The Holiday Boyfriend

by Twyla Turner

  “Fuck,” Jake whispered.

  He grasped her hips and pumped forward. He slid out on a hiss and drove back in. He only let her adjust to his last few inches on a few more easy strokes. Then he wrapped one arm around her waist, the other wrapped around the front of her throat, bowing her back and then he thrust mercilessly with punishing strokes to the base of his cock. He wanted to hurt her. And he wanted to bring her so much pleasure that she’d regret ever thinking he wasn’t good enough.

  Sweat dripped from his forehead. Her cries and his grunts mingled with the music. Her ass rippled with every pump. And Jake watched as her pussy greedily gobbled up every last inch of him. He started to feel the flutters of her impending orgasm as her internal walls began to flex around him.

  “Enjoy this grimy mechanics dick, because it’s the last you’ll get.” Jake whispered in her ear just as she came.

  He said it right as she climaxed, because he wanted her to feel dirty and used, just like he did the other night after the best sex of his life.

  She didn’t cry out this time. She just shuddered and flexed around him. She breathed harshly through her nose but bit down on her bottom lip so she wouldn’t make a sound.

  Jake had come with her, but this time he felt empty. He felt no satisfaction.

  Noelle quietly bent down and pulled up her panties and leggings. She moved past him to walk out, but something made her stop. She only turned halfway before she spoke. Jake could see tears running down her face.

  “I’m so sorry you were hurt the other night.” Her voice broke and Jake’s throat became thick again. “That was not my intention. And I so wish you would’ve stood there a little longer to hear the rest of what I said.

  “The last thing you must have heard was ‘Gross, right?’”

  Jake didn’t answer, which was answer enough.

  “I figured,” Noelle sighed. “Well, after that I said, ‘Wrong! It’s sexy as hell!’ I said, ‘I’ve completely changed my mind. And when I first met him, he was in those coverall things. He had dirt on his face and his hands were all grimy and it was like he walked out of a calendar of hot blue-collar guys.’”

  She turned to look at him, but Jake didn’t think she could actually see him with the tears continually filling her eyes. Her tears slid over the dirt he’d purposely left on her face earlier. Guilt began to eat at him.

  “I also said, ‘He’s so sweet! He loves his family. And my family loves him. He’s the most thoughtful man I’ve ever dated compared to the so-called refined suit and tie guys.’”

  Jake’s heart pounded as he realized his mistake.

  “I wasn’t mad at you for being upset. I would’ve been too. But this…” she gestured to the car hood. “This cold and callous attitude isn’t you, and I didn’t deserve it. You could’ve been a bigger man and heard me out instead of trying to break me. But congratulations, you succeeded.”

  “Noe-” Jake tried to reach for her.

  “Don’t.” She stepped back. “Go to hell, Jake.”

  She turned and he let her go.

  God, I’m a piece of shit!

  Jake kicked his toolbox.

  “FUCK!!!” He bellowed into the empty garage.

  The tears he’d been holding back for two days finally spilled over his lids.

  “You look entirely too beautiful to be so sad,” Charlene said.

  She sat back down at their table after dancing to a few songs on the dancefloor.

  “Come on! It’s New Year’s! You can’t bring in the new year all sad and mopey. It’ll give you bad juju all year long.”

  They were on the popular New Year’s Eve cruise. It was Noelle’s first real black-tie event and grownup feeling New Year’s party, and she couldn’t for the life of her get out of her morose mood.

  Earlier, Char had come over and they’d gotten ready together. Noelle had bought a short gold wrap dress that gave off Grecian vibes for the occasion. Her makeup was gold and shimmery, as well as her chandelier earrings, and high heels. Char had flat-ironed her hair, parted it down the middle, and left it sleek and straight. She felt like a beautiful walking disaster.

  “Well, that would make sense if it was just your run of the mill bad mood. But it’s kind of hard to be in a good mood when your heart got kicked in only a week ago.”

  “Okay, yeah. You’ve got a point.” Char reached across the table and clasped her arm. “But then why not stay home instead? It’s obvious that you wanted to come to forget. So, have another drink, get your sexy ass on that dancefloor, and forget!”

  “Meh. I’ll take the drink now and the dance later.”

  “I guess one out of three ain’t bad.”

  Noelle shrugged, “It’s a start.”

  Char waved over a waiter, who just so happened to be cute and smiling openly at Noelle.

  “Hey handsome, can you get my friend another glass of rosé, please? She needs some cheering up.”

  “Absolutely.” He started to turn and then stopped and turned back. “If you were mine, you’d never be sad.”

  With that, he turned and headed to the bar.

  Char gave Noelle a look and a smile, “You see that?”

  “I did.”

  “You’ve got options, my dear.”

  “When you’ve met your person and it goes to shit, you let me know how the other options look.”

  “Touché.”

  “Now, get your ass back on the dancefloor. I am not trying to ruin you all’s evening. Don’t worry about me. I’ll live.”

  “You sure?”

  “Absolutely. I’ve been enjoying the show. Watching the single guys try to make their way into the inner sanctum of girlfriends is hilarious.”

  “They’re trying hard, aren’t they?”

  “Yes. You should give a few a chance. At least dance with them. Some of them are cute.”

  “We’ll see,” Char said as she stood up. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

  “Take your time.”

  Noelle smiled as she watched her friend sashay over to the rest of their group of friends. They were having a blast and she was happy about that at least.

  That was as much happiness as she could muster. She’d spent the past week crying uncontrollably after the debacle at Jake’s auto shop. The sex had been amazing and humiliating all at the same time. Which she supposed was the point. He’d wanted to hurt her and he’d succeeded. But she had refused to sit at home and mope tonight, especially after paying $300 for the cruise. At least tonight was the first night in a week that she hadn’t cried. That was certainly a bonus.

  She reached for her phone sitting on the table. She turned it around to check the time. It was only fifteen minutes till midnight.

  Good. As soon as I’m finished with this last drink and sing Auld Lang Syne with the girls, I’m outta here.

  “You’re entirely too beautiful to be sitting here alone and looking so sad,” A voice repeated what Char had said nearly verbatim.

  Noelle looked up and her mouth dropped open.

  Jake stood before her in a classic tux. The fit was impeccable, the white shirt was crisp. His dark hair was combed back, and not a strand was out of place. His beard was trimmed and cleanly lined. His shoes were buffed into a high-gloss shine. And even his hands had been cleaned of every bit of dirt, like he’d scrubbed them within an inch of their lives and then went to get a manicure. And Noelle had to grudgingly admit that he looked gorgeous.

  He smiled sadly down at her and held out a glass of rosé for her.

  “I took this off a poor waiter’s hands as he made his way over. He gave me the stink eye when I told him I was with you.”

  “Yeah, because he just told me that if I were his, I would never be sad. So, he knows it’s your fault. Speaking of, what are you doing here, Jake?”

  “I came to beg for your forgiveness.” He said as he sat in the chair next to her.

  “It’s too late, Jake. The damage has already been done.”

  “Did your paren
ts split after one of them did something wrong? Mine didn’t and they pissed each other off all the time.”

  Noelle looked down at her lap.

  “Noelle, you’re my person. The person I’ve waited for my entire life. What happened that night was a terrible fucking misunderstanding. I was broken after that. When we first got to your company party, I was so intimidated by that part of your life. Your job, your coworkers, even where you work is so classy and refined. I didn’t feel like I fit in your life. So, I was already feeling insecure when I heard what you said.” He held up his hands. “Which I know is my own issue that I need to work through. Because honestly, you made me feel nothing but welcome and a part of your life. But sometimes you can’t help your insecurities.

  “And I was so fucking hurt, Noelle. So, hurt that I wanted to lash out any way I could. But I’m so damn sorry. I was being a stubborn asshole and I know it.”

  “I don’t know, Jake.” Noelle frowned down at her lap. “If every time we get into it, you retaliate so cruelly, I don’t think I could live like that.”

  “Noelle, look at me.” Jake reached for one of her hands folded on her lap.

  His rough hand sent shivers through her. She looked up and his eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

  “I promise you, I won’t. I’ll go to my mancave or to the shop until I calm down if I’m that angry. I can’t promise I won’t argue, but I can promise I’ll never be cruel again.”

  “She-shed.”

  “Huh?”

  “If we’re going to have anything, it’ll be a she-shed, not a mancave.” Noelle squeezed her lips together.

  “Oh, I see how it is. I’m pouring my heart out and you got jokes,” Jake grinned.

  Noelle shrugged.

  Jake slid out of his chair and fell to his knees in front of her. He clasped her hands tightly on her lap as he looked up at her with sincere silver eyes. A single tear skimmed down his face.

  “Noelle, I am so sorry. And I swear to you, hurting you the other day, hurt far worse than anything you could ever do to me.”

  In the middle of his speech the countdown to the new year began.

  Jake shouted over the noise, “That’s how I knew I’d fallen in love with you. I’d rather take all of the pain than to hurt you or see you hurt again. Please say you’ll give me another chance?”

  “5…4…3…” The crowd cheered.

  “Yes! I will.” Noelle shouted over them as tears sparkled in her eyes.

  Jake’s face lit up brighter than the fireworks that exploded as the clock struck midnight. He wrapped his arms around Noelle and lifted her out of her seat.

  Noelle cupped the sides of his face. Her thumbs stroked away the tracks of tears that slipped down his cheeks.

  “I love you, Jacopo Keller.”

  “I love you, Noelle.” He smiled happily before kissing her deeply.

  He slowly turned them round and round as everyone sang Auld Lang Syne around them. They peppered each other’s face with kisses.

  “So, how would you rate your Holiday Boyfriend experience? Five stars? I need to know for next year,” Jake smirked.

  Noelle smacked his shoulder, “You’re such an ass.”

  “I kid! I kid.” Jake laughed. “Trust me. By this time next year, I’ll be practicing how to be the perfect Holiday Fiancé.”

  Noelle inhaled sharply. Jake just smiled and kissed her softly.

  It wouldn’t even take that long. By Valentine’s day, they would be engaged. And by the Fourth of July, they’d be married. And that next Christmas, Jake would be the perfect Holiday Husband.

  Thank you for reading The Holiday Boyfriend. If you enjoyed Noelle and Jake’s story, please leave a review where you purchased the novella. Just a few words go a long way.

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  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank my loyal group of beta readers who always give it to me straight. Grace, Nadia, Cosalyn, Kim, and Simone. Your feedback is invaluable.

  I must always thank my parents for allowing me to live the dream while living with them. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.

  And to my faithful readers and newcomers, thank you for giving my words a chance. Thank you for loving this crazy mind of mine and the stories and characters it comes up with. Your continued support is what keeps me going. I love you to the moon and back.

  About the Author

  Twyla Turner currently resides in Arizona. She was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, a Midwest girl at heart, though constantly moving from place to place, and always thinking of where she wants to go next. Having been an avid romance novel reader since junior high and minoring in Creative Writing. She felt that it was finally time to start combining her love of travel and writing, as well as her life experiences and putting them down on “paper.” Which experiences, she’ll never tell…well maybe, if you ask nicely.

  Other Books by Twyla Turner

  The Struck Series:

  Star-Struck

  Awe-Struck

  Damaged Souls:

  Scarred

  Open Wounds

  Healed

  THR3E

  Valentine’s Novellas

  Love in the Wild

  The Rescue

  Curvy Ever After:

  Forbidden Curvy Girl Fairy Tales

  Chasing Day Series:

  Chasing Day

  Catching Day

  The Curvy Girls Club:

  The Red Scot

  Winter’s Beast

  His Muse

  Bound Through Time - The Viking Brothers Series:

  Past

  Fictional Memoir (Non-Romance):

  Tinderella: Round, Brown & Abroad

  Connect with Author

  Website:

  www.twylaturner11.wix.com/novelswithcurves

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