Christmas_With_A_Stranger_CandyCaine (3 page)

Wesley and I soon began to disagree over everything. Certain little things he did seemed to irritate me, and I started to get on his nerves. Perhaps his unhappiness fed off of mine. I blamed myself, for I feared I was the one who had changed. Wesley realized our love was slipping away and tried to recapture what we had. After dinner one night, he took out two airline tickets.

“What we need is some quality time together,” he said, “so we can jumpstart our relationship. So grab the suntan lotion—we’re goin’ to Jamaica, mon!”

When I first returned home after the plane crash and my unforgettable short time with Roy in that secluded cabin, I truly wanted to recapture the feelings I’d once had for Wesley. Now as I focused on those two airline tickets, cold reality hit me. If I stayed with him a moment longer, I’d be lying to him as I’d been lying to myself all this time. I didn’t love Wesley anymore. I owed him the truth. When I didn’t light up with the news, he reacted quickly.

“If you don’t want to go to Jamaica, I can change it. How’s about—”

I sighed and shook my head.

“You don’t want to go away. We don’t have to—”

“Wes! Stop! It’s not the place, Wesley. It’s me.”

A look of confusion came over him. As much as I didn’t want to do this, I knew I had to.

“I’m the problem. I’m so very sorry, baby. The reason all the shit’s been flying and we’ve been fighting lately is my fault. You deserve better than me—”

“I only want you,” he interrupted, reaching for me.

I pulled away. “No, Wesley, please listen. I’ve changed.”

Wesley’s dark eyes narrowed as if all the puzzle pieces had finally fit into place. It was possible he’d already guessed what I was about to tell him.

“You fucked him, didn’t you?”

My head began to throb as my throat tightened. He stood there glaring at me, his ebony face twisted in anger.

When I didn’t answer, he grabbed my shoulders roughly and shook me. “Tell me the truth! Did you fuck that piece of whitebread?” He spat out those words with such fury, I felt scalded by them.

In a tiny voice, I said, “Yes.”

He raised his hand to slap me, but pushed me away instead. Tears streamed down my face as I watched him shove some clothes haphazardly into an overnight bag.

“I’ll be back for the rest of my shit,” he growled as he headed for the door and slammed it closed behind him.

After Wesley left, I had plenty of time to think about what I’d done. I’d ended a relationship over the love of a memory. After all, it was all Roy Colby would ever be to me. I was certain he’d gone back to Carol—or whatever her name was—and picked up exactly where he’d left off. That Christmas would hold a bittersweet place in my heart forever.

One month turned into the next and not a day went by that I didn’t think about Roy Colby and his slow hands. I knew I should get on with my life, but the memory of his passionate kisses was like a permanent bookmark preventing me from turning the page.

***

The persistent ringing of the phone woke me. I glanced at the clock on my night table. It was only seven o’clock. Reaching for the phone, I nearly dropped it on the floor. I was exhausted and had to stop drinking at the office Christmas parties. Too much wear and tear on the body.

“This better be important,” I said.

“Allie, I’m sorry to wake you this early, but it’s important,” I heard my boss say.

“Nothing is more important than my sleep. Remember?” I said, as a feeling of déjà vu washed over me.

“This is. An important, potential client is waiting to be picked up in New Jersey at the Teterboro Airport.”

“Hey, didn't you promise not to do this again?”

“Yup, but I’m sure you wouldn’t turn your favorite boss down now, would you?”

“Okay, who is it this time?"

“Alan Jones. And he specifically asked for you.”

“I’ve never heard of him. How’d he get my name?”

“You can ask him when you pick him up. Have a safe trip.”

“Yeah, thanks, Joe, you’re all heart.”

“I know, bye.”

I put down the receiver, jumped out of bed, and headed towards the bathroom. Standing under the pounding spray of water in the shower, I searched my memory trying to figure out who this Alan Jones might be. By the time I reached Teterboro Airport, I still had no clue.

I had Alan Jones paged at the accommodations desk. I smiled as I remembered the first time I’d paged Roy Colby.

“Allie...”

A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. The same one who’d invaded my dreams every night. My throat constricted, and I found it difficult to breathe. My heart began to thud so hard against my chest it threatened to break right through. I turned. Roy Colby was standing there. I blinked a couple of times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. He looked more handsome and virile than I’d remembered him. I began to walk toward him. Then suddenly, I was running. Roy scooped me up in his strong arms and our lips met. The desire I had tried so hard to deny spread quickly to every nerve fiber in my body. Breathlessly, we released one another to speak.

“Roy, what are you doing here? I'm supposed to meet a guy named Alan Jones,” I said still gasping between breaths.

“I’m Alan Jones," he said, as he guided me into a chair.

I tried to speak, but he put a finger to my lips and continued.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come if I used my real name. I went home to Carol and tried to resume my life, but soon found I couldn’t. What I’d once felt for her was gone. When I took her in my arms, I pretended it was you. I knew you belonged to someone else, but I just had to see you again. I couldn’t spend Christmas without you.”

“Oh, Roy. Things didn’t go well between Wesley and me, either. We’re history. I tried to forget you, too, but every time I closed my eyes, it was you I saw, not Wesley. I’d fallen in love with you.”

His handsome face broke into a wide smile. “That’s what I came here to hear. I want to spend the rest of my life with you—that is, if you’ll have me.”

I jumped out of my chair and into his arms. “Merry Christmas, baby,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck, as I kissed him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With nearly 200 short stories in print and her fifth novel soon to be released, sweet and spicy Candy Caine keeps her husband, Robert, on his toes in their Long Island, NY, home. Supportive of her writing career, Robert is always willing to help her make certain the scenes in her stories are authentic. After all, technique is very important for good writing. Visit Candy’s website at
www.candycaine.com
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Candy Caine likes to hear from her readers. You can reach her at
[email protected]

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Claudia Brown didn’t want marriage. But she wanted a baby. So she set out to find the perfect sperm donor—someone who wouldn’t be around later to even know he had fathered a child. Falling in love with the man was not in the game plan.