Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

The King’s Courage by Charlie Cochet: Release Day Review with Giveaway

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With the wedding of Jack Frost and Rudy Rein Dear only three weeks away, everyone travels to Jack’s palace in Svalbard, Norway, where the happy couple will exchange vows beneath the northern lights. Festivities have been planned leading up to the wedding, and Dasher eagerly anticipates not just the fun, but staying under the same roof as the blustering winter spirit who’s caught his eye—the King of Frost, Jack’s father.

A long-ago tragedy has left Eirik fearing to ever love again. As the King of Frost, Eirik maintains his distance from everyone, especially the young Christmas elf who insists on intruding on Eirik’s solitude. But Dasher is determined to find a way to show the lonely king that his heart still beats and he shouldn’t fear allowing it to beat for another.

Title: The King’s Courage
Series: North Pole City Tales: Book Six
Author: Charlie Cochet
Release Date: December 20, 2017
Category: Fantasy: Fairy Tales, Holiday
Pages: 77

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

I’m seriously not ready for this holiday series to end. I found it late, as I often do, but there are so many little things I love about this series. Charlie Cochet, as always brings such a world to me that I never could have dreamed up.

One of the things I love most about this series (which I know is weird, but I don’t care) is the “cursing”. This author knows curse words, inventive ones, if you need proof just read a few of Ash’s curses at Dex, or the other way around, in her THIRDS series. Meanwhile, all these men are so sweet, and come from such a sweet place, curses are things like “Crabapples!” or something equally sweet.

But honestly, even the dark moments don’t last long, despite these being novellas. There is so much love and joy, that even when Dasher’s deceased beloved returns to create some havoc, it takes the appearance of love to help bring happiness back to all the people in the wedding party.

And always there is an HEA. I loved that these two men had very similar pasts, and it brought them together, even as Eirick fought it for years.

I’m not ready for this series to go away, but honestly, I could probably say that about any series Charlie would write. As long as I get to keep reading all her men, I’m happy.

4 pieces of eye candy

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12 Days of Kissmas Victoria Sue: Exclusive Excerpt, Guest Post and Giveaway

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The author for day 9 of 12 Days of Kissmas is Victoria Sue, and she brought the cutest darn picture!!! Victoria stops by once a month for a guest blog, and always brings the most fun stuff, so make sure you check it out. In the meantime, her first contemporary m/m comes out in February…and I don’t think anyone is randomly preggers. lol You never know with her books. 😉 Check out the awesome excerpt, and don’t forget to enter ALL the giveaways, there are still quite a few open. 🙂

 

In February I’m releasing a new series called Rainbow Key. The stories take place on a fictitious island off the west coast of Florida – think white sandy beaches, blue sparkling ocean, swaying palm trees. Paradise.

Except nothing is ever that simple, right? Poor Joshua can’t even pay the electric bill because the hotel’s out of money, has barely any paying guests, and he’s rapidly running out of options.

In steps Daniel – owner of a multi-national hotel chain, and obviously that isn’t as simple as it sounds either.

Here’s an exclusive excerpt:

He looks tired. Josh stood for a second and took in their new guest. Even standing with his back to him, Josh could see the tall, big shoulders that seemed to be hunched in and noticed he was leaning on the window frame as he looked out. His shirt was tucked into a narrow waist. Too narrow. The pants were being held up by a belt that was cinched in so much he would imagine the expensive tailor that had made the obviously hand-made Italian suit—Armani, if he wasn’t much mistaken—would be weeping into his chianti. Daniel Morgan was something important in New York. A high flyer of sorts. Josh didn’t know in what exactly, but it hardly mattered to him. The money he could get from this would finally get a new compressor for the A/C. Angie had been keeping the thing going on sticky tape and optimism for months and if they were going to have a proper season next year they would need it.

If we are still open.

Matt had collected their guest and a small suitcase. Angie said he hadn’t said much, but then Matt, complete with his inked skin and piercings, had probably scared the guy to death. He’d caught a glimpse of their new guest as he’d walked up from the jetty with Matt. He’d worn a jacket on the crossing that was casually slung over the chair now. November—even in Florida—had been quite cool. His jet black hair was tinged with a few silver streaks.

“I have your coffee, sir,” Josh spoke before the man turned around and saw him gawking. As predicted, Mr. Morgan turned and eyed Josh, smiling politely.

“Thank you.”

Wow. Josh gave himself a mental shake. Deer in headlights much? The brief glimpse of a few minutes ago had in no way prepared him for the gray, almost silver eyes looking at him and the killer smile.

Josh hurried into the cozy room, to cover his seeming inability to think of anything intelligent to say. The phrase, How are you? Welcome to Rainbow Key suddenly seemed crass and immature. At least the newly finished décor looked good, and he was especially pleased with how the painting had turned out. Pale cream walls except the one with the beach mural on it. Charlie was talented, and the full wall showing the breathtaking sunrise beyond the jetty was awesome. They’d finished the room off with pale brown shutters and matching comforter. Some dark chocolate-colored throw cushions completed the look. He’d gone for soothing in this room but they’d already started on the family suite at the top of the stairs, and Charlie was excited at doing a children’s mural in there.

Josh took a breath, realizing he was staring. “The cookies are walnut and banana. Fresh this morning.”

Mr. Morgan looked down at them as if he wasn’t sure what Josh meant, and Josh suddenly felt like an ass. The man was probably used to staying at The Four Seasons, and here he was blathering on about home-made cookies. He’d baked like a mad man after getting the phone call yesterday from Alan Hunt. He was sending a patient, a businessman overloaded with stress and in need of some down time to relax. Alan had also insisted on paying for four weeks upfront himself, and not to tell Mr. Morgan. Actually, Alan had referred to him as Daniel, but obviously Josh couldn’t be that unprofessional.

Mr. Morgan came over to the comfy two-seater that Josh had found in an estate sale in Tampa and sank down gratefully. Well, he seemed to appreciate the softness, anyway. Josh’s keen eyes took in the slight tremble as he reached for the coffee cup. Josh hoped he didn’t notice it was decaf. Alan had been quite strict about his patient’s caffeine intake.

“I don’t seem to be able to get Wi-Fi.”

Josh pinked slightly and noticed the expensive laptop unpacked on the bed. That makes two of us. It had been a choice between paying the electricity bill and paying for broadband. The electricity obviously had won over. “My apologies, sir. I believe Dr. Hunt explained we were doing some remodeling? We won’t have any service until next week.” Josh crossed his fingers behind his back and pretended he didn’t see the frown that marred the gorgeous gold skin under the black hair.

Josh quickly put a brake on his thoughts immediately. Thoughts like that were what had got him into trouble, and there was no way he was putting himself there again. Even if he was ever ready there was no way some good-looking business man would be interested in the likes of him. “There’s a lovely walk to the beach, sir, if you’re in the mood; or if you wanted a nap I’d make sure you weren’t disturbed until lunchtime.” Josh nearly groaned aloud at that one. Now he sounded like May-belle.

But Mr. Morgan laughed shortly. “I must look worse than I thought.” He glanced up at Josh and smiled. “Mister?”

Josh tried not to stare, but fuck when the man smiled he went from attractive to drop dead please take me to bed. Josh knew he looked stupid, but he couldn’t help grinning back. “Please call me Josh.” Please undress me and let me lick you all over.

What the hell? Josh put a break on his errant thoughts. Maybe it was hormones. Maybe it was the company of his own hand. Maybe it was knowing he was safe in his daydreams because no man that looked that hot would ever be interested in Joshua.

And maybe, let’s face it, you would be too chicken even if the stars somehow realigned and he was interested. No, Joshua told himself sternly. Good-looking—make that stunning—rich business men weren’t interested in fat boys like him. His shoes were probably Gucci. Josh’s were K-Mart.

The man sipped his coffee and leaned back. “Look, its fine. I know I’ve been dumped on you and you’re busy with a remodel. I’m only expecting to be here for a few days, so I’ll keep out of everyone’s way.”

“Oh, no sir,” Josh hastened. “Please don’t think you are an inconvenience. We’re glad to have you; it’s just I’m sure Rainbow Key isn’t the standard you are perhaps used to.” Josh noticed the quick calculating glance he got and wondered what he’d said to put it there.

“Well, I’m here to relax,” and as if he wanted to prove it he reached out for a cookie and took a bite. His eyebrows rose as he swallowed quickly. “Wow, these are so good. My compliments to the chef.”

Josh felt his face heating again. “Thank you, sir.”

“You made them?” Mr. Morgan took another bite.

“Yes, sir,” Josh answered, pleased.

Mr. Morgan swallowed again. “Call me Daniel,” he said, and then looked as surprised at the words he had spoken as Josh was.

Josh smiled and took a backwards step. He knew instantly the offer for Josh to call him by his first name was a spur of the moment comment that Mr. Morgan was immediately regretting. If one thing his previous employment had taught him, it was reading people’s body language. “Lunch will be at one unless you prefer another time, sir. You can either eat downstairs in the greenhouse or up here. Sorry,” Josh added, realizing what he had said. “I mean we have a Florida room overlooking the beach. You could eat there. That’s a conservatory,” he added lamely in case Daniel didn’t know what a Florida room was. May-belle called it the greenhouse.

Daniel was smiling again. His silver flecked eyes seemed to pop when he laughed. Stunning. Realizing that he was in fact staring once again, and calling the man Daniel even in his head wasn’t a good idea, Josh smiled politely and hurried out of the room.

Joshua’s Rainbow will be released in February. For all news, excerpts and regular competitions check out my facebook group – Victoria’s Secrets https://www.facebook.com/groups/1182647028418709/?ref=bookmarks

Thank you and Happy Christmas 😊

Wrote her first book on a dare from her hubby two years ago and he says he has regretted it every day since. Loves writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best—especially with either a paranormal or a historical twist. Had a try at writing contemporary but failed spectacularly when it grew four legs and a tail. Loves her wolves!

Is an English northern lass but is currently serving twenty to life in Florida—unfortunately, she spends more time chained to her computer than on a beach.

Loves to hear from her readers and can be found most days lurking on Facebook.

Leave a comment for Victoria Sue, and you will be entered to win an ebook from her backlist.


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Roger by SJD Peterson: Release Day Review with Giveaway

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Texas native Colt Burrow isn’t happy about his third cold, lonely Christmas in frozen Michigan. But when fate sends him a gift in the form of an abandoned puppy, he can’t keep his heart from melting. With the puppy’s companionship, he doesn’t feel so isolated anymore, and the holidays don’t seem as bleak. He even finds enough Christmas spirit to take Roger tree shopping. But just when Colt’s starting to hope Roger’s owner doesn’t show up… he does, and Colt doesn’t want to say goodbye.

Will Roger end up being Colt’s Christmas heartbreak… or his Christmas miracle?

Title: Roger
Author: SJD Peterson
Release Date: December 20, 2017
Category: Holiday
Pages: 51

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Dreamspinner Press

Kobo Books

 

Christmas and pets are two things I’m a sucker for, so Roger by SJD Peterson sounded like the perfect read. Colt finds a lost dog who winds up thawing his cold heart and brings love to his life. Sound great, right? Well…

Now, don’t get me wrong, the book was cute. I chuckled when Colt caught himself talking to Roger. Thought it was amusing that the dog was a chick magnet, not the best trait for a gay man. But as the pages turned, I grew unsettled. More than pets, I love stories about people falling in love during the holidays. And maybe Colt did fall in love. With the dog.

Unfortunately, this is where my issue comes in. Animals are easy to love. People, not so much. And other than their mutual adoration of the dog, I’m not sure why Killian and Colt will make a good couple. Colt went from being upset with Killian for being so irresponsible to adoring him so fast it gave me whiplash. And then it’s over. It’s a year later and they’re hopelessly in love. How? Why?

Short stories are tough. There’s a fine line and, unfortunately, this one missed it.

3 pieces of eye candy

 

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New Hand by L.A. Witt: Exclusive Excerpt, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

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Months after his husband’s death, Garrett Blaine desperately needs a fresh start. He sells his house in Seattle, leaves his accounting job, and starts bartending in Bluewater Bay. There he meets a man who wakes up his nearly forgotten libido.

Jesse Connelly’s friend with benefits bolted after Jesse disclosed his HIV status. Stood up and stinging, Jesse tries to drown his sorrows . . . and finds an unexpected connection with a lonely bartender.

Jesse and Garrett quickly bond over a shared love of comics and card games, and they can’t get enough of each other between the sheets. Not even a bumpy start and a fifteen-year age gap can derail them as they go from strangers to lovers, then friends, then much more.

But as Garrett’s feelings for Jesse deepen, so does his grief for the man he lost—especially as he sees hints of his late husband in his new boyfriend. Now Garrett has to figure out if Jesse is his second chance at true love, or if Jesse’s just filling in for the man he’s never fully grieved. And he needs to figure it out soon, because Jesse’s starting to wonder the same thing.

 

Amazon

Riptide Books

I helped him carry the books to the cash register. As I rang them up and he pulled out his wallet, Garrett did a double take. “Holy shit. Magic: The Gathering?” He picked up one of the starter decks off the rack. “They still make this game?”

“You know it?”

“Yeah. One of my roommates in college taught me to play.” He hung the deck back up. “I can’t even remember the last time I played. I’ve probably forgotten everything.”

“You’d be surprised. I know guys who learned when it first came out in the mid-1990s, then picked it up again years later and played it just fine. I mean, as long as you know the basic rules, you just follow the directions on the cards.”

He seemed to consider that for a moment. “True. I don’t remember it being all that complicated.”

“Well, it didn’t use to be. They’ve, uh, added to it.”

“Yeah? You play?”

I nodded. “We have tournaments here, actually.” I nodded toward the tables, which were currently empty. “I play in them whenever I’m not working.”

Garrett glanced at the tables, lips pursed. Then he tossed a starter deck and some boosters on top of the books.

As I scanned them, I said, “If you ever want to play, say the word. I’ve got plenty of decks at home.” And why did my heart start pounding as soon as I’d asked? It wasn’t like I’d suggested we go on a date or something.

But as he always seemed to do when I’d said something that sounded stupid to me, he smiled. “I might take you up on that.” He paused, then added, “If you don’t mind me being a little rusty.”

“Sounds like fun. I’ll go easy on you.” I very nearly cringed. Every other thing I said to him came out sounding like it could be seriously misconstrued.

God help me, but the man winked. “You don’t have to do that. I’m pretty sure it’ll come back to me.”

“Yeah. We’ll see.” I chuckled, hoping he didn’t notice how jittery I suddenly was as I rang up the cards and books. If he did, he didn’t say anything.

After he’d paid and I’d bagged everything, I handed it all over the counter.

“Thanks,” he said. “This should keep me busy for a while.”

“You’d be surprised—most people blow through Wolf’s Landing in no time.”

“We’ll see.” That hint of shyness materialized again in the slight dip of his chin. “I’m, uh, not that fast of a reader.”

“Well, at least you can stretch it out for a while. I blazed through the first four books in two weeks, and had to wait months for the next one.” I sighed dramatically. “It was torture, I’m telling you.”

Garrett laughed. “I’m sure. Okay, well, I’ll let you get back to work.” He paused. “You coming by the bar tonight?”

I am now. My heart sped up. “You want me to?”

Our eyes locked. For a few seconds, we were both silent, the awkward tension of an unspoken dare hanging between us.

Then he swallowed. “It’s always good to see you.”

I moistened my lips. “I’ll be there after my shift, then.”

His face lit up. “Looking forward to it.”

You and me both.

He left, and before the door had even swung shut behind him, Dexy appeared beside me, craning her neck to watch him go. “That your new boo?”

“My ‘new boo’?” I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?”

She smothered a giggle and elbowed me. “I’m kidding. We both know he has to be your insatiable sex toy for a few months before he gets upgraded to boo status.”

“Dex!”

A gruff laugh from behind us turned me around, and I found Simon smirking at me.

I wagged a finger at him. “Not a word.”

“What?” He put up his hands and batted his eyes. “I said nothing.”

“Uh-huh.”

Dexy snorted. “Simon says . . .” She pointed at the window. “That dude is Jesse’s new boo.”

Simon laughed harder. Dexy giggled.

I just rolled my eyes. “I hate you both.”

But deep down, I kind of hoped they were onto something.

 

About Bluewater Bay

Welcome to Bluewater Bay! This quiet little logging town on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula has been stagnating for decades, on the verge of ghost town status. Until a television crew moves in to film Wolf’s Landing, a soon-to-be cult hit based on the wildly successful shifter novels penned by local author Hunter Easton.

Wolf’s Landing’s success spawns everything from merchandise to movie talks, and Bluewater Bay explodes into a mecca for fans and tourists alike. The locals still aren’t quite sure what to make of all this—the town is rejuvenated, but at what cost? And the Hollywood-based production crew is out of their element in this small, mossy seaside locale. Needless to say, sparks fly.

This collaborative story world is brought to you by eleven award-winning, best-selling LGBTQ romance authors: L.A. Witt, L.B. Gregg, Z.A. Maxfield,  Heidi Belleau, Rachel Haimowitz, Anne Tenino, Amy Lane, SE Jakes, G.B. Gordon, Jaime Samms and Ally Blue. Each contemporary novel stands alone, but all are built around the town and the people of Bluewater Bay and the Wolf’s Landing media empire.

Check it out at Riptide Publishing!

 

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut . . .

Connect with L.A.:

To celebrate the release of New Hand, one lucky winner will receive a $10 Riptide credit and their choice of two ebooks off LA Witt’s backlist (not counting New Hand)! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 23, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

12 Days of Kissmas Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott: Exclusive Guest Post and Giveaway

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Day 8 of the 12 Days of Kissmas is already here. Wow, this is flying by! Two of my fave authors are here today, Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott, who together make up Drake & Elliott. (Side note, they each have quite a few solo books as well!) I found their Unbreakable Bonds series by accident. They had book 1 on sale for 99 cents, and I loved the cover (FYI, all the covers in that series are effing amazing!), so I snapped it up. And fell in love with four men who lived and loved, and seemed to get shot at or blown up a lot, in Cincinnati. My favorite series of 2017 without question. And then I got to meet these two ladies at GRL, and I fan girled…a lot…and they were incredibly generous and nice, and oh how I wished I’d been able to spend more time with them. They are amazing writers, and even more amazing people, so I am so happy to welcome these two ladies today. Take it away, Rinda!

Warm, Holiday Kisses, Kittens, & New Book Title!

Ahhh, crisp, winter days, warm fireplaces, and romantic holiday novellas with sweet kisses. Or… hot kisses. I’ve bought so many holiday novellas; it’ll take me far into the next year to finish them. I’ve been working, so I haven’t been able to read many this month, but I’ve also been busy because I did a crazy thing for our family holiday gift.

Two new kittens.

I got them from a rescue center and am thrilled to give them a new home and I love them already. But wow, I had forgotten about the work they require. I sit down to write and hear them getting into… everything. I’m getting up over and over to pull them out of and off things. (At least it’s exercise!) As I’m writing this, the black one—Morrigan—is climbing around a stack of open boxes with my husband’s collectibles and the Siamese—Ash—is finding all the dust under my bed. Yep, I’m bad about cleaning under there, so I’ll have to wipe her down. Again.

And no, I did not name these two after the light and dark fae leaders in the show, Lost Girl. It was a happy coincidence! My husband picked Ash because it looks like she’s crawled through it. I picked Morrigan because there is a lot of magical lore around the ash tree. The world tree, the Ygddrasil tree in Norse mythology. Witches brooms are made from ash. There is a lot. So, I thought about the Celtic goddess over magic and prophecy and that was it. Morrigan is an elegant name that fits this pretty, black cat perfectly just as Ash is for the Siamese. (And yes, another happy coincidence is having a cat carry the nickname our Lucas Vallois has for his best friend, Ashton Frost in our Unbreakable Bonds Series.)

Why am I talking about cats on a book blog? A lot of writers have pets as company. We spend so much time alone, and at home, and it can get lonely. For me, cats are the perfect companions because they don’t require as much work as dogs. (Okay, when they’re older, of course.) They are also just so affectionate. As I’ve been writing this, they’ve settled in next to me. Pets just warm your heart.

And speaking of warming your heart, for those that follow Jocelynn Drake and me, we are hard at work on Quinn and Shane’s book and I have a fun surprise for you guys. The title of book two in the Ward Security Series is… drumroll…

 

Dantés Unglued

 

I can’t wait for you guys to see why this particular book got this title. I love all of the titles we’ve picked for this series so much! Book one is Psycho Romeo, so you can see we have a fun theme going on with this new series. Famous literary hero stories threaded into the suspense in each novel. It might be subtle or it might be blatant, but we’re having a blast coming up with the complexities that tie in some of our favorite classic stories. Dantés Unglued is due out around the end of January or beginning of February. It will depend on edits.

Until then, back to the romantic holiday novellas. Did you know Jocelynn has one out this year?

Here’s a little about Ice, Snow, & Mistletoe!

Happy holidays everyone!

John Sullivan is escaping to Denver. Even with a massive snow storm on his heels, he plans to hide away in his cabin in the mountains and ignore Christmas. It’ll be just him and a bottle of whiskey until the new year when he must return to Cincinnati for his best friend’s wedding.

At least, that’s the plan until he runs into Oz at the airport.

Oz … the man who should have been just a fling. The man who was fun and laughs but quickly turned into so much more before he completely kicked John out of his life.

Oz who desperately needs his help…

John is ready to leave Oz stranded at the Denver airport in the coming blizzard, but he finds himself possibly staring down at the reason Oz pushed him away, and John can’t say no.

Second chances don’t come around often, but John is willing to fight for one with Oz.

Who are Drake & Elliott? Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott have teamed up to combine their evil genius to create intense gay romantic suspense stories that have car chases, shoot outs, explosions, scorching hot love scenes, and tender, tear-jerking moments. Their first joint books are in the Unbreakable Bonds series.


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12 Days of Kissmas Posy Roberts: Exclusive Holiday Flash Fiction and Giveaway

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Day 7 of 12 days of Kissmas is here, and do we have an amazing post for you today! Posy Roberts wrote flash fiction especially for this post, based on her Kissmas picture below. And if you don’t sigh and just walk away happy, you clearly aren’t a romance reader. 🙂 Make sure you enter the giveaways! But first, welcome to Posy!!!!

 

As I considered what to write about for this 12 Days of Kissmas celebration, I decided to go where this beautiful photo took me. Flash fiction is the result.

Homosexual couple dating

Whirlwind Christmas

by Posy Roberts

“Nick, you guys’ll get along great!” Tracy literally shoved me toward the table where Anthony sat next to an empty chair, but I got caught up on her veil. As she detached the delicate lace from my boutonniere pin, she whispered, “He’s an artist like you, but he’s not stuck designing corporate crap. He freelances and only takes jobs he wants. He has your dream job, and I think he’s your dream man.” She winked and shoved me in his direction again.

Thirty minutes was all the time we had together, but we connected in an instant. As we sat in our suits, sweating in the heat but barely even noticing, he laughed in all the right places, smiled in a way that made my stomach curl with desire. And right before I was called away to take care of my Best Man duties, he reached for my hand and asked, “Can I get your number?”

“Of course.”

We exchanged contact information, gave each other a hug I regretted not turning into a kiss, and went our separate ways. Only days later, I found out Anthony didn’t live in Chicago. He was all the way out in LA, so the likelihood of seeing him again was slim to none. I regretted walking away even more.

I contacted him when I couldn’t get our brief encounter out of my head, and we chatted online for months. First it was every few days, then daily, and before I knew it, he was the last voice I heard before I fell asleep, and his texts were my first sight when I woke.

Maybe it was our art that drew us together, bonded us in a unique way. We had a common language few understood. He’d send me his rough sketches, then FaceTime me to tell me what had been going through his head as he’d drawn it. We’d brainstorm, inspire each other’s latest pieces, support artistic pursuits. He encouraged me to build an online design business so I wasn’t stuck as a corporate drone, but I didn’t have a head for business like he did, so it languished. I only knew how to create.

I woke the last day before my long holiday weekend to a snowy landscape, dreading trudging through the ice and snow for another day interpreting someone else’s concepts into art rather than my own. His text sent right before he crawled into bed was on my phone, bringing a smile to my face before I even read it.

Busy day for me tomorrow. I still have three gifts to buy for the nieces. Talk to you soon. ❤️

I forced myself out of my cozy bed and prepared myself for the morning meeting with upper management. They didn’t recognize my work, let alone value it. I doubted any of the managers even knew my name.

I’m so jealous of you right now. How warm is it there?

I knew Anthony would still be asleep for a few more hours, but he liked waking up first thing to my messages too. I wondered how he reacted to my texts. Did his whole demeanor change when he saw my name like Tracy said mine did?

As I sat in the conference room, his response made my phone vibrate in my lap. I looked down as I clicked it to life. Toasty warm. Perfection. Would be better with you here. I was sure I had a dreamy look on my face as the meeting started, but I recovered and focused on the projects my team was involved with.

Ten minutes in, Mr. Drexler pointed right at me and narrowed his eyes. “Nick, I understand you’re sticking around over the holidays. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“No family coming to visit? You’re not going anywhere?”

“I planned on hanging out with friends this year, but that’s it.” I didn’t want to get into the fact that I didn’t speak to my family. No one at work needed to know that.

“How would you feel about spending Christmas in LA?”

“For…?”

“You worked on the Mercer project. I heard good things. They have some tweaks they want to make to their campaign, but it has to be done fast, like today or tomorrow. It’s a tight deadline, but you know the project. You’ll make ’em happy.”

“Sure.”

“I need you to leave in…” He looked down at his watch and bit his lip. “Twenty minutes. You’re taking the company jet from Midway. Hurry.”

I’d never run out of the office faster.

#

I typed out a text to Anthony as soon as I landed in LA, telling him about my impromptu trip. I heard nothing back from him before I arrived at the Mercer offices, but last night he’d told me he had a packed schedule. I easily got swallowed up by my own work and made multiple changes I wasn’t happy with. But the client was thrilled, which was all that mattered.

In the end, what could’ve been a solid weekend of work turned into only an afternoon. The company jet wouldn’t be back until the day after Christmas.

I checked my phone to see if Anthony had written back yet, only to discover I’d never sent my original message. It was still sitting there waiting. I deleted it and shot off, I’m in LA until Tuesday.

One of the sales reps gave me advice on hotel accommodations nearby, so I headed outside to hunt the place down.

What are you talking about? arrived just as I turned my face to the warmth of the sun.

I called him, not willing to thumb type right then. He picked up immediately. “I’m in LA for work.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I didn’t know I was coming until this morning. It was fast. I didn’t even have time to pack.”

“I need to see you, if you can spare time away from the job.”

“I’m already done. I’m free for days.”

“’Cause you’re a talented man.”

“Or something like that.” I chuckled. He was always building me up.

“Where are you?”

“I’m downtown looking for a hotel.” I relayed the few street names I could see and described the building I stood in front of.

“I’m a five-minute walk away. Head north. You’ll run into a park. I’ll meet you there.”

“I can’t wait!”

“Same.”

#

I was nervous as I walked toward the park. Thinking I shouldn’t show up empty-handed, I stopped at a flower cart near the park entrance. Buckets of colorful flowers popped out among potted poinsettias. I rejected both of those and was drawn to a tiny sprig of greenery hanging from a ribbon. I handed the flower guy a few bucks and tried to calm my worries as I got closer to the park.

I was making a bigger deal of this than I needed to. We were meeting up, not planning a wedding. But I couldn’t help the pressure I felt to make our time together perfect.

Maybe we’d head out for coffee or possibly dinner, but I didn’t want to overtake his weekend because I spontaneously showed up. I was intruding on his Christmas plans. From what he told me, Christmas was a big deal in his family. Not just one day but several celebrations at various relative’s houses. I didn’t want to butt in on that, especially considering we weren’t really dating.

I’d planned on spending most of the holiday alone anyway, so I’d just spend it in a different city this time around.

“Hey!” Anthony’s liquid-silk voice drifted into my ear as he pulled me into a tight hug. “Nick, it’s so good to see you!”

I held him close, relishing the feel of his strong chest pressed to mine and the smell of his cologne. “You too.” I wanted to tell him I missed him, but how could I when all we’d ever done was spend a half hour talking at a wedding. So I left it at that and dragged him over to a park bench.

He stared into my eyes, pulling back a little, but he put his arm around me, rubbing over a knot of tension in my shoulder.

“A whirlwind trip, sounds like. Decided to come visit me in the warmth of the City of Angels, huh?”

I couldn’t help but return his smile. “I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, but I’m glad I’m here.”

He brushed his thumb across my bottom lip, wide smile fading into something softer. “I’m thrilled you’re here.” His voice was just a whisper.

My breath caught and a rush of butterflies took off in my belly. “Me too.”

“Finally.”

I nodded. That was the exact word that had been running through my head. Finally I saw his beautiful brown eyes again.

Finally I was holding his hand.

Finally I was touching the man whose voice sent me to sleep most nights as we talked until I couldn’t keep my eyes open another second.

Finally we were together.

If this would be the last time, I didn’t want it to end without knowing if we could be more. I reached into my pocket and tugged out the sprig of green, holding it above us.

“So nervous about kissing me you needed mistletoe?” he asked.

I let the sprig drop to the bench beneath us and he lifted it by the delicate red ribbon, letting it dangle there.

“I’m nervous because I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, and then suddenly, I’m sitting here across from you. But I don’t need mistletoe.”

I leaned in, so close I could feel his breaths warm my skin. He licked his full lips, glanced at mine, and I didn’t hesitate a second more. I kissed him like I’d dreamed about, like I’d wished I’d done all those months ago.

He was warm and tasted sweet, and when I opened to him, it was as if we were made for kissing each other. I instinctively knew what he liked and gave it to him, and he gave me what I didn’t even know I craved.

I had to pull away. I was reluctant, but if I allowed this to go on much longer, we’d be arrested for public indecency.

I pressed my forehead to his, staring at his lips as panted breaths passed them. “That was surprisingly intense for a first kiss.”

He chuckled. “I’m just getting warmed up. There’s plenty more where that came from. And a lot hotter.”

I thumbed over the arch of an eyebrow and stared at him in disbelief. “I’m never going to want to leave you if I experience much more.”

He beamed. “Then don’t. Stay here. Let’s build a life together. I’d love to work with you, create some art together in the same city.”

“How about we start with a night together?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that. How about one more kiss?” He held the mistletoe over our heads and gave me a wink.

As I pressed my lips to his, I knew I’d never be satisfied with only one more kiss. I wanted all his kisses.

“Hey,” he whispered.

“Hmm?”

“Would you mind having dinner with my family tonight?”

“Are you sure that would be okay on such short notice?”

“Yeah. I’d love for them to meet the man I can’t stop talking about.”

I grinned from ear to ear. “You’ve told them about me?”

“So much that they think I’m making you up. I want them to meet you.”

“I’d love that.”

He stood and held out his hand for me. “Come on. Let’s go spend Christmas together as a couple.”

I took his hand and followed him out of the park, down the street, and toward my future.

The End

I love holiday stories and everything I’ve written for Christmas until this little piece of flash fiction has been set in Minnesota, where I live. Feathers From the Sky was actually inspired by my husband’s family’s house, which is always packed with people. Analog to Digital was a little inspired by my own life, as I got married between Christmas and New Year’s, much like Ethan’s sister. Tangled Mind is a bit darker than the other two, as it deals with grief and the very patient best friend hoping Beck will notice he wants more.

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