A Christmas Guest

I fought back tears as I tried again to plead with the perfectly made-up lady on the desk.

"But I have told you, I left twice as much time as recommended to get here, and was caught in the huge accident that everyone in this queue was also caught up in. It was not my fault I have missed the flight and I do not have the $10,000 to buy a ticket on the next plane. I have to get home to the UK for Christmas." A tear slid down my cheek. I had only come to LA for 3 days as a favour to my boss who had now refused to spend the money getting me back in time for Christmas, saying I would have to wait until the flight cost came down.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. There is nothing else I can do. You should have left enough time to get here in time for your flight. I have to deal with the next customer now. Please move aside."

I flung my bag over my shoulder and wheeled my case to the side where the tears started to flow. What should I do?

"Excuse me, ma'am?" I looked up and through the tears stared straight into the face of Josh Williams, Hollywood A-Lister and long-time celebrity crush of mine.

Attractively wiping my face with my hand, all I could manage was, "Hi."

"I overheard what was going on over there -- do you need to get the next flight out?"

I nodded, "I'm supposed to be spending Christmas with my family. It's the first Christmas since my sister had a baby and now I'm going to miss it. My boss won't pay for me to travel back until the flights are cheaper." Another huge tear rolled down my nose. I didn't even care at this point what a mess I must look.

"But there is a ticket on the flight in 3 hours?"

"Yep, but only in first class and I don't have the $10,000 they want for it."

"Look, I know you don't know me, but let me buy you that ticket. I'm on that flight myself as I need to be somewhere in the middle of nowhere for filming just after Christmas. We can hang out before we fly."

I looked up at him and could see he meant it. His eyes were searching mine for an answer.

"I couldn't, it's too much..."

"Don't say another word, it's not too much. The studio paid for my flight, so I can pay for yours. Deal?"

Realising this was my only way of getting back in time for Christmas, I nodded and smiled at him through tears that still kept coming from my eyes.

"Right, let's go see that lovely lady on the desk again."

He took my case from me and walked straight to the front of the queue. With a lot of people nudging their neighbours and pointing, I could feel myself getting more and more flustered, but Josh didn't even seem to notice them as he quickly paid for the flight and handed me the ticket. The 'lovely lady' on the desk couldn't have been more helpful for him, although I did notice she kept giving me death stares. As we turned to leave, she leant forward and touched his arm,

"I don't suppose I could have a photo to celebrate the holiday season?"

Sweetly as anything, Josh looked straight at her and said,

"I'm sorry, you can't. My friend is trying to get back to her family for Christmas and you couldn't have been more unhelpful to her. Have a good day, we're moving aside now."

Taking my arm, he led me away and towards a door which clearly said 'First Class Passengers'.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. Please don't feel you need to be stuck with me, I can sit somewhere and read until the flight."

He stopped, turned me to face him and smiled.

"No way. I want some company and you're just the person to wait with me. I've had enough of people pandering to me. You seem like a nice, regular person and I think we could have a laugh. You up for that?"

I smiled back, my insides doing somersaults at the thought of spending the next three hours, plus the flight with one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood.

The time until we boarded flew by, no pun intended. Josh was charming and funny and couldn't have been nicer. We ate amazing snacks and had champagne brought over as often as we wanted -- how the other half live! Before I knew it, I knew all about his family and how his mum ('mom') was annoyed he wouldn't be home for Christmas and was worried about him being alone in a hotel. He in turn knew about my little nephew, Jack, who was 9 months old and had no clue about Christmas, but was the centre of it, this year at least.

As we heard the first call for the flight, I had a brainwave.

"Why don't you come for Christmas with me? There's loads of space because I'll be in the AirBnB we have over the garage and mum will have four times as much food as we could all eat. Then you're with a mad, English family for Christmas, your mum won't worry and you're close to the Cotswolds for filming afterwards."

I looked up at him triumphantly, having solved the problem myself.

He laughed, throwing his head back in a way that was so typically American but so cute when he did it.

"Won't your folks mind?"

I snorted attractively.

"Mind?! They'll be thrilled to have you. If there's one thing my mum loves it's having a stray to look after."

"In that case, I'd love to. Thank you."

"No need to thank me, you've been my knight in shining armour." I leant over and kissed his cheek, then flustered stood up.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. Damn champagne. I'm just going to freshen up."

I darted off to the loos before he could reply, shaking my head at myself as I went. Knowing I should warn my parents but appreciating it was the middle of the night in England, I sent a brief text, explaining the flight problem and that someone had paid for me to get back and they didn't have anywhere to go for Christmas so he'd be coming with me. I knew they'd be intrigued so I deliberately left it at that. Let the fun begin when they saw who it was.

Twelve hours later, I felt someone gently shaking my shoulder.

"Bex? Wake up -- it's breakfast time."

Completely confused, I woke with a start to see Josh standing by my 'seat' which had been magically turned into a bed after our 4 course gourmet dinner. I had never been able to sleep on a plane before -- first class was certainly the way to travel.

After freshening up and enjoying a delicious continental breakfast, complete with freshly squeezed orange juice, I was ready for landing.

As first class passengers, we were first off the plane, were whisked through immigration and to cap it all had our luggage waiting for us. No waiting by the carousel with a sickening feeling in your stomach when your case didn't appear.

Once through customs, I looked out for the board with my name on. Normally mum and dad would come and pick me up, but as it was now Christmas Eve they didn't want the drive when there was plenty to do at home.

The journey to just outside the Cotswolds whizzed by. We were now able to chat easily and with no awkwardness. I'd never met anyone so easy to get on with in such a short space of time.

As the taxi pulled up outside the house, I saw the door fling open and my sister, Beth, come running down the path, closely followed by my mum.

"You got here! I'm so mad at your boss! Who is this mysterious benefactor...oh!".

The "oh" was when Beth spotted Josh.

Never one to be lost for words though, she immediately put on her most radiant smile and went towards him, hand outstretched.

"Hi Josh, I'm Beth. I hope Bex has been telling you all the good things about me?"

I got between them, giving her a hug.

"Yep, have told him all about your husband and new baby. Speaking of baby, where is my gorgeous nephew?"

She poked her tongue out at me.

"Jack's inside with Ben and dad. They're watching the Great Escape."

We all made our way inside, my mum fussing over Josh as I knew she would do and Beth gesticulating wildly at Josh behind his back.

Over an early lunch, it was decided that in the afternoon, me and Beth would go and do our usual Christmas Eve activity of last minute shopping and tea and cake in the local town. Josh would go for a walk with Ben and Jack to see some of the local area. I knew he'd get on with Ben -- he was a perfect brother-in-law and really good company. Josh had already held Jack and in answering mum's interrogation we learned that he had 3 nephews and 2 nieces back home so was well used to having babies around.

Later that day, Bex and I got back later than planned after a fun afternoon picking up small last minute 'table gifts' for the following day. I rushed over to the apartment over the garage where myself and Josh would be staying to change for dinner -- mum had been texting both of us warning we were late.

Going into the sitting room 20 minutes later, the first thing I noticed was how comfortable the scene looked.

Josh was sat next to Ben, looking gorgeous in a light blue checked shirt which, I noticed, matched his eyes. They looked like they'd become best buddies in the space of the afternoon and Josh threw his head back, laughing at something Ben had said.

As he saw me, he got to his feet and came over, kissing me on the cheek before saying,

"Thank you so much for inviting me into your family, Bex. Your mum and dad couldn't have been more welcoming and I've had the best afternoon with Ben and the little man. It sure beats being in a hotel room by myself."

I squeezed his arm, as mum shouted 'dinner' from the kitchen.

"You're welcome, it's the least I could do after you got me back here."

After a fun filled evening, where we all got a little tipsy, myself and Josh walked to the church with Beth and Ben for midnight Mass.

Standing in the church, with Josh by my side, the carols, as always, made me cry. Without saying a word, he handed me a tissue and then I felt his hand slip into mine and squeeze it.

Walking home, we walked slower than Beth and Ben and just waved as they went into the main house while we made our way over to the apartment.

I got a glass of water and then turned as I passed Josh on my way to my room.

"Thank you Josh. You don't know how much it means to me that you got me back here."

He smiled.

"You're welcome. I can see why you wanted to get back so much."

He bent down and gave me the briefest kiss on the lips before heading into his room.

The following morning I woke up early, the time difference playing havoc with my body clock. I quietly got showered and changed into my 'posh' Christmas dress -- we always dressed up for Christmas Day.

I could hear Josh was up and about in his en-suite and we both came out into the lounge at the same time.

"Wow. You look amazing. Merry Christmas."

I did a twirl in front of him.

"Thank you. You look pretty dapper yourself."

He held out his arm.

"May I escort you to breakfast?"

I laughed and took the proffered arm. Laughing as we went in the back door of the house, straight into the kitchen, it was clear all was not well.

Mum looked over as we came in.

"Oh, thank goodness. Can you go and just take Jack and give him his breakfast. He's had them up all night and Beth is in pieces. I need to get the lunch prepped."

"No problem ma'am, leave it to us." Josh had answered instead of me, giving my mum a blinding smile before heading off to the lounge where we could hear Jack grizzling in his bouncy chair.

By 11 o'clock order had been restored. We had sorted Jack, Beth and Ben had had some sleep and mum and dad were back on schedule with lunch.

Presents were now the order of the day, with everyone exclaiming over surprises and some presents which maybe weren't such a surprise -- it was a running joke that mum would always buy the present dad bought her, just so he couldn't get it wrong.

Lunch was always about 3pm on Christmas Day, so at 1 o'clock I stood up and announced I was going for a walk while it was light to build up an appetite. It was also to stop myself from falling asleep as jet lag was starting to catch up with me.

Josh decided to join me and we set off, me looking a little odd in my posh frock and wellies but in the country in winter it was always best to be prepared.

We reached the end of the village, where there was a bench overlooking the hills and countryside. Sitting down, I turned to Josh.

"I always come here when I need to think or just need some peace. It just puts things in perspective, you know?"

He nodded, sitting down next to me.

"I do the same at a beach not far from my house. It's not a busy beach and just gives me space."

We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, before he reached out and took my hand, gently rubbing it with his thumb.

"I feel like I've known you more than 24 hours, Bex. You're very special you know."

Blushing, I looked at him, meeting his eyes and seeing the same desire in his eyes as had been building within me since we'd met.

We leant towards each other, our eyes never dropping.

As his lips met mine, I closed my eyes, enjoying the slightest kiss before we pulled away then met again, this time a more passionate kiss, his tongue finding mine. We kissed on and on, our arms around each other as we explored each others' mouths.

Eventually we pulled apart.

"Wow." Was all I could manage.

"Wow indeed."

He stood up and held out his hand to pull me up. Kissing me again as we started walking back towards the house.

"I don't think we should mention this at home. I won't get a moment's peace from Beth."

He laughed, pulling me close again.

"OK, although I warn you, I may not be able to keep my hands off you."

My insides flipped over. This was moving fast and I wanted it to move faster. The earlier we could escape that evening the better.

As it happened, it was easier than I thought. After an amazing lunch, mum was obviously not feeling well and we all said we would have a quiet evening.

I took some turkey and bread, plus a bottle of wine back to the apartment, but the moment we were inside and had deposited everything on the table we were on each other.

His hands were in my hair, pulling me towards him and kissing me like I'd never been kissed before.

I fumbled with his shirt, desperate to undo the buttons and put my hands on him.

Lifting me up, he took me to his room and lay me on the bed, lying on top of me and kissing me again. I could feel how much he wanted me, and knew I was more than ready.

Pulling my dress over my head, I lay back in my bra as he pulled off his jeans, then started kissing me up my leg. Reaching my knickers, he kissed me through the fabric, before holding them to one side and sliding his tongue gently up and down.

I moaned gently, arching my back slightly wanting more. He rolled my knickers down and off before starting again, gently licking and sucking me, while sliding a finger in and out of me. Feeling myself getting closer to coming, I pushed him off and lay him back, straddling him and kissing down his chest. Reaching his Calvins, it was clear that he was not lacking in that department. I stretched them over his erection, which sprang back up to meet me.

Taking him in my mouth, I started teasing him with my tongue before taking him in my mouth. Sucking harder and harder, he started making guttural noises and not wanting him to come too soon, I stopped and moved back up to kiss him.

He held my hips, and I could feel his erection against me. Moving slightly, I took him in my hand and eased him inside me. He reached up and undid my bra, my breasts falling free and gently swaying as I started moving up and down. His hands on my hips all the time, he moved his head to take my nipple in his mouth, gently flicking it with his tongue.

Moving faster, I could feel myself starting to come and could hear I was getting louder.

My arms around his neck, we bucked harder until I felt him stiffen and come inside me. It was all I needed to push me over and I cried out as the wave rushed over me. As it subsided, we held each other, until our breathing returned to normal, when he rolled me over so I was underneath him, still inside me. Moving gently, he kissed me as he softened and naturally slid out of me.

"Josh, that was...I don't normally...I..."

He kissed me to stop my babbling.

"I know. I don't either. But you're just, you're something amazing."

I snuggled into him, starting to feel that I was going to need to thank my boss for not paying for my flight home.