Mistletoe Kisses

by Anna B. Doe

  Thirty-Eight Series

  The Science of Unrequited: The Story of AJ & Evan

  #1 The Theory of Unrequited

  #2 The Solution to Unrequited

  #3 The Results of Unrequited

  #4 The Dissolution of Unrequited

  The Lawrences

  #1 The Better Man

  #2 The Running Back: Coming soon

  #3 TSL: Coming soon

  About the Author

  Avid English Breakfast tea sipper and romance author, Len Webster spends most of her days writing, saying good morning to her dogs with kisses or trying to explain how the internet renamed her to Leonard Webster.

  The cities of the world might have inspired her, but her entire being is content and at home in a gorgeous, small pinned dot on the map of Melbourne, Australia where every beat, crack, and scar of her heart has influenced the way she tells her stories.

  Away from the tea leaves and written words, Len can be found immersed in the food and culture of brand new cities on #TheLenFoodTour or forgetting that her framed Bachelor of Business and Commerce from Monash University still awaits its place on the hook on her wall—sorry, Mum!

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  All I Want

  A Blurred Lines Christmas Story

  Mackanzie Lane

  Chapter One

  Em

  Dumping my bags by the door and my keys on the coffee table, I call out Colt’s name. I expected to walk in and find him lounging on the sofa watching a replay of last night’s game, but he’s not there.

  “Stop. Don’t do that,” he says. His voice muffled behind the closed bathroom door. “Em’s going to kill me if she finds you in here with me. This was a mistake.”

  There’s a thud and Colt curses. “What are you doing? No. Stop. Let me wash your back and get you out of here before Em gets home.”

  I cross the room and crack open the bathroom door. Steam billows out and Colt laughs. Folding my arms over my chest, I lean against the door frame and clear my throat.

  “Shh...” Colt whispers. “Get back.”

  He sticks his head out of the shower, soap in his hair and plasters on a fake grin.

  “Hey, baby!”

  “Don’t baby me, what are you doing?”

  His smile drops. “Showering. Want to join us?”

  “Us?”

  He glances down behind him. “Told you she wouldn't like it.” Then pivoting back to me he says, “Can’t shower dressed like that.”

  “I’m not showering. I’m ready to leave.”

  We’re heading home for Christmas and I planned to be on the road early to beat the traffic. I told him before I left this morning to be ready to go when I got back. That was two hours ago, and he’s showering now.

  “But we’re not. So...”

  I tilt my head and study him. His fake, over-enthusiastic grin is back on his face, water dripping down his nose and there’s...a chicken at his foot. Clyde clucks at me, then as if I’m getting in his way, he turns his nose up at me and struts back behind Colt’s legs.

  “You’re showering with the chickens?”

  “They need to get clean too, Em.”

  “Do they, though?”

  “What if they meet some nice lady chickens over the Christmas break?”

  “Lady chickens?”

  “Yes, Em. Lady chickens. They need to smell nice so they make a good impression on the ladies.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “Pretty sure chickens don’t care.”

  “Are you a chicken?”

  “No, Colt. I’m not.”

  “Then you have no idea. What kind of wing-man would I be?” he snickers. “Get it? Wingman, because they’re chickens. They have wings.”

  “I get it.” I roll my eyes. “Just hurry up so we can leave. Your dad is expecting us.”

  I close the bathroom door with a sigh. If I didn’t love him so much, he’d drive me insane. But I was used to his crazy and random actions. Growing up, sneaking in and out of each other's bedroom windows, finding solace in the dark, quiet of his room, I became well acquainted with his quirks.

  I double-check I have all my things packed and make sure Colt has a bag ready too. Knowing the way his mind works, I have doubt he’s either not packed at all or he’s forgotten something, like clothes.

  Pulling open his bag, I chuckle. A ball, basketball shoes and shorts. That’s it. I’m not surprised. By the time I finish packing his bag with actual clothes, ensuring I don’t forget the ball, Colt has finished his shower. He swaggers into the room wrapped in a towel, looking every bit pleased with himself.

  I still have to pinch myself sometimes because I can’t believe he wants me. He chooses me. Most days I feel like the luckiest girl alive because I get to spend every day with him. It’s cliché and sounds pathetic, but he truly did save my life a thousand times when I was younger. We are fated to be together. Soulmates.

  He runs a hand through his wet hair and watches me.

  God.

  Sex on fucking legs.

  And he’s mine.

  Women throw themselves at him on an hourly basis. Hell, I’ve seen his coaches daughter brazenly flirt with him to the point I was almost positive she was about to drop to her knees in front of him just to help him relieve some stress before one his games one night. It comes with the territory though, him being a basketball superstar.

  Needless to say, I’m excited to get him away for a week. Spend some time alone with him where he doesn’t have to run off to train every other hour of the day. Where I don’t have to witness him fight off all the ball bitches affections.

  His eyes darken, his strong square jaw relaxes, and his soft pink lips tip up into the smallest of smiles, barely noticeable under the black scruff growing on his face, but it’s his trademark smirk. “Wanna fool around?”

  “Tempting, but we need to get on the road. I want to make it to your dad's place before dinner.”

  “About that...” he trails off and walks over to me, pulling me into his arms. I go willingly because there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

  Resting my hands on his shoulders, I lean into him. “What about that?”

  “We're not going to dad’s.”

  “What?” I pull back.

  He shrugs and bites his bottom lip. “I know how much you hate returning home because of the assholes next door.”

  Assholes next door. My parents. I nod. “But your dad...”

  Colt covers my mouth with his palm to stop me from speaking, so I lick it.

  His eyes widen. “Kinky.” He smirks and drops his hand.

  “I don’t want to miss out on Christmas with your dad. It’ll break his heart.” I love that Colt needs to protect me and keep me safe, reducing any chance of running into my mother and the sperm donor who created me, but his dad is his world. His dad is my world.

  “Dad understands and it was his idea. We’re going to meet him. Jody’s grandfather has a cabin by some lake and we’re spending Christmas there.”

  “A cabin?” My eyes widen. I’ve never been anywhere before except for that long weekend camping trip with Colt and the rest of the guys on the team. That was simultaneously the best and worst trip of my life and I’d rather not remember it.

  He nods and lowers his head, his lips brushing mine as he speaks. “So relax. Everything is going to be great.”

  I wind my arms around his neck and pull him into me. Wet or not, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is his lips on mine. Something I’ll never get used to. Something I never thought would happen given his aversion and refusal to kiss anyone.

  Colt breaks the kiss. “Did you buy snacks?”

  “That’s what you�
��re thinking about right now?”

  “I’m hungry.” He frowns. “I’m a growing boy, and you don’t want to fool around so food is the next best thing.”

  “You’re not growing. And yes, I bought snacks. Now, hurry up and get ready please.”

  “Road trip!” he cheers before ripping off his towel and throwing it at my face.

  Chapter Two

  Colt

  She keeps glancing from me to the chickens in the back seat. Every so often with a gentle shake of her head, she laughs.

  “You think it’s funny. Admit it. I heard the laugh,” I say.

  “That wasn't a laugh, colt. It was a snort. A snort of disbelief.”

  “Liar. We look good.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

  “I can’t believe you have matching t-shirts. How on earth did you find them?”

  “Custom made. I have one for dad, too. Tell me we don’t look awesome?”

  “We look ridiculous.”

  “This is what happens when you’re not around.”

  My impulse control issues mean I often do crazy things on a whim. I’ve jumped off the roof into a pool. Jumped from my roof to Em’s roof as a kid. It’s usually always something dangerous.

  “Don’t blame me.” She glances down at her shirt, picking at the hem and laughs again. “You’re dad is going to love it.”

  I had ordered them a few weeks ago when she was at work and hid them from her until now. The hardest part was finding somewhere that made shirts to fit the chickens. I run my hand over my shirt, proud of my creativity.

  It has a picture of a chicken and the words ‘Chick magnet’ underneath. I had the same made for dad and the birds. Em’s t-shirt is short, cropped at her ribs and has a chicken plastered across her chest, blowing a kiss and ‘Chick’ underneath.

  “You think Jody will too?” I ask, my stomach twisting in knots at the thought of giving dads girlfriend a gift.

  What if she doesn’t like it? What if she doesn’t get my humor? I want to make a good impression. My dad seems to really like her, and I don’t want to screw that up with my behavior.

  “As long as it’s not cropped like mine, I’m sure she’ll love it.”

  I nod. “Good.”

  The chickens cluck in agreement.

  “Feed me?” I ask Em, reaching over to fiddle with the volume on the stereo.

  “Umm... We have no food.”

  “But, snacks? You said we had snacks.”

  “You ate them all,” she laughs.

  “I did not.”

  She reaches down between her feet and pulls out four empty chip packets, a box of cookies, and a bag of candy. “All gone.”

  I groan and slap the steering wheel. I’ll stop at the next roadside dinner or something.

  “How long until we get there?” Em asks.

  With a glance at my wrist, I shrug. “Three or four hours.”

  “Hmm. Good thing I planned for your bottomless stomach,” she says with a wink and reaches into her bag and pulls out protein bars.

  I snatch the protein bars from her hand, and she laughs.“Have I told you that I love you?”

  “You better.”

  It’s almost dark by the time we reach the cabin. Dad’s truck is parked in front of the garage so I pull up beside it. He must hear us arrive because he’s on the deck waiting for us before we get out of the car.

  Em rushes over to him, skips up the steps and wraps him in a hug while I wrestle Clyde and Jordan into their leashes. If they think they’re going free-range for the week, they’re wrong.

  Dad stares at me as I stroll toward him and Em, his eyes focused on my shirt. “Like it?”

  He arches an eyebrow, then looks at Em’s shirt and laughs. “Only you.”

  Gripping my shoulders and pulls me in for a hug. “Missed you.”

  “You too, dad.” I pat him on the back and hand him the chicken leashes before he makes things any more awkward.

  I love the man. I’d lay my life down for him without a second thought, but feelings are weird. I can’t express them the way I want to. I can’t show them or talk about them. It makes me uncomfortable.

  “Dinner?” He licks his lips.

  “Not this week. No.” I call over my shoulder as I head back to the car to get our stuff, and the pop-up chicken coop Em bought this morning. Dad laughs and comes to help me.

  “This all you brought?” he asks, lifting the bags from the bag of the car.

  “I travel light. I packed a ball but Em repacked.” I nudged him with my elbow and followed him inside the cabin.

  Em is sitting at the table with a hot chocolate nestled between her hands. Jody, who sits across from her jumps up and envelops me in a hug the moment she sees me. “Colt, it’s lovely to see you again.”

  I stand still, my arms hanging limp at my sides unsure of what I’m meant to do. One look at Em with her lift her arms in a circle, indicating I should hug Jody, I do. It’s tense. It’s awkward as fuck. And I just want to run away and dribble my ball. Instead, I focus on Em. She’s only three feet away. I can close my eyes and think about her. She calms the storm that rages inside me. Always has.

  I never understood why. Maybe it’s because she was so helpless as a kid, relying on me to keep her safe, warm, fed. I got to be her hero, instead of the weird kid who couldn’t sit still, couldn’t keep his mouth shut, couldn’t finish a sentence without getting distracted. When my focus is on her, it’s like everything else ceases to exist. My mind quietens, body relaxes. I become a different person.

  Jody releases me and with a warm smile asks, “Want a hot chocolate. I have mini marshmallows? Dad said they were your favorite.” Her eyes dart to my dad, who just wandered back in from putting our bags away. She gazes at him with so much love it makes my heart tingle. I want nothing more than for him to be happy. Losing mom when I was young was hard on him. He’s put me first, made me a priority, and he deserves happiness.

  Clyde pecks at the leg of Em’s chair, as I smile at Jody and nod. I lean down and press a kiss to Em’s lips before falling into the chair beside her. Dad moves to the kitchen to help Jody and I watch them. They move together. He moves, she follows. It’s like a dance routine they’ve perfected over years of practice.

  “You should set up the coop on the deck for Jordan and Clyde,” Em says.

  “No. Don’t be silly. It’s going to get below freezing out there tonight. Set it up in the mudroom. They’ll be protected from the wind and snow,” Jody says, sliding a steaming hot mug of chocolate across the table to me.

  “You sure? They have winter pajamas to keep them warm.” I take a sip of the velvety smooth drink, smiling as it warms my insides. I didn’t realize how cold it was until then.

  “They have pajamas?” Jody chokes back a laugh.

  “Why am I not surprised?” Em sighs and shakes her head.

  I nod, tapping my fingers on the table. “They have a whole wardrobe.”

  Everyone stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. All I know is I couldn’t just buy them a shirt. I wouldn’t like walking around in only a t-shirt. No one would. It gets cold.

  We sit and finish our drinks and once we’re done, Jody ushers us away to unwind and settle in, and I’m okay with that.

  I get the chickens settled in the mudroom and go find Em.

  Chapter Three

  Em

  The cabin is beautiful. I don’t want to leave. It’s a quaint, timber, two-bedroom cottage in the woods nestled between snow cover evergreen trees. The icy blue lake it backs onto is serene. The whole place smells of cinnamon and smoke, and I wake in the morning to a roaring fire and coffee in the air.

  A girl could get used to this.

  Colt must feel comfortable here too because he’s sleeping soundly beside me. Not a usual occurrence for him. Normally he’s up at dawn and out running before I wake. Not today.

  I lie on my side and watch him sleep. He’s peaceful and calm, the worry lines between his eyebrows have smoothed out,
and he has a soft smile on his face. I stay in bed until I can’t resist the caffeine any longer.

  Jody is humming Christmas carols when I walk into the living room, and Mr James is reading the paper.

  “Morning.” I stifle a yawn and give them a wave as I pass.

  “Morning sweetheart.” He looks up from his paper. “Sleep well.”

  “Mmmm, like a baby.”

  “Coffee’s in the pot,” Jody says with a smile. “I’ll make breakfast when Colt wakes.”

  “You don’t have to do that. No special treatment. You cooked dinner last night.”

  She waves me off with a dismissive hand. “Oh don’t be silly. I like to cook.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “Of course.”

  “Don’t argue with her, sweetheart. You won’t win.” Mr James chuckles behind his paper.

  I raise my hands in mock surrender which earns me a triumphant nod from Jody.

  After a late breakfast, because Colt slept in, we pile into the truck and head to the Christmas market across the lake. Jody wants to buy a tree. As soon as we arrive, Colt and his dad disappear, leaving Jody and me to pick the tree.

  We wander around, Jody humming to the Christmas songs playing softly over the speakers, while I pick at the sparse leaves on the remaining trees. Christmas Eve is not the ideal time to shop for a tree.

  “Don’t hate me!” Colt says, running up to where I’m standing with Jody still trying to pick a tree for the cabin.

  “What did you do?”

  “We have to run!” He exclaims. “Now, hurry.”

  “Colt?”

  Jody watches our exchange with curiosity in her eyes.

  “Em, just trust me. We need to get out of here.”

  “Where’s your dad?”

  “Getting the truck. Jody, come on we gotta boot. Now!”