by Wendi Zwaduk
Dancing Together
Wendi Zwaduk
What happens in Vegas at Christmas stay in Vegas…
Jordy Murphy isn’t the warm, fuzzy family type. Instead of getting together with all the newly minted couples in his family, he is in the center of sin, decadence and sex for the holidays. He craves the lights, the Christmas glitter and dancing with sexy women when he spots the one woman he hoped to see, but never expected to be there—Ally.
Allyson Benson wants Jordy Murphy in her stocking for Christmas. No other present will do, so she's pulling out all the stops to show him a sexy time. Will their relationship extinguish faster than Christmas candles or do they have the passion to last throughout the season?
Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!
An Adult Romance from Ellora’s Cave
Dancing Together
Wendi Zwaduk
Chapter One
“I need some Christmas cheer.” Jordy Murphy stood in front of the mirror in his Las Vegas hotel room and groaned. He raked his fingers over the top of his head. He’d cut his hair the week before and still wasn’t sure about the new look. The shorter ’do was too severe. He preferred the longer, floppy style with highlights streaked into his blond hair. The change wasn’t awful, just different—and he’d be able to hide it under a Santa hat anyway.
He adjusted his tie, emblazoned with snowballs, then smoothed out the suit coat. He snorted. The outfit was rather formal for clubbing in Vegas, but he wasn’t headed to just any club on any given night. This was Christmas Eve. According to the e-invite he’d received, he was to go upstairs to Club49 for the holiday extravaganza. Fifty bucks a head with all drinks and a buffet included as well. Unless the unnamed item had the name of the club emblazoned on it, he’d re-gift to his brother or sister.
He turned away from the mirror and fiddled with the band on his smart watch. The device had been the best investment and his Christmas present to himself. He’d inputted his identification and credit card information so he wouldn’t have to worry about losing his wallet at the party. As he swiped across the screens on his watch, he noticed an image. His breath clogged in his throat. Allyson Benson. According to her email, she’d be in Vegas at the same party. She’d been the reason he’d decided to duck out of Cleveland in favor of the lights in Sin City. Was she really waiting upstairs? He wasn’t sure, but he knew he wanted her in his stocking for Christmas.
The lights on the Strip flashed in his hotel room. He’d left the curtains for his bank of windows open. The play of color calmed him. He strolled over to the wall of glass and gazed out at the Strip below. No snow, unlike Cleveland and northern Ohio. Back home, his favorite state was buried in a foot of the white stuff. He glanced up at the sky, expecting to see stars, but there were none. He liked stars.
For a moment he wondered if there was any peace on the Strip. There probably wasn’t much silence back home. He shuddered. He loved his brother and sister, and their spouses. Hell, he’d been the best man in both of his brother Corey’s weddings.—both to the same woman He shook his head. Only Corey could fuck up his love life and still come out on top. Katie, Corey’s wife, had more patience than a saint to put up with Corey and to marry him twice.
Jordy pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe it was the jet lag from the long flight or the time change, but part of him wished he wasn’t going to the party. A tiny bit of him wanted to be home with his family—despite the fact that they drove him berserk. He wasn’t about to listen to more baby talk or help his sister and brother-in-law decide on baby names. So they were going to make him an uncle? Wonderful, but he didn’t give a shit what they named the kid. Was that bad? Did that make him an awful uncle? Oh well.
Something his father said came to mind. “Never stick with one woman and never let anyone tie you down.” His father certainly lived by that motto. Each of his children was created with a different woman. Whenever Dear Old Dad showed up for a family gathering, he always had a new female on his arm. Jordy wished his father would’ve stuck with one woman to birth his children—that would’ve made life easier and removed most of the tension from the holidays. But no. Gary Murphy needed to keep his love life interesting. Jordy swore he’d never turn into a womanizer like his father.
At least his family wouldn’t be in Vegas for Christmas.
Thinking about children and relationships made his head ache. This was Christmas. He should be wanting to get together, not shove them all aside. He wasn’t good at relationships and loved his somewhat easy life. He spent a lot of time on his own. Being alone was great to a degree—he didn’t have to answer to anyone and could do things at his own pace. He didn’t have to worry about letting someone down. Sometimes, though, he wanted to share his life with someone.
His thoughts traveled to Allyson again. He sat on the bed and stared at her picture on his watch. He liked her and liked the way she fit in his arms. He dreamed about her kiss. Her laugh always brought him out of a bad mood. She’d been the one to suggest the trip and even gave him space. She was good for him and smart to boot.
So why wasn’t he with her in her room? Or in adjacent rooms? Because she’d claimed she didn’t want to intrude on his life if he decided to hook up with someone else for the holidays.
What if Allyson was the hottie he wanted to snuggle up with for Christmas? She could be the woman who played with his Yule log. He snorted. What a bad joke. He wasn’t huge, but he made do with what the good Lord had given him. Allyson seemed to like his dick. He smoothed his hand over the growing bulge in his pants. He wanted to find Allyson, bring her to his room and decorate her in whipped cream for the holidays. She liked to use toys in the bedroom. Maybe they could find a twenty-four-hour sex shop and buy a little more Christmas cheer.
His phone beeped, bringing him out of his mini-fantasy. He sighed. He needed to head upstairs to the party, but he couldn’t get her out of his brain. What if she wasn’t there? What if Allyson paired off with someone else? He wasn’t sure he wanted to see her with another man. He’d kept things casual with her, so he only had himself to blame if she did decide to dump him for good.
He’d worry about her later. She might not be there, but there was a chance she’d come to Vegas and wanted to heat up the holidays with him.
Jordy stood and removed the Santa hat long enough to don the mask. Wearing a masquerade mask for the duration of the party seemed a little much, but whatever. He unzipped and loosened his belt. He needed to tuck his keycard into the little pocket inside his dress pants. Jordy locked his keys and wallet in the room safe, then strolled out of the room in the direction of the elevator. He pressed the button and while he waited for the car, he noted the eight doors in the hallway leading to various rooms. Getting a suite proved to be smart because they were secluded. He had more room and fewer people to deal with in the elevator. Would he run into Allyson? He hoped so.
The car stopped and the doors opened. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the club level. According to the e-invite, the men were to wear suits or tuxes, a mask and a Santa hat. He checked his look in the reflective panels on the walls of the car. Check, check and check. The wording in the invitation stated the women were expected to wear masks and the Santa hat. Otherwise, they could wear whatever they wanted. He wondered how the females would interpret the rules.
If Allyson showed up, how would she dress? At the school, she was every bit the buttoned-up matronly-looking teacher with her high collars and dowdy khaki pants. She kept her dark blonde hair captured in clips and wound up in buns rather than allowing her hair to brush her shoulders. He understood her plan—keep control in the classroom and focus on learning. But the moment he laid e
yes on her, he wanted to do so much more than learn.
When he spent time alone with her, he got to know the real woman she kept hidden away. In the bedroom she seemed to embrace her curves and her sensuality. He wanted to indulge in every one of her naughty fantasies. They’d only fucked four times, but each encounter had been seared into his brain. Her hazel eyes shimmered with passion as they made love. He loved the way her ample breasts bounced when she rode him and how she gripped him tight in her pussy. He wanted to pull her hair as she cried out for more and to tweak the little ring in her right nipple.
Sweet Jesus, he needed to fuck her. Tonight, he hoped she went for the kill and dressed to impress—him.
God, he was full of himself thinking she wanted to be with him after he’d kept things so casual. Still, a man could dream and possibly realize what he’d kind of always known. He liked her for more than a friend or casual date. Before he could let her know, he had to find her.
Please let her be in Vegas and looking for him, too.
He rode to the top floor of the building. He wanted Allyson to be in Vegas and at the party, but if she wasn’t, he’d make do. He’d find a lover for the holiday. When the doors opened, he bit back a gasp. Holiday music with a techno flair blasted around the expansive room, making the space seem to bounce. A set of steps led down to the main dance floor. Strings of twinkle lights in every color imaginable dangled from the ceiling and garland had been draped around the tables and from sconces on the walls. The pungent scent of cinnamon filled the air.
Jordy wiped his hands on his pants legs and strode out of the elevator. Seeing the explosion of red and green in the room, coupled with the holiday scent and the flickering lights, kicked his holiday spirit up a notch. He surveyed the bevy of women on the dance floor. He spotted someone who reminded him of Allyson near the edge of the dance floor. Dressed in a bright green dress, she ground her ass into a male dancer’s groin. Would Allyson be so free? She wasn’t in Cleveland and didn’t have to worry about someone from the school seeing her. A thought occurred to him. She’d once mentioned something about having a boyfriend. Shit. Did she mean she wanted a longer relationship with Chad? She could certainly do better than the jerk selling insurance. Or was she talking about him?
Possible. Now he wished he’d have listened a bit closer and been less of a douche. Wasn’t Christmas the time to set differences aside and to make amends? Or time to move on? He didn’t want anyone except her, but maybe he’d find someone like Allyson there among the dancers. Maybe. If he got lucky, she’d be there and alone. He wanted to swoop in and serve as her Santa. She could be his naughty elf in desperate need of a spanking. Whatever happened, he wanted to be with Allyson before Christmas day and to get lucky for the holidays.
Chapter Two
Allyson stood along the fringe of the dance floor, watching the other attendees engaged in merriment. Part of her wanted to jump in the middle and lose her cares. The rest of her—the responsible, buttoned-up part—was scared. She’d never done anything like planning a Vegas vacation and never put her heart so far out on her sleeve as she had with Jordy. She wanted him on her terms, not his. Not meeting up at the school for long talks and even longer kisses. No family running around and butting into their affairs. Not that she and Jordy were in the midst of an affair. She wished they were. From the moment she met Jordy, she wanted him. Who didn’t? The former baseball player had become the stud of the elementary school staff. He walked down the halls with a swagger and always looked so handsome in his requisite running shorts and T-shirts as the elementary school physical education teacher.
She folded her arms and sighed, then edged away from the crowd. Telling Jordy to come to Vegas had been bold. Following along in the hopes of catching up to him had been crazy. He was her Christmas wish. She wanted Jordy Murphy gift-wrapped and under her tree…or rather she wanted him there and using his special skills to wrap her up. Either way, she wanted him.
She wobbled on her spindly high heels as she made her way toward the massive Christmas tree. Towering two stories high, the tree easily illuminated the room. She touched one of the iridescent ornaments and made a silent wish for Jordy to arrive.
She was pining for him and she knew it. Damn.
Allyson turned back toward the main throng of dancers and picked at the beading on her dress. Many of the women at the club were dressed to the nines in evening gowns and dripping with jewels. Some women used the Christmas theme and decked themselves out in tinsel and lights. One resembled a walking Christmas tree. Others went for the skimpy approach. She fought off the shiver. Once she’d arrived in Vegas, she went to the boutique in the hotel lobby and bought the most risqué dress she could find to fit her ample frame. With cutouts on the sides around her torso and a slit that extended up to her hip bones, she felt exposed. The bodice barely contained the girls and the ties for the halter portion dug into the back of her neck. She bit back her fear. Normally, she kept everything covered up. Having so much of her body on display unnerved her. She wished she’d bought a cover-up.
She plucked a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. She didn’t really want the drink, but needed something to do with her hands.
Allyson turned her attention to the dancers and scanned the crowd. Was Jordy there? She hoped he’d gone through with his decision to escape to Vegas. Other than avoiding his family, he’d claimed he had no reason to leave Ohio. She clutched the stem of the fluted glass tight. She’d banked a lot on Jordy showing up and could lose big-time. Damn.
A man strolled up to her and smiled. The black suit hugged his body in all the right places and showcased the muscle in his frame. She had to admit he had a nice body and his face seemed pleasant—although she really couldn’t tell with the black mask in the way. The Santa hat covered his hair, making it impossible to tell if he even had any. When he stood before her she knew. He wasn’t Jordy. Too tall.
“Enjoying your evening?” the man asked. He bowed before her.
“Yeah, I am. The night’s young and I’m having fun.” Goodness. She’d spent too much time in her own classroom with the kindergarteners. She was rhyming when she didn’t have to.
The guy swept his gaze over her. When he looked at her, she wanted to squirm. Unlike when Jordy appraised her, this felt predatory. Like she was a piece of candy to devour. She clutched the champagne to her chest, trying to hide some of her cleavage.
“Are you in Vegas to get away from something? Or someone?” He inched closer and trailed his fingertips down her bare forearm.
She suppressed a shudder. Holy hell she was out of her element. “I’m meeting someone.” She hoped. Right now would be a great time for Jordy to show up and rescue her.
“Doesn’t look like he—or she—showed up. Maybe you should join me for a while. We could talk, dance, drink…whatever you like.” He smiled. The man was handsome, but he made her skin crawl because of his forwardness.
She kept her gaze fixed on him, but surveyed the crowd at the same time—a skill she’d learned through her ten years teaching kindergarteners. Never take your eyes off them for a second. She smiled. Part of her wished Jordy would materialize, but the rest of her hoped he wouldn’t see her with the gross man. She’d wanted to knock Jordy off his feet, not make him think she was there to fuck everything in a sport coat. She regretted mentioning she’d been on a date three weeks before. Back then, she’d wanted to make him jealous. Childish, she knew, and the ploy hadn’t worked. He’d wished her well and went on his merry way. If he saw her with this guy, he’d probably act the same. No, she wasn’t about to let the man she loved get away so easily.
“I’m good for now. Thanks.” She tipped her head. “Maybe another time.”
“Shame.” He shook his head, making the Santa hat slide forward. The small gesture chipped away at his handsome façade and revealed he might not have been so polished underneath. “I’ll keep an eye out for you. If you look lonely, I’ll be there to pick you up.” He winked and strolled awa
y, no doubt on the hunt for another woman who appeared to be single and ready to mingle.
She groaned and sipped the champagne. Men and their lousy pick-up lines anyway.
Second thoughts filled her head. Going to the club and Vegas for Christmas on the hopes that Jordy would be there, too was silly. She should’ve suggested they go together on the plane or something. They could’ve stayed home and holed up in her apartment or spent the holiday at a hotel in Cleveland—something safer and tamer than Vegas. She’d jumped out of her comfort zone by planning the trip and peeling back her protective layers. She moved on the faith that he would show up. He wasn’t there yet and probably wasn’t going to come to Vegas. His family probably convinced him to stay at home. But what if he was there and she just hadn’t seen him yet? Or he hadn’t come to the club yet? If she left, she’d miss him.
“I’ll wait,” she mumbled. She spotted the pushy man and ducked into the crowd of dancers. Sure, the red dress she wore wasn’t her normal type of clothing, but compared to some of the scantily clad women there, she blended in. She lost herself in the music, not caring about the holiday lyrics or the people bumping and grinding around her. The music was goofy, but it made the crowd move. Besides, wasn’t Christmas the season to have a little fun and to be goofy?
Allyson moved to the music, closing her eyes every so often and losing herself in the spirit of the holiday. The bodies moving against hers, the way arms accidentally brushed her breasts or a hip bumped into hers…the touches reminded her of Jordy. She wanted him to be the one with his hands on her body. Her nipples beaded under her dress. She imagined Jordy behind her, cupping her breasts and keeping her ass tight to his groin. Would he whisper in her ear? Bite her earlobe? Pinch her nipples right there on the dance floor? Her body heated. When he was with her, he owned her—heart and soul.