Christmas Miracle

Chapter 1

(Unedited)

Jane Gardner hated Christmas...

"...yes, I understand. I shall be there tonight and I'll try my best to-- Yes, mother. I will not disappoint you." Marcus spoke into his phone, his voice and posture tense, and Jane watched his naked muscular body from the bed; her lower lip stuck between her teeth.

Jane's hazel eyes twinkled as she watched Marcus closely, the muscles on his back and arms enticing her as he threw his cell away before pinching the bridge of his nose, and she tried to wrap her head around the fact that he was hers. Marcus Andersen was the most charming and handsome man Jane had ever seen, his million-dollar smile made women swoon and fall at his feet, his handsome face was on the cover of many magazines, and the fact that he was about to become the CEO of the company they worked at only made him even more appealing to the spectators. Of course, Jane didn't care for his fame or money; she was a hopeless dreamer who had spent all her childhood reading fairytales and romantic novels and was head over heels in love with a man whom she couldn't even dream of having.

"What's wrong, baby?" Jane asked softly as soon as she saw Marcus's face, kneeling on the bed to pull him closer, and Marcus sighed heavily as his hands rested on her waist; his deep blue eyes irritated.

"Mother wants me to meet with Evangeline Collins tonight and..." Marcus trailed off as he huffed, causing Jane to cup his face, and he smiled when she pecked him before playing with his beard like always.

"I thought you were going to tell her about us tonight. That was the only reason I agreed to go to the stupid Christmas party with you." Jane didn't want to have another fight so she kept her tone gentle and Marcus pulled away from her before putting on his boxers.

"I know, Jane. I fucking know. And I will tell her about us. Just-- Give me some more time, okay?" Marcus pulled on his slacks before looking at Jane and his eyes roamed her naked body shamelessly; staying at the stretch marks around her ample belly.

"It's been six months since we started seeing each other, Marcus. How much more time do you need?" Jane leaned back to sit on her heels, a sad frown marring her pale face, and Marcus pulled on his shirt before climbing onto the bed again.

"Jane, you know I love you and I care about you. But I love my mother and I am her only son. She has certain hopes for me, dreams for me, and-- Evangeline is a major shareholder in the company, her father's company, and if I manage to get in her good books, I'll finally get the promotion I've been dying for. Once I do, I will happily announce our relationship to the world and we can finally have the engagement you want-- and I won't even have to do any more modeling gigs. I promise. Just give me tonight, baby. Please." Marcus pleaded eagerly, his handsome face taking on innocence that pulled on the gentle girl's heart, and Jane nodded after another heavy sigh.

"Okay. I can wait." Jane smiled softly as she gave in, making Marcus kiss her hard, and she couldn't help but smile against his lips; grunting when his stubble stumbled itched her face.

"You're the best, Jane. I fucking swear I will make it up to you. Tonight, after the party, we will leave for Paris and we'll celebrate Christmas and New Year's away from everyone. No cameras. No staff. No family. Just you and me." Marcus promised, his million-dollar smile at the display, and Jane found herself swooning as she nodded.

"Great. Now I've gotta run and meet my mother. I will see you at the party. Wear that sexy dress I got you, okay? I wanna see you in that even if I can't have my arms around you while we're there." Marcus kissed her again, softly this time because he knew she liked that more, and Jane nodded with a shy grin when he pulled away.

Jane continued to watch Marcus as he arranged his tie in the mirror while humming, his six-foot-one frame looking dashing in the blue tux he was wearing the day before, and he brushed back his blonde hair one last time before running out of the bedroom; shouting a goodbye over his shoulder. A few minutes after he was gone, Jane finally forced herself to move, and as she gathered her scattered clothes from the floor, she tried not to let her mind wander off to a place that did her no good. She pulled on the pale blue mom jeans, putting on her white top, and wore the dark green oversized sweater over it before walking to the mirror; observing her reflection with a criticism that she reserved only for herself.