Chapter 4
Jacob
After spending all afternoon and most of Christmas Eve surrounded by children wanting to take their photo with Santa, I'm exhausted. I just want to get home, take a hot shower, and climb into bed. Tomorrow, I get to dress again for the parade. For some reason, I'm not looking forward to it.
This year, the holiday spirit has not filled me like before, and I miss it. As soon as I get to my suite at the Snowcap Inn, I sense something is different. Small candles illuminate the room, and there are rose petals all over the place.
I follow the trail of petals to my bedroom and take in a breath when I see the beautiful woman lying on my bed. My cock goes hard immediately, and I fight with the urge to kiss this heavenly present that's been dropped on my bed.
My instincts win, and I walk over to where Marci lies. Her mouth is rosy pink and looks utterly kissable. I think she's dressed as Mrs. Claus, although a sexy one. My cock stiffens even more, and I can't keep myself from kissing her any longer.
Our lips touch, and I know I've found heaven. Hers are soft, and I deepen the kiss, teasing her mouth so she opens up for me. The loveliest sounds come from her, and she lets my tongue inside her delicious mouth. I'm about to go further when I realize what I'm doing and pull away.
My God, I almost had my way with her right here and now.
"What are you doing here, Marci?"
"Surprise," she says, her words slurred.
I realize she reeks of alcohol. She tries to get off the bed, but that just reveals how naked she is underneath that red throw, so I pull it back over her legs. I need to get her sober and get her out of my suite. I don't think I can trust myself with her here, looking like a sexy Mrs. Santa Claus.
We exchange words, where she tries to convince me she's okay enough to…what? Seduce me? I leave her for a bit to make a pot of strong coffee. As the liquid percolates, I pace around my tiny kitchenette. What was she thinking, coming here? And who let her in?
If someone let her into my room, there will be hell to pay.
When the coffee is ready, I pour it into a big mug and add three teaspoons of sugar. Somehow, I know she likes her coffee sweet. My mind goes back to the issue at hand. She can't stay here, and I won't be able to keep myself from ravishing her.
I return to my room and give her the steaming cup of coffee.
She takes it and sips it carefully. I watch out the window, and I know that I can't send her out there in weather like this.
I try to make her see that it's not good for her to stay with me, and finally, I convince her to let me get a room for her.
I should have known it was a fool's errand. There are no more rooms available, and the clerk says no one asked to be let into my suite. I walk back to my suite and right up to her, demanding she tell me why she's dressed as Mrs. Claus.
She looks at me in shock and then gives me a sexy smile as he sits up on the couch.
"I already told you, this was a surprise for you."
Once again, she removes the red throw from her legs, and this time, I'm not fast enough to stop her. As she gets up, I see every curve in her voluptuous body. She's perfect, but I can't tell her that. She'll take it as an invitation.
"Do you like my dress, Jacob?"
"How did you not freeze to death out there?"
She shrugs and points to a coat I didn't see on the other couch.
"Come closer, Jacob."
"I don't think I should. You look too…"
"Too what?"
"Too delicious for words. I might do something we'll both regret."
She starts tugging at the laces of her red corset and steps towards me. I reach to put my hand on top of hers to stop her.
"You need to sober up, baby girl."
Her eyes shine at the endearment, and I curse myself for letting it out.
"It seems that being drunk is the only way I can talk to you. I've tried several times and failed."
"I know, but…"
I get her coat from where it's lying and help her put it on.
"I'm going to melt with this on, Jacob."
"I can get you some of my clothes to put on if you want."
She takes off the damn coat and tosses it back onto the other couch.
"I'll drink my coffee if you sit beside me and keep me company."
I clear my throat because there's a big knot that's almost choking me.
"Give me a few minutes. Just keep on drinking that coffee."
I rush to my room and close the door behind me. I take off my Santa suit and the padding that I've been going around with. That's why the clerk at the front desk looked at me funny.
I turn on the shower and get the water to just the right temperature. The warm water feels wonderful against my skin.
I'm tense, and my cock is aching for release. I might be able to give it that release here in the shower. I feel it pulse as my thoughts return to the blond beauty awaiting me in the living room.
She's perfect. How can one tiny, curvy beauty be so perfect? I soap myself up and quickly wash my body, except when I reach between my legs, I give in to my animalistic side. In my mind, I am claiming my baby girl on that bed full of rose petals, and she's begging me for more.
It's not long until the images in my mind cause me to spill my load onto the shower wall and down the drain. I haven't come so hard in my life. This is what that woman does to me. I rinse myself off and reach for a towel.
As I dry myself, I keep a check on my greedy cock that still wants the angel in the other room. I put on flannel PJs I've never worn. Before I leave the room, I grab a t-shirt and two pairs of socks for me and Marci.
When I enter the suite’s living area, I find Marci scrolling on her phone.
"You've got reception?"
"No, I called the front desk for the Wi-Fi password. I hope that's okay."
"Yeah, sure."
I kneel down in front of her and pick up one foot. I cover it with a wool sock and do the same to the other foot. Then, I toss the t-shirt onto her lap.
"Put this on."
She eyes me curiously, but does as I say. When she sits down, she pulls her throw over her legs. Did she bring that with her? I've never seen it before. She grabs the cup of coffee again and keeps on drinking. I relent and sit next to her.
"Marci."
"Hmm?"
"What did you think would happen when I got home?"
She takes a breath and sighs noisily.
"I've been trying to talk to you, but that hasn't gone well, so I thought I'd just surprise you and seduce you."
"How did you come up with that plan?"
"The heroine from one of my romance novels did it. It worked for her. Except she didn't drink half the bottle of cider to calm her nerves."
"Why do you think I make you nervous?"
"Because you are gruff, ornery, and hot as all hell."
"Do you want me, Marci?"
"I thought it was obvious. I get it, though, you're not into me."
Her words surprise me, but I'm not going to be the one to correct her of her notion.
"How old are you, baby girl?"
"Twenty-four. You're not that old, Jacob."
"It certainly feels like I'm too old to be with you. There's more silver on my head than anything."
"Yeah, you're a sexy silver fox."
I feel my cheeks grow warm with her compliment and see her smile from the corner of my eye.
"Why did you come to Hope Peak? I mean, you can live anywhere you'd like with your work."
"My grandfather settled here a few years back, so my mom and I followed him. He passed last spring."
"So now it's just you and your mom?"
"Mmmhmm."
"What did your mom think of this plan you had?"
"I didn't tell her."
"Does she know you are safe?"
"I told her I was staying at a friend's house. To celebrate Christmas with their family."
"Didn't she want to spend Christmas with you?"
"She's still in mourning and doesn't want to celebrate. She didn't even let me decorate or put up a tree."
I turn around in my seat so that I can get a good look at her. She's pensive but doesn't seem to be sad right now.
"I'm sorry about your grandfather. Was it always just the three of you?"
"No, just me and Mom. Grandpa used to move around a lot because of his…business."
The way she says 'business' leads me to think she doesn't want me to ask any questions about it. So I keep my mouth shut. I'm eager to learn everything about her. She turns to me, eyes begging for my touch, but I don't listen to those treacherous eyes.
"I do have a best friend, Sasha, who lives in Hunter's Peak near Woodland Falls." She hesitates. "What about you, Jacob? What brought you to Hope Peak?"
I hate talking about myself, but I can't deny her my truth.
"I came here for some peace and quiet. After I left the military, I did some mercenary-type work and made a lot of money with it, but I needed a change of pace. I knew Hunter Granger from before, and he told me about this place."
"It's okay, Jacob."
"No, it's not, baby girl. I'm broken, damaged. I can't give you the life that you deserve."
"You're giving up without even trying, Jacob. I didn't peg you as a coward."
Her words hurt, but she's right. I'm letting fear pull me away from her. From what could be happiness. She takes my hand and pulls me up from the sofa bed.
"Help me move this over there."
"Why?"
"So it faces the window. I want to watch the snow fall with you."
I help her move the sofa bed, and find I can't keep from looking at her. She's everything.
"Do you want some more coffee?"
"Have any hot chocolate?" she asks.
"I think there is a mix there somewhere. I'll be right back."
I search the suite's kitchenette for packets of hot chocolate mix and find them. I make two cups of the delicious liquid and bring them to the living room. Marci seems entranced by the fall of snowflakes outside the suite's window.
She grabs the cup of hot chocolate, and a smile brightens her face.
"Thank you for this, Jacob. This is sure to lift my spirits."
"I'm sorry I was so gruff before. To tell you the truth…"
"What? You can tell me anything, Jacob."
I take her cup from her and place it on the coffee table before us. Then, I grab her delicate hand and put it between my palms. She feels a little cold, but seems to be warming up. I'd do anything to be the man who warms her up day and night for the rest of our lives.
"Baby girl, I want you so much, it physically hurts."
She pulls her hand away from me and picks up her phone. I'm not sure what's happening, but she doesn't seem angry or upset. When she stops working her phone, she connects it to the speakers in the room and starts playing a song—Dean Martin’s White Christmas.
I immediately get up, pull her to her feet and start dancing with her. Having her so close like this is a dream come true. Her hair smells like coconut, and her lips look good enough to kiss. I don't kiss her, though. I want to make this moment last forever.
So we sway to the music, holding each other tight. We dance to about five Christmas songs until I can't stand it anymore.
"Marci, I need to kiss you."