Read One Sweet Christmas (novella) for Free Online Page B

room, flapping her hands above her head and swaying her hips.
    ‘I wouldn’t mind climbing down your chimney on Christmas Eve.’
    Candi froze. Her cheeks flushed when she spun around and saw Jackson standing in the doorway. Obviously, she’d forgotten to lock the front door. Candi scrambled to the CD player and lowered the volume.
    ‘Hey, don’t stop because of me. I was enjoying the show.’ He grinned devilishly.
    ‘Where have you been? When you didn’t show at the inn, I got worried.’
    ‘I went for a walk.’ Jackson paused. ‘Thought I packed up and left without telling you? Isn’t that what you did?’
    He remembered! Candi removed the chocolate mixture from the burner, her hand trembling on the handle. She didn’t want to talk about that night, especially since he was right. ‘How long are you planning to avoid your family?’
    ‘They probably don’t even know I’m here.’
    ‘I’m sure Violet or Sam have mentioned that you’re staying at the inn. You can’t hide from them forever.’
    He shook his head. ‘I’m not here to talk about my family. I want to talk about our wedding night. You told me I passed out.’
    ’You did.’ Candi reached for the sifter and added the cocoa powder and flour. Her nerves hung on the edge of sanity.
    ‘Okay, so you didn’t lie about that, but you forgot to mention the part about when I woke up.’ Jackson dipped his finger in the bowl and slowly licked off the concoction. ‘You sobered me with food and coffee. From there, things are still a little foggy, but…’
    Candi tapped an egg on the bowl and almost dropped the cracked shell inside. She held her breath, unsure where Jackson’s thoughts were headed.
    He returned his finger to the chocolate blend. But instead of licking it clean, he smeared the gooey substance over her lips. Before she could ask what the heck he was doing, Jackson swooped in and ran his tongue along her lips.
    Candi’s knees wobbled. The spoon fell from her fingers and sank in the bowl. He suckled her bottom lip, and then slipped his tongue inside, provocatively exploring her mouth. A breathy sigh escaped her. She relented and followed her desire, running her hands over the hard, warm muscles of his chest.
    Jackson withdrew suddenly, staring at Candi, but his eyes were unfocused, as if he didn’t really see her. The man standing before her appeared lost — almost gone. A few moments passed and still he said nothing.
    ‘Jackson…’ The sound of her voice seemed to break his trance.
    ‘We’re married,’ he said.
    ‘Yes, we already covered that last night.’
    ‘No, I mean we consummated the marriage — several times. This…us…it’s real. I couldn’t remember anything about that night, but since arriving here — being with you — I’ve been experiencing flashes. They didn’t make sense until today. I walked for hours, seeing this town like I’ve never seen it before. Then these memories popped into my head.’ Jackson locked his gaze onto hers. ‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth?’
    Keeping their lovemaking from Jackson seemed like a good idea at the time. He wasn’t supposed to remember. ‘I thought it was for the best,’ she whispered.
    ‘The hotel concierge had chocolate-covered strawberries delivered as a wedding gift. We had a lot of fun with those.’
    Candi’s cheeks flushed with warmth.
    ‘When I smeared your lips with chocolate and kissed you, all those delicious memories returned.’ Jackson grinned. ‘I’d like to have more of those chocolate kisses.’
    She gripped the edge of the counter as he stepped toward her.
    ‘I knew I’d find you here.’
    Jackson paused and his eyes widened. Candi peered over his shoulder to find his younger brother, Joseph, standing in the doorway.
    ‘Hi Candi. Those cookies were scrumptious. The group loved them. Thank you.’
    ‘I’m glad everyone enjoyed them. Is the carolling over?’
    ‘We wrapped up over an hour ago.’ Joseph refocused on his brother.