“I don’t think I should either.”
I study his eyes, the sincerity that runs deep. He watches my reaction, his head going into a slight tilt.
I lean back a little, dropping my arms and grabbing his hands. “I think—if you are willing to try... well, we can make the next few hours really magical. I know it’s not Christmas anymore and all, but I think I owe everyone some smiles, and a reason to laugh at my craziness. And ‘everyone’ includes you.”
“Magical?” He smirks. “Is that what you really want? Something magical with a guy like me?”
“I don’t want to answer that. I don’t want to think too hard about it.” I pause, looking him over. “I just want to see what happens.”
His eyes lower to my lips. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“So… about you never seeing your clients after the deal is done?”
He laughs, so deeply it makes my belly roll. “You are my exception, angel.”
I grin. “You really don’t hate me?”
“I could never hate someone like you.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
“I do have one question, though.” He looks at me with uncertainty.
“What?”
“Just how in the hell are you going to explain what just happened between us to your family?”
I bust out in a laugh, releasing his hands. “That is actually a good question that I honestly don’t know how to answer!”
He chuckles. “I think it will be okay after a little explaining. Your family may seem a little dysfunctional and crazy and stubborn sometimes, but they really are great people, Piper. They made me feel like I was a part of their family—even Stanley did, even after he knew all about me.”
“He did?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it,” I hiss.
“What?” His eyebrows lift.
“That means I have to make another apology.” I sigh.
“What did you say to him?”
“What did I not say? I pretty much told him since Macy died that he has no life.”
“Ssss!” Matthew hisses through his teeth, making a face as if those words physically sting him.
“I know. I felt so bad, especially when he told me he was only looking out for me and that he would take a bullet for me.”
“I think he really would. Stanley’s a good man.”
“I know.” I groan. “I need a drink… or four.”
Matthew pulls back. “What do you say we go to a bar, grab a few? Make up over whiskey kisses beneath staged mistletoes?”
I beam. “I’d love that.”
“Okay… but first…” Matthew stands up, grabs my hand, and tugs me up against him. I bump into his solid chest, his eyes turning hot and soft when our bodies meet. “I need you to kiss me like you mean it right now—like the last thing you want me to do is board that plane and walk away from you. Can you do that for me?”
I laugh. “Of course I can do that. I’ll be damned if I even consider letting you out of my reach.”
The sound of his laughter warms me up inside like a fountain of chocolate fondue, and when it finally settles down, we stick together like glue, our lips collide, and I kiss him like I mean it.
Because I do mean this.
Every embrace. Every sweep of his tongue—all of it is so real and so perfect. I don’t think any of it was ever fake.
Isn’t it funny how we started off on a bench as strangers, with no hope for one another, and now, in front of this bench, it feels we’ve known one another in lifetimes before?
I sigh and like some chick in a romantic holiday movie, I kick a leg in the air behind me, allowing him to devour every ounce of me.
I hold onto him, never wanting to let go.
I hold on because I could use a lot more of him in my discombobulated life. I want to learn about his hopes and dreams, and I like the way he blends in so well with my lunatic family.
I like how he has taught me things about my body; that he can play me like an instrument. I like that he made me feel so comfortable that I could tell him anything before he even met my family, and he never told any of them what I said, no matter how much I knew they probably pushed.
We both had fears.
We had insecurities and uncertainties after that first sexual encounter.
But you know what? It’s okay. Now that we are willing to try… well, the fears and regrets mean nothing. They can’t compare to an indescribable feeling like this.
Being wanted by someone who sees you for who you are.
Being respected by someone who honestly doesn’t owe you a damn thing.
Feeling human again—so beautiful inside that you believe not even the universe can handle you.
Commitment? Yeah, it still terrifies me, but when it involves someone like Matthew Cooper—well, let’s just say it doesn’t seem so bad after all.
If someone asked me what the greatest gift I got for Christmas this year was, I’d tell them it was meeting Matthew Cooper. Without him, this Christmas would have been just another dreadful family vacation.
Our kiss breaks, and Matthew cups my face in his hands. His smile is gentle, his features softer now.
“I hope it’s okay if I spend one more night with you, show you how much you’re really worth,” he whispers.
I melt, inside, my teeth grazing my bottom lip. “That sounds very magical,” I tease.
“Trust me,” he breathes, running the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip. “It will be a very, very magical time between you, me, and the bedroom sheets.”
I laugh, draping my arms around his neck. “Still so corny!” He pulls me in for a hug, laughing over my shoulder. “Merry Christmas, Matthew Cooper,” I sing. “You have made this Christmas worth so much more than you think.”
He leans back to look at me, wearing a smile, clearly pleased by my statement. Then he kisses me, so deeply, so passionately that for a split second, it feels like he might just love me.
HA! Not yet, people. Not yet. But it feels like it, I promise. That’s how good a man like him can make you feel.
With a sweet, boyish grin, he says to me, “Merry Christmas, Piper Madison. You crazy… beautiful… sweet girl.”
Between each word, he kisses me. First on my cheek, and then my forehead, and lastly on my lips. Heat tunnels right through me, a warm puddle building in my panties.
“Now come on. Let’s get back to the cabin. Our holiday isn’t over.” He wiggles his eyebrows and smirks, and then walks over to grab the handle of his suitcase.
Yep. Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner.
Matthew Cooper, former escort of mine, is definitely worth breaking all of the rules.
Even though they get on my nerves constantly, I wouldn’t ask that my family be any other way. They welcomed Matthew with open arms, and I know when I tell them all about this scheme of mine, they will be laughing about it later on with me.
It’s things like that—the understanding, the family, and the love—that makes the holidays worthwhile. You won’t get another Mom and Dad, or sister or brother. Family is supposed to piss you off.
You’ll say you don’t care—that you’d be fine without them, but even when all of that is said and done, you’d still take drastic measures like I did and hire a male escort just to please them.
It’s not silly or stupid or anything like that.
It’s called love, and for the love of the people we have, we will do anything to hold onto them.
So, no, this Christmas wasn’t a bust.
I really don’t think I could have asked for a more perfectly imperfect Christmas.
It is one I will never, ever forget.
After all, it’s the little things that always turn into the greatest memories later on, and despite all that went down—through all the drama and all the madness—I have to say this was our greatest by far.
Well, my greatest by far, and it will remain deep inside my heart forever.
E
pilogue
Piper
I normally spend my New Year’s Eve in front of my 50-inch flat screen TV with a glass or two of champagne on the coffee table, waiting for the ball to drop.
But, that’s not happening this year.
This year, I have my entire family in my apartment for the New Year’s party Matthew and I arranged. They all agreed to travel here to spend more time together, and you know what? It’s been great.
After leaving the airport and going back to the cabin with Matthew, spending a sweet night with him between the sheets as he promised, we made up to my family by whipping up breakfast.
They were all surprised to see us together in the kitchen so early, and having so much fun while flipping pancakes. Bailey thought we were still putting on a show, Mom was surprised I was actually cooking, and everyone else kept their mouths shut but probably wanted to say something too.
I told everyone to sit down and to get comfortable because it was a long story. Then, over lots of syrupy pancakes and coffee, I told them everything.
I told them Matthew was an escort and I hired him so I could please them all, Mom and Dad especially. I told them how none of this was Matthew’s fault and that if they wanted to blame anyone, it should be me.
And then I apologized to Stanley for being the worst baby sister on the planet.
“It’s all good, Pipey,” he said, smiling sincerely. I knew right away he’d forgiven me.
I also told them the truth about how Matthew and I felt more for each other than we thought we would over the course of one weekend. It felt surreal to say it out loud to them.
They were all glad to hear the last part. It was like a psychic sigh of relief filled the room.
To my utter surprise, after delivering my news, Mom and Dad stood from the table, walked over to me, and pulled me up into the tightest embrace I’d ever felt.
I remember Mom’s words so clearly. God, I don’t think I will ever forget them.
“Piper, don’t ever feel like you have to do something like that to make us happy. You make us so proud already. We have always wanted the best for you, and I know sometimes we can step on your toes, but we are glad you chose to do something that you find personally fulfilling.” She grinned, her eyes watering. “You are happy, and that is what makes us happy. Right, honey?” she asked, looking at Dad with wide eyes.
He was reluctant, but he nodded and I knew he really meant it, deep down. Sheesh—that man has so much pride.
“Umm… while we are being all mushy,” Bailey said, lifting a finger in the air and rising from her chair. “I just want everyone to know that Tony and I are… expecting.” She turned as red as beet, plopping back down in her seat and picking up a slice of toast.
Stanley’s mouth hung open for several seconds. “You, the spawn of Satan, are pregnant? What was the big man up there thinking?!”
Bailey gave him the evil eye. “Hardy-har-har.”
Dad was shocked. “Goodness, you kids are trying to kill me!” he laughed.
And then we all laughed, even Bailey. She knew it was all love.
Dwelling in the joy of the moment, it was almost as if all of the bad things had been forgotten. It was a breath of fresh air—light in our hearts again.
My family forgave me. They adored Matthew and were glad we were willing to make something work.
It was almost like a fairytale for me—ending up with a guy I had no clue I would be with and having my family finally accept me for who I really am.
So, yes. We are all here, counting down from ten, waiting for that big old ball to drop in Times Square.
Bailey has her boyfriend Tony, Mom has Dad, Lena has her twins and is Face-timing Dexter as we wait for midnight, and Stanley has his baby brother Monty.
Yep, our brother Monty.
Stanley worked hard to get him out of rehab for the New Year’s party and it worked, but only because Mom gave her consent. Monty hasn’t tried to escape or steal anything but food off of people’s plates, so that’s good.
And me?
Well, I have my boyfriend. My real boyfriend. And his name is Matthew freaking Cooper.
Matthew quit escorting, shut down his website, and got a job as a bartender, thanks to Jen, who has a brother that owns a huge nightclub in Manhattan. I had no clue Matthew took a class for bartending when he got out of jail. I’m still learning so much about him.
He gets great tips—not nearly as much as seven grand a weekend, but it’s more than enough for him to pay his bills. And on the plus side, he enjoys it immensely.
Hey, at least he still gets to flash those dimples to the ladies. Can’t take everything from the guy cold turkey.
As he wraps me in his arms and pulls me close, I know this is what I have always wanted.
To be adored.
To be accepted.
To be cherished and treated like a queen.
Every girl deserves a Matthew Cooper, someone who is willing to sacrifice $7,000 a weekend just to be with her. Someone who will put forth the effort, even when it seems so daunting.
We kiss when the ball drops, and it’s a enchanting, beautiful moment, surrounded by so much love.
Warmth courses through me, joy hitting me harder than ever before—so hard I almost want to cry because I am overwhelmed by it.
Everyone is here, and that is all I could ask for.
This is to new beginnings, new relationships, and newfound hope.
This is to family, and pretend boyfriends that can turn into real boyfriends.
This is it.
And it is wonderful.
Happy holidays to me!
The End
Thank You!
If you are reading this, you are a true blessing to my life and I thank you so much for supporting me. I never thought I would be able to give thanks to my fans, but I am saying it because you guys are very special to me.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART for supporting me and my work!
Enjoy your family. Hug your loved ones hard and never let them go! NEVER, EVER!
Drink lots of eggnog and spiked hot chocolate and stay warm this winter. It’s what I’ll be doing. :)
Merry Christmas!
xoxo
Shanora
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Holiday Escort: A Christmas Novella Page 12
