Summary:
The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas #1
Escape to a Winter Wonderland with CEO and billionaire Colton Connolly as he embarks on a shenanigan-filled journey in search of the idyllic white Christmas he's always craved. Inspired by the enchantment of his favorite holiday movies, Colton surprises his beloved husband and their found family with a trip to the captivating mountain town of Winterhaven.
However, beneath the twinkling lights, unexpected trouble awaits. A miscommunication leaves the town in dire straits, threatening to steal away the magic of Christmas. Determined to save the day, Colton rallies his family, ready to overcome any obstacle and ensure that Christmas in Winterhaven is nothing short of perfect.
Join Colton, Ace, and the Four Kings Security family as they embark on a quest to rescue Winterhaven from its frosty woes. Will they succeed in delivering the most unforgettable Christmas imaginable, or will this charming town lose its cherished festivities forever?
* This holiday series is a spin-off from the Four Kings Security Universe. It's recommended that you read the Four Kings Security series, as well as The Kings: Wild Cards series before reading this series as these are established characters who have previously had their own books. The shenanigans begin with Love in Spades, Four Kings Security, Book 1 (Colton and Ace's book).
I'm not going to say I forgot how much I loved Ace, Colton, and the whole Four Kings gang because it wouldn't be true. I remember it all, all the zaniness, the chemistry, the friendships, the found family, and of course the love.
I'll admit that I read the original Four Kings stories when they were released but sadly I got away from the spinoffs when the pandemic and lockdown really screwed with my reading mojo. Late this summer my mojo finally started to return so I've already got the spinoffs on my 2024 Reading Bucket List. I mention this because not all the couples were known to me but that hasn't stifled any enjoyment so far of The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas holiday series. Love the tweaking of "tremendous" in the series title BTW, so very Ace and his brothers-in-arms quotage area😉.
So onto Not So Silent Night.
Honestly, I'm not going to say too much about the story so that I don't accidentally spoil anyone's personal discovery of The Kings and Boyfriend Collective holiday destination vacation. I will say that I can't think of a better holiday scenario for this group of friends and lovers that have become family.
This first entry shines more focus on Ace and Colton but all the characters are there and they each bring their own brand of quirky. OMG the squirrels! Some couples lose a little of their luster as time goes by but not these guys and certainly not Ace and Colton, I think the chemistry that brought the pair together has only grown and radiates even more brightly.
I can't review Not So Silent Night without mentioning the squirrels, referenced above. Ace fears very few things other than losing Colton and his brothers-in-arms and the found family they are . . . EXCEPT for little furry woodland creatures, i.e. squirrels in this story. Hey I get it, squirrels are EVIL! Three years ago they not only chewed through the wires on my Christmas lights, they actually tried to carry off some of the sockets and bulbs like they do the black walnuts out of my neighbor's tree. Just evil! But Ace? Well I'll just leave it at this: I'll never unsee the big burly former military and current security expert in the oversized tree he was attempting to decide on for the family Xmas tree flailing away trying to defend himself from the squirrel attack(in his opinion) as they perched on his head. That scene alone made my day and the constant teasing from his friends is priceless.
As I mentioned in the beginning I only read the original Four Kings stories so not every character is familiar to me, I don't think you need to know their original journeys to enjoy these holiday treats(I've only read the first 2 so far as the last 2 have yet to be released😉) but I believe a few references and looks between characters would make a more complete picture had I read The Kings: Wild Cards but I was never lost. Definitely a win-win to get you in the holiday mood.
Summary:
Edelweiss Grove #1
Elves are not so different to Humans. No pointy ears. No toadstool houses.
Boden is an ordinary Elf. An ordinary Elf who is good with computers. When his cousin refers him to a friend whose network has gone down, the last being he expects to encounter is ... Rorik.
Rorik is a not so ordinary Elf. In fact, he's a very special Elf. Rorik is a Holder. In fact Rorik is The Grand Holder and his role is an important one. One that involves a red suit and a sleigh.
Because Humans use technology, Rorik also uses technology - and he hates it. He doesn’t, however, hate the cute geek who has just shown up to repair his network and whom he would very much like to get to know. Unfortunately he's promised this Elf’s cousin he'll behave.
What happens when Rorik, or if you prefer his official title Santa fudging Claus, meets Boden - an Elf unlike any he’s ever known?
Grab your eggnog and snuggle up with the first couple from Edelweiss Grove, in Book 1 of The Edelweiss Grove novellas - a Christmas story where Santa has never been so tempted....
Summary:
Christmas Falls #2
They say there’s no place like home for the holidays... But that isn’t true when snowbody loves you.
When I get ditched at the airport right before a holiday trip to the Bahamas, spending Christmas at home alone isn’t all that appealing so impulsively hopping on a plane to the most Christmasy place on earth seems like a good idea. At least until I realize I’ve got no plan, no place to stay, and nothing but beach clothes.
Luckily, Arlo, the handsome B&B owner, comes to my rescue.
Christmas Falls is supposed to be a quick holiday escape, but the town is just so dang cute. And so is Arlo.
There’s just something about the older man that draws me in and makes me want to stay a bit longer, and then a bit longer. Through sleigh rides, ornament-making, and handling a winter storm that strands guests, the Gingerbread Cottage B&B, Christmas Falls, and more importantly Arlo begin to feel like home.
The holidays never end in Christmas Falls–but can I say the same for me and Arlo?
Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.
Summary:
Alpha Kissed #4
Nothing is simple when you’re dating a single father.
I told myself after my alpha passed away that I might not ever find another. I would raise my son Dane the best I knew how and, when, years later, our family and friends were still acting as if I should mourn forever, I decided to move from The Netherlands to start over in the United States. My little guy deserved a bright future where he wasn’t constantly being asked if he missed a dad he didn’t even remember.
I didn’t do it with the intent of finding another alpha. After all, most omegas were lucky to find one to fall in love with, and I’d had mine. But when I saw Link, I knew he was mine. My true mate.
The moment Gustav walked into the room, and I took in his scent, my heart knew he was mine and there would never be another for me. It was perfect. Except his son disliked me on sight. Now I have no idea how to move on with my mate when someone so important to him disapproves. But I’m not going to give up. I’ve found not only my omega, but my family, my future. One I hope we can all share.
The Alpha’s Santa-Kissed Omega is a MM, Mpreg, non-shifter holiday romance with a strong, kind alpha, an intelligent loving omega, an adorable little boy who isn’t sure about his new situation, and a baby on the way.
Snow! Tick.
Skiing! Tick.
Christmas! Tick.
Stalker! Er…
When Conrad and his ex split up three months before their upcoming work ski trip, Conrad’s unwavering passion for the slopes overshadows his reservations about a holiday anywhere near his ex and his new partner. But as ‘friends’ keep hinting he should cancel, he wishes he’d seen sense earlier. Now it’s too late to get his money back.
A clash of heads at check-in with a handsome stranger sets Conrad’s heart racing. Arlo is bound for the same Austrian resort, sparking Conrad’s daydreams of shared slopes, shared après-ski, shared hot tubs and more…while fully aware that spotting Arlo in the mountains will be almost impossible.
Little does Conrad know Arlo has orchestrated this moment. Now all Arlo has to do is convince Conrad he has the best of intentions. After all, if they don’t click by the end of the flight, Conrad will never know he’d been stalked.
Warning
There is a short description of sexual assault.
Please note that this story was originally released as a short story as part of the Winter Wonderland Prolific Works giveaway. The story has been revised with over 25,000 words of added content.
Not So Silent Night by Charlie Cochet
Chapter One
“I’m going to murder you!”
Ah, ’tis the season.
Nothing said holiday spirit like a good old-fashioned murder threat. One of these days, his husband’s brothers-in-arms might go through with it. Ace had that effect on people. Right now, he was having that effect on Joker. Because if you were going to tempt fate, why not do it with the most explosive of the bunch?
“Is it my fault you decided to step into the center of that particular roll of lights?” Ace asked, moving away slowly.
“The floor is nothing but rolls of lights, Anston!”
Joker wasn’t wrong. An ocean of Christmas lights covered the concrete floor of their expansive garage. Ace just happened to pull on the strand of lights attached to the roll Joker had stepped in. He’d yanked, and well…here they were. Meanwhile, Chip—Joker’s Belgian Malinois—had decided the strings of lights were evil and, therefore, must be destroyed. Any time a strand of lights moved, he pounced like a giant black rabbit. Thankfully, he didn’t see the need to bite the strands, only to land on them with his front paws, killing the beast dead and saving his people from being attacked.
Colton sighed. He’d expected this. Quite frankly, this was only the beginning. As sweet as the sentiment was, nothing good could come of his husband wielding a staple gun. As a former Green Beret, Ace was an expert at many things. DIY was not one of those things. Mostly because Ace had a habit of trying to enhance whatever home improvement he’d decided to work on. Merely fixing the thing was not an option.
This usually resulted in incidents like the water pressure being so strong that the shower head exploded, embedding itself in the tile wall. Good thing his husband had killer reflexes and had ducked in time. Then there was the time he “fixed” the dishwasher. Colton had turned it on, only for it to start shaking. He’d quickly jumped out of the way moments before the machine shot out from its space beneath the counter. Water went everywhere.
Joker growled at the uncooperative roll of lights in his hands. “Tell me again why we’re decorating your ginormous mansion when your obnoxiously rich husband has professional decorators who come out every year?”
Again, not wrong.
“Because this way, it’s more personal. You get the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself,” Ace replied through gritted teeth as he attempted to untangle another giant ball of lights.
By “yourself,” Ace really meant “with a small army of former Green Berets.”
“This was rolled perfectly last year and in a box! How is it tangled? Stupid lights.” Ace huffed and put the roll on the floor. Picking up a new one, he plugged it in. Nothing happened. “Motherfricking shirtballs! I checked every single one of these last week!”
There was something not quite right about his husband’s colorful rants against the backdrop of “Sleigh Ride” by the Ronettes.
“Yeah, this one’s not lighting up either,” Joker said, his frown deep. He placed it on the floor, and it rolled, which, of course, drew Chip’s attention. He sped over and pounced. The roll of lights soared off the garage floor in a glorious arc, hit the inflatable snowman, ricocheted, and smacked Ace in the head. He reeled back, and Colton jumped to his feet.
“Ace—”
Too late.
Ace tripped on the roll of lights behind him. He turned to catch himself only to tangle his feet further until gravity triumphed, and he hit the floor. Hard.
“Owwww.” Ace groaned, and Joker laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes. Chip stood over Ace, tail wagging and tongue lolling out. “What? You don’t get praise for that. I thought we were buds!”
Chip barked, licked Ace’s face, then happily trotted away to Joker, who patted his head. “Good boy.”
Colton helped Ace up. He could practically see the wheels turning in his husband’s head. “Why don’t we take a little break? I bet Red’s Christmas cookies have cooled off.”
As expected, whatever terrifying idea Ace had been contemplating vanished at the mention of Christmas cookies, much like the brief winter breeze they’d had this morning. They were back to eighty degrees in December.
Like every year, there was little chance of a frosty Christmas in Florida and no chance of a white Christmas. They headed inside the cool, air-conditioned house, the sound of their family’s laughter and chatter warming his heart and making him smile.
When Colton had first met Ace, he’d never expected to fall in love with the man, much less inherit the kind of family he’d spent a lifetime wishing he had. They were a complicated, boisterous, and quirky group, and Colton wouldn’t change a thing.
As usual, their gentle giant, Red, was cooking, baking, and singing along to the holiday music while his boyfriend, Laz, decorated cookies and cupcakes. Ace’s cousin Lucky and his cowboy, Mason, were inspecting the Christmas tree. Lucky had strong opinions on what should and should not go on the tree. Tinsel was absolutely out of the question. Something about waking up from a nap and being covered in it? No doubt Ace had been involved.
Jack sat on the couch with his laptop, creating a complex music and lighting sequence while his boyfriend, Fitz, snuggled with his fluffy black poodle, Duchess. Leo’s joyous laughter was infectious as he chased and played with Chip, who’d dashed straight for his favorite human the moment they’d stepped inside. Meanwhile, Leo’s fiancé, King, conversed with Joker’s boyfriend, Gio.
Joker was the last person Colton would have expected his best friend to have fallen for. The two were so different. One was a former Green Beret explosives expert turned bodyguard, the other a billionaire philanthropist who’d traveled the globe helping people. Colton had worried for Gio, afraid Joker would break his heart, but in the end, the two were perfect for each other.
At times, Colton couldn’t believe how their family had grown over the last few years. He was so happy the rest of the Kings and the Wild Cards found love, especially with the men he’d come to care for so deeply.
Ace wrapped his arms around Colton as Joker joined Leo and Chip in play. Gio gave the command to Cookie, relieving his Golden Retriever from his service dog duties so he could run off and join the fun. He bounded happily, his fluffy tail wagging happily and tongue lolling out.
“You having a mushy moment?” Ace asked, kissing Colton’s cheek.
“We’re so fortunate.”
Ace turned Colton around, his smile soft as he wrapped his arms around Colton’s waist and held him close. “Yeah, we are. You know, I was thinking. Maybe we should go with the decor people.”
“I thought you wanted it to be more personal.”
“I want it to be perfect. For you. And if that means professional decorators, then we’ll do it.”
Colton shook his head. “We don’t need professional decorators. Or snow. Or sleigh rides.” He sighed. “This isn’t a Hallmark movie.”
Ace opened his mouth to reply, then closed it, an odd expression coming onto his face. “What if it could be?”
Colton was perplexed. “I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”
“When you were little, all you wanted was the kind of Christmas you saw in your favorite holiday movies. The perfect Christmas.”
“There’s no such thing as a perfect Christmas, love, but this is pretty close, don’t you think?” Colton kissed him, laughing against Ace’s lips when everyone cheered and catcalled. He shook his head at their ridiculousness.
Lucky called Ace over, and Colton walked to the kitchen to snag himself a Christmas cookie. Red and Laz sang along to “Last Christmas” by Wham! making Colton chuckle. He scanned the expertly iced cookies, his eyes landing on a deer cookie with a sleigh cookie behind it.
What if…?
Colton picked up the sleigh cookie, and before he could talk himself out of it, he sent a quick text to Joshua, his executive assistant. His phone rang a few minutes later.
“Joshua,” Colton replied. “One second.” He excused himself, hurried upstairs to his and Ace’s bedroom, and shut the door. “Sorry. I’m back. What do you think? Is it possible?”
“It is, but before I make any arrangements, I need to let you know that I spoke to Clara, the hospitality manager, and she informed me that due to the storm that blew through there a couple of weeks ago, their town hall is closed.”
“Oh, is that all? That’s fine. Go ahead and make all the arrangements.” They were good as long as the town’s Ice Castle was open. It was where all of the festivities took place anyway.
“You should have a confirmation email within the next few minutes.”
“Wonderful. Thank you, Joshua.” Colton hung up and made a few more calls. By the time everything was set up, he was excited and nervous. What if no one else was on board? Shaking his head, he headed back downstairs. He tugged on Ace’s sleeve, pulling him to one side.
“I have an announcement to make. Could you…?”
“Of course, baby.” Ace turned and called out across the room. “Everyone shut your pie holes!”
Everyone went silent.
Colton sighed. “Not what I had in mind, love, but thank you.” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to let you all know how thankful I am to have you all in my life. You’ve been more of a family to me than my own blood, but you already knew that. I love you all so much.”
“We love you too, Colt,” Fitz called out.
The room filled with awwws, and Colton held back a laugh. No need to be nervous. This is your family.
“Okay, so I’ve been thinking about having a white Christmas for the longest time. Years, actually. I vaguely recall staying at a ski lodge with my parents when I was younger. Of course, that was less about family and Christmas and more about who my parents could impress. But something Ace said gave me an idea. I thought having a special holiday season might be nice for our new family. With that in mind, I have a surprise for everyone.” Colton forwarded the email from Joshua to everyone. Eleven phones pinged. “Check your emails.”
“What’s Winterhaven?” Lucky asked.
Colton had been researching Winterhaven for years, hoping to one day get the white Christmas he’d dreamed of, but the time never seemed right. Now, it felt right. “I’ve rented a luxury family cabin for the holidays in the beautiful and picturesque small town of Winterhaven. We’re going to have a white Christmas!”
King frowned, but that was his default expression. “This schedule says from tomorrow until the end of December.” He lifted his blue gaze. “Colton, we can’t take that much time off.”
“We own the company,” Ace said with a shrug. “Of course we can.”
“Ace, it’s almost a month.”
“What are you saying? Do you really think with our stringent hiring process and all the training we put our people through that we don’t have anyone to look after the company while we’re away?”
“It’s all right,” Colton said. “I understand. I should have asked first. I can cancel the reservation.”
Fitz held a hand up. “Um, I want to go to Winterhaven.”
Jack blinked at him. “You do?”
“Babe, did you see the picture of their Ice Castle?”
“Ice Castle?” Jack checked his screen. “What happens to it in the summer?”
“It’s not made of ice, my love. It’s made of light stone that makes it look like it’s made of ice. How magical is that? Think of all the cozy sweaters I can wear!” Fitz leaned in and brushed his lips over Jack’s. “We can drink hot cocoa in front of the fire. Keep each other warm under cozy blankets.”
Jack hummed. He seemed to like that idea.
Leo gasped. “Santa’s there.” He lifted his gaze to King. “I want to go.”
Everyone looked to King, who smiled warmly. “Sweetheart, he’s not—”
“Actually Santa,” Leo said, his smile big. “I know that. He’s the mayor. But he looks like Santa, and according to my online search results, Winterhaven is the perfect small-townChristmas destination. It’s famous for its holiday festivities.”
Joker snorted as he looked down at his phone. “Damn. The mayor does look like Santa. That’s an impressive beard.”
“So beautiful,” Laz said, scrolling through something on his phone. “I could take so many picturesque photos there.” He showed Red his cellphone. “Look at that scenery.”
Red kissed the side of Laz’s head. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.”
“What do you guys say?” Ace turned to King. “How about it, big guy? Ready for the perfect Christmas?”
King moved his gaze back to Leo, and Colton knew there was no way King would say no to that sweet face and boyish smile. He let out a sigh and smiled. “You’re right. We have a great team. They’ll be okay without us for a few weeks.”
There was cheering, and Fitz squealed. He clapped his hands excitedly, then gasped. “Wait. The reservation says tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow afternoon,” Colton confirmed. “The town doesn’t have its own airport, so we’re taking the jet to the next town over. From there, a helicopter will fly us in.”
“Jack, we have to go! I need to pack! And buy some coats!” Fitz ran over to Colton, threw his arms around him, and squeezed him tight. He kissed Colton’s cheek. “Thank you so much, Colton! This is going to be amazing!”
Colton was thrilled at how happy everyone was. Even the dogs were excited. They might not know what was happening, but they knew something was going on. Most of the Kings, Joker, and Jack still seemed a little uncertain about being away for so long, but Colton hoped that once they arrived at Winterhaven, they’d enjoy all the sugary holiday goodness. Everyone thanked him and headed off to pack.
Ace took Colton’s hand in his and turned him. “Baby, you are amazing. I know you’re nervous, but don’t be. Everyone is going to have a great time. Did you see how excited they were?”
“Do you think they’re going to have fun? I know this really isn’t their thing.” Colton didn’t need to say who. His husband was well aware of who he referred to. As the owners of Four Kings Security, all the guys struggled with time off. They were always busy, often working. It was just who they were. Thankfully, their significant others were able to get them to relax.
“This break will do them good. Not just them but the rest of the guys. Did you see Leo’s face light up when he saw that the mayor looked like Santa? I can’t with him. He’s too freaking adorable.” Ace pulled Colton close and kissed him. “Trust me, sweetheart. This is going to be the perfect Christmas. I know it.”
Colton wrapped his arms around his husband and returned the kiss, letting himself get lost in Ace’s love and strength. Ace was right. Once they arrived and everyone saw the beauty of Winterhaven, they’d loosen up and get into the holiday spirit.
Winterhaven spent months preparing for the Christmas season, knowing that hundreds of people would flock to their charming town every year to experience the perfect Christmas. The town had been featured multiple times in magazines and had thousands of glowing reviews, which was impressive, especially since the worst reviews people could come up with were things like “it was too cold” or “the snow wasn’t white enough.”
The entire town would be painstakingly decorated, and the Ice Castle would host all of the Christmas events, from a hot chocolate contest to ornament decorating and, of course, meeting Santa and his reindeer. There was so much to look forward to. Colton couldn’t wait to go for a romantic sleigh ride with his sweetheart. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
Maybe he’d get his perfect Christmas after all.
Naughty & Nice by Angelique Jurd
Prologue
“Oh crap,” Agnes mutters. “He does not look like he’s in a good mood.”
Trying to ignore her elbow in his ribs - does she sharpen those things? - Lars finishes pouring the glass of beer without looking up. He sweeps a blade over the foaming head, wipes off the edge of the glass, and sets it on Sven’s tray. Enjoys the way his red tunic flips up as she turns away then turns his gaze to the door. Agnes isn’t wrong. He does not look happy, standing by the fire, stomping the snow from his boots.
“Go get his coat and hang it out back. The last thing we need is someone going through his damned pockets again.”
Agnes runs her fingers through her hair, smacks her lips, and trots out from behind the bar. The jingle of the bells on her shoes floats across the noise of the Inn and several patrons look up to see what’s happening. When they see who is at the fireplace, conversation drops to a hush.
He is impressive, Lars will give him that. Thick iron-gray curls fall over the collar of his green sweater to his shoulders. His beard, trimmed short, is the same shade of flint with little flashes of silver and does little to hide strong bone structure. Neat silver brows above piercing indigo eyes. Six feet six of solid muscle, but Lars has known him long enough to know that his heart is as soft as an ermine underneath it all. For the most part, the big guy is a marshmallow. Tonight does not appear to be a ‘most part’ kind of night. He reaches beneath the bar for the bottle of ‘special recipe’ Schnapps that he keeps there for him and begins pouring a shot.
“Long day, Boss?” He pushes the shot glass across the counter.
“You can quit that shit right now.”
Lars watches, bottle in his hand, as he swallows the clear liquid and slams the glass back down. Fills it up without a word. There’s no point when he’s in this kind of mood.
“What happened?”
“Fucking network shat itself.” The second shot disappears as fast as the first. “This never used to happen with the old system. Fucking technology.”
“Get it fixed?”
“Do I sound like I got it fixed?” He twirls his finger over the shot glass. “Keep ‘em coming, Lars.”
“You sure?” A glare is the only response. Sighing, he tips the Schnapps bottle up again. For a big guy, he can get tipsy pretty fast but… he can also smash a counter pretty fast too, and Lars has just had this one installed.
“I hate fucking computers.”
Lars grins in spite of himself. “Yeah, I know you do. Necessary evil in this day and age, unfortunately.”
A tall, thin man with spiky blue hair and a somewhat drunken sway to his gait approaches the bar and drops a small pile of coins in front of Lars.
“Rorik, old buddy, old pal. How’s it hanging?” He slaps the bigger man on the shoulder, belches, and hiccups. Lars shuts his eyes and prays that Rorik will let Jack live. “You still bangin’ that chick from accounts? Or was it the guy from accounts – no, the guy was from logistics, wasn’t he?”
Damn it, Jack! He just got the place fixed up from the last brawl and he likes how it’s looking. The only way Rorik isn’t going to use Jack’s face to destroy the place is if he, Lars, does something fast.
“Why don’t you go sit back down and Agnes will bring you your drink. And some of the gateau she’s got out back. On the house.”
Jack sways and belches again, then grins. “Sounds like a plan.” He weaves his way back to his seat at the far end of the Inn.
“Asshole.” Rorik glares at Lars. “I hope you took the keys from that death trap he’s taken to riding.”
Lars fishes the snowmobile keys out of his pocket and shakes them in the air. Jack’s harmless enough; he just loses what little filter he does have when he has a drink.
“Since you’re clearly not going to let me have any more of the good stuff, do you think I could get an Irish coffee? And don’t be stingy with the whiskey.” Rorik drags his fingers through his hair. “You got anything other than gateau out the back? I’m starving.”
Lars smirks. Rorik didn’t try to shove Jack in the glass sterilizer - it wouldn’t have been the first time if he had - so his mood probably isn’t as bad as they’d feared. “Fresh cookies?”
Rolling his eyes, Rorik points his finger at Lars. “See, I know you think you’re funny, but the truth is you’re not. And just because I’m too fucking tired to shove one of your cookies up your cute little ass, that doesn’t mean I’m not too tired to tell my brother you were checking out Sven’s cute little ass.”
“Alright, alright.” Lars goes to the kitchen door and asks for a plate of roast lamb and vegetables to be brought out. When he comes back, Agnes is topping the Irish coffee with whipped cream. Rorik takes it and smothers a yawn.
“Santa needs a nap,” Lars quips, wiping down the countertop. Why he’s bothering he does not know - especially at this time of the year. But you know...standards.
“Santa,” Rorik says through a mouthful of whipped cream, “needs to get laid.”
Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James
Chapter 1
Emerson
“So how’s the new book coming?” Claire asked.
“It’s going well. I managed to make it through the first murder and an absolutely adorable meet-cute that’s setting my two main characters up for a totally awesome enemies-to-lovers romance.”
“I think it’s going to be fabulous, and I’m really excited for you,” my friend Denny said.
He said that like this was my first ever book, but it was far from it. It would actually be my twenty-sixth. However, I was spinning off of a very popular series, and I had no idea if my readers would love my new world as much as they’d loved Cutler’s Cove.
“Thanks, guys. Fingers crossed it works out, but if it doesn’t, I can always revisit Cutler’s Cove for an eleventh book. How about you? How are your books coming along?”
“Fantastic for me.” Claire grinned. “I’m almost to the end, so it’s time to reveal the murderer. The only problem is—”
“You don’t know who it is yet,” I said with a laugh.
“You know me too well, Emerson,” she said.
I’d actually only known her for about a year. We’d shared a table at a book signing and hit it off. Imagine our delight when we discovered we lived a short distance apart. She’d been a lifesaver for me not only because she’d become one of my best friends, but also because she’d invited me to join her writing group that day. I’d been meeting with them at least once a week for coffee and to talk books ever since. It wasn’t a large group. The one thing no one ever tells you about becoming an author is how lonely it can feel to spend all day with no one but your characters, so I didn’t know how I would’ve made it through the last year without them.
“So what are everyone’s plans for the holidays?” Angie asked.
“I’m headed home to Kentucky,” Denny said. “Tomas is super excited about meeting my family.”
Angie gasped in surprise, her eyes twinkling with delight. She’d been the one to set the two of them up, so naturally she was pleased. “Oh wow. You’re taking him home for the holidays. I didn’t realize it had gotten that serious. I knew he was perfect for you. How about you, Emerson?”
“Probably the same thing I did for Thanksgiving. Eat take-out and watch a lot of movies, probably work on my book.” And yep, it had been just as pathetic and depressing as it sounded.
“You know, I told you that you could’ve joined me and Marissa.” Claire shook her head like she was disappointed in me.
“I know I could’ve, but it was your first year since Abby was born, and I knew your families would all be there. I didn’t want to intrude. Besides, you two are so stupid in love, I would’ve had a sugar high before I even had dessert.”
“Ha-ha-ha. But seriously, Emerson, you shouldn’t be spending Christmas alone. You should come to our house. You know Abby loves you.”
“And you know I adore her. But it’s her first holiday season, so I’ll pass. I probably should have just gone ahead and gone to the Bahamas with Pamela…”
“What do you mean to the Bahamas with Pamela?” Denny asked.
“Well, on our one-month anniversary last week, she surprised me with two tickets to the Bahamas, but I told her I couldn’t go because I had to work on this book.”
“You told her no? You can work from anywhere.” Angie looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“I know, but I just didn’t feel like we were meant to be. She’s nice enough, and we have a good time, but something about it just wasn’t right.”
I had no intention of spending the rest of my morning discussing my personal life or lack thereof with my friends, so I took a stab at changing the subject. “Are you going to run any sales on your Christmas books this year?”
“Oh no, no, you’re not changing the subject,” Claire insisted. “I haven’t known you but a year, Emerson, and yet I’ve seen you do this time and again. You don’t give relationships a chance. You go out with somebody a few times, and then you immediately decide that it’s not gonna work. You have to give people a chance.”
“I guess I just feel like if it was right, I would know it.”
“A month is barely enough time to get to know someone, much less enough time to know if you love them. You absolutely should have gone.” Denny said, and I glared at him.
“Says the guy who’s taking his boyfriend home for Christmas when you haven’t even been dating for a month. How long did it take you to know Tomas was it for you.”
“That’s not the point, Emerson. Claire’s right. You have to give people a chance, so I stand by what I said. You should have gone, am I right, guys?” He looked around at our little group, and they all nodded in agreement.
“Well, it’s a little late for that now. Her plane leaves this afternoon.”
“But it hasn’t left, right? You could still go,” Angie said.
“Or I could stay here and finish my book.”
“Again, you can work on your book from anywhere,” Claire said. “You know I’m not buying that book as an excuse to not go to the Bahamas.”
“But if I don’t think it’s going to work, it feels wrong to accept such an expensive gift.”
“Then offer to pay your part. Lord knows you have the money. Live a little, Emerson.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Show up at the airport and tell her I changed my mind.”
“Sure, why not? It could be one of those grand romantic gestures like in my books.” Angie practically swooned just thinking about it. “You know, the kind you tell your grandchildren about.”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Claire said.
“Me, too,” Angie said enthusiastically. “As a matter of fact, I think it’s such a great idea, I’m gonna put it in my next book. Now, go home, pack a bag, and get to the airport before the plane leaves.”
I’d probably lost my mind, but the more they’d talked, the more I got to thinking maybe they were right. Who was I to turn down a trip to the Bahamas? And even if it didn’t work out long-term with Pamela, it would still be fun. I went home and hurriedly packed a bag. TSA suggests you get to the airport hours before your flight, and there was no way I would make it in the time they recommended, but if I packed lightly enough that I didn’t need to check a bag, I just might make it before they boarded. I tossed in a couple of t-shirts, a couple Hawaiian shirts because…the Bahamas, shorts, and a swimsuit, then called a rideshare to take me to the airport.
At that point, I hadn’t had time to really think about what I was doing, but once I climbed into the backseat of the rideshare, I had nothing but time to think. This was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever done, and I blamed my friends. Together, they’d painted such a magnificent picture of me making this grand gesture and how marvelous things would go that I let myself get swept up in the idea of it all.
I almost told the driver to turn around a hundred times before he pulled up to the door where you could drop off passengers.
“You have a fantastic holiday,” he said over his shoulder as I got out of the car.
“Well, hot sand, cool beaches, and a cold drink sounds better than the Chicago weather this time of year anyway,” I said, trying to sound positive.
Now I just had to figure out what to do next. I tried calling Pamela to see if I could get her to bring me my ticket, but the phone just went to voicemail. I checked the time, and it was getting close, so I decided my best bet would be to try to sweet-talk my way past the ticket agent at the counter. Surely they had a security guy who could escort me to get my ticket or who could go find Pamela or something like that. I stood in line, anxiously watching the clock tick closer and closer to the time she would be boarding the plane.
“Hello,” the young woman behind the counter said with a weary fake smile. “I’ll need either your paper ticket or your electronic one, please.”
“That’s the problem. My plane is about to board, and my traveling companion has already gone through security. She has my ticket, and I’m not sure what to do.”
“Sir, I can’t let you in there without your ticket. Have you tried to call your companion?”
“I have. It went to voicemail.”
“I’m sorry, no one’s allowed past that point”—she motioned over to the security check line—“without a ticket.”
“Is there anything you can do to help? Is there a security person or someone who can walk me back or who can go get it from her?”
“What flight are you supposed to be on?”
I told her the time and the destination, and she typed away on the computer and then shook her head.
“Normally that might work, but with the holiday travel, I don’t think I can get anyone up here with enough time for you to make the flight. They’ll be boarding any minute now.”
“So what can I do?” I knew I was sounding panicked and that I should probably take this as a sign from the universe that this was a bad idea, but I was committed at this point, dammit. I would be spending this holiday on a beach drinking Mai Tais instead of sitting alone feeling sorry for myself.
“You could buy another ticket.” Her nails clicked on the keyboard again, and again, she shook her head. “Except that flight is booked.”
“Okay, anything else? I’m desperate here.” I should have brought Angie with me. She could have spun her a tale about true love, grand gestures, and holiday magic and probably got me through because I was coming up blank. Which was an embarrassing thing to admit since I used words to make a living, even if I wrote more about murder than love.
I might not have the words today, but apparently, I looked dejected enough for her to try to help. She glanced around to see if anyone was listening, and when she was sure they weren’t, she said, “You could buy a ticket to somewhere else. All you need is a ticket to get through security.”
I glanced at her name tag and saw that her name was Sharon. “Sharon, thank you, you’re brilliant. I could kiss you. What’s the cheapest flight you have?” I planned to do exactly what Claire had suggested and offer to pay Pamela for half the trip, so I didn’t want to spend too much just to get through the gates.
She went back to work on the keyboard and then smiled. “I got it right here. There’s a commuter flight that’s running a holiday special right now. It goes to a place called Christmas Falls. I can get you a one-way ticket for…wow, fifty-nine dollars. Maybe I should go,” she said with a laugh.
“I’ll take it!”
She took my credit card, ran it, and then handed me my ticket. “Have fun in the Bahamas.”
“Thank you, Sharon. You have a happy holiday!”
I rushed over to the line for security, which thankfully was moving pretty fast. Then I was running through the airport dodging people left and right, trying not to flatten people and trying not to laugh at just how Angie would write this in her next book if I ran over some poor, weary traveler.
I finally made it to the correct gate and was thrilled to see a huge group of people still standing around waiting to board. I looked around for Pamela and finally saw her talking to some guy who looked like a Jason Momoa knock-off. That was just like her. I swear she made friends everywhere she went. Hell, I met her standing in line to get coffee one morning when she struck up a conversation while we waited and ended up joining me at a table.
I called out her name, and she looked around trying to figure out who it was, but when she saw it was me, I didn’t get an earth-shattering smile because she was glad to see me. All I saw was confusion. She said something to the big guy standing next to her and then reached up and patted his chest before coming in my direction.
“Emerson, what are you doing here?” she asked.
Okay, so much for the grand gesture.
“I changed my mind. I figured I would go ahead and join you.”
Her face changed from confusion to something else, embarrassment, maybe.
“I’m sorry, Emerson. When you said you didn’t want to come, I asked my fitness trainer, Chad.”
“Chad?”
“Yeah.” She nodded her head towards the mountain of a man who was standing right where she’d left him watching us.
“You only asked me a few days ago.”
“Yeah, and you said no. The trip was nonrefundable, and I wasn’t about to waste the ticket.”
“So you just replaced me with Chad?”
“Emerson,” she said, her tone firm. “You said no. Besides, you knew this thing between us wasn’t going anywhere. I just figured since we would both be spending the holidays alone, we might as well go somewhere together and have some fun.”
“Right. Gotcha. Well, you and Chad just have a good time, then.”
I turned around and walked off. I was going to tell Claire exactly where she could stick her grand gesture and holiday magic bullshit. I stuck my hand in the pocket of my hoodie and pulled out the stupid paper ticket to Christmas Falls, marched over to the trash, and threw it in.
Then it hit me. It would just be me, my imaginary friends, also known as my book characters, and my empty apartment alone for another holiday. Hell, I didn’t even have a cat to spend the holidays with. I looked down at the ticket laying there. You know what, fuck it. I had nowhere else to be. Might as well go to Christmas Falls.
The Alphas Santa-Kissed Omega by Lorelei M Hart
Chapter One
Gustav Van Dijk
“Papa, I’m scared.”
The words made my heavy heart even more laden. I glanced in the rearview mirror to see my not-quite five-year old in his booster seat, looking out the window. His little cheeks were pale, and his eyelids fluttered, a sure sign he was about to cry. Dane, named after my omega who died giving birth to him, was not responding as well as I’d hoped to our move to the United States.
With the holidays coming soon, I’d decided to wait until January to enroll him in kindergarten, and my own schedule with my new company would be light until then. However, I did need to work online a few hours each afternoon and couldn’t do that easily with a fretful preschooler. Also, my son might adjust better if he made some friends. But I’d seen no other children playing near our rental house, so how?
We’d been strolling down Main Street the day before when we came upon a window covered in gift wrap and a big bow. Dane’s mood lifted and he bounced, asking, “Papa, is that a present?”
A chuckle preceded a pair of men emerging from the store, arms around one another’s waists. “It is indeed, little man,” said one of them. “A surprise present for the town, to be revealed next Saturday. I’m Liam by the way and this is my candy shop, Sugar.” He shook my hand then waved toward the other man. “And this is Edison, my mate.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I replied. “I am Gustav, Gus for short, and this is my son, Dane. So a surprise, huh?”
“We like to do a special window for each holiday, make it really special.”
The other man, Edison, rolled his eyes. “My mate has a flair for the dramatic, but he does run the very best candy store in town.”
“Edison!” protested Liam. “It’s the only candy store in town.”
His mate poked him in the ribs. “It’s the best in the country, but you already know that, and I refuse to contribute to your ego.” A twinkle in his eye offset his words. “Would it be all right to give your son a little something from the store?”
Dane’s smile stretched his chubby cheeks. Since it was the first sign of his happy self I’d seen in weeks, I nodded. “I guess so, if he promises to eat all his broccoli at dinner.”
“Papa, I love the little trees,” Dane protested. “Maybe you should make me eat lima beans instead.” He squinted his eyes and stuck out his tongue. “They’re yucky.”
Liam reached behind him into the store. “I think your son is quite the honest fellow.” He drew out a Santa Claus sucker, dark chocolate with a red suit and white beard. “Here you go!”
“It’s like Sinterklaas.” Dane closed his little fist around the stick and beamed at his new friend. “Thank you, candy-store man.”
“That’s Mr. Liam,” I chided softly.
“Thank you, Mr. Liam,” he echoed. “I promise to eat my broccoli—even if it’s lima beans.”
“You’re welcome,” the man said. “Now, I don’t offer this often, but would you like just the teensiest peek at our window?”
“Or even a bigger one!” Dane thrust out his chest.
Edison tilted his head. “I don’t know, Liam. Do you think he can keep a secret?”
“I can, I can!” my son shouted. “I never even told Daddy I broke his cup.”
A brief silence stretched before the two men burst into laughter.
“Dane!” I chided. “We’ll have to talk about that later. But I think you’ve made your point.
“Okay, little man.” Liam led him into the store and stopped right inside. He tugged back a red velvet curtain and let Dane duck his head under for a few seconds before saying, “Okay, that’s it.”
Dane backed out and straightened, his cheeks flushed, mouth in an O. “I won’t tell anybody! Not even my papa.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Liam beat me to it. “I think we all agree you shouldn’t have secrets from your papa, so you can tell him, but only in very private, okay? We don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Dane’s head bobbed. “Okay, Mr. Liam. And thank you for the candy and the secret.”
“Do I detect an accent?” Liam asked. “You aren’t from Holland, are you?” Although nearly everyone learned English in school back home, we by no means sounded like we were born in the USA.
“Exactly right. We just arrived last week.”
“Staying long?”
I flicked a glance at my son, who was busy ripping the plastic off his Santa sucker. “Permanently, if all goes well. I accepted a job here.”
“What do you do?”
“Computer coding.”
“Wow. And why did you choose to come here? I’m sure with your skills you can work almost anywhere.”
I hesitated, and he blushed. “What an ass. It’s none of my business.”
“No, it’s fine.” I didn’t mind answering. Dane had failed at plastic removal, and Edison was now assisting, so I took a step away and the other alpha followed. I lowered my voice. “I was widowed a couple of years ago, and I wanted a change of scenery. Dane barely remembers his other dad, but everywhere we went, people brought him up and it wasn’t good for either of us. So...when this opportunity came along, I decided to give it a shot.”
“Have any friends here in town?” he asked, without the sympathetic tone I’d learned to hate.
“No, not yet.”
“You do now.” He gave me a pat on the arm. “Come by and visit anytime.”
“That means a lot.”
“That’s okay. We have a family ourselves, three and growing. We’ll have to do a playdate.”
“That would be wonderful. Hey, since you are also a dad...do you know of a good babysitter? I need someone for a few hours in the afternoons.”
“Better than that.” He called to his omega, “Edison, do you have any openings at My Brother, My Sister for the afternoon program?”
He did. And Dane had been wildly excited for the past two days, but nerves had gotten hold of him once he was actually on the way.
I braced myself for what was to come.
The Mission by Barbara Elsborg
1
Conrad wondered if there was a record for the number of times you could get dumped by the same guy. He didn’t want to add—in the space of a few months— because that made him feel even more pathetic.
Being dumped once should have been enough for anyone with an ounce of sense in their head—right? But he was either a masochist or stupid or both or… Well, he was a whole lot of things, but definitely, positively, absolutely never going to go out with Mark again, so that was something. Though it had taken long enough for him to realise it.
That annoying little voice inside his head chimed in with Did you ever really love him? The answer was probably not. But when no one had ever loved Conrad, how was he to know how love should make him feel? He’d been taken in by a narcissist, who, for a while, had made Conrad feel better than he ever had in his life, but that was no consolation, no excuse.
Painful lessons had been learned. Eventually. He was ashamed it had taken so long.
First time it ended
New Year’s Eve—technically—New Year’s Day, but the trouble started at the party. It had all been fine. They’d been dancing and drinking and chatting to friends, then Mark had disappeared. When he’d reappeared, albeit not sniffing and rubbing his nose so that Conrad could have sat more firmly on his high horse about drugs, though it was enough to make Conrad confront him, especially when Mark had promised he wouldn’t do coke any more. Not surprisingly, Mark had blown up when Conrad had spoken to him.
“Just because I know how to have a good time and you don’t,” Mark had raged. “You sanctimonious piece of shit. Just lighten up.”
There was some truth in that. The first part, anyway. Conrad had never been the life and soul of anything. He’d always been the one standing in the corner, or with his back to any spare bit of wall he could find. Too anxious to ask anyone to dance—when he’d been into dancing. Too shy to ask anyone out—in case they said no. That night, he couldn’t prove Mark had taken something so he backed down. Yes, I even bloody apologised. And Mark had forgiven him. It made Conrad cringe to think about how he’d behaved.
They’d admired the London fireworks from the balcony of the flat they were in, Mark pressing his erection into Conrad’s arse, then gone to Mark’s place and Mark had left bruises on Conrad’s arms from how hard he’d held him when he fucked him.
That should have given Conrad a warning of what was to come, but it hadn’t. Well, not one that had sunk in.
“New Year’s resolutions,” Conrad said brightly as he brought Mark breakfast in bed at eleven on New Year’s Day, then settled beside him.
Though he didn’t feel bright because not only had he drunk too much but he’d not stopped Mark when he was hurting him. Pathetic, weak, too easily placated… Nor was Conrad in favour of making New Year resolutions, partly because he always broke them. Served him right for picking things he wasn’t likely to stick to. No alcohol and no chocolate for the whole of January was never going to work. He needed some pleasures.
But he figured if he and Mark made—or rather—chose things they could do or not do together, then maybe it would be good for their relationship, which Conrad had to admit, wasn’t all he’d hoped it would be two months down the line. Conrad had been on his own over Christmas—as usual—while Mark had swanned off skiing. It had been booked long before they got together so Conrad did understand, but he was disappointed.
Mark could be so great—I wouldn’t be with him otherwise, would I? — except the guy lay in bed, looking at Conrad with a sort of shifty, irritated expression that wasn’t down to Conrad not putting enough Marmite on his toast.
Is he that great? asked that little voice in his head.
Everyone loves him, Conrad replied.
“A different activity every week,” Conrad said quickly, already sensing the no. “I thought we could try that climbing wall near Victoria station. You mentioned it once and—”
“Don’t think so, babe.”
“Roller blading?” Though the thought of it made Conrad cringe.
“No.”
“Something else then?”
“Nah. Nothing else. Not sure I’m really into you anymore.”
Oh. Well, that had hurt.
A lot.
But then they’d had sex again and Mark had changed his mind. Though Conrad wasn’t so sure anymore.
Second time—Am I a glutton for punishment? Don’t answer that.
Conrad couldn’t really explain why three months into the year, they were still together, especially when Mark continued to leave bruises on his arms and occasionally elsewhere. It wasn’t an abusive relationship; it was just that Mark got a little rough sometimes.
Listen to yourself! It is not okay.
But…
It is NOT okay.
Mark, at his best, was lovely, but at his worst, not in the least lovely. Lovely had still outweighed not in the least. Yes, I know it shouldn’t have. Good thing the only person around to point out his stupidity was himself—to himself. Though Conrad had occasional moments of panic wondering if others saw him as too passive and weak.
Because you are! Idiot.
It was Conrad’s birthday and Mark had arranged to meet him at a shop in Notting Hill. Conrad had thought they’d go there together at lunchtime—after all they worked for the same company, though their offices were on different floors—but apparently Mark was coming from somewhere else.
Conrad had arrived at the shop early and while he waited, he looked around wondering what it was that Mark was going to buy him, because why else would he want to meet here? Not a suit, obviously, but maybe those blue enamelled cufflinks that were calling—maybe yelling—Conrad’s name, or perhaps a tie. If Mark was going to let him choose, he’d go for the cufflinks. He couldn’t stop looking at them. They were so pretty. If he wasn’t careful, the shop assistants were going to think he was contemplating nicking them.
Mark strolled in—twenty minutes late—by which time Conrad was familiar with every item in the shop, and the two assistants had barely taken their eyes off him.
Mark beckoned him over to the suits. “This is the one…” He pulled out a charcoal grey jacket with a pink lining. “What do you think?”
Conrad caught a glimpse of the price and gulped. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be bought something that expensive.
“It’s…okay,” Conrad said.
“More than okay. I think I’d look great in this. What’s your opinion? You’re good with clothes.”
The compliment was lost as Conrad’s heart sank to somewhere below his knees. Probably under his feet so he could trample on it himself. Not for me. Nothing for me. Why did I even think it might be?
“Well?” Mark asked.
“It’s okay.” Conrad couldn’t bring himself to sound enthusiastic. He was now wondering if Mark had even remembered it was his birthday.
Mark sighed. “I don’t think this is working.”
Conrad allowed himself a moment of trying to think what that could refer to other than the obvious. Then he clenched his teeth. If he was being honest with himself, he knew Mark didn’t want him anymore. He’d seen the signs, the way Mark now turned his charm on for anyone but him, arranging things without asking him and just assuming Conrad would go along with his choice. I’m being ghosted. I feel like a ghost. And it’s my own fault. I have to change. I have to.
What he hadn’t expected was that he’d get dumped on his thirtieth birthday. He turned for one last look at the present he wasn’t going to get. Goodbye, beautiful cufflinks.
He had a moment of hope when Mark spotted the direction of his gaze and asked to see them. The assistant took them out of the glass display case.
“Why isn’t it working?” Conrad asked. Oh God, I could make a list of reasons. Self-awareness was no excuse for weakness. I’m pathetic. Who would want me? His ribs clamped around his heart. Well, it felt like they did and it served him bloody right.
“It’s my birthday.” Conrad wanted the words back the moment they’d escaped. He’d also said them too loudly. The shop assistant perked up, thinking he’d get a sale but Conrad had lost hope of that. What he should have said was—You’re dumping me on my birthday, you bastard?
But he didn’t. He’d spent so much of his life—his childhood—being told to be quiet, to keep his opinions to himself, to know his place, that he felt trapped by the barriers he’d built up in his head. Maybe he ought to see a therapist. That was progress, thinking that. Wasn’t it?
He waited for Mark to at least say happy birthday, callous dickhead that he was, but he just shrugged and it was the shrug that nailed down the lid on what they had. Their relationship was dead and buried. Was that all he was worth? A shrug? I should have seen through him right from the start. Mark had to be admired, had to have everyone’s attention. His sense of self-importance was mind-boggling. Conrad had fed Mark’s ego and he had to stop it. Right now.
Yet when Mark actually bought the cufflinks, Conrad still felt a flare of hope. I’m a complete idiot. Was there a course he could sign up for that showed you how to grow a pair of balls? He needed to walk out now. Accept it. They were done.
As Conrad moved towards the door, proud of himself for finally walking out on him, somehow Mark stepped into his path and a display of wallets went tumbling. Oh shit, did I do that? A security alarm went off and Conrad groaned. Oh God. He didn’t think it was his fault but he bent to help pick up the fallen goods and so did Mark.
“What have I done wrong?” Conrad whispered.
“Things like this,” Mark hissed. “You’re fucking embarrassing.”
Conrad tensed. How did ‘adorably dorky’ end up as ‘fucking embarrassing’? In the end, it was Mark who stalked out of the shop as the sales people helped Conrad rescue the display.
“I’m so sorry,” Conrad found himself gulping. Do not cry! Though he could feel himself welling up, his throat thickening. He pressed his lips together and sank his teeth into his cheek. Stop being a baby.
His own thoughts were hurting him, memories of his parents flinging those words at him every time he got upset blocked his throat, filled his eyes.
These were not the sort of assistants who’d take pity on him, more like ones who’d look down their noses at him because he was obviously not worthy to lick the shoes of the god who’d just walked out. Why did everyone love Mark? Conrad just didn’t get it.
Yes, you do.
Mark no longer wore his costume in front of Conrad. He no longer needed Conrad to adore him. He had someone else. Did he? It made sense. Conrad had trusted too much.
As the three of them put the wallets on the glass counter, one of the assistants said, “There’s one missing.”
“Has it slipped under somewhere?” Conrad bent to look but there were no more wallets on the floor.
“You and your friend…” the other assistant said.
The accusatory stare said everything. That was a message Conrad picked up loud and clear, despite his blindness as far as his relationship went. Had Mark taken it? Of course he fucking has. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d stolen something, but it was the first time Conrad had been with him, and helped him, albeit inadvertently. Usually, it was just Mark bragging to him later about what he’d walked out with.
“We’re calling the police,” the pair said in unison.
Conrad’s life almost ended at that point because he could see where that would lead. The wallet would be long gone by the time the police spoke to Mark and Conrad would get the blame. Though how they’d figure that out when he didn’t have the wallet on his person… Though he did check just in case Mark had slipped it into his pocket. Thank God, he hadn’t.
In the end, they didn’t call the police, although probably not because Conrad paid for the wallet, but more because he was so clearly shocked, that he collapsed and slumped to the floor. No one rushed to see if he was okay. Maybe they thought he was pretending. He wasn’t. Or maybe it was more trouble than it was worth to call the police, or an ambulance, plus they still got commission on the sale. So they took his money and ushered him out of the shop.
No more Mark.
No more Mark.
He was still shaky as he set off back to work, but he kept repeating those words in his head. When a hundred metres down the road, Mark stepped out in front of him, Conrad almost fell over. Except he didn’t, because Mark caught hold of him, dragged him into an alleyway and kissed his socks off. The sort of kiss he used to give Conrad, the sort of kiss that had blinded Conrad to the things he didn’t like about him. Why didn’t that list of why Mark is wrong for me stay in his head at times like this? He could feel Mark’s cock jutting into him.
“I am so hard,” Mark said with a laugh as they broke apart. “We’ll do that again.”
No, they wouldn’t, and they didn’t, but Conrad was still an idiot because the relationship continued, even when Mark kept the cufflinks for himself.
He’d skip three, four, five and six because… Yeah well, I’m an idiot. The evidence is there.
Seventh time
And yes, he was deeply ashamed it had got to that point. Yes, he should have I’m a gullible fool tattooed on his forehead, along with But I’m a nice guy. As if that made any difference.
What excuses did he have? I blame my parents. He did, he really did, but it was his own fault that Mark was still in his life.
Conrad was…
Too nice.
Too trusting.
Too amenable.
Too desperate.
Too forgiving.
Too unwilling to accept he’d made a mistake and that Mark wasn’t Mr Right, wasn’t even Mr Nearly Right, in fact was Mr Completely and Utterly Wrong.
Conrad wasn’t happy, Mark was oblivious and thought everyone loved him, but had stopped bothering about whether or not Conrad loved him, or even liked him. Mark took him for granted. Conrad had still been making excuses for the guy because… No one is ever going to want a pathetic thing like me. But no amount of self-flagellation seemed to drive any sense into Conrad’s head.
This time, which was lucky number seven, though he hadn’t thought it at the time, Conrad hadn’t seen it coming. Though to be fair, had he ever? He should have done, but that was a different story.
He and Mark had been getting on well. Mark had asked him to move in… Cue moment of complete shock and joy! And the joy had continued even though the bills had turned out to be a lot more than Conrad had expected, and Mark had wanted three months’ rent in advance. The flat was far better than any Conrad would have been able to afford now or in the foreseeable future and every time he walked into it, he almost had to pinch himself that he lived there.
It was in Wapping, in a block overlooking the Thames and had a balcony where they sat and ate breakfast, and had a drink in the evening on those increasingly rare occasions when they were both home at the same time. He and Mark might work at the same finance company but Mark was in BD, Business Development, and had do a lot of schmoozing. Conrad was just a number cruncher. So he got the need for Mark to be out at Ascot and Henley and Formula One and polo and golf days with clients— two, three and four days a week. Weekends included.
But Conrad was lonely.
Still, being lonely in a building that had a gym and decent-sized swimming pool in the basement wasn’t so bad. The pool was where Conrad intended to go this evening and unwind. If Mark hadn’t eaten by the time he got back from wherever he’d been that day, they could order a pizza. If he wasn’t in, and not due back, Conrad would order one anyway. Conrad had been to Manchester on business and wasn’t due home until the next day, but the work was finished so he’d changed his train and maybe he’d surprise Mark.
He did surprise Mark but he surprised himself more when he saw Mark hammering his cock into a young guy who, at a single glance, looked vaguely familiar. Not just that, but Mark was saying, “I love you,” over and over again. Yes, he was probably on the point of coming, but those words had never been said to Conrad.
He didn’t linger. He backed out of the bedroom before he was spotted, his heart hammering in his chest, his lungs so tight that breathing was becoming increasingly difficult.
There would be no eighth chance.
This was it. The straw that broke this particularly mentally deficient camel’s back. It wasn’t even so much the infidelity, but hearing Mark saying words he’d always laughingly claimed Aren’t in my vocabulary, babe that finally knocked sense into Conrad’s skull. He picked up his overnight bag from where he’d left it just inside the front door and walked out, quietly closing the door behind him. He’d come and get his stuff at a later date. Not that there was much of it. A lot had been vetoed by Mark. Now he’d have to buy it all over again.
Conrad wasn’t sure why he headed for work. Probably because everyone would have gone home and his office was his safe space. He was good at his job. Respected. Admired. Praised. Nothing he’d ever had from Mark. Though Conrad was a different person at work.
As he walked away, he wondered if he should have confronted the two of them? But what would that have achieved? Mark would have found a way to blame Conrad, say he was crap in bed, or never did what he wanted and no wonder he’d had to look elsewhere… I don’t need to hear any of that.
This was the night he changed.
He held himself together until he was sitting behind his desk. Then he cried. There were a lot of tears, a box of tissues used, but that was okay because no one could see what a pathetic mess he was. And this really was the last time he’d let Mark hurt him.
Never again. That was the promise he made to himself.
“He’s crying,” Arlo whispered.
His brother muttered under his breath, then said, “It has nothing to do with you. Stop staring at him.”
“But he’s upset.”
“And it has nothing to do with you. Perhaps his mother’s died or his father or his dog. He’s having a quiet weep on his own. Leave him in peace.”
Arlo didn’t like to see people upset. He was a sucker for a sob story. Even when it had been proved to him that the guy who’d told him he’d been robbed and had no money to get home, had said the same thing to someone else a few minutes after Arlo had given him twenty quid, it made no difference. Not everyone was a liar. This guy was so sad.
“No,” his brother said.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re thinking about it.”
True. Arlo desperately wanted to go and ask what was wrong. The guy couldn’t see him, Arlo was sitting in the dark, but he had a good view of the man in the office down the glass corridor. Well, he did when the guy hadn’t got his head in his hands. Dark hair, long eyelashes. He looked…devastated.
“What’s his name?” Arlo asked.
His brother snorted from behind his laptop. “I’m not telling you.”
Arlo whined.
“You think that will make me change my mind? I’ll be finished in a minute and we can leave him in peace.”
“He won’t be in peace, will he?” Arlo couldn’t stop looking. He felt bad, knew he shouldn’t be watching but he was incapable of stopping. He also had no idea why it hurt him so much to see a stranger crying, but it did. Tears trickled down Arlo’s cheeks and he rubbed his sleeve across his face before his brother noticed.
“Oh God, Arlo! Stop it. He’s not another of your lame ducks.”
Why not? It wasn’t wrong to want to help people. To be fair, it had mostly been animals Arlo had helped but he liked people to be happy.
“I want to know why he’s crying.”
“Stop being so nosy.”
Had he found out he was ill, seriously ill? Maybe he just needed a hug. Arlo could do that. Was he stressed about his job? Made a mistake he didn’t know how to put right? Why else would he have come to work? Arlo turned to his brother. “Have you upset him?”
“What? No. He’s…”
“What?”
“Nothing. Whatever’s wrong has nothing to do with you or me. Give it a rest. Anyway, he’s in a relationship with a guy on the next floor.”
Maybe he wasn’t anymore. Maybe that was what was wrong.
Arlo opened his mouth and his brother got there first. “No more, Arlo. Not another word. Let him have a moment on his own. He wouldn’t have come into the office if he’d wanted company.”
So not another word, but Arlo could have another thought. Or ten. Or a hundred. When he and his brother made their way to the restaurant, all Arlo could think about was that guy, sitting in his office, all on his own, crying and how much Arlo had wanted to put his arms around him and give him a hug, make his world turn again.
He couldn’t let this go.
Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
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People driven stories. Slightly 'broken' boys. Safe space MM romance fiction.
Angelique is owned by three cats, three adult children, two temperamental computers, and a very patient boyfriend (not a partridge in a pear tree). She's also pierced, tattooed, pansexual, and proud. She has degrees in French, Media Studies, and English Literature and is currently completing a Master of Art (Media Studies) When she's not writing or researching (or swearing at her computer) she likes cold champagne, hot coffee, neat whiskey, loud Springsteen, and the Winchester brothers kicking butt.
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Jacki James has been saying she was going to write a book since she was sixteen and wrote fanfiction (before fanfiction had a name) about her favorite Rockstar. She is a believer in love of all kinds but MM romance is her favorite by far. She has a romantic heart and a dirty mind and likes to write stories that let both shine.
When she isn’t writing she is either creating beautiful pieces of glass art or reading. She is an animal lover and dreams of having a small hobby farm where she can raise goats, chickens, and organic veggies. In the meantime, she lives in town with her two cats, awesome husband, and two college-aged kids.
Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg. There is something that just does it for them about smexy men who love each other enough to start a family together in a world where they can do it the old-fashioned way ;).
Barbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her earlier books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, now she concentrates on the bad boys, and hopes her books are as much fun to read as they are to write.
Charlie Cochet
EMAIL: charlie@charliecochet.com
Angelique Jurd
EMAIL: angelique@angeliquejurd.com
Jacki James
WEBSITE / NEWSLETTER / AUDIBLE
EMAIL: jackijames@jackijames.com
Lorelei M Hart
EMAIL: Lorelei@mpregwithhart.com
Not So Silent Night by Charlie Cochet
Naughty & Nice by Angelique Jurd
Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James
The Alphas Santa-Kissed Omega by Lorelei M Hart
The Mission by Barbara Elsborg
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