At Christmas dinner, the smile on Aunt Betty’s face when she saw us wearing her sweaters, was adorable. I loved every part of that over the top, gaudy declaration of the holiday memorialized in wool.
When everyone left an hour earlier, Kyle and I retreated to his corner of the house to exchange our gifts for each other in private.
Being an only child, his parents converted two of the guest rooms, as well as the bathroom, into a huge suite for him. It took up the entire right side of their palatial home. Windows framed two sides of his room, affording a magnificent view of the snow-covered forest that surrounded their property.
I smiled when two strong arms circled my waist. He kissed the side of my neck and asked, “Penny for your thoughts?”
“I love it here,” I admitted with a sigh. His hold tightened, and through the reflection in the window I could see the joy on his face. I twisted around, bringing us nose to nose. “Thank you. This has been the best Christmas I’ve ever had.” His expression instantly changed at my declaration. He parted his lips to say something, and I pressed my fingers to his mouth to stop him. “Don’t look sad. I truly believe every year I spent wishing I could skip over the holidays had to happen for me to appreciate what I have now with you.”
“Baby, this is just the beginning. I want to make all your dreams come true, together.”
“Well, we’re off to a great start. Your country is stunning.”
“You only saw a tiny bit of it, but with time you’ll see so much more.” He kissed me chastely. “Are you ready to exchange gifts?”
I grinned and nodded like a five-year-old. As it was, I needed another suitcase to get all my gifts from his family back to New York, but I’d been anxiously waiting to exchange with Kyle, specifically to give him my surprise.
“I’ll go first!” As I dashed out of his hold toward my bag, he moved to sit on the small couch with a chuckle. I pulled out several boxes from my suitcase and carried them over to where he sat. “Okay, this one is last,” I said, holding the one I was most excited for in my hands after handing him the others.
First he opened the monogramed flogger I ordered online. While turning it in his hand, he bounced it a few times testing its weight. “Nice one. I love the personalization, nice touch. But, is this for me or you?” he asked, grinning.
“Both. Keep going.” One by one he opened and laughed at the little things I picked up that were so Kyle—a ceramic syrup dispenser in the shape of a beaver, a silk bow tie that matched his eye color perfectly, and a Catwoman figurine sporting the exact costume I had on for Halloween.
“This is going on my desk,” he admitted, turning her in his hand to inspect all parts of her body. “She looks just like you.”
“That’s why I picked it up.”
“I love them all, Nessa.” He lifted the bow tie and raised a brow. “Best idea you ever had was using my bow tie as a sex toy.”
“I agree. Okay, now for the last but not least.” I presented the last box to him with a shy smile. “I hope you like it.”
I had no idea why I was nervous as he opened the gift. A few seconds later, he lifted the navy square glass bottle from its tissue paper nest and smiled. Embossed across the front in silver was Mr. Flirt. He lifted the cap and sniffed. “This is amazing, Nessa. You made it?”
“Well, with Frederick’s help… a lot of help, but yes. I explained to him what you reminded me of and we were able to recreate all that in this cologne.” Kyle always smelled amazing, but what was in that bottle perfectly captured my Kyle in every way
When my focus moved from the bottle to his face, the level of emotion in his eyes stunned me. “I… I’m…” He gingerly placed the bottle on the small table before us and pulled me into his arms. “I am so in love with you,” he finished saying once I was nestled on his lap. “Thank you, I love it. So much so, it’s going into the new product launch this spring.”
“That’s not why I did it, you know that.” I held his face and stared into his eyes. “I can’t begin to thank you for not only helping me love again, but for changing my future in such a positive way. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”
He held my gaze for a very long moment. “I do actually.” He lifted his chin toward the closet in the corner. “I have about ten or so boxes in there for you to open, and you will soon. But those are all secondary to my main present. First, I want to give you what I’ve been dying to.”
A contented smile spread over my face. “You already made me my perfect perfume.”
“Yes, I did, but this is even better.” With me still on his lap, he reached behind himself and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. A gold round sticker held it together where the edges met. I gently lifted the seal and unfolded, my heart pounding at seeing the first line neatly typed across the top.
Air Canada
Depart December 26, Toronto > Paris
Flight #AC880
Returning January 7, Paris > New York City
Flight #AC889
Business Class, 2 passengers
It was my turn to be stunned. I couldn’t believe I would finally see Paris. A dream I held for so long; as time passed it seemed less and less likely to happen. And here, this man who had already given me the best gift I could have ever wanted just made my dream come true. “We leave tomorrow?” My question came out in a high-pitched tone that failed to hide the level of my excitement.
“Tomorrow. Even though we are heading there on business in a few months to tape the commercial for Risqué, I want to show you Paris properly beforehand.”
“Wait, you were bringing me to the shoot?”
“Of course. Anyway, back to my gift. Personnel has cleared an extra five days of vacation for you. It’s a good thing you know the boss so well.”
“But—”
Before I could finish my sentence, he added, “The girls know. Everything has been handled, including your wardrobe.” He pointed to the closet and smirked. “I’m ruining the rest of your surprises, but you have all you need for your stay wrapped in those boxes in my closet.”
I curled my arms around his neck, squeezing a bit harder than necessary. “Not everything. The most important thing I need is you, Kyle Cleary. I once thought I didn’t need a man to have a happily ever after and all I needed was myself. I was so wrong. I love you.”
The smile I loved more than any other lit his face, and if possible it made him even more handsome. “I love you, too, Vanessa Monroe. And you’re all I need as well…” He kissed me long and hard, pulling away to then say, “… and maple syrup.”
The End
Chapter 1
Luca
Construction paper cutouts of letters and numbers lined the hallway. An array of children’s artwork fluttered from all the activity. I couldn’t remember the last time I was in a grammar school, nor could I recall it being that loud. The noise level finally lowered to a respectable lull, or I’d lost partial hearing.
Kids scurried through the halls to catch their rides home. Some that were covered in paint bobbed and weaved around me as I made my way to Cassie’s classroom. The kindergarten teacher, who became one of my best friends, didn’t know I’d be showing up.
Tonight we were going out for drinks and dinner. Our original plan was to meet at the bar, but since my afternoon meetings were canceled, I thought I’d surprise her. Little did I know the surprise would be on me.
A woman’s voice shouted, “Michael Dillon!”
Not sure where it came from, I focused behind me when a little person and I collided. I let out an “oof,” looked down and saw a dark-haired, wide-eyed little boy with paint on his hands staring up at me. Behind him stood a stunning blonde holding a wad of paper towels in one hand while the other covered her gaping mouth.
“Oh my God!” Her shocked gaze focused on my groin. “I’m so sorry.” She stretched the arm holding the paper towels toward me, and it took a few seconds to realize she was going right for my dick.
&nb
sp; Taken aback by her beauty, it didn’t click why she appeared so mortified. At that exact moment, Cassie came out of her classroom, noticed my crotch, and burst into hysterics. Following her line of sight, I saw one green and one blue handprint on the top of my thighs.
Son of a bitch.
Before I could stop the woman, she began rubbing the fabric of my slacks with vigor and determination. Each pass of her hand caused the fucker between my legs to get a bit more excited. Stunned, I took a step back before she could feel my growing hard-on. Having her hand on me, so close to me, while standing in a grammar school was wrong on so many levels.
The two perfect handprints became a big blob of green and blue, framing each side of my zipper. “It’s fine,” I said, trying to sound convincing.
Her eyes cut to the little boy’s. To ensure his hands weren’t anywhere near her, she took his wrists and raised them in the air. “Honey, tell him you’re sorry.” The child’s penitent expression ebbed my irritation.
“Really, no worries.” I glared at Cassie who now had her hand clamped over her mouth. I was sure laughing wasn’t in the “Adulting 101” handbook.
The blonde studied the exchange between me and Cassie. “I’m so very sorry. Please send me the dry cleaning bill. Miss Brooks has my address.” Her tone indicated this was the last thing she needed today.
“I’m sorry. Are you mad, mister?” Big brown eyes met mine.
I squatted to get eye level with the little boy. “No, I’m not mad. Just be careful and be sure to listen to your mom. Okay, buddy?” He nodded, and I ruffled his hair before standing.
“I’m mortified.” His mom peered back at Cassie with pure humiliation. “Excuse us, I better go clean him up before he takes another casualty.” She walked away, steering him by his shoulders as not to get paint on her. Michael twisted his head, smiled, and waved his green hand at us.
I continued to watch them walk down the hall until they turned the corner. The woman’s ass was perfect. Granted, she was the little boy’s mother and most likely another man’s wife, but there was no denying she was one of the most gorgeous women I’d ever seen. Compared to the other females who have been in and out of my life, she had more of a girl next door kind of vibe. Cassie rolled her lips between her teeth, her eyes drifted to my crotch, and the giggles escaped.
I checked the damage done and sighed. “I guess I need to make a pit stop and change.”
“Oh, I don’t know. You could be starting a new trend.” The persistent laughing caused her eyes to water. She dabbed at them with her fingertips, her gaze lingering on my lower region. “Sorry, that’s so funny.”
“Okay, okay. Enough. Stop staring.” Drawing attention to it made the situation worse for me.
“Why are you here, anyway?”
“I thought I’d pick you up. Bad idea.” My eyes swept the hall where some minions still loitered with adults trying to corral them all. Most of the kids held their multi-colored hands up in the air on their way to the bathroom. “This place is a clothing hazard.”
“It’s finger painting day. I can’t leave yet.” She motioned toward the little artists. “As you can see, I need to help clean up.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the bar then.” I gestured down and asked, “Do you have an apron or something I can use to cover this up?”
At my question, the hysterics began all over again, and all I could do was release another sigh.
Collagen-infused lips, bleached blonde hair, and tits the size of cantaloupes about to spring free from her low-cut blouse were inching closer and closer to me. A pointy, red-polished fingernail dragged over my left shoulder, to my wrist and back up before resting on my muscle that she seemed to be enamored with.
“My name’s Izzy, what’s yours?” She batted her eyelashes that no doubt were as fake as the rest of her.
“Luca.” I turned to the bartender and asked him to close out my tab. Granted, I only had one drink while waiting for Cassie, but now I just wanted out of there.
“Mmm…” she groaned and licked her lips. “You have an accent. It’s so sexy. Spanish?”
“Italian.”
“Even better.” Her voice sounded like a combination of Minnie Mouse and a porn star. “Are you here alone, Luca the Italian?”
Before I could answer I felt a petite hand replace Izzy’s and tighten around the underside of my arm. “Hi, sweetie.”
Ever since cupid shot his arrow into my friends’ asses, I’d been flying solo. Well, sort of solo. My wingman had turned into a wingwoman and the position was held by Cassie. It was when our mutual best friends fell in love with each other that our bond grew stronger.
Cassie was cool, and I loved hanging out with her. In all honesty, she was a much better wingperson than Kyle or Jude had been. Those two would constantly try to one-up each other, leaving me to pick up the pieces. Sometimes, that would work in my favor and I’d end up with a sexy woman for the night. Other times, I’d just end up with mascara stains on my shirt.
Cassie and I were the only single ones left in our group, aside from Desiree, but she was married to her job. Being an attorney seemed to be a twenty-four-hour gig. Whereas, Cassie had the best hours on the planet.
The one part she could play that Jude and Kyle couldn’t was my girlfriend. She was the best at it too. Since we had been spending so much time together, she knew when I needed an assist, so to speak. Of course, I provided the same courtesy to her. Although on occasion, I had sent a few guys away that she actually liked. That didn’t mean they were right for her. It was an ongoing argument, but I didn’t give a rat’s ass. She was my friend, and I knew a snake when I saw one. Just as she knew a gold-digger or user when she laid eyes on one.
“Hi, hon.” I leaned over and gave Cassie a quick peck on the lips before grabbing my jacket.
As always, she smiled wide and then introduced herself to whomever she didn’t feel was appropriate for me. “I’m Cassie, Luca’s girlfriend. And you are?”
“Izzy.” The bottle blonde raked her eyes over Cassie’s body before raising the corner of her lip into a half snarl that rivaled Elvis’s. “Luca, if you ever get bored, here’s my number.”
“Excuse me, Dizzy was it? He’s taken.” Cassie was sweet, but she could be fierce when the situation called for it—apparently, this was one of those times.
“It’s Izzy, and I don’t see a ring on his finger.”
Cassie’s jovial expression turned livid, and I knew I needed to deflect… and quick. Before she could respond, I said, “Let’s go babe, we’re late for our reservation.” I placed my hand on the small of her back, all the while she visibly fumed. “Nice to meet you, Izzy.”
Our original plan was to have a few drinks before dinner. Thanks to Izzy, dinner would happen sooner rather than later. We left the bar and headed down the block to Gemma’s restaurant. The cool spring air did nothing to calm my spunky friend.
Cassie mumbled for most of the short walk, until she spit out, “Seriously? The nerve!”
“I love you Cass, but she could have kicked your ass.”
“Bite your tongue, Benedetto. Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I can’t go toe to toe with someone like that. Plus, she’d probably deflate with one good smack.”
“Okay, Rocky, calm down.” I pulled open the wooden door and prayed there was an old man hosting tonight. My date’s gloves were still on, and I didn’t need a gorgeous woman provoking her.
“By the way, I saw Sabrina on the way out of school. She feels awful and insisted she pay for your dry cleaning.”
“Sabrina?”
“Mikey’s mom. The Picasso who marked you.” When she lifted her hand to cover her mouth at the memory, I glared at her. “Sorry.”
“Tell her that’s not necessary.” Sabrina. Gorgeous name and it suited her.
The scents of tomato, garlic, and basil wafted through the air as we walked to our table. Sounds of flatware tapping on the plates caused those dining to amplify their voices.
> “Anyway, sorry I was late. It took longer to clean up all the paint.” I helped Cassie off with her jacket and hung it on the back of her chair before pulling it out for her. “Thank you.”
“Actually, you showed up right on time,” I teased. “One more minute and who knows what part of me she would’ve dug those talons into.” Taking the seat across from her, I lifted my hand in the air summoning the waitress. “Would you like a drink? You look like you could use one.”
“One? I could use a couple.”
When the waitress came over and eyed me up and down, I glimpsed at Cassie who shot daggers at the poor thing. She had no idea she had just poked the hornet’s nest… just what I was afraid of.
“Hi, my name is Cindy. I’ll be serving you tonight.” She never took her eyes off of me. “What can I get you?”
“Honey?” I prodded Cassie to reply. She requested a cosmo, I asked for a glass of wine, and Cindy retreated toward the bar.
“Am I fucking invisible tonight?” Her outburst caused me to laugh. “It’s not funny, Luca. This happens all the time. I’m always the friend and never considered anything more by pushy women.”
“But you are my friend.”
“That’s beside the point. She doesn’t know that. Even you calling me honey didn’t deter her from ogling you.”
“I didn’t notice.”
“Of course, you didn’t. What about Izzy? What type of woman does that in front of someone’s girlfriend? Fake or not. It’s women like her that make me want to stay home.”
“Please don’t say that. You need to get out more.”
Paying no mind to what I said, she continued to rant. “That woman at the bar was appalling. You’re very lucky to have me. God forbid you went to bed with her. She could’ve crushed you with her boobs.”
I chuckled. “If I would’ve been crushed, it would’ve been because of your tardiness. However, I wouldn’t have slept with her. But, thank you for the rescue all the same.”
With pride, she nodded. “You’re welcome.”
The Mr. Wrong Series Page 54
