Hot for the Holidays (21 Holiday Short Stories): A Collection of Naughty and Nice Holiday Romances

by Anthology

  Yet.

  Because the minute I pull out that ring… that will be the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done.

  * * *

  An hour later, Frenchie holds up a mirror and let’s me see his handy work.

  I have to hand it to both Kara and Frenchie - they surprised the hell out of me. I was convinced, laying on that table that I’d be saving for a tattoo cover-up for the next ten years, but shit.

  It’s perfect.

  She’d done exactly what I would have if the choice had been mine.

  She brought to life one of the moments I’ll never forget and it’s a moment so intimately ours.

  "You like?" Frenchie asks.

  I nod. "Yeah, it’s great. Thank you."

  The guy gives a little half smile, bandages me up and walks out. Weird guy. Nice, but weird.

  I walk to Kara’s side of the room and her artist is bandaging her right shoulder blade.

  She looks over her other shoulder at me and a smile spreads across her face and I swear to God, I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. It’s one of those rare moments when she’s lost herself in the here and now. And she’s lost the air of pressure to be perfect. To be the person she’s always been told she has to be. But not tonight. Not now. In this moment, she’s just a girl in Paris, getting a tattoo with her boyfriend.

  I want to give her this moment over and over for the rest of our lives.

  Chapter Five

  Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

  Helen Keller

  "You thought I was going to do something ridiculous didn’t you? Don’t lie."

  I laugh as we walk out of the tattoo shop onto the snow covered streets.

  "I kind of did."

  "So much for trusting me," she jokes.

  "Yeah, well, when someone is inking you for the rest of your life, it’s kind of scary. But I guess I didn't need to worry."

  "I know," she says, spinning as the snowflakes fall. It’s slowed down some, but the city is still a blur of lights and snow. And we’re still standing in the middle of it all.

  "What now, Mr. Adventure?" Kara asks.

  I shrug. "Let's just walk along the Seine. We're only here for a little bit longer, might as well get in the sights while we can. Oh and Notre Dame! We didn't see that yet. I know how you feel about organized religion and all, though…"

  She intertwines her arm with mine and rolls her eyes.

  "Even I can respect and admire beautiful architecture - organized religion or not."

  The Seine glistens with the sparkle of moonlight and fresh flakes hitting the surface.

  Kara scrunches in closer to me.

  We walk in silence until we make it all the way to the front of the Notre Dame. A building so big, so magnificent, so… everything - I can't speak.

  I stare at all the intricate pieces wound together. The skill it took to carve out spaces and shapes so precisely strikes me as the lights and the blinding white from the snow highlight different dimensions of the building.

  "I…" Kara says, but it's as if she can't utter anything of worth either.

  "Do you want to go inside?" I ask.

  "We should, but no. I could stand here and stare at this thing all night."

  "You say that now, but in ten minutes you'll be cold and start complaining."

  She turns to me, a haphazard smile on her face. "Why do you know me so well?"

  "Because I love you," I say.

  A small voice in my head starts coming alive.

  Do it, Vince. Do it now. This is it. The moment.

  "I love you, too. C'mon, let's keep walking," she says.

  And there's my out.

  One hand rests within hers and the other is deep inside my coat pocket, cradling the box.

  How can one little object make me feel like such a pansy?

  "Are you okay?" Kara asks as we near a carved out section of the bridge. Just across the way, the Eiffel Tower glimmers like a diamond. A symbol of clichéd love.

  But as foolish as it makes me sound - I believe in that clichéd love.

  That one-taste-and-you’re-hooked kind of love.

  That I-never-knew-myself-until-I-met-you kind of love.

  That everything-is-better-when-I'm-with-you kind of love.

  "Vince? Seriously, you look like you might be sick."

  I swallow. "I'm fine, just thinking about your family and what they're doing right now."

  She nods. "I can tell you exactly what they're doing. Grams has prepared her eggnog by now, so she'll be having a few glasses of that - spiked of course. I bet Charlie is indulging too. Now that Parker's back home with them - he's probably had one too many of Grams’ eggnog drinks and is recounting old stories."

  "And your dad?" I ask. He's a touchy subject, always has been for her, but things have gotten better between them over the years.

  She gives me a sly grin. "Probably with Marissa."

  "Wow, you didn't even say her name with sarcasm this time."

  "She's growing on me," she says. "At least he didn't try to go for someone twice his age and dumb as a box of rocks. Enough about her though. Do you see the tower?"

  "Yup."

  "Isn't it beautiful?"

  "It is."

  She stares out across the Seine and she goes away for minute. Letting her mind do whatever it does when she gets wrapped up in her head.

  This is it.

  This is "the moment."

  Her hands are on the bridge railing. Her focus is not on me.

  I pluck the box from my pocket and slowly, God, ever-so-slowly, get on one knee.

  "Kara?"

  "Hmm?" She says, but doesn't look at me.

  "Kara."

  This time she does and her expression changes from inquisitive to shocked.

  "Oh my God…"

  "Don't say anything yet. Let me talk. I know things didn't start off great for us. I almost ruined your entire career. Hell, I almost ruined both of ours. And that day we left for Iowa, I had no idea that I would fall in love with you. I didn't even fathom the way you could push yourself, forcefully I might add - like everything you do - into my life. But you did and I couldn't be more thankful."

  I pause and she opens her mouth but I shake my head.

  "Let me finish, you stubborn woman. That's just it. You're stubborn and cranky and you throw fits like a six-year-old child but you’re passionate, so passionate about everything you do. You have a heart bigger than anyone I know and you're a mystery I want to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out. Will you marry me?"

  I am not a crier. Honestly, I never used to be a sentimental type of guy - okay, maybe a little - until I met Kara, but she makes me feel like I can own both parts of myself. The masculine and the sentimental.

  My knees shake first and then the rest of my body reacts and shivers. From the cold. From the nerves. From waiting to hear Kara's answer.

  She covers her face with her hands and when she pulls them away, tears stream down her eyes.

  "Yes," she whispers. "Yes, I will marry you."

  I slide the ring on her finger, stand up and bring her in close to me. When we kiss, it's like the first time all over again. New, fresh, lustful.

  "You planned this, didn't you?"

  I shake my head. I can feel the heat of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. "I've had it for a month. I've been waiting for the right time. Of course, Paris always sounds like the right time… but then we were so busy working and… it just didn't feel right until this minute. Watching you watch the Eiffel Tower."

  "Thank you," she whispers.

  "For what?" I ask.

  "Making us stay. For not giving up on me during our project together. For loving me the way no else can."

  "Always," I say. "You know that."

  Snowflakes fall onto her hair and her cheeks and when she looks up at me, I know that the gypsy woman had it right all along. My heart is happiest when I'm with her.

  Chapter Sixr />
  "It’s a funny thing about coming home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You realize what has changed is you."

  - F. Scott Fitzgerald

  A day later, we sit on the runway, sleep-deprived and drunk on being state-side. Drunk on being newly engaged.

  But there's a strange sadness in leaving a city that's not ours. A city we barely had a chance to get to know - yet allowed us to experience an entire world while we were there.

  The plane is quiet with anticipation and Kara leans over. "Ten bucks says my Dad is late to pick us up."

  "I'll take that deal and raise you another ten that says he's been waiting here for twenty minutes. I think he was just as sad about missing the whole Christmas experience as you were."

  "Psh. Yeah, okay," Kara says.

  That's my girl. She's clearly not as sleep-deprived as I am.

  After another ten minutes on the runway and almost thirty minutes getting through customs, we're on our way to baggage claim.

  Kara doesn't know that there's a surprise for her. That while I may not have planned the perfect proposal, I was damn sure going to make her Christmas the best it could be.

  We round the corner and I see Marissa first and then Jack - tall and bearded standing behind Elaine, Charlie, Parker and Timmy. Holding a sign that says, "Welcome home, future Mrs. Gage."

  All the people who brought Kara and I together. The people who mean the most to her and now, to me, too.

  She stands rooted in place when she sees them too. "What the…"

  The first one to reach her is Elaine and she wraps her up into a hug.

  "I told you I liked him that very first day. I'm so happy he'll be part of the family, dear."

  Kara rolls her eyes, "Grams, you nearly told him off the first day, don't be spreading lies."

  She chuckles and moves over so Charlie can hug her.

  "I'm glad my ole ticker didn't bust before this could happen. Happy for you, Kara."

  Kara hugs him tighter. "Thanks, Charlie."

  Timmy takes his turn and then Marissa. But it's her father I'm most interested in watching.

  He stands there, fidgety and awkward. He still has a lot to learn about communicating with his daughter.

  "Did you know?" she asks him.

  He nods. "A few months ago he called and asked. Honestly didn't think he would," he says and then adds a "sorry, kid," to me. "I gave him my blessing, though he didn't need it. You proved a long time ago how little you needed me," he says and chuckles. "But I'm still glad he asked. And I know he'll take good care of you."

  Kara hugs him and says, "I still need you. Someone's gotta walk me down the aisle, right?"

  If one could hear the sound of a heart growing - the whole airport would have heard Jack's. His cautious expression melted away and he held onto Kara like they were finally everything he wanted them to be.

  Father and daughter.

  He cleared his throat and let her go. "Uh, your grandmother's got something for ya. I better help Vince get your bags."

  Elaine handed Kara a coffee cup that I could only assume was spiked egg nog while Jack and I left for the baggage carousel.

  He put his hand on my shoulder and cleared his throat again. "Thank you for treating my daughter with the respect and love she deserves. I might not have been the best role model for her, but she found herself a good man anyway."

  "Thanks, sir," I mumbled. It's always awkward trying to talk to someone else about feelings. Especially another dude.

  "I meant what I said to her, too. You didn't need my blessing, but I'm happy to have given it. And I want to thank you for allowing us to celebrate like this. My mother isn't going to be around much longer and truthfully, neither will Charlie or Parker. I know they appreciate being able to know Kara has found a good partner."

  "It's the least I could do," I say. "Your family brought us together. It's what will keep us together, too."

  He nods and reverts to silence. He's kind of odd like that.

  We pick the bags up and get driven to Elaine's.

  The house smells exactly like it does every Christmas I've been here. Baking and spices.

  But the tree in the corner gives off a bit of pine-y scent.

  "A real Christmas tree?" Kara squeals. "Since when?"

  Elaine chuckles. "I decided since I've only got so many years left, might as well live it to the fullest while I can. What is it you kids say these days? Yolo? Plus, the doctor gave me some meds to help with the allergies. The tree isn’t too bad, so long as I stay far enough away from it."

  We all laugh and Elaine scrunches her forehead together in that funny old-lady way.

  "Grandma, do you mind if we wait to open presents tomorrow? We're exhausted and we still have to wrap your gifts."

  Elaine shuffles over and kisses Kara on the forehead. "Of course dear. We're not going anywhere. Have a good night, you two," she says and then winks.

  Awkward.

  At least she's not conservative.

  In her grandparent's old bedroom - we unpack in silence and satisfaction. We made it back for the holidays. Better late than never.

  Kara stares up at the wedding photograph of her grandmother and her grandfather, Wesley.

  "I don't care how many secrets they both carried - it's a love like theirs that inspires me."

  I wrap my arms around her from behind and stare up at the photograph as well. Elaine and Wesley look at each other the way I look at Kara. The way she looks at me.

  Like there's no place else they'd rather be.

  Like they could be anywhere in the world and as long as they were together, everything would be okay.

  I remember the words etched on my chest and on Kara's back and smile knowing that there is so much truth in them.

  Which reminds me…

  "I think you owe me money…" I say.

  "Huh?"

  "The gypsy woman in Paris. I bet ten bucks she was right about everything she said. And now that you're a settled woman. Well… you know… it's time to pay up."

  She slaps me playfully and pushes me to the bed.

  "Oh, I'll pay up all right," she says with a grin on her face.

  We're exactly where we’re supposed to be - together - and I'm not sure there's anything that makes my heart happier than that.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed Kara and Vince’s story – consider checking out the beginning of their relationship in my first novel The Right Kind of Wrong.

  About Jade Eby

  Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with books then she grew up to write her own.

  You can stalk Jade at these places:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjade.eby

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/jade_eby

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/jade_eby

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/CN0HL

  Other Books by Jade Eby

  Standalones

  The Right Kind of Wrong

  Stuck (for newsletter subscribers)

  From the Shadows

  When They Fell

  Series

  Whiskey and a Gun

  The Finish

  Dirty Proof (Whiskey and a Gun + The Finish Bundle with extra content)

  Capricious (Back to Bad #1) FREE

  Voracious (Back to Bad #2)

  Malicious (Back to Bad #3)

  Audacious (Back to Bad #4)

  Tenacious (Back to Bad #5)

  Lacey (The Back to Bad Collection)

  Cupid

  Valentine

  When the Clock Strikes Twelve

  By Elisabeth Grace

  A Note To Readers…

  The main characters of this story appear in my novel, Indiscretion. This holiday story takes place after the last chapter of that book. While it’s not necessary to read Indiscretion first in order to follow along, if you’re the kind of reader that prefers to read in chronological order and get to know the characters in detail.

  Indiscreti
on

  A short trip to Aspen after Christmas for some skiing and to finalize the wedding details…that’s what Max and Chloe had prepared for. But when their plans go awry the result is something that will change both of their lives forever.

  Chapter One

  Chloe

  I pressed my hand to my chest, certain it would be the last thing I did on this earth. "Be careful, Max!" The snow whipped down at a furious pace as we slowly—though nowhere near slow enough for me—made our way to the Aspen airport. I squeezed my eyes shut as tight as possible, afraid to look outside the confines of the car.

  I heard Max reach across the console and felt when he squeezed my knee with his large hand. "Relax, babe. You’re in good hands."

  "Max! Get your hand back on the wheel!" A cold sweat broke out all over as panic gripped my body.

  He chuckled, but took me seriously enough to remove his hand. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my fiancé’s hands on me, but in that moment I was more worried about surviving the drive to the airport. I still didn’t see how it would be possible to take off in this mess, but Max assured me that his flight crew was well trained and would never risk our lives—let alone their own—by taking off if it wasn’t safe.

  "We’re almost there." The reassuring rumble of his voice set some of my nerves at ease, and I opened one eye slowly.

  All I was able to focus on was the white snow whizzing past the headlights. It was only mid-morning so we shouldn’t have needed them to light the way, but the storm brewing outside had completely blocked out the sun.

  "Here we are," Max said and brought the car to a stop. The snow crunched under the wheels, and the flakes falling on the windows melted quickly into water.

  Looking to my right, I was able to make out the large wooden pillars that crested into a large V in the front of the airport.