Christmas Blog Story Part 7

Part 7 in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first six parts Santa Baby, Red, Time, I'd Say Yes, Big Brother, and Little Brother.

Christmas Blog Story Part 6

Part 6 in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first five parts Santa Baby, Red, Time, I'd Say Yes, and Big Brother.

Read the second part of Mark and Evan's story.

Chrostmas Blog Story Part 5

Part 5 in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first four parts Santa Baby, Red, Time and I'd Say Yes.

 

 

 

The Party - Chapter 3

The Party - a six part Blog Story from the combination that brought you the Hearts of England anthology!

Blurb:

Henry and Jack had thought nothing could ever drive them apart. They were wrong. Three months have passed since Jack walked out of the home they shared, and Henry had been too stupid to take back the hurtful things he'd said.

Both assured by their respective parents the other would not be present at Henry's mother's annual Christmas gathering, they attend. Finding they have been duped into seeing each other, Henry realizes that this may be his only chance to try and make things right. But will he be able to convince Jack to come home?


[Chapter One by RJ Scott is HERE, Chapter Two by Chris Quinton is HERE]

Chapter 3

Henry had no right. No right at all.

Jack stood breathlessly before Henry. Anger heated his face as he looked at the man he had once called ‘love’. What the hell did Henry think he was doing? There was no reason for Henry to invade his space. No reason for his warm, soft lips to lock with Jack's in a passionate kiss. No reason. Not anymore.

"What the hell, Hen?" Distance seemed like the best idea right now. Turning on his heel, he then made for the door.

"Jack, wait," Henry called after him.

Curiosity got the better of him, and with a frustrated sigh, he turned around and met brilliant blue eyes he hadn't looked into for three months. Though Jack hated to admit it, Tim had been right. There was something different about Henry. Months of working under Parry had brought about an air of importance. The way he held himself, straight and tall, and the slight tilt back of his head echoed his grand position on the surgical team. He folded his arms and made sure to keep his distance. One kiss was quite enough for their first encounter since September.

Henry cleared his throat as he rubbed at the spot where Jack had pushed him away. "I didn't think you'd be here," he said.

"I didn't plan on being, but you know how my mother can be." Jack looked Henry up and down. Why did he have to look so damn good? "If she'd told me before we'd made it to the front door, I wouldn't have come." He unfolded his arms and curled his hand against the pocket of his suit trousers. His fingers circled around the memory of the ring box, and he tightened his fist against the burn of hurt and disappointment. This really wasn't the evening he'd hoped for. In fact, he'd pretty much played the night out in his head before they had even left the house—drunken middle-aged women, a collection of terrible Christmas jumpers, and eating enough posh nibbles to sink the Parrys' luxury sail boat.

"How have you been?" Henry asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them.

Jack pressed his mouth in a line and shrugged. "Busy. I have a year six class this year so lots to prep." Not that Henry cared. Too much work for too little money had always been Henry's opinion. "How's Birmingham?" He wasn't sure why he asked when he was already sure he knew the answer.

"Good. Actually, great," Henry said far too enthusiastically for Jack's liking. Of course he was doing great, probably off saving lives with one hand tied behind his back whilst hopping on the spot.

Jack shook his head. He didn't want to feel like this again—the mix of envy and inadequacy swirled around his head. "Look, I'm going to go," he decided. "I have stuff to do."

"Jack," Henry said, but Jack raised his hand, shutting him up.

"Merry Christmas," he said and made his escape.


***


When Henry emerged from his hiding place, the last thing he needed was to be confronted by his self-appointed stalker.

"Everything okay?" Georgina asked and narrowed her eyes as she settled her sight on Jack on the other side of the room.

"Everything's fine," he said through a tightened jaw, trying to suppress the urge to snap at her and tell her to fuck off.

Georgina leaned in close as she held her wine glass against her chest, sticking out her breasts to exaggerate what little cleavage she had. "You were right to dump him, you know. You could do so much better."

Henry tapped his fingers in an angry rhythm against his leg. His mum's Christmas party was not the place to kick off at his boss's daughter. For one, he liked his job, and two, his mum would never forgive him.

"Yeah. I just need to do something." He caught sight of his mother neatly rearranging the plate of mini quiches. "Over there." The brush off sucked and he groaned inwardly as he made his way toward his mother.

"Oh, Henry, I wondered where you got to. Would you be a darling and get some more bottles of fizz from the wine cellar?"

"Can Dad go?" Henry asked, looking along the long buffet table to where Jack seemed to be making excuses to his parents. He was going to leave.

"Your father's stolen away to his shed with Father Clarkson. I need you to do it." She had the look. The Emily Lewis look, and that wasn't something someone ignored. But right now, Henry did his best to do so. He wanted out of there. Emotions reared inside him and his pathetically patched up heart started to break again. He had often wondered how he would feel if he saw Jack again and now he knew. He hurt like hell.

"Mum." He rested his hand on her shoulder and gently curled his fingers over the shoulder pad in her bolero jacket. "I'm going to head off." He was prepared to play the 'I've surgery in the morning' card if he needed to. Even if this time it was a lie.

"It's still early." His mum looked incredibly disappointed and his resolve of just a moment ago started to fail. "We haven't had the toast or served dessert. You can't leave yet."

He cast his gaze towards Jack. Angela Hughes also had the look as she did her best to stop her son from leaving the party early. He and Jack had often laughed about how similar the two women were. Both were strong-willed, sure-headed, equally competitive, and both very proud of their sons. He smiled as Jack looked wearily in his direction and for a moment he felt the old, familiar connection between them.

"Henry?" His mum looked firmly up at him and he knew he wasn't going to win.

"Fine," he said. There was no point in arguing. "How many bottles do you want?"

 

 

To Be Continued... December 21st on Lisa Worrall's Blog



Christmas Blog Story Part 4

Part 4 in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first three parts Santa Baby, Red, and Time.  The competition to win a toasty treat on part 1 is now closed and the winner was Loveless3173 and there will be another chance to win one of my stories later in the month :)

Christmas Blog Story #3

The third part in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first two parts making up Jamie and Sophie's story in Santa Baby and Red. The competition to win a toasty treat is still open on part 1 until the weekend. Now read the third part and the start of Lionel and Dana's story.

"That's the third time you've checked your phone. Are you waiting on someone special?" Lionel Burgess coughed into his handkerchief and rubbed soothingly at his chest. The cold December air had done his seventy-two year old bones no favors. He ached and he swore the annoying cough had come from nowhere.

Dana rested her cell phone in her lap and folded her hands over the top of it. "No one," she said. Her voice was all silk and syrup and warmed Lionel's heart. "So, you were telling me about the photo." She pointed to the old, tattered Polaroid tucked in the edge of a frame.

Lionel looked at the faded sepia image and then at the photograph in the frame. He'd received them both in the mail two days before and with them old memories and regrets had surfaced. "His name is Jorge. I haven't spoken to him in almost fifty years." But he had often dreamed about the young men they'd once been. 

"That's a long time," Dana said as she rested her head in her hand and gave him a comforting smile. She wouldn't understand just how sad it really was. "Why now?"

"He was clearing out some old things and thought I might like it." He stared at the image. "I was surprised he even remembered me. It was such a long time ago." He smiled to himself. Maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. He certainly remembered the two young boys in the old photograph—himself and Jorge at thirteen years old.

"Did you have an argument? Is there a reason you haven't spoken in so long?"

Not an argument. "The world was a different place back then and I wasn't brave enough."

Dana narrowed her dark eyes. "Brave?" She looked at the image. "The two of you were friends?"

Lionel nodded. "Yes. But for me it was more than that." He looked at Dana and admired her dark Latin American features. Maybe it was why he asked for her over and over. In some ways, her accent, her looks, she reminded him of Jorge. "I loved him." The declaration was like a weight being lifted from his chest. "We were children and innocent and it didn't feel wrong or bad. That was something we were taught as we grew up."

"Did he know how you felt?" Dana asked and something sparked behind her deep brown eyes.

If only. "Like I said. I wasn't brave enough."

"But he reached out to you. Maybe it's not too late."

Looking down at his hands, Lionel shook his head. No one wanted a weathered old man. "It's too late. I know that." He looked at the second photograph. There Jorge was, all grown up with a family. His wasn't a life Lionel dreamed of shattering with foolish confessions. "He invited me to visit."

"Then why don't you?"

He couldn't do that. Jorge had lost his wife and become a grandfather in the last year. It was too confusing. "You make it sound easy."

"Maybe it is." Dana slightly raised her hands as she tried to subtly check her cell. Whose name was she hoping to see on the screen?

"Maybe you should take your own advice?" he suggested and smiled as she blushed. "Who is he?"

Dana shook her head. "I'm here to talk about you, not me. It's your time."

Time. Too much of it and yet, somehow, never enough. For fifty years, he had been alone. No wife, no family, just memories and regrets. Hung up on a boy who grew up and moved on without him. With a sigh, he checked the time on his watch. Two full minutes into Christmas Day. It felt good not to see the holiday in alone this year. "Merry Christmas," he said and picked up an envelope and held it out to her. "For your time."

Dana took the envelope and looked inside. "You don't have to," she said of the four hundred dollars inside. "You already paid." Sure, he'd paid the agency, but this was just for her.

"It's a gift. Please. I want you to have it. Treat your boy to something nice."

Smiling, Dana folded the envelope in half and leaned forward, pushing it into her handbag. "Thank you," she said and stood up, collecting her coat from the back of the chair. Smoothing out the creases of her black cocktail dress, she then headed for the door. "Merry Christmas," she added with a smile, before leaving the apartment.

With a sigh, Lionel gazed at the photograph of the elderly Jorge. Taking a deep breath, he decided after tomorrow he would put the photographs away. He had his memories, and though he was curious about the man Jorge had become, all he wanted was to remember them as the boys they had been.

"Merry Christmas, Jorge," he said to the photograph and looked up at the ceiling as the light flickered overhead. Laughing, he got to his feet. He was too old to think it anything but a coincidence.

Part 4

Christmas Blog Story

The second part in my Christmas blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Thank you to everyone who read the first half of Jamie and Sophie's story in Santa Baby. The competition to win a toasty treat is still open until the weekend. Now read the second part, Red.

Parts 1 and 2 - Jamie and Sophie
 

"Good evening, Mr Swanson, Miss Parker."

Sophie Malloy chewed on the edge of her fingernail and watched Jamie greet the two residents. The man looked in his sixties, wrapped in a warm winter coat, and had a small dog tucked under his arm. The poor animal shivered as it nuzzled its head under Mr Swanson's chin. The woman with him, Sophie guessed she was under thirty, exotic and her perfect dark skin held a beautiful glow as she tucked her black curls behind her ears.

Sighing, Sophie leaned back in the leather swivel chair and gently tugged her coat down to cover her thighs as best she could. When she'd left the house, she had felt sexy, excited, and definitely a little naughty. But now, all she felt was embarrassed. She joined Jamie in politely acknowledging the two people, watching as they headed toward the elevators.

"Sorry," Jamie said as he looked down at her.

Sophie shrugged. This whole fantasy had seemed a good idea at the time. "It's fine," she said and pushed at the polished floor with her feet, spinning the chair around as she closed her eyes.

"Hey," Jamie said as he caught the arms of the chair and stopped it.

Opening her eyes, Sophie looked up and pressed her mouth into a pout as she met his hazel eyes. She loved his eyes. She loved him. If only her friends could come to accept it too. They were together and in love. Trying to shake away the rearing doubt, she reached out and wrapped her hand around his tie. "I just wanted…" What the hell had she wanted? A little fun? Some company? To prove something? 

Jamie leaned forward and kissed her. "What?" he asked.

To convince myself the eleven years don't matter. She was thirty-six and he was twenty-five and sometimes she felt it. She felt old. "I don't know," she said as she lifted her leg. Pulling him close, she pressed her lips to his and gently teased his mouth open with her tongue. This was what she had wanted. To be close to Jamie. Slowly, she raised her foot between his legs, stopping as she reached his thigh. Carefully, she edged higher and applied pressure in the space. As she arched up her knee, she felt the hard evidence of attraction in the front of his pants. Her lips curled into a playful smile as her doubts were chased away. He wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.

Raised voices and the yap of Mr Swanson's dog were heard from by the elevators and surprised, Jamie pulled back.

"What's going on?" Sophie asked and leaned forward in her seat. Two men had stepped out of the elevator. Both looked flustered, but one more so as he stopped the elevator door from closing. Mr Swanson's dog barked at the held elevator as the man frantically patted at his pockets.

Jamie straightened up and stepped out from behind the desk. Walking toward the group, he asked, "Is everything okay?"
An exciting spark passed through Sophie's body. Jamie sounded so authoritative and official, and all she could think was, wow. Patiently, she waited until Jamie returned with a smile on his face. "What was all that about?"

"Nothing. Just a fuss over nothing," Jamie said.

"I see." Sophie grinned as she got to her feet and unfastened the buttons of her coat. She teased the heavy material from her shoulder, revealing the red strap of her bra. "So, now you have me all to yourself again, what will you do with me?" She stepped forward and delicately ran her fingers up and down the zipper of Jamie's pants. The lights flickered overhead and they both looked upward. "What was that?"

Jamie wrapped his hands around Sophie's waist and pulled her close. "Nothing," he said and kissed her.

Sophie smiled into the kiss and threaded her fingers through the back of his hair, pulling him close. "You due a break?" she whispered in his ear, catching her bottom lip in between her teeth as he nipped and kissed a line down her neck and across her shoulder.

"God yes," he muttered against her heated skin and slowly edged her back across the lobby.

She glanced over her shoulder to the door clearly marked staff and then returned her attention to Jamie's kisses and touches. Among the exhilarating sensations, her gaze fell briefly on the front desk and the small, flashing, red light beside the telephone. Her curiosity didn't get the chance to develop beyond the fleeting look as Jamie's hand slid inside her coat and cupped her breast. She groaned as he moved his hand beneath the fur edge and teased the hard edge of her nipple. The lights flickered again as did the spark of desire within her as they moved into the staff restroom.

Red light? What red light?

Part 3

Christmas Songs

There is nothing as awesome as hearing Christmas songs on the radio or TV to get you in the mood for the holidays. We all have our favourites whether it's the meaningful lyrics, the catchy tune, or great memories.

These are 5 of my favourites:

1. Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie
More for the tune than the meaning, I just love the brass band sound to it.

2. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
TUNE. I love this song so much. It's just so easy to bop along to.

3. Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Something to chill out to after a day of eating way too much. The two men just sing this beautifully.

4. A Winter's Tale - David Essex
Already a poignant song, this one reminds me of my nan. Along with Cliff Richard's Mistletoe and Wine, it was one always playing in her house. I think I still have the cassette!! :-)

5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
And this one makes me smile. Especially, the video as I can imagine my dad dressing like this back in the 70s *chuckles*

So, is there a Christmas song that's special to you? Do you have a soundtrack for the holidays?

Christmas Blog Story Plus Competition

December is here and though I can hardly believe another year has gone, I have to say this is one of my favourite times of year. I love the smell and the lighting, the freshness, and of course the excitement of the holiday, of food and gifts and most importantly family.

Join me throughout the month for a series of holiday related posts, including a new twelve part blog story set on Christmas Eve night, around one building, twelve characters, and six relationships - some lovers, some friends, and some family.

Parts 1 and 2 - Jamie and Sophie

"I miss you."

Me too. Jamie Edison looked longingly at his cell phone as he watched the video clip of his girlfriend for the third time that evening. It was a couple of minutes before midnight and all he wanted was to be home with her. 

"Shall I unwrap your present?" Sophie said in a low sensual voice as she swayed her hips across his screen.

Yes please.

Her blonde hair was swept back from her perfectly made up face—bright red lipstick and dusky gray eyes. As the camera panned, he could make out the dark pencil skirt he loved her to wear. The cut of her clothes accentuated her slim figure and pert ass, and it was more than just a fantasy of banging the sexy office secretary. Sophie Malloy would be waiting in their bed for him when he got home. She was his, all his, and he felt like the luckiest man in the whole fucking world. A few more hours and he could slip into bed beside her and it would be Christmas morning—their first of many.

The video blurred as she turned her cell around and pointed it toward the long mirrors in their bedroom. Sure he'd watched the clip twice already, but just knowing she was thinking of him made the sad reality of six more hours manning the front desk on a cold Christmas Eve halfway to bearable. In the last four hours, several residents of the fifteen story high-rise had come and gone, probably off visiting family or had a fancy party to go to. Not him. He had a ten hour shift sitting behind the oversized desk with an of course I want to be here smile stretched across his face.

"Santa Baby…"

Checking the lobby and the doors, Jamie slid a little lower in his seat and watched Sophie slowly unbutton her silver silk blouse as she sang. God love her, she couldn't sing for shit, but he didn't care, she looked beyond sexy. He rested his hand over the front of his pants and felt the growing bulge beneath the material. Raising his eyes, he looked between the two cameras covering the entrance of the building and then down at his security screens. He eyed the feed from the front desk and watched himself scratch the back of his neck. There was a clear view of his head and shoulders.

Maybe… 

Jamie slowly moved his hand to the waistband of his pants. Keeping his focus straight ahead, he did his best to look normal, or at the very least, not look like he was playing with his dick. He glanced down as he heard another line of the sexy Christmas song and watched as Sophie discarded her blouse to reveal a fur-edged red bra. He admired her rounded cleavage as she stepped back and sat on the end of the bed.

Christ. He closed his hand around his erection, sweeping his thumb over the head of his dick and smearing the bead of pre-cum.

Oh, Sophie. He gave a gentle tug of his dick as she spread her legs, panty-less as she slid her hand up her thigh and—

Jamie snatched back his hand faster than he thought possible as the glass doors slid open. His heart pounded in his ears, tension spread through his chest, and he guessed his face was now a few shades paler. Fumbling with his phone, he got to his feet and stared at the woman standing in the door. She was a vision of red—heels, coat, and lipstick.

Breathlessly, he watched as she walked forward. Her hips swayed seductively as she approached his desk and with a smile on her lips, she stopped in front of him. Leaning forward, she caught him by his tie and pulled him into a long, heated kiss, before releasing him and licking her lips.

Playing with the top button of her coat, Sophie said, "Merry Christmas."

Part 2 - Red 


Competition - CLOSED

Looking for something warm to snuggle up with on your ebook reader this Winter? Now's your chance to win a copy of a toasty treat.

For a chance to win a copy of either Follow The Sun (with RJ Scott) or my summer short Sex and Cocktails, leave a comment to this post with your email address. A winner will be picked at the end of the week.

Sex and Cocktails

Daniel Rawlings is happy with his nine-to-five life in Chicago. He has an office job, a mortgage, and he's about to turn thirty. He's happy, or so he thought. During the last night of a sun-filled vacation in Miami, he meets wild-haired, free-spirited Ty. With the help of some summery cocktails, Daniel and Ty embark on a passionate one night stand, though neither man really wants it to be just one night.

With a thousand miles between cities, it may be harder than either man could have imagined. In the end, Daniel and Ty have a decision to make: Is what they have when they're together worth the heartache of saying goodbye over and over again?

 

OR

 

Follow The Sun

 

Lucas Madison is in the Bahamas for his sister's wedding on the beautiful and idyllic island of Sapphire Cay.

He has the weight of the world on his shoulders. With the stress of his job, the loss of his friend, and faced with his own medical crisis, Lucas arrives on the white sands of Sapphire Cay gray and exhausted. His only thought is to see his sister married and happy.

Dylan Gray is a free-spirited traveler who literally follows the sun. Never settling in one place for long, he earns his way from state to state and continent to continent. But there's something about Sapphire Cay that draws him back over and over. A feeling of home.

When these two men meet, both have decisions to make and directions to choose. And maybe together, they can make the right ones and follow not only the sun, but also their hearts.