Jingle Bell Rock

by Ella Frank

  Tate chuckled. “Hmm, I don’t remember the plane going down during that trip. You, however…”

  My eyes roamed over Tate’s leather jacket, burgundy t-shirt, and well-worn jeans, and I had a very vivid flashback of him stretched out beneath the sheer canopy of our island bed, naked as the day he was born.

  I took a sip of my drink and tongued my lower lip. “Are you trying to distract me or torture me?”

  Tate leaned back in his seat and widened his straddle. Torture me…tease.

  “I’d settle for either if it stops your freak-out.”

  “I’m not freaking out. I’m thinking of all the times I’d miss out on seeing you naked if we didn’t make it home.”

  “Oh my God.” Tate let out a full-on laugh. “That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think? You could’ve told Ace no when he offered the tickets.”

  “I wasn’t about to do that. You’ve been talking about going somewhere warm for Christmas for years. And this is a much shorter trip than Australia.”

  Tate leaned across the table and took the glass out of my hand. He downed the end of my drink, then took my chin between his fingers. “Remind me to thank you for the sacrifice later.”

  My eyes lowered to the tempting lips mere inches from mine. “Count on it.”

  Tate reluctantly let me go and moved back to his seat—safely out of reach. Then he picked up the menu and read it over again. “Let’s order. I’m starving. How about the cheeseburger and fries? It’ll help soak up the alcohol.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.” Tate got to his feet, then stopped. “You’re not going to run away, are you?”

  I arched an eyebrow. “While my desire to not fly anywhere is strong, my desire to be where you are is much stronger.”

  A sensual smile slowly stretched across Tate’s gorgeous face, and when he leaned down and grazed his lips over mine, his soft curls brushed my cheek. “Go.”

  He pulled back, and my heart thumped at the love swirling in those dark eyes.

  “Going…”

  I watched as he took a couple of steps back, and when he turned to head to the bar, I drank in the sight of his long legs eating up the space with a confidence that made my entire body sit up and pay attention.

  Damn, my husband was one sexy motherfucker.

  I looked out the window and groaned as snow flurries began to fall from the sky, adding that to my list of reasons I didn’t like to fly out of Chicago at Christmas. Now, not only did I have to worry about the plane getting off the ground, I was busy imagining it slipping and sliding down the runway. This was great…juuust great.

  I was about halfway through a ten-point list of reasons why we shouldn’t go anywhere this weekend, when my phone buzzed and I saw Ace’s name flash up on my screen. Perfect timing. I could let him down easy. Give him a chance to give our tickets to someone who didn’t have to risk their lives to use them.

  “Well, if it isn’t Hollywood’s hottest, gayest action hero calling.”

  Ace’s instantly familiar chuckle vibrated through the phone. “And Chicago’s most loud-mouthed pain-in-the-ass lawyer answering.”

  I smirked. “Now, I’d agree with the first half of that statement, but not so much the second half. I’m all about the pleasure when it comes to Tate’s ass.”

  I could all but hear Ace’s eyes roll as he groaned in my ear. “Thanks for the overshare, as always. But funnily enough, I wasn’t calling for an update on your love life. I was calling to make sure you’re not plotting ways to avoid getting on the plane. Like getting fall-on-your-ass drunk.”

  I sat up a little straighter in my seat and looked over my shoulder, wondering how in the hell Ace knew what I was doing. I scanned the low-lit interior, where a brightly decorated tree graced one corner, and tinsel and twinkle lights lined the bar. That was when I saw Tate holding his phone up, grinning at me.

  “Tate texted you.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  I narrowed my eyes on my husband, who clearly knew me well enough to call in reinforcements. “I don’t know why you won that award last month for best actor. You can’t lie worth a shit.”

  “And you are totally predictable. Do you really think I needed Tate to text me to know that you were trying to dream up ways not to come out here? It took the bribe of a free stay in Cabo—all expenses paid—to get you to my damn bachelor party.”

  Tate started back in my direction, a glass in each hand.

  “You’re lucky there’s someone other than you that is really looking forward to this trip.”

  Ace chuckled. “Uh huh. Tell Tate we’ll see him tomorrow. Dylan’s looking forward to it. And Logan?”

  “What?”

  “Have a safe flight.”

  I opened my mouth, about to tell him not to jinx us, but the smug fucker had already hung up. Really, the guy had access to his very own private jet. Why the hell we were always the ones flying to see him, I had no clue. Next time we got together, he could come back to Chicago.

  “Everything okay?” Tate handed me my drink and then moved to take his seat.

  “Other than the fact that I have a scheming husband? Yes, I’m just fine.”

  Tate propped his ankle on his knee and shrugged. “It never hurts to call in reinforcements.”

  “I see. Well, don’t think there won’t be repercussions for your little…deception.”

  Tate’s lips tipped up in a wicked-hot smirk. “Oh yeah?”

  I slowly lowered my gaze over his relaxed frame and felt my cock throb at all the delicious ideas that came to mind. “Count on it. I have hours now to think up a suitable punishment. And Tate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “The first thing you’re going to do when we get to our hotel room tonight is grovel at my feet.”

  Tate’s eyes dropped to my lap, and I didn’t even bother trying to hide my erection. Then he licked his lips and raised his dark eyes to mine. “Can’t fucking wait.”

  Three

  Priest

  “ALL RIGHT, OUT with it, you two. You said you’d tell me where we were going once we got to the airport.”

  Julien and I placed our suitcases by one of the ticket kiosks and looked to our young husband, who was watching us with narrowed eyes. All week Robbie had been employing every trick up his sleeve in an effort to get us to tell him what we had planned for this little surprise getaway, but so far we’d managed to resist.

  “No, I said you’d find out once we got to the airport. It’s not my fault you haven’t worked it out yet.”

  One of Robbie’s perfectly manicured eyebrows rose as he eyed me closely, then he turned his gaze on Julien, who stood close-lipped beside me.

  “It is so your fault. The two of you are like Fort Knox. Just when I think I get through one door I bump right into another.” Robbie pouted. “I hate it when you two gang up on me.”

  “Now, now, princesse, there’s no need to lie,” Julien said beside me. “You love it when Joel and I…gang up on you. At least you did this morning, non?”

  My lips twitched as Robbie crossed his arms and really tried to ramp up his indignation, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. We knew our princess all too well, and if there was one thing Robbie loved, it was a surprise—and this one was going to blow his mind.

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He angled his pointy little chin in Julien’s direction. “And trying to distract me with memories of you two all naked and sexy—nope, it won’t work.”

  I chuckled. “Okay, so no talking about how I can’t wait to taste that pouty mouth of yours again really soon.”

  “Not unless you tell me where it is you’ll be tasting it.”

  “In that case, I guess we’ll just think about it, and you can keep pouting about it.”

  I went to turn away, and Robbie took my arm, halting me. As we faced off with one another, he took a step forward and moved his hand to my waist. I gave him a pointed look as
the handsy minx slowly slid his palm to the back of my jeans, and when his fingers slipped into my pocket, he pulled my wallet free.

  “Find out for myself, huh?” Robbie brought my leather billfold up between us and batted his lashes. “Okay. Well…I think our flight confirmation number is on a Post-it note tucked nice and neat in the money compartment here. Just like when we go to the movies.”

  I narrowed my eyes, and Robbie’s smile turned triumphant.

  “Aww, and here you thought I was just a pretty face. See, I pay attention.”

  I wrapped my fingers around Robbie’s wrist and pulled him to me so his hand and my wallet were caught between our chests. When he angled his face up toward mine, I ghosted my lips across the top of his, and when he sighed, I grinned and did it again.

  “I’ve never thought you were just a pretty face. But you are very pretty.”

  Robbie rolled his eyes, but the lovely blush on his cheeks belied his projected indifference.

  “If you think compliments are going to make me all swoony and forget how stubborn and evasive you two have been the last couple of days—”

  “Yes?”

  Robbie let out a huff. “Then you just might be right. But can you do it over there. I have a secret to unlock.”

  I stepped aside and took Julien’s hand, as Robbie made his way to the kiosk and fished out the Post-it note he had guessed was in my wallet.

  “He’s got your number,” Julien said as he leaned into my side.

  “Hmm.” I pressed a kiss to Julien’s temple. “I think you might be right.”

  “Oh, I know I’m right.” Julien angled his face up toward mine, and those stunning emerald eyes all but shined. “He almost had you yesterday. If it hadn’t been for my well-timed meal, you would’ve caved like a house of cards, mon amour.”

  “Can you blame me?”

  “In that outfit?”

  Julien turned his attention to our husband facing the kiosk and ran his eyes down Robbie’s tall, lithe frame. From the back, he looked phenomenal. In a body-hugging green sweater and jeans that molded to his tight ass, little was left to the imagination. But when he’d first stepped out of our en suite this morning, his choice of sweaters had left us both…speechless, to say the least.

  I let out a low chuckle. “Well, no. I was thinking more about yesterday’s outfit. That sweater is—”

  “Oh my God. We’re going to L.A.?” Robbie spun around with three tickets in his hand, and the smile on his face was almost as bright as the colored lights and silver tinsel decorating his Christmas sweater that read: Grinch, don’t steal my vibe.

  “Oui, princesse.” Julien grinned as Robbie practically skipped back to us.

  “Which I’m hoping will inspire you to remove that God-awful sweater you’re wearing,” I said.

  Robbie screwed his nose up. “Oh, hush, I’m being festive.”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  “It is. But it doesn’t matter anyway. Since you wouldn’t tell me where we were going, I dressed for all occasions.”

  Robbie handed over the tickets to Julien and reached for the hem of his sweater to reveal a fitted red shirt with a huge pine tree in the center. Across the top and bottom, in all caps, was: WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO PUT A TREE THAT BIG? And while that was enough to raise an eyebrow or two, I knew our husband well enough to know that there was more to his shirt than that.

  I held a finger up and motioned for him to turn, and with a grin full of mischief, Robbie made a slow pirouette showing off—there it is—his answer to the question at hand. BEND OVER AND I’LL SHOW YOU.

  “Mon dieu.” Julien bit down on his lip to hold back his laugh.

  Robbie glanced over his shoulder. “What? Do you think it’s too obvious?”

  “I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.”

  Robbie gave us a grin, then hiked his carry-on bag up his shoulder. “So…what’s in L.A?”

  “Palm trees.”

  “Beaches.”

  Robbie’s frown reappeared. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “Oui, we do. But that’s part of the surprise. Just know that this time our visit is all about fun.”

  “Fun and family,” I added.

  “We thought it was time to have a do-over.” Julien brought Robbie’s hand up to his lips and placed a kiss there. “We want to introduce you to the L.A. where we fell in love, mon cher petit. The L.A. where we got married. Aaaand we have a few other surprises up our sleeves.”

  Robbie looked between the two of us, his eyes twinkling much like the lights on the sweater he’d stuffed back into his carry-on. “You two spoil me way too much. You know that, right?”

  A smile curved my lips. “Yes.”

  “Okay, well, as long as you’re aware of it, I don’t feel guilty for enjoying it as much as I do.”

  Julien and Robbie started toward the luggage drop-off area, and his laugh filled my ears. As I followed along behind them, I couldn’t help but think I was the luckiest man in the world.

  Four

  Tate

  “I’M STARTING TO think I should’ve put you by the window—that way there’d be less chance of you making a break for it.”

  Logan’s fingers tightened around the latest gin and tonic he’d just been given. “If you think for one minute I want to see the ground disappearing out from under me at supersonic speed—or, for that matter, hurtling toward us as we plummet to the ground—you’re out of your damn mind.”

  I grinned. “Ah, I see. Would it help if I promise to pull down the shade if that happens so you don’t see it coming?”

  “I’m glad you find my fear so amusing.”

  I leaned over and placed a hand on Logan’s thigh, the warmth of his skin radiating through his jeans. “I don’t find it amusing. But three gin and tonics in and your dire predictions are getting the better of you. Maybe you need a little distraction…”

  Logan’s striking blue eyes locked on mine as I inched my hand up his thigh.

  “A distraction, huh?”

  This close to Logan, it was easy to forget I was on a plane that was quickly filling with people, when all I wanted was to lean forward and take his mouth with mine. But knowing that would do nothing but leave us both frustrated for the next handful of hours, I did the next best thing—I teased my husband mercilessly.

  I lowered my eyes to Logan’s wicked mouth and imagined the way he’d used it on me earlier in the day, the sinful way he’d traced his tongue over every inch of my skin until I demanded he get inside me.

  “Fucking hell, Tate. Whatever you’re thinking about right now, I want to know.”

  I slipped my hand down the inside of his leg and squeezed, and a low groan left Logan’s lips. “I was thinking about your mouth, and how good it felt on my—”

  “Logan? Tate?”

  We froze and blinked at one another.

  “Oh my God, it is you!”

  Logan’s jaw clenched as Robbie’s voice surrounded us, and as I slowly removed my hand, I grinned. “Well, if that’s not enough to distract you, I don’t know what is.”

  Logan took a deep breath in, let it out, then turned to see Robbie had stopped in the aisle beside him, Julien and Priest right on his heels.

  “This is crazy,” Robbie said as his eyes ping-ponged between the two of us, and then to the three empty seats in the aisle. “What are you doing here? I mean, hello, obviously you’re flying to L.A., but what are the odds we’re all on the same plane? This is awesome.”

  “Totally,” Logan said in such a droll tone that I couldn’t stop my laughter.

  As Robbie continued to talk a mile a minute, I read the words on his shirt and then raised my eyes to see Julien and Priest smiling at the two of us.

  “This is part of the surprise, princesse. Logan and Tate are coming to L.A. with us.”

  “What?” Robbie’s eyes became round as saucers. “Shut the hell up.”

  Logan mumbled something that sounded a lot
like Yes, please do, and I bumped him in the shoulder.

  “Julien and Priest thought it would be fun to keep it a secret.”

  Robbie grinned, and when he turned to face his husbands and I read the back of his shirt, my mouth fell open. He’d actually walked through the airport in that? Of course he had. I wasn’t sure why I was so surprised. This was Robbie, after all. The guy didn’t have a subtle bone in his body.

  Robbie wrapped his arms around Julien’s neck and kissed each of his cheeks. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever—”

  “So far,” Priest said, then started packing their bags in the overhead bins. “Why don’t I take the far seat? Julien, you take the middle, and Robbie, how about you sit on the aisle here and help Tate take Logan’s mind off the flight.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Robbie crouched beside Logan’s seat and patted his arm. “You’re scared to fly.”

  “Not scared.” Logan glared over Robbie’s head at Priest and mouthed, I’ll get you for this.

  “We could play games,” Robbie suggested. “I’m good at car games, word games. I think I might even have a pack of cards—”

  Logan held a hand up. “Do any of those games include alcohol?”

  I caught Robbie’s eyes from behind Logan’s shoulder and shook my head. He’s had enough.

  “Uh…no.” Robbie dug around in his carry-on bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate. “But they could involve candy.”

  “Do you mind if we work out the particulars once we are seated?” Priest looked behind himself at the line gathering.

  “Oh, shit, sorry. Let me get out of the way.” Robbie moved out of the aisle, perched his ass on Logan’s lap, and batted his lashes at me. “Sorry, Tate. This was the only place to move to.”

  “Uh huh. Sure it was.”

  “It was. Oh, would you look at that, I think Logan’s happy to see me.”

  Logan groaned and turned to glare at me, and I took his drink and downed it in a quick gulp. It was going to be a very long weekend.