1001 Dark Nights Short Story Anthology 2020

by Fiona Archer

  “I’m guessing that’s a tornado.” He set the tablet on the floor and hugged her close. “According to the radar, it’s going to skip right over us and then move out to sea.”

  The sound of glass shattering scratched at her ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. The porcelain tub vibrated.

  She clutched at his shirt, trembling harder and faster than anything around her. “This was a stupid idea,” she mumbled. “Why did I think I could impress you, of all people?”

  He rested his chin on the top of her head and rubbed his hands up and down her back. “I thought you were here to do one of your influencer pieces on….on…something.”

  “I am. And part of my new social media strategy is to tell people to go after what they want. And I want you. Only you seldom leave this island, and when you do, you never give me the time of day. All you do is make fun of me. I just wanted to show you that there is more to me than what you see on social media.”

  He coughed. “I see.”

  She buried her face in the fabric of his shirt. The roar of the wind sounded more like a freight train. But the shaking of the house slowed as did the horrifying noise. A few long moments passed as the loud crack of thunder was replaced by deafening silence. The only thing she could hear was the pounding of her heart.

  He tilted her head. “You did all this to get my attention?”

  Nodding, she let out a puff of air. “Well, that and I wanted people to know about the island and give to the fund to keep it from becoming privately owned.”

  “I’m impressed.” His mouth covered hers in a tender kiss. He parted her lips, his hot tongue finding every crevice, sending the kinds of signals to the rest of her body that meant she might not be sleeping alone tonight, much less in a tent.

  A deep moan formed in her gut and vibrated into her throat.

  “Ella, I’ve always noticed you,” he said.

  “But you think I’m a spoiled brat who hasn’t a clue about the world.”

  “You’re right. I did think that. But you’re changing my mind.” He lifted his tablet and touched the screen. “The worst has passed.” He stood, helping her from the tub.

  She adjusted her ponytail and looked around at the masculine room with its kingsize bed and wooden headboard under a skylight. “You really live out here?”

  He chuckled. “It’s a shared space between all the rangers. There are three of us, and we rotate our schedule. When I’m working, I live here.” He adjusted the battery-powered lantern and pulled out some towels from the closet. “You’re soaking wet.” He wrapped the terrycloth around her body and heaved her to his chest. “So what do you think about roughing it?”

  “I kind of like it, minus the ants. I really could have done without those.” She wrapped her arms around his broad frame. “I know that for a long time, I lived in the lands of unicorns and rainbows where Daddy fixed everything with his credit card. But a lot has changed since we were in high school. I’m not shallow. I do have substance, and I’m trying to use what I’ve created with my social media following to promote awareness and change.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  She cocked her head. “You’ve really been watching my videos?”

  “I started to when I heard what you did for that firefighter and his family a few months ago. It was pretty amazing what you accomplished.” He leaned in and pressed his mouth over hers for a long, passionate kiss with the promise of many more to come. “I still don’t understand what you do. Or how it all works. But I can appreciate a good cause.”

  “That means a lot coming from you,” she said.

  “I do have a couple of questions, though.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?” she asked. Butterflies filled her gut as she watched him pull back the comforter on the massive bed.

  “Are you willing to give camping a real try? With me? I have a few days off next week. I thought I’d do a little fishing. We could even sleep on the boat. It’s a far cry from a yacht, but it’s comfortable enough.”

  “Oh, boy. That would be stepping out of my comfort zone,” she said.

  “Staying over on the boat, or sleeping with me?”

  Tugging her ponytail free, she took the towel to her wet hair, giving it a good scrub before tossing the bath sheet on the chair in the corner. She toyed with the hem of her shirt, lifting it over her head.

  He growled.

  “I’m hoping the latter is more than comfortable. Actually, terms like explosive, mind-blowing, the best I’ve ever had, all stick out in my brain,” she said.

  “We could turn the boating adventure into a social media influencer thingy by doing a piece on manatees or something.”

  She shed her shorts and jumped between the sheets in only her bra and panties. “Anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?”

  “Can’t say anyone has ever complained about that.” He slipped under the covers and pulled her tight against him. “You’re not exactly who I thought you were, and I’m going to enjoy getting to know the real you.”

  “I always knew someday my ranger would come.”

  One corner of his lips tipped up, and then he turned serious. His warm lips caressed hers like a paintbrush stroking the canvas for the first time with the promise of something beautiful. His hands massaged her body like a master sculptor creating the perfect piece of art.

  She belonged in his arms. And she would remain there forever.

  Copyright 2020 Jen Talty

  About Jen Talty

  Jen Talty is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors. She’s proud to announce she will be launching a brand new series, The Legacy Series. The first book, Dark Legacy, will release March 23, 2021.

  Check out her latest release in the Hot Hunks Collection: Everyday Hero Ledger.

  December 7, 2020 the second book in the Bale Family Saga: Sail With Me will be released.

  You don’t want to miss this one!

  He was supposed to be her calm before the storm!

  For more information on Jen Talty, please visit her website at: jentalty.com

  Check out Jen’s bestselling series: It’s all in the Whiskey.

  Whether you take neat, or on the rocks, grab yourself a Whiskey and prepare for a wild ride.

  Johnnie Walker

  Georgia Moon

  Jack Daniel’s

  Jim Beam

  Whiskey Sour

  Whiskey Cobbler

  A little bit of romance never killed anyone!

  In Two Weeks

  Dark Water

  Deadly Secrets

  Murder in Paradise Bay

  To Protect his Own

  Deadly Seduction

  When a Stranger Calls

  Sign up for Jen’s Newsletter and get a free short story only available to her newsletter subscribers! Become part of her Talty Crew on Facebook!

  Kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in!

  Speed Hating

  by

  Jennifer Woodhull

  Chapter One

  My eyes slowly scan the crowded bar. I quickly spot a nice-looking guy, well-dressed in jeans and a tweed blazer. He glances my way and smiles, but when he raises the rocks glass to his lips, a clearly visible line rings the finger of his left hand. I roll my eyes and turn away. Maybe my standards are too high. I just want a man who stands by his word. A man you can count on. I guess they don’t make men like my dad or Grandpa anymore.

  I cross my arms and look over at Phoebe. “Was I drunk when I agreed to do this?”

  She giggles and shrugs her shoulders. “Only a little. Don’t take it so seriously, Holly. We’re just here to have a little fun.”

  A tall woman with ebony hair and a toothpaste commercial smile works her way through the crowd, handing out sheets of pa
per and pens. When she gets to us, she beams at me. “Such a great crowd tonight. You’re going to have so much fun!”

  I take the form from her with a smile that flattens into a line as soon as she turns away. “Liquor. I need more liquor.” I elbow Phoebe and tip my head toward the bar.

  We find just enough space for the two of us to crowd in and order our drinks. I stand facing my friend as a pair of guys talk, my back turned to them, and when I glance down, I notice the chronograph peeking out from under the shirt cuff of the guy leaning on the bar next to me.

  There is something I like about a man who still wears a proper watch in this age of digital everything. I don’t want to be obvious and turn to see what he looks like, but the broad palm wrapped around the glass in his hand matches the stature I feel towering beside me.

  “I’m going to go freshen up before we go in.” Phoebe winks as she slides her glass over to me.

  As I’m reading over the page in my hand, a deep, throaty chuckle from the watch-wearer catches my attention. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. His deep, rich voice piques my interest.

  “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love her. We’ve been together eight years now.”

  Damn. Sounds like Captain Chronograph isn’t here for the same event I am.

  “It’s just that she’s not the same. She’s not as playful as she used to be.”

  “Has she put on weight?” The question comes from his buddy.

  Captain Chronograph chuckles. “Dude, she’s a little butterball.”

  What the fuck? Who talks about their wife that way? What a dick. This is exactly why I have no faith in tonight being anything more than a waste of time.

  “I mean, don’t get me wrong. We still have fun. I love snuggling on the couch as much as the next guy, but we used to run together. Now if I can get her to go on a leisurely stroll, it’s a fucking miracle.”

  “Have you tried giving her something? There are some great new meds out there that could help. Just until she’s feeling like her old self again,” the smarmy friend offers.

  I nearly choke on my drink, not quite believing my ears.

  “I can’t get her to take anything. I would have to hold her down and force it down her throat.”

  “Crush it up and put it in her food, and she’ll never be the wiser.” His friend laughs. “Trust me. It’s worked for me plenty of times.”

  “Come on.” Phoebe returns, grabbing her drink in one hand and my arm with the other. “They’re about to start.”

  She tugs me through the bar toward the event room. “Phoebes, I don’t know about this. I heard the two biggest assholes talking at the bar. These guys seem pretty skeevy to me.”

  “Oh. My. God. Stop.” She rolls her eyes and turns to me. “Please, for the love of all things holy, turn off your brain for one fucking night and just have some fun, will you? I’m not entering you into an arranged marriage, it’s just speed dating.”

  Her eyes pierce mine, a hand on her hip, ready for my challenge.

  Instead—for her—I relent. “Okay. It’s just one night. I’ll try to have fun.”

  “Yes!” she squeals and hugs my neck tight. “That’s my girl! Let’s get in there, meet some guys, and flirt our asses off.”

  The toothpaste model stands in front of the double doors that open to a private room. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dash Date!” She throws her arms up in the air and the crowd applauds, a couple of people responding with whistles and yelling affirmations of their excitement. “We’re so glad you’re all here tonight. Please join us in the Dash room. Ladies, find a seat in the center aisles, gentlemen, please stand on the outside, and we will begin in just a few minutes.”

  People pour into the room, which is set up with tables in two rows. Everyone seems a little uncertain, which makes me feel strangely better. As I eye the row of potential mates facing us, I’m glad captain chronograph is nowhere in sight.

  Phoebe squeezes my arm and leans in. “Okay, some of these guys are for sure duds, but some are cute. There’s definitely some potential. Promise me you’ll try to have fun?”

  I crush the rest of my drink and turn to her. “I promise I’ll try.”

  Our hostess stands at the front of the room as her assistant closes the doors. Everyone quiets as she begins speaking. She gives instructions with game show hostess enthusiasm. “Are we ready?” The crowd collectively cheers a response. “On your mark, get set, Dash Date!”

  “Hi, I’m Mark.” The brown-haired guy who sits across from me extends his hand with a sheepish grin. “You’re super pretty.”

  Well, Holly, you agreed to at least try to have fun. Here we go.

  Chapter Two

  By the fifth “date,” the conversations start to blend together.

  What do you do for a living? Do you have any siblings? Have you always lived in Denver? Human resources for an IT company. No. Yes. Each conversation drones on, one after the other.

  When the bell mercifully sounds, and my current date, a too-drunk guy trying to sneak a peek down my blouse, stands, I look around the room. When my eyes scan left to the guy about to join Phoebe at her table, I have to do a double take. The man is the most beautiful human I think I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  My gaze takes a delightful little trip from the thick, dark, wavy hair on top of his head, over his broad shoulders, down the tapered lines of his jacket…and my journey comes to a crashing halt when I see the watch peeking out below his jacket cuff.

  Captain Chronograph. Of course, he has to be crushingly handsome.

  “Hi, I’m David. Nice to see another ginger here.” The good-looking guy in front of me probably gets mistaken for Prince Harry on the regular. As I exchange an easy conversation with my partner, I steal a glance at Phoebe’s current date. His gaze immediately meets mine, and he flashes me an irritatingly charming smile. I roll my eyes and turn back to the guy across from me. If I wasn’t so distracted, I’d probably like this guy.

  He tells me a joke about how this reminds him of one of those old TV dating game shows. I laugh, but my curiosity is getting the better of me. This time, I try to play it cool, looking from the corner of my eye, but Phoebe’s date senses me again. Before I can visually express my annoyance, Phoebe’s hand moves to his jaw and pulls his gaze back to her. They both laugh and irrational jealousy stabs in my chest.

  When the bell rings, the royal lookalike exaggeratedly circles my name on his piece of paper and gives me a wink before moving on.

  Captain chronograph is smirking as he sits down. He extends his hand, but I just cross my arms and sink back into my chair. “I’m Tyler, and your friend over there”—he nods toward the table where Phoebe is sitting—“tells me you’re Holly.”

  “Tyler, huh?” I look up at him skeptically. “So you’re single?” My eyes dart to his large left hand. No ring, and surprisingly, no line that proves one has been recently removed.

  He sits back, letting his elbow rest behind him on the top of the chair. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t single, now, would I?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” I uncross and rest my forearms on the table, lacing my fingers together. “It’s surprising what people think they can get away with these days.”

  He follows my lead, resting his forearms on the table and leaning in. He’s close enough that I can smell a subtle, woodsy scent wafting off his skin. I have to keep reminding myself of the conversation I overheard at the bar, because when he catches my gaze flitting to his full, sexy lips, the heat dancing in his eyes makes me want him to be someone else—someone who’s not an asshole.

  “We only have a few minutes left. Shouldn’t we at least go through some of the questions, beautiful?”

  My gaze narrows. “Sure. Let’s go through the questions.” I pick up the paper and scan it before locking my gaze on his. “So, tell me, Tyler, have you always lived in Denver?”

  “Since college. I’m thirty-four. I work in cybersecurity. No siblings. No kids. Never been married.” He lean
s forward after the rapid-fire answers so he’s more than halfway across the table, but I stand my ground. “Tell me, why’d you come tonight, since you clearly don’t want to be here?”

  My lips turn up in a half grin and my shoulders relax, just a little. I tip my head toward the table where Phoebe and some guy seem to be hitting it off. “Because my friend asked me to. You?”

  “Same. That counts as a question so it’s my turn.” I open my mouth to speak, then close it, clear my throat, and nod. “Holly, when’s the last time something took your breath away?”

  I suck in a deep breath. “That’s… It’s not on the sheet.”

  “Maybe I like to color outside the lines.” He makes the simple response sound dirty. I can’t help my smile any more than I can help the tingle, low in my belly, the sound of his voice stirs.

  “You don’t want to know what I do for a living, or where I’m from?” As I ask the question, my body tilts forward of its own accord.

  “No, I don’t want to know what you do, I want to know who you are.” He leans forward just a bit more, and now there are mere inches between us. “So I answered your question and more. I think you owe me an answer to mine.”

  “Well, I…” Just as I start to reply, the bell sounds.

  Damn.

  “Sounds like our time is up.” I sit back, but our eyes are still locked.

  “Well, we could both just stand up, walk through those doors, and have a drink together to finish our conversation.” He raises a brow, and for a moment I consider his offer. Then I remember the conversation I overheard at the bar. My lips part, but before I can speak, the woman at the table next to us cuts me off.

  “Hi!” The petite blonde with big eyes waves at Tyler. “You’re supposed to change partners now, so…” She points to the empty chair across from her.

  He stands and extends his hand. “It’s been a true pleasure.”

  I don’t stand, or say anything, but keep my eyes fixed on him as his hand closes in a warm grip, enveloping mine. “Until next time, Holly.”