She wiped her clammy hands on a kitchen towel. Why am I so nervous? James has been beyond great. This will be fine.
He came in, grabbing her around the waist and kissing her before moving farther into the living room. She told him to sit while she went to get them both colas. When she returned, Becca handed James a can and blurted, “I want to sleep with you.” She gasped. I can’t freaking believe I said that.
James looked startled. “Now?”
“No, no. God, I’m such an idiot.”
Pulling her down next to him, he said, “You are not an idiot. I’ve been thinking about it a lot too. Honestly I wasn’t sure how to approach you. Apparently I should’ve gone with the direct method.”
“I’m totally embarrassed. Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not. I’m trying to make you see this is really okay. Better than okay.”
Becca bit her lip and then smirked. “So what’s the direct approach? ‘Wanna fuck?’”
James laughed and hugged her. “I like to think I’m a little smoother than that. Maybe ‘Wanna have sex?’”
“Yes, that’s much better. Practically suave.”
“I try.” He leaned over, and, pushing her hair behind her ear, whispered, “I like it when you talk dirty.”
“James!” She turned her head to look at him. “I didn’t even know I could. I mean, you consider ‘wanna fuck’ dirty talk? Seems pretty lame to me.”
“You could never be lame.”
The doorbell rang. “Food!” Becca rose and hurried toward the door, hearing a chuckle behind her.
“Hungry or just trying to get away from this conversation?”
Becca pivoted, stuck her tongue out at James and then continued to the door, as another snort of laughter came from James. It was a revelation that she felt comfortable enough to show her silly side. She’d spent the first few weeks carefully planning out every sentence, every response. But lately she’d let more of the real Becca show through and James seemed to appreciate it.
She set the food out on the coffee table and James brought in plates. He knows where stuff is in my kitchen. It was a very “domestic” scene, and yet felt so right. At some point she could see this being her life–both of them going to work and then coming home to each other. No more cold beds or lonely evenings. Someone besides AAA to rescue her if she had a flat tire. A man to kill spiders.
Ah, bliss.
James popped in the DVD of the TV series they’d begun watching together and they relaxed, first eating and then stretching out, heads on opposite arms of the couch and various other limbs tangled together. He began to massage her sock-clad feet and Becca groaned.
“Why do you wear such uncomfortable shoes? I’ll never understand that about women.”
She glanced at him. “We suffer for fashion. It’s a requirement. In the handbook and everything.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Handbook, huh? I might have to search that out.”
“Oh, it turns invisible when men are around.”
“A magic handbook? Even better.”
“Watch the show.”
“I’d rather watch you.”
Becca threw a small pillow at him, which he reached up and caught with one hand before tossing it onto the floor. “Now, now. No need for violence, or I’ll stop rubbing your feet.”
She mock-whimpered and, with a soft chuckle, he resumed working his own brand of magic on her tired, aching feet.
When the third episode finished, James said, “I want to talk to you a little more about the thing earlier. Sleeping together.”
“Okay…” He’s not getting cold feet, is he? Do men ever get cold feet about having sex?
“I want to make sure you’re happy and have everything you need from the experience.”
“Uh, all right.” She paused. “But what are you talking about? Happy with what, exactly?”
“That you’re making the right decision, that you want to take this step, that you’re ready for it.”
“Yes, yes, and yes. How’s that?”
James grinned. “Perfect. How about we try for this Sunday? Planning it out doesn’t seem very romantic, but with both of our schedules—”
“I know what you mean. And sure.”
Crawling to Becca’s side of the couch and straddling her, he said, “It’s a date.”
“For sex.”
“Still a date.” He tickled her and she shrieked.
“Yes, still a date. Now stop.”
“In a minute.”
“Hey, you’re forgetting I know your spots, too.” Stealing around to his back, she searched out that one spot that made him jump every time. She’d discovered it by accident one night when they’d been messing around, but this was the first time Becca had deliberately set out to tickle him there.
With a surprised grunt he jumped off her. “Fine. Truce.” Pulling out his cell, James unlocked it and groaned. “I should go.” Kneeling, he leaned forward and kissed her. “I really hate leaving you.”
His tone instantly choked her up. “Ditto.” A tear escaped anyway, and he swiped at it with his thumb.
“Shh, baby.”
“I’m sorry.” More tears leaked out. What is happening to me?
“Hey, hey. What’s this all about?”
“I don’t know.”
“Scoot over.”
She did and he lay on the couch with her. “I’ll stay for a bit, okay?”
“I feel dumb.”
“Never dumb. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and I love that.” James stiffened momentarily before relaxing once more. He rocked her, crooning soft nonsense in her ear.
“I’m fine, James. Go. Really. I just got weird for a minute.”
“For a minute?” James turned her face up to his and smiled at her.
“Smartass.”
After James left and Becca got ready for bed, she slid underneath the covers and pulled them up to her chin. So they were going to sleep together–to have sex. This Sunday. She hoped she satisfied James. It had been so long, but she guessed the whole thing would come back pretty quickly.
It had better. Becca drifted off to sleep, imagining herself in James’ arms. Maybe someday it would be for longer than a few hours or a night. Dangerous thinking at this point, but Becca didn’t care. She firmly believed you could spot your soul mate and know them in an instant. For her, it hadn’t been quite that fast, but she saw him now.
*****
James led Becca by the hand into his bedroom. They’d been together for nearly six weeks and, despite Becca’s initial reservations, things had been going great. Even so, he was still nervous to take the next step. Would she freak out after they slept together, even though when they’d talked about it she’d been fine? James wasn’t the type to fall into bed with just anybody, so it had been a while since he’d last had sex. What if he came too soon? What if he couldn’t make Becca orgasm? Sure, the two of them had done plenty, but they’d stayed above the belt. He had no idea how hard it would be to please her and didn’t want to be a disappointment.
When they entered the room, James glanced around at the lit candles he’d placed throughout. Maybe he’d gone too far, created too much pressure.
Becca was also looking around.
“You okay?”
She glanced at him. “Yeah. This is nice.”
“I was hoping I hadn’t gone overboard.”
“I feel like I should warn you. I haven’t done this in a long time. Like, a long time.”
James grinned. Thank God. “Neither have I.”
“Oh, great. We’ll bumble and fumble together?”
“Sounds like a plan.” James kissed her. She tasted sweet, like the dessert they’d shared at the restaurant. Slowly, he undressed her. “You’re gorgeous.”
She made a face.
“Don’t put yourself down, honey. You’re a beautiful woman. If you don’t believe my words, believe this.” He placed her hand over his still-covered erection and her eyes widened. �
��See what you do to me?”
“Wow.”
“Lie down, baby. I want to make you feel good, and it sounds like a whole lotta fun to run my tongue from your head to your toes.”
“Oh, my.”
She fanned herself and he laughed, but soon she was lying on his bed and, man, she looked so natural there. His breath caught. James wanted to tell her he loved her, but right before sex was a very bad time to do that. Instead, he undressed and joined her on the bed.
Turning her head away, he attacked her neck. He’d spent a lot of time on that region of Becca’s anatomy in the past couple of weeks and still couldn’t get enough. “You’re so damn sexy.” Moving down, he took her distended nipple into his mouth, sucking it hard, as he’d learned she liked. When he started on the other breast, James moved his hand down her belly to her pussy. Finding her already wet, he groaned. “Killing me.”
Becca let out a whimper. “Don’t tease.”
“I don’t intend to.” James eased one finger inside and felt around for the bundle of nerves contained therein, rubbing until Becca moved, moaning.
James scooted between her legs, spreading her with his hands. He took a tentative lick, trying to work out what she liked. As soon as the tip of his tongue found her clit, Becca gasped, closing her thighs around his head. A sense of relief infused him. I guess she’s enjoying herself.
“Let me touch you. This isn’t fair. Come up here.”
With a chuckle, James spun until they were in a sixty-nine position and then nearly swallowed his tongue when her warm, wet tongue circled his cockhead. I forgot how freaking good that feels. He’d come too fast if he let himself concentrate on the sensations surrounding his dick, so instead he lent his attention to Becca’s orgasm. He wanted her to come. If she did again while he was inside her, that was a bonus, but he was going to do anything he could to drive her crazy now.
Focusing on her clit, he took it into his mouth and she squeaked around his cock. Soon, she was thrashing and released him, throwing her head back on the pillow and emitting a high-pitched scream. Becca contracted around his finger and he groaned. He couldn’t wait to be buried in that tight sheath.
Becca’s skin was flushed with desire. Understanding her unspoken plea, James put on a condom and then shifted until he was between her legs. Slowly, he sank into her. Heaven. The pale curves of her breasts called to him and he planted little kisses along the side of her right breast before moving higher and taking the delicate lobe of her ear into his mouth, mimicking what he’d done to her clit.
Her mouth landed on his neck with open, sloppy kisses and she shifted underneath him. Sensing she was ready, James began to move. She fit him perfectly. Becca’s back arched and he redoubled his efforts, spurred on by the musky smell of her arousal. James’ senses went haywire as his cock dragged back and forth inside her. Too soon the base of his spine tightened; orgasm was imminent. Reaching down, he pinched her clit and then rubbed, trying to hold off his release. She screamed, her knees pulling up to her chest as her own orgasm began. James let go, his eyes slamming shut as nerve endings sang.
“Oh my God,” Becca gasped out, breathing heavily underneath him.
“Yeah, that.” James wanted to stay there all night, but knew he had to take care of the condom, so, with a sigh and a little arguing with himself, he pulled out and took care of it.
“Is it okay if I get under the covers?” Becca asked. “I’m freezing.”
James nodded. “Very much so.” He paused, gathering his courage. “Would you stay with me tonight?”
“I’d love to.”
“Maybe we can find some energy and do that again.” James waggled his eyebrows and Becca’s hand flew over her mouth as she laughed. “Hey, what can you expect? I’m a guy, and that was fun.”
“I wasn’t saying no.”
“Might need a bit of recovery time first, though.”
“Then cuddle with me.”
“That I can do.”
James climbed into bed, gathered Becca into his arms and closed his eyes. Life was perfect.
EPILOGUE
One year later…
“I can’t believe you got us into this party,” Becca said, as she gawked at the glamorous decorations and elaborate spread of food. Uchi, a local Japanese restaurant, was known to give a great Valentine’s Day party, but Becca was the last person who ever thought she’d be an attendee. She didn’t even want to ask how much James’ client had paid for the tickets to thank James for getting a project in under budget and a full two weeks before the due date. She knew normal dinner tabs could easily run into the thousands there and shuddered at the thought of it. Dinner checks the size of a mortgage.
They wandered around for a while, admiring ice sculptures, watching sushi and other things she couldn’t begin to describe being made to order, and observing as decadent sorbets in a rainbow of colors rapidly disappeared. A woman approached.
“Would you be willing to be interviewed for KXAN?”
Becca looked at James, who smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, sure.”
“Great. I’m Sasha.” Her brows rose. “And your names? That usually makes things go smoother.” Sasha smiled.
Becca’s face heated. “Oh, sorry. Becca and James. Do you need last names?”
“No, this will be a pretty casual interview, just a few questions.” She nodded to the cameraman next to her. “Ignore him. Talk to me.”
“All right.”
The red light and a spotlight lit and Sasha said, “I’m here at Uchi’s famous Valentine’s Day party with Becca and James. What they don’t know is that I already know something about them.”
Her heart raced. Oh, God, what?
Sasha continued. “I heard the two of you met at an anti-Valentine’s Day party one year ago today, is that correct?”
Whew. I don’t know what I would’ve done if she’d brought up something embarrassing.
“We did,” James answered, and reached for Becca’s hand, squeezing it.
Sasha kept her attention on Becca for the most part. “You were the one there for the party and James was bartending, if I understand correctly?”
“That’s right.”
“So here’s the big question. How do you feel about Valentine’s Day now?”
Becca grinned. “I think we can say I’ve had a complete turnaround.”
James squeezed her hand again and said, “I hope so.” Then he dropped to one knee, still holding her hand. “Becca, will you marry me?”
She gasped, the lights and camera and people around them merely a blur as blood roared in her ears. “Are you serious?”
He laughed. “Of course I’m serious. You’re the one.” James waited a few beats. “Can I have an answer? I’m dying here.”
“Oh, God! Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” James rose and she launched herself at him. He staggered back a few steps but laughed.
“Whew! I was getting pretty nervous there.”
Sasha cut in. “By the way, Becca, you were set up for this by James and your friend Annie.”
For the first time, Becca noticed Annie hiding behind Sasha with a sheepish grin. Yeah, we’ll talk later, girlfriend.
Right now, she had celebrating to do.
Author’s Note:
I hope you enjoy the Red Hot Valentine collection of short stories. As writers, we often wonder about the impact our stories have on readers. One of the only concrete manifestations of this is reviews, and if you enjoyed our stories, we’d very much appreciate you taking the time to leave a review – even a few sentences! – on Amazon, Goodreads, etc.
We thought this was a fun concept – sexy stories revolving around Valentine’s Day – how can there be anything bad about that, especially when paired with hot hot hot covers. But the over-arching motive is that we are writers who have a driving need to tell stories of people’s lives. We have to write. Writing gives us a freedom we find nowhere else and we’re humbled when readers take their time and spend their money to be
(hopefully) entertained or touched by something we’ve written.
Sincerely,
Cassandra Carr
Quarterback Sneak by Desiree Holt
Stacy Halligan has spent her adult life focusing on her career, choosing men with far less care than she does her professional path. That’s probably the reason all of her relationships end in disaster. Now she’s senior editor of the magazine where she works and she was so sure this latest hunk would be the one. When he dumps her, just before Valentine’s Day, who does she complain to, as always, but her next door neighbor and friend, backup quarterback Max Sullivan. She sees Max as her best friend. Comfortable. Easy to be with.
Max doesn’t mind hanging out with Stacy but in the three years they’ve lived next door to each other he’s hoped for a lot more. Now he sees his opening. When he offers to put on a blitz leading up to Valentine’s Day to make the guy jealous, he has an ulterior motive. He wants to show her he’s the one she should pick, because he wants Stacy for himself. His campaign includes, chocolate, flowers, little gifts and hopefully, really hot sex. Because he’d been dying forever to get her into his bed and keep her there.
Will this work? He only has until Valentine’s Day to find out.
http://www.desireeholt.com/
* * * * *
If You Dare by Aliyah Burke
When two people lost in their careers are thrown together, can passion kindle lost souls and ignite the flames of love?
Justin Kapp is on an Alaskan cruise when he meets a woman that gives the vacation an entirely new outlook. From the very beginning he knew she was something special. Something more.
Kathryn Maynard, a top divorce attorney in Virginia Beach, accepts a dare that puts her on an Alaskan cruise and rail package. She would rather be anywhere but here, however the arrival of an intense man, changes that. Changes her.
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