Christmas on Main Collection

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

VAN

After another day of selling trees and loading them on top of people’s cars, there’s just one thing I want.

There’s a knock on my camper door and I grin. Looks like she—and what I want—arrived right on time. Just like she has every evening for the past week and a few times over our lunch breaks.

Only this time, I have a little surprise waiting for her. One that might be completely stupid, or she’ll find it completely charming.

High risk, high reward.

Sneaking a quick look out the window, I stick an oversized bow on my bare stomach and throw open the door.

Allegra takes one look at me standing there in a pair of gift wrap boxer shorts and a bow. And promptly bursts into laughter.

“Well,” I grumble. “So much for a sexy surprise.”

When I saw the faux gift wrap boxers at the store, I thought it might make for a fun night. I didn’t anticipate it going from fun to funny. I reach for a flannel shirt I left on the counter.

Allegra steps inside and takes my hand. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“This was obviously a stupid idea.” I tug at the shirt, but she pulls it out of my hand and tosses it aside.

“Oh, I don’t think this was a stupid idea.” Her eyes slowly rove over my body and my breath hitches in response. “In fact, I’d like to open the rest of my sexy present now.”

She reaches for the waistband of the shiny boxers and my desire for sexy time is back. I grab her wrists.

“Hey.” She pouts. “I want to open my present.”

“I want to unwrap mine first.”

Still gripping her wrists, I pull her back to my bedroom. Releasing my hold, I give her a light shove. She falls to the bed laughing. This time, I’m the one to reach for the waist of her leggings.

I stare at her hungrily as I ease them and her panties down her body. “Up,” I command, and she raises her hips so I can lower them all the way.

“Good girl.” I lick my lips. “That’s better.”

“I still say you’re the one wearing a bow and gift-wrap print boxers.” She pushes herself upright on her elbows. “I should be the one to unwrap you.”

“Here.” I pluck the bow from my stomach and press it just above the thatch of curls at her thighs. “Now you’re the present.”

Lowering to my knees, I rub my bearded cheek against her thighs. She sighs and collapses back against the bed.

“Fine. Have your way with me,” she says dramatically.

“I intend to.” I nip at the spot I just rubbed and she gasps. Good. I’m glad she knows we aren’t playing around anymore.

She’s all mine.

Nuzzling her slit, I kiss her lower lips and glide my tongue between them.

“Oh, God.” She slides her fingers into my hair and grips. “That’s it.”

“Mmm.” I hum against her, letting my tongue and mouth vibrate against her, eliciting more moans.

She tastes like the savoriest of treats. Better than anything any bakery could offer up over the holidays. Only, I’ll never be able to get my fill of her.

I stroke her thighs with my hands, holding her close to me while I have my fill of her. I slide one of my hands up and press one of my fingers inside of her. She groans in approval and her thighs clench against me.

“Oh, Van. VAN!”

I feel her tense up. I stay with her as the orgasm works its magic. I keep lapping her up until her thighs loosen and her hand falls to her side.

Leaning back on my heels, I wipe my lips with the back of my hand and gaze up at her with admiration.

“Are you ready for the rest of your gift?” I ask.

Nodding, she sits up and reaches for me. “I’m so ready.”

She wraps her hand around my throbbing cock, and I’m lost to everything but her touch.

Sometime later, both of us fully satiated for the moment, I hold Allegra in my arms, her back against my chest, our fingers tangled together.

“What was your favorite part about Christmas growing up?”

“I don’t know.” Allegra shifts to glance up at me. “Why do you ask?”

“There must be something.” I give her a light squeeze. “Come on. Tell me.”

“Well…” She turns back to stare up at the roof of the camper. “You’re going to think I’m making this up, but it was always the trees.”

My thumb freezes mid-stroke on the back of her hand. “Really?”

“Yeah. For as long as I can remember, looking at Christmas trees all lit up and decorated has been my favorite part of the season.” She chuckles lightly. “My parents tell a story about when I was maybe two or three. They’d decorated while my sister and I were down for naps. They said I woke up from my nap and still half asleep, I spun around the living room in wide-eyed wonder taking in the lights and ornaments on the tree.”

She pauses, and it’s just light enough for me to note that her cheeks are turning a little pink.

“That sounds nice. Really nice.” I also can’t say what it does to me to imagine a little girl with Allegra’s big blue eyes shining with the lights from the tree. I wouldn’t mind having a daughter who looked just like that of my own.

“What about you?” she asks.

“Well… it was the little things for me too.” I go back to tracing the back of her hand with my thumb. “Christmas was always a busy time. My mom would help out with the farm. Dad was busy with work.” Making sure all of his development deals were settled before the end of the year. “But they all always made sure I had my fill of the season. There were always fresh-baked treats. We always had Christmas music playing. It was nice.”

“I can see why you still love Christmas music and Kringle.”

“Yeah.” I kiss the top of her head and take a deep breath, savoring the sweet smell of her hair.

It occurs to me that I’ve never been happier. I could die right now perfectly satisfied with my life, because of the love I have for this woman. This brilliant, stubborn woman who keeps me on my toes and makes me want to set roots and grow new dreams.

I wonder if this is how Dad felt when he met Mom. I’ll have to ask him when he gets here for Christmas. Then, I’ll have to introduce him to my girl. I bet he’ll know she’s the one for me the second they meet.

He’s always astute when it comes to people.

“It must have been magical spending your holidays on a Christmas tree farm growing up.” Allegra sighs and her hair tickles my chest. “L.A. has a lot going for it, but it’s never felt as festive as the few times we came and spent Christmas here.”

“You could always stay, you know.”

“Yeah. Right.”

“Why not?” I lift my head. “Why not keep running the store? You and Aurora seem to be doing a good job of it.”

“We’re doing a good job of making it appealing right now. I’m not sure that equates to long-term success.” She goes back to playing with my fingers. “Besides, I have a job and a life in L.A.”

She doesn’t finish the statement but I hear it all the same. Her job and life are in L.A. Not here. Not with me.

So that’s the way it is. From her perspective, what’s happening between us is for a limited time only.

I wonder how she’d respond if she found out my whole life isn’t here. That I have real estate interests all over California and can basically live wherever I want.

I could tell Allegra who I really am. What I do when I’m not helping my grandparents with the farm.

Then again, maybe this way she’s getting to know the real me. The guy outside of the boardroom. The one who eats his grandma’s Kringle like it's a food group. The guy who listens to cheesy Christmas music because it reminds him of his mom.

With Allegra, I’m just a guy who helps his grandparents sell Christmas trees. I’m just me.

That’s who I want her to love. Not the billionaire. Because God knows I’ve already fallen hard for her. The real her. And I’ve fallen hard. It may seem sudden, but this is it for me. She’s it for me.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do. I have to make Allegra see that this is more than a fling. I have to show her that what we have is the real deal.

I have to prove that we can build a wonderful life together. One that lasts beyond her Christmas deadline.