Bittersweet: An Equilibrium Novella
Page 9
Or… at least that was the plan.
I’d barely made it a step away from the bed before Royal grabbed me by the waistband of my pajamas to drag me back down.
“Where the hell you think you’re going?” he asked, crawling on top of me before he started tugging my bottoms down.
“To open my presents.”
He shook his head, giving me that grin that had irritated the life out of me for so long. Now… it just made me tingly between the legs.
“Not before I open mine.”
I covered my mouth to laugh. “That’s so corny.”
“I never promised you I’d be smooth – I can’t be completely perfect, can I?” he asked, just before his lips brushed my thigh.
“Well… this might not be a great time for that question. Not when you’re—oh hell,” I moaned, letting my head fall back as he covered me with his mouth. His skill level down there made a helluva case for perfection as far as I was concerned.
And when he was done there… he reacquainted me with the other thing he was pretty damned perfect at.
“Merry Christmas, Nik,” he groaned into my ear, plunging into me so deep I’d swear I could feel it in my chest. “Don’t they say how you spend Christmas is how the next year will go?”
“That’s New Year’s,” I corrected, half-breathless.
“Fine. Let’s spend New Year’s Eve like this too.”
It was… a little crazy to me, that his words didn’t feel like a lie. Usually, there was some part of me that knew, deep down, I was just being played again, setting myself up for another failure.
This was different.
This was… so, so much better.
Never in a million years would I have thought the bitter taste Royal left in my mouth would turn into something this… sweet.
My phone chimed, reminding me that it was still clutched in my hand from when I intended to get up. Instead of looking at it, I tossed it away, fully engaging myself in what I wouldn’t remotely mind becoming my new Christmas tradition.
When Royal finally did let me leave the bed, I hunted down my phone so I could send my family members the usual holiday well-wishes. I quickly discovered though, that my mother had already beat me to it, even with the time difference.
“Merry Christmas… or should I say Merry Dickmas - Mommy”
“Oh God,” I groaned, shaking my head at not just the text, but the string of eggplant and tongue-out emojis that followed it, intermingled with gift boxes and Christmas lights.
“Everything good?” Royal asked, peeking out of the bathroom door as I came up the hall.
When I looked up, it really hit me that this was not at all how I’d expected to spend this day, but… this wasn’t too bad of a turn of events.
Not at all.
“Everything’s great,” I told him with a smile that must have eased his mind. I was still wearing it when I went back to my phone to type my reply to my mother.
“Ugh, Mama. But… Merry Dickmas to you too.”
The end.
About the Author
Christina C. Jones is a modern romance novelist who has penned many love stories. She has earned a reputation as a storyteller who seamlessly weaves the complexities of modern life into captivating tales of black romance.
Also by Christina C. Jones
Equivalent Exchange
Wonder (Post-Apocalyptic)
Love and Other Things
Eternally Tethered
Haunted
Coveted
Mine Tonight (erotica)
The Love Sisters
I Think I Might Love You
I Think I Might Need You
I Think I Might Want You
Sugar Valley
The Culmination Of Everything
Equilibrium
Love Notes
Grow Something
In Tandem
Frosted. Whipped. Buttered (Holiday Short)
Plus One (Holiday Short)
Five Start Enterprises
Anonymous Acts
More Than a Hashtag
Relationship Goals
High Stakes
Ante Up
King of Hearts
Deuces Wild
Sweet Heat
Hints of Spice (Highlight Reel spinoff)
A Dash of Heat
A Touch of Sugar
Truth, Lies, and Consequences
The Truth – His Side, Her Side, And the Truth About Falling In Love
The Lies – The Lies We Tell About Life, Love, and Everything in Between
Friends & Lovers:
Finding Forever
Chasing Commitment
Strictly Professional:
Strictly Professional
Unfinished Business
Serendipitous Love:
A Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Didn’t Mean To Love You
Fall In Love Again
The Way Love Goes
Love You Forever
Something Like Love
Trouble:
The Trouble With Love
The Trouble With Us
The Right Kind Of Trouble
If You Can (Romantic Suspense):
Catch Me If You Can
Release Me If You Can
Save Me If You Can
Inevitable Love:
Inevitable Conclusions
Inevitable Seductions
Inevitable Addiction
The Wright Brothers:
Getting Schooled – Jason & Reese
Pulling Doubles – Joseph & Devyn
Bending The Rules – Justin & Toni
Connecticut Kings:
CK #1 Love in the Red Zone – Love Belvin
CK #2 Love on the Highlight Reel
CK #3 – Determining Possession
CK #4 – End Zone Love – Love Belvin
CK#5 – Love’s Ineligible Receiver – Love Belvin
CK # 6 - Pass Interference