by S. C. Wynne
Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2013 S.C. Wynne
ISBN: 978-1-77130-671-3
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Avril Ashton
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
This little Christmas story is for all the bookworms out there waiting for their soul mates.
CHRISTMAS CRUSH
Romance on the Go TM
S.C. Wynne
Copyright © 2013
This place was so not me. The bass from the music boomed loud enough I feared my ear drums were bleeding. How the hell I let myself get talked into a blind date was beyond me. Yet here I sat, stuck at The Fuzzy Palace on Christmas Eve for at least another half hour. Maybe I’d get lucky and he wouldn’t show up.
I caught my reflection in the beveled mirrors surrounding the dance floor. Jesus, I looked like a scared rabbit. I’d let Grace talk me into using product in my hair, and I almost didn’t recognize my spiky blond reflection. And I appeared over dressed for this place. My white button down and khaki pants made me look like I sold office supplies.
The mass of sweaty guys grinding against each other on the dance floor didn’t seem to notice me. I sipped my gin and tonic, huddled on my bar stool, and hoped no one spoke to me. That way I’d be able to leave and go back to my safe apartment. I wish I’d never abandoned my books, and movies for this mind-numbing nonsense.
I made the mistake of looking up. A slender guy, mid-twenties, watched me with eyes glittering black in the pulsing light. He looked like a model in a form-fitting double breasted red hoodie, and dark slim jeans. He had razor cut, straight, jet black hair. It struck me he looked like an anime character. My sister Grace loved that crap. If he wasn’t in a gay bar scoping me out, maybe I’d have introduced them.
He was popular. Every few minutes, guys stopped and chatted him up. He smiled and talked with them, but stayed put. Drinks piled up in front of him, courtesy of all the horny guys looking for a Christmas lay.
I squinted toward the entrance, the glare of the neon lights hurting my eyes. Please don’t let him show, please. I just want to get the hell out of here.
Somebody bumped into me, spilling half my drink down my pant leg. I grabbed a handful of napkins and jabbed at the spreading stain. I scowled at the big lumbering moron who’d run into me.
“Sorry, dude.” He patted me on the back.
“It’s fine.” What could I say? He was huge.
“Let me buy you another.”
“No, thank you.”
He leaned in only inches from my face. His breath smelled one hundred proof and I leaned away, trying to breathe out of the side of my mouth.
“Hey, you’re kind of cute.”
A flush heated my cheeks. “Thank you, I guess?”
“Pretty eyes.”
Fuck. What was I, an exhibit?
“Just the eyes I was born with.” I tried my best to look anywhere but directly at him.
He let out a loud guffaw, and I winced.
“Funny and cute.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to risk being funny again. I studied the dance floor, trying to appear disinterested in my new friend so he’d go away. He didn’t.
“You want to go out back and have a little fun?” He made crude thrusting motions with his hips.
Oh God, no. That was in my head. Out loud I tried to be more tactful. “No, thank you.”
“Hey, buddy, look at me.”
I did as he requested. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to see. He had brown, bloodshot eyes, a large fleshy nose, and thin lips. His shaved head, and little black goatee gave him the appearance of what I assumed the devil looked like. He wore a yellow tank top, and both meaty arms were covered with tattoos. To say he wasn’t my type would be an understatement.
“You seem a little snooty,” he said, sounding irritated.
I had a hard time getting my head around the fact that this giant man, surrounded by a room full of panting, eager bodies, decided to zero in on me. I was the one guy in the room who didn’t want to be here, and this lumberjack stumbled onto me. Grace was dead meat next time I saw her.
I pointed toward my neck, and whispered, “Sore throat.”
“Blowing too many guys?” He guffawed again, slapping me on the back.
I did my best to look like I found him hysterical. I felt a little hysterical myself at this point. Over his beefy shoulder, I locked eyes with my anime model friend. He looked amused. That must be nice for him.
“You don’t look sick.”
“It comes and goes,” I said.
“I’m Brett,” he said.
Tattoo guy shoved his hand in mine as I struggled to not look surprised. His name was Brett? I’d assumed Bubba or Johnny Snake Eyes maybe.
“Peter.” I felt like a toy on the end of a kid’s arm as he shook my hand. Anime guy still watched from the safety of his perch.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
“It’s my first time.” I regretted my choice of words the minute they left my lips.
“Oh my, a virgin.” Brett leered.
“Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m meeting someone here.”
Brett made a production of looking for someone. He peered under the bar, and under my stool. It was all very hilarious. Well, to Brett at least. I managed a polite smile. I prayed the jerk I was supposed to meet showed up so I’d get away from Brett.
“I don’t see anyone but us, dude.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and clamped his hand down on my arm.
“He’s late, but I’m sure he’ll show.” I tried pulling my arm free without making a scene.
This was the part of the evening where I figured out Brett wasn’t a very nice guy. His grip became painful, and he shoved his face near mine. The pounding music, and his bad breath, all felt pretty surreal. Did he really think he could strong arm me out of here into the back alley, and I’d want to fuck or blow him?
“Brett, how about you let go of my friend?”
I turned. Anime guy stood next to us. He was taller than I’d realized, and beautiful up close. His hair looked silky, his skin porcelain. His eyes were black with thick fringy lashes, but his mouth was set in a straight line.
Brett twisted around, scowling, but backed off when he saw who stood there. It surprised me this gorilla of a man gave a crap about anything anime guy said. But he did. He let go of my arm, and held his hands up in mock surrender.
“I didn’t know he was with you, Chase.”
“You didn’t ask him either, did you?” Chase put his slender hand in mine, curling around my fingers. My heartbeat sped up at his warm touch. Relieved someone stepped in, I clutched his hand.
“I’m just trying to have a little fun,” Brett said.
Chase leaned in, and I watched in amazement as Brett retreated. “You need to start acting like a gentleman. You’re going to give the club a bad reputation.”
“Sorry, dude.” Brett brushed off my shoulders, as if he’d contaminated me in some way, and headed to the dance floor without looking back.
I dropped Chase’s hand, releasing a huge sigh. “Thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I thought he was going to try to have me right here on the bar
stool.”
He smiled. White and flawless, it lit up his angular face. His dark gaze scanned me. “Who could blame him?”
I know I blushed because heat spread across my cheeks. But his playful manner didn’t repulse me like Brett’s had. I tried not to fixate on his pretty mouth, but it wasn’t easy. Not if he kept flirting with me.
“I guess I’m irresistible tonight,” I said dryly.
“I’m Chase Bennett.”
“Peter Harris,” I said.
He left me briefly and chose two of the many drinks lined up where he’d been seated earlier. Then he sat next to me, pushing one of them toward me.
“Here, have one of mine. You seem to be wearing yours.”
My knees felt weak, so I sat happily. “Yes, I guess spilling his drink on me was all the foreplay I was going to get.”
“Sorry about him. Most people here are pretty nice.”
“It must be the holiday. It plays with people.”
“It does.” He took a sip and I dragged my eyes away, trying to ignore how great his mouth looked wet. If my blind date ever showed up it might be rude to be hitting on another guy.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you here?”
I raised my brows. “Should I leave?”
He grinned. “No. But I’ve never seen you here before, and you don’t seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“Let’s see, I’m wearing my drink and some guy just tried to drag me into the alley and blow me. What’s not to like?”
His chuckle sounded warm and husky. “Even before that. You looked uncomfortable.”
I shrugged. “It’s not really my scene, man.”
“What’s your scene?”
“I don’t know. Quieter. I suppose less of a meat market feel.”
He rested his chin on his hand. “It’s usually not this bad. This is the big Christmas Eve bash so it’s packed.”
“Are you a regular?” I asked.
“I’m here a lot.”
“Why did Brett listen to you?”
“You mean, why did a big strapping man like him pay any heed to a scrawny wimp like me?” He grinned again.
“Your words, not mine.” I laughed. I’d begun to feel my drink. I hadn’t eaten because I thought maybe my blind date and I’d grab something. But he didn’t seem like he’d show, so here I sat, pouring booze into my empty stomach like an idiot.
“Are you mafia or something?” I asked.
“Nah. My dad owns the club.”
I grimaced. “Shit, seriously?”
He nodded, sipping his drink. “Plus Brett holds out hope that someday I’ll let him screw me.”
“Who could blame him?” Okay, definitely the booze talking.
“Touché.”
He leaned toward me. I caught a whiff of his spicy cologne. The pulse in his throat beat quickly, and his dark gaze was pinned on my mouth. “Are you really meeting someone here, or did you just say that to get rid of Brett?”
“I’m supposed to meet someone here, but he’s already an hour late.”
The faintest hint of disappointment flashed in his gaze, but he hid it behind his lashes.
“I say blow him off.”
I smiled. “I’m ticked he’s so late, that’s for sure.”
“Spend the evening with me instead.” He watched me closely. “I guarantee it’ll be more fun. I mean for one thing, I’m actually here.”
A jangle of excitement rumbled through me at his words. It shocked me how attractive I found him. I’d just laid eyes on him, but my body responded to him in a way I’d never experienced before. It usually took me a while to even notice another human in the vicinity, let alone be turned on by them. The real kicker was he seemed to be into me.
“What would we do?” I asked, my heart thumping.
His eyes slammed shut as if he were controlling his reaction. When he opened his eyes he looked excited. “Whatever you want.”
“What if I want to knock over a liquor store, you up for that?”
“Sure.”
I took a long swig off my drink. At least it was fun passing the time now, since Chase had come over to visit me on my bar stool.
“It’s a blind date. The guy I’m meeting, I mean.”
“Do you go on a lot of blind dates?” he asked.
“No. I haven’t gone on any sort of date in six months.” For some reason I didn’t mind him knowing.
“That’s a bit of a dry spell.”
I swallowed nervously. “I was seeing someone, but it didn’t work out.”
He sighed and then said softly, “Me, too.”
“I’m not the kind of guy who falls off the horse and gets back up quickly.”
“I wish I could be more like you, I jump into new things way too fast.” He frowned, and took a sip off his drink.
“You mean like trying to pick up a total stranger in a bar on Christmas Eve?” I grinned. I couldn’t explain it, I just felt happy.
He wasn’t embarrassed by my comment. In fact, he moved toward me. My heart beat faster.
“I find you interesting.”
“That’s a first.” I’d been called many things, interesting not one of them. Boring, maybe. My ex yelled something along those lines as he slammed out of my life. You and your boring books can go to hell.
“You look like you think I’m kidding.” One of his exquisite eyebrows quirked.
“I’m certainly not one of those people that are interesting. Unless, of course, you mean how a three legged giraffe would be interesting. I’m definitely odder than I am interesting.”
His perfect face split in a smile. “See, you say entertaining things like that. I enjoy it.”
“Um…” I shook my head, puzzled. “You might be weirder than me.”
“So what do you say we two weirdo’s hang out together tonight?” The corners of his mouth turned down in the fakest pout I’d ever witnessed. “You don’t want me to spend Christmas Eve alone do you?”
“Ugh, from the hoard of guys who were swarming around you earlier, you will not be alone no matter what.”
“That guys not going to show. It’s obvious.”
I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t the kind of guy who got picked up in a bar. I didn’t do one night stands. The thought of it made me nervous. “I don’t think I can.”
He gave a big sigh. “Am I being too aggressive?”
I shrugged. “It’s not that.”
“Do you find me unattractive?” A little smile played around his lips. He knew perfectly well that wasn’t it.
I rubbed my eyes. “I’m not like, you know … a bar kind of guy.”
“No kidding?” He feigned surprise.
I laughed. “I’m not sure what to do in a situation like this.”
“Do what feels right.”
I watched him under my lashes. He looked so superficial. Everything on him appeared so perfect and hip, and then there was me. Anything but cool. His kind of guy should not be giving my kind of guy the time of day.
“Why are you sitting with me?” I asked, the alcohol loosening my tongue.
Surprise rippled through his gaze. “Would you prefer I go away?”
The thought of him leaving disappointed me.
“No,” I said softly. I touched his sleeve. “I would not prefer that.”
He smiled. “Good. We’re getting somewhere.”
I didn’t want him to leave, but at the same time I felt terrified to do anything or go anywhere with him. What the hell am I doing?
I finished my drink. He pushed his toward me. Instead of rejecting it like I usually would, I took it and drank.
“I just mean, there are a lot of good looking guys here. Cool guys, like you,” I said.
He frowned. “What does that even mean?”
“You know, your clothes, your confidence. You’re cool.”
“You’re dressed fine, and you were handling Brett okay.”
“I’m dressed like an accountant, and I was
not handling him okay. If you hadn’t stepped in, I have a feeling Brett would have been handling me.”
He grinned and pointed at me. “That right there. That’s why I’m sitting with you, I like that you’re a smart ass.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He looked so delighted.
“So, then you’ve been turning away all these hoards of sexy guys, because what you’re really wanting is a nerdy smart ass?”
“It’s a shock to me, too.”
Oddly enough, I didn’t notice the unpleasant noise and music anymore. I just felt energy and excitement in the room. A waifish redhead wearing a Santa hat, walked by, draping silver tinsel on the patron’s shoulders. When he reached us, he lingered around Chase longer than me before moving on.
“See, even elf boy likes you. He’d be a better choice for you. I mean he has a Santa hat and everything.”
He ignored me. “So let’s say this dude shows up, your blind date. How would you know it’s him?”
“He’s supposed to wear a red carnation.”
“Did you meet him online, on one of those dating sites?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He’s a coworker of my sisters.”
He rolled his beautiful eyes. “Family’s the worst at hooking you up.”
“We shall see.”
He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Are you actually rejecting me?”
“I’m requesting you remain in a holding pattern until we see if this guy shows up.” I laughed.
“Wow. You have some nerve, friend.”
“Not really. I just don’t want my sister pissed at me for blowing off this guy.”
He frowned. “You’re sitting at a bar on Christmas Eve, and you’re worried by whether or not your sister will be mad at you?”
He didn’t understand. My parents died two years ago, Grace was all I had now. Without her, my life would be unbearably lonely.
“She’s the only family I have left.”
He bit his lip. “Sorry, that sucks around the holidays.”
“It sucks all the time.”