Christmas in the City II

by Samantha Chase

  Holy fucking Christmas explosion. The room was packed not only with people but with Christmas decorations as well. There was a sleigh with all of Santa’s reindeer hanging from the ceiling. Everyones’ sweaters were hideous and I felt even better about my own sweater as we made our way further inside. Mandy dragged me to an empty table and sat down.

  “Okay Lex. Look around. Take a look.” She smiled as she looked around the room. “Ooh over there by the gingerbread house. Brown hair, green sweater.” She turned back to me.

  “Really Mandy, do you see his porn stach? No thanks. How about that one over there next to the elves? Blonde hair.” We watched him for a second until he turned around.

  “Dude he could be the human form of Rudolf.” Mandy laughed as she took two champagne flutes from the waiter as he walked past, handing me one as she sipped from hers.

  “Okay then, how about him?” She pointed to a man dressed in what appeared to make him look like a Christmas tree. He turned around and we got a good look at him. He was tall and muscular; well as far as I could tell. The sweater he was wearing was tight and fit him like a second skin.

  “I would so be a candy cane on his tree.”

  “I wouldn’t mind climbing up that man tree.” Mandy licked her lips.

  I laughed as I took a sip of my champagne. He was one sexy looking Christmas tree.

  Mandy

  Yup. That man was all Lex. She had a thing for tall, dark and handsome. Me, I needed someone with some spunk. I needed that blonde that was standing next to him with his sweater sleeves pushed up revealing brightly colored designs on his skin. Mmmm, a blonde haired tattooed man was just what I needed.

  There was two of them and two of us. Perfect. I stood up straightening my sweater, making sure my ass was covered so I wasn’t flashing it to the rest of the guests as I made my way across the room.

  “Come on Lex. Let’s go flirt with the two most eligible bachelors in here before the rest of the sluts beat us to them.”

  “Can I at least drink this first?” Lex held up her champagne flute that was half full.

  “You can drink it on your way. This is our night and I am not letting you spend it sitting at this table watching everyone else. Let’s do this.” I waited as she downed her champagne and then mean mugged me as she stood up and straightened her sweater. Okay, so maybe the sweater dresses weren’t the best idea but no one else in here was in a dress; they were all wearing jeans or leggings with their ugly sweaters.

  We made our way over to where the two men were standing. I turned back to look at Lex who wasn’t quite as confident looking as I hoped. I gave her a reassuring smile as I closed in on the guys. I was just about to speak when the waiter chose that moment to trip, sending an entire tray of champagne flutes on the floor that shattered at my feet. I felt my foot slip as I stepped into the puddle. I closed my eyes praying that I could make falling the most graceful slip I could manage. Only I didn’t hit the floor. I opened my eyes and caught myself staring into the most beautiful baby blue eyes I had ever seen.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice velvety as he spoke to me. He helped me back to my feet.

  “I am. Thanks to you.” I smiled back at him as the butterflies invaded my belly. “Well that was embarrassing. I’m Mandy, and this is Lex.” I looked over at Lex who had managed to stay on her feet unlike me.

  “Luke, and this is Brett.” He smiled down at me.

  Chapter Three

  Lex

  I was so glad it wasn’t me that slipped on the champagne. There was no way I would have made it look so graceful. I, on the other hand, would have fallen on my ass, arms flailing as I screamed at the top of my lungs. And instead of being caught in the arms of a sexy man, I would have landed on my ass in the middle of the shattered glass and champagne.

  “So.” I mumbled as I looked down at my feet, my arms crossed behind my back. I hadn’t even tried flirting since my fiancé dropped me like a pair of dirty underwear. I had no idea what I was doing; five years with the same person had left my flirting skills rusty or more like nonexistent.

  “Let me guess. Your friend here dragged you out tonight?”

  I laughed. “How did you guess?”

  “Just a guess.” He smirked as I looked up into his chocolate brown eyes that matched his hair color. His perfect hair that was just long enough to run my hands through. Shit, what was I thinking? For the past six months I had been as celibate as a nun. And that’s putting it mildly. But as Brett spoke my vagina was the one who wanted to respond.

  “So have you been to one of these before?”

  “An ugly sweater party or singles party?”

  “Either.”

  I giggled. I fucking giggled. What is wrong with me? I only had one glass of champagne. I glanced over at Mandy who was laughing at something Luke had said to her as she leaned into him, her hand on his arm.

  “I don’t make it a habit to come to these things but it was either this with Luke or be stuck at my father’s fundraiser and get auctioned off like a piece of meat. Been there done that and not going back.”

  “Been auctioned off, huh? So how does that work?”

  “It’s pretty easy. I stand up in front of a crowd, aka crazy woman, and then I have to take the highest bidder on a date. The first few times weren’t so bad but then the last two years it felt more like I was a prostitute being auctioned off. The women expected a night in my bed and I wasn’t about to have to deal with that again, especially when I refused and they started crying. Being with a crying woman is not how I want to spend my time.”

  “So you’re a male prostitute, huh?”

  He laughed. “Is that the only part of the conversation you heard?”

  “Nah but it was the funniest part.”

  “This place is kind of boring. What do you say we go somewhere else?”

  “Um, like where?”

  “Anywhere. You name it and I will make it happen.”

  “Ok hmmmm. How about Aspen?”

  “Let’s go. Just need to make a few calls.”

  “Oh, you’re serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  Mandy

  Luke was amazing. He was hot, funny, and better yet single. Just what I was looking for.

  “Hey, you guys want to get out of here.” Brett asked us. I looked over at Lex who had a look of shock on her face.

  “Where to?” I asked.

  “Aspen.” Brett smiled.

  “Ahhhh, that’s kinda far away isn’t it? Or is there an Aspen close by I don’t know about?”

  “Just a hop, skip and a jump. We can be on the plane in an hour and on our way to Aspen.”

  “Let me talk to Lex really quick.” I smiled and pulled her to me.

  “Lex is he serious?” I whispered.

  “As a heart attack.”

  “Let’s do it.”

  “Are you serious Mandy? We don’t even know them.”

  “Well it’s either we go with them or sit at home and wish we did. For once in our lives we have the opportunity of a lifetime. How often does a hot guy invite you to Aspen? Just imagine it Lex.”

  “Oh I have. Remember that is where we were supposed to go for my honeymoon.” She looked sad.

  “That’s it. We are going and you are going to have fun.”

  I pulled her back to the guys who were waiting for our answer.

  “How do we know you are not serial killers?”

  “You ever hear of Shannon and Shaffer?” Brett asked?

  “Can’t say that I have.” I looked over at Lex who was shaking her head no.

  “That’s even better. Shannon and Shaffer owns this hotel. I’m Brett Shaffer and this is Luke Shannon.”

  “Holy shit, are you guys serious?”

  They nodded.

  “Okay. We will go but on one condition. We need to pack and then we need to let someone know who we are with and where we are going. Also, we get our
own rooms in case you guys turn out to be super creepy and we need to get away from you.”

  “Deal.” They both said at the same time.

  Chapter Four

  Lex

  “What are we doing?” I asked Mandy as we sat in my apartment staring at my empty suitcase.

  “We are doing something crazy and it will be fun. Just think about it. When are we ever going to be able to go to Aspen? It’s what you’ve always wanted. Aspen in December. What could go wrong?”

  Lots. I thought to myself.

  “Do me a favor then and go stalk them online while I pack. Then if you find something crazy, I’m not going.”

  “Fine but hurry up. We still have to go to my place so I can pack.”

  I packed a few sweaters and jeans as a tear slid down my cheek. I was supposed to go to Aspen for my honeymoon and had purchased an entire wardrobe to take with me. The tags were still on most of the clothes as I folded them and placed them in my suitcase. There was no need for cold weather clothes in Florida, so they all just sat in the back of my closet waiting for the day I finally made it to Aspen.

  “You done Lex?” Mandy plopped down on my bed as I zipped my suitcase.

  “Yup, you find anything?”

  “Nope. These guys are the real deal. Rich, sexy, and single.”

  “Then what do they see in us? What if we are just a notch in their bedposts?”

  “Who cares Lex? That’s what we wanted, right? A night or two to forget about the douchebags and get back in the dating game. This is perfect for us.”

  “Fine. Let’s go.” I plastered a smile on my face and tried to hide the nervousness I was feeling.

  Mandy packed her bags as I sat in her apartment trying to come up with a way to get out of going. When Mandy was done, we dragged our suitcases out to the cab and headed back to the hotel where we were meeting the guys. Maybe they changed their minds and wouldn’t even be there. Wrong. They were waiting outside standing next to a limo as we pulled up in a cab. We were so different than them. They took limos and we took cabs. And they probably wouldn’t be caught dead in less than designer clothes. Unlike us, who didn’t even own them. They were so out of our league. They were standing there leaning against the limo. They were no longer wearing their ugly sweaters. Instead they both wore jeans that probably cost more than my entire outfit.

  “Close your mouth Lex. You’re drooling.” I snapped my mouth shut and looked over at Mandy who was throwing cash at the cab driver. “Come on. Let’s go.” Her smile reached from ear to ear. I followed her out of the cab and took my suitcase from the cab driver as he pulled it out of the trunk.

  Mandy

  Luke looked absolutely lickable. He stood there leaning up against the limo until he saw us get out of the cab and then he walked over to us. He took the suitcase from me and carried it to the limo handing it off to his driver.

  “You ever been to Aspen?” Luke asked as he opened the limo door for me.

  “No. But I always wanted to go.”

  “Have you ever seen snow?”

  “Only on TV. Is it as cold as it looks?”

  He smiled. “It is. But that’s what the fireplace and hot cocoa are for.” He winked at me as he slid into the limo and sat next to me. I leaned into him trying not to look creepy as I took a sniff of his expensive cologne.

  Once Lex and Brett got situated, we were off to the airport. Brett was on his phone talking to the pilot. Evidently they had a private jet. I looked over at Lex as she gave me a look that said I told you so. I was hoping I was right and they weren’t just using us. Not that it would really matter. I mean we were getting a free trip to Aspen out of the deal. A trip that neither of us could afford on our salaries. It was time to let loose and enjoy the comforts of first class treatment.

  When we arrived at the airport we bypassed the actual airport and drove around straight to the runway where a sleek jet was waiting for us. I tried my hardest not to squeal as we stopped in front of the jet. Again I glanced over at Lex who was staring at me in shock as if this wasn’t really happening.

  Chapter Five

  Lex

  This was too much. This was a joke right? Brett and I made small talk throughout the ride to the airport but I think it was more because he knew how uncomfortable I was. I didn’t do things like this. I wasn’t spontaneous. I planned. I made lists. It was too late now. I was sitting in the plane that looked more like a living room. The seats were leather and plush and didn’t look anything like a bus with wings like I was used to.

  “You’re being awfully quiet.” Brett sat down next to me.

  “Just nervous, that’s all.” I smiled up at him.

  “Would you like a drink? Champagne maybe?”

  “Sure that would be great.”

  He stood up and walked to the bar. A bar in a plane. I shook that thought away and tried to just live in the moment. This was going to be fun, right? Brett sat back down next to me and handed me a flute of champagne. I took a sip. And now I was feeling guilty. Here was this handsome man showing me affection and wanting to spend time with me and I was only thinking about why he shouldn’t. I smiled up at him as I felt the plane start to move.

  “So maybe now would be a good time to tell you I have never flown before.”

  He chuckled. “Are you nervous?”

  “Kind of.”

  “Not to worry. I will stay right here by your side until we land.” He placed his hand on mine and squeezed slightly reassuring me. “Got your seat belt on?” He turned to me. I looked down and double checked that it was on and tight, and nodded to him. I took another sip of my champagne and tried to relax.

  Mandy

  I was in heaven. Luke was the perfect gentleman. Well, with a slightly naughty side. He was flirty but not overly flirty and touchy like the guys you find in a bar who after their fourth drink spit when they talk and try to go for a boob grab after they say hello. No, Luke was sweet, funny, and handsome.

  “So do you guys do this often?”

  “Do what? Pick up hot girls and whisk them away on a private jet?”

  “Yes.”

  “No actually. I have never done it before. And as far as I know neither has Brett. I’m not sure what it is about your friend that has him pulling out all the stops to impress her.”

  “It’s because she doesn’t realize how beautiful she really is.” I smiled.

  “And apparently neither do you.”

  “No I do know, but I’m not going to lie, I like hearing it when you tell me.”

  “Well then, I’ll say it again. You, Mandy, are beautiful.” He lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my hand.

  “Are you trying to seduce me?”

  “I don’t know. Is it working?”

  “Not yet but I’m all for you to keep trying.”

  “How about this one? You’re so beautiful I forgot what I was going to say.”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Wait. I’m not done.” He laughed. “Before tonight I never knew what it was like to smile for no reason.”

  “Okay. Enough with the cheesy pick up lines. You already have me on a plane to Aspen. I think you can move on to your next course of action. And just so you know, I’m not going to fall in your bed tonight.”

  “That’s what you think.” He winked and holding my chin in his hands, he tilted my face to his and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. When people say they have been kissed and fireworks explode, you kind of laugh at them thinking it’s a bunch of bullshit. I mean my ex and I had been together for three years and not once did his kiss spark this much. Maybe it wasn’t fireworks necessarily but just from this one soft, closed mouth kiss I wanted to grab his face and shove my tongue down his throat. This was a panty-soaking kiss. I was scared to know what a real deep kiss would do to me.

  He pulled back from me and looked into my eyes as if he was trying to figure out what had just happened. What should have bee
n just a soft, sweet kiss was so much more and I couldn’t wait to see where it was headed.

  Chapter Six

  Lex

  The plane ride wasn’t as bad as I expected. Then again, I had four glasses of champagne and now I was a giggling mess. Brett was being flirty and had made me really comfortable. I liked him. And that was something that surprised even me.

  When we finally landed, Brett lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the top of my hand surprising me.

  “See, it wasn’t bad was it?” He smirked. Damn this man. Where did he come from and why is he so out of my league that I can’t even think about keeping him?

  I frowned.

  “What’s that look for? You’re in Aspen, beautiful.”

  My frown instantly fell from my face and turned into a smile.

  “That’s right. We are in Aspen and it’s the middle of the night. Where are we off to now?”

  “How about we head to the cabin and get settled in? Then tomorrow I can show you Aspen.”

  “Okay this may sound weird. But I have never been ice skating and it’s one thing I have always wanted to do.”

  “Then ice skating it is.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. I asked you where you wanted to go and you said Aspen. Now we are in Aspen.”

  “Yeah but who does that? Who are you?”

  “I told you who I was. And why not? I have a jet and a cabin here. But to tell you the truth, I have never really done this before. I plan things. I plan it down to the t. There is something about you and I want to know what it is. It’s like when I look at you I see more than just your beauty. I intend to find out what it is.”