White Hot Holidays 18: Jessamyn's Christmas Gift Read online

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Jessamyn’s Christmas Gift

  ISBN # 1-4199-0476-0

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Jessamyn’s Christmas Gift Copyright© 2005 N.J. Walters

  Edited by: Pamela Cohen.

  Cover design by Syneca. Photography by Dennis Roliff.

  Electronic book Publication: December 2005

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Warning:

  The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This story has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers.

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme).

  S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination.

  E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature.

  X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.

  JESSAMYN’S CHRISTMAS GIFT

  N.J. Walters

  Dedication

  To my wonderful readers, the generous authors, the hardworking and creative staff at EC and my supportive editor, Pamela—may the holidays be joyous and peaceful for all of you and your families, and may the New Year bring you all health and happiness! Happy holidays, everyone!

  And to my amazing husband, whose belief in me never wavers. Thank you for supporting my dreams and sharing my life, including every Christmas.

  Chapter One

  I must be out of my mind. Jessamyn Parker rubbed her hands up and down her arms, trying to warm herself. Goose bumps covered her skin in spite of the cheery fire crackling in the hearth beside her. A log shifted, sending sparks flying into the air behind the fireplace screen.

  What was I thinking? There was no answer from the firelight as she stared into its depths. She knew very well what had prompted this desperate move on her part—Bennett Anderson.

  They’d been dating for about six months, but Bennett had been away on business for the last three. A lawyer in the small town of Serenity, Bennett was considered a most eligible bachelor. Jessamyn had been surprised and flattered when he’d first asked her out. She wasn’t the type of woman who usually got asked out on dates by handsome lawyer types.

  Not that she wasn’t pretty, in her own way. She wasn’t thin or blonde, which seemed to be society’s accepted norm of beauty. At thirty years of age, she’d long accepted the fact that she was a solid size sixteen with very generous curves. Her brown hair tumbled down past the middle of her back in a riot of untamed curls, which was why she usually kept it pinned up in a bun at the nape of her neck. But tonight, her hair was down.

  Bennett was due home tonight from New York City where he’d been working. His phone calls had been fewer, his tone brusque, over the past few weeks, and Jessamyn had been getting that sinking feeling in the bottom of her stomach that the end was near. This was her last-ditch effort at reviving their lagging relationship.

  Jessamyn smoothed her hands down over the red satin that covered her stomach, desperately trying to settle the butterflies that were fluttering there. It was the twenty-fourth of December, and that had sparked her romantic soul, prompting her to buy this ridiculously skimpy teddy with the faux fur trim around the neckline.

  It had been no hardship to shop for the outfit. Jessamyn had a weakness for pretty undergarments. Her dresser drawers were filled with silks, satins and lace in all manner of colors and styles. Usually, however, she didn’t buy anything quite so…well…tiny. There wasn’t much to the outfit. Thin spaghetti straps held up the bodice, which dipped very low and showcased her cleavage. Cut high on the thighs, almost to her waist, it left a whole lot of skin exposed.

  It had seemed like such a good idea at the lingerie store when she’d bought it. She’d put on the sexy teddy, lie in a provocative pose under Bennett’s Christmas tree and surprise him when he came home.

  It had been extremely easy to accomplish. After all, Bennett lived next door to her and she had a key to his house. She’d spent her entire day off decorating his home and putting up a Christmas tree in his living room. She had visions of the two of them having a very merry Christmas together. But now that the time had actually arrived, she was losing her courage. The soft holiday music playing in the background did little to soothe her.

  Shivering, more with nerves than actual cold, she wrapped her hands around her crystal goblet and took a fortifying sip of the expensive wine that she’d poured earlier. The tart, fruity flavor slid easily down her throat, soothing her dry mouth. Nerves were beginning to get the better of her. She wished Bennett would just hurry up and get here.

  No sooner had she thought it than she heard the sound of a car turning into the driveway. Taking a deep breath, she placed her glass on the coffee table and draped herself in what she hoped was a seductive pose, across the plush faux fur rug that she’d spread in front of the fireplace. The scraping of a key in the lock made her catch her breath. Boots stamped in the front porch before proceeding down the hallway.

  Gathering her courage, Jessamyn cleared her throat. “I’m in here. Come and get your Christmas present.”

  The footsteps stopped at the sound of her voice and then she heard them moving closer. Her eyes were glued on the entranceway, which was surrounded by greenery and white twinkling lights. He moved into the light and every cell of her body went on alert.

  Her gaze moved slowly upward, over a pair of faded jeans that molded to strong legs. A blue flannel shirt was tucked in, emphasizing a lean waist. His shoulders were wide, straining at the seams of his shirt as he fisted his hands at his waist. Hair the color of mahogany fell carelessly across his forehead. His face wasn’t handsome so much as strong. His nose was prominent, his lips thin, and his jaw was shadowed with stubble.

  But it was his eyes that pinned her to the spot. Amber, they seemed to glow as they watched her. The eyes of a predator. He was a prime male standing in front of her, studying her almost-naked form.

  Her nipples tightened, pushing against the thin fabric, and Jessamyn knew he could see them in the firelight when his eyes lingered there. She moved her legs restlessly as the ache between her thighs grew. Cream flowed, dampening the thin piece of satin between her legs. Every hair on her body was standing on end as her entire being clamored its need for this man.

  There was only one slight problem. He wasn’t Bennett.

  Caleb Morgan was caught in the sensual spell of the Christmas nymph lying in front of him and could hardly make sense of her words. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his entire life. Every instinct he possessed was saying one thing. Mine!

  Her ample curves were barely covered
in a sexy outfit of some kind of satiny material that shimmered in the firelight. The fur trim outlined the large mounds of her breasts and he desperately wanted to peel the garment from her body, one slow inch at a time. Her thighs were rounded, her legs long, and Caleb wanted to be wedged between them, pumping his throbbing cock into her wet heat.

  And if she had the body of a temptress, she had the face of an angel. Her long, curly hair reminded him of thick, rich toffee as it fell around her shoulders. His fingers itched to touch it to see if it was as soft as it looked. Her eyes were huge, her lashes long. He couldn’t wait to discover their exact color. Lush lips, high cheekbones and rosy skin gave her a sexy, just-tumbled-out-of-bed sort of look. He caught a glimpse of her tongue when she licked her lips nervously.

  “Who the hell are you?” Jessamyn said, rolling to her feet. Belatedly, she grabbed the small rug and held it in front of her. It was little protection against his heated stare.

  Caleb shook himself, realizing he was frightening her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. “I’m Caleb Morgan. Who are you?”

  “Jessamyn Parker.” She began to inch closer to the other entrance of the room as she spoke.

  Caleb assumed she was planning her escape when her name finally registered. “You’re Jessamyn?” Shock filled him. No way was this the same woman that Bennett had been complaining about wanting to dump but was too spineless to do so.

  Her dark brows came together in a frown as she glared at him. The furry rug she was holding in front of her started to dip as she lowered her arms. Caleb prayed it would drop low enough for him to get another view of her magnificent breasts.

  “Yes, I’m Jessamyn. But I still don’t know who you are.” She was getting closer to the door, which he knew must lead to the back entrance, and he was afraid she was going to make a break for freedom.

  “I’m the new sheriff for Serenity. I ran into Bennett in New York and he mentioned you.” He saw her falter and relax slightly, and he felt his own body relax.

  “I don’t understand.”

  He was fascinated as she chewed on her lower lip after she spoke. He had such an urge to taste her full, pink lips that glistened moistly in the glow of the lights from the tree.

  “Where is Bennett?”

  Caleb cursed under his breath, beginning to wish he’d never met Bennett Anderson. They’d met years ago in college, but they had followed different paths in law enforcement. Bennett had become a lawyer, while he had become a cop and later a detective. It was a chance meeting between them in New York that had led Caleb to his new job in the town of Serenity and to the woman standing nervously in front of him.

  He saw her shiver and he could have kicked himself. She must be freezing. A quick glance around the room didn’t offer anything he could use to cover her, so he hauled the tails of his shirt out of his jeans and quickly unbuttoned it.

  “What are you doing?” She was almost out the other door now, obviously in a hurry to escape him.

  “I thought you might be cold.” Slowly, so as not to scare her, he walked toward her, holding his flannel shirt out in front of him. He was still wearing a T-shirt, but even that was beginning to feel too hot.

  “But where is Bennett? Was his flight delayed?”

  As he slipped his shirt around her shoulders, her scent surrounded him. Something rich and spicy that tickled his nostrils and tantalized his senses. She eagerly tucked her arms down the sleeves and wrapped the flannel around her body, finally dropping the small rug to the floor. She looked achingly beautiful and so vulnerable standing there with his large shirt hanging down over her thighs. The sleeves covered part of her hand so that only the tips of her fingers were visible. She’d painted her nails to match her sexy outfit.

  Caleb hated what he was about to do.

  “Bennett isn’t coming back. He’s taken a permanent position in New York and the movers will be here tomorrow to pack his belongings. This is my house now. I bought it from Bennett a few weeks ago.”

  Her face paled and she swayed. Caleb grabbed her arm, afraid she might faint. But Jessamyn pulled away and straightened her shoulders. “A few weeks ago?”

  Caleb wanted to spare her feelings, but he wouldn’t lie to her. “Yes. He took the position a month ago about the same time I signed on to be the new sheriff of Serenity.”

  “I see.”

  But he could tell that she didn’t see anything. She was dealing with a lot of pain and disappointment right now. She didn’t see that he was here now and he wasn’t stupid enough to let a woman this gorgeous and strong slip through his grasp. Her forthright personality had intimidated Bennett, and more than once the other man had made less than flattering remarks about Jessamyn’s body. He’d learned a lot about her over the past few months and he’d privately thought that Bennett was an idiot for letting her go. But that was all the better for him.

  “I’ll leave you to get settled then. You might as well enjoy the food in the refrigerator.” Her smile was strained. “Consider it a welcome-to-the-neighborhood present.”

  Turning, she marched out of the room, through the kitchen and straight to the back porch. He followed silently behind her, aching to take her in his arms and comfort her. He watched as she shoved her bare feet into her boots, grabbed her coat and hurried out the door. She ran all the way to her back door and he could hear her sob as she stumbled into her own home.

  Closing the door, he leaned his head against the cold wood. He reached down and adjusted his cock that was straining against the front of his jeans. Sweat rolled down his back as he pushed away from the door. There was definitely a cold shower in his future. It was going to be one heck of a long night.

  As he passed a mirror hanging in the hallway, he grimaced at his reflection. He definitely looked like a man in dire need.

  Welcome to Serenity, he thought.

  Chapter Two

  “I hate Christmas.” Loaded down with packages, Jessamyn muscled her way into her miniscule office.

  “You love Christmas.”

  Jessamyn glared at her assistant manager, Gracie Collins, as the other woman trailed behind her. “I’m rethinking my position.”

  Gracie just laughed and slumped down into the chair in front of Jessamyn’s desk. “It’s our best time of year, boss. Cha-ching.” Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a foil-wrapped chocolate and offered it to Jessamyn.

  Jessamyn stored her packages safely before collapsing into her chair. She wanted to stay mad, but a reluctant grin tugged at her mouth as she accepted the proffered treat. “What is it about this time of year that turns otherwise sane people into raving lunatics?” Unwrapping the chocolate, she popped it into her mouth and allowed the dark, rich treat to melt on her tongue. Really good chocolate was almost as satisfying as sex, and sometimes it was even better.

  Gracie just laughed. “You should know better than to leave your shopping this late. There’s only a week until Christmas. You know it’s busy. We’ve been a madhouse this week and it’s only going to get worse.”

  “I know. I know.”

  And she did know. She’d owned Delectable Delights, a sweet shop, for almost a decade now and Christmas was her busiest time of the year. She loved her small business that specialized in gourmet chocolates, sweet treats, cakes and homemade ice cream, and she’d made a success of it. For the past year it had been a godsend as she’d buried herself in her work.

  No! She pushed the thought out of her mind. She would not think about the debacle of last Christmas and the fact that she’d made a fool of herself over a man. No man was worth it. And if she missed sex, well, that’s what vibrators were for. It wasn’t the same, but it brought relief on those nights when she was restless and out-of-sorts.

  Yanking a file folder over in front of her, she flipped it open. “The last special order is due to be picked up first thing Christmas Eve.” She picked up a pen and tapped it on the sheet as she went over it. “The cakes and trays for the Christmas party at the country club will all b
e ready for delivery day after tomorrow.”

  “Don’t fret, boss. You’ve got everything scheduled perfectly. You could do this in your sleep.” Gracie pushed herself out of her chair as a bell chimed in the store, signifying the arrival of customer. “Break time is over. I’ve got to get back to work before I get fired. You do your paperwork and I’ll close up at six.”

  “Thanks.” She was already lost in her accounting by the time Gracie closed the door behind her. It was always a balancing act for a small business to make enough money during the Christmas season to last until the Valentine’s Day rush. Jessamyn thrived on the challenge.

  The pounding noise startled her. Glancing at her watch, she was shocked to see that it was well past six. The afternoon had disappeared. Totaling her last column of numbers, she closed her bank journal with a flourish. She was finished. At least for tonight. The pounding got louder and she pushed her chair away from her desk and stood. The noise was coming from the front of the store.

  The shop was dark, except for the glow of the security lamps and the Christmas lights that twinkled merrily in the front window and around the display cases. Jessamyn could see the shape of a man peering in through the front door. This time of year, it was amazing how many folks refused to believe a store actually closed for the evening. Pasting her best “shopkeeper” smile on her face, she hurried forward. But as she got closer, her steps faltered. This was no frantic shopper.

  “Let me in, Jessamyn.” She could hear his deep voice clearly through the thick glass door.

  Sighing, she strode to the door and flipped open the locks. She knew from experience that he was stubborn enough to stand there all night, waiting patiently until she did as he asked. He didn’t wait for her to open the door but pulled it open the second she’d turned the last lock. She found herself backing up as he stepped inside. His large frame practically filled the entrance. He made sure the door was secured behind him before turning to face her.