

It’s not hurried or anxious. The feeling of his skin next to mine is warm and safe. His touch is tender, so unlike any touch I’ve felt before.

We kiss and we kiss, and after a while I feel his erection begin to grow against my hip. With every thrash of our tongues, I feel him lose a little more control, until our kisses are violent and his hands are spreading my legs, opening up my body for his.

‘Shit,’ he murmurs against my lips.

‘What?’

‘I don’t have any condoms.’

‘Oh.’ I think for a moment. ‘I’m on birth control and I was tested when my marriage ended. I haven’t had sex with anyone since then.’

He pulls back to look at me with surprise. ‘How long ago was that?’

I swallow the lump in my throat. ‘Three and a half years ago.’

His face falls and we stare at each other with an understanding hanging in the air between us. A sense of loss and sadness for what each other has been through.

‘Baby,’ he whispers as he pulls me into his arms and holds me tight.

What the hell is happening here? I feel weak and vulnerable… teary. So unlike me.

With his lips locked on mine, he rises above me and spreads my legs. His thick tip nudges my opening and I brace myself.

He swipes himself back and forth through my open lips and then pushes in a little.

‘Oh.’ My back arches off the bed.

He sits up and grabs some lube from the drawer in his side table and rubs it into my sex. ‘You alright?’ he asks as he rubs his cock through me once more. I’m slippery and wet now, ready for battle.

I nod, and then a dark smile crosses my face, ‘More than alright.’

He chuckles and as if that’s his green light to go, he slides forward and in one deep movement he stretches me to the hilt.

I hold my breath as I feel the burn of his possession, a stretch like never before. It’s sharp and stingy, even with the lube. ‘Oh… you’re big,’ I whimper.

‘No,’ he smiles against my neck as his teeth graze my skin, ‘you’re small.”

I giggle, because that’s a blatant lie.

He circles his hips as he holds himself deep, first one way and then the other as he stretches me open. Preparing my body to take him at speed.

His body moves slow and measured, the perfect pressure on my clitoris sets my body on fire.

Oh… he knows his way around a woman’s body alright.

Goosebumps begin to scatter up my spine and down my arms.

He does it again and again and damn it, it’s so good. My legs begin to rise by themselves, curling up around his waist. My hands roam up and over his muscular back and over his shoulders. His lips are connected to mine and it’s all I can do not to beg him to fuck me hard. He’s hesitant and taking his time and I know that I need to trust him to know when my body is ready.

Hurry up and hurt me.

Hurt me hard.

His breath begins to quiver as if unable to hold it any longer and he slowly pulls out and then slowly slides back in.

I moan in appreciation.

His mouth hangs slack as his dark eyes hold mine. He pulls out and his control snaps. He slams in hard, knocking the air from my lungs.

‘Oh…’ I scrunch my eyes shut. ‘Oh… that’s good… Yes,’ I whisper as I cling to him tighter. My voice is deep and guttural, unrecognizable to my own ears.

He begins to softly moan as he lifts himself onto his straightened arms. He widens his knees to get the traction he needs and he pulls out and slams back in as he begins to fuck me.

Hard.

Deep, thick pumps and the bed begins to hit the wall with force.

He goes up onto his knees and lifts my legs over his shoulders as he continues to pump me. His dark eyes hold mine and he bites his bottom lip to stifle his smile.

I smile at the devious look on his face, ‘You look like you’re pretty happy with yourself there, Jack.’

He chuckles as he picks up my foot and kisses it, ‘I am happy with myself, but I’m even happier with you and your fucking delicious body.’

I giggle because I’ve never been called fucking delicious before, but I like it.

He hooks my legs over his forearms and brings them up and then leans down to kiss me. His kiss is slow and erotic, his body deep inside mine, and Hell.

I don’t know what kind of sex I’ve been having up until this point, but it wasn’t like this. Perhaps it’s just the fact that it’s been so long that I’ve forgotten what it was like. Yes, that’s probably it.

We fall into a rhythm again, with him pumping me hard and me concentrating on not coming. I want to take my time. I know I only have him for tonight.

I need to make it last as long as I can.

Perspiration dusts our skin and as the rain comes down hard outside, I come undone on the inside. The way he looks at me, the way he kisses me, the way he fucks.

Jack Stevens is one hell of a lover.

His jaw hangs slack and by the speed at which his pumps are approaching, I can tell he’s close.

I reach for him and take his face in my two hands and I pull him down to me and kiss him. We fall slow and tender and with our lips locked. I feel him jerk deep inside of me, he screws his face up against mine and I let myself go. I cry out and shudder hard as I lose control. He smiles against my lips, happy that I’m right here with him.

We keep kissing as he moves to completely empty himself… and oh.

This man.

He eventually pulls out and with his big arm around me, I snuggle up on his chest. I feel his lips gently kiss my temple as he holds me tight and as the rain comes down, I fall back into a sleepy state.

‘Holly.’

My eyes flutter as they try to open.

‘Holly,’ he whispers.

I frown and stretch thinking don’t wake me up, I’m having the most wonderful dream.

Me on Jack… Jack on me.

Hmm… so hot.

I feel my body tingle with arousal, and I arch my back as I try to wake.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says softly to someone as he walks out into the living room. ‘She can’t come to the phone right now, she’s still sleeping.’

Huh?

‘I’ll get her to call you as soon as she wakes up.’

My eyes snap open. What? I sit up in a rush. ‘Jack,’ I call. The sheet drops down revealing my bare breasts and I look down and frown.

I’m naked.

Wait… did that actually happen?

Jack reappears, also naked, and he gives me a slow, sexy smile. He bends and his lips take mine and his hand cups my bare breast, his thumb dusts back and forth over my erect nipple. ‘Good morning, beautiful,’ his husky deep voice murmurs.

My eyebrows raise by themselves. Oh… it happened alright. I smile against his lips. ‘Hi.’

He crawls in under the covers and takes me in his arms, ‘I was letting you sleep in.’

‘Hmm.’ I smile against his chest, this is nice. ‘Who was on the phone?’

‘Your friend.’

I frown.

‘Clancy.’

‘Oh.’ I sit up, ‘Shit, what did she want?’

‘She wants you to call her back.’

‘Okay, can I use your phone?’

He passes it over and then lies back down beside me as I dial the number. ‘Hello,’ Clancy answers in a panic.

‘Hi.’

Jack runs his hand down my body and over my hipbone. Goosebumps follow his touch.

‘Oh my God, who the hell are you staying with?’ she splutters. ‘And why the hell was he in your bedroom?’

I open my mouth to say something and then I close it as Jack slides beneath the covers.

‘Umm…’ He licks my lower stomach and my sex clenches in appreciation. ‘A very nice man.’ I reply in a high-pitched voice. I put my hand on Jack’s forehead and try to push him away. I can’t concentrate on having a coherent conversation while he’s doing that.

‘I need more information,’ she urges. ‘Holly, have you hit your head or something? It’s late December and you have a ton to do, should I be worried?’

‘No, not at all, information later,’ I snap. I feel Jack smile against my skin. He must be able to hear our conversation. ‘What’s up?’ I go to push him away again and he takes my fingers into his mouth and begins to suck on them. His tongue flickers back and forth between my fingers.

Oh… that tongue.

‘You won’t believe it,’ she says. ‘Oscar Maddison has appendicitis.’

I frown, that’s who I’m meeting today. ‘What?’

‘He went in for emergency surgery last night and won’t be back at work until next week on Tuesday. They want to reschedule you for then.’

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Shit.

‘I’ll organize you a flight home,’ she continues.

Jack kisses his way up my body and takes my nipple into his mouth, he pushes his knee between my legs to open them.

I smile…

‘Holly?’ Clancy snaps.

‘Oh, I’m sorry, what?’

‘I said, I’ll organize a charter flight to come and get you.’

I glance down at Jack and he smiles around my nipple. The look he gives me is naughtiness personified. ‘Actually….’, I pause, ‘do I have any major meetings this week?’

‘Let me look,’ she says. I can hear her typing on her computer. ‘You have Edward on Friday.’

‘I can phone conference him.’

‘Why?’

‘I think I’m going to stay here and work remotely from a hotel for the week.’

‘What?’ She pauses. ‘Why? You hate staying away.’

Jack smiles and bites me hard and I jump and try to push his forehead away. ‘Stop it,’ I mouth.

He begins to motorboat my breasts and unable to help it, I laugh out loud.

‘What are you doing?’ Clancy snaps.

‘I’m sorry,’ I frown. ‘Terribly distracted.’

‘No shit.’

‘I’m… I’m going to stay in Alaska for the week, there’s no point in coming all the way home only to come back again. I have a lot to prepare for the meeting anyway.’

Jack climbs up over me and slides his hard body deep into mine, my mouth falls open as I stare at him.

‘Holly…’

‘I can’t talk now, Clance,’ I snap. ‘I’m fine I promise, I’ll call you later.’

‘Shall I book you a hotel?’

‘No, I’ve got it.’

‘Holly… what the hell…’

I hang up on her midsentence and wrap my arms around Jack’s neck. ‘That was very rude, to interrupt my conversation like that,’ I say.

He gives me a slow sexy smile, ‘Shut up and fuck me.’

‘You ready to go?’ Jack asks.

‘Aha.’

He picks me up and carries me out the front door and down to his truck. It’s 3 pm and we are going back to my car to pick up my computer and suitcase. I’ve been playing hooky from work and in bed doing bad things all day, but in my defense, we’ve been waiting for a break in the weather. Jack places me in the truck and with a quick kiss, does up my seatbelt. I watch as he walks around to his side. He’s wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans that fit in all the right places. He has a three-day growth of dark whiskers and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone so damn sexy in my entire life, or maybe that’s because he’s fucked every last brain cell out of my head and I’m not thinking straight at all… it’s completely possible. That man has had me every which way and then some. He’s making up for lost time, times ten.

I have a dull ache between my legs, I feel swollen and sore.

He gave it to me hard.

He starts the engine and we start down the sweeping driveway. It’s so green and there are mountains and trees as far as the eye can see. ‘This is such a beautiful place.’

Jack smiles as he looks around as if trying to see it through my eyes. ‘It is.’

‘So… you said you bought this property?’ I ask.

‘Aha, this is all mine.’

I look around, ‘What’s all yours?’

‘All this land, everything you can see.’

I frown. ‘How much land is that?’

‘Close to five hundred acres.’

‘Wow.’ My eyes widen in surprise. ‘Impressive.’

He smiles as he drives over the rough terrain. ‘The road is rough due to all the rain,’ he says.

I nod as I think. ‘Do you think you would be able to drop me off at a hotel?’

His eyes flick to me. ‘What for?’

‘Well,’ I pause. ‘I’m here until next Wednesday, that’s nearly a week.’

‘You’re staying with me,’ he snaps.

‘But…’

‘Holly,’ he cuts me off as he reaches over and picks up my hand and kisses my fingertips. ‘You are staying with me. End of story.’

I glance down at myself. ‘Well, we have to go shopping then.’

‘What for?’

‘Clothes,’ I shrug. ‘Jack…. I’m wearing your sweatpants, your T-shirt and your huge flip flops.’

His eyes flick over to me. ‘And?’

‘Well, there is nothing in my suitcase I can wear really. I only packed work clothes for two days.’ I gesture to myself. ‘And I look like an old bag in yours.’

‘Not to me.’ He turns the corner. ‘Sexy as fuck in my eyes.’

I smirk and stare out the front windshield. I’ve never been called as sexy as fuck before. It has a certain ring to it, though.

We pick up my things from the car and I call the car rental company to come and collect the car and then we drive into town. There are about five shops and what looks like a few restaurants and a bar, Christmas decorations adorn the windows.

Jack parks the car and I peer out the window. It feels like I am in another world here. It’s so different to my beloved New York. Where are all the people?

‘Okay.’ Jack gets out of the truck and comes around to my side and opens the door.

‘What are we doing?’ I ask.

‘You wanted to go shopping.’

‘Here?’

He rolls his eyes. ‘Yes. Here.’

I look up and down the street. ‘There are no clothes shops here.’

‘Yes, there are, you’re blind woman.’ He goes to lift me out of the car.

‘I’ve got it,’ I whisper. ‘My ankle is fine.’ I limp over to the gutter.

He gives me a smile and takes my hand. ‘Come on, hop a long.’

He leads me into a store at the end of the street. A bell sounds loudly over the door to notify someone of our arrival.

I look around and see there are groceries, alcohol and fruit. ‘I need clothes,’ I whisper.

‘Up in the back corner.’

‘What?’ I stare at him as my brain misfires. ‘Here?’

He smirks, amused by my horror. ‘Yes, Holly.’

I limp over to the aisle and peer down toward the back wall. I can see baby supplies and pet food. I make my way down the aisle as I wonder what the hell kind of shop is this?

‘Jack,’ I hear a woman’s voice call.

‘Oh, hi Michelle,’ Jack’s deep voice answers.

I keep walking toward the back corner. Oh, I see them now. Three tiny stands of women’s clothes.

Fuck… I think his clothes actually are better.

‘It’s good to see you,’ the girl’s voice says. ‘I’ve missed you at the bar lately.”

Huh?

I frown and peer through the shelf to see who he’s talking to. It’s a woman who looks to be in her mid-twenties. Blonde and pretty, she’s wearing tight black jeans and an oversized sweater.

‘I’ve been busy,’ he mutters.

‘Doing what?’

‘My girlfriend is here from interstate.’

‘Girlfriend,’ she gasps. ‘Since when?’

What the fuck? He’s getting picked up at the store now… ugh, I bet the women around here would all be in love with him.

I hobble to the clothes rack and pick up a shirt as I eavesdrop. Oh God, it’s hideous. I put it back on the hanger in a rush. I pick up a pair of pants and hold them up. What kind of fucking pants are these? I put them back on the hanger. He’ll never touch me again in this crap.

‘Who is this girlfriend? Anyone I know?’ she asks.

‘Nope,’ he replies curtly, and I can tell he has no patience with her. I get the feeling that Jack gets hit on a lot.

And why wouldn’t he, he’s fucking gorgeous.

Ugh.

I pick up a white T-shirt. I could tie it up in a knot at the front to make it fit. Now this… I can work with. I hang it over my arm. I glance over to the men’s section…. hmm, that stuff looks better. I hobble over to investigate. I find a pair of black track pants meant for teenage boys. I like those, so I hang them over my arm. Some flannel pajamas. A black nightdress that I could wear as a dress. I’m getting in the groove now.

Jack ambles up behind me. ‘How is it going?’ he asks as he puts his hand on my behind.

‘Who’s your friend?’ I ask.

He rolls his eyes.

‘She likes you.’

‘Don’t even.’

I give him a playful smile and bat my lashes. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’

The girl walks up the aisle and stops dead in her tracks when she sees me. Her eyes drop to Jack’s hand on my behind. ‘Hello,’ she says flatly as she looks me up and down.

Oh…she likes him alright.

‘Do you need any help?’ she asks.

I fake a smile. ‘Do you have any wedding dresses?’

Jack drops his head to hide his smile.

Her eyes widen. ‘What?’

I smile sweetly. ‘Is that a no?’

‘No,’ she snaps. ‘We don’t.’

‘Hmm, pity.’ I shrug and I go back to looking through the rack while she storms off.

Jack takes me in his arms from behind. ‘Not nice,’ he whispers in my ear.

I giggle. ‘She asked for it when she looked me up and down.’

He slaps me on the behind. ‘Behave.’ He ambles off to look at something.

I find a few things, enough to get me through the week and I make my way to the counter.

The pretty girl gives me the death stare. ‘Is that all?’

‘Aha,’ I smile.

She begins to ring the things up. ‘Where did you two meet?’

‘Online.’

She scans the pants. ‘How long have you been seeing each other?’

I glance around the shop, where is he? ‘About eighteen months.’ I lie, I can hardly keep the smile from my face, it’s fun playing this game.

‘Where are you from?’ she asks.

‘New York.’

She rolls her eyes. ‘Ha, Jack would never move to New York. This won’t last.’

My heart sinks, because I know she’s right. I nod, ‘I know.’ I smile as I act like she hasn’t just hit a nerve.

‘You don’t know shit about us,’ Jack snaps.

Our eyes flick to him.

‘I mean… I just,’ she stammers as she rings up the last item.

‘Just don’t, Michelle,’ Jack cuts her off. He puts his arm around my shoulders. ‘Let’s go, babe,’ he says.

I pay and he leads me out of the shop and back to the car. He helps me in on my side and gets in and starts the car with a loud rev. He seems agitated as he pulls out onto the road.

I look between him and the road. ‘What?’ I ask.

‘Nothing.’

We sit in silence for a while. ‘So, I take it you are hot property around here?’ I ask.

He rolls his lips and stays silent.

‘Well, you better tell your bitches to back off,’ I tease.

He breaks into a broad smile and reaches over and squeezes my thigh. ‘Well, with you out looking for wedding dresses, I don’t think that will be a problem, sweetheart.’

I laugh, ‘I’m sorry. But her face though.’

He chuckles, too. ‘I know.’

He picks up my hand and kisses my fingertips and I watch him in a detached state.

His dark hair hangs over his face, his chiseled jaw and big red lips only add to his handsomeness. He really is a beautiful man.

She’s right though, this isn’t real. It won’t last… and he needs to stop being so damn perfect.

‘What do you want for dinner?’ he asks, interrupting my thoughts.

‘I don’t know. Maybe… ‘ my eyes flick over to him, ‘a bit of Jack Stevens sounds good.’

He smiles darkly as he watches the road. ‘I hope you’re hungry.’

I unclip my seatbelt and lean over and unzip his jeans. He inhales sharply as I kiss his cock. ‘I’m fucking starving.’

I sip my tea and pull the blanket around my shoulders. I’m out on the veranda and it’s late at night. I can hear the animals in the forest and the mist is rolling over the hills.

I’ve had the most wonderful week.

Jack is intelligent and kind and funny and sexy as all fuck. We’ve talked for hours and laughed and made love. He’s shown me around his beloved town. I’ve been cooking for us and he even took me to meet his parents. But tomorrow it all ends.

After my meeting today, I came back here for one last night. The thought of not being in his quaint little log cabin with him is upsetting me, and it shouldn’t.

Because this isn’t who I am.

I’m the acquisitions manager for Ferrara Media in New York, the one who wears designer clothes and lives in a multi-million-dollar penthouse. I eat out at the best restaurants most nights, I socialize with the elite and drink fancy cocktails.

So why does it feel like this is the end of the world?

Jack comes out and the screen door bangs shut, ‘You need to fix that door,’ I whisper.

‘I know.’

He picks me up and sits down and puts me on his lap. He wraps me up in the blanket and kisses my temple and I smile, feeling safe in his arms.

Rex walks up the stairs and tries to jump up to me. Funnily enough, I’ve even made friends with him.

‘Don’t,’ Jack says.

Rex tries to get to me but Jack pulls me away. ‘Don’t, she’s mine,’ he snaps as he holds me close.

And I could just cry, because something has never sounded so good.

Mine.

I need to snap out of this sappy business.

‘You all packed?’ he asks.

I nod.

‘What time is your flight?’

‘Nine.’

Jack nods but stays silent.

There’s a sense of dread between us. How do you go from not knowing someone at all, to being totally besotted with them in a week?

We haven’t discussed what’s going to happen when I leave. Up until now, it’s all felt so natural between us.

Leaving him, not so much.

I don’t like the idea of him being here all by himself. Who’s going to look after him?

‘It’s been a great week,’ he whispers as he looks out over the mountains.

I smile sadly. ‘The best.’ I feel a lump in my throat, and I know our time is over. We helped each other through a rough patch. A light in the darkness.

But our worlds are different, and it would never work between us. Michelle was right, I couldn’t live here, and he couldn’t live in New York.

‘Let’s go to bed, baby,’ he whispers.

I nod and stand, and as he walks inside, the screen door bangs hard again.

I stare out over the view, fog puffs into the air as I breathe out. The air is so still.

And it’s not just Jack that I’m going to miss. It’s the peace that being here brings me.

‘Holly,’ he calls.

With one long last look, I smile sadly and walk inside, the door bangs hard again. ‘Can you fix that damn door?’ I sigh.

‘Yeah, yeah,’ he mutters under his breath. ‘Quit nagging me, woman.’

‘Last call for flight 103 to New York City,” the voice sounds over the speaker.

I stare at the man in front of me. Jack has my two hands in his.

We are both quiet, not sure what to say.

‘I should…’ I go to pull out of his grip.

‘Holly.’ His eyes search mine. ‘Stay…’

I frown.

‘I know I don’t… ” he pauses as if searching for the right words. ‘I don’t have a lot to offer.’

‘You have everything to offer,’ I whisper.

‘We met for a reason; I truly believe that,’ he squeezes my hands in his.

My face falls.

‘We can try.’

My eyes well with tears. ‘Jack…’

He stares at me for a moment and then drops his head, already knowing my answer.

‘I’ll call you when I get there.’ I fake a smile.

He steps back from me as he drops my hands.

My heart sinks.

‘Thanks for having me,’ I say.

His eyes hold mine, but he doesn’t say anything. I lean up onto my tippy toes and go to kiss him and he turns his cheek.

Ouch.

I kiss his face and then turn, and without looking back I walk through the gates.

He didn’t want to kiss me goodbye.

With a heavy heart, I get onto the plane and take my seat and buckle up my seatbelt.

‘Can I get you anything?’ The stewardess smiles.

‘Alcohol,’ I reply flatly as my gaze turns to look out the window. ‘All of the alcohol.’

One week later.

I sit at the restaurant table and stare at the people on the sidewalk.

It’s Christmas Eve.

Thousands of people are all rushing to get to their destination, the jovial energy swirling around and around is a confused mess.

I feel lost. Like a stranger from the outside, looking in. I’ve been walking around in a detached daze since I got back from Alaska.

Something inside of me has changed, and I don’t know what it is.

I’m heartsick.

I’m pining for him like a love-struck teenager.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ Gabriel asks.

My eyes flick back to my boss, Gabriel Ferrara. He’s always been so good to me and we are close friends.

I shrug. ‘I met someone.’

‘This is good.’ He smiles excitedly.

Gabriel was there for me when I went through my divorce. More than anyone, he knows what I went through.

‘In Alaska,’ I sigh sadly.

His face falls. ‘Oh.’

‘And he wanted me to stay and saying no… ‘ I inhale. I can’t even say it out loud.

‘Was hard,” he finishes my sentence.

I nod. ‘He’s… incredible.’

‘Then go back.’

My eyes search his.

‘Holly, you can do your job from anywhere.’

I frown.

‘You don’t need to be here full-time. You can work from wherever you want in the world.’

‘What?’

‘I think you and me both know what a sad existence it is to live your life around work. We’ve both suffered the consequences of such an existence.’

‘It’s Alaska, Gabriel.’

‘You’ll never know if you don’t try,’ he says.

I frown as a million thoughts run through my mind. ‘What if it doesn’t work out?’

He takes my hand across the table. ‘Then you come back and move on with your life with no regrets.’

I feel hope for the first time in a week. ‘When can I leave?’

‘You’re not leaving me, Holly, you are working remotely. Remember that. Ferrara needs you.’

I smile.

‘You can transfer whenever you want to.’

I bite my lip to hide my smile, ‘I’ll finish up in two weeks.’ We eat our lunch and make our way back to the office, and as we walk through the Ferrara building foyer a security guard approaches us. ‘Holly, you have a visitor.’

‘Oh, who is it?’

He points to the corner and I look over to see Jack standing there.

He’s wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans. He has a small duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He looks so out of place and he looks up and smiles softly as he sees me.

My heart somersaults in my chest and I nearly run to him. ‘Jack,’ I whisper. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I came to bring you home.’

He came for me.

‘It won’t be Christmas without you.’

Tears well in my eyes. ‘I was already on my way, baby.’ I lean up and kiss his big, beautiful lips. ‘I was already on my way.’