Holiday Spotlight ~ Mistle Tow by HK Carlton #Christmas #ERom #Contemp @AuthorHKCarlton @EvernightPub

Posted in Evernight Publishing, Guest Author, Kacey Hammell, New Release, romance, Spotlight by kaceyhammell

Thank you so much for having me today and for the opportunity to share a bit about my new holiday release, Mistle Tow. I’ve always wanted to write a Christmas story. Though, I always thought when I finally wrote one it would be a mushy, heart-warming, sentimental, tearjerker. But when inspiration hit, that’s not what materialized at all. Instead it turned out to be a gift of sorts for the man who inspired the story. My husband.

For more than twenty years my man drove a tow truck while I was the stay-at-home mom and we raised three amazing kids. And now, that same wonderful man, allows me to live my dream of telling stories like this one.

So be forewarned, if you’re looking for a mushy sentimental, carol-filled, tree-trimming, tinsel clinging, twinkling lights and sweet togetherness kind of story, that’s not what this is. It’s really only a holiday story in the sense that it takes place over the Christmas season. It’s about a man trying to move on with his life while avoiding the holidays altogether. But it does contain a hot blonde in a Santa hat, some mistletoe and a sleek and sexy black ’66 Chevelle.

I guess it did turn out kinda mushy in the long run. A love story for the wrecker operator who hooked my heart when I was fifteen-years-old. And he’s never let go.

Hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~

Here’s the blurb:

The last thing Brantley Holley wants to do this year is spend the holidays at home with his family.

In an attempt to move on from his failed marriage, Brant places the marital home on the market and also decides to clean house, ridding himself of any and all reminders. Although it wrecks him to do so, that includes selling his beloved ’66 Chevelle which also may have contributed to the demise of his marriage.

Brant puts his baby up on the auction block at one of the premier auction houses — the auction to be held over the holidays. But instead of racking up needless extra miles on her, which might be a detriment to potential buyers, he hires a flatbed tow truck to convey his precious cargo from Philadelphia to Arizona.

But when the rollback shows up, Brant is totally unprepared for the sexy blonde bombshell in the red Santa hat who steps out of the massive red tow truck.

All of a sudden, the holidays are looking a whole lot more festive.

Excerpt:

Brant took one last sip of his coffee in time to hear the unmistakable rumble of a large truck pull up outside, followed by the obnoxious warning back-up beeper that tow trucks were mandated to
employ these days.

Placing his cup on the counter, he took a deep calming breath and hurried over to the door separating the house from the garage.

Hesitating, he stood there with his hand on the doorknob.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked himself for the hundredth time. He’d struggled with this decision for months now. Even after he’d made it and taken the steps to follow through, putting his girl up on the auction block was one of the hardest decisions he’d ever had to make. But it was time to move on. She brought back too many memories he needed to put behind him.

With determination he opened the door and rushed outside before the tow-truck driver rang the bell.

The first thing he saw was the flatbed of the tow truck and he was at once relieved to see how new and clean it appeared to be. The last thing he wanted was his Chelle being transferred on some greasy dirty wrecker. For one, she wasn’t being scrapped, and two, Brant kept all of his stuff in pristine condition. For their last ride together, he intended for her send off to remain the status quo.

Brant stepped out onto the front stoop and immediately pulled his collar up. It was damn cold and by the cloud cover, he didn’t doubt the first snowfall of the year was only hours away. “Come on.” He encouraged the driver. “Let’s get outta here before the bad weather comes.” It would kill him to see snow on his car. What had he been thinking? Why hadn’t he hired an enclosed trailer? Especially at this time of year.

The driver’s door opened and he lost all train of thought. One black-booted foot appeared on the step-down to the massive red cab. Brant followed the line of that knee-high boot up a slim, denim-covered thigh, hip, and waist to the plaid shirt that he half-expected to be topped off with a red and black trimmed jacket. But instead of some burly bearded lumberjack type, he stared into the flawless face of a woman who should be on the cover of one of his car magazines, draped over some sleek and sexy machine instead of driving a fucking rollback.

Things were definitely looking up.

Evernight Amazon BookStrand All Romance

Hope you enjoyed the little teaser.

However you celebrate the season and even if you don’t, I’d like to wish everyone, the peace, love and charity, this time of year evokes.

Blessings and Merry Christmas.

H K

~~~~~

About the Author

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and its varied sub-genres and couplings; including contemporary, historical, paranormal, naughty fairy tales, family saga, mafia/mob and erotica (m/f, m/m, menage, m/f/f, m/m/m)

Blog Pick a Genre Already
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21Dec2015

Holiday Spotlight ~ Holly’s Christmas Dom by Raven McAllan #BDSM #Rubenesque #Christmas @RavenMcAllan @EvernightPub

Posted in Contemporary Erotic Romance, Evernight Publishing, Guest Author, Kacey Hammell, New Release, romance, Spotlight by kaceyhammell

Hi, and thank you for having me here today and letting me talk about Holly’s Christmas Dom, my latest book from Evernight Publishing.

This was originally published elsewhere as a much shorter and less intense story. When the publisher in question closed down, I kept getting a niggle that now was my chance to rewrite and lengthen Holly and Mac’s story and show how they decided where their relationship was going—if anywhere.

Do they end up ad they both want? You’ll have to buy the book to find out.

Blurb…

Winters’ Tales, 1

Holly and Mac have been close friends for years, but never had the chance to get together. Now it’s time.

When Mac shows Holly what he wants and needs—her as his sub—it’s up to her to decide whether to accept him and his lifestyle. She’s waited for Mac for years, but never expected such an ultimatum.

Mac knows Holly’s the one for him. He’s sure she’s a sub—his sub—no one else’s. It’s up to him to show her that.
When they play together for the first time, both of them have to decide—is it for keeps? Or do they part ways when the fun is over?

And a wee tease…

Her jaw dropped and so did her gaze at the smoldering and oh so dominant look he’d given her.

Mac had stood in her hallway and told her starkly, “Holly, you know I want you. I have for years, and now’s the time to ask if you want me.” Her heart leaped, but before she had the chance to reply, he added, “It would be no straightforward relationship. In many ways, I’m not straightforward. I have very definite ideas about what I want from you. You need to think if you want to know what they are.” She’d opened her mouth to ask questions, and he’d stopped them with a kiss that made her toes curl. When he stood back, she’d just stared.

“Dominant, Holls. Think about it. If you want me, you’ll submit to me. I’ll be back, and we can talk. Read this please. Have faith.” He handed her an envelope and left, leaving her standing, wide-eyed, looking at the open door. That had been it.

Until tonight, when she’d glimpsed him across the village green, she still hadn’t believed him. Even after she’d opened the damned envelope and seen his handwriting, she hadn’t dared think of him in a positive way. Because how could she? After reading his ideas, what he needed from her, and not knowing if it was in her to do as he demanded, Holly had worried herself into not sleeping. He wouldn’t come back and ask her. If he did, she couldn’t say yes. Or could she? His demands made her itch to come, except there in the letter it said,

“If you are thinking in any way positive about this, you do not come until I say so. Your climax belongs to me.”

Even if she thought she might agree, she had no faith he would seek her out or that she truly was who he wanted. But she didn’t make herself come.

Now he was here and it was make-your-mind-up time. Her stomach jitterbugged as she drank in his image. Mac. Maybe soon-to- be her Mac. Her lips still tingled from his kiss—the rest of her just tingled.

“Holly, I’ve wanted you ever since you turned from the long- legged skinny kid who whined when Noel and I went off and did boy things into this stunning teenager with curves. A body to drool over and an ass I want to paddle. For all the right—or wrong—reasons.” He stopped speaking and took a mouthful of wine.

His swallow made her mouth dry up. That simple movement, the way his throat moved, and the play of his muscles, was so erotic her skin heated, and her senses went into high alert.

Hell, I have it bad if a simple swallow makes me think of sex. Of him swallowing me, me swallowing him, and—oh shit, I do have it bad.

Mac cleared his throat. So caught up in the moment, Holly realized she’d missed what he’d said.

“Sorry,” she apologized. “I was miles away. So you’re going to explain what you want? I’m ready to hear. I…” She hesitated. “To be honest, Mac, I’m interested, but I’m not sure I can be what you want. I’m no subservient. I like to be in charge. Hell, if I didn’t, I’d never have left the village. I’d still be here, working for Mr. McKenzie as his typist. Not even a secretary or PA. Instead, I run my own recruitment agency in the city, have staff, and I’m happy.”

“Are you? Really?” he asked, his eyes more than curious. “I’d say that is only one small part of you.”

Holly decided she now knew the meaning of the expression “looked into your soul.” Her body was scorched by that look, her mind playing hopscotch as it jumped from one thought to another. She couldn’t help it—she squirmed.

“Happy? I’m not so sure you are,” Mac said in a definite manner. Even though his voice was low, the ring of sincerity and authority was clear. “Not missing something in your life? I think you are. That indefinable spark has gone from you, Holly. I can provide it if you want. However, you need to be sure. Very, very sure. I’ll stretch you, demand things of you that you didn’t think you were capable of doing.” He lowered his voice even more. “But in return, you’ll learn how to fly. And we will be partners.”

Hmm…

“You say that now, Mac, so define the partnership.” She needed it spelled out. “Because how can you dominate me if are we equals? To me, that’s a very unequal partnership.”

Mac lifted one hand in the air and his fingers splayed in what Holly decided was frustration with her.

Well, tough. I need to understand.

“No, Holly, that’s where you’re wrong. Okay, maybe some people want that, but the whole point of this is it will be our relationship. Ours,” he stressed. “Designed by us, for us. There is no one-scene-fits-all here. I’d say ask ten couples what a Dom-sub relationship means to them, and you’ll get fifteen different answers. But in each and every one, unless they specify differently, the sub is in charge every time. She or he calls the shots. Didn’t you read my letter?”

“Yes, but…” Holly stopped talking as he put a finger over his own lips, and then moved it to hers.

“Shh, you always did talk too much. There are so may other things that gorgeous mouth could be doing.”

Holly had never before heard such determination in his voice. Oh shit. Her clit did the samba, and her pussy joined in at the pictures that rushed into her mind. She pushed them away and concentrated on what Mac was saying—or tried to. It wasn’t easy when all she could see was a naked Mac bending over her and… No, no. Stop it already.

“Will you hear me out? Please? Without interrupting?” he asked. Only the faint shake of the finger over her mouth showed how tense he was. Otherwise, he could have been asking her to make a cuppa. “Then you can ask anything you want.”

She nodded, and he lifted his finger far enough for her to speak. “Okay, but I’m not saying I’ll agree with anything,” she said in a rush as her words tumbled over each other. “And if I have questions after, you promise you’ll answer them?”

He looked shocked. “Ah, Holls, of course I will. As well as show you anything you need a demonstration of.”

That was what she was worried about. What if she didn’t like the demonstrations? What if she did? His short descriptions of what he liked had her cream gathering and would have resulted in several sessions with her vibrator if he hadn’t demanded that she not come. As it was, she was frustrated and jumpy. Holly wasn’t a total innocent. Her experience with a hot male body might be almost nonexistent, but her experience with her purple friend wasn’t. Carol might have Verne, but she had Roger the Rabbit. Or she had until Mac’s letter. Poor Roger was now sadly neglected.

“Yes, well, we’ll see. Okay, Mac, go for it.”

If you like the idea of Holly and Mac, here’s where you can get hold of their story…

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/hollys-christmas-dom-by-raven-mcallan/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollys-Christmas-Winters-Tales-Book-ebook/dp/B0198IGSU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449850303&sr=8-2&keywords=Raven+McAllan

http://www.amazon.com/Hollys-Christmas-Winters-Tales-Book-ebook/dp/B0198IGSU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449850303&sr=8-2&keywords=Raven+McAllan

http://www.bookstrand.com/hollys-christmas-dom-mf

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-holly039schristmasdom-1942062-147.html

~~~~~

Well what can I say?

I’m growing old disgracefully and loving it.

Dh and I live on the edge of a Scottish forest, and rattle around in a house much too big for us.

Our kids have grown up and flown the nest, but roll back up when they want to take a deep breath and smell the daisies so to speak.

I write in my study, which overlooks the garden and the lane. I’m often seen procrastinating, by checking out the wild life, looking—only looking—at the ironing basket and assuring tourists that indeed, I’m not the bed and breakfast. That would mean cooking fried eggs without breaking the yolks, and disturbing the dust bunnies as they procreate under the beds. Not to be thought of.

Being able to do what I love, and knowing people get pleasure from my writing is fantastic. Long may it last.

http://www.ravenmcallan.com

http:/ /www.ravenmcallan.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/rmcallan (my page)

https://www.facebook.com/ravenmcallan (author page)

https://twitter.com/RavenMcAllan

http://www.amazon.com/Raven-McAllan/e/B00694RHJI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_11?qid=1408015501&sr=1-11

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raven-McAllan/e/B00694RHJI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_11?qid=1408015501&sr=1-11

Happy reading,

Love R x

20Dec2015

Holiday Spotlight ~ A Red Dress for Christmas by Erzabet Bishop #ERom #Holiday #RoTG @ErzabetBishop @EvernightPub

Posted in Contemporary Erotic Romance, Evernight Publishing, Guest Author, Kacey Hammell, New Release, romance, Spotlight by kaceyhammell

Title: A Red Dress For Christmas

Line: Romance on the Go

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance/ mf

Blurb:

Angel in a red dress…

Cecily’s husband Neil has kept her waiting one too many
times. After another lonely night of movie watching, she decides to take her
pleasure into her own hands. Neil comes home from work and catches her being a
very naughty girl. Tangled up in tinsel and wearing a smoking hot red dress,
surely her holiday wish will come true.

Be Warned: BDSM, sex toys, spanking

Buy links:

Evernight Publishing: http://goo.gl/cGh5sg

Amazon: http://goo.gl/fST87y

All Romance E-books: https://goo.gl/Q4F0Bp

Excerpt:

“Why did you have to leave?”

Neil rubbed his hand along Cecily’s ass, his finger edging between her skin and the lacy red panties from behind.

“Why do you think?”

Neil’s cock pressed against Cecily’s side. His fingers continued their distracting path even as he upped the pulses on the vibrator.

“How do you like that?” he whispered, voice husky. He untied the strings on the panties, giving him greater access to her slick folds.

“Oh. My. God!” Cecily moaned into his thigh as he slid two fingers inside of her at the same time as he cranked up the power on the tiny vibrator to what felt like its highest capacity.

Neil pumped his thick fingers into her pussy relentlessly, taking Cecily close to the edge and pulling back out again. He turned off the vibe, leaving her staring down at the carpet, completely bereft.

“But… Oh, Neil!” Cecily wriggled against his lap, her erect clit pulsing between her legs and her molten core longing for release.

Neil smoothed her hair from her face and wiped a tear that slid from her eye.

“That’s how I felt looking at those pictures. I wanted to bury my cock inside of you and I couldn’t. I haven’t seen you much at all with this new job, let alone been able to do anything about the raging lust giving me a boner big enough to buy out the vibrator counter just so I’d have a bag big enough to walk out of the store without disgracing myself.”

“I’ll make it up to you.” Cecily started to move, but Neil stilled her.

“Wait. I have an idea.” Neil kissed her on the top of her head. “Come on. Let’s go in the living room.” He helped her up and eased off the bed and onto his feet. The walk to the living room was quick, Neil shutting off the lights as he went.

“I want to take you here. Right in front of the tree.”

Cecily grinned, desire raging through her veins. “What about Lulu?”

“Look, she’s on the chair asleep.”

“Mmmm.” Cecily turned her gaze to the twinkling holiday lights and knelt down on the carpet.

Neil slid behind her and she heard the sound of a zipper. “I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I. Take me.”

The tip of Neil’s cock teased her entrance. Suddenly he was in, thrusting balls deep. With a groan, he slid his hands down her sides. With one hand he grasped her hip, the other her clit.

“If you don’t fuck me now I’m going to die,” Cecily whispered, grinding herself against the root of him. “I need you.”

A lot of people ask me why I do short fiction. It’s a fun escape into another world and it

lasts long enough to break the cycle of everyday but still feel like you’ve read something fun and worthwhile. The Romance on the Go line is exactly that. Tight stories that explore erotic romance with flair and in this case, some tinsel and a whole lot of naughty.

Happy reading and I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.

Erzabet Bishop is a bestselling and award winning author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Dinner Date, Crave, The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Sigil Fire, Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions: The Erzabet Bishop Collection, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts: Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. Erzabet has been a finalist in the GCLS awards for 2014 and 2015, winning the Goldie for her spot in two anthologies. She has been nominated for the 2016 Golden Flogger Award for Crave. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local
bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster
movies. When she isn’t writing, she loves to review music and books.

Follow her reviews and posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.

Links:

Newsletter and website:
http://erzabetwrites.wix.com/erzabetbishop

Are:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Erzabet+Bishop

Facebook “like” page:
https://www.facebook.com/erzabetbishopauthor

Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Erzabet-Bishop/e/B00AVSDUBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_7

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590718.Erzabet_Bishop

Street team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018269998190112/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erzabet.bishop

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/erzabetbishop/

Review Blog: http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com/

17Dec2015

Holiday Spotlight ~ Donner and Prancer by Robin Badillo #Christmas #RoTG #Shifter @Robin_Badillo @EvernightPub

Posted in Evernight Publishing, Kacey Hammell, New Release, romance by kaceyhammell

Thank you so much for having me. I hope you enjoy this little snippet of my new holiday release, Donner and Prancer … available now from Evernight Publishing’s Romance on the Go line, just in time for the holidays!

Noah Donner had it all. Good looks, great job, and a kick-ass gift. As a special breed of shifter, every Christmas Eve he assisted Santa as one of his famous
reindeer. A lover of all women, he’s the quintessential playboy. But all that changed within weeks of Christmas, when he found himself drawn to another reindeer shifter, Mira Prancer.

Not exactly sleek reindeer material, full-figured Mira took pride in her gift as a shifter, while not nearly as confident about herself when in human form.
Usually a timid wallflower, Mira is surprised to learn she’s Noah’s latest target, and after a drunken night of unexpected passion, they find themselves in a quandary.

Neither can deny the attraction, but Mira will need more than words to trust the sexy Casanova.

Can the two love-struck shifters play nice? Or will this little Reindeer Game require a little Christmas magic?

~~~~~~~~

Adult Excerpt:

Noah nudged her against the door, closing it behind them.

Mira gasped. His smoldering expression turned her stomach upside down, and heat pooled between her legs. Had he cast a spell, stealing away her ability to escape? Her skin tingled at the thought of giving in to his silent intent.

Noah’s hands found her midsection and needy eyes drank her in as though she were a mug of hot, buttered rum on a cold winter’s night.

I’ve totally lost my mind. “Is this really happening?” Did I say that aloud?

Noah’s eyes gleamed and a mischievous grin spread across his face. “Oh, it’s happening.” He slowly leaned in, and his lips grazed hers, immediately followed by his tongue. Warm swipes plunged deeper with each pass, triggering moisture that dampened her panties.

Mira’s knees buckled and Noah scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the sofa as though she weighed next to nothing.

His kisses grew more passionate. Deeper. Hungrier.

Mira could hardly catch her breath. This was crazy. Insane.
“Get the fuck out!”

Noah stopped. A look of confusion and shock flashed in his eyes. “What?”

Mira laughed, covering her mouth as heat rushed to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. That sort of slips out whenever I’m surprised.”

Noah’s brow pinched. “You’re surprised?”

She bit back another laugh and went with an enthusiastic nod instead.

“Why?”

Mira’s head spun and she strained to sit upright. How could she explain this? “Men like you don’t come home with women like me, Noah.”

He shook his head. “Why?”

He sounded like a broken record now.

“Be-because,” she said stammering through her reply. “Look at you.”

Noah rose and stood by the sofa, gazing down at her. “What about me?”

“Uh … well, you’re built like a Greek god and you have a reputation as a …” She searched for the correct words—words that held a little more delicacy than man-whore. “Ladies’ man?”

“Humph.” He rested his hands on his hips. “Ladies’ man, huh?”

“I was being polite.” Mira squirmed.

Noah’s eyebrows arched high. “Is that so?” He folded his arms across his chest. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Mira?”

Bile shot up in the back of her throat as her nervous demeanor morphed into one a little more hostile. “How I really feel?” Dozens of irritating things about the man came to mind. Everything from his obnoxious, too-loud laugh, to the ugly reindeer sweater he wore, to the Christmas party every friggin’ year. “Well … for starters, you brag about your conquests entirely too much.” She’d keep her
comments limited to the facts rather than opinions. “You treat women like trophies and well … you seem to have a serious problem with my ass.” The last part flew out of her mouth so fast she had no time to reel it back in.

Links:

Evernight Author Page

Amazon Author Page

All Romance Books Author Page

BookStrand Author Page

~~~~~~

Author Bio:

Robin Badillo and her pseudonym, Tyler Robbins, is a down to earth mother of four, born and raised in a small Texas town where she still resides with her nearly grown kids and a pack of spoiled dogs.

After years of being a wife and mom, complete with company picnics and fundraisers for the P.T.A., Robin found herself starting over when her husband of fifteen years suddenly passed away. With no particular skills to speak of other than making killer chili con queso, Robin took the advice of friends and family, and followed her heart and passion for writing into the publishing world.

A fan of paranormal and southern romance novels, Robin does her best to offer up a plethora of tasty morsels to satisfy her readers’ appetite. Whether mainstream and/or paranormal erotic romance or Tyler’s LGBT romance line, Robin strives to create characters who are endearing and relatable.

Adversity is Robin’s motivation, which explains why she’s a true believer that grey hairis simply God’s graffiti.

Author Links:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/robin.badillo

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Robin_Badillo

Website/Blog

http://www.robinbadillo.com/

16Dec2015

Holiday Spotlight ~ Dancing Together by Wendi Zwaduk #Holiday #Romance #BDSM #MustRead @WendiZwaduk

Posted in Christmas, Christmas Release, Guest Author, Kacey Hammell, New Release, romance, Spotlight by kaceyhammell

DancingTogether-B

Dancing Together by Wendi Zwaduk

Naughty Teachers, book 4

Contemporary, Holiday, Christmas

Short Story

M/F, BDSM, Anal Sex, Toys, Spanking

Ellora’s Cave

What happens in Vegas at Christmas stays in Vegas…

Jordy Murphy isn’t the warm, fuzzy family type. Instead of getting together with all the newly minted couples in his family, he is in the center of sin, decadence and sex for the holidays. He craves the lights, the Christmas glitter and dancing with sexy women when he spots the one woman he hoped to see, but never expected to be there—Ally.
Allyson Benson wants Jordy Murphy in her stocking for Christmas. No other present will do, so she’s pulling out all the stops to show him a sexy time. Will their relationship extinguish faster than Christmas candles or do they have the passion to last throughout the season?

Available at:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dancingtogether-1935947-149.html

http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Together-Wendi-Zwaduk-ebook/dp/B01846TTIK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448310909&sr=8-2&keywords=wendi+zwaduk

“I need some Christmas cheer.” Jordy Murphy stood in front of the mirror in his Las Vegas hotel room and groaned. He raked his fingers over the top of his head. He’d cut his hair the week before and still wasn’t sure about the new look. The shorter ’do was too severe. He preferred the longer, floppy style with highlights streaked into his blond hair. The change wasn’t awful, just different—and he’d be able to hide it under a Santa hat anyway.

He adjusted his tie, emblazoned with snowballs, then smoothed out the suit coat. He snorted. The outfit was rather formal for clubbing in Vegas, but he wasn’t headed to just any club on any given night. This was Christmas Eve. According to the e-invite he’d received, he was to go upstairs to Club49 for the holiday extravaganza. Fifty bucks a head with all drinks and a buffet included as well. Unless the unnamed item had the name of the club emblazoned on it, he’d re-gift to his brother or sister.

He turned away from the mirror and fiddled with the band on his smart watch. The device had been the best investment and his Christmas present to himself. He’d inputted his identification and credit card information so he wouldn’t have to worry about losing his wallet at the party. As he swiped across the screens on his watch, he noticed an image. His breath clogged in his throat. Allyson Benson. According to her email, she’d be in Vegas at the same party. She’d been the reason he’d decided to duck out of Cleveland in favor of the lights in Sin City. Was she really waiting upstairs? He wasn’t sure, but he knew he wanted her in his stocking for Christmas.

The lights on the Strip flashed in his hotel room. He’d left the curtains for his bank of windows open. The play of color calmed him. He strolled over to the wall of glass and gazed out at the strip below. No snow, unlike Cleveland and northern Ohio. Back home, his favorite state was buried in a foot of the white stuff. He glanced up at the sky, expecting to see stars, but there were none. He liked stars.

For a moment he wondered if there was any peace on the Strip. There probably wasn’t much silence back home. He shuddered. He loved his brother and sister-in-law as well as his sister and brother-in-law. Hell, he’d been the best man in both of his brother Corey’s weddings. He shook his head. Only Corey could fuck up his love life and still come out on top. Katie, Corey’s wife, had more patience than a saint to put up with Corey and to marry him twice.

Jordy pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe it was the jet lag from the long flight or the time change, but part of him wished he wasn’t going to the party. A tiny bit of him wanted to be home with his family—despite the fact that they drove him berserk. He wasn’t about to listen to more baby talk or help his sister and brother-in-law decide on baby names. So they were going to make him an uncle? Wonderful, but he didn’t give a shit what they named the kid. Was that bad? Did that make him an awful uncle? Oh well.

Something his father said came to mind. “Never stick with one woman and never let anyone tie you down.” His father certainly lived by that motto. Each of his children was created with a different woman. When Dear Old Dad showed up for a family gathering, he had a new female on his arm. Jordy wished his father would’ve stuck with one woman to birth his children—that would’ve made life easier and removed most of the tension from the holidays. But no. Gary Murphy needed to keep his love life interesting. Jordy swore he’d never turn into a womanizer like his father.

At least his family wouldn’t be in Vegas for Christmas.

Thinking about children and relationships made his head ache. This was Christmas. He should be wanting to get together, not shove them all aside. He wasn’t good at relationships and loved his somewhat easy life. He spent a lot of time on his own. Being alone was great to a degree—he didn’t have to answer to anyone and could do things at his own pace. He didn’t have to worry about letting someone down. Sometimes, though, he wanted to share his life with someone.

His thoughts traveled to Allyson again. He sat on the bed and stared at her picture on his watch. He liked her and liked the way she fit in his arms. He dreamed about her kiss. Her laugh always brought him out of a bad mood. She’d been the one to suggest the trip and even gave him space. She was good for him and smart to boot.

So why wasn’t he with her in her room? Or in adjacent rooms? Because she’d claimed she didn’t want to intrude on his life if he decided to hook up with someone else for the holidays.

What if Allyson was the hottie he wanted to snuggle up with for Christmas? She could be the woman who played with his Yule log. He snorted. What a bad joke. He wasn’t huge, but he made do with what the good Lord had given him. Allyson seemed to like his dick. He smoothed his hand over the growing bulge in his pants. He wanted to find Allyson, bring her to his room and decorate her in whipped cream for the holidays. She liked to use toys in the bedroom. Maybe they could find a twenty-four hour sex shop and buy a little more Christmas cheer.

His phone beeped, bringing him out of his mini-fantasy. He sighed. He needed to head upstairs to the party, but he couldn’t get her out of his brain. What if she wasn’t there? What if Allyson paired off with someone else? He wasn’t sure he wanted to see her with another man. He’d kept things casual with her, so he only had himself to blame if she did decide to dump him for good.

He’d worry about her later. She might not be there, but there was a chance she’d come to Vegas and wanted to heat up the holidays with him.

Jordy stood and removed the Santa hat long enough to don the mask. Wearing a masquerade mask for the duration of the party seemed a little much, but whatever. He unzipped and loosened his belt. He needed to tuck his keycard into the little pocket inside his dress pants. Jordy locked his keys and wallet in the room safe, then strolled out of the room in the direction of the elevator. He pressed the button and while he waited for the car, he noted the eight doors in the hallway leading to various rooms. Getting a suite proved to be smart and secluded. He had more room and fewer people to deal with in the elevator. Would he run into Allyson? He hoped so.

About Wendi:

By day, Wendi Zwaduk wrangles moose (you should see her black lab, he’s massive), juggles cats (she has three who believe dinner time comes at 1am and 3 am, plus about three times in between), and shuttles the tot. She’s a mom, football enthusiast, race fan and a sucker for anything blue.

By night, she writes love stories and feeds her inner romantic. She believes second chance romance is awesome no matter what the pairing. She also writes under the pen name of Megan Slayer and is published with Loose Id, Totally Bound, Resplendence Publishing, Changeling Press, Liquid Silver Books, Turquoise Morning Press, Decadent Publishing and Ellora’s Cave. Come join me for this fantastic journey!

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