by Sara Cate
I nod, leaving my stack of presents on the floor as I head to the other room.
The room we had our first connection. With the table with all the scratches and gouges. He flicks on the lights, then shuts the door and turns to me. “Tell me how you’re really feeling.”
I shrug, curling my hands into the sleeves of my new sweatshirt. “A little overwhelmed, to be honest. How’d you get all this stuff?”
He shrugs. “I have my ways.”
We’re silent for a moment, staring at each other in the dark room. A part of me wants to rush into his arms, kiss him and tell him how much this all means to me. The other part can sense the wall he has raised and knows that would be an absolute mistake.
“Thank you… for saving me. How did you know?”
“I had the gut feeling I always get when shit is about to go wrong. This one was stronger than I’ve ever felt. I knew… I fucking knew you were in trouble.”
A tear leaks from my eye, and he steps forward, brushing it with his thumb. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”
I choked sob leaves me, and I whimper when my stomach starts to hurt. He pulls at my arms, holding me up so he can look at me. “Fuckin’ stop, Iris. I can’t see you hurting. Last night was enough.”
“My mom.” I look up at him through a blurry gaze. “She doesn’t love me.”
He shakes his head, irritation and hate burning in his irises. “I should’ve killed her.”
My chest bubbles with pain. “I don’t want her to die.”
His fingers clench around my biceps. “She’ll spend the rest of her life in misery, then. She doesn’t deserve you.”
The pain runs so deep. I miss my mom, already. I want her to love me. I want her to care for me. But she doesn’t, and she never has.
“I needed to talk to you about something.” The tone in his voice makes me step back, and I rub at my eyes.
“What?”
He steps back too, running his fingers through his messy hair. It’s combed today, a little more put together than usual, but his fingers make it instantly wild, a mess of blondish, brown hair. “Now that you’re staying here… I can’t have… we can’t…” He looks up at me, resolution in his eyes. “What happened yesterday can never happen again.”
My nose burns, and I bite at my tongue. “Why?”
“I’m Violet’s foster father, in a sense. I take care of her. I watch over her. Shit is going to be the same for you, Iris. I have to take care of you, and that means we have to stop.”
I blink back my tears, the pain in my heart so much worse than the pain in my stomach. I don’t want it to end. I don’t want us to end.
But from the look in his eyes, he won’t have it any other way.
“Good.” He lifts his hand, cupping my jaw and brushing his thumb along my cheek. “Welcome home, Iris.” I tilt my head into his hand, wanting the affection so badly. But it’s gone too quick, and my cheek is left cold as he walks away from me, leaving the room.
Welcome home.
* * *
Lynx and Iris’ story isn’t finished yet. Their full story, Reckless Pride, will release in 2022. Follow me for updates!
Books by A.R. Breck
Grove High Series
Reapers and Roses
Thorn in the Dark
* * *
The Grove Series
The Mute and the Menace
Lost in the Silence
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The Seven MC Series
Chaotic Wrath
Reckless Envy
* * *
Standalones
BLISS
Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
About the Author
A.R. Breck lives in Minnesota with her husband, two children and two dogs. She enjoys reading, writing and sharing her stories with the world. When she isn’t working, A.R. Breck loves to watch horror movies, road trip around the country, and read forbidden romance novels.
Sugar Daddy Santa Claus
BY BELLAMY ROSWELL
“Sugar Daddy Santa Claus”
A best friend’s dad MFF romance
* * *
Chloe is due to spend Christmas this year with her stepdad Zane, her mother’s ex-husband, who happens to be the man who helped raise her. Zane is dreading the jolly holiday but is looking forward to spending one last week with his ex-stepdaughter before she’s off to her first year of college in the Spring. The only thing he wasn’t planning on, was she’d be bringing her best friend Avery along for the trip. Avery is everything a man like Zane craves but shouldn’t have, but when he discovers the girls putting on a show online for everyone to see, he can’t help but watch his deepest, darkest fantasy come to life. A man his age shouldn’t have these feelings for his step-daughter’s best friend… but after what he saw, who could blame him.
Christmas just got a lot more interesting this year.
Synopsis
‘Twas the night before Christmas…
ZANE
This Christmas was to be our last one together before she moved away to college. Chloe was supposed to come disrupt my wallow in self-pity with her holly jolly bullshit, make a few everlasting memories, and be gone. My little girl was never supposed to show up with a present, especially not one that for too long I’ve wanted to unwrap - her best friend Avery. This Christmas is turning out to be a treat I never expected. Looks like this year, both my girls are ending up on Daddy’s Naughty List, and I can't wait to give them their much deserved presents.
CHLOE
This Christmas, my two favorite people were going to spend the holiday alone. I couldn’t let that happen, but I also wouldn’t choose between the two. So I brought them together. This Christmas is turning out to be perfect. One week, just the three of us, alone in a cabin in the middle of the snow covered mountains of Colorado, what could possibly go wrong?
The possibilities are endless. Will my wildest fantasies come to life? Will we be naughty or nice?
AVERY
This Christmas, I was supposed to spend it alone, up in my room, eating store bought Christmas cookies, and watching those cheesy Christmas movies on TV. No one to celebrate with or enjoy the festivities. However Chloe, the mischievous little Christmas elf, just couldn’t let that happen. Now, thanks to my best friend... and her stepdad, this holiday is turning out to be more than I could have ever expected and everything I never knew I wanted. With a little scheming on my part of course. But what a girl wants, a girl gets, and this time I don’t think I want to choose. The more the merrier, right?
Chapter 1
CHLOE
“You have to come with me Avery, I’m not taking no for an answer!”
I’m yelling at my best friend through the speaker of my cell phone, which is currently hidden under the large pile of clothes thrown over my bed. Packing is a bitch but packing for a trip to the snow is nearly impossible.
“I don’t want to just show up somewhere I haven’t been invited, Chloe,” my best friend calls out, her voice muffled by my clothes.
Digging for my phone, I pull it out from under the jumbled pile and bring it to my ear making sure I’ve taken her off speaker. I don’t need Avery’s high-pitched screams to pop my eardrum. “I've already told you, he’s totally cool with you coming. I told him I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my best friend home alone on Christmas and it was actually he who suggested I bring you along.”
I mean that’s not technically true, but I’m sure if I’d have found the courage to call up my stepdad Zane and ask him if I could bring Avery along with me to his hidden cabin in the mountains of Aspen, he’d have said yes. I think. It wouldn’t have mattered that he was already dreading my visit, not because he doesn’t want to see me, but because I’ll be interrupting his self-imposed reclusiveness and bringing along my jolly good cheer.
I love Christmas, though not as much as Zane hates it. However, Zane loves me, which is why every so often he allows me to burden him with my holiday spirit. Though n
ow, it’s been nearly two years since I last saw him. Four since we spent the holiday together.
“I don’t know Chloe,” Avery mutters, still sounding unsure. I can practically envision her chewing on her bottom lip like she does whenever she’s nervous.
“I’m not taking no for an answer Avery. I’ll have my mom's driver pick you up before we head to the airport. Pack warm, this isn’t California anymore, Dorothy. You’re about to have your first white Christmas.”
“Fine,” Avery grunts, clearly giving into my pleas like she always does. I know deep down she’s excited. Neither Zane nor my best friend can say no to me. “But if your stepdad is pissed when I show up, I’m out of there.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh puh-lease, Zane could never be mad at me, and you’re my bestie which means he can never be mad at you by association.”
“Whatever, see you tomorrow Chloe.”
I’ve been planning this trip for months, since the moment I found out my mother was traveling to Florida for Christmas, preferring to spend the holiday laying out on a beach rather than skiing down the slopes. Even though he wasn’t my blood, Zane and I always got along better than I did with my own mother. He understands me. We’re both introverts, preferring to spend a night in than go out, hiding in the shadows rather than shining in the limelight like my mother and Avery.
My best friend commands attention wherever she goes. Crimson hair the same shade of blood, eyes as blue as the deep waters of Santorini, and a figure that belongs on the latest Sports Illustrated centerfold. She’s absolutely stunning, the complete opposite of me; bold, blunt, and outgoing. Avery speaks her mind, everyone be damned, and gives absolutely no fucks whatsoever. I on the other hand calculate my every move thanks to my overly pretentious and anal mother.
The only thing that sets me apart from everyone in my life, is my deep-seated love for Christmas.
I mean what’s not to love. My stepdad on the other hand, gives Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money. He’s as cuddly as the Grinch, and as festive as Oogie Boogie. Not to mention he hates surprises, but this is my last Christmas with him before I head off to college and probably never spend the holiday with him again. Zane and my mom divorced when I was fourteen. How they lasted so long, a record four years for my mother, is a fucking mystery to me. Well not really, I’m the reason. While my mother attended various galas and lavish red carpet events with her groups of Botox infused friends, Zane accompanied me to ballet practice, attended every one of my recitals, and even managed to continue his freelance photography business, all while raising a daughter who wasn’t his.
The divorce was ugly, and that’s putting it nicely. Of course it was my mother’s third, but it took a toll on me, more than I care to admit. Zane was my best friend and confidant, and it hurts that I’ve only managed to see him three times over the last four years. Which is why this trip means everything to me, Zane is the most important person in my life. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and that’s the only secret I've ever kept from him.
…
“I can’t believe all of this is really snow!” Avery shrieked as our plane flew over the snow covered Rocky Mountains. The sheer look of joy on my best friend's face, one I don’t remember ever seeing in the almost five years I’ve known her, is exactly why this time of year means so much to me. The cheer, joy, and magic Christmas brings, makes all life’s insignificant problems fade to dust. It’s why the moment Avery mentioned her mom was taking off with her flavor of the week, I knew I had to do something about it.
So here we are, over one thousand miles away from home, ready for whatever this week may bring.
“Just wait till you see the cabin. Zane lets me decorate the inside of the house since the outside is usually too covered in snow. First thing we’re going to do when we get in is make him take us to the Tree Farm to pick out our tree. Then it’s decorating it in the matching Christmas pajamas I bought us, while drinking Zane’s Famous Hot Cocoa, and listening to my favorite classic Christmas songs.”
“Wow, you really thought of everything, Chloe,” Avery mocks, stepping out of the car.
I decide to ignore her sarcasm. “I told you this is my favorite holiday Avery, and this year I’m spending it with my favorite people.” I can’t help the soft blush that creeps over my cheeks as Avery watches me with an appreciative expression. Another thing I’ve kept secret, I may or may not be harboring a small, okay huge, crush on my best friend of four years.
I never thought I’d be into girls, honestly I’m not sure I really am, there is just something about Avery I can’t get out of my head. She’s gorgeous, kind, and just so fucking bad ass, I can’t help but be smitten with her. Hell our whole high school was. However this slight infatuation is my dirty little secret. I know Avery doesn’t feel the same way. Her countless array of suitors and ex-boyfriends are a clear indication that she’s into dicks. I have nothing to offer her, other than my friendship, and I’ve decided I’m okay with that.
Chapter 2
ZANE
Baby Girl: Heads up Mr. Grinch, I’ll be bringing Avery with me to the cabin. Her mom sucks just as bad as mine and has left her to fend for herself this Christmas. You know the holly jolly elf in me can't allow that. I can’t wait to have my two favorite people under the same roof for my favorite holiday.
*Photo Attachment*
I can’t help smiling at the screen when I see the picture of Chloe and Avery appear under her text message. The ear to ear smile she’s giving the camera makes one just as big appear on my usually sulking one.
Me: Fine. You know I can never say no to you Cindy Lou. Consider this your Christmas present.
My palms are sweating and my mouth is dry. How can one text message fuck me up so easy? The answer is simple - Avery Taylor. She was sin in silk the last time I saw her in person four years ago, and if the pictures on her Instagram are anything to go by, she's only gotten more tempting with age. Not to mention the pout on her gorgeous lips beside Chloe’s grin is making my cock twitch beneath my jeans.
This is bad, real bad.
At least back then I was able to control myself since she was barely fifteen but now, she's legal. I don't know how I am going to get through this visit.
Chloe knows I could never deny her anything, especially on Christmas, which is why I’m confused as to why she didn’t tell me sooner.
I’m startled by the sound of a car engine outside my living room window. They’re here.
I can’t help the rapid beating of my heart as I slowly strut over to the front door. All my blood is rushing down to my thick erection, my cock aching to see what’s just behind that door. Fuck. This is going to be harder than I thought. Having Avery under my roof for a whole fucking week is going to test my restraint in every fucking way.
I chuckle to myself before opening the door and stepping out onto my snow covered front porch. Having grown up in Colorado, I’m used to the cold and thick layers of snow. It’s why I chose to move out here after my divorce from Chloe’s mother. California was not for me, and when there was nothing left for me there, I left. The city is too flashy and busy, I prefer to be alone out in the woods, secluded from the calamity of the world around me. I must admit it was hard though, leaving Chloe behind with her neglectful, ostentatious mother, but there was nothing I could do. Rebecca O’Connell forbade me to go near her daughter, and since Chloe was nothing of mine, I couldn’t fight her on it.
It broke my heart to leave my baby girl alone with that conniving bitch, but I also couldn’t keep dangling hope in front of her. So I left, came to hide out in the mountains, and ignored her calls and messages for years. Though now that she’s eighteen and officially an adult, I can’t keep hiding from her. Nor do I want to.
“Aaaahh!” I’m startled out of my reminiscing by a loud squeal coming from the driveway.
“Shit,” I curse out loud, looking down and seeing a blanket of dark red hair laid out against the stark white snow.
“Oh my god! Avery, are you
okay?” Chloe shrieks in panic, kneeling down at her best friend's side.
“Fuck, this shit is hella slippery,” Avery groans, trying and failing to sit up.
“Woah there, slow down sweetheart,” I blurt out, reaching down to steady her. Both girls turn and watch me with bewildered gazes. Fuck. I have no idea where that came from. I’m not one for terms of endearment. “We have to make sure you didn’t hurt your neck or back before we move you,” I add, trying to distract them from my comment.”
Avery’s blue eyes watch me curiously, unsure of how to respond. It’s like the world around us has faded to black and all I see are her deep blue irises and flawless skin. Her red hair falls in long waves behind her back, a stark contrast to the snow white of her skin marked with rosy patches against her cheeks from the brisk winter air. Her lips are plump and perfect, her nose surely making every plastic surgeon back in California jealous. But it’s the sliver of skin peeking beneath her coat, the silky porcelain dip of her collarbone, that lures me in.
“It’s my foot,” she murmurs, snapping out of my lustful daze.
“What?” I ask, confused as to why I’m crouched down beside her.
“My ankle, I think I twisted it.”
Oh right, she fell.
“What do we do, Zane?” Chloe mumbles, clearly still freaking out.
I look up to the driver who’s standing by watching us. “Can you grab all the bags and take them up to the front porch please.” He nods moving to the trunk. “Chloe sweetie, can you open the front door and get an ice pack, and the first aid kit from the downstairs bathroom.”