Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances

by Nicole Morgan

  Reba blinked a few times. “What do you mean, ‘My debt has been taken care of’?”

  “I mean just what I said, it has been paid off. You no longer owe a penny to the banks for your student loans.”

  “How?” she asked him. At the same time another question came to my mind, and I sat up on the edge of the couch and glared at Quinn.

  “Why?”

  He cocked his head. “Relax, Wallie, it’s all on the up and up. I’m trying to help Reba, and, believe it or not, I’m not the only person who was interested in Reba working for the new club.”

  “Who else would be interested?” Reba queried.

  “Do you remember Claude Wellburn, the man you did the hostess job for?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr. Wellburn is my partner in the new club. He was very impressed by you and said he wanted you installed there, no matter what.”

  “But who paid off my debt?”

  “Consider it an advance on your new salary,” he explained without actually explaining. “When you start working, you will have a nice income, way more than you were making, but you will also be slowly paying this debt back. After it’s paid off, then your income will revert to where it should be.”

  “What is my salary going to be at the new job?” Reba asked as her voice was beginning to sound excited.

  “About three times what you were making as a waitress.” Her mouth fell open again and Ty laughed. “The best part is that you two can date, get married, have babies—all of that—and it doesn’t matter now.”

  I reached over and took Reba’s hand. The thought of having babies knotted my stomach slightly, but that’s because I wanted them—badly.

  “So what do you say?” Quinn asked Reba. “Does that make sense now? I had a lot going on last night and some not-so-nice clients that I was dealing with at the time that Destiny decided to throw a fit, and I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you at the club, but these kinds of things need to be spoken about outside of the club walls.”

  Ty leaned forward. “Remember how I said the walls had ears? Well, Quinn is not the only one who listens.”

  “You mean Wellburn listens, too?” I asked.

  “Yeah, he listens,” Quinn remarked and didn’t seem all that happy about it.

  “So why are you doing business with him?” Reba asked the very question that I was about to ask.

  “Because, right now, he has the money that I need to do what I want, but, pretty soon, I’ll be able to do it on my own, and we won’t need him, so I need my core people on my side and knowing what’s going on. That includes you guys. I want you both in the inner circle, so to speak.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want,” I told him as Reba squeezed my hand.

  “In the meantime, Reba, get back to school and finish your degree. As soon as the new year starts, you’re going to be busy working with me to get the new place moving and with your schooling. Wallie, I’m going to have you assist me with hiring more guards for the new club and for our club. You can assist Ty with a few things, as he’s getting a little busy, and you’ve proven yourself to be an asset. We’re getting busier now that we have out-of-town guests coming in to visit.”

  “Sure, I can do that.”

  “When the new club opens, I’d like to put you in charge of security, running things there like Ty runs things at Pleasure. Would you be interested in that?”

  “You’re serious?” I was speechless for a moment until he nodded. “Hell, yes, I’m interested.”

  “Good. There is going to be a lot to do this next year, and I’m going to need people I can trust and people who can watch my back. I know Ty’s got my back, and I know you are close to Ty, Wallie, so I’m hoping I can count on you.”

  “Absolutely,” I told him.

  “And you have my help with whatever you need,” Reba added.

  “Great.” He drank the rest of his wine. “Okay, well I guess I should go so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday.”

  “Are you going to spend the day with family?” Reba asked as Quinn stood.

  “No, I’m heading home. I don’t have family around here.”

  Reba stepped forward. “Yes, you do, Quinn. Stay here with us today. It’s just us and Britt, and she’d be in seventh heaven to have you around today.”

  He laughed. “I don’t want to get in the way.”

  I stood behind Reba, my hands on her shoulders. “Quinn, man, you’re not in the way. You just said you need people you could trust around you. You have us now. We’d love to have you stay. This year is about new starts, right? I’m making one, so is Reba—so I guess it’s your turn to make one.”

  Quinn glanced around at us, and the doorbell rang signaling that Britt had arrived.

  “Well, that ham does smell damn good.”

  “Better than leftovers,” Ty joked as Reba set off to get the front door.

  Later that night, after everyone had left, Reba went upstairs to change clothes, and I took the stepstool out and removed the mistletoe from the entryway. I had a plan.

  Reba was in the other bedroom, but I knew she was planning on joining me in mine. I’d already told her that tomorrow we were officially moving her into my room. I bypassed her room and closed the door to my bedroom, locking the door behind me in case I wasn’t ready for her yet.

  It took me a few minutes, but I managed to get it set up and had it done right before she joined me. The minute she knocked on the door, I let her in, and it took everything in me to tame my wild beast and not devour her on sight. Instead, I pulled her gently into my arms and danced her slowly through my room toward my bearskin rug. The fire was burning behind the glass, and romantic shadows danced to the soft music playing.

  Reba’s green eyes were bright and cheerful but also seductive and sexy, and as I slowed our movement near the rug, I took her face in my hands and kissed her slowly. “I know we haven’t been together long, Reba, but you are everything I have ever dreamed of, everything I have ever wanted in a woman, and I love you.”

  She smiled dreamily. “And I love you, Lee. I always knew there was something between us, but I never expected it to be this strong, this intense, this incredible.”

  I kissed her again and this time, I lifted her and laid her on the floor. As she looked over my shoulder, she giggled. “You put the mistletoe in your bedroom!”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Why?” She brushed a hand over the top of my head and shivered as she rubbed her legs together.

  “Because that little bundle of mistletoe has given me a host of fantasies, and I wanted it to be here to watch them all come true—especially this one.” I reached under the rug and pulled out a box.

  Reba stared at the box and immediately knew what it was. A hand went to her mouth as her eyes began to moisten.

  “Ms. Reba St. James, will you please make all my fantasies come true and be my wife, the mother of my children, and the holder of all my mistletoe fantasies?”

  She was nodding, but I wanted to hear the words so I didn’t move. “Yes, yes, oh, yes.”

  I kissed her and then removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her hand. I leaned down and kissed her finger and then her lips. “Now, let me hear you say that again, but this time, with me between your legs.”

  Reba laughed as she pulled me in for a kiss, and I felt every ounce of her love for me pouring over me. For just a second, my sister’s face passed through my mind, and I knew she was happy for me. She would have loved Reba, as much as I did.

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  Join us in 2018 as the Pleasure Your Fantasies Series continues with more escapades from Quinn Monroe and his employees. To be notified about the progress of this series, please join Stacy’s Newsletter.

  About the Author

  Stacy Eaton began her writing career in October of 2010, and as each year goes by, she releases more and more novels. Stacy recently took an early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service, with her last three in inve
stigations and crime scene investigation.

  Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter who is working toward her second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and on the choral and cheerleading squads at school. She also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.

  Stacy is very involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years. She continues to volunteer with them when she has time.

  Be sure to visit www.stacyeaton.com for updates and more information on her books.

  Sign up for all the latest information on Stacy’s Newsletter!

  Also by Stacy Eaton

  Paranormal Romance:

  My Blood Runs Blue

  Blue Blood for Life

  Garda ~ Welcome to the Realm

  Domestic Violence – Crime - Suspense:

  Whether I’ll Live or Die

  Barbara’s Plea

  You’re Not Alone

  Romantic Suspense:

  Liveon ~ No Evil

  Second Shield

  Distorted Loyalty

  Six Days of Memories

  Second Shield II: The Return

  Contemporary Romance:

  Tempt Me Too

  Finding the Strength

  Heart of the Family Series:

  Mistletoe & Cocoa Kisses, Book 1

  Roses & Champagne Kisses, Book 2

  Orchids & Hurricane Kisses, Book 3

  Heal Me Series:

  Cured, Book 1

  Revived, Book 2

  Mended, Book 3

  Celebration Series:

  Tangled in Tinsel, Book 1

  Tears to Cheers, Book 2

  Heathens to Hearts, Book 3

  Rainbows Bring Riches, Book 4

  Sweet as Sugar, Book 5

  Making Mom Mad, Book 6

  Sparklers or Spankings, Book 7

  Raffles to Rattles, Book 8

  Flirting with Fireworks, Book 9

  Working under Wheels, Book 10

  Masquerading at Midnight, Book 11

  Blessings & Beans, Book 12

  Velvet & Vows, Book 13

  The Sometimes Series:

  Sometimes You Win, Book 1

  Sometimes You Lose, Book 2

  Sometimes You Play the Game, Book 3

  Pleasure Your Fantasies Series

  Mistletoe Fantasies, Book 1

  Whispered Fantasies, Book 2 (late 2018)

  A White Hot Christmas

  Rene Webb

  For: My cheering section, Mum, Papa, Sissy, Bianca, Dom and Claire, thank you!

  Disclaimer

  Disclaimer: The persons, places, things, and otherwise animate or inanimate objects mentioned in this novel are figments of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to anything or anyone living (or dead) is unintentional.

  About the Story

  “How the hell did I get here?”

  It's Christmas morning, and June Evans is wondering how a solo vacation in search of a white Christmas has led her to share a bed with the rude hottie she met only days before.

  Tom Allen was meant to be spending a quiet holiday with his family, but a freak snowstorm traps him with what he wanted most this year, a chance at love.

  Keeping warm has never been this hot!

  Chapter One

  Christmas Morning ~ June ~

  “Oh God!” I gasp loudly with pleasure, as the man above me moves in long, hard, and possessive strokes.

  I’m only half aware of my surroundings and of the Nor’easter still raging outside. Somewhere nearby, the embers of a fire crackle loudly, the wind whistles and bare branches knock on the windowpanes.

  In this moment, the only things that matter is the soft, warm bed beneath me and the man above, who is currently pounding white-hot pleasure into me.

  As I become enveloped in sensation, my thighs begin to shake from where they are wrapped tightly around his back. My newly manicured nails dig into his back, and my last coherent thought as I fall into the oblivion is, How the hell did I get here?

  Chapter Two

  Sunday, December 22nd ~ June ~

  Ding!

  I’m awoken from my all too short catnap by the fasten seatbelt sign illuminating overhead.

  From my window seat, I watch as the plane descends into Burlington International Airport. The sight of snow-covered mountains does not greet me; rather, my arrival is shrouded under cloudy grey skies. As we touch down, all I see is dead, brown grass, surrounded by a sea of asphalt. Not a hint of white anywhere!

  What about my white Christmas?

  I read that it had been an unusually mild winter here so far, but I assumed there would be some snow. Yesterday’s weather said there had been flurries. What happened to them?

  The overly cheery and perfectly quaffed stewardess interrupts my thoughts chirping, “From all of us at JetBlue, thank you for flying with us, and happy holidays!”

  While impatiently waiting to disembark the plane, I quickly send a text to my sister, Jessica. The overprotective mother hen would want to know I’ve arrived safely.

  June: Just landed. NO FUCKING SNOW! xxoo

  The small airport is decorated with festive cheer, which makes me smile with renewed excitement. Making my way to baggage claim, I’m able to quickly find my bags.

  It’s early afternoon when I exit the airport, and the sky is already beginning to darken. The air is crisp and cold. It takes my breath away, while my face burns and freezes. I’m wearing the new lilac L.L. Bean fleece jacket I purchased for the trip, along with a dark grey knit scarf, and I’m still shivering.

  Fuck, it’s cold!

  I scan the area and quickly find the driver I’ve hired, who‘s holding a sign which reads, June Evans. He will take me to my destination, Middlebury; the home of Middlebury College. I hadn’t planned on renting a car, since I tend to get lost even with GPS. Getting lost alone, in what I thought would be snow, didn’t seem like a smart idea.

  A co-worker, Holly, visited several years ago, and loved her trip. So when I decided to search for a white Christmas this year, the small college town was my first thought.

  In an odd twist, the historic inn I’m booked at is cheaper than the local Marriott. The inn is not only less expensive, but is also within walking distance to the downtown shops and a spa, which I have several appointments at tomorrow.

  When my siblings learned about my holiday plans, they chipped in and purchased several treatments for me, including a pedicure, manicure, and massage. My entire afternoon will be spent relaxing and being pampered.

  I can’t wait!

  Sadly, being born and raised in sunny Florida, in all of my 29 years on the planet, I have never had a white Christmas. Having spent a lifetime watching holiday-themed films where everything is covered in white fluffy snow, such as my favorite musical, White Christmas, it is something I’ve always wanted to experience.

  This year presented me with the perfect opportunity to travel in search of the ever elusive—at least in my life—white Christmas. For various reasons, none of my family would be home for Christmas this year. I was on my own this holiday season, so I decided to make the most of it.

  My older brother, Josh, is deployed overseas in Afghanistan. His tour doesn’t end until sometime next spring, so he’ll be enjoying a sweltering desert Christmas. Our sister, Jessica, the oldest, is spending the holiday in Texas with her husband and in-laws. And with our parents having passed several years ago, not to mention my screamingly single status, there was no reason for me to stay in Orlando.

  Jessica’s in-laws had graciously extended me an invitation, which I then politely declined. To say our worldviews differ is putting it mildly. Basically, if you aren’t a white heterosexual Christian, they believe you will burn eternally. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but theirs are just, wrong!

  It will forever baffle me how my brother-in-law, David, is in an
y way related to them. He’s as open-minded and open-hearted as they come. I’m not really sure how my sister puts up with her in-laws, but I guess she does it for her husband. The things you do for love!

  I, however, do not have to put myself through the slow, agonizing torture of being polite, when all I really want to do is slowly stab someone with a butter knife. Included in my secular holiday card were my less than truthful regrets, that I would not be joining them.

  As long as there is Internet access, I can still have my Christmas morning Skype with Josh and Jessica. I have triple checked with the inn, and they have assured me they have working Wi-Fi and I won’t have a problem connecting. I am not missing anything by leaving.

  Let’s just say I need to get out of town for a bit for personal reasons, and leave it at that. I refuse to let my past ruin what I hope will be a perfectly wonderful white Christmas!

  The forty-five-minute ride into town has deflated my good mood and left me feeling even more depressed than before. We pass fields of brown, instead of the shimmering white landscape I had been expecting.

  Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all.

  The driver is overly friendly for my mood, and the blaring Christmas music from the radio are doing nothing to help me regain my cheer.

  As we drive through the town, I see all of the wreaths and lights hanging from the street lamps, which make me smile. At least there are some festive decorations, despite the lack of snow.