by Jax Hart
“I like being stylish. It makes me feel good.” I raise my chin.
“Oh yeah, while making everyone else around you feel bad? Did you enjoy having every man’s married or not eyes glued to your tight body? You made every woman in town feel like they weren’t good enough.”
“I was wearing this coat. No one could see my ‘tight body.’ The only one who had his eyes glued to me was you. Besides, you’re the one taking off clothes.” I cross my arms over my chest still tasting him. I swipe my tongue over my swollen lips watching as his eyes follow the movement and his fists clench.
“I was hot,” he grumbles putting on the red felt hat.
“You look ridiculous.”
“So? You still kissed me.”
“A momentary lapse of judgement.”
“Is that so?” His lips twitch as he comes closer.
I hold a palm up. “My face itches from that...that…thing.” I point to the fake beard.
“Imagine how my balls feel?”
My face heats. “You’re a bad Santa.”
“The absolute worst,” he agrees, cupping my face and holding me by the chin. “Don’t strut your stuff around here. It’s not Beverly Hills. It’s the backwoods.”
“How did you know I’m from California?”
“Easy cupcake. I’m Santa. I know everything,” he winks, swaggering back inside the alley door he must’ve come out of. I stand for a minute catching my breath. He was a hard, dominant alpha who kissed me like I was his woman. And I let him. Hell, I’d let him again and he knows it. The biting wind changing direction pulls me out of my lust-induced man-coma. It’s better off we don’t really know each other. He’s probably as hideous as his personality. Besides, I’m a confident, independent woman. A backwoods alpha male isn’t really who I’m looking for, is it?
But wow. That man could kiss. I giggle, pressing my gloved hand to my mouth. Coming here was just what I needed to get over Grant for good.
10
DARE
“I CAN’T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS.”
“Keep smiling, Rog warns as he rests a palm on my shoulder.
“I need to hit something. I swear if one more old lady pinches my butt—I’m going to lose my shit.”
“Calm down. Nothing wrong with a little hanky-panky,” he deadpans.
I think of all the ways I could make him pay, while fighting my way to the bar. Only in Springdale does the Senior Center have one for their Christmas party.
“What can I get for you, Santa?”
“A cold beer. Make it a draft.”
The bartender places a foaming mug down in front of me and I waste no time bringing it to my lips. The rich foam slides in my mouth and I instantly regret it because I no longer taste her. The cold beer soothes my swollen lips, coats my tongue and washes away the taste of my vixen’s kiss.
It pissed me the hell off watching her flirt with Federico earlier…. the way she strutted around in those pin-heeled boots; like she owned Springdale had me smoldering… Waltzing around buying shit while wearing a purse like that? It was wrong of the Barrington boy to do what he did—but his parents have a lot of mouths to feed and I can’t say I blame the kid since I know what’ sit’s like to be nine and hungry. Something I doubt she knows anything about.
So, I got even with the little minx in the best way possible. I told myself it was sweet revenge coaxing the want from her knowing if she knew who I was it’d never happen.
She hates my guts.
I hate hers.
The kick in the balls is one taste of her leaves me wanting more. I chug the rest of my beer and order another wondering what in the hell I’m gonna do about it. Probably nothing. I didn’t come here looking for a fling. I have enough on my plate to deal with.
After another hour wearing that friggin’ suit, I breathe a huge sigh of relief as I practically rip it off my body. My skin is coated in sweat. My face is red from the plastic beard.
But I still taste that saucy minx’s kiss on my lips. I need a shower but I’m reluctant to rinse that off.
“You made a great Santa.”
“Liar,” I wink at Devon.
“You did. And don’t tell my husband, but you were the sexiest Santa I’ve ever seen.”
“He owes me big time. Do you mind if I uses the upstairs apartment to shower?”
“Go right ahead. Oh, by the way, people are already asking who Santa was.”
“No. Fuck, no. Promise me, Devon. That this stays in the family. I’m already dreading nightmares of little old ladies with wandering hands,”
“It’s the least we can do for making you help out like that.”
“Never again. That was pure torture.”
“Oh really?” She picks up the discarded top. “What about this lipstick stain on the collar.”
“I have no idea. Must’ve been that old bag who grabbed my ass and asked me to special deliver my package…”
“Huh. That’s weird because it matches the stain on your neck.”
My face heats. “It was the only way to shut her up.”
“Who?”
“Fur baby,” I mutter with a grin.
“Speak. Now.”
I roll my eyes. “There’s nothing to tell. What can I say? Women love a man in uniform or in this case…costume. She was all hot for Bad Santa. I indulged her dirty fantasy. That’s it.”
“It’s her, isn’t it? The woman staying at the Maple Mill Inn?”
“Maybe.”
“I know it is. I saw how you were looking at her when she was with Federico.”
“Oh yeah? How was I looking at her?”
“Like you wanted to rip her from his arms.”
“I did that?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I can’t stand her.”
“Tell that to someone who might believe it.”
“She’s…too much. Overdressed. Overkill…over-styled.”
“And you can’t take your eyes off her.”
“…or my hands.”
“Are you going to ask her out?”
“Hell, no. I’m going to avoid her like the plague. I didn’t come home for Christmas for some bad romance.”
“What did you come for?”
“The fuck if I know. I knew it was a bad idea. But Rog, he’s the only family in my life. He might not be blood…but he’s all I’ve ever had.”
11
ROGER
“I FEEL BAD ABOUT THIS…”
“Don’t. Sally and I saw it with our own eyes. Everyone in town knows the woman’s staying with her. It spread in under two minutes that she followed the Barrington boy behind the dumpsters in the alley. I was with Sally when she got the text. We were counting soup cans at the food pantry and opened the backdoor just in time to see Dare in his Santa suit back her up against the alley wall.”
I feel the burrowing of my brows as I frown.
“She was enjoying it trust me. Hell, I was enjoying it,” my wife fans her face.
“Well shit, I can’t have that. He has to go.”
“I completely agree, “she nods, taking my hand and walking backward into our bedroom. “The two of them had more sparks than a five-alarm fire.”
I shrug, unbuckling my belt, “Hell if I care if they burn Roque’s property down. I’ll give Sally a head’s up later and tell her to be expecting him.”
“Stop,” she smacks her hand on my chest, so I flex a pec for her. “We fell in love there.”
“Exactly. We should own it not him.”
“Would…would you really buy it from him? For us?”
“Hell, darlin’ don’t you know I’d do anything for you, girl?”
“Like making me come all night?”
“That’s already a given.”
She bites her lip, “Can we afford it? Imagine our babies playing in the sun, swinging from trees in the orchard.”
“Don’t you worry about that when it’s my job.” Her small hands unzip me, and I groan, closing my eyes as her delicate hands wr
ap around my cock.
“Fuck, girl. I’ll never get enough of ya’. This will never be enough,” I rasp, trapping her face with my hands as she continues to glide hers up and down my dick.
“I’m going to scream tonight, Rog. Make me scream. Maybe he’ll want to leave in the morning.” I cover her mouth with a hand. “No. Shhhh, if you scream, I’ll punish you baby doll. Punish you real good. Screaming will only make him wanna stay.”
She drops her hands and lifts her sweater over her head. My cock jumps, precum beads at the tip. “Fuck, Dev.” Her breasts are already fuller, her dusky nipples a shade darker as the ripened buds point at me.
She falls back on the bed, I come between her thighs, tugging one swollen peak into my mouth and rolling it on my tongue.
“Do you know how I know heavens real? Because I found it baby, in you.”
“Heaven.” That would make a wonderful name for our baby girl.
My heart swells to bursting as I make love to my girl, my Devon. The bed creaks and groans as I thrust into her wet heat. She’s rarely wrong. Maybe pushing Dare into the arms of that head turner who came into town won’t be a bad thing. Hell, if anyone needs to make new Christmas memories, it’s Darren. The pressure building in my balls becomes too intense, I lose all ability to think as I rock my hips into my woman and come home.
12
DARE
“I NEED A FAVOR.”
“Not. One. More.” I growl at Rog over the piping hot coffee I just poured.
“I need help at Sassy’s.”
“I’m not a bus boy. Sorry.”
“Security.”
“The boys need to make a run up north. Some shit came up last minute. It’s not about me, Darren. It’s my woman and child.”
I raise a hand. “No need to say anymore. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Oh, and one more thing…I need you to leave.”
“WHAT? You’re the one who invited me here.”
“I know. But Dev’s pregnant… this Christmas is special.”
“I’m not bunking out in the hidden safe room.”
“No need. A new bed and breakfast opened. I took Dev there on our first date. They have rooms.”
“…the one on Old Orchard Road?”
He smirks, “That’s the one.”
“Fuck, me. Fine. I’ll be out of here as soon as I finish this,” I raise the piping hot black Colombian goodness to my mouth. That old bastard is up to something. But if fate has me shacking up at the same place as fur baby…well maybe I’ll take the Santa suit with me… I grin like the devil as I finish my coffee.
“What?” Rog frowns. “I’ve seen that smug look on you before. I didn’t like it then and I hate it even more now.”
Dev strolls in wearing one of his plaid flannel shirts and a thick pair of socks.
“What’s going on?” She looks back and forth between us.
“Nothing. Get back in the bedroom,” he orders, smacking her on the ass. “We have company, put some pants on.”
“It’s just, Dare,” she rolls her eyes.
“He can still see your thighs.”
“Barely.”
“You have the sexiest knees I’ve ever seen and the sexiest bedroom voice,” I smirk, giving Rog’s woman bedroom eyes.
She smirks back and pours her own coffee, but Rog takes it from her hands before it touches her lips. “No caffeine. It ain’t good for the baby.”
“You pissing me off isn’t good for the baby,” she replies.
“Oh hush, woman, he growls cupping her ass as he lifts her high for a kiss. Maybe getting out of here is a good idea.
“I’ll off. I’ll be at Sassy’s tonight.”
“Great! We’re having a holiday party. Half-priced drinks until eight.”
“Is the whole town invited.”
“Practically.”
“Mind if I help myself?” I nod over to Rog’s gun safe. He nods and my fingers on the dial remembering the three digits. I’m going to need a few if I’m going to protect Sassy’s from unwanted guests. Old habits die hard. Rog introduced me to the MC life, but he was also the one who made sure I got out and mad something more of myself. I owe him.
I take out a Glock and check the clip. My movements steady and fast. In three seconds, I’ve morphed back into the ruthless man I was in the past. It was as easy as changing a pair of shoes. “Where is this hotel anyway.”
“Old Orchard Road.”
I nod. “I’ll see you later.” With that I tuck another gun into the back of my jeans, grab a few bullet boxes and go the guestroom to grab my bag. I do a quick search for this inn on my phone. It looks swanky for Springdale. At least it has an indoor spa and workout room. I ate so many damn cookies today I’d better workout. My black boots crunch the snow under my feet as I shut the door to Rog’s cabin and breathe in deep. My eyes look up at the evergreen surrounding the land. The air is crisp with a hint of woodsmoke. Silence surrounds me. Wistfulness churns in my gut. Home never felt like home. I live in a concrete jungle now but always wished I’d find peace in the wild North West.
Maybe one day.
Until then I’ll make a home with Freddie and fill it with the best things I can find. Shit like a puppy forgotten about, left in some kennel after the rest of the litter was picked. It’ll fit right in. A leftover. A forgotten one. But no more. I’m changing the road we’ll be on from the forgotten one to the found.
13
Shiloh
“COME HERE. SIT ON ME.”
He’s so sexy. Even in that ridiculous suit. I sigh, fluffing my hair, smiling sexily as I sashay forward in my ruby heels.
“I’ve been a bad girl.”
“Have you?” He growls as I lift my arms and throw my mohair sweater to the ground.
His huge arms come around me as my thighs straddle his. He’s built like an ox. Big everywhere. “You smell so good,” I moan, running my tongue up the side of his neck.
“You smell better.”
His calloused hands unclasp my bra and I moan, as they move to the front cupping me boldly before his rough tongue rolls a nipple in his hot mouth.
“Your beard tickles,” I giggle.
“You think this is funny?” He growls.
He moves me forward on his lap.
“Oh.” I pause stunned at what I feel poking me.
“You’re gonna be saying a lot more of that soon, cupcake.”
“You…you seem so familiar.”
“Do I?”
“Please. Let me see you. Take off the beard.”
“I can’t sugar. It’s your fantasy.” He goes back to rolling my nipple between his teeth and his hands lower, parting my velvet skirt with fur trim that matches his Santa suit. “Fuck, you’re wet.” His fingers rub through my folds, find my aching nub and pinch hard.
“Gah!” I scream.
“Are you gonna come for me, naughty girl?”
He pumps in and out, suckles at my tits and smacks my pussy hard.
“Yess! I’m coming for you!”
“I knew you would,” he smirks, yanking off the fake beard.
“You again!” I scream still coming on his hand.
“Hiya, cupcake. Ready for round two?”
“Shiloh! Wake up! Unlock the damn door!”
“Huh?” I grumble falling out of sleep and tumbling back into reality angry as all hell. “Stop banging!” I snarl. “Fuck!” My toes snag in the fallen bed sheet and I trip, landing with a thud.
“That’s it. I’m using the master key!” Sally cries, seconds before my door is flung open wide.
“You!” We both gasp, coming face to face.
It’s him.
The mysterious man from a few days ago. My palms itch to smack the smirk right off his face. My thighs still burn from the dream I was just rudely snapped out of. My breasts are swollen and heavy.
“I hate Christmas,” I moan.
“Nice rack.” His eyes lower.
The neckline of my sleep shirt han
gs down giving him a view of my lush breasts and dusky nipples.
Looking left, I grab my boot and fling it at his head. He ducks and Sally gasps as it crashes against the wall.
“She’s terribly cranky until she has her first cup of coffee.”
“Nah, I think it’s just her personality,” he drawls.
“Get out!” I hate him. Loathe him. Despise him. He’s wearing slacks and dress some socks. His feet are rucked into Gucci loafers and he’s wearing a buttoned-down shirt. He’s a million bucks and I’m sweating on the carpet with serious bedhead.
“Gladly. You were the once screaming all alone in your bedroom. I bet that happens often.”
I gasp.
“You wish. I happen to be a screamer.” I rise, feeling strangely bold, sauntering forward. “He went out the window.”
“Sure, he did, cupcake. You might want to hide any sex toys, so housekeeping doesn’t find them.” He gestures to the vibrator peeking out from under the bed.
“So? I’m not ashamed. If men knew how to please their woman; we wouldn’t need them.” I snarl because he sounds just as sexy talking to me as he did in my dream.
“Oh, I know how to please my woman,” he winks, shutting the door and I pick up my other boot, throwing it just because it feels good when the sound of it hitting the door reaches my ears.
“Are you okay?”
I didn’t even notice Sally had sat in the armchair by the fire.
“No. What in the hell did you put in the eggnog last night? I had a sex dream. About Santa! I’m sick. Going to hell.”
“You did?” She seems strangely excited and leans forward. “Tell me more.”
“No.” I pace, wringing my hands. “Who is that guy anyway?” I nod down the hall.
“Our newest guest.”
“What?” I pause. Then pick the clothes I dropped so carelessly last night off the floor. “I’m leaving. Checking out. Sayonara.”
“He really gets under your skin, doesn’t he?”
“I can’t stand the man.”
“You’ve met before?”
“In the airport. He’s rude. Arrogant. Knows he’s hot as Hades and I hate men like that.”
“He’s not that bad. He came to visit friends and they kicked him out. He has nowhere else to go.”
