Page 25 of Flown in for Christmas

We find our group shortly after and walk the two blocks to my parents’ diner of choice. Dinner is filled with conversation and laughter. The food is phenomenal. I’ve got a gorgeous woman at my side to enjoy it all. And when Eric shows up late, even he can’t ruin my mood.

By the time we leave the diner, the sun is set and the street lights are on. The family disperses with a promise to meet up in our usualspot to watch the ceremony together. “Ready to walk around?” I ask Joy as she tucks her scarf around her neck and chin. “We’ve got another hour before the tree lighting.”

“Ready,” she beams, taking my hand in her mittened one.

We walk through the park at the center of town, stopping at various vendors selling everything from handcrafted ornaments and jewelry to homemade fudge and caramel popcorn. Joy stops at several, perusing and conversing with the owners, asking if I see anything I like. Her holiday spirit is infectious and I decide to indulge in a few of my favorite traditions.

“Buckeye fudge,” she reads from the container I chose. “You were pretty quick to grab this one,” she teases.

“That’s because it’s the best combination of chocolate and peanut butter you’ll have in your entire life.” I grin, taking the container from her and popping it open. I pull out a small square and bite it in half, offering her the rest.

She smiles as she leans in to take the bite-sized piece into her hot, wet mouth. Soft, lush lips graze my bare fingertips and a low growl builds in my throat. She must hear what she’s doing to me as heat flashes in her eyes. Her bold tongue sweeps over the chocolate smeared on the tip of my finger in such a lewd manner, I suck in a breath. The image of her on her knees taking my cock to the back of her throat fogs my mind.

“Nick, Joy.” Our names are called somewhere nearby, breaking the spell—for Joy, anyway. Not for me. My gaze doesn’t leave heras she steps back, covering her mouth and peering around us as she slowly chews.

She turns back to me a moment later, swallowing. “They’re waiting for us. We should, um, probably go…” Her words trail off, hazel eyes flicking between me and whoever seems to be waiting on us.

“They can wait,” I say. My hand slides over her hip to her lower back, pulling her flush against me. My cock reacts to her nearness. Her perfume. Her rosy cheeks and bright eyes to the gasp leaving her lips. What the hell am I waiting for?

“What are you doing?”

“Giving my fiancée the attention she deserves,” I growl.

My lips crash onto hers in a searing kiss that leaves me wondering if ol’ Saint Nicholas could help convince a certain vixen to let me unwrap her this Christmas.

Twelve.

Joy

“Three… Two… One…”

The massive tree at the center of town illuminates with pure, Christmas magic—and ten thousand multi-colored LED lights. A near mile-long worth of wire connecting them leads to the sparkling crystal star on top.

I’ve been to New York City around the holidays. I’ve seen the hype of Rockefeller Center and it is stunning. This tree, however, is a fifth of the size and holds ten times the beauty.

Applause follows the lighting of the tree and a line quickly forms with families hoping to take pictures. Somehow, Nick’s family ends up at the front of the line. “Hurry, hurry,” Natalie shoos everyone into place, handing her phone to the next person in line to take our picture.

I try to release Nick’s hand and step to the side, but he holds me tight, fixing me to stand in place with my back to his chest. “Smile, sweetheart,” he whispers low in my ear, sending a warm chill down my neck.

Strong arms envelop me from behind and I blush. It doesn’t feel right being a part of their traditional family photo based on a lie, but it’s hard to give in to my guilty conscience when he’s holding me like this.

Several quick shots are taken before everyone moves along to allow others their turn. “We’re going to head home,” Natalie says, tugging Tucker’s hat down to cover his ears. They give their hugs and ‘see you in the morning’ to everyone. Martina mans the stroller as they make their way to the parking lot. Nick’s aunt and uncle follow suit. His grandparents are busy chatting with friends. Rich and Leah announce they’re going to grab churros. Bruce and Betty get pulled into a conversation with their new neighbors, inviting them to Christmas Eve. Darcy and Eric linger nearby.

“Well.” Nick grins down at me, offering his arm. “How do churros and hot chocolate sound, followed by a walk through the holiday light display?”

I beam. “I think you’d be a man after my own heart with an offer like that, Mr. Davis.”

His eyes sparkle from the nearby Christmas tree and I fall a little deeper into him. “Then I’d say my plan is working perfectly.” He winks.

I blush. Since this morning, my fake fiancé has been putting on the charm. If anything, he turned up to eleven, and boy, am I falling for it big time. His cheeky grin and sultry gaze. I sigh wistfully remembering the feeling of his hard chest pressed against my back when I woke up this morning. There’s nothing quite like being the littlest little spoon to a hunky man who is a foot taller than you.

Nick pays for our late-night treat and we walk toward the entrance to the light show. We stop to watch a group of judges (since apparently there’s a contest) declare the winners of the ‘traditional display category’ being that of overthirtyvintage outdoor pieces. From Santa and Mrs. Claus to the original cartoon Frosty the Snowman and Rudolf.

“Looks more like a hoarder’s holiday collection to me,” Nick mumbles, taking a sip from his cup.

“It’s a collection of memories,” I say, cringing as the creepy neon blue eyes of one of the Santas stares deep into my soul. “An old one.”

We continue making our slow way through the maze of lights and inflatable displays. We’re a little over halfway when it begins to snow. At the end, we step into a wire tunnel covered in hundreds, if not thousands, of traditional white lights.

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