Wicked Night Before Christmas (2 page)

For days she moped, worked mindlessly for hours on end, which helped camouflage the pain and feeling that everything was wrong. But all that was temporary. When alone, nauseating despair smothered her. So when Rick called on her cellphone, she thought why suffer when she could even out the game. And so she began dating Rick.

"Rick is okay. Where did you get the idea I'm pissed because of Lucas?"

"Aside from how you keep looking at the restaurant? Well, let's see. You couldn't wait to leave the house when Rochelle and Lucas arrived. Also, every time I try to tell you something about Lucas you frown and turn bright red. And when you think no one's looking, you shoot daggers at my brother with your stormy gray-eyed gaze. Not that I mind you shooting daggers at him. I do that, too, when I'm mad at him."

"I'm not mad at him."

"Oh? You haven't seen each other for a month and today you acted as if you never knew him. He must have done something to upset you. What happened between you two?

We shared bodily fluids
. “Nothing. Like you said, I didn't see him for a month. Just lost that friend connection, I guess.” Last thing she wanted to do was tell her friend,
Oh, after giving me a ride home, he stayed to check out my special collection of glass vases. We thought about having coffee, but when we looked at each other coffee flew out of our minds. The staring progressed to removing clothes. And then he broke my hymen and gave me the most wonderful night I've ever had
.

"Cara, I'm your friend. You can tell me. Is my brother the reason why you broke up with Rick?"

And the reason why I dated Rick
. Cara dropped her lashes to hide the truth in her eyes, then took a deep breath and let out in a whoosh. She could tell Amy anything except the truth, but as perceptive as she was...everything she'd tell her would slide off her back like water on a duck's feathers if she thought of them as fabricated. Besides, it might help ease the bitter jealousy that had been weighing her down if she told someone about what and who was bothering her. And Amy would be that someone.

She broke up with Rick because deep inside—stupid as she was—there was still hope she and Lucas would continue what they had started. “Yes."

Amy squealed and clasped her hands together. “Yesss...Cara, you love my brother."

"Don't tell Lucas. Maybe by the end of this week, whatever I feel for him will go away.” She would have laughed at Amy's giddy, schoolgirl reaction if she weren't feeling like shit. “Shut up. Please Amy, don't tell him. I won't be comfortable around him anymore if he finds out.” She was already so uncomfortable around him that her stomach hurt.

"I won't tell him. Promise.” Amy made a cross sign on her chest.

"Thanks. He's still my friend and...you know. He might not enjoy his holiday vacation if...I mean—"

"I know what you mean. Man, this should be a happy moment. We should be sipping champagne not standing here with your gloomy face as if your pet rock died."

"I don't have a pet rock. And rocks don't die."

"I'm aware, silly. Just trying to make a jokey here to lighten up your mood. Did I tell you about the insane dream I had?"

"What dream?"

"That you and Lucas ended up together, got married, had children. I became an auntie to five kids. It was a nice dream. Wouldn't it be nice if my dream came true? We could all come here for the holidays."

"You will still become an auntie. Although, I doubt I'll be responsible for making you one."

"Since we've met six months ago, I thought you should be a permanent part of my family."

"Don't know why,” she remarked, glad at how nonchalant she sounded, although her heart fluttered at the thought of becoming a McLeod.

"Come on, silly. You're the best friend and sister I never had. When Lucas started asking about you, I thought—
Yes! It's going to happen
. He's really sweet and teases you all the time. Sparks flew whenever you two were together. Even when you stood apart in the same room. I'm positive he has the hots for you."

Wrong. He was hot only when I
opened my legs to him. Damn margaritas.
“No. He has the hots for Rochelle."

"I doubt it. Rochelle's just an old friend now. They were high school sweethearts, but Lucas grew up and moved on."

"He could have fooled me."

"Me, too.” Amy poked the snow with her pole. “Before Lucas left for Florida, he had been following the news about the Miss Washington pageant, which was normal. When Rochelle won the title, went to Florida to compete for Miss USA, which we both know she sucked in, and didn't get any of the consolation titles, Lucas went there, too. To work on a case, of course. But with him showing up here with Rochelle...I don't know."

No wonder he didn't call while he was there
. “Well, it's obvious isn't it? Told you. He does not have the hots for me, but for Rochelle. Just watch the two. From a distance, I could almost feel their body heat. Hot enough to melt the snow."

"I know what you mean. Saw the French kissing this morning. Never thought bacon would taste so nasty after spending time in your stomach."

Amy wrapped her fingers around her neck and made a gagging sound. Cara shared a smile that she barely felt. “You shouldn't have looked."

"I know. What can I say, seeing them kiss was like witnessing a bad car wreck. Hard to ignore. You looked."

"Touche."

"Come on, Cara. Lucas is only giving Rochelle the attention because she always asks for it. She's been that way for as long as I've known her. And I believe she still wants my brother."

"And you don't think Lucas feels the same?"

"I can't imagine it."

"Because you want me to be the auntie for your kids. Amy, when Rochelle called to tell you that she and Lucas were together in Florida, she was telling you that scoop. They're back together. And here they are, together to celebrate Christmas with you and your parents."

"But I know Lucas was over Rochelle I should ask him."

"Give it up, girl. Isn't it obvious something is going on between them? As far as I can tell, they are reuniting."

"Thus the reason for your scowling."

Cara put the goggles around her head. “Yes.” She adjusted the strap before lowering them to shield her eyes. Her eyes itched from her contact lens. She hated the little silicones, but wearing glasses and goggles at the same time, no matter how much she wanted to, was idiotic.

"For a smart DEA Agent, who has led big drug busts in the country, my brother is one dumb idiot. Sorry, Cara."

"What for? Don't worry, Amy. Before this whole celebration is over, I'll be in love with someone else or maybe with Rick. In fact, I'm already thinking about talking to him again."

"Rick is one hot and delicious guy."

"Yup.” Cara made a show of checking her skis. She was done talking about Lucas. For now. “Okay, I'll go up again. Are you still good to go?"

"No. My legs feel like over cooked noodles. Are you sure you want to have another run?"

"Yeah. I still have half an hour left before they shut off the lift."

"Alrighty. I'll go back to the restaurant. If Lucas and Rochelle want to go back to the lodge, I'll ride with them. The car key is in the locker. Be safe. Don't overdo it, Cara. You're still a duckling learning how to walk."

Cara gave Amy a raspberry. “Didn't I just beat you?"

"One out of three runs? You haven't beaten me, girl. Hey, don't tire yourself. Remember we're going to be at the Christmas Wish Tree Fund Raiser tonight."

"I won't forget."

"Okay, go."

"Later.” Cara skied her way back to the lift that shone bright from hundreds of tiny Christmas lights. As the familiar notes of
Baby It's Cold Outside
echoed in the air, she trudged on the gradual hill smiling at the skiers obviously eager to beat her to the lift. She tried to sing along, summoning the feeling one ought to feel during the holidays—happiness. Instead, the lyrics brought the memories of the night she had shared with Lucas.

He was supposed to have given her a ride home before going to the airport to catch his plane, but another kind of ride had happened—a ride to ecstasy and fulfillment, desire and blinding lust. A month had passed and yet she could still picture Lucas naked in front of her, fully aroused, with heavy lidded, passion clouded eyes. While she had stood in the middle of her room naked and shaking from anticipation, Lucas had come to her, kissed her, ran his fingers up and down her arms. He had chuckled as her skin puckered from his touch. His lips had lingered on her cheek before moving closer to her own. It had been a slow kiss, but hot enough to melt her bones.

Lucas had kissed her before. But that moment was different. Having seen the scorching look Lucas gave her, she knew a kiss wouldn't be enough. She had dreamed about being touched by him, kissed by him, and taken by him, but not how it would happen. After all, she was a virgin.

When Lucas's kiss had turned deeper, she clung to him, pressing her body against his. He had felt hot and hard all over. Lucas had wrapped his arms around her sealing the gap between them. His cock had pressed just below her bellybutton. Hard and pulsing.

The tip of his tongue had touched the sensitive skin behind her ear before he kissed her way down her throat and cleavage. Hot searching hands had roamed around her body until he finally cupped her breast. Using his thumb, he had rotated her nipple and whispered, “Cara, I've wanted to do this for a long time. You invaded my dreams every night."

"I didn't know,” she had replied huskily.

"You have no idea how your gray eyes, lips, dark hair, breasts and long legs drive me crazy every time I see you. Whenever you're near, I can't concentrate, can't think. All I see is you, hear your voice, smell your scent. Everything else dissolves to nothingness leaving only you. You can drive any man crazy.” He had kissed the tops of her breasts. “You're beautiful. So smooth."

"I didn't know you see me as beautiful. I'm not a beauty queen,” she had moaned as he took turns sucking each of her nipples. Her past boyfriends had made it to second base, cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples, and touched her intimately. But not like this. Cara had looked down and watched his mouth close around her aching breasts. The image of her nipples moving inside his mouth, glistening from his saliva had been so erotic it had sent heat spiraling down to her pussy. She throbbed. Cupping his face, she urged him to take more of her flesh.

"I'll show you how beautiful you are, Cara. Starting now.” Using both hands, he had lifted her breasts higher before giving each one a good suck. “Yes, I love your breasts. So perfect. I could do this all night."

Cara couldn't stop watching him take turns trapping her hard and achy nipples between his lips. Never had she seen anything so erotic. She felt transported on soft blossoms of clouds. His hot mouth and caressing hands had robbed her of anything sensible to say. Her thoughts had spun into oblivion. She could not think but only feel. When Lucas's hand had proceeded to go lower to dip his fingers in to touch her pussy, her body had shivered. “Lucas, ohh..."

"Yes, babe. Like that, huh? How about this?"

His hand had gone around her front and touched her clit. Slowly, he ran his fingers up and down her seams until she felt so wet. Cara had wanted to stop his invasion. But her body yearned for something different. She had moved her hips against his prying fingers. “It feels so good. Don't stop."

"I won't. I told you, I'd show you how beautiful you are. Wrap your leg around me."

Doing what he had said would leave her open. Embarrassment and excitement tangled together, but her state of emotional arousal had won. “Like this."

"That's it."

Cara had whimpered as Lucas's middle finger dipped inside her pussy. She'd touched herself there many times and had let her previous boyfriends finger fuck her, but they were never this good. With Lucas taking his time rotating and sliding while his mouth clamped hard on her nipple, the sensation felt entirely different. His touch had somehow made her feel special as if he adored her like a goddess, not just a warm body.

Lucas's finger went in a little further, quickly raising her temperature.

"You're so wet, baby. I want to slide in and out of you now, but I want you to come first. Sit on me."

"What?"

"I want you to sit."

"I don't think..."

Before she could say anymore, Lucas had lowered himself to the carpeted floor and reclined on his back. She looked at his long and lithe body, strong chest and flat stomach, muscled thighs and pulsing cock. “Good god.” When it came to a man's cock, she was as green as anyone would have thought about a virgin. But having seen him throb with a clear liquid emerging from his tip was too much to take in.

"Come here. Sit astride me,” he said while his gaze raked boldly over her.

With a body so hot and screaming for more of his caresses, Cara had stepped over him. Lucas groaned and reached his hand to touch her wet pussy. When she slowly lowered herself, Lucas grabbed her hips gently and pulled her up and up until she practically sat on his chest. “Lucas, what are you doing?"

"I want you to sit on me, like this,” he had placed his hands on her bottom and moved her higher until her pussy was directed above his mouth.

"This is—"

"Shhh, love. It's okay.” Lucas had smiled at her before he lowered her to his mouth and started running his tongue along her seams. She'd dreamt about making love to him, but nothing had compared to this. The position was simply... wickedly erotic. It had given her the total control of how and where she wanted to be licked and sucked.

As soon as Lucas had flattened his tongue on her clit to tease and please, passion took over her senses, wiping away embarrassment and inhibitions. Cara had moved her hips as she aimed her pussy where she wanted his tongue to run. When she rotated her hips and centered the tip of his tongue on her clitoris, Lucas had supplied what her body wanted—a good sucking.

"Ohh...Lucas, I never...."

Lucas had moaned and kept his mouth on her clit. His one big hand cupped and teased her breasts. Cara had known how illicit the action was but she was having the best time of her life and couldn't stop. She had continued moving her ass until she felt the beginning of her orgasm. “More, Lucas. I'm coming, yes...” She had felt so open, exposed and horny shame had no room in her mind.