by Melody Grace
“Like singing show tunes in a gay bar?” I try to make her smile. “You can tick that one off the list.”
It works. She cracks a smile, “No, just…Real holiday things. Like ice skating, and hot cocoa, and toys wrapped up under the tree. And a house that smells like cookies on Christmas morning, with Frank Sinatra singing holiday songs…”
She gets a dreamy look in her eyes. For a moment, I wish that one day she gets that same look thinking about me.
Where did that come from?
I make split-second a decision. I need to get her back to my hotel room, and show her everything I couldn’t do out on the street corner—naked and panting, surging hot against her body, tangled up in the sheets of that penthouse suite until she’s moaning so loud the neighbors call to complain.
I want to make her scream my name, clench around me, come out of her mind.
But I want to make her smile even more.
“Change of plans,” I tell her, veering left. The hotel is just ahead, but there’s someplace else I need to take her first.
“Where are we going?” Sophie blinks.
“It’s a surprise.”
“They told me never to wander off with strange men,” she teases me, laughing as she follows down the street. We cut through a shopping district, the boutique windows all lit up and glittering with their holiday displays.
“I’m not strange,” I grin back.
“Just a little.” she corrects me. “But that’s OK. We all are. The only normal people are the ones trying really, really hard to hide their weirdness. ”
“So now I’m weird?” I protest. “Gee, thanks darlin’.”
“I never said I didn’t like it.” Sophie suddenly stops, tugging me back to her. She reaches up on her tip-toes, and kisses me on the cheek.
Her breath is hot, her lips are cool. I feel off balance for a moment, and have to think real hard so we both don’t go sprawling in the slush. “What was that for?”
She gives me a shy smile. “This. Taking me out, making me laugh. You’re a nice guy.”
“Nice?” I repeat it like a curse word. “Damn woman, cut my balls off right here why don’t you?”
“What?” she laughs. “It was a compliment!”
“No way. Call a man magnificent, or strong, or the best lay you’ve ever had, but for God’s sake never call him nice.”
Sophie shakes her head. “Believe me, it’s underrated.” She tucks her arm back through mine and keeps walking. “Too many men make out like they’re nice guys, when really, they’ll take the easy way out the first chance they get. No matter who they hurt.”
Her voice is sad again. “Your ex?” I ask gently.
“My ex.” A determined look comes over her face. “Fuck him.”
I laugh with surprise. “That’s the spirit. He’s the one missing out right now.”
Sophie suddenly gives me a smile, warm and bright enough to turn the night to day, melt all this snow away. “Yes. He is!”
I know I’m supposed to be the one keeping her upright, but for some reason, I’m the one who feels unsteady.
Everything about this girl is unexpected. Intriguing. A breath of fresh air.
“So where are we going?” Sophie asks again. I pull myself together and look around.
“This is it. We’re here.” I nod to the gates marking one of my favorite places in the city. “Gramercy Square Park. One of the last private parks in town,” I explain, “You have to live in one of these buildings to get a key.”
“So how do we get in?” Sophie frowns. She takes a couple of steps closer, peering through the iron bar fence that surrounds the whole park.
“Easy,” I say. I check that there’s nobody around. The street is dark and quiet, only people in the distance on their way out for a Christmas Eve drink. “We hop the fence.”
7.
Sophie
When I turn around, Austin is bent over with his hands cupped together like he’s ready to boost me over the top.
“You can’t be serious!” I gasp.
“I never joke about breaking and entering.” He flashes that heart-stopping smile at me, and despite everything, I feel a pulse of excitement.
“We’ll get caught.”
“By who?” He makes a show of looking around. “Everyone’s off getting drunk—or setting out milk and cookies for Santa,” he adds, a teasing note in his voice.
I blush. I know my fantasy Christmas must have sounded so naive to him, but I can’t help it. I spent my childhood with the holidays hanging over me like a dark storm cloud, full of guilt and sadness and rejection. I’ve wanted to make new traditions, and I thought that this year with Matt would be my chance. To wipe the slate clean and make new memories; happy ones.
So what are you waiting for? A voice whispers. This is already the most memorable night of your life. Just think what else might happen if you take the chance.
Suddenly bold, I take a step towards him and place my gloved hand on his shoulder. “If I spent Christmas in jail, you’re going to owe me big-time,” I promise, lifting my foot and placing it in his hands.
“Anything,” he laughs.
“Like next Christmas in Lapland,” I tell him, shifting my weight. “With real, live reindeer and snow, and a tour of Santa’s factory.”
“You’ve got it.” Austin grins at me, so enthusiastic, I can’t help but feel my pulse skip. “You ready? On the count of three. One…two…three!”
On cue, I step up onto his hands, reaching for the top of the fence as he boosts me up high. I grab the top bars easily and haul myself over the top, sliding to the ground on the other side. I steady myself and brush down my coat, looking around.
The park is a block wide, with trees and bushes thickly planted around the edge. Inside, old-fashioned streetlamps cast a glow over the shadows; snow blanketing the ground in a powder-perfect layer of white. A path winds deeper into the shadows, inviting.
It’s silent. Still.
Magical.
“Hey, Sophie?”
Austin’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and a moment later, he drops down beside me with a heavy thud. He straightens up, brushing snow from his heavy winter jacket. “You know there’s no Santa Claus, right?”
I hit him lightly on the arm. “I’m not a kid!”
“Just checking.” He looks around, then falls silent a moment. “Wow,” he breathes.
I reach for his hand. Even with my gloves on, I swear, I can feel his touch. “Wow,” I echo quietly.
We take the path and slowly delve deeper into the park. Here, the bushes and trees grow thickly, dusted with their coating of snow. The traffic and noise of the city seems to fade away, until we’re the only people in the world. Our own private winter wonderland.
And Austin is the one who’s showing it to me.
“I don’t know anything about you,” I realize, glancing over at him.
“Besides how handsome and charming I am,” he replies. “And a great kisser.”
I laugh. “Besides that. Tell me something,” I urge, curious. “What do you do? What do you love to do?” I correct myself, knowing that someone’s day job usually doesn’t say much about who they really are.
Austin hesitates. “I’m…a musician,” he finally answers. “In the music industry. I was just in the studio, recording for…this new singer-songwriter.”
“That’s great,” I say, impressed. “It’s really competitive, right? Not many people get to make a living from music.”
He nods. “I’m lucky. It’s in my blood now, I couldn’t walk away if I tried. And I have zero other skills,” he adds with a wry grin.
I smile. “Sure you do. Fence-jumping, picking up strange girls in bars…” I suggest, teasing.
“Making out in deserted parks,” Austin finishes for me.
My heart skips. “I haven’t seen that one,” I murmur, turning to him. Our breath fogs the air in tiny puffs, and time seems to stop as Austin reaches to gently cup my cheek.
<
br /> “I guess I’ll just have to show you,” he murmurs, leaning in.
This time, his kiss is soft. Deliberate. Barely a whisper against my lips.
I sigh against his mouth, feeling the sensation shiver through my body. White-hot sparks, warming every part of me. I take hold of the front of his jacket, tugging him closer, until our bodies are pressed together and our mouths continue their soft, exquisite dance.
Austin kisses me with a tenderness I wasn’t expecting. Easing my lips open, and gently licking into my mouth.
Heat pools, coiling low between my thighs. I shudder, still reeling from how instant this chemistry is, how overwhelming. I’ve never felt anything like it, an immediate attraction. I’ve always fallen slowly: getting to know someone, learning to trust and open up to them before things get physical. But Austin?
Austin makes me want him right now. Hard and hot, hands and mouths and the slick slide of our bodies…
But what if Matt was right? What if it was all your fault?
The thought jolts me out of my delicious haze. I pull away, flushing. “I, umm, we should get back. Before someone catches us here.”
Austin looks disappointed, but just as quickly, he smiles. “Good plan.” He puts one arm around my shoulder, pulling me tight against his body. “I don’t want to spend Christmas in jail for public indecency,” he adds, his voice teasing in my ear. “And darlin’, I plan on doing some pretty damn indecent things with you.”
My stomach twists—with desire, and something else. Nervous panic, that only grows as we wind our way through the gorgeous snowy park to the gates at the far end. With every step, I wish I hadn’t said anything, that we could stay in this magical place forever.
Safe. Public. Chaste.
Because once we’re back at the hotel, there will be nothing stopping Austin from inviting me up to his room. And no reason on Earth stop me saying yes.
Except…
My secret fears bubble to the surface. He’s been with a hundred women, they whisper, taunting. He could have anyone he wants.
What if you’re not good enough? What if you’re just a big disappointment?
Again.
“Sophie?” Austin’s voice breaks through my insecurity. He’s waiting by the fence, ready to help boost me over the top. “Are you OK?”
“Me? Sure. Great!” I exclaim, too loudly. This end of the park has trees growing along the edge of the fence, and it’s easier for me to reach up and grab hold of a branch to help keep balance. I step up onto his hands and scramble over, managing to slide gracefully down the other side.
Two cops are standing on the corner by their car. They turn to stare at me.
I stare back, frozen in place.
Oh God!
“Uh, Austin?” I call in a weak voice, but it’s too late. He comes vaulting over the top, landing beside me with a thud.
Silence.
“Evening, officers,” Austin says. I swear, my heart stops beating as the cops slowly saunter closer. They look between us, wearing stern expressions.
I panic. I can’t go to jail! Never mind Austin’s jokes about public indecency, trespassing is just as bad.
Before I can even think twice, I give the men a big smile.
“Thank heavens!” I exclaim brightly, in my best English accent. “We seem to be lost!”
The cops pause.
“Would you mind terribly directing us to the Crosby Street Hotel?” I ask, wincing at the voice that comes out of my mouth. I sound like the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, but the cops seem to buy it. Their frowns turn into helpful expressions, and they start talking amongst themselves.
“That’s the Village, right?”
“Yeah, 14th, I think.”
“You need to head downtown,” the first cops tells us helpfully. “Just keep the Empire State building behind you, see?” he points out the spire, looming up ahead.
“Thank you so much!” I exclaim, grabbing Austin’s hand. I yank him away. “Merry Christmas!”
Adrenaline pumps through me as we walk away. “What the hell was that accent?” Austin whispers. “The Queen?!”
“Shh! They’re still watching!”
“Tea for two, Jeeves, and make it snappy!” he mimics.
I try to keep it together until we reach the end of the block, but as soon as we turn the corner, we collapse back against the wall, shaking with laughter. “Oh my god!” I giggle. “I can’t believe they bought it!”
“I thought we were screwed for sure,” Austin gulps for air. “Excuse me!” he teases. “Where did you learn to talk like that?”
“My roommate has a thing for British costume dramas,” I explain, wiping tears of mirth and relief from my eyes. “I sat through all six hours of Pride and Prejudice.”
“Time well spent.” Austin shakes his head, and there’s admiration in his eyes when he looks at me. “You’ve got balls, sweetheart, I’ll give you that.”
I grin. “Hey, it was your idea!”
He’s still laughing as he takes my hand and starts walking, and, too soon, we’re back at the hotel. I step inside the lobby, glad to be out of the cold. Snowy weather may be magical, but my face is frozen, and I can see in the mirrored wall that the tips of my ears are bright red.
“Hold on a sec,” Austin says. He quickly heads over to the front desk and exchanges a few words with the woman on duty.
My nerves return. This is it. The moment I have to decide: if I’m going to let this unexpected, magical night end right now—or risk ruining the memory forever.
I watch Austin smiling and flirting with the woman, and reality crashes through me like lead. I’m out of my league here. He’s handsome and charming and experienced, and I’m not. Not even close.
Austin finishes up with whatever he’s doing and returns to me.
“What was that about?” I ask, stalling.
“Nothing,” he says casually. “Just some paperwork. I’m all yours.”
The elevator arrives, and we step in. The doors close. “Aw, look at you,” Austin smiles. “Your ears are all red.”
He lifts his hands, cupping them on either side of my face. I shiver at his touch. Slowly, he draws me to him, until I can feel the heat of his body, the hard planes pressed against my thighs.
I melt.
“So…” he begins, dipping his head to gently kiss my cold cheek. His lips are warm, searing my chilled skin. “How about we go get you warmed up?”
My mind spins from his nearness. I struggle to clear my head. Think!
He gently bites down on my earlobe, and all logic flies out the window. I sink against him with a sigh, feeling shivers of desire snake down my body.
He chuckles. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”
But what about Matt? part of me demands. You only just broke up with him. This is textbook avoidance…transferring your feelings…denial—
“Oh,” I gasp, as Austin’s hands slide under my coat, gripping tightly around my waist. He pushes me firmly back until I’m pressed against the elevator wall. Then his mouth finds mine, and there’s no room for thinking, not with the heat rising and my body aching and his tongue probing deep and delicious between my lips.
Screw denial.
I want him. Now.
8.
Austin
I practically carry Sophie out the elevator and down the hall to my room. I swipe the keycard without looking, still caught up in her sinfully sweet kisses and the lush feel of her body in my hands.
I shove the door open, drag her inside, and kick it shut behind us.
“Whoa.” Sophie stops dead, looking around. “This is…ridiculous!”
I kiss her neck, my hormones still raging. “It’s nice enough,” I murmur, stripping her coat off and tugging her back against me. That’s better. The fewer layers of bulky winter clothing separating me from that gorgeous body, the better.
“Nice enough?” Sophie echoes, breaking away. She takes a few more steps inside the room and laughs. “
This place is bigger than my whole apartment back home!”
I catch my breath, watching her explore. Thanks to Patrice downstairs, I’m set up in the penthouse suite, with a big living room and separate bedroom. Sophie goes to the windows, taking in the neon sprawl of the city lights. “It’s so beautiful,” she murmurs.
The view’s pretty good from where I’m standing too.
“So,” she turns back to me, looking like a deer in the headlights. She’s nervous, I realize, and suddenly I can tell she’s not used to moving so fast.
Even though I want to throw her down on that king-sized bed, I force myself to relax. “You want another drink?” I ask, strolling to the minibar. “Look, they even have your favorite,” I joke, holding up a tiny bottle of Malibu.
She smiles. “I think I’ll stick to something simpler this time. Maybe some white wine?”
I pass her a demi-bottle and mix myself a Jack and coke. She collapses on the huge corner couch with a whoosh. “You’re lucky I’m still on California time,” she tells me, gulping her wine. “Otherwise I’d be fast asleep by now.”
I check my watch. Midnight. “Me too,” I admit.
“What? I thought you rock-and-roll types are always partying ’til dawn.” Sophie kicks off her heels. I settle beside her, lifting her stockinged feet and placing them in my lap. They’re cool to the touch, even through the silk, so I rub one gently.
Sophie moans, and sinks her head back in the pillows. “Yes,” she breathes. “That feels so good.”
I didn’t think it was possible to get so turned on giving a foot-rub. I was wrong.
I put my drink down on the sofa table and turn my full attention to her feet, increasing the pressure as I explore the delicate arch and bones of her ankles, loving the little sighs of pleasure that slip from her lips…
Sophie opens her eyes, looking at me. “I can’t figure you out,” she says, her forehead creasing in a frown.
“Me? I’m an open book,” I laugh, relaxing.
She shakes her head. “You’re smart and charming, and drop-dead gorgeous.” She ticks them off on her fingers. “You should be an asshole. Why aren’t you an asshole?”
