F*CKING AWKWARD HOLIDAYS: 25 Short Stories of Awkward Holiday Encounters

by Plendl, Taryn

  "Oh. But you still slept on top of me?"

  "You felt softer than my mattress." He shrugs one shoulder. "I have never slept as well on my mattress as I did on top of you. Now, where were we?"

  We were right there. I remember when his hand snakes back between my legs and his fingers pump in and out of me. I should be embarrassed at how ready I am for him, but his ministrations are too good to worry about that. A foil packet crinkles, followed by a ripping sound, then something much bigger than his fingers is inside me. His hands hold my legs, his chest slides against mine, and his hips surge forward, hitting the spot of perfection. Angels sing. Fireworks burst. Crowds cheer. I scream.

  We finish at the same time. His name falls from my lips on a cloudburst of ecstasy that probably woke the neighbors three blocks over. Everything is magnificent. He rolls off me to take care of business, but his weight covers me again within seconds.

  "I could get used to being right here." He is so gorgeous, even without my alcohol-fogged brain, but I won't let a smooth line and a handsome face fool me.

  "As much as I enjoy being your human pillow, I should probably go."

  "You're running, Baylee. Come upstairs, and I'll feed you first. Then I'll take you home." His smile, followed by his sweet kiss, curls my toes.

  Then my eyes fly open. "Oh, shit."

  "What?"

  "There are people here. They walked in when you were asleep on me."

  "And you didn't think to tell me this before?"

  "You distracted me then erased my memory again."

  Satisfaction covers his face. "Come meet my aunt over breakfast, then. Since she knows you're here."

  "Your uncle knows, too."

  His confused expression concerns me. "He passed years ago. Only Aunt Melinda is here. Unless…"

  That is his smug expression. I'm so confused. "Unless?"

  He jumps up, tosses me a T-shirt and sweats from his drawer, and urges me to hurry. After I make a quick bathroom visit to clean up and dress, he laces our fingers together and leads me upstairs. Christmas decorations are everywhere, and a giant tree takes up an entire corner of the living room. Presents are stacked four or five deep all around it. Her home is beautiful and as perfect as the cover of a Christmas card.

  His aunt looks up with an amused smile when we approach the table covered with breakfast foods. "You've been awake for a while, but it's about time you got out of bed."

  "Some things are more important than food," he quips before kissing her cheek. "Baylee Dawson, Melinda Randle." We exchange hellos, and she urges us to sit and eat with her.

  "Mel, where's the tape?" The voice calls from down the hallway, and though I can't see his face, I have no doubt who it is.

  I jerk my gaze to Hunter, and the truth is written all over his face. He grabs my hand and squeezes. "Don't run."

  Derek, my Derek, strolls toward the dining room and begins to speak before he reaches us. "Aunt Mel, I need to wrap Serena's engagement ring. Do you have any tape left? Oh, hey, Hunter." Then his eyes find mine, and an awkward silence fills the room.

  "You two know each other?" Melinda inquires.

  "They do," Hunter answers, because I can't and Derek won't. "Baylee and Derek dated for a while, but he never deserved her. Did you, Derek?"

  "She was in your bed this morning?" Derek snarls. "Making all that noise?"

  "She sure was. She will be again if I have my way."

  "How long has this been going on?" Derek's face is red with anger.

  "Just since last night. But I have no plans to end it. How long have you been with Serena?"

  Derek moves his hand behind his back to hide the black velvet box. Hunter's voice is calm, but his body is poised to pounce. Melinda's eyes dart between the two men, watching carefully. I'm now mute and dumb because I don't know what to say or why he's even here.

  "Hiding the ring doesn't change your secrets, Derek." Hunter turns his gaze to me and continues. "Baylee doesn't remember me, but I've been in love with her since middle school. If it means kidnapping her, I'll keep her away from you."

  My brow furrows, my mouth gapes open, and my brain forgets to tell my body to breathe. I'm lost in the depths of Hunter's eyes. The passion they reveal reaches out and touches me, physically and emotionally.

  Is any of this real?

  "Randle?" I finally find my voice. "I've known you since middle school? You're Paul Randle?"

  He nods and tries to read my reaction. "Paul is my dad's name. I went by my middle name in college. I wanted to make it on my own merit instead of using my dad's alumni status. He still gives generously to the college, so using his name would've made it awkward."

  "More awkward than right now?" I ask.

  One side of his mouth lifts in amusement. "Mia and Hayden are dating. He's my best friend, ever since freshman year. When she told me what happened between you and my cousin Derek, I took it as a sign."

  "So the three of you arranged last night, right?"

  "The meeting, yes. But our chemistry, what we feel together, is real. Alec didn’t give Mia any alcohol. She wanted a clear head to see how you’d react to me without your inhibitions. She’s known how I feel about you for years."

  "You did all this just for a chance with me?"

  "I'd do anything for a chance with you."

  "This isn't happening," Derek bellows. "Baylee, we need to talk, to work this out. I know I'm a fool, but I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong."

  Reading the expressions in the two men's eyes tells me everything I need to know. For Derek, it's the challenge and bragging rights. For Hunter, it's earning his place in my life on his worth.

  "Go give Serena the engagement ring, Derek. You two deserve each other. Hunter's given me the best Christmas present ever." I stroke Hunter's cheek, and he presses a kiss into my palm.

  "Finish your breakfast, and I'll give it to you again."

  The End

  * * *

  About the Author

  A.D. Justice is the USA Today Bestselling Author of romance novels—suspense, angsty, erotic, contemporary, and paranormal. When she's not writing, she's spending time with her own alpha male character in their north Georgia mountain home. She is an avid reader of romance novels, a master of procrastination, a chocolate sommelier, a Caramel Macchiato afficianado, a twister of words, and speaker of fluent sarcasm.

  She invites you to employ all stalking opportunities available—on her website (http://www.authoradjustice.com), newsletter (http://www.subscribepage.com/adjustice), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/adjusticeauthor), Twitter: (http://www.twitter.com/adjustice1), and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/adjbooks).

  Ambushes, Champagne, & a Fantasy Suite… What could possibly go wrong?

  Ahren Sanders

  This story takes place shortly after Hotshot ends. When Bizzy drops the bomb she’s ready to try to have a baby, Shaw is hell bent on taking every opportunity to make their dreams come true.

  The details are set: a romantic holiday weekend getaway with nothing but the two of them, clothing optional. What he doesn’t count on is his brothers planning a prank that disrupts all his x-rated plans.

  Throw in a few bottles of champagne, an insatiable bride, and a hidden camera and things get wild.

  This will be a Labor Day weekend none of them will easily forget.

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  Shaw

  “No matter how many times you repeat it, Ken, I still don’t give a shit. If you want my client’s name on your product, you pay.”

  “Come on, Shaw. Three million is more than fair. Think about it. This will be great for Nick’s career. There are a lot of other players who would jump at this opportunity.” Ken tries again to convince me.

  “Maybe so, and I welcome you to go ahead and move on. Don’t call me back until you can at least double this offer. Nick Bennett is his own fucking brand. I may have more sympathy if you didn’t take home a seven million dollar bonus last year.”

/>   There’s a pause on the line, the only sound Ken’s sigh. “You’re a tough son of a bitch.”

  “Always.” I chuckle and hang up, knowing I’ll have another offer by tomorrow.

  There’s a knock on the glass wall separating my office from Gail, and I look over to see her pointing at the elevators. My heart skips a beat when I see my beautiful wife coming toward me with a smile on her face. The instant I get a good look at her, my mood changes.

  She’s wearing her fucking scrubs.

  She stops to hug Gail, and I get up to meet her at my door. When she’s within reach, I tag her around the waist and pull her straight to me, sealing my mouth over hers. My free hand goes to unclasp her hair clip, feeling her silky hair fall.

  I back us into my office and kick the door closed. The soft buzz indicates that Gail has activated my privacy blinds.

  Anytime I see Bizzy, my heart races, but when she’s in my arms, my body comes alive with energy. This moment is no exception. The scent of her body lotion fills my nose, and I kiss her deeply. Her hands move to my scalp, massaging lightly, scoring her nails up and down.

  Without breaking our connection, I bend and lift her, forcing her legs to wrap around me as I walk to my couch.

  She lets out a little squeal when I drop down, keeping her close.

  “Hey,” she breaks away and whispers against my lips.

  “Hey.”

  “How was your call?”

  “It was fine. He’s being cheap, but I laid it out straight. I expect another offer tomorrow morning,” I summarize quickly, not wanting to waste time talking about work.

  “Nicky is lucky to have you.”

  If I don’t want to talk about work, I really don’t want to talk about my brother while she’s in my arms.

  “Babe,” I nibble on her lower lips and feel her breath hitch, “are you here to make another fantasy come to life? Last time you popped in unexpected, we fucked on my desk. Since you’re in your scrubs, are we doing a role play?”

  Her body goes rigid, her hands dropping from my head to my shoulders.

  “Shaw—.” Her eyes meet mine and confirm what I don’t want to hear.

  “No, you are not here to tell me you’re going into work tonight. Absolutely not. You already worked two nights this week.”

  “Baby, they need me,” she tries to argue.

  “I need you,” I state matter-of-factly and watch her eyes fill with guilt. Now I feel like shit.

  “I already agreed.”

  “Of course you did.”

  “Please don’t be upset. I swear I’ll do better. But when Nurse Evie called, I couldn’t say no. Think of all they did for me through the wedding and honeymoon.”

  I groan, knowing I’m not going to get anywhere. “It sucks trying to sleep without you. I might as well come to the hospital, too.”

  “Sweetie, that’s ridiculous. I’ve called Mathis and Nicky, and they’re coming over for a guy’s night. Then I’ll be home before you leave for work.”

  “Great. Now I have to entertain those two idiots.”

  “Shaw!” She slaps my chest playfully, and I capture her hand in mine, bringing it to my mouth so I can kiss along her knuckles.

  “Bizzy, given the choice of spending the night with my gorgeous wife, where I could be trying to make a baby, or hanging with my brothers, who take every chance they can to piss me off… there really is no choice.”

  “They’re not that bad.” She tries to sound convincing but fails as a small giggle escapes. “Okay, they enjoy razzing you up, but it’s all in good fun.”

  She’s not kidding. It is all in good fun, but since Bizzy and I were married last month, Mathis and Nick find great humor in the fact that I’m completely whipped. Some men may calm down or even relax after saying ‘I do’, but not me. Somehow, the minute Lizbeth Hastings became Bizzy Bennett, something primal in me erupted, and my fascination with my wife grew.

  Then an idea pops into my head. I’ve been uneasy about the start of football season in two weeks, along with the baseball season heading into playoffs. My travel schedule is going to pick up, and Bizzy still has a month until she can officially move to PRN.

  I want one last getaway with her before our lives get crazy. And this weekend is out of the question.

  “We’re going away next weekend. Do what you need to do, but I want you off Friday through Tuesday.”

  Her lips split into a wide grin. “Where are we going?”

  “We’re going to spend Labor Day Weekend on the boat. I’m not sure where we’ll go… The Bahamas, The Keys… Who knows? But it’ll be the two of us and no one else.”

  She throws herself at me, her arms going around my neck, and kisses all over my face. “I’d love that!”

  “Don’t you dare get any ideas, Bizzy. Just the two of us.”

  “Absolutely!”

  The phone beeps on my desk Gail’s voice coming through a second later. “Shaw, sorry to bother you, but it’s Ken. He says he’s ready to offer his kidney for Nick.”

  “I don’t give a shit about his kidney. Does he have a real offer?” I call back to her.

  “He says he’ll double for a signature and acceptance in forty-eight hours or less.”

  “Fuck yeah,” I say, and Bizzy squeezes me harder.

  “Congratulations,” she says softly.

  “Gail, tell him I’m going to walk my wife to her car, and I’ll call him back. If it looks right, I’ll have Nick’s signature by the end of the night.”

  There’s a click as she hangs up, and I twist to the side, bringing Bizzy to lay on top of me. My dick comes to life when she grinds against me accidently.

  “You don’t’ need to walk me to my car.” Her voice is muffled in my neck.

  “I’m going to do a lot more than walk you to your car,” I tell her as my mouth finds hers again.

  My hands slide down her back and directly into her pants, cupping her ass to me. I buck my hips up and grow harder at the sound of her moan in my mouth.

  “We have to stop. It’s the middle of the day.”

  “I don’t give a shit.” One hand skims around her hip and between her legs, where I feel her heat against my fingertips. Slowly, I start to play with her, slipping two fingers in and out while leisurely kissing her. She swivels and thrusts her hips into my hands, giving a throaty groan. My thumb grazes along her clit, putting pressure in the spot that makes her go wild.

  Her breath starts to pant, and I know she’s close, grinding harder against my hand as she comes on a whimper.

  “I love that sound, but what I love more is feeling you tremble on top of me.”

  “I can’t believe we just did that. What if someone walked in?” She lifts herself up, bracing on my chest.

  “No one should ever walk in when you and I are in here alone. Gail knows to play gatekeeper no matter who it is.”

  Her already flushed cheeks deepen a shade as she bites her lower lip and lays her forehead against mine. “I’ll try to get out early so I’m home before you wake up.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  She swings her body over mine, forcing my hand out of her pants. Her eyes flare when she sees the outline of my cock straining against my pants.

  “When you look at me like that, it makes it hard to let you go.”

  She bends, giving me a quick kiss then walks to the door. “I’ll make sure to get home before you have to leave for work. You better not walk me out with all that going on.” She waves her finger in the air then points to my dick.

  Without another word, she leaves, and I painfully stand, adjusting myself. The privacy blinds open right as I slide into my chair. I gesture for Gail to come into my office. Before we deal with the contract for Nick, I need her to help me plan a magical weekend getaway.

  * * *

  “I fucking love you.” Nick taps his glass of whiskey against mine and finishes it in one swallow, then signs his name on the contract I brought home.

  “It’s calle
d striking while the iron is hot, and you’re hot right now,” I reply, slapping him on the shoulder. “Keep doing what you do, stay out of trouble, and maybe we’ll see more offers like this come through. Although, I think we should probably do something charitable next.”

  “I agree. I think you should speak at this year’s Foundation Dinner for the hospital,” Mathis tells him.

  Mathis is doing his residency in Pediatric Medicine at the same hospital Bizzy works. They spend a lot of time together since she is a nurse on the Pediatric Oncology floor. She already told me they were going to try to get Nicky to do the event, so I’ve been waiting for the right time to bring it up. Mathis raises an eyebrow at me, looking for support.

  “The event would be perfect,” I add my two cents.

  “Fuck no! I hate public speaking. Everyone knows this, and I’m pretty sure I suck at it.” Nick shakes his head.

  “Actually, you’re good. For some unknown reason, people hang on your words.”

  He gives me cocky grin that I know so well. “How about letting me use the boat next weekend and I’ll think about it?”

  “Hell no.”

  “Come on, Shaw. It’s the last weekend before the season starts. Let me and Mathis have it for a day and night. You owe it to me for the big commission you just pulled in today.”

  “First of all, I don’t owe you shit. Secondly, I’m taking Bizzy on a weekend getaway. We’re heading to The Keys.”

  “The Keys sound great. It’s a big boat, so we’ll have our own room.” Mathis drains his glass, shooting Nick a look I can’t read.

  “How can I say this tactfully? FUCK no. I want my wife alone, and you two aren’t invited.”

  “Jesus, Shaw, you are the most pussy-whipped asshole I know. You just got back from your honeymoon less than a month ago. Bizzy would love to have us all together.”

  I swallow my irritation and the urge to spill the news we are trying to have a baby. It’s only been a short time since she decided she’s ready to try. The last thing I want is to encourage these two to get more involved in my life.