12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018 Read online

  It wasn’t long before the volcano erupted and the ground shook. Holly shuddered, and as the waves and waves of emotion, sensation, and fulfillment exploded around her, she knew. She would be his forever – his submissive, his woman, his lover.

  He cried out her name as he joined her. And when he relaxed, he kissed her again. Not demanding, not urgent, not scorching, but sweet and full of promise. He rolled over and pulled her close. They slept.

  When she awoke, several hours later, her head was on his chest. She looked up at his face. He was awake and looking down at her, a smile on his face.

  “My God, Christopher, what have we done?” she asked.

  “What we should have done about two years ago,” he replied softly.

  “Maybe it was a mistake,” she said as she got up, searching for her shirt.

  “Get back in this bed,” he ordered.

  “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” she asked.

  “I think I’m the man you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. You said you were mine, only mine, for all time. Remember? You are my submissive. I am your Dom.”

  As she sat down on the edge of the bed, she began to cry.

  “Princess, don’t cry. I’m sorry. But we really need to have this out, right here and right now. I need to know, are we doing this or not?”

  “Doing what? Sleeping together? Having hot sex?”

  “Well, yes, that too, but Holly, I’m in love with you. I thought you knew that. I want to marry you.”

  “You want to… marry me? When you said something about a ring yesterday, I thought you were being funny. Are you serious?”

  “I told you; I am as serious as a heart attack. Did you miss part of that conversation?”

  “Christopher, let me get this straight. For three years, we’ve more or less only tolerated each other for the sake of the firm. The ice princess and the arrogant ass, that’s us. I made a vow not to get involved with anyone from the office; you set out to break my will and you succeeded, because we’re in this romantic holiday lodge, where things don’t seem real. Next week, we have to go back to the real world. Now you say you love me and you want to get married. Isn’t it right that I should be just a bit confused, not to mention the D/s part of all this. I mean, how did you know I fantasized about being a submissive?”

  “For the first year I knew you, I thought you were a fascinating creature, a professional, a real go-getter. The second year, I began to realize you really were a princess, but not the icy one you wanted everyone to believe you were. I was intensely attracted to you, yet I knew I didn’t stand a chance in hell with you, so I waited. And for the past year, I’ve been totally, completely, in love with you. Nick knew. Hell, most of the guys at the office knew. Didn’t you wonder why they all stayed away, why they stopped asking you out? It wasn’t because they gave up; it was because they knew better than to get in my way. As for the other, a real Dom knows. I hoped, but as I got to know you a little better, I was pretty sure. And if you hadn’t been, well, it still wouldn’t have changed my feelings for you. It’s just icing on the cake, as far as I’m concerned. I’d like nothing more than to take care of you.”

  “That may explain some of the recent conversations Carol and I have had, if what you say is true. Were you and Nick really discussing you and me at the party the other night?”

  “Nick and I have had many discussions about you in the past year,” he admitted.

  “So the whole office knows you… love me. Everyone except me?” she asked.

  “Pretty much, baby. Now the real question seems to be how do you feel about me? Was this just a holiday hook-up for you?”

  Licking her dry lips, she looked him straight in the eye and said, “When I said I was yours and only yours, for all time, I meant every damn, stinking word of it. Now, are you satisfied? You own me. I’ve got the collar to prove it.” She pointed to the diamond choker.

  “You still haven’t said what I need to hear. The thought of taking you in hand is pretty appealing to me right about now. You are stalling, Counselor.”

  “What is it you want to hear, Christopher?”

  “I think you know the answer to that. There are three little words I need to hear. Can you honestly say them?”

  Holly looked down at her hands folded in her lap. When she looked up at him, she could see he was serious. She could see his emotions plainly etched on his face and in his eyes.

  He pulled her over his knees and started peppering her ass, still a little tender, with more smacks. “You waited too long, love. When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer me quickly.”

  Five more smacks, much harder than the three he had given her earlier that night, fell as she struggled to catch her breath. Her ass was on fire, her heart was full, and her mind was confused. What should she do? Did she want this, really, really want it? She knew she did. Of course, she did. She’d dreamt of this very scene for three years.

  With a sharp intake of breath, she replied in a voice barely above a whisper. “I love you. I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for a… very… long… time. I just didn’t know it. I want you to be my Dom and my h-husband.”

  Pulling her close in a crushing embrace, he kissed the top of her head. “Then marry me. This week, here in Gatlinburg at one of the wedding chapels. You know we can arrange it.”

  “Christopher, this is crazy.”

  “I don’t see why. We’ve just admitted we’ve loved each other from afar, we’ve just shared the most intimate night possible, and we’re here all week. There’s a perfect little wedding chapel just down the road, and the rest of our holiday in this romantic hideaway can be our honeymoon.”

  “And just what will everyone say when we go back home married to each other?”

  “I really don’t think anyone is going to be all that surprised. They may think we’ve had it planned all along.”

  “Eloping over the Christmas break; I guess it could work,” she said with a giggle. “They’ll all think we’ve been sneaking around all this time.”

  “What about your family? Will they be upset if you elope?”

  “No, I don’t think so. They’ve hoped I’d find someone after Ted. I really think they’d be happy for us.”

  “My family won’t care. My sister is having a huge wedding this summer. Mom will probably be glad she doesn’t have to worry about two of them.”

  “And work, can we work together? Can we maintain a professional relationship at the office, and a passionate, loving one at home? Where will we live?”

  “I’m not saying this is going to be easy, by any means. We’ll have to take it one day at a time. But I’m not letting you go. After last night, no way. I won’t go back to the way it was between us. I can’t. We do this one step at a time. Today’s Christmas Day. We spend the day together, making plans. Tomorrow, we get the ball rolling. We’ll get married on New Year’s Eve and spend all next week honeymooning before we have to go back to the real world.”

  “I’m checking out Sunday. I had only planned to stay a week.”

  “But my reservations are for all of next week. I took two full weeks off.”

  “I’d have to call Carol. I told her I’d come in on the second and third.”

  “They’re not going to squabble about two days, a Thursday and a Friday of a holiday week. Besides, you’re a partner now. Our new case doesn’t start until mid-January; we’ll still have time to do the prep work. My room is booked. So, when you check out of yours, you move to mine.”

  “Are we really going to do this? Are we really going to elope? Tell me we aren’t being impetuous. Tell me we’re not making a mistake.”

  “This marriage has been three years in the making. It was bound to happen, sooner or later. Given the heat between us last night, I’d say sooner.”

  “When you say it that way, it almost makes me think it can work.”

  “It can work, princess. Now lie back down with me. We have all day to cud
dle, eat, relax, and plan.” For emphasis, he brought his hand down and rained a few more smacks to her already reddened behind.

  Chapter 4

  Holly went back to sleep, wrapped in the protective arms of her lover. When she awoke a few hours later, he was already up, dressed, and the coffee was brewing. He was sitting at the desk writing on a pad of paper.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’m making a list of all the things we have to do tomorrow. Want to see it?” he asked as he walked to the bed.

  “You really think we’re going to do this, don’t you?” she asked as she took the list from his hand.

  “No, I don’t think we’re going to do this; I know we’re going to do it. Just as sure as I know I’m going to kiss you right now,” he said as he leaned over the bed.

  “I haven’t brushed my teeth,” she protested.

  “And you think that’s going to stop me, princess?” he teased.

  “I’m a mess. I need a shower, my hair is all over the place,” she began.

  “And what a beautiful mess you are. You’re my beautiful mess,” he said as his lips lightly brushed hers. “But if you insist, go get cleaned up. I’ll be here when you get done and so will my lips, and my arrogant ass, and anything else you might be interested in. The coffee’s almost done.”

  “Pretty damn sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked as she slid off the bed and headed to the bathroom.

  “I told you I’d make you fall in love with me.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him and ran to the bathroom before he could catch her.

  He called out. “Keep that up and we may have to go buy an implement of some sort. My hand doesn’t seem to be doing the job.”

  She opened the bathroom door just a crack.

  “You have something to say about that?” he asked.

  She grinned and closed the door, locking it, just in case.

  By the time she returned, fresh and clean, the coffee was done. He handed her a cup. “Now, look over the list and see if I forgot anything. After that, we’ll try and find some food. I’m sure the dining room is open.”

  “What? I don’t get a proper kiss now that my mouth is all tingly fresh?” she teased.

  “All in good time, princess, you know I love to make you wait, the way you’ve made me wait for three years.”

  Grumbling under her breath as she sat down on the edge of the bed, she scanned his list. The man had thought of everything. From the marriage license, to the clothes they’d be wearing, to the matching rings they’d be buying. It was all there. He hadn’t missed a beat.

  “I can’t think of a thing to add.”

  “Good, we’ll get on this first thing in the morning. We have five days to get it all arranged.”

  “Have you thought about when we get back home? Where are we going to live?”

  “I have a condo. I believe you live in an apartment, don’t you? Do you have a lease to honor?”

  “No, I’m on a month to month now. I guess I can keep it for the month of January to give us time to get my things moved to your place. Is this for real? I still can’t believe it.”

  He moved closer. As he sat on the bed next to her, he took her coffee mug from her hand and set it on the nightstand. Taking both her hands in his, he said, “Believe it; I’m not letting you go.” And then he leaned in and his lips met hers, searing, scorching, and sweet, as he plundered the inside of her mouth with his tongue.

  As he pulled away, he said, “Now how about the rings? My thought was matching bands, with diamonds, of course, but do you want an engagement ring?”

  “It seems silly, doesn’t it? I mean, we’re only going to be engaged for five days. I have the diamond choker. I like your idea.”

  “Thinking my way already, I see,” he murmured as he kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he laughed. “Ah, yes, your collar, as you called it.”

  “You did sort of just command me to love you, you know.”

  “I seem to recall you didn’t put up much resistance,” he replied.

  Her tummy growled. She looked down in embarrassment.

  He chuckled again. “I think Daddy’s princess needs food. I’m getting hungry too. Come on. Let’s go see what’s on the menu for Christmas Day.”

  “Christmas Day, I’d almost forgotten,” she said as she stood up.

  “And we got the very best gift of all,” he said with a grin.

  There were a few other guests in the dining room. A brunch buffet had been laid out, and after they’d both had their fill, he suggested they take a walk around the grounds in the snow.

  “I’m game,” she said. “But let me go back up to my room and get my boots.”

  “About your room, don’t you think it’s time you moved into mine?”

  “Nope, not until New Year’s Eve,” she replied with a wicked smile.

  “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart attack, as you always say,” she replied.

  “Really?” he asked again.

  “Really, now don’t pout. You’re going to have me for the rest of our lives. Let me have my last few nights. I have a lot of things to think about, and a lot of things to do.”

  “Are you calling your folks or telling them after they get home?”

  “I’m going to call them. I was planning to call and wish them a Merry Christmas later today anyway. How about you, will you let your mother and sister know ahead of time?”

  “No, I want to surprise them,” he replied.

  “What if they don’t like me?”

  “They already know all about you. They’re mighty impressed with your work record and they both know I’ve been infatuated with you since the day we met. They’ll be ecstatic.”

  “Did everyone know this but me?”

  “Everyone, yes, pretty much everyone,” he answered.

  They got her boots and started out on their venture.

  “This will always be our special yuletide getaway. I think we should come here every chance we get,” she replied.

  “When we have kids, we can bring them; there are things for them to do here too.”

  She glanced over at him. “How many kids are you thinking?”

  He laughed. “2.5, a dog, the big house, isn’t that what you said the other night?”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Maybe two, I’ve never really thought about it. Have you?” he asked.

  “Not really, but we should talk about these things, don’t you think? Just because we’re being impulsive about eloping doesn’t mean we can be impulsive about everything. Besides, I may want to steal away with you for a weekend alone sometime, even after we have kids.”

  “I like the way you think, princess. But we have time to discuss kids; it’s not like we’re going to have any right away.”

  “I want you to take control,” she said quietly.

  “I thought we’d established that.”

  “I want you to control the household, the finances, and all that. I trust you completely. And after what happened with Ted, I never thought I’d ever say that to any man.”

  “I will never betray that trust. You can always count on me.”

  “In big decisions, I want to have an equal say, but in the day-to-day things, I leave them up to you.”

  “Agreed.”

  “The household chores, though, we split,” she said with a giggle.

  “I have a cleaning lady. We can keep her.”

  “I like this idea even more,” she teased.

  He leaned over to kiss her. “I love you.”

  Smiling as she looked into his dark chocolate eyes, she replied, “I love you.”

  “Don’t you think we should head back? We have a few phone calls to make. We may be too busy tomorrow.”

  They headed back to the lodge. When they walked into the lobby, the fire was going, and there was hot chocolate. As they sipped their drinks, he said, “It’s been a perfect Christmas.”

  “Yes, I have
to agree with you on that.”

  As they made their way back upstairs, she decided the time had come to call her family in Colorado. She sat on the bed and dialed her brother’s number.

  “Do you want me to leave you alone?” Christopher asked.

  “No, stay,” she insisted.

  Hunter answered. “Hey, sis, how was your day?”

  “My day’s been perfect. I have something to tell the family. I’ll tell you first.”

  “Is everything okay?” he asked with a tinge of worry in his voice.

  “Everything is fine, perfect, in fact,” she replied.

  “What’s going on?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m getting married on New Year’s Eve. I’m eloping, here in Gatlinburg.”

  Dead silence followed.

  “Hunter, are you there?”

  “I’m here. I thought you just said you were eloping. What did you really say?”

  “You heard right.”

  “But you haven’t been dating anyone… for ages… have you?”

  “That’s where the story gets a wee bit complicated, brother dear. Do you remember the guy I was competing for the partnership with at the firm?”

  “Winters?” he asked. “Isn’t he the guy you couldn’t stand?”

  “That’s a fair description, I guess, given some of the things I’ve said about him in the past. But, something very strange and wonderful happened.”

  “Uh oh, do I want to hear about this strange and wonderful happening?”

  “Hush, yes, you do. I may have said some pretty harsh things about Christopher, but the truth of the matter is I found myself attracted to him from day one. I fought it, because I’d made a vow not to date anyone from the firm. I was also getting over the whole Ted thing.”

  “What happened to change your tune, all of a sudden? This guy sweep you off your feet or something?” Hunter asked. “Or have the two of you been carrying on in secret?”

  “We’ve always had a teasing sort of thing going on, but I tried to think it was because I didn’t like him and he hated me. The past few weeks, we’ve talked more, and at the company Christmas party, we were sort of together. When I came to the lodge, he was here. We’d both planned a getaway here and didn’t know it. Things have sort of come full circle since we’ve been here. We’ve talked and spent the entire time together.”