Hot for the Holidays (21 Holiday Short Stories): A Collection of Naughty and Nice Holiday Romances

by Anthology

  I leaned into her touch and took both of her hands in mine. "I’ve never seen you look more stunning…and that’s saying a lot. You make the perfect bride."

  She gave me a warm smile and I squeezed her hands.

  Kirk cleared his throat. "Ready?"

  We nodded, never removing our gazes from one another.

  "Dearly beloved," Kirk began. "We are gathered here today to bear witness as Chloe and Maximus join each other in the holy bond of marriage."

  Chloe giggled. I raised a questioning brow. "I’m sorry," she said, turning her gaze to Kirk. "You sound so serious. It’s strange."

  He smiled and patted her shoulder. "I can do my Elvis impersonation if you prefer. Lighten things up?"

  Now I was the one laughing. I don’t think any of us wanted to see that. "You’re doing great. Why don’t we just keep going?"

  He shrugged and Chloe turned her attention back to me.

  "Max and Chloe have elected to say their own wedding vows in lieu of reciting the traditional ones. Guys…" He gestured to the two of us.

  "Ladies first," I said softly.

  Chloe squeezed my hands and drew in a deep breath before beginning. "Max, when I tried to figure out what I wanted to say in this moment, I came up blank. Not because I don’t love you, but because I’m overcome with emotion." She swallowed hard. "I’m not sure what words to use to express how much you mean to me and how lost I’d be without you. I’m not sure those words even exist. And you know me and my words."

  I chuckled at that. How could I not? Chloe and her quirky words were one of the things that endeared her to me in the beginning.

  "Then I remembered a word I had told you about a long time about. I think touches on what we have. The Persian word…jaaneman. It’s a term of endearment, but literally translated means ‘the soul of me.’ And that’s what you are to me, Max. My heart and my soul. I can’t survive without either of those, and I wouldn’t want to."

  A tear trickled down her face and she released one of my hands to quickly swipe it away. I pressed my lips together, fighting to keep my own tears at bay.

  She cleared her throat and continued. "I vow that I will stand beside you in sickness"—she squeezed my hand—"and health, happiness and sorrow, and everything in between. No matter what the future holds, I will be your lighthouse calling you home, bringing you comfort on the darkest, foggiest nights while you sail on rough, murky water. My promise to you is that I will love you, fully and completely, for the rest of our lives and that I will always put you first."

  Damn, what this woman did to me. My chest felt as if it would burst from all the love I held inside. I couldn’t resist. I leaned down and kissed her. She returned the kiss until Kirk cleared his throat and I pulled away grudgingly.

  "Save some for the honeymoon," he said dryly. "Max, your turn."

  Chloe’s glistening eyes gazed up at me in anticipation. I would not mess this up for her. I’d decided to wing it, wanting to say whatever I was feeling in my heart in the moment. I only hoped that when I was done she’d know how loved and cherished she was.

  I brushed a tendril of hair away from her face and then took her hands again. "Chlo, since the first moment I laid eyes on you, fate drew us together, over and over again. I knew you were something special when we started spending time together. What I didn’t know was that you’re one of a kind, extraordinary, and made just for me. You work harder than most and would do anything to protect the people you love—even to your own detriment. I couldn’t imagine loving you any more than I do…your little quirks, the way you can’t function before you’ve had your morning coffee, how you always make sure to text me goodnight if I’m still at the office when you go to bed, the fact that you have the fiercest yet most tender heart of anyone I know.

  "I’m blessed and grateful that I’m the man you chose to spend your life with, and I’ll spend the rest of my life living up to that honor."

  Chloe’s lips trembled and she pressed them together as a tear slipped down her cheek.

  "What was it you told me once? If we didn’t go through the storm, we’d have no appreciation for the rainbow? Well, we’ve weathered our share of storms, Chlo, and I can’t wait to spend forever at the end of the rainbow with you."

  I let one of her hands go and reached up to wipe the tear off her face. "Oh, Max," she said and broke into a full-on cry. I pulled her into an embrace, my own tears running down my cheeks until I tasted the saltwater between my lips.

  "We’re going to have a good life together—no matter what."

  She pulled away and wiped away the wetness on her face, nodding. "We will."

  Kirk waited a beat to make sure we were finished. We both smiled when we turned our attention to him. His eyes were misty. "You guys…I just…OMG. At least I’m not the only one."

  We looked behind us and, sure enough, both the women were crying, Mason and Calder holding them tight. Chris was in the middle of the aisle taking pictures with my phone as I’d asked him to do throughout the ceremony.

  I pivoted again to face my girl. "Let’s wrap this up," I said, not removing my gaze from her. I was anxious to make this official.

  "Okay, okay. Well, after that speech, I’m not even going to ask if there’s anyone that objects to this union because…hello…who the hell would?" Chloe chuckled silently. "Since we don’t have any rings, I guess there’s only one thing left to do."

  Kirk had suggested cutting up one of the friendship bracelets from the small gift shop and making them into rings, but I’d decided against it. The first time I placed a wedding band on Chloe’s finger, I wanted it to be the one and I wanted it to stay there—forever.

  "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." It was easily one of the best statements I’d heard in all my life.

  I didn’t waste a second, wrapping my arms around my wife and drawing her in for what would be our first kiss as a married couple. Our lips met with the usual enthusiasm as I cupped the back of her head. I deepened the kiss and poured everything I had into it, not wanting to leave anything behind.

  The small number of guests clapped and cheered. When we pulled away, Chloe bounced excitedly. "I’m your wife!"

  I grinned. "I’m your husband." I exhaled a relieved breath. "God, it feels good to say that."

  The small group came up to offer their congratulations, hugging and kissing ensued, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I was barely able to take my eyes off my wife the entire time.

  "You guys, that was the best wedding ever," Ellie gushed.

  Frankie was wiping a tear from her cheek as she hugged the two of us, and Chris continued to snap picture after picture.

  "Hey, everyone—Happy New Year!" Mason said.

  The group of us erupted into a chorus of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and another round of hugging commenced.

  We mingled for a while, sipping on wine and taking pictures with the group. We hadn’t planned to be here on this night, with these people—getting married—but it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly. I wouldn’t change a thing.

  "Guys, look…it’s stopped snowing." Calder pointed to the window. I stepped closer so I could see past the glare of the inside lights. He was right. I didn’t know when it had stopped, but a white blanket now covered everything in sight. Chloe came up and wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me from the side. I wasn’t able to recall the last time I felt such peace inside.

  A moment later, I my phone vibrated in my jacket pocket. I should’ve left the damn thing with Chris, but since it was the middle of the night, I pulled it out to see who it was.

  "Hi, Rodney."

  "Sir. I wanted to let you know that we’ll be leaving in a few hours. The weather has cleared and the airport plows are expected to get out on the runway shortly."

  "That’s great news."

  "I’ll call you back when it’s time."

  "You do that. Oh, and Rodney…Happy New Year."

  "Happy New Year, sir."

&n
bsp; I ended the call and put my phone away. I’d rather be holding my new wife than that damn thing.

  "Looks like we’re going to be able to leave in a few hours."

  Chloe rose to her tippy-toes to place a chaste kiss on my lips. "Ready to start our honeymoon in California?" she asked.

  I leaned down and nuzzled her neck. "Woman, what I’m ready for is to consummate this marriage."

  She threw her head back and laughed. God, I loved that sound.

  I got my wish a few hours later when Rodney called to let me know the plane was ready. We said goodbye to everyone and exchanged numbers so we could keep in touch. Funny, but this situation we’d all found ourselves in over the past couple of days had been such a bonding one for the eight of us.

  The moment the plane was safely in the air, I leaned over my wife and undid her seat belt then stood in front of her. Taking her hand, I led her to the bedroom in the back of the plane.

  "As wonderful as that dress looks on you, babe—it’s in the way."

  Ellie had let Chloe keep the dress, saying that she didn’t need another evening dress collecting dust in her closet, but a bride should always have the dress she was married in. I know that meant a lot to Chloe.

  My wife smiled and turned around, watching me over one shoulder as I pulled the zipper down to expose her back. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Perfect.

  I pushed the straps off her shoulders, and the weight of the dress caused it to fall heavily to the floor. My hands snaked around her waist and cupped her breasts. Chloe sighed and leaned back against me while I played with her nipples, gently rolling and tweaking them between my thumbs and fingers.

  "I think you need to get out of that suit, husband," she said while pressing her ass into my hard length.

  "Your wish is my command, Mrs. Richfield."

  "I’ll never tire of hearing you call me that." She turned to face me.

  "Good. Now, Mrs. Richfield, take those panties off and get on the bed. Leave the shoes on."

  She grinned at me and did what I asked as I shed my own clothes. Then I crawled up the bed, coming to stop over her and allowing some of my body weight to press into her. The feel of her soft curves against my hard body had my cock wanting to take her hard and fast.

  I’d always pushed Chloe’s sexual boundaries. Always had. Always would. That wasn’t going to change because we were married. But tonight I wanted to make love to my wife, to cherish her like she deserved.

  Trailing a line of open-mouth kisses from her collarbone to her breast had Chloe’s hands diving into my hair and her mouth begging for more. I continued my ministrations on her other breast before returning my lips to hers. We kissed slowly and softly before deepening the kiss. Unable to resist any longer, I positioned my steel length between her thighs, more than ready to take my wife.

  Pulling back, I gazed down into her dark eyes. "Happy New Year, Chlo."

  "Happy New Year, Max."

  As I sunk into my wife for the first time, the feeling of being home enveloped me and I knew that would never change. Chloe was it for me. Period.

  I couldn’t have been flying higher—literally and figuratively. We had the world at our feet and it was going to be a good life. We’d finally found the end of our rainbow.

  About Elisabeth Grace

  Elisabeth has a soft spot for happily ever afters and a hot spot for alpha males. If she’s not curled up somewhere with a romance novel in one hand and chocolate in the other you can probably find her typing madly on her keyboard creating her next story. She currently lives outside Toronto, Canada with her husband, two small children, and killer cat.

  Let’s Connect!

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  Other Books by Elisabeth Grace

  The Limelight Series - New Adult Romance

  Rumor Has It (Limelight #1)

  Picture Perfect (Limelight #2)

  Collateral Damage (Limelight #3)

  The Maine Attraction Series – Erotic Romance

  Indecision (Maine Attraction #1)

  Indiscretion (Maine Attraction #2)

  Saltwater Springs Series – Smalltown Contemporary Romance

  Built To Last (Saltwater Springs #1)

  Naughty Not Nice

  By Mia Kayla

  When Kendy suspects that her boyfriend is cheating on her and that someone else is riding her reindeer, all hell erupts. Kendy is naughty for the holidays and is out to prove that she can put the bah in bah hum bug.

  This holiday story features the main characters, Kendy Miller and Brian Benson from The Scheme.

  However, this can be read as a stand alone.

  Chapter One

  "He's cheating on me."

  Beth, my best friend, sat record still on the other line. I wondered if I had shocked my cousin into silence.

  I inhaled deeply through my nose and exhaled a shaky breath. Resting my head against the cushions of my couch, I stared at the white popcorn ceiling above me, wondering how this could’ve happened to me...again.

  Was there some sort of sign on my head that flashed ‘cheat on this one’?

  I wanted a long-term, forever relationship. Why wasn't it in the cards for me?

  After all this time, I should’ve known things between Brian and I were too good to be true. Just when I’d let my guard down, everything came crashing down and fell apart.

  "Whatever." Beth's voice stayed even, as though she didn't believe me.

  "H-he is." My voice broke as a heaviness spread through my limbs and a tightness formed in my chest. Brian was my soulmate. At least, I thought he was. A psychic had even predicted his arrival in my life. She’d specifically told me the man of my dreams would swoop me up and give me the moon, literally. And he did, unknowingly, in the shape of a moon cake dessert. He fulfilled the prediction through food. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

  And our relationship had been absolute bliss, until this point.

  "I love him, Beth. So much." A lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. The heater blasted on high and a coldness spread through me, forming goosebumps across my forearms.

  Never in my life had I given myself to another person completely. Not even my first boyfriend, who cheated on me, tore my heart out, and stomped on it.

  "And he loves you, too. Kendy, Brian is the nicest guy in the world. There’s not a cheating bone in his body. It’s not in his vocabulary." She sounded so sure.

  I sat up straighter, refusing to let the despair take me down and pull me under. Though she was my cousin and my best friend, Beth had no clue. I'd seen proof. Hard evidence.

  Standing, I hurried to the fridge to grab a beer. I needed a drink to calm me and clear my senses. "You think I'm making this shit up? I wish. You think I'm insecure, is that it?" I shut the fridge and pulled open the drawer, grabbing a bottle opener and popping that baby open.

  Beth let out a long, tired sigh. "Okay, how do you know for sure?"

  "I found a text."

  "From another woman?"

  "No, Beth, from a freaking man. He's turned gay on me. Of course another woman." I pulled the phone away from my ear, giving it the crazy look. "With that Ashley girl. His co-worker. The tall, beautiful, skinny-ass woman climbing the ladder at Financial State, and most likely climbing my man, as well."

  I’ll meet yo
u at Clement’s after work.

  Why would Brian be meeting her after work? More so, why wouldn’t he tell me?

  And the follow-up text.

  Thanks for dinner, Brian. I had an awesome time tonight. I always do with you. :)

  A smiley emoticon? Why? What happened that earned Brian a smiley face?

  Beth let out a carefree laugh. "Ashley. You've had the 'Ashley' talk. I thought she had a boyfriend. I thought you met her."

  "I did. You know that saying, ’keep your friends close and your enemies closer’, right? If the saying’s true, I’m moving in with her."

  Beth laughed, but it did nothing for my mood.

  Last month, Brian had set up dinner with Ashley and her boyfriend. I hated their camaraderie. I didn't know her, but I couldn't help notice how cold their relationship was compared to ours. How her boyfriend constantly stared down at his phone, while Brian's eyes solely focused on me. And though I was reading into things, I sensed she wanted my boyfriend. How could I blame her? Brian bled perfection. What she didn't know was that he was absolutely perfect——for me.

  "Why the hell is she texting him after hours?"

  "I promise you. Brian is not cheating. He only has eyes for you. Kendy. I'd bet our Plack Industries fortune on this. They're co-workers. Of course they have each other’s numbers. That's innocent stuff. Promise me you won't do anything crazy." At my silence, she said firmly, "Promise me."

  I crossed my legs, my arms, and my fingers. "Okay."

  She huffed. "You're lying."

  Oh, did she know me so well. Of course she did; we'd been best buds since forever. "I've got more proof. He's traveled for work."

  "So!"

  "Last weekend. On the freaking weekend, Beth. Who the hell travels for work on the weekend?" I stomped back to the couch and dropped against the cushions.