Cuff Me at Christmas

by Avery, Lark

  Take Jess and go back to New York.

  When the thought struck, I missed Alistair’s right hook.

  I spun, watching the world rotate. I struggled to stay on my feet and slipped in some ice. The last thing I remember was Jess trying to reach me through the snow in her ridiculous gown and shoes.

  My heart filled with love for her before everything went black.

  * * *

  At the edge of my consciousness, words filtered into me, but everything was sluggish like I was in slow motion.

  "Help me roll him over." Her voice was urgent. Her fingers fluttered over my head and I opened my eyelids. "He's concussed."

  I inhaled her flowery scent, which mingled with the slightly metallic smell of snow.

  “I didn’t know he’d go down like a felled tree,” Alistair said.

  “You hit him. What did you think was going to happen?” Jess snapped.

  “I thought I’d feel better.”

  “And do you?”

  "As a matter of fact, I do." It was probably the most honest thing my brother had said in a long time.

  “You are an even bigger asshole than your brother. And let me tell you, that’s some accomplishment.”

  “We should get him to the hospital.”

  “I’m the physician here,” Jess said. “He needs rest and to be monitored for his concussion. That can be done at Gylen.

  My brother's voice lowered. "He'll be all right, though?"

  “Why do you care? Do you want to hit him some more?”

  “Nae.” I could hear the pain in his voice. I wished I could open my eyes. Jess was damn good at taking anyone down a peg. I was sorry to miss this.

  “Good. Now help me move him to the vehicle carefully.”

  I regained consciousness sometime later to find my head on Jess's lap. I was lying across the back seat of the Rover. Her fingers were brushing my hair off my forehead.

  She tipped her head to look down at me and her hair fell forward. “Welcome back.”

  I blinked, feeling dizzy but also not willing to trade where I was for anything in the world.

  Voices in the front seat made me turn my head.

  “Just rest,” Jess soothed. “Fergus is driving the team back. Your mother and Alistair are taking us back to Gylen. I think a good talk between them is necessary.”

  I reached for her hand, fumbling in the dark. I caught it and brought it to my lips. I loved the scent of her warm skin against my lips.

  “Jess, I love you.”

  Her lips brushed mine. “Even though you are an impossible man, or maybe because of it, I love you too.”

  Epilogue: One Year Later

  My life underwent some massive changes since last Christmas Eve, but I wasn't complaining. I was in New York, living with Max in his Greenwich Village townhouse and working as an emergency department staff physician in Metropolitan Hospital since late January.

  I felt more myself having Max back in New York. It was strange that another person could make me more "me," but I left my scientific analyzing at the bedroom door. If my Scottish duke wanted to pound orgasms out of me as he whispered filthy endearments in that sexy brogue of his, who was I to question it?

  Until late summer, he traveled back to Gylen frequently. Max, his mother, and Alistair had created a trust that protected the estate by requiring major decisions with an equal vote among them. Despite all Alistair’s bluster about the arrangement, he was relieved to not have all the burden on him for Gylen’s big decisions. Max’s mother loved having an official role beyond hostess duties. She and Alistair frequently called Max to talk about finances, gradually the conversations included other parts of their lives. They were happy to have a reason to work together as a family, and that was a good thing.

  Between the stalking, kidnapping, and near financial ruin, Max was reluctant to give Alistair a chance at first. Once I pointed out this new plan meant Max could return to New York full time, his mood improved. Secretly I was grateful to Alistair for bringing us together again. We were both pretty stubborn; I’d have hated to miss out loving Max and being loved by him.

  In other news, we’d moved my mother to an apartment near us with private nursing care around the clock. She now recognized me when I visited, we even took short walks together. The staff took excellent care of her, and it was a relief to know she was comfortable after all her years of hard work.

  All the family news was positive, but tonight was just about us. I’d finished my fourteen-hour shift, but Max had to remain in the hospital overnight. As the emergency room was strangely quiet, we’d planned to meet up in the resident call room. It sure sounded more fun than being home alone on Christmas eve.

  I draped a strand of tiny white Christmas lights around the headboard of the lower bunk. I smiled to myself, thinking of the duke of Gylen, crammed on this twin bed. All the times we’d shared this room as colleagues, I never allowed myself to think about sharing a bed with him. Now we were sharing that and so much more.

  The small Christmas gift I wrapped for him was about the size of a ring box. I set it on the narrow desk. I’d wracked my brain over a gift this year because it was the first year we’d been together long enough to plan anything. Last year, the only thing Max wanted was my panty collection. Come to that think of it that would have worked this year too.

  What do you get a man who has it all? It was a tricky problem, but I'd solved it.

  Max entered, frowning, locking the door behind him. "You shouldn't leave the door unlocked," he said.

  “Why not? I was planning to fuck the first doc through the door.” I wrapped my arms around his muscular chest. It felt like forever since he’d held me though it only been since early morning.

  His growl sent little shocks through me. “You feeling better? You were sound asleep when I left this morning.”

  I tipped my head back to meet his gaze. "After last night, I needed my rest."

  “Was it too much? I recall you being rather enthusiastic. Nice dress, by the way." The dress was new, and I bought it, hoping he'd like it.

  "I wasn't complaining; it was only a statement of fact." His hands were drifting lower over my body, skimming my hips. "I don't think we're going to both fit on that bed," I whispered. I slid my hands up underneath his scrubs against his bare chest. I loved the feel of his hard muscles under my fingers.

  “I don’t think I’ve fucked you on a desk since we visited Gylen. We’re overdue.” His hands explored under my black silk dress. He inhaled sharply.

  My heart beat faster, but I feigned nonchalance. "I'm pretty sure we've covered every horizontal surface in the townhouse."

  "No panties?" His fingers went right to work, strumming my clit.

  "Merry Christmas, Max," I whispered, widening my stance. "Oh! I have a Christmas present for you."

  "Can I open it later? I'm busy." He unbuttoned my dress, letting it fall to my feet. As I skipped a bra, my nipples hardened under his gaze. It almost killed me to step away from him, but I reached back and snagged his gift.

  He sat down on the lower bunk then crooked his finger at me. “I’ll only open it if you sit on my lap.”

  “If you promise to behave.” I was already moving towards him. Who was I kidding? I settled into his lap.

  He shook the box good-naturedly, raising one eyebrow in that sexy way that always had me creaming my panties. “I wonder if we got each other the same thing?” He mused.

  “We said no gifts,” I said primly, before lightly nibbling on his ear. His hard cock was under my ass. I was excited for him to not only open his gift but to remove his scrub bottoms.

  "But, you got me something." He pulled the ribbon and paper off with his arms still around me while I leaned my head against his shoulder.

  “It’s more of a joint gift.” Suddenly I felt shy. What if he didn’t like it?

  "Now, I'm intrigued." He dropped the wrapping paper on the floor then lifted the lid. He went still. Max removed the old fashioned diaper pin I’d
placed inside. At the end that housed the clasp, I’d glued a bit of the Ransom family tartan around it. He stared at it.

  Fuuuuuuuuck.

  The blood was pounding in my ears. Maybe this was the wrong way to go about it.

  “You’re pregnant.” He said, quietly.

  I nodded. I didn’t trust myself to say anything. I'd been pretty hopeful when I did a home pregnancy test this morning to confirm my suspicions. I was thrilled with the results.

  Clearly, Max was not.

  He grabbed his backpack and pulled out a fancy gift bag. He practically threw it in my naked lap. He still held the pin, but he'd said not a fucking word about our life-changing news.

  "We need to talk about this, Max."

  I was furious, of course. We'd been fucking like rabbits for a year without any protection. Having a baby had been a plan we'd talked about. And now that he'd knocked me up, he had nothing to say?

  Bloody, Scottish asshole.

  “Open it.” His voice was tight.

  This night was a disaster. That was something considering last Christmas Eve I’d been abducted by his presumed-dead twin.

  With shaking fingers, I pulled a deep blue velvet ring box from the bag’s tissue paper. Now it was my turn to stare.

  “Open it, my love.” Max’s words made me tremble.

  I’d used up my courage allotment for the evening.

  “Max.” I started to cry.

  Holding the diaper pin between his fingers, he opened the box. A square-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds twinkled in the crappy call room lighting. He slid the ring on my left hand while I wiped away tears with my right. It fit perfectly.

  The ring was breathtaking and fucking massive. I loved it. And the arrogant duke that it belonged to.

  "Marry me, Jess, and make me the happiest of men."

  "What about the baby?" I sniffed, overcome with so many damned emotions. If this was life with extra hormones, it was going to be a watery nine months.

  “We should keep him or her, don’t you think?” He wrapped his arms tight around me, kissing me hard on the lips. “And give him some siblings soon.”

  "You fucker," I whispered before I returned his kiss.

  "Only with you." His kisses drifted to my cheek then the sensitive spot behind my ear. "I'm thrilled you'll be my wife, Jess. Let’s make an army of Scottish American bairns." Max tipped my chin up so he could study my face better. His eyes narrowed. "How far along are you? Do you have your prenatal vitamins? Maybe you should reduce your workload? We need to get an appointment with obstetrics and line up a pediatrician.”

  "It's going to be fine, Max." I laid a finger against his lips. "I'm fine. The baby will be fine. We’re a family." My calm, cool, and collected Scottish duke physician was going to be a worrier. It was sweet and surprising.

  “Let’s get married.” He kissed my fingers.

  “How about at Gylen in spring before I start looking like a cow?" I wiggled my ass against him. My body was aching for some serious loving after all this excitement.

  “Tonight, in the hospital chapel.”

  For fuck's sake. This man was so impatient it was more than a little erotic.

  "Max, your family, would be so disappointed besides, I'd like my mother to attend now that she’s well enough."

  “They don’t have to know we got married early. It’ll be our little secret, like when I do this.” His fingers danced along my pussy lips before they stroked my asshole.

  Oh, fuck yes, it was going to be a very merry Christmas indeed.

  ***

  Keep reading for a sneak peak of Christmas Quickie

  Christmas Quickie Sneak Peek

  Last year’s only New Year’s resolution: Lose my virginity

  Yet, here it is two weeks before Christmas and I’m as pure as snow.

  Things look Tiny Tim grim until I find out my billionaire boss—the same billionaire boss I’ve been crushing on all year—signed up for a dating app with the username Scrooge. Perfect! I’m in desperate need of a thorough scrooging.

  Unfortunately, he has a strict rule: no dating employees. Ever.

  But there’s no way I’d ever have a chance with New York’s most successful hotelier without bending a few rules. So I come up with a plan. And it’s not like I’m really lying. I’m exactly the girl he asked for in his profile.

  Besides, I’ve been a very good girl all year. I deserve the chance to be a little naughty. Time to throw away the rulebook and make a few Christmas wishes come true!

  Author’s Warning: There’s no way you’ll make it through this scorching hot tale of secret identities and workplace insta-love without getting tickled by the holiday spirit…and maybe feeling a few tingles in some other places, too!

  Jack

  “Morning, Scrooge,” Nathan sang out as he sailed into my office. He placed my coffee in front of me and handed another to Dan who sat in one of the wingback chairs some decorator had chosen to match everything else in the elegant penthouse office suite of Remington Hotels’ headquarters.

  My assistant had taken to using the new nickname for me last week after I questioned the budget he’d presented me for the company Christmas party.

  I took a sip of coffee. Nathan made excellent coffee, one of the reasons I put up with him calling me Scrooge. And unlike my previous assistant, he didn’t leave panties on my desk. His mothering was annoying, but far easier to live with than his predecessor’s clumsy attempts to get access to my bank account by wrapping her mouth around my dick.

  Dan, my business partner and best friend, chuckled as Nathan started tidying up the files on my desk. I sent a withering glance at both of them.

  “Oh, the man has lost his sense of humor,” Nathan said with a pointed look at Dan.

  “I think you need to have a sense of humor first in order to lose it.” Dan rolled his eyes at Nathan.

  I shook my head and yanked a spreadsheet out from the pile Nathan was straightening. “I’ll have a sense of humor after last quarter’s reports are done and show the new marketing campaign did its job.”

  Nathan took the spreadsheet back and swiftly reorganized it into his pile before placing the stack in front of me. “Far be it for me to get personal…”

  I snorted. Nathan hadn’t held back about anything personal since the moment I hired him.

  He arched an eyebrow at me. “You need to get laid. Sir.”

  “He’s not wrong.” Dan leaned forward in his seat.

  I held back a groan. Dan looked like he’d been waiting for an opening on this particular topic, but I had fucking work to do.

  “How long’s it been, Jack? That hot little blonde with the tits?” He held his hands cupped in front of his chest to demonstrate like I might have forgotten what tits were.

  “You know what they say about Jack being all work and no play.” Nathan aimed that comment at Dan.

  “His cock withers and dies,” Dan agreed.

  “Oh, I have an idea.” Nathan pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen a few times before handing it over to Dan. “Have you seen this app yet?”

  Dan checked it out. “Sinder?”

  “It’s another one of those dating apps. Though this one doesn’t even pretend to be about finding the love of your life. This one’s exclusively for hook-ups. No relationships. No strings attached.”

  Dan swiped through for a minute. “This one is fucking stacked! Says she’s looking for regular hook-ups. Wait. Never mind. She’s looking for someone discreet who won’t tell her husband.”

  I raked my fingers through my hair. “I have too much to do to stand here while you two sign me up for Dial-a-Disaster. Both of you out. Now.”

  Instead of scurrying for the nearest exit as the rest of my staff would do, they sank into the chairs in front of me, leaning together as they looked through potential dates for me. Neither one of them seemed in any hurry to get back to work. Or to leave me to mine.

  “Fuck it. Let me see that app,” I growled,
reaching across the desk.

  No sooner were the words out of my mouth than Nathan was up on his feet, coming around my desk to snatch up my tablet. In minutes he had the app downloaded and started a profile for me. “We definitely can’t use your real name. It would be in the headlines of every newspaper in the country in ten minutes. What should we call you?”

  Dan stepped around to give his opinion and I realized that these two were seriously going to do this. With the way things were going, I’d definitely find myself the subject of headlines soon. I could see it now—Billionaire Hotelier Arrested for Solicitation.

  There was only one thing to do to get them off my back. I’d fill out the profile myself and make myself completely undesirable.

  “Give me that.” I snatched the tablet from Nathan and started typing: Scrooge seeks virgin. Need someone to help me blow off some steam just through the holidays. Available three evenings per week for fast, dirty fucks. Experienced women need NOT apply. Must be ready and willing to submit to any and all of my commands.

  I pressed enter and handed the tablet back to my assistant, fighting to keep the smug grin off my face. No woman in her right mind would be desperate enough to answer that ad. I’d just bought myself some time to keep these two off my back so I could get to work.

  “Done.” I settled back in my chair and took another deep, satisfying sip of my coffee.

  Diane

  I cupped my coffee mug as I sat at a tiny bistro table in the employee lounge, trying to warm up my near-frozen fingers. My walk from the subway this morning during the latest ice storm chilled me through and through. It was hard to have holiday cheer when you felt like an icicle.

  I ran my gaze over the room and shook my head ruefully. The Remington was the finest hotel in Manhattan, but you couldn’t tell that from the employee lounge. It looked like where bargain basement decorations went to die. Someone had tacked up some tinsel garland and twinkle lights along the windowless walls. Random cardboard Santas and Rudolphs were taped to cupboard doors. It was a long way from the evergreens and holly decking out the rest of the hotel.