Holiday Spice & Everything Nice

by Conn, Claudy

  It was quite obvious he had someone he was serious about, so why did he come to her home and put the moves on her? What the hell was he playing at? Whatever it was, she was thankful she shut that shit down.

  Abbie deleted the unread texts from Dylan, then sent one of her own. You should probably spend the night with your mom tonight, she could use the company. I’m back to work tomorrow night, let me know if you want to watch Emmie or if I should plan on getting a sitter.

  Dylan replied immediately: I’ll stay with her. Why did you take off like that?

  Abbie kept her reply short and sweet: Awesome! Be here by 4. After that, she turned her phone off for the night and hung out with her daughter. They played and laughed and giggled, just like normal. She missed their time together. After Emmie was tucked in, snug as a bug in a rug, Abbie unlocked the cage her emotions had been trapped in. The stress of the day taking its toll. From the funeral to the philandering ways of her former love. The tears streamed down her face.

  Mourning for what could have been was probably the worst reason ever to spend her evening crying, but damn, she needed it.

  What happened to the Dylan she knew? The Dylan who continually put everyone’s needs above his own? The man she once knew would have never cheated on a girlfriend or lied about his intent. Abbie had no choice but to believe the bimbo thought she had something special, something long-term with Dylan. Why else would she have flown halfway around the country to be with him for his father’s funeral?

  Hoping Dylan’s interest in her was more than a means of passing time proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking on Abbie’s part. She had been stupid to think they could ever go back to the love they once had. With time, her heart would heal, she just wished there was a way to protect Emmie from the fallout.

  Abbie jumped from the couch when she heard a loud knock at the door. Pulling the door open, she expected to see her mom or Jason. But as luck would have it, Dylan’s tall frame filled the doorway.

  “What are you doing here?” Abbie wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “I came to see what was wrong. You never answered my texts, so I tried calling. Your phone’s been going to voicemail for hours.”

  “I turned it off,” Abbie shrugged. “I didn’t feel like talking and still don’t. You should probably go.”

  “I don’t think so. What’s going on? Where’s Emmie?”

  “She’s in bed.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Shouldn’t you be with your girlfriend? Not knocking on your ex-girlfriend’s door at ten o’clock at night?”

  “Abbie, Veronica isn’t my girlfriend. We went out on a couple of dates together, that’s it, I swear. We’ve crossed paths over the years, but nothing ever came of it. She’s looking for a husband, someone to put a ring on her finger yesterday. I was looking for a night out and an opportunity to blow off some steam.”

  Abbie stepped away from the door, allowing Dylan to enter. “Shouldn’t you be with your mom?”

  “Her sisters are there. Besides, they’re leaving in a few days, and I want her to spend as much time with them as possible. I know how much she misses them.”

  “And what about you? When are you leaving?” It was a question Abbie really didn’t want to ask, but she couldn’t take not knowing.

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Well, that and a few other things.”

  Ugh, why did I even have to ask? Abbie led the way to the living room, trying in vain to remain calm. Yes, they needed to have this conversation, but all she really wanted to do was make a mad dash for her bedroom and lock the door. Maybe pop some earplugs in and sing Christmas songs as loud as she could in an effort to avoid the conversation. Taking a deep breath, Abbie pulled up her big girl panties and motioned for Dylan to have a seat.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dylan watched as Abbie’s eyes darted around the room. She looked like a scared mouse trying to determine the route to escape her predator. Oh, he wanted to pounce on her all right, but that would have to wait. For a little bit…maybe.

  “No matter when you leave, I think you better come up with a plan to still see Emmie. Maybe you can come home a couple of times a year to visit? Maybe holidays, summer break? That sort of thing.”

  “You know that’s not going to work. I’m on deployment more than I’m stateside these days. I’ve given this a lot of thought over the last few days and there’s really only one thing I can do.” Dylan paused, gauging her temperament.

  Abbie bounded off the couch. Pointing an accusatory finger in Dylan’s face, she shouted, “If you think you are taking my daughter anywhere, you’ve got another thing coming. I will not have her bouncing all over the globe.”

  Dylan pounced at that very moment, catching his little mouse in the trap he’d set for her. He pulled her directly onto his lap.

  “Let me go. Right this second. Damn it, Dylan.”

  “Hush. You didn’t let me finish.”

  Each squirm of Abbie’s pressed perfectly against his growing bulge. Pulling her even closer, staring straight into her big brown eyes, he said, “I’m not leaving Cedar Lake.”

  When Abbie’s mouth opened in shock, Dylan moved in for the kill. His kiss was tender and gentle at first. Nudging, teasing Abbie until he heard her soft moans that begged for more. Slowly lifting her off his lap, he laid her down on the couch. Abbie’s legs parted, welcoming him. He pulled back from the kiss momentarily to whisper, “You’ve always been the one for me, Abbs.”

  Dylan shivered when Abbie pulled his T-shirt over his head. His lips collided with hers as her nails delicately traced lazy circles over his back. Their tongues twined together, then separated, dancing in a slow rhythmic motion.

  “You’re overdressed,” Dylan tugged at her shirt, needing to feel her skin against his.

  “I think we can remedy that.”

  Dylan stood, leaving Abbie free to shed the unnecessary clothing. Rising from the couch, Abbie acted as though she were tired, yawning and stretching before a smile broke across her face. It had been years since he’d seen it, but he knew that look. The teasing, playful look. He didn’t give her a chance to make any excuses. Before she could utter a single word, he grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder.

  “Put me down right this minute,” Abbie playfully demanded.

  Dylan had a hard time taking her seriously because her demand was filled with laughter and squeals of excitement.

  Heading straight for the bedroom, Dylan wasted no time, only pausing long enough to kick the door closed behind him when they reached their destination. Abbie wiggled in his arms, trying to free herself from his grip, but it was useless. He had her right where he wanted her.

  “Put me down, Dylan!” Abbie demanded again through giggles.

  “Your wish is my command.” He set her gently on the floor, making sure she slid slowly down his body, feeling how turned on he was. Abbie’s palms landed on his chest before making their way down his stomach to his belt. His skin sizzled when she nipped at his neck. A moan escaped his lips as she unbuttoned his jeans, barely brushing against his length.

  Suddenly overwhelmed by need, Dylan’s hand flew to her clothes, pulling them from her body. His lips slanted over hers once more.

  Abbie’s moans were more than he could handle. He had to have her. Dylan grabbed something from his pocket before stepping out of his jeans. Moving to the side of the bed, he sat down and reached out for her. Abbie’s fingers twisted with his and he pulled her closer. With a smile on her face, she climbed onto his lap.

  Dylan groaned when Abbie lifted her hips slightly, positioning herself against his length. She leaned forward, kissing him softly as she lowered herself down his shaft. He tried not to move when she cried out as he filled her.

  “Are you okay?” Concern laced in his words.

  “God, yes. You feel so good.”

  That was all Dylan needed to hear.

  Their bodies rocked back and forth, slow at first, then faste
r and with more urgency before slowing again, taking time to reacquaint their bodies, exploring each touch, kiss, and nibble. Abbie and Dylan quickly remembered how to please one another. Together, they uncovered new ways of pleasing each other and what positions were needed to soar higher than the stars.

  With shaking limbs and unsteady breaths, they collapsed on the bed. Dylan pulled Abbie close, kissing her softly.

  “I love you, Abbs.”

  Abbie’s satisfied smile warmed his heart. “I love you, too.”

  Dylan reached under the pillow for the item he’d removed from his pocket earlier.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you when you needed me. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for Emmie. I can’t change the past, as much as I’d like to, I can’t. But if you give me the chance, I’ll spend every day from here on out showing you how much I love you.” Dylan held a beautiful diamond ring between his fingers.

  Abbie gasped when the climax induced fog cleared from her brain.

  “Will you marry me, Abbs?”

  Tears streamed from Abbie’s face. All she could do was nod her head up and down.

  “Is that a yes?” Dylan teased.

  “Yes!” Abbie pounced on him, showering him with a million kisses that he would cherish forever.

  The End

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie James is the author of more than a dozen books. She grew up in western Pennsylvania before heading off to Chicago, seeking new adventures. She found life in a big city fun for a while and even met the love of her life there. Melanie quickly tired of the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle and settled down with her one true love in northeast Wisconsin.

  Melanie has two kids, three step-kids, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and the cutest grandbaby. She also has two dogs and two cats that often make appearances in her books.

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  Fourth Digital Edition December 2016

  Extended Version

  ISBN: 978-1-926514-29-1

  Published by Naughty Nights Press LLC

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  Copyright © Gina Kincade 2009

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  On Santa's Naughty List

  Gina Kincade

  A Contemporary Erotic Romance Holiday Story

  Naughty Nights Press ● Canada

  Chapter One

  December 2nd

  Kirk Doehr watched the woman amble through the door competently juggling her baggage, heard the predictable little jingle of the Christmas bells the Chalet staff put up at this time of year, and admired the sensational sight before him.

  Silky, never-ending legs peeked out of the faux fur, waist-length coat she wore. Long, auburn locks shimmied down her back as she took off the little Santa hat and shook her head to rid it of the clinging snow. Judging by her distinguished looks, he decided she must be here for the convention. He had seen many of them come in today, each one more exotic than the next, but she was the most striking of them all so far.

  He could not stop staring at her beautiful, heart-shaped face, her striking, cobalt blue eyes, a tempting pair of plump, crimson lips quenched by the barest kiss of lip-gloss as their only adornment, all framed by auburn tresses. This refined looking lady needed no help looking gorgeous; she was an absolute natural beauty. Something about her appealed to him more than the others, though. She set his temperature to rising.

  As she approached the desk, Kirk's heartbeat accelerated and a tightening commenced in the front of his jeans. This annoyed him, greatly. The other women didn’t have this peculiar effect on him, and he had seen hundreds in the last few days, so why was she so special? They were all beauty queens, goddesses in their own right here for the model convention, not to socialize with the likes of him, 'a common Chalet worker', as the blonde and her dark-skinned friend had rudely informed him just moments ago. He had only mentioned if they were planning to go skiing, and required his assistance for lessons, they could call him. The blonde had looked down her nose at him in such a way it made him feel like he was something she had wiped off her shoe. It had antagonized him, her holier-than-thou attitude. He disliked snobbish bitches who had some simple-minded concept they were better than others. The personality trait was a complete turn off, in his opinion, and shouted out about the depth of the intellect of the person, proving that sometimes beauty truly went only skin deep.

  Catching a whiff of a spicy, cinnamon scent, he snapped back to attention. The essence heightened his awareness of the stunning newcomer as she stepped up to the counter and proudly displayed her assets for his perusal. Kirk groaned and tried not to stare at the absolutely perfect breasts she had so conveniently placed almost in his face.

  ***

  Tasha noticed the well-built, dark-haired guy behind the check-in counter the moment she walked through the door, thinking he was one hell of a specimen. Walking up to the breast-high desk, she put her computer case on the floor, dropped her overnight bag beside it, and purposely leaned into the counter so her breasts were displayed to his shining eyes.

  “Hiya, I have a reservation for Natasha Kingsley.” She intentionally purred
the words with her honey-like voice.

  “One moment, please,” he replied, his gruff voice sending chills down her spine. “Yes, Ms. Kingsley, welcome to Chalet Doehr, we have your suite ready for you,” the counter attendant babbled out the clearly practiced welcome.

  He sounded almost angry as he ground out the words, clearly from memory. She assumed he said them to everyone who walked in the door, only changing the name to suit the individual, and shrugged off his brusque attitude as simply a result of the day-to-day job. She, of all people, could respect the likely monotony of his days.

  “Chalet Doehr is a full service Chalet. We offer skiing lessons, snow shoeing, massages, and a number of other relaxation opportunities you will find listed in the brochure by the telephone there," he gestured. "The hot tub on the veranda, the pool and the Bistro Restaurant are open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily, while the Shannigans Cocktail bar remains open until two.” He droned on, giving her an odd look, like she annoyed him just by being there.

  He came around the desk and grabbed her overnight bag and computer just as she leaned down to get them herself. With a huff, he lifted the bag. “I will take you to your room now. This way, Ms. Kingsley.”

  Tasha fought for the prized computer case and won after a brief struggle. She wondered what she could have possibly done to piss him off already as his surly attitude just seemed to increase the longer he was forced to speak to her. She had only just arrived. Shrugging it off as his problem, not hers, she fell in behind him as he started down the corridor to the left of the desk.

  Ogling a wickedly hot view of the most delicious looking ass she had seen in a long time, she estimated his age to be around her own, and wondered if he were married despite the lack of a ring on his finger. At this point, she might not care; it had been way too long since she had met her match in the bedroom. This man just seemed to give off the vibes she had been looking for, and she was now determined to find out despite his obvious offhand annoyance with her. She had an idea that might just turn his annoyance into a bit of an interesting stay for her; some naughty fun for them both, if her instincts were right and he were willing.