Priceless

All she wants for Christmas is him. All he wants is everything…for her.

Urban Fairytales, Book 3 As Christmas bears down on Eric Athers’s empty wallet, one question plagues him: What to get the love of his life when he has less than nothing? It doesn’t help that his wife, Nia, who works extra shifts to support him through his medical residency, practically glows with holiday spirit. Her determination to put the “Merry” in Merry Christmas only serves as a painful reminder of everything he’s unable to provide for her. Nia loves her husband to distraction, and she can’t for the life of her figure out how someone so smart can be so dumb when it comes to something as simple as a little holiday. Christmas is so much more than presents and shopping malls. All she has to do is show her own personal Scrooge that the best gifts come from the heart.

Warning: This story is guaranteed to melt your snowman.

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520 Macon GA 31201 Priceless Copyright © 2011 by Lena Matthews ISBN: 978-1-60928-576-0 Edited by Sasha Knight Cover by Scott Carpenter All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: November 2011 www.samhainpublishing.com

Priceless Lena Matthews

Dedication

To my mother, who made sure I understood the real meaning behind Christmas, who saw the beauty in Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and never missed a chance to watch It’s a Wonderful Life with me.

Chapter One

“So,” Nia Athers said, slightly out of breath. With the last bit of energy she had left, she set her newly purchased Christmas tree down in the middle of the tiny entryway of the apartment she shared with her husband, Eric, and smiled. “What do you think?” She waved her tired hands in a way that would have even made Vanna White proud, showcasing the small tree she’d lugged up four flights of stairs. The elevator at their less-than-luxury apartment complex was once again on the fritz, leaving her no other option but to make the long trip by foot. Thankfully, the tiny fir had fared better than she had, only losing a few needles in the process. Nia, on the other hand, hadn’t fared as well. After that impromptu workout, she was sweating, sticky and most definitely in need of a shower. Luckily for her pride, Eric only had eyes for her new acquisition. From the displeased expression on his handsome face, Nia could tell he was far from impressed. Irritated at his unenthusiastic demeanor, Nia lowered her arms. “What?” “Charlie Brown called,” Eric said with all seriousness. “He wants his tree back.” What a clown. “Ha. Ha. Ha.” Nia stuck her tongue out at her husband then looked over at her purchase with a critical eye as she took off her gloves and stuffed them in her pockets. Okay, so it wasn’t as full or as tall or as straight as she would have preferred, but the scrawny, right-leaning tree had character. “It’s not that bad.” “I’ve seen greener tumbleweeds in Death Valley.” He pushed back a bit from the small, round, secondhand wooden table to cross his arms over his chest. “During the summer.” Liar. Nia was not going to let his sour mood spoil her holiday cheer. Mindful of her purchase, she carefully leaned the tree against the wall and waited a few seconds to make sure it was stable before turning to face her prey once more. With a devilish plan in mind, she slid her purse off her shoulder as she walked over to her husband of two years and gently whacked him in the back of his head with her bag. “A very Merry Christmas to you too, Ebenezer.” Eric let out an expected “Ouch,” but Nia knew it was all for show. Her husband had a wealth of thick, dark, dirty-blond hair to protect him from her tiny assault. Besides, she hadn’t been trying to hurt him, just smack some sense into him.

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After setting her purse down on the table, she unzipped the cream-colored, insulated coat she wore to protect herself from the below-freezing weather outside and slid it off her weary, tender shoulders. “God it’s cold out there.” Before she had a chance to hang it on the back of her chair, Eric pulled her down onto his lap. After taking her coat from her and dropping it on the floor, he cupped her chilled hands inside his larger, warmer ones and brought them up to his mouth to breathe on them. “Not much warmer in here,” he said between huffs. Nia glanced down at his Stanford Cardinal sweatshirt and sighed. “The heater on the fritz again?” “Yep, I called down and complained. The super said he’d be up tomorrow to look at it.” They both knew that was a lie. “I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.” “I wouldn’t. I know one thing though, if the damn thing doesn’t get fixed soon, we’ll have to change the lyrics from ‘Jingle Bells’ to ‘Jingle Blue Balls’.” “Sounds jolly enough.” “Not to my balls,” he grumbled. “Oh my poor Santa baby.” Nia wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned back to stare up at her man. Her man, wow. No matter how many times she thought of him like that or how many times she caught a glimpse of the gold band on her left ring finger, it was still sometimes hard to believe he belonged solely to her, and she to him. At times it seemed as if he were too perfect. Brilliant, loving and fine as hell. Even now, with his hazel eyes bloodshot from long hours at the hospital, and the five o’clock shadow gracing his rugged jaw line, Eric was still hands down the hottest-looking man she’d ever seen in her life. When she first met him, she’d thought he was the handsomest white man she’d ever seen. Now he was the most attractive man of any race to her. Because Nia was no longer looking with her eyes, but with her heart, and that made a world of difference. It still amazed her that someone like him would ever have been interested in a girl like her. While he was making the Dean’s list at Stanford, she took courses to register as a massage therapist. Eric used every spare minute he had hitting the books, whereas she enjoyed game nights with her friends and hitting the same ol’ bar every Saturday night. Not to pick up men, but to drink and dance. In fact, it was at that exact bar she’d met Eric, who was there begrudgingly celebrating a friend’s birthday. She’d thought he was hot but distant, and later he’d told her he thought she was loud but friendly. Whatever it was they saw in each other obviously made a very big impression, because studious Eric soon put as much effort into wooing Nia as he had making good grades. And when it was time a year later for him to pack up and leave California to begin his residency, she came along as his wife. Sometimes it amazed her how quickly it all had happened or how it happened at all. Eric played his cards close to his chest. He was reserved, but there was more to him than met the eye. She saw it, even when he tried his best

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to hide it from her. Besides, she knew he loved her, needed her, even if he didn’t say it as often as she would like. “What are you looking at?” His words pulled her back from the past, while his hands pulled her even closer against him. The heat from his body radiated straight through her clothes. If she stayed on his lap, she wouldn’t be cold for long…or clothed for that matter. Two very good things in her book. “My handsome husband. What about you?” “My very beautiful wife who has horrid taste in trees.” Nia narrowed her eyes. “Didn’t you get the text? ’Tis the season to be jolly.” “I thought it was spam, so I deleted it.” “But you saw it.” “Yes, Sunshine,” he said in a joking manner, as he always did whenever she did her glass-was-halffull thing. “I saw it.” “So you have to do what the spam god says, or you’ll get seventy years of bad luck.” “Seventy?” “Yes. Seventy.” She liked it when he kidded around. Eric was far too busy with his residency these days to take pleasure in much of anything. They both knew the road to becoming a physician wasn’t going to be a cakewalk, but even with that knowledge, she still hadn’t been prepared for the never-ending, allconsuming black hole that had become their lives. Between her two jobs, and his residency and extra hours in the emergency room, there were days when they literally only saw each other in passing. To make matters worse, despite them both working their butts off, thanks to the mound of debt due to the school loans, they basically lived paycheck to paycheck. There was never enough money for anything extra, only necessities, and it was far from the way she wanted to live. However, if the choice was being debt free without Eric, or being broke but in love, Nia would pick broke every time. Even during the bad times, the fights about money and their uncoordinated schedules, things weren’t awful, because she still had Eric. In spite of working a double shift and lugging the tree up the stairs to an unappreciative reception, Nia was tired but happy. Sighing, she sat up and stretched. “Are you hungry?” “No. I grabbed something from the cafeteria.” Nia grimaced. The stuff they served down there barely counted as food. At least at the diner where she worked part time she could ensure the food she fed him was fresh. “Yuck. You should have come down to the diner. I would have made sure you ate right.” Eric was working so hard he was beginning to lose weight he really couldn’t afford to. “I assure you, I barely tasted anything it went down so fast.”

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“That can’t be good.” “It is what it is.” Eric turned his attention to the tree again. “So, do I even want to know how much you paid for this?” She gave him her most innocent look from beneath lowered lashes. “It was a steal.” “Oh, there’s no doubt in mind about that. Your money was definitely stolen.” Eric eyed the tree critically. “We should call the police.” Nia swatted his chest. “Stop hating on the tree.” “I’m not sure if it honestly fits in the tree category.” He tilted his head to the side as he studied it. “More like a nearly bald bush.” “Stop it,” she said with a slight pout. “It’s cute, or it will be as soon as I’m done with it.” She already had the decorations from last year, and a few more in the hall closet she’d scrounged up at the dollar store in preparation for tonight. The first one they’d had in a long time where they both would be at home in the evening at the exact same time. Awake. It was a Christmas miracle, and she was going to embrace every second of it. “You’ll see and you’ll be amazed.” “I can say this, it can certainly only get better.” “Are you going to help me trim it or just complain about it all day?” “Can’t I do both?” His lips curved into a smirking grin. “You most certainly cannot.” “What do I get if I help?” Hmm… They were negotiating. This was promising. “What do you want?” “The only thing I ever want.” Eric slid his large, warm hand under her hair to her nape and pulled her closer to him, so their mouths were mere inches apart. “You.” Nia licked her lips at the promise in his words. “I think that can be arranged.” “Then you’ve got yourself a tree trimmer.” “And you’ve got yourself…well…me.” “Deal.” He sealed their agreement with a kiss that made her pulse speed up, her nipples tighten and her bones melt. Kissing Eric was like coming home. He knew what she liked, where to linger, and exactly how to drive her wild with a single touch of his lips. By the time he pulled away, Nia was no longer sure she’d be able to stand let alone decorate a tree. But Eric made the choice for her. He nudged her off his lap then stood. “I’ll move the not-a-tree into the living room, and you get the decorations.” “You know,” she said seductively. “We can always do that later.” “Oh no.” Eric grinned devilishly. “We’re going to decorate it, then I’m going to lay you down in front of it and make sweet love to you.” “Sweet love?” “The sweetest,” he reiterated with a naughty smile.

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Nia quivered. “I’ll get the boxes, and you keep that idea first and foremost in your mind.” “Don’t worry, baby. It will be.” She was counting on it.

That tree flat-out sucked. Decorating it wasn’t making it better. Only worse. Now instead of the slight lean it had when she first brought it in, the little Christmas tree-that-couldn’t was tilting hard to the right, despite the decorations she piled on the left to counterbalance it. Truly, Eric had never seen a more homely piece of wood in his life. It was actually so bad he had begun to feel sorry for it. So sorry, in fact, he insisted they move it out of the window, so no other real trees would catch a glimpse of the limp little thing and laugh. “Stop it,” Nia warned from the floor where she was sitting, wrapping the remaining lights around a cardboard square for easier storage. Eric glanced from the tree to Nia. His lips quirked a bit as he thought of how childlike she appeared. She was dressed in a navy blue sweater and jeans, and her shoulder-length black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. There wasn’t an ounce of makeup on her face, but he couldn’t remember a time when she’d looked lovelier. “I mean it,” she warned again. “Stop what?” he asked, a bit confused about what she was referring to. He’d been too busy staring at her to pay mind to what she’d been saying. Not that he was dumb enough to admit it. “I wasn’t doing anything.” “Yes, you were.” “What?” Nia glanced up at him and arched a brow, as if daring him to lie. “You were pitying the tree.” “Its hard not to,” he admitted. “It’s like the saddest tree in Sadland. It’s so bad I think someone should write a children’s book about it.” It really was pathetic. For the first time in his life, Eric had only used one strand of lights on a Christmas tree. Normally it was two at the least, but this little thing was so bald that too many lights on it would make it look like a glowing orb. By the way she pursed her lips he could tell she was doing her best not to break out in a smile. “Then try harder.” Like the drill sergeant she could be at times, she handed him a spicy cinnamon candy cane and pointed at the tree. “Find a place for this, please, then that should do it.” He could only hope. “Aye aye, Captain.” Eric took the red-and-white treat and made his way over to the tree. He stood there for several minutes, debating which limb to bring low with the added weight of the candy. When nothing seemed viable, he glanced over his shoulder at Nia, who was busy cleaning up the

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mess, and tucked the candy in his pocket. Obligation fulfilled, he made his way to the kitchen and snagged a beer from the fridge. After opening it, he returned to the living room and leaned against the wall next to the picture of a fireplace Nia had ripped out of a magazine and hung their Christmas stockings beneath, so he could watch her in her element. Christmas music was blaring from his laptop, and she was bopping her head to the beat as she worked. Nia was going all out this year, and even though he thought she was crazy at first, he had to admit it was cute. She was making their shitty apartment a home, in every way possible. Nia was at her core a nurturer. It was a side of her that called to him and made him want to just bask in the warmth of her love. She looked up at him at that very moment and smiled, as if she knew what he’d been thinking about her. Instead of returning her smile, he lowered his gaze and took another swig from the bottle. Eric wasn’t someone who was comfortable expressing his feelings, and he hadn’t yet grown used to being emotionally bare in front of her. He held himself back, he knew he did, but he wasn’t sure how to tell her how he felt. Saying I love you was easy, showing it outside of the bedroom was a completely different thing. Clearing his throat, he looked at her again and jumped on the first thing that came to mind. “So you never said. How much did it cost?” “Twenty.” “Dollars?” Eric cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. “No, cents.” Nia rolled her expressive brown eyes. “Of course dollars.” “Really?” “Yes, why?” “Because as homely as it is…” and man, was it homely, “…that’s awful cheap.” “Are you complaining?” Disbelief was heavy in her voice. “No, I’m curious, where did you buy it from?” More importantly, who did she buy it from? “The lot down the way from the diner. The guy who works there comes in a lot.” “They were having a big sale or something?” “Or something,” she said with a little smile as she closed the box containing the remaining decorations. “Right.” That was what he figured. Eric snorted and straightened away from the wall. It appeared as if Eric was going to have to have a talk with this tree salesman. “What?” “Don’t what me.” He set his bottle on the floor then made his way over to her. “You flirted with that guy, didn’t you?” “I don’t flirt. Flirting is for girls who have to try.”

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“And you don’t have to, do you?” She certainly hadn’t with him. The first time he’d seen the darkskinned beauty he damn near swallowed his tongue. He could still remember the way the short black dress she’d worn molded to her curves, accentuating her lush breasts and long silky legs. One look and he’d been a goner. Hell, he still was. All she had to do was walk into the room and he grew hard. “I guess it’s one of the luxuries of being beautiful.” Her full lips curled in a slow smile. “I’m beautiful because you love me.” “You’re beautiful because of your remarkable deoxyribonucleic acid. My love has nothing to do it with it.” “Oh, baby. You say the sweetest things.” Nia rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Have I ever told you you’re cute when you’re jealous?” “I’m not jealous.” He was possessive. There was a difference. “And I love it,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken, “when you use medical terms. Makes me so hot.” Eric snorted. “Going for charm now?” “I’m going with the truth. I’m yours. All yours. No one else matters.” She said it with so much conviction he couldn’t help but believe her, but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why she felt the way she did. There wasn’t a day he didn’t come home thinking this was going to be it. The day he found the letter from her telling him she’d had enough and she was going home to sunny, warm California. Not that he would blame her if she did. He’d sold her on something he hadn’t been able to deliver yet. A better life. And right now she was working twice as hard as she had been when they first met, just so he could follow his dream. It killed him inside to know she’d given up her family and friends and he couldn’t even get Christmas off to be with her. Nia, being Nia, had quickly said it didn’t matter, but looking around the apartment and all the little knickknacks she’d put up, he could tell it did. He was failing her, and sooner or later she was going to wise up to that fact. “Did you hear what I said?” Nia tapped her fingers on his chest. “I’m all yours.” “You better be because I don’t share.” He couldn’t even fathom the idea of doing so. “Not even for discounts on sad little trees.” Laughing, Nia released him and turned in his arms so her back was against his chest. “Look.” Eric wrapped his arms around her and glanced over to the corner where the tree was. “Yeah?” “Doesn’t it look great now?” Eric chose his next words carefully. “Remember how I said I didn’t think you could make it look any worse?” “Yes.” “I might have been mistaken.”

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Nia gave him a sharp jab to his stomach. “Shut up. It’s perfect, brat.” “Well, it is perfectly…done.” Nia looked up at him and smiled. “That it is.” “But I see we have a box of decorations still to be put up.” “True, but…” Nia glanced around the now completely Christmased room with a discerning eye. “I don’t really think we can put up anything else. It might be overkill.” “Oh I agree. I wasn’t going to decorate the room.” His voice dropped to a seductive whisper as he leaned to speak into her ear. “I’m going to decorate you.”

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Chapter Two

Eric’s words were so unexpected it took a minute for his meaning to sink in. “Decorate me.” Nia licked her lips, and she took a few steps back. “That sounds a bit…kinky.” “Your point is…?” Her throat suddenly felt very dry. “Yeah…not sure I have one,” she admitted, still a little floored by Eric’s suggestion. Although he hadn’t been her first lover, he was definitely the most passionate and inventive. “What exactly do you mean though?” “What I said.” Nia glanced over at the box on the floor then back at her husband. He couldn’t really mean… “Are we talking star on head, ornaments on nipples, decorate?” “Well…” Eric tilted his head to the side, a contemplative look on his face. “Not star on head.” But nipples and stuff were apparently fair game. “Oh,” she said after a few seconds, because she really had no comeback for that. “Any objections?” She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “The hooks might scratch a bit.” “Possibly, but I promise to kiss it better.” Without waiting for her to reply, Eric made his way over to the box which held the leftovers. He picked up the box and carried it to the table, setting it down with a resounding thump. Carefully, as was his way, he began to sort through the remaining decorations. “Hmmm…looks like we have lots to choose from.” Words escaped her. He was absolutely serious. One second he’d been dogging her tree, the next talking about using her as a tree. Nia shook her head in amazement. Every time she thought she had a handle on her husband he would do or say something completely out of character. Some days she wasn’t sure who she was married to—the focused, studious, determined doctor, or the sensual, dominating, erotic lover. Nia was torn between wanting to say hell no, and her desire to do every depraved thing he hinted at. No, that wasn’t true, she wasn’t torn at all. “What about rules? I think we should have them.” “Fair enough.” Eric strolled over to the oven. Warm air burst from the door as he opened the appliance, taking a bit of the sting out of the room. They’d learned quickly to use that part of the stove as a heating source when they were in the kitchen. “First rule, I make all the rules.”

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Nia crossed her arms over her breasts, not because she was upset, but in hopes of hiding her nipples, which instantly hardened at his words. “Sounds…” she cleared her throat before continuing, “…like a game we’ve played before.” Eric switched on the burners on the stove, then turned, facing her once more. “We’ve never played this.” “Maybe not, but the rules are always the same.” With a wicked little smile on his lips, he walked over to her, stopping only when he was standing directly in front of her. “Because they make you wet.” He was so close she had to drop her arms or risk having them pinned. “Don’t they?” His voice was low and rich and held not an ounce of compromise in it. “Maybe.” Standing this close to him, with the heat seeping into the room, she began to feel a little lightheaded. His delicious, heady aroma filled the air around her and toyed with her senses, much in the way the man standing in front of her did with her libido. “You don’t play fair,” she said after a moment. “I play to win.” “What do you consider a win?” “The sweet sound you make when you come.” His words took her aback. Damn he was good. “You should have been a lawyer.” “Then do I have your consent to drive you out of your mind?” “Yes.” “Good. First things first.” Eric slipped his hand under her sweater and cupped her butt. “Take everything off.” “But it’s still chilly in here.” Nia tried to focus on his words and not the lazy pattern his fingers were making on her behind. “I promise you this.” His voice was soft, his breath warm as he lowered his lips to kiss right below her left ear—one of the many spots on her body he’d found that could turn her to mush when toyed with just right. “You won’t be cold for long, and you’ll never look at Christmas decorations the same way again.” With his lips on her neck once more and his hands on her hips, cold was the very last thing Nia felt. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head to the side, giving him better access and surrendered to the moment, to the man and to the delicious tremors he sent through her body with the barest of his touches. “Sunshine.” Nia opened her eyes, drunkenly raised her head and peered at her husband. “Yes?” “Take off everything then sit here on the table.” There wasn’t even a need to reply. Nia obeyed while he watched with lust-filled eyes. Eric was quiet the entire time she undressed, silent but attentive. She felt his gaze heavy on her even when she bent over to slip off her shoes and step out of her pants and panties.

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When she was wearing nothing but her grandmother’s heirloom, silver-filigree, garnet-pendant necklace, she placed her hand on her hip and stood proudly in front of him. She was going for a sexy comehither look, but the shiver she let out and the goose bumps that broke out all over her arms instantly ruined it. The only thing remotely sexy about her now was how her nipples were erect, but even that had more to do with the crisp air than their naughty game. “Waiting for you to warm me.” Eric picked her up and set her next to the box on the table. “You mean these dark berries didn’t come out to play just for me?” he asked as he ran his hands up and down her arms, giving a little warmth to her chilled limbs. “Traitorous bitches.” “I think I might have to teach them a lesson, but first.” Eric let her go and pulled a Santa hat out of the box. He dangled the red fabric with the white trim in the air and smiled in his devilish way. Chill forgotten, Nia was ready for the fun. “Oh, Santa, I’ve been a very naughty girl.” “I hope so, but it’s not for me.” To her surprise, Eric set the hat in her lap and reached up behind her with both hands to free her hair from her ponytail. He tossed the band over his shoulder as if it were of no importance then ran his fingers through her thick strands. When it was down on her shoulders, Eric picked up the hat from her lap and arranged it on her head. When it was situated just right, he took a step away to admire his work. “Perfect. You might make a Christmas lover out of me yet.” “I do what I can for the cause.” “Good. Do you trust me?” “Absolutely,” she answered without hesitation. Eric pulled roughly an arm’s length of wide silver ribbon off its spool, then took out a pair of scissors he’d found stored in the box. He turned the shears until the sharp part was pointing toward himself and handed them to Nia. “Cut right there.” It only took one snip to slice through the material, but when she was done, he took the scissors away and set them along with the remaining ribbon on the table next to her. “I’m going to blindfold you now.” “I—” “Do you trust me?” he asked again, just as patiently as he had the first time. They’d played trust games before, and Nia knew if she wanted to quit at any time, all she had to do was say so. “With my life.” Nia closed her eyes, but then promptly opened them to give Eric a warning glare. “But if I hear one click from a camera, you’re a dead man.” His lips twitched as if he were trying not to smile. “Duly noted.” Content, she closed her eyes again and held still as he used the ribbon to blindfold her. The thin material was in no way the correct size for something like this. If she wanted, Nia could very well blink her eyes a couple of times to move it about so she could see, but that would ruin the game. So instead she held

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still as he tied the ribbon behind her head, before covering the back of the satin material with the bottom of the Santa hat. “Now clasp your hands together behind your back.” “Looks as if someone is getting into the Christmas spirit after all,” she said as she did as he requested. “Oh yeah, I’m feeling all kinds of jolly.” Being unable to see, she tried her best to figure out what he was up to. She had a general idea that was confirmed when she heard the scissors cut through another piece of fabric. Then, as she’d expected, her hands were gathered behind her and tied together with what felt like ribbon. Nia wiggled her fingers and moved her wrists back and forth, testing the bonds, but they didn’t give. “Satisfied, Kinky Klause?” “Close.” The sharp sound of something being pulled across the floor startled her. She jerked and almost lost her balance, but as usual, Eric came to her rescue and helped her right herself. “Careful.” “I’d be more careful if I knew what was going on.” “Yeah.” The scraping sound grew closer. “But where’s the fun in that?” “What are you…?” Before she could finish her sentence, Eric lifted her leg then set her foot on what felt like one of the kitchen chairs. Her hearing, extra sensitive now that her sight was restricted, detected the nimble snip of the scissors. Frowning, she tried to figure out what he was up to, but before she could ask, Eric placed her leg against the back of the cool chair and then tied her ankle to it. As soon as he was done, he lifted her free foot and placed it in a similar fashion, securing her to a second chair. “Eric,” she whispered. “Shh…” Eric took hold of her hips and pulled her dangerously close to the edge of the table. Her feeling of vulnerability increased tenfold as he pushed the two chairs out a bit, forcing her legs to spread lewdly. Silence was something she could not do. Nia knew he was her husband and he’d seen parts of her body she’d never even seen, but this just seemed vulgar, for her to be spread open, exposed before him. “Eric…this is just…” “Just the beginning.”

His lips twitched almost into a smile as he watched Nia’s mouth snap shut. His loquacious baby wasn’t used to him getting the last word in, but Eric could tell he had truly thrown her for a loop. He could see the war she was waging so clearly on her face. The good girl versus the naughty woman that only he’d been able to bring out in her. Despite the battle going on, Eric knew without a shadow of a doubt which

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side of his wife would win. The vixen, of course, because as much as Nia might like to protest, she craved the pleasure only he could give. It was a mutual desire though. No other woman compared to the wonder he felt with and for Nia. The difference was because of the love they had for each other, even though Eric wasn’t as open as she was about his sentiments. With her blindfolded, Eric was free to let loose his ironclad control and allow all his emotions for her to play across his face. His pride in knowing she was his was forefront, but also the pride he had in her, knowing she trusted him enough to put her body into his hands. “What are you doing?” Her voice hitched slightly. “Staring at you.” He’d been so caught up in looking at her he completely forgot the rest of his plans. It was something that occurred often when he was in her presence. Eric couldn’t help it. He had a hard time believing she was his. Unknown to Nia, his mother, who really did like Nia, had tried to persuade him not to get married so young. Her marriage to his father had lasted eight years too long. The second one was shorter but in no way better. The only time Eric ever bore witness to successful marriages before meeting Nia’s parents were the ones he saw on cheesy sitcoms growing up. He was definitely not a romantic, not someone who was comfortable talking about feelings and emotions, but the idea of putting off proposing to her just because no one in the entire history of his family had ever been able to make it work didn’t sit well with him. When it came to Nia, waiting was something he couldn’t do. His need for her was so overwhelming, sometimes he felt almost suffocated with want of her. He had to tie her to him. She was one in a million, and he couldn’t chance she’d slip away. He’d been too afraid if he hesitated, even for a second, someone else would swoop in and sweep her off her feet. Someone who was more deserving, who had more to offer, more to give than a secondhand gold band and a crummy apartment. Not a kid one generation away from poor white trash from the wrong side of the tracks. He wasn’t his father, or stepfather, for that matter. He could give Nia the love she needed, the love she deserved, even if it didn’t come easy to him. “Are you still staring at me?” “Yes,” he admitted with a grin, glad she couldn’t see the dark flush that rose in his cheeks. “Uhhh…” She shifted as if trying to shield herself from him. “Don’t.” “I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.” Nia shook her head, brushing away the compliment as she always did. “I mean it. You take my breath away.” “Eric.” She could try to deny it all she wanted, but to him she was the most beautiful woman to ever walk this earth. “Shh…” Eric stepped into the V he’d made of her legs and caressed her lips with the pad of his thumb. “Let me look at you, touch you.” He worked his finger lower, past her bottom lip, to her chin, to the

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long graceful column of her neck, then across the chain of the necklace she was never without. Without even touching her he could see her pulse throbbing at the base of her throat. She wasn’t the only one excited. Eric’s throat ran dry as he stroked his pale fingers down her smooth flesh. He bypassed her breasts on purpose for the moment and continued south to the firm valley of her stomach. The dark, flat flesh was soft to the touch, but it flickered under his fingers as her breathing picked up. Her breasts rose and fell as she took in a shaky breath, drawing his gaze back to her supple yet pert mounds. Her nipples were beaded, begging in their way for him to reach out and take them into his mouth. God he loved her breasts. They weren’t overly large, nor were they small. They fit perfectly in the palms of his hands, making them the best handful he ever had the pleasure of touching. Just to show his appreciation a bit and, of course, just because she aroused him to do so, Eric leaned forward and laved one nipple, then the other, until both of her erect tips were glistening and harder than ever. But one lick wasn’t enough, and he had to go back again and again, driving both he and Nia mad with desire. “Please, Eric.” She pulled back, trying to release her well-loved nipples from his mouth. “I need you to make love to me. Now.” “I will.” “No. Now.” She was so cute when she was demanding. “In due time, pet. I’m not done playing.” “You’re not?” Her tone bounced between desperation and disappointment. “No, there’s another part of you I’ve yet to kiss tonight.” Eric kicked off his shoes before lowering himself to his knees. “Now, if you’re a good girl, Santa will give you something all big girls want.” “What’s that?” Her voice had dropped to a whisper. His fingers parted the neatly trimmed curls covering her dark lips to expose her even more to his eager gaze. “A Christmas orgasm, of course.” “Do I have…” her words cut off as he gently blew warm air against her erect bud, “…mmm…have to wait for Christmas?” Eric pulled away a bit and looked up at her from between her legs. “Were you a good girl?” he asked, already knowing the answer. “Not even remotely good,” Nia admitted with a naughty grin. That’s my girl. “Then you can have it now. But you have to beg for it. Beg me to eat your pussy, and I’ll give you an orgasm so good it will be the only thing you’ll put on your Christmas list from now on.” “Please eat my pussy.”

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Game or no game, Eric didn’t have to be asked twice. Leaning forward, he slipped his tongue between her slick folds and tasted his wife in all her glory. He made love to Nia with his mouth. He sampled her, lapped her, made her pussy cream with his teasing tongue tricks, all in the hopes of pleasing her. With her cries urging him on, he added his fingers, one after the other, until he had her pussy crammed full with three thrusting digits. He took her swollen clit between his lips and sucked hard, adding the extra dose of pleasure he knew she craved. The sweet aroma and the heady taste of her pussy made his dick jerk. Enough was enough. Impatient, Eric rose to his feet. He made quick work of taking off his shirt before he unbuttoned then unzipped his pants. Frantic with need, he shoved his shorts and the denim down, stepping out of them as fast as he could. He barely gave the clothes a second thought as he kicked them out of the way. Aroused beyond belief, Eric stepped closer to Nia. He reached behind her and untied her trembling hands. “Finally,” she said, going for her blindfold. “Oh no. We’re not done.” Eric brought the ribbon between them. “Hands together. I’m going to tie them in the front now.” Nia paused mid-motion. “Can’t we just…?” “Are you saying stop?” Although he’d be disappointed if she were, he would never push her to do something she wasn’t comfortable with. “Of course not.” She almost sounded indignant he’d asked. “Then the blindfold stays, and I want your hands in front of you, clasped together.” “You know, one day it will be my turn to be in charge.” Despite her grumbling, she did as he asked. “But until then…” Eric bound her wrists together again, then helped her lie back on the table. He stepped a few feet from her to admire the sight she made. Her tongue peeked out from between her lips. Her breasts rose and fell with every breath she took, and her legs were spread wide in invitation—one he was no longer willing to wait to accept. With his hands on her hips, he pulled her closer to the edge of the table. He lined up his dick with the slick opening of her pussy then parted her wet folds with the crown of his erection. Focused on the delicious vision of his pale cock against the dark pink of her pussy, he pressed forward, sinking himself in the warmth of her depths. Nia arched her back and whimpered as he filled her with a long, slow stroke, pausing only when he was balls-deep inside the hottest sex he’d ever had the pleasure of fucking. Her wet pussy clung to him like a second skin, hugging every inch of his thick length, making it a tight but enjoyable squeeze. The way she milked his shaft was pure torture, but it was one Eric was more than happy to endure. “You feel so good, Sunshine.” “You feel better.” She moaned as she rocked her hips up, trying to send him deeper and harder into her. But Eric had no intention of giving it to her the way she wanted. At least not yet.

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If Nia wasn’t begging, he wasn’t satisfied, and if he wasn’t satisfied, she surely wouldn’t be. He knew it was a dick move, but that was the way it was going to go down tonight. With patience he had no idea he even possessed, Eric drove her to the brink again and again, pushing her to the edge of orgasm, but pulling back every time he felt the small quivers of her impending climax. He kept the maddening pace up until Nia could do nothing else but give him exactly what he craved. Her sweet surrender. Orders forgotten, Nia brought her bound hands from above her head and down to his chest, where she grabbed at him to keep him nearer. Her nails scraped him, but he didn’t mind. The bit of pain only added to the pleasure of Nia. “Eric, I’m begging, please, please, please. I can’t…” Neither could he. Tightening his grip on her hips, he rode her harder, pushing deeper as he ground against her. “Yes…fuck…come for me, baby. Come.” “Eric…ohh…” Crying out his name, Nia arched her hips up into him. Her body trembled and her pussy clutched at his cock when she came, clamping down on his shaft in the sweetest of ways. Her cries of pleasure echoed in his ears and the feel of her coming undone was the catalyst to his release. Unable to fight it any longer, Eric surrendered to the onslaught of pleasure and came. The climax was so strong that for a second the world went black and Eric had to let go of her waist to press his palm flat against the table in an effort to remain upright. Eric shook above her as he fought with all his might to remain standing. “Fuck…fuck…” His body quaked with aftershocks almost as intense as his orgasm. Spent, Nia dropped her hands on top of her glistening body. “Oh. My. God.” “Oh yeah.” He could not agree more. Eric’s entire body ached. His head was swimming, his legs were weak, but he had never felt more alive than he did at this moment. He waited a few seconds to gather his bearings before he pulled out of her wet haven. After taking in a few cleansing breaths, he walked over to the counter on unsteady legs. He closed the oven door and switched off the stove. He turned on the faucet and grabbed a few paper towels, then made quick work of cleaning up. When he was done, he soaked the paper towels in warm water for Nia then made his way to her once more. She was just how he’d left her, splayed on the table, hands bound and lying on her breasts, legs spread wide. This was truly a look he could get used to. Because he couldn’t resist, he leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss across her full, supple lips. Nia tried to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back from her and out of the way. “Come back here.” “Not done with me yet?” “Never.”

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The conviction in her voice caused him to smile. “Give me a few seconds more.” There would be time for kissing later. Now he needed to get her untied and under blankets. They’d worked up a sweat, which was making the already cool air downright chilly. It was one thing to fuck in the nippy room, quite another to linger about, especially when they had a goose down comforter waiting in the other room. “Lift your head.” She did so with no complaint, raising her head high enough he could take the Santa hat off and untie the ribbon. Eric tossed them on the table next to her then glanced down at his lovely wife. Her warm brown eyes were alight with a deep-seated fulfillment, and there was a glow about her that boasted of the love they made moments earlier. She looked utterly and completely content. It was a look that filled Eric with pride. Truth be told, it would be a while before he was able to give her the finer things she deserved. That was why it was so important to him she was satisfied with everything else he had to offer. He might not have a lot of money right now to shower her in diamonds or blanket her in fur, but he could shower her in kisses and blanket her in love. Feeling all kinds of proud of himself, he began to untie her wrists. “Hey.” “Hey,” she replied in a soft voice. “Tired?” Nia waited until her hands were free to speak. “Yes, a bit sore too. But very happy.” She sat up and gave a feline-like stretch. “Now that’s what I call a Merry Christmas.” “What can I say.” Eric’s lips quirked in a smile as he worked on her ankle restraints. “I’m the gift that keeps on giving.” Nia chuckled. “Are you now?” Eric was tingling from head to toe from the power of his release. Despite that, his hunger for her was not sated, and he didn’t think it ever would be. “Care to find out again?” He stood and made a point of glancing down at his cock, which was starting to show signs of interest again. Her eyes widened. “Oh…” “Hmmm.” He bent to finish the last leg. When he was done, he tossed the last ribbon to the floor then rose and scooped Nia off the table. An act that seemed to surprise and please her all at once. “Whoa!” Bending his head, he captured her mouth with his and kissed her again. This time longer, deeper and much, much slower. He wanted to enjoy it, to savor her lips as he had her pussy. Everything about Nia was erotic to him. Everything she did, everything she said. She was such a turn-on that even now, after fucking her almost through the table, he was once again growing hard. He wasn’t the only one to notice though. Nia broke the kiss and reached between them to touch his hardening cock. “Again? It really is a Christmas miracle.” “It’s not a miracle. It’s you.”

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“Can we use the bed this time?” Nia wiggled her legs. “And maybe leave the chairs in here?” “Sunshine, it’s your present. You can have it anywhere…” Eric gave her a lustful once-over, “…any time you want it.” “Hmmm…I like the sound of that.” Nia ran her free hand through her disheveled hair. “I have a request.” “Ask and it’s yours.” Hell, he’d be willing to gift her with anything he had the power to give. Nia picked up the hat off the table then set it on his head. “This time you wear the hat.”

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Chapter Three

There was only one thing about Christmas Nia wasn’t crazy about, and listening to Christmas songs from open to close in the diner she worked at was it. Not all the songs bugged her, but there were a few she could do without. Then there were those really annoying pop ones that, despite her best efforts, found their way into her subconscious, causing her to sing them even when she didn’t want to. Like now. Despite how much she despised Mariah Carey, Nia could not get “All I Want for Christmas is You” out of her head. The damned song was catchy as hell, and even though she hated it, Nia caught herself singing along anyway. The only thing getting her through the last few verses was the knowledge it was the final track on this particular Christmas CD. As soon as the last note was sung, Nia let out a sigh of relief. One that was matched verbatim by her fellow waitress and friend, Julia White. Nia looked up from the tips she was tallying in her notebook and shared a smile with the lovely darkskinned woman who came and joined her behind the counter. The flow of customers in The Greasy Spoon had slowed to a trickle of regulars who were more than content to argue over the sports page than actually eat or drink, leaving the two women a little time to gab. “So you finally have enough money saved up?” Julia asked, waving her hand at the notebook. Nia nodded proudly. “Finally.” “And he still doesn’t have a clue you’re getting him the flat screen?” Nia reached up to finger the pendant around her neck. “Not at all.” “Getting who what?” asked her coworker, Miranda, as she strolled toward the two women, a semiempty pitcher of water in her hand. “What are we talking about?” “To you…” Julia turned her back on Miranda and pulled out a small dime-store novel from her apron, “…not a damn thing.” “Julia,” Nia chastised. Her friend didn’t even spare her a glance. Instead, Julia opened her book and began to read, as she did anytime she had a free moment. For Julia it was easy to ignore Miranda. She just tuned out anyone and anything she didn’t want to hear. It was a skill Nia didn’t possess. Although she wasn’t on Team Miranda by any stretch of the imagination, Nia didn’t go out of her way to be rude to her either. “We were just talking about Eric’s Christmas present.” The Hispanic beauty set the water pitcher down and turned the notebook in her direction. Nia tried not to grimace at the buxom brunette’s lack of respect for other people’s privacy as Miranda scanned over

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Nia’s holiday gift list. “Is that the same TV you were planning on getting him for his birthday…six months ago?” “Yes.” Nia smiled down at the small picture she’d cut and pasted into her mini notebook months ago. “He’s going to love it.” “He would have loved it more if he would have actually gotten it on his birthday.” Nia frowned. That was beside the point. “He’ll still love it.” “Of course he will.” Julia shot Miranda a dirty look over her shoulder. “Some people just can’t be happy for other people. They’re not happy unless they’re shitting on someone’s parade.” “The saying is raining,” Miranda corrected. Julia snorted as she glanced back down to her book. “I meant what I said.” Miranda held her hand up, then turned her venom back on Nia, a less aggressive foe. “I can’t believe you’re still trying to buy that thing.” “Believe it,” she said proudly. Not only was it hard to save up the money, but it was hard to keep it a secret from Eric. She normally told him everything, but this time she wanted to surprise him. “You could have had it six months ago when you first saw it in the store.” “No, I couldn’t have. I didn’t have fifteen hundred dollars.” “It’s called a credit card.” Miranda pronounced the last two words as if she were doing it for the benefit of a slow lip reader. “Credit cards are scams. Just another bill you’re putting off. Instead of adding to your debt, just do the right thing and pay for it when you can afford to.” That was one thing she and Eric agreed on emphatically. Heck, if they could have paid cash outright for her car, they would have, but they wanted to start establishing some good credit, without losing their mind and their soul to the credit-card demon. “No one needs them to survive.” “Says the woman working two jobs.” “I’m working two jobs to help support my family.” Although to be fair the hours she put in at the day spa as a masseuse were so few and far between during the winter it barely counted as a second job. “Your husband’s a doctor, for Christ’s sake.” Although Nia’d had similar conversations with Miranda on this very subject, the other woman somehow never seemed to see Nia’s point of view, and Nia was growing tired of having to hear Miranda’s. But from the stubborn tilt of the woman’s jaw, Nia could see this was not going to be one of those we’ll just have to agree to disagree moments. Sighing, she closed her notebook and tried her best to keep her temper in check. “Miranda, my husband’s a resident who’s capable of seeing the big picture. Do you know why residents make less than forty-five thousand dollars a year? So they don’t have to pay back their loans right away. You can defer them as long as you’re making a certain amount of money a year. The only problem

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with that is we don’t want to wait. We make our payments on time, some months we make double payments. So in two years we won’t have to make any. We have enough debt without incurring more just to have a big-screen TV. I can save up and get it like I’ve been doing and the end result is the same.” “Except it took you six months to do it.” Nia shrugged. It was what it was. “Time flies when you’re counting your pennies.” Julia looked up from the book and smiled. “It won’t always be that way.” “No, it won’t,” Nia said confidently. She and Eric’s plan didn’t have to make sense to anyone else but them. They were doing what was best for their future, and so what if things were tight at this moment, that was just today. Who knew what tomorrow or the day after that would bring. “Everything is going to work out, Miranda, and remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn.” Miranda snorted. “Yeah, like you’re going to see the dawn.” Julia turned to face Miranda. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I’ll tell you what it means. Do you know how many Nias worked here before her? Not the same name, but the same gullible-type person.” Their conversation was beginning to draw looks their way, but Nia was at the point where she didn’t give a damn. Miranda had gone too far. “I’m not gullible, and I really don’t appreciate you comparing me to anyone else. Our situation, our life, our plans are just that. Ours. You don’t have to like it, and you damn sure don’t have to shit on it. I’m working because I want to, not because I have to.” She always had a choice, and she’d made the right one for herself. “This is my life, Miranda. Butt out.” “Wake up and look around you. You’re waiting on tables, saving up to buy him a flat-screen TV while he’s up at that hospital having nurses blow smoke up his ass, telling him how wonderful he is. The most pathetic part is, in ten years, when your arches are racing with your boobs to be the first one to fall, he’ll be bringing home some little socialite he gave a nose job to, and you’ll still be here, serving the twodollar special to old ladies with blue hair.” “No, Miranda. That’s your life. Not mine.” “You’re a cliché and you don’t even know it.” “And you’re a joke and you don’t even know it.” Nia turned to go, but then stopped and turned back around to face the angry woman. This was obviously not about Nia and Eric. This was about Miranda and the phantom ex who broke not only Miranda’s heart, but her spirit as well. “My husband isn’t the doctor who obviously fucked you over. You don’t know him. You don’t know me. Your situation was yours, and mine is mine.” “That’s where you’re wrong. They’re all the same. Ask any woman at any diner around this hospital who’s slinging hash ten years past her prime and she’ll tell you the same truth I’m offering you for free.” “You know what you can do with your free offer, don’t you?” Nia snapped.

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“He’s using you,” Miranda continued as if Nia had never spoken. “One day you’ll wake up and see the truth of the matter for yourself. Free advice—ignore the affairs at first and get some years under your belt so you’ll make out okay in the settlement, or risk being here. Like us. Forever.” “Who the fuck is us?” Julia questioned, obviously affronted. “I will never be like you,” Nia said emphatically. Eric could screw her six ways from Sunday, and she would still go on. Eric was the love of her life, but he wasn’t her life. She could go on, would go on, if she had to. Something Miranda apparently hadn’t been able to do. “We’ll see,” Miranda sneered. “Yes.” Nia calmly put her notebook in her apron pocket. “We will.” As usual, five hours too late, Darnell White, the owner, popped his head and torso out of the kitchen, where he preferred to work flipping burgers instead of sitting in a small room balancing his books. “Ladies, what’s going on out here?” “Just trying to impart some wisdom on the newbie.” Miranda picked up the water pitcher and made her way over to the drink dispensers. “I’m sure she’ll thank me later.” “How about you impart that chicken fried steak that’s been sitting under the warmer for a good five minutes on table three instead?” “Fine.” Miranda rolled her eyes but moved to do as he requested. “Remember, I was only trying to help.” “I’m sure she appreciates it,” Darnell said sarcastically before focusing on Julia and Nia again. “As for you two…” The overweight man pointed his spatula at them. “We have orders stacking up. Gossip on your own free time, before I make all your time free.” Julia closed her book and slipped it into her apron pocket. “Promises, promises.” “I heard that.” “I’d hope so. I’m standing five feet away from you.” Julia turned her back on the owner and kept talking as if he hadn’t threatened to fire her seconds earlier. “Man, he gets on my nerves.” Nia wasn’t as bold as Julia, so she waited until Darnell slinked into the kitchen again before gently reminding her friend, “Brothers tend to do that.” “Whatever. Just wait. As soon as his wife returns from maternity leave, I’m out of here.” “Stop saying that. You’re going to make me sad. I can’t imagine working here without you.” “I can,” Darnell grumbled through the pass-through. “I’m imagining it real good right now. Come take these orders. And somebody put that Mariah CD back on.” Nia and Julia shared a look of annoyance with one another. It was going to be a long day.

“Thanks for giving me a lift,” Eric said to his friend and fellow resident, Dominic Choy. “I could have walked, but it’s cold as hell out there.”

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“It’s no problem at all.” The Asian man pocketed the keys of his SUV in his heavy coat then gave a feline-like stretch. He’d been asleep in the lounge when Eric found him, and from the looks of things he still would have been if Eric hadn’t woken him up. “Besides, I can eat.” Guilt kept him from just saying thank you. If anyone knew how important getting rest was, it was Eric. “Yeah, but you were sleeping pretty hard in the lounge.” “No worries. I’ll sleep even harder on a full stomach.” Choy reached up and released his jet-black hair from the ponytail he wore at the base of his head then cracked his neck. When he was done he looked far more relaxed. “Especially since you’re buying.” “I knew there was a catch. I should have just hoofed it.” “There always is.” Choy laughed. “But since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll help you tow the car over to your place after rounds.” “Thanks, but we have that auto-card thingy and tows are included.” “I’m willing to bet you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of that piece of plastic.” The card was seeing a little too much action for Eric’s peace of mind. His fixer-upper was requiring more fixing than he’d like, but Eric’s attachment to the car was immeasurable in dollars and cents. “You have no idea.” “You’re going to have to do something about that junker soon.” “Tell me about it.” He took a few seconds to gather his courage to face the cold again, before he opened the car door and stepped outside into the below-freezing weather. Automatically, he hunched his shoulders and shoved his glove-covered hands into his pocket. Without giving Choy time to catch up to him, Eric hurried to the diner’s door and the heat waiting there. By the time he slipped inside, Choy was by his side. Neither man wasted any time before they were unbuttoning their jackets and removing their scarves. The warmth of the diner hit him like a typhoon, warming him instantly from head to toe. Eric let out a happy sigh that was echoed by Choy. Inquisitively, he glanced around the diner as he made his way to an open booth. He didn’t see Nia anywhere, but he did spot Julia taking an order. He waited for her to notice him. It only took a few seconds, but when she did, she held up one finger and mouthed, Be right with you. Eric gave an answering smile and headed in the direction of an empty booth. Although each waitress had a particular section, he knew Nia would eventually make her way to him. Her shift was over in a couple of hours, but it would be even longer before he made it home. That was why, instead of eating in the cafeteria at work, he’d asked Choy to bring him to the restaurant. It didn’t matter that they wouldn’t get more than a few minutes together while he was here, it was still longer than they would have gotten if he’d stayed at work. Even though it was Nia he was here to see, Julia was the first one to come over to their table. The tall statuesque woman carried herself with the confidence of an Amazon. Her skin was as dark and smooth as

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obsidian glass and just as enthralling. She had shoulder-length black hair that she wore pulled back in an elegant yet efficient bun at the base of her neck and a smile that could light up a room. She was beautiful, spirited and his wife’s best friend, and Eric couldn’t have adored her more if they’d been born of the same flesh. “Hello, handsome,” she said as she handed a menu to Eric. Without looking at Choy she thrust one at him as well. “Here.” Used to Julia’s less-than-hospitable attitude toward him, Choy laughed off her rudeness and grabbed the menu with one hand and Julia’s hand with the other. “Why does he get a handsome and I get a here you go?” His bold move garnered him Julia’s attention and her ire. “Let go, you big goon.” “Answer me first,” he countered. “Because I like him.” True to his word, he released her. “You like me too.” A grin tugged at the corner of Choy’s lips. “You just don’t realize it yet.” Julia didn’t bother to reply. Instead, she focused on Eric again and smiled, all traces of attitude gone. “Your honey’s in the back. I’ll let her know you’re here.” Eric fought hard to keep his amusement at bay. “Thank you.” “My pleasure. Would you like coffee while you wait?” “Yes, and make it strong.” “Will do,” she said, sashaying away. “I’d like coffee too,” Choy called after her. Without missing a step or turning around, Julia flipped him the bird, which caused both men to burst into laughter. “I’m wearing her down.” Choy’s words were overly confident. “She’s warming up to me.” Eric wasn’t sure what woman his friend was talking about, but it surely wasn’t Julia. “You don’t stand a chance.” “You couldn’t be more wrong.” Choy’s gaze followed Julia as she slipped through the swinging doors. “That woman will be mine.” Eric snorted. “You only want her because she’s not interested in you.” “Don’t doubt it for a second. She’s interested.” Choy looked back at him with a grin. “But until she’s ready to admit she wants to take a ride on the Oriental Express, I’m going to go with plan B.” Eric frowned in confusion. “Plan B?” Choy nodded to the door behind Eric. “B for backup. Because if you can’t have the one you love…” Eric turned around to see who Choy was referring to and groaned when he spotted two female coworkers standing in the doorway. “What are they doing here?”

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“Oh.” Choy picked up his menu and opened it casually. “Did I forget to mention that Bethany and Corrine are meeting us?” The lack of surprise in his friend’s tone said a mouthful. “No, you didn’t mention it. And no, you didn’t forget.” “Yeah.” Choy lowered the menu and grinned. “I didn’t forget. I texted Bethany before we left.” Eric glanced back at the blonde walking toward the restrooms and grimaced. “Why?” For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what his friend saw in the other resident. She was a shit doctor and an even crappier human being who lacked not only a decent bedside manner but ethics as well. “I don’t get the appeal.” “She has a vagina,” Choy said. “And if I’m nice enough to her, she may just introduce me to it.” Eric waited for his friend to continue, but was only met with silence. “Is that seriously the end of that explanation?” he asked after a few seconds. Choy frowned. “What else needs to be said?” “Well, how sure are you she has a vagina?” The other man tilted his head to the side as if he were seriously pondering the question. “I would say a strong eighty-nine percent sure.” “And the other eleven that has you not so sure is based on what?” “The Maybelline factor.” “The what?” “You know, Maybelline, maybe she’s born with it.” Choy made a diamond shape with his hands, a rude gesture for a vagina, if there ever was one. “Or maybe it’s Maybelline.” “You base your sex life on a cosmetic commercial?” “She also gives killer head.” “Which once again puts her in the chicks-with-dicks category.” “Put it this way. Anyone who can do what she does can have a dick and still be allowed to touch lips to my meat any damn day of the week.” Eric leaned away from the other man. “I think that’s the gayest thing I’ve heard you say.” “Be that as it may, in order for me to find out for sure if I’m a star player in a hip new remake of The Crying Game, I’m going to have to do date-like things so I can get date-like privileges.” “You never have to lie to your hand,” Eric reminded him. “Says the happiest married man I’ve ever met. Which, by the way, is sickening.” Eric smiled. “Not to me.” “Braggart,” Choy grumbled. Eric held his hands up and shrugged. “I got to be me.” “Don’t be. At least not for the next hour.”

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“Who should I be then?” “Your best friend’s boy.” Eric shook his head in denial. “I’m not going to be your wingman and get my wife mad at me.” “Not asking that. Besides, I like Nia, she brings me cookies and coffee at the hospital.” That was news to Eric. “She does?” Choy cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t think you were the only one getting special treats.” “Yeah, I kind of did.” Although he was pleased to hear he was wrong. Choy was a good friend. In fact, out of all the other residents at the hospital, Choy was the one Eric liked the most. The majority of the rest were overachiever trust-fund babies who were accepted to school due to legacies and fat checks. The only type of medicine they wanted to practice was the kind that would score them a reality TV show. They were in it for the money, and in medicine there was a lot to be made, but for Eric and Choy and a few others, it was about something deeper. It was about saving lives. But still, he had to give his friend a hard time. “I’m going to have to have words with my Mrs.” “If you make her stop, I’ll make sure Bethany shadows us all week long.” Eric winced. “You’re cruel.” “I need those cookies, man.” “You should have thought of that before you invited that succubus and her minion to dine…on your soul.” “It’s just food.” Eric didn’t reply. Just stared at Choy until his friend rolled his eyes and gave in. “Okay, I suck and I shouldn’t have invited her.” “Yes, you do. On top of that you’ve also missed out on a free meal.” “So can they sit with us?” “You’re asking too much of me.” Choy raised his hand and gestured inward. “Then let me rephrase, they’re coming over and sitting with us. Be nice. We have to work with them.” “Reason number one you shouldn’t be trying to get your parts to high five.” Before Eric could say more, the women were at the table. “Great,” he muttered as she slid in on the bench across from him. “Eric,” she said dryly. “Bethany,” he replied in the same tone. Bethany gestured to the brunette who was still standing. “You remember Corrine.” He didn’t know her, but he’d seen her around. “You’re a nurse in the ER, right?” He stood so she could take a seat.

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Corrine smiled appreciatively as she sat on the bench then scooted in. “Yes. I just started last week. So many people, I was beginning to get lost in the shuffle, but then Bethany came to my rescue on one of her rounds, and we’ve been friends ever since.” Eric sincerely doubted Bethany was doing it to be nice. Corrine was a pretty girl. Knowing Bethany, she was just trying to size up the competition before she went in for the kill. Before he could reply, Bethany made a face as she picked up Choy’s menu. “Why do you guys always come here to eat? The food at Gordy’s is so much better.” Eric didn’t recall inviting her to eat with them to begin with, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. Choy was working overtime to get visiting rights to her pussy and Eric didn’t want to mess it up for his friend. Even if the pussy in question was connected to one of the bitchiest women he’d ever had the displeasure of meeting. “I told you we were coming here when I invited you. You didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to,” Choy reminded her. “I know that,” she said with just a tad less attitude. “I simply don’t understand why we had to come here. There are so many diners around the hospital. What’s so great about this one?” “She is,” Eric said, spotting Nia at last coming out of the back room. “Who’s that?” Corrine asked softly. Eric slid out of the booth and stood. “My wife.” The smile that automatically appeared on his lips the second she was in sight immediately slipped away when he noticed the man coming out with her holding her hand. “If that’s your wife, who is that?” Bethany voiced the question running rampant in his mind. “I don’t know.” But he sure in hell planned on finding out.

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Chapter Four

Despite the less-than-pleased expression on her husband’s face, Nia was very happy to see him. Even if he was in a bad mood, he was still there, which was all she needed to make her day better. Her husband. On a normal day anyway. Today, though, she needed him for something a little bit more important. “Eric,” she called from across the room. “Can you come here please?” Not that she needed to ask. From the second he’d spotted her, he’d begun to make his way in her direction. Knowing help was on the way put her mind at ease and helped her focus on the injured boy next to her. “Let’s go sit over there.” With his hand in hers, she led him to an empty booth then helped him take a seat. Poor kid had burned the crap out of his arm lifting one of the big pots in the kitchen. Nia was sure he was going to need medical help, and there was no one more capable of fixing the youngster up quicker or better than her husband. “Keep your arm as still as possible,” she warned him. “Is it hurting too badly?” He grimaced but shook his head. “Not too bad.” “Good. I’ll get my husband to help you.” “Thanks, Nia,” Oscar said with a shy smile. “I really appreciate it.” “Of course.” Happy she was able to soothe the young man a bit, she turned around to get Eric, only to find him standing right behind her. “Oh hey. The fates must have known I was going to need you tonight.” “Fates?” “Of course.” She stepped to the side so Eric could see Oscar. “This is Mario’s nephew and our new busboy.” Eric didn’t spare the other man a glance. He kept his intense gaze directed on Nia, and it was beginning to make her a bit nervous. “And he’s hurt.” She emphasized the last word, hoping the doctor instinct would override whatever he was upset about. She was pleased to see she was right. It had only taken the word hurt to get Eric moving toward the table. He took hold of Oscar’s fingers and gently turned his arm so he could see the burn more clearly. After a few seconds, he pulled back and frowned. “That doesn’t look good.” Nia was afraid of that. “I immersed it in cold water for a bit to cool it down, but I think you’re going to have to do more than that.”

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Eric nodded. “I am.” “Want me to get your bag from the car?” His medical bag had saved many fingers and soothed many burns in the diner. It kept the uninsured staff from having to make trips to the ER, and it kept Eric and Nia fed three square meals a day for the service he did for the diner. It was more than a fair trade in her mind, but from the frown on her husband’s face, Nia began to wonder if it was one too many things piled on an already heavy load he was carting. “Or should I take him to the ER?” “No. To both.” Nia frowned. “You don’t think this needs to be wrapped?” “Yes, but I don’t have my bag with me.” “Why not?” “Because the car broke down. All my stuff is with it at the hospital.” “Oh.” Nia tried to keep the lack of surprise out of her voice. Eric’s car had been on its last leg when he’d inherited it—moving it from the sunny dry climate of California to the arctic Midwest had put that leg in a cast. Instead of reminding him of all of this, she bit back a sigh and offered him a comforting smile. “Sorry, babe.” “No big deal. Let me go ask Choy. I’m sure he has something with him.” “Dominic’s here? I should go say hi.” Nia glanced down at Oscar and rubbed his shoulder sympathetically. “Why don’t you go to Darnell’s office? The boys will be back there soon to fix you right up.” “Okay,” he said as he stood. He gave her another shy smile before heading to the office. Like any good nursemaid would, Nia waited until he was out of sight before glancing back at her husband, who was watching her with a little amused look on his face. “What?” Eric shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. “You don’t even realize it, do you?” Nia slipped her arm through the crook of his and walked with him toward the booth where Dominic and two women were sitting. “Realize what?” “You’ve just added another notch to your heartbreaking belt.” Nia bumped him with her shoulder. “Oh stop. I was just being nice. I thought you would approve of my bedside manner.” “He did, that’s for damn sure.” “Would you begrudge a sick boy a hug?” “From you? Hell yes,” he said in all seriousness. “And he’s not a boy. That’s a man.” “He’s like eighteen.” “Thank you for proving my point,” he mocked. “He’s a kid.” Eric shot her a pointed look. “A kid wouldn’t have been staring at your breasts the entire time.”

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“He’s hurt. The last thing I’m sure he’s thinking about is sex.” “Choy,” Eric called out as they stopped in front of the table where the trio was sitting. “Let me throw out a hypothetical.” His friend placed his arm along the top the backrest and turned his body a bit more so he was facing them. “Hit me.” “If you were on your death bed, just minutes away from dying, and my wife…” Eric gestured to her and she struck a pose, amused by where he was going with this, “…walked in and offered to give you a sponge bath, would you try to get her to give you a happy ending?” Dominic thought about it for a second then answered with a pensive look on his handsome face. “Are you dead?” he asked solemnly. “Yes.” Eric nodded. Dominic didn’t even hesitate. “Then hell yeah. I’m a guy. I’m about to die, you’re already dead, what do I have to lose? I’m going to have to go for it. She can only say no once, but I’d have to live with what if if I didn’t go for it.” “But to be truthful,” Nia added. “You wouldn’t have to live with it long.” “True. But I’d still go for it, and I promise you, Nia, it would be the best last seven minutes of my life.” Dominic was a fool. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She bit back a smile. Dominic winked at her. “You do that. So what’s up with the kid you were molesting?” Heat filled her cheeks. Was she the only one who didn’t confuse kindness with kinkiness? “He’s hurt. I was soothing him.” “You were giving him a chub,” Dominic countered. Nia shook her head. “I’m officially done talking to you.” Dominic turned to Eric, all trace of joking gone. “How hurt is he?” “From a glance I’d say it’s a fairly minor burn. Nia’s already immersed it in cool water. We need to clean it and dress it, but he’ll have to come in for a DT shot later.” “I have some gauze to wrap it in the car.” “Let’s handle this then.” “Let’s.” Dominic turned to the blonde woman sitting next to him. “I need to get out, honey.” “I thought we were eating lunch.” “Yes, after.” With a long-suffering sigh, the woman rose from the bench, letting him slip out. As one, the two men headed out of the diner to Dominic’s car, leaving Nia alone with the women at the table.

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Before she could try to come up with filler conversation, the brunette piped up. “So you’re Eric’s wife?” “Yes. That’s what he keeps telling me anyway,” she teased. “Aw. How sweet. I’m Corrine.” The cheerful young lady gave a little wave. “I work in the ER with your husband.” “It’s very nice to meet you.” Nia smiled. The woman’s sunny disposition was a warm welcome on such a dreary day. Expecting the same reaction, she looked over at the other lady, who to her surprise was glaring at Nia with disdain. Never one to let a frown stand in her way, Nia tried to be pleasant. “And you are?” “Hungry.” Okay. Apparently this one didn’t want to have sleepovers and braid each other’s hair. Whipping out her order pad, she pasted a fake smile on her face and did her job. “What can I get you?” “Food from another restaurant.” “Bethany.” Her companion gasped. “What are you—?” “No, it’s fine.” Nia wasn’t going to let the other lady get her down. Besides, she could always spit in the bitch’s food later. With that pleasant thought in mind, she slipped the pad back in her apron and smiled. “Actually, I see your waitress right over there. She’ll take your drink order while you decide if The Greasy Spoon is really the place for you today. You ladies have a great day. It was really nice to meet you, Corrine.” “Likewise,” the woman responded with a stressed smile. “I’m going to go see what’s keeping the men. Have a nice evening.” Bitch, she muttered to herself as she walked quickly from the table. On her way to the back office she bypassed Julia. “Eric’s table.” “Yeah?” “Just became your table.” “Aw,” Julia grumbled. “Why?” “Because blondie,” she said, pointing the lady out, “is a bitch and I’m not in the mood.” Julia took one look at Bethany and shook her head. “I’m not in the mood either.” “Yes, but Eric has to work with them, so I can’t do anything that will mar that.” “Fine, but if his friend doesn’t stop hitting on me…” Julia’s voice trailed off without finishing the threat. “Oh, stop it. You like it.” Julia frowned. “Girl, please. I don’t have time to be messing around with that himbo.” Nia adored her husband’s friend. “Dominic is a sweetie.” “Who’s probably slept with every woman in this city.”

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“Not me,” Nia reminded her friend. “Or me, and I plan to keep it that way.” “Fine.” Nia spotted the man in question coming up behind Julia, and she couldn’t resist trying on cupid’s wings for a bit. “Admit it though. You think Dominic is pretty damn hot.” Dominic paused silently behind Julia and crossed his arms. From the quizzical expression on his face, Nia could tell he wanted this answer as badly as she did. Oh, she was so going to best-friend hell for this, but still, she needed to know. “Well?” “Well, what?” Julia responded stubbornly. “You think he’s hot.” “I’m not blind. The man is beautiful, and if his penis wasn’t a Petri dish filled with the ghost of pussy past and the ghost of pussy present, I’d be all over him.” “Julia, Julia, Julia.” Dominic stepped up right behind her, so close it was almost obscene. His presence startled Julia, but she didn’t back down. She stayed where she was, staring straight ahead as if nothing was out of the ordinary. “My penis is many things, like big, thick and long, but it isn’t a Petri dish. I’m all about safe sex.” “Which is why we don’t hang out.” “Because I practice safe sex?” “No.” Julia turned around until she was facing him, but she didn’t step back. The same lack of space between them to begin with seemed even smaller now that the two of them were staring at each other. “Because you’re all about sex.” “You have a problem with sex?” Julia tilted her head to the side. “I have a problem with being one of many.” “Does it matter how many were before you as long as you’re the last?” Nia felt like a voyeur in this very private conversation, but she didn’t want to leave. Neither Dominic nor Julia appeared to care much that she was there. It didn’t stop them from getting their flirt on, that was for sure. “Says the man here with a date.” “A bitchy one at that,” Nia couldn’t help but add. Dominic laughed and stepped back. Moment apparently gone. “She’s not that bad.” “Right.” Nia didn’t know what his definition of that bad was, and after meeting the blonde, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “Where’s my old man?” “In the back washroom. Cleaning up. You guys need to send the kid home for the rest of the night, and I would let him take a few days off to make sure he’s healing before you allow him to come to work again.” “I’ll let my brother know.” Julia went to leave but was stopped by Dominic’s hand on her arm.

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“Running?” “No, you did your job, now it’s time I did mine. If you’ll excuse me.” Julia pulled her arm free and headed toward the kitchen, leaving Dominic staring after her. He was so gone, Nia thought. And Nia bet he didn’t even realize the depths of it yet. “I don’t think your girl wants to eat here, and I don’t think you want Julia waiting on her if she decides to stay.” “Yeah, good point.” Dominic watched Julia intently as she made her way to the kitchen. “I’m going to marry that woman.” “Right.” Nia laughed. “No, I am.” He faced Nia, and for the first time, she didn’t see any sign of teasing from him. He looked utterly and completely serious. “Marry her?” “Yes, and give her a house full of blasian babies for her to spoil, much in the same way she does every male member in her family.” “You seem to know a lot about Julia’s crew.” “It’s important to know your in-laws, isn’t it, especially when they’re slowly working my future wifey to death.” Nia couldn’t deny Julia went above and beyond the call of duty for her family, but that was the kind of person she was. If Dominic was serious about getting to know her on a more intimate level, he was going to have to accept the way she was, but it wasn’t the only thing he was going to have to accept. “If you want to get anywhere with Julia, can the whole marrying thing.” “No, I want her to know my intentions so she has time to come to grips with them.” Suddenly Nia didn’t think he was joking about any of it at all. “Are you serious?” Then his devilish smile was back, and Nia couldn’t tell what had been real or what had been merely a lark. Either way, he didn’t have a chance in hell. “Good luck with that. First things first though.” Nia gestured to the women who were chatting softly at the booth. “Deal with bitcherella.” Choy didn’t even spare the other woman a look. “I’m only messing around with her until your friend comes to her senses.” “Bringing other girls by is not going to help your cause.” Choy shrugged. “Hey, what can I say? Love makes me stupid.” “I don’t think you can blame that on love.” Nia laughed. “Something tells me you were stupid long before you met Julia.” “You might have a point,” Dominic conceded. “So, what are the chances of me getting that sponge bath?” “You know how lots of people say when hell freezes over.”

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“Yeah.” “Call two weeks after that, then maybe we’ll talk.” “Aww.” Dominic placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a little-sister-like hug. “You’re mean.” “Every time I turn around someone is pawing my wife.” Eric’s voice had Nia and Dominic turning around to face him. “I’m only complimenting your taste.” “Instead of hitting on my wife and upsetting her friend—” “You mean my future baby mama,” Dominic interrupted to add. Eric nodded as if he concurred. “Yes, your future baby mama, maybe you should join the chick you invited in the first place.” Dominic glanced back at the table with an extremely disinterested look on his face and let out a heavy sigh. “I guess.” Without bothering to see if Dominic returned to the table, Nia turned to her husband. “So, Doc, will the patient live?” Eric wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer to him. “Only if he stops eyeing my wife like she’s the blue-plate special.” “We don’t have a blue-plate special.” She smiled. “Dominic says Oscar will be okay.” “He will. Although I still want him to come in later tonight for a DT shot, and I’ll check in on him again later this week to see how he’s faring.” Something Nia knew he’d do for free because Oscar didn’t have any insurance. “You’re such a good person.” He tried to brush her words away. “Because of you.” “I’m serious.” “So am I. You make me want to be a better man. To do good things. You remind me why I’m in this field to begin with.” That was probably the best compliment she’d ever received. “I do all that?” “And then some.” “I guess you’re lucky to have me then.” “I don’t guess. I know.” “Kiss her on your own time,” Darnell warned from the pass-through window. “Orders up.” “The boss is calling, but we will pick this up later.” Eric gave her a sharp smack on the bottom as he whispered in her ear, “You can count on it.” Nia quivered. She couldn’t tell what turned her on most, the smack on her ass or the promise of more in his voice. Either way, she couldn’t wait for later.

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He loved watching her work. Nia was such a nurturer she never failed to make each and every customer feel as if they were her only concern. She laughed with them, teasing and cajoling the ones who’d come in with sour moods thanks to the shit-ass weather, until they too began to smile. There was a light about her, the essence of her that made Nia…well, Nia. Even now there were women in the room who debatably could be described as more physically attractive than Nia. The other waitress, Miranda, for instance, was fucking gorgeous, yet Nia was the one whose every move was being followed. Even though she would deny to her last breath that she flirted, she was pushing out the pheromones so strong he got aroused when she merely walked past him. And he knew he wasn’t the only one. The outfits Darnell had the waitresses wear were far from demeaning. They were actually on the conservative side. The button-up short-sleeve shirt was flattering, but it covered her ample flesh, which was a bit more than the thigh-high black skirt did. Eric would have preferred slacks, but as long as it wasn’t Hooter wear, he wasn’t going to complain. It wasn’t the shirt’s fault the color complimented Nia’s dark skin, nor could he blame the garment’s little collar and V opening that showcased her lush breasts. That would have occurred in a burlap sack. It wasn’t the outfit doing the damage or causing the stares. It was Nia. She had a womanly shape in what could arguably be called a schoolgirl outfit. Those two things just didn’t mix. Or they did, but only for pervy men. From the looks of the many male customers who ogled her, Eric knew he wasn’t the only one wanting to have Nia come visit his pretend principal’s office. He could make her stay after school. And maybe break out a ruler or two for some punishment. The more he thought on the matter, the more turned on he became. Hungrily he watched as Nia slipped out of the main dining room and into the broom closet. It was next to the restroom and not so out of the way that it would seem weird for him to follow in the same direction. “Athers.” Choy’s voice pulled his thoughts away from devious plans. “Are you even listening to me?” “No,” he admitted with no shame. “The ladies are leaving now. Do you want to bail too?” Eric slipped his hand beneath the table and pulled his shirt out of his pants to cover his budding erection. There was only one place he was going. “No. Not yet. In a minute.” “A minute?” “Yeah.” He rose from the table, his focus on one thing only, getting in the back room undetected. Of course it was easier said than done with Choy chattering like a magpie every three seconds. “Where are you going, man?” Eric met his friend’s gaze steadily. “To go say goodbye to my wife.” Choy glanced down at his watch. “We have to be at the hospital in fifteen minutes.”

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It was more than enough time. “It won’t take long.” Choy glanced to where Nia had gone then back at his friend. He smiled a knowing smile and made himself comfortable in the booth. “Understood. I’ll be here waiting.” “I’ll be just a moment.” Or ten. Without bothering to say goodbye to the women who’d joined them for lunch, Eric headed in the direction of the restrooms. He had no intention of going there, but he was willing to put up a façade for Nia’s sake. Keeping his gaze straight, he made a left as if he were going into the restroom, but instead went to the storage closet. After doing a quick look around to make sure no was watching, he opened the door then stepped inside the small room. The sound of the door shutting startled Nia, who spun around, her hand over her heart. When she spotted her husband, she let out a relieved sigh. “Eric. What are you doing back here?” “You.” “Me what?” “You asked me what I’m doing here.” Eric turned and locked the door. He tested the handle to make sure it was secured before facing her again. “I’m doing you.” Nia smiled but shook her head. “We’re not doing it here.” “I beg to differ.” Eric moved toward her slowly, like a cat stalking its prey. “We are.” Every step he took forward, she took one back, until she ran out of floor. Eric cornered her, forcing her back into stacks of paper towels piled stomach high. But she still didn’t give in that easily. “Darnell will kill us.” Eric brought his index finger to his lip. “I won’t tell if you won’t.” “A storage closet. Really?” She licked her lips nervously. “Oscar must have really got to you.” He grabbed her hand and pressed it against the bulge protruding from behind his slacks. “No. You did.” She cupped him and smiled. “So I see.” “Good. Now it’s my time to see.” Eric pulled her shirt free of her skirt. Once it was loose, he began to methodically unfasten the bottom buttons. But was stopped by Nia, who took hold of his wrist. “Are you freaking serious?” She cast her gaze to the door then back at him. “People are walking by. They might hear.” “Then you better be quiet.” Her breath caught in her throat, and it took a few seconds for her to speak. “I’m on the clock.” “Then we better make it quick.” Releasing her shirt, he placed his hands on the swell of her hips. “Turn around and bend over.” “What?” “You heard me. Turn around and bend over.”

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“No way.” “If that’s the way you want it.” Eric spun her around forcefully until she was facing the industrial package of paper towels. With none of his usual finesse, he pressed her forward, breasts down against the plastic covering the bulk paper. “I do love a challenge.” “Eric!” “Nia.” Eric seized the hem of her skirt and roughly pulled it up. He held the thin material at the small of her back with one hand while he worked her pantyhose down her ass to the middle of her thighs with the other. Dirty girl that she was, Nia wore nothing beneath her hose but a spritz of her favorite perfume. The floral fragrance mingled with that of her own womanly aroma. The intoxicating scent caused his cock to harden further and his mouth to water. The desire to sink to his knees behind her and lave her pussy until he lapped up every last drop of her creamy dew was very strong, but Eric didn’t get this far in life without keeping his eye on the prize. He was on a timetable. Which meant less would have to be more. Of course there was always tomorrow. After undoing his pants and pushing them down, he placed his hands between her thighs and wedged her legs apart. “This is such a bad idea.” The hunger in her voice belied her words. “Really?” He thrust two fingers into her slick passage. She was so wet he sank into her hot sex with ease. He scissored his fingers inside her as he pumped to stretch her open a bit more. “I think you protest in vain, my love.” The proof was coating his fingers as he spoke. She was so hot, so fucking sexy she took his breath away. “You love it.” “I can’t…help the way my body responds to you.” “I don’t want you to.” Even though he was almost loath to do so, Eric withdrew. “But if you want me to stop, I will.” “I’m nervous, not stupid,” she growled. “Is that a yes?” He fluttered his damp fingers against the puckered ring of her anus. Her breath hitched and she flinched, causing her rosette to clench in response. The movement was practically an invitation for him to sink into her tight depths, but he knew they didn’t have time for such play. “Eric,” she moaned. “Please don’t make me beg.” “Then tell me what I want to hear.” He grasped his cock and rubbed his slick crown through the cream-coated lips of her sex. He wanted to toy with her further, but he was riding a fine line himself. “Tell me. Do you want me to fuck you?” “Yes. God, yes.” He paused to rub her engorged clit with the tip of his cock before positioning himself against her wet slit. “And you don’t care who hears.” “No.” She looked over her shoulder at him, beseeching him with her gaze. “I want you.”

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“Then take me.” He powered forth, moaning aloud at the molten heat that met his bare flesh. Despite the constant fucking they did, Nia’s pussy always took a few strokes before he could sink completely in her, no matter how wet she was, and this evening was no exception. On the fourth pump, he slid home, closing his eyes to savor the moment even more. No one else had ever felt the way she did around him. Her sweet heat surrounded him, robbing him of all thoughts but those of her. His wife. His love. His. “Oh God, yes.” Nia may have said she wanted to be quiet, but Eric knew when she was hot and bothered she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “Fuck me, please, fuck me.” “With pleasure.” Eric gripped her hips and began to thrust into her at a relentless pace. The animalistic sounds of their loving echoing in the otherwise quiet room as he pounded in and out of her supple flesh only added to his pleasure. Knowing their love sonata could be heard by anyone at any time was an even bigger high; it spurred him on more. “Damn, baby, you’re beautiful.” He loved fucking her in this position. The angle allowed him to watch his shaft sink into her pussy from behind. The contrast of colors was almost as arousing as the act itself, but nothing turned him on more than the sweet moans coming from her mouth. “Oh yes…baby.” Moving in time to the rhythm of his hips, Nia pushed against him, taking every inch he had to offer while begging for more. “Harder, please. Eric, fuck me.” He was more than happy to comply with her desperate cries. “Touch yourself for me, Nia. Show me how much you’re enjoying it.” He paused long enough for her to slide her hand between her body and the stack of towels. He knew when she reached her clit because her whole body jerked and clenched. Taking her reaction as a sign to continue, he began to pump inside her again. A deep groan of pleasure escaped from his parched lips. The tips of her fingers brushed against his cock as he sawed inside her. “Yeah, baby, that’s it. Play with your pussy for me.” “Fuck.” She whimpered. Nia loved it when he talked dirty. Sometimes that was all it took to send her over the edge. Just the thought of her coming undone around his thrusting flesh nearly had him ready to burst. Eric sped up, gripping her tighter with each downward thrust. He wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be able to last, but by the way she was moaning and quivering around him, Eric knew he wasn’t the only one on edge. “Eric. Eric.” “That’s it, baby. Let go.”

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“Ohhhhhh.” A strangled, noisy cry of ecstasy escaped from her barely parted lips as she found her release, moments ahead of him. Her orgasm was the catalyst to his own. Eric’s hips stuttered to a sudden stop as he let out a muffled groan. He came in a torrent of seed inside her. He released the death grip he had on her hips and leaned forward, resting the bulk of his weight against her back. That lasted about five seconds. “Need to…breathe,” Nia choked out from beneath him. “Sorry,” he muttered. Although he moved, she remained in the same slumped-over position. “Sunshine?” She raised her head high enough to give him a well-sated grin from over her shoulder. “Hmm…?” “Know where I can find a napkin?” Nia burst out laughing. “Yeah, I do, surprisingly.” She stood up then dug through the container to pull out a few napkins for the two of them. “You’re crazy.” “Yeah, but I’m also a mess.” “Don’t blame me.” She held out a few to him. “This was all your idea, Doctor.” “That it was.” Happy and deeply satisfied, Eric took her offering. While she got herself situated, he turned his back and did the same, cleaning up the best he could with the dry napkins they had. When he was done with them, he balled up the soiled paper and stuffed it in his pocket. It wasn’t very hygienic, it wasn’t very comfortable, but it would work until he returned to the hospital. He had extra clothes there, plus he could always use the staff’s shower. “You know…” Eric turned at her words and smiled at his wife. Despite her clothes being back where they should, she still had an I’ve just been fucked look about her. “I’m going to smell like sex for the rest of the night.” On him that would be wrong, but the thought of her walking around with their brand of fragrance mingling on her skin was very titillating to him. The idea that every man would smell him on her and know she’d just been fucked was a mental erection if ever there was one. “Hmmm…I have to say that doesn’t bother me at all.” Eric cupped his hand around her nape and drew her in for a kiss. When he went to move his hand, it became caught in the clasp of her necklace. Without thinking he yanked to free himself, causing the delicate chain to break. The silver slipped from around her neck and sank into the valley between her breasts. “Fuck.” He dipped his fingers into her bodice and removed the chain. To his dismay he realized it wasn’t as simple as re-clasping it around her neck. The chain itself was broken. “Babe, I’m so sorry.” “Eric, it’s not a big deal.” She took it from his hand and placed it in her skirt pocket. Out of sight didn’t mean out of mind. “I know the necklace is important to you. I’m such an idiot.” “You?” Nia wrapped her arms around his neck. “Doctor, darling, the last thing you are is an idiot.” “If I hadn’t been so rough…”

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“…I wouldn’t have come as hard.” “Still.” “Honey.” Nia took her arms down and cupped his face in her hands. She held him in place and peered deep into his eyes. There was no anger, no frustration, just love. Even after ruining something he knew was so important to her, Nia still was there, with love shining in her eyes. “It’s okay. I know it was an accident. We’ll fix it later.” “I’ll fix it later.” “Okay.” She smiled and let him go. “Now get out of here, you wild and crazy man.” “Crazy for you.” Nia caressed his cheek tenderly. “You better be. Now go.” Eric checked the door before slipping out. On his way back to the dining room he passed Oscar, who was staring at him with a look of envy. He didn’t blame the kid. Eric would be envious too. By the time he made it to the table, Choy was the only one left. He rose when he saw Eric getting closer. “Do you need a minute to gather yourself? Want to cuddle?” “Fuck you.” “Nah. I don’t like being anyone’s sloppy seconds.” Eric laughed his friend’s words off. On the way to the exit, they passed by Julia who was taking an order. Choy, obviously unable to leave well enough alone, stopped walking and waited until she was done to speak to her. “I’m leaving.” “Thank God.” Julia slipped her notepad in the apron. “Oh come on. Aren’t you going to miss me a little bit?” Julia shook her head. “No. Not at all.” “How about a goodbye kiss, something to keep me warm tonight?” “You want a kiss?” “Yes.” “Okay.” She raised her hand to her lips. She pressed a quick kiss on her fingers, then blew it toward him. “There you go. Good night.” She slipped away as quickly as she’d come, leaving both men chuckling in her wake. Amused, Eric glanced at Choy, who was grinning from ear to ear. “She is warming up to you.” “See. I told you.” “Yes, you did. Let’s get out of here. We have lives to save, coffee to drink, nurses to give hard times to.” Nia entered the dining room and made her way over to one—thanks to him—neglected customer. As she soothed the gentleman’s ego, she looked over at him and smiled for a brief second before getting back to work.

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“And women to come home to.” “Amen, brother.” Choy slapped Eric on the back. “Let’s go be rock stars.” Eric chuckled at the analogy as he slipped on his coat. He was no rock star, but after just ten minutes with his wife, he felt like a god. Best part about it was, in eight short hours, he’d join her at home and do it all over again.

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Chapter Five

The foot of the bed dipping roused Nia from her deep sleep. She turned her head toward the clock and peeked out of one eye to see the time. It was after four, but not enough after it to make it worth getting up. “Go away,” she muttered, closing her eyes. “Need to sleep.” “Go back to sleep…” the covers at the foot of the bed lifted, letting some of the cool air into her warm, downy haven, “…if you can.” “If I…can?” Her eyes sprang open at his words. Nia sat up a bit, bracing the brunt of her weight on her elbows as she looked at her nude husband standing at the foot of the bed. The room was mostly dark, except for the light coming in from behind the partially closed door of the bathroom that adjoined the bedroom. But even if it had been completely dark, she still would have spotted him. Eric was a little on the pale side. He stood out a bit. “What do you mean, if I can?” “Exactly what I said.” Eric smiled in his wicked way then lowered himself to his knees in front of the foot of the bed. He held the covers up and climbed underneath them. She shook her head in bemusement. “What are you doing?” The question was answered before the sentence was complete. He was doing her. Eric snaked his body up the mattress to her legs and pushed them apart. Even with the weather being what it was, Nia still slept in the nude, a fact Eric was taking sweet advantage of. The second his fingertips touched the lips of her pussy, she gave up the premise of sleep and lay back. Nia lifted the covers and peered under them. “Are you stealing the Viagr—?” Her smart-aleck remark was cut short by a gasp of pleasure as Eric gave her clit one long lick. He looked up from between her legs. “Still want me to stop?” “Oh no. You’re good.” She pressed her hand on the blanket above his head and gently tried to nudge him back to work. “Don’t stop.” “Such a demanding little thing.” His words were laced with amusement, but Nia didn’t care. He could laugh the entire time he went down on her, as long as she got off. “More licking, less talking.” Eric laughed but went back to driving her completely out of her mind with his mad oral skills. Nia didn’t know if it was because he was a doctor and knew more about the female body than the average guy, or maybe he was just an idiot savant when it came to pussyology. What ever it was, however it was learned, there was no denying Eric was the best lover she’d ever had.

Lena Matthews

“God, yes.” Whimpering, Nia bent her knees and pressed her pussy up against his talented mouth. With Eric it wasn’t just about licking, he used his hand, and sometimes when he hadn’t shaved in a while, he would rub his stubbly chin across her clit. Nia had never understood what it meant when someone said something hurt so good until he’d done that to her for the first time. The pleasure/pain sensor in her brain shorted for a second because she was screaming and coming, all at the same time. Tonight though, he concentrated on her G-spot, rubbing the sensitive section with his fingers as he lapped her clit with long, firm strokes. The intense pleasure was like nothing else in the world. Moaning, she took hold of the sides of the pillow she was lying against and squeezed it in her tight grip. Nia wanted to grab on to him and pull him to her, but she didn’t trust herself right now. In the state of mind she was in, she might mar his back with her nails. But the pleasure was too much for her to take silently. “Eric…” His name came out like a desperate whimper. “I’m so close. Fuck.” Taking her at her word, he didn’t stop. Nia could do nothing but moan and buck against him. Forgoing the pillow, she once more put her hands on top of the covers. This time, however, she pulled them away from him. Once his head was visible, she buried her fingers in his thick blond hair and pulled him even closer to her pussy. If Eric had a problem with what she did, she couldn’t tell. He kept at her and used his new position to slide his fingers free and plunge his tongue deep into her trembling cunt. He lapped and loved her, then her husband let her fly. Nia released his hair. Desperate to feel even more, she grabbed hold of her nipples and squeezed with all her might. The extra sensation was all she needed

to

send

her

soaring.

And

when

she

came,

she

came

screaming

his

name.

“Ericohhfuckohyesohhhfuckohgohonooh…” The words poured out in a rambling mess. It was a hodgepodge of consonants and vowels and moans that meant nothing and yet amazingly everything, as well. As Nia trembled in the aftermath of her orgasm, Eric pulled his mouth away from her tender pussy. He threw the blankets all the way off the bed and rose to his knees. He wasn’t the only thing upright. His cock, hard and long, jutted out in front of him, begging for release. It was all the invitation she needed. Releasing her nipples, Nia sat up and grasped his shaft in her hand. Without saying a word, she lowered her mouth around his cock, taking him as deep as she could. She paused for a second to ruminate in the moment. Nia loved the way it felt to have his smooth, thick member brush against the back of her throat. “Yeah, baby. You know what I like.” She sure as hell did, and she was going to give him everything he needed. Nia pulled back slowly, letting him drift from her lips inch by inch until just the crown remained. She swirled her tongue around the tip before plunging forward once more. It was a pattern she repeated over and over until Eric entwined his fingers in her hair and pulled, forcing her off his shaft.

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“Fucking tease,” Eric groaned. “Stop loving it and I’ll stop doing it.” “Teasing ends now.” He tightened his hands in her hair, causing her to whimper. The feel of his hands buried in her dark mane was like an aphrodisiac. Nia knew there were women who didn’t enjoy having their hair messed with during sex. She was not one of them. “Put your lips on my dick and suck it like you mean it. Like you can’t wait for my come to hit the back of your throat.” “I can’t wait.” “Then do it, Sunshine.” Eric fisted his cock and placed it against her lips. “Make me come.” Greedy for another taste of him, Nia opened her mouth and hollowed her cheeks. She leaned her head back into his hand, giving him the signal to lead. And man, did he. Eric used her thick strands as a lever to pump his cock in her mouth. To stop herself from falling, Nia grasped hold of his thighs and held on for all she was worth as Eric fucked her face. Lost in the taste of him, Nia tightened her mouth and sucked harder, going with the rhythm Eric supplied. “That’s so good.” Moving faster, he pushed deeper in her throat. “Yeah, baby.” A quickening of his hips and a tightening of his hands was the only warning he gave before he came with a loud groan. His warm, salty fluid flooded her mouth. Without even thinking about it, she swallowed his load, savoring his flavor as she drank him up. “Fuck, Sunshine,” Eric growled. He drew Nia to him and kissed her. Her tongue caressed his, moving back and forth, deeper and harder, until they had to break away just to breathe. “Whew,” he said, falling down on the bed. He gestured with his hands for her to join him. Smiling, Nia lay beside him, resting her head on his chest, directly over his heart. The sound was soothing and comfortably familiar. Eric sighed and squeezed her to him. “Now I can go to bed.” His comment was so random that it tickled. “Better than a sleeping pill?” “Every damn time.” Nia smiled. That was a compliment of the highest order.

“Son of a bitch,” Eric cursed under his breath as he starred down at the problematic engine of his Chevy. He’d had nothing but problems with this car since, well, since the moment he put his name on the title. Lately if it wasn’t one thing, it was another with this piece-of-shit car. The engine was shot to hell and back, and in no way was it going to be fixed any time soon, especially with Christmas only a day away.

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Lena Matthews

Why was everything always a test? Why couldn’t things just work the way they were supposed to for once? Frustrated, Eric glanced down at his watch and grimaced when he noticed the time. “Fuck.” “Everything okay?” Looking up, Eric spotted a very-bundled-up Nia holding a mug of something hot in her gloved hand. The steam rising from the drink seemed almost frozen in midair. “Hey.” Nia came closer, a warm smile on her pretty brown face. “I brought this for you. I heard you all the way upstairs.” Great. Just fucking great. “Sorry.” Eric took the cup and brought the drink to his chapped lips. He didn’t dare sip it right away. Instead, he used the rising heat to warm his lips. “Thanks,” he said, once he felt he could move them again without causing them to crumble into dust under the cold. “No problem.” Nia wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. Even though she was dressed from head to toe in winter wear, it was still colder than a witch’s tit out here. Definitely no place for her. He was used to the shit weather. She was still at heart a California girl, even though they’d been out here for two years. If she came down with something, he didn’t know what he’d do, besides go out of his mind with worry for her. “Did you get it working?” “No.” He took a drink of the warm cocoa and sighed. He could feel his insides. He was still alive. “Aw.” Nia released her death grip on herself and came to where he stood. She smiled sadly at him and ran her hand over his arm in comfort. “You know what I say?” “No. What?” “I say we trade the car in for a dog, then shoot the dog. It might make you feel better.” Her teasing words did nothing to help with his already sour mood. He knew the automobile meant nothing to her, but it did to him. The car had belonged to his father. It was the only thing the bastard had given to Eric, and the idea of just getting rid of it like it was a piece of trash, like his father had done to him, made Eric’s skin crawl. But Nia wouldn’t understand that. To her this was a piece of metal that on a good day got him from point A to point B. To him it was a reminder of what he was and what he wasn’t. His silence must have gone on too long, because Nia moved up behind him and embraced him from the back. “Oh come on. That was funny.” “No, it wasn’t,” he snapped, pulling away from her. “And I’m not trading her. She’s a good car at heart. She just needs a few new parts to keep her going.” “Okay. At heart.” Nia walked around to his side and peered down at the same oily, rusty parts he’d been staring at moments earlier. “But, honey, there comes a time when you have to let go. I know you love this car, but it’ll cost more to keep her running than she’s worth.” Annoyed, Eric set the cup on the bumper. “Not everything is about money.”

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“I know, but this is a commonsense thing.” In a playful manner, Nia gently bumped him with her shoulder. “Why spend twenty dollars on a new pump, when you can put that twenty in an account to save for a new car?” “Because I don’t want a new car.” “Come on, babe, let’s go upstairs. Don’t forget you’re pulling a double tonight. Let’s spend the little time we have left before you have to take a nap making love in our chilly apartment instead of making war in the chilly covered garage.” She nodded in the direction of their apartment. “Come on. It will be fun.” “No,” he said stubbornly. It was an issue of pride. Foolish pride, but pride, nevertheless. “I’m not done here yet.” Shivering, Nia rubbed hands up and down her arms. “It’s too cold out here for this bullshit.” “Then go upstairs.” “Come up with me,” she pleaded with a chatter of her teeth. “Please. It’s Christmas Eve. I’ll rub your back. I’ll do things with the massage oil you’d never admit you like, but we both know you do.” “No.” “Eric.” He ran a weary hand through his hair. “I’ve got this.” Nia’s expression softened. “Babe, you don’t have this. No one could. This car is a piece of shit.” “No, it isn’t.” Nia looked down at the car and back at him. Her expression was one of utter disbelief. “You’re right, calling this car a piece of shit is insulting to shit. Why can’t you just let it go?” “Just because something isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. There’s still worth. There’s still value.” “Something or someone?” she asked softly. “What?” “Did you mean something or someone?” This time she said it louder, with more weight behind her words. “Are we talking about this car, or are we talking about you and your mom?” Everything inside him went still. “Don’t go there.” “Keeping the car doesn’t prove a point.” “Neither does getting rid of it.” She eyed him levelly. “You’re not your dad, Eric. You don’t run when the going gets tough. You’re a stand-up man. A great man I am proud to call my husband, my lover and my friend. You don’t need to hold on to this car to prove that.” Arguing with the person who knew Eric best was as futile as arguing with himself in the mirror, and just as frustrating. “We are not talking about this.” “Eric…”

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“End of discussion, Nia.” “Wow.” Chill apparently forgotten, Nia crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down. “Do you really expect that line to work?” The heat of anger flooded his cheeks. “Expect? No. But I did hope you could respect my wishes. Or was that too far-fetched as well?” “Fine.” Nia dropped her arms and took a step back. “Just fine.” Nia turned to walk away. She only made it a few steps before she spun back round to face him. “You know, since you’re so hell-bent on keeping this fine piece of machinery, maybe you should write a letter to Santa. I think that’s the only way we’re going to be able to afford to keep pouring money into her.” “Or maybe you can stop spending money on trivial things, and we could save up money to fix up the car.” “Trivial things? You mean like groceries, gas, student loans I’m helping you pay off, early at that?” Eric flinched. Right now he didn’t need another reminder of how he was failing her. “No, more like ugly trees and cheesy decorations.” “Ugly tree.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Really?” “Fuck.” Words were as much of a weapon as a sword when wielded properly, and Eric knew more than anyone how much damage a few letters could do to a single heart. “I didn’t mean it.” “Yeah, you did, and I heard you.” Nia began to walk backwards, nodding as she went. “Loud and clear.” The wounded look in her big brown eyes pierced his soul. “Nia…I didn’t mean…” “No, you did. You really, really did. But it’s fine.” From the tone of her voice, Eric could tell it was anything but, and shame filled him faster than the rage had. “Sunshine…” Nia reached her hand in her coat and pulled out her keys. She tossed them to him. “I don’t have to be at the diner until this evening, but I’m sure I can get Julia to pick me up. We’re both closing. She can bring me home as well.” He could tell in the mood she was in that any apology he could get out would only fall on deaf ears. This was obviously one of those times that less was definitely more. “Fine.” “Just for your information, Eric, I like our ugly tree, and my cheap decorations and my life. And right now I like them all a bit more than I do you.” Panic knotted his stomach, and it caused him to lash out. “So one fight and now you don’t love me?” Nia drew back as if she’d been struck, a move that let Eric know in no uncertain terms he couldn’t have been farther from the mark if he tried. “Eric.” She held up her hand and took a deep breath in then let it out. The motion of someone who needed to calm themselves before they spoke. An action he should have considered ten minutes ago. “I love

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you. With all my heart. But sometimes, like now, you can be a bit of an asshat, and when you are, I don’t like it or you very much.” “I don’t see the difference.” Hurt briefly flashed across her face. “I know,” she said softly. “That’s the saddest part of it all.” Before he could utter a rebuttal or even a you’re right, I’m a colossal asshat, Nia was on her way back into the apartment. “Fuck,” he muttered as he turned back toward the car and slammed the hood, putting every ounce of anger into the action. The loud resounding clang of metal on metal did little to ease the pain inside. Pissing off his wife didn’t either. Oh yeah, it was official. His stocking was going to be filled with coal, and if he were really lucky, his wife wouldn’t be tempted to swing it at his head. “Christmas fucking sucks.”

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Chapter Six

“Thanks for picking me up.” “No problem.” Julia waited until Nia slid in and closed the door before asking, “So what’s going on?” Nia hadn’t explained when she called Julia to pick her up, and she wasn’t much in the mood to do so now. But still, her friend had driven out of her way to do Nia a favor. The least she could do was CliffsNotes the reason for the favor. After buckling up, she turned and faced her friend and told Julia all she needed to know. “My husband is being a dick.” Julia nodded. “Okay.” And that was all Julia said for the entire ride from Nia’s apartment to the diner. Which was one of the reasons Nia loved her so. Julia didn’t pry. She didn’t automatically go on a tirade about how all men were dicks. She didn’t do what a few single friends would have done, which was immediately jump on the dump him bandwagon. Julia simply took it at face value. Eric was acting out of character and being a dick. With the heavy traffic, courtesy of the last-minute shoppers, and the never-ending downpour of snow, the normal twenty-minute drive from her apartment to the diner took about forty, which was okay with Nia. She needed the time to decide what to do. Option one was, of course, to wait until Eric came home to give him the silent treatment, which would show him nothing except he married a spoiled child. That option was her least favorite though, since it would make her, the one who was actually in the right, end up feeling like the one who was in the wrong. Which led to option two—avoid him until she was in a better mood and the need to shave his eyebrows off while he slept finally passed. Or option three, her favorite of the bunch. Stay mad at him until she got home, then get into a big row which would lead to dirty, naughty make-up sex. Oh yeah. Three was a winner. Make-up sex was always a blast, but it wouldn’t fix the problem at hand—the car, or rather the lack of funds they had to fix the car. Until that was figured out, all the make-up sex in the world wasn’t going to right things. By the time they made it to The Greasy Spoon, Nia had worked through the majority of her anger, leaving her with confusion and irritation. There was no way she was cool with the way Eric had spoken to her. Bad day or not. Still, the vows were for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Today she would chalk up as part of the for worse and just concentrate on the better, because it outweighed the latter tenfold.

Priceless

Julia pulled the car into her spot, put it into park, but didn’t turn off the engine. She kept it idling, heat blowing. Confused, Nia turned to look at her friend. “What’s up?” “I’m not one to pry, but I just wanted to let you know that if you want to talk about it, I’m here for you, but if you don’t, I will respect that and leave you be.” “No, I’m okay now. We can talk.” “Then let it rip. Why did I move Eric to the asshole column of my Christmas list?” “Because he was being a jerk.” Turning in her seat, Nia unloaded on Julia, telling her about how tight money had been lately, the shitty apartment they called home and the car breaking. “So after the fight, I caught a bus to the mall and hung out for awhile. I didn’t head home until I knew he’d be at work.” “That was smart.” “No, the smart thing would have been to keep my mouth shut from the get-go. That car is the only thing he’s ever had that belonged to his dad. I know it’s important to him, and I shouldn’t have suggested we get rid of it.” “Did his dad die or something?” “No, or I should say I don’t know. He did one of those cliché things, went to the store for cigarettes and never came home again.” “Wait a minute. Eric keeps the car in memory of that?” “No, I kind of think he keeps it as reminder of what he isn’t.” “That’s a heavy burden to bear.” “He doesn’t have to bear it alone. I just don’t think he realizes the truth of that yet. I recognized his soul right away, and I knew everything I needed to know about the man I married when I said I do. I think Eric has a bit of learning yet to do about me.” “He loves you.” “Without a doubt.” Nia smiled. “Even though he doesn’t completely trust that.” Julia shook her head. “Men.” “Amen, sister.” “A-women.” The two ladies laughed for a second, the tension that had been in the car earlier swept away by the jolly sound. “So. What are you going to do?” “What any Santa worth her salt would do.” “Fix the car?” “I’d love to, but I don’t see how I can. I was thinking Christmas blowjob.” “What about the money you have saved up for the TV, can’t you use that toward the car?” “I don’t think it would be enough.”

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“You’ll never know until you ask.” “So true,” Nia admitted ruefully. “He’s never going to get that TV, is he?” Julia smiled. “There’s always his birthday.” “Ugh. And here we go, loop-the-loop.” “Look at it this way, you can either get him a TV that he’ll like and enjoy. Or you can help him hold on to the one good thing he had from his un-Cosby-like childhood, all by fixing his car.” Julia held her hands out palms up and pretended to weigh Nia’s options. “A gift he’ll like and use. Or a gift he’ll love and use. It’s up to you, but it seems obvious to me.” “Me too, but I don’t know any mechanics, and I’m not sure I have enough money even if we do find a mechanic.” “Well, you know me.” “Okay, are you a mechanic?” “No, but I have the largest family in the universe. Each and every one of them has a trade, a skill, and some of it is on the up and up.” “Who’s a mechanic in your family?” “My brother.” Nia looked over at the diner. “Darnell?” “Girl, no. I wouldn’t let him put gas in my car. I’m talking about my other brother.” Julia frowned a bit. “Well one of them. Kevin. He owns a little shop down the way. He’s how I keep my hooptie going. His prices are reasonable and he’s honest. We can have him come out to your place and take a look at the car for you.” “You think he’ll do it?” “You act like I’m giving him a choice.” Julia picked up her cell and dangled it between them. “What’s it going to be?” “Call him.” “All right.” Julia flipped the phone open and dialed the number while Nia slowly did the math in her head. She prayed that if she didn’t have enough, Kevin would at least allow her to make payments, but she’d have to wait and find out first if the car was even worth the effort to anyone besides Eric. “Okay,” Julia said as she closed the phone. “He’s going to meet you there in an hour.” “An hour.” Nia gestured to the restaurant. “Hello, I have to work.” “I know you happen to think you’re the best waitress in the world and the diner would crumble without you, but I can manage to take on a few extra tables until you return.” “But Darnell.” “Please. Leave my brother to me. Go sign in, then take my car and go home and wait for him. You won’t be able to miss him. He looks just like Darnell, but dresses like it’s ninety degrees outside.”

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“Are you serious?” “Yes, he’s a big dope, but don’t let his wackiness fool you. He can make a car sing.” “I don’t need it to sing, just to drive.” “He can do that too, and then some.” Julia turned the car off and pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Come on, let’s go in.” Nia put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Thank you.” “Don’t make it a big thing. It’s what we do. Help each other out.” “I know but…” “Nah, nah, nah, nah. If you’re going to get all emotional and want to hug, I’m going to call him back and tell him never mind.” Nia laughed and held her hands up. “I forgot. I forgot. You’re not a hugger.” “That’s right, now come on.” “I’m coming, but I do have a question. How many brothers do you have?” “Seven.” “Shut. Up.” Julia laughed. “I kid you not. I have five older brothers and two younger ones.” “I can’t believe I didn’t know that. Did you all grow up together or…?” “No or. We all have the same parents and we were all raised in the same four-bedroom house.” “Four-bedroom house, for all of you?” “Yes.” Julia nodded with a faint smile on her face. “And we only had one bathroom.” “I…wow.” Nia, who was raised an only child, couldn’t wrap her mind around seven brothers, let alone one bathroom. “However did you survive?” “By learning how to kick ass. I might be the fairest of them all, but I will drop a sucker like it’s hot if they get in my way.” “I don’t doubt that at all.” Nia chuckled. “I’m still in shock here, and before I lose my mind trying to imagine what it was like to be you, let me thank you for all your help.” Julia held up her hand and shook her head. “Thank me after he fixes it.” “I will.” An hour and a half later, Nia watched, disheartened, while Kevin busied himself under the hood of Eric’s car. He’d barely said hi before he’d popped the top and went to work, probing at this, pulling at that. All the while Nia sat in Julia’s car where it was warm. From the way he muttered to himself and shook his head from time to time, she could tell this was not going to be an easy fix. She could only hope like hell it was a fix at all. Just when she was sure he had seen every spare inch under the hood and then some, he slammed the lid down and climbed into the passenger seat next to her. Even though the handsome man had on a short-

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sleeve shirt, he didn’t reach over to turn the heater up. He just sat back in the seat as if he’d come in from the beach, not in from out of the winter chill. But Julia had warned her, now all Nia could hope was he was as gifted as he was cold-blooded. “So, what’s the verdict?” “That car is at death’s door.” Giving it to you straight must be a White family philosophy. “But it’s not dead.” “Not yet.” Although he seemed pained to admit that fact. “Can you fix it?” “I can, but it’s not going to be easy or cheap.” Nia’s heart dropped. She knew the price was going to cut, she just prayed it wasn’t too deep. “How not cheap?” “Ballpark. Twenty-two hundred.” “Oh my God.” She didn’t have anything close to that amount. “I take it twenty-two isn’t something you can do.” Even with all her savings it was an impossible number. “It’s not even something I can pretend to do.” “How much can you give?” “You mean like payments?” “No, I don’t do payments. People get forgetful and I get mad. It’s not a good idea.” “No, I imagine it’s not.” She’d been hopeful, but realistically she understood where he was coming from. Everybody had to live and she couldn’t begrudge him the need to be paid for his services. “Well, what do you think you can do?” “I can give you fifteen now and the rest later. No payments, but like a lump sum at the end of January.” They would have to tighten the purse strings, but if she hustled she could do it. “How about this instead? You give me fifteen plus the necklace you’re wearing and we’ll call it good.” “My necklace.” Nia’s hand automatically went to the pendant. “Why?” “Truth of the matter is, I’ve sort of been a bit low of funds myself and, well, I haven’t gotten my favorite girl anything yet.” “So, to make up for it, you’re going to take my necklace?” That didn’t seem right. “It’s not like I’m going to jack you or anything. We’re trying to work a trade after all.” “I doubt it’s worth the remainder that I owe you. It belonged to my grandmother and I’ve always loved it, but it’s not all that. Heck, the chain isn’t even working right now, here…” Nia turned the necklace around so he could see the broken part she had jury-rigged with a safety pin to hold the chain together. Kevin leaned forward and Nia did the same, tilting her neck up so he could get a clear view of what she was showing him. “You see?”

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When he didn’t answer after a few seconds, she pulled back a bit. “Do you see…” her voice trailed off when she noticed where his gaze was directed, “…anything besides my breasts, that is?” “No. I mean, I looked.” Kevin cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly. “Doubtful. Pig.” “Hey, I’m a pig with feelings and the ability to fix your husband’s car. I’m willing to take the little, key word there, little, money you have, plus the necklace, to fix it.” “Will you put it in writing? That you’ll rebuild the motor plus fix anything else that might be wrong with it for the money and the necklace?” Nia knew she sounded a little cynical, but she wasn’t going to take chances. Even though Kevin was Julia’s brother, it didn’t necessarily mean he was trustworthy. “Yes, absolutely.” Kevin’s agreement was quick and firm. “This week?” Kevin shook his head. “No.” “Kevin…” “Hey, I have other stuff to do. You’re not my only client or the only one I’m doing favors for.” “Fuck.” This was going beyond the call of Santa. Giving up her necklace for Eric’s car was a selfless thing to do, but Nia didn’t know if she was that person. She loved her necklace, but damn it, she loved her husband too. “Look, if you need to take time and think about it, that’s cool with me. I can try to fit you in after the beginning of the year, and maybe by then you’ll have the rest of the money saved up.” “No.” A week or two wasn’t going to make that much of a difference. She wouldn’t have an extra seven hundred dollars, and Eric would still be fumbling in the dark during his free hours that were too few and far between to try to fix it himself. The necklace wasn’t worth it. Her husband was. Resigned, she undid the necklace and placed it in his hand. She knew her grandmother would not only have understood, but would have approved as well. Family came first, and no matter how beloved the jewelry was, it wasn’t going to bring back her grandmother any more than keeping a car would stop Eric from turning into his dad. But out of the two of them, Nia was probably the only one in a place mentally to realize that just yet. “You have a deal, but I want a bill of sale. I swear to you though, if you screw me over, there will be hell to pay.” “What are you going to do, get Darnell after me?” Kevin guffawed at his own joke. “No, someone scarier. Julia.” “Hey now.” Kevin backed up. “Why you got to bring my sister into this? You don’t have to be like that.” “You didn’t have to look at my breasts either, but you did. And when I tell Julia, she’s going to have your ass for grass.”

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“Look, to prove that I’m a stand-up guy, I’ll even pick it up tomorrow, on Christmas, just for you, and return it to you before the end of the year.” Nia narrowed her eyes. “Swear.” “Man, Nia.” Kevin shot her a look of disgust at her tenacity. “Swear it.” She held her hand out to him. “Fine.” Kevin pulled a grease-stained rag out of his pocket and wiped up before offering his hand to Nia. “I swear to fix all that ails that piece of shit for the cash and the necklace, and have it ready before the end of the year. My word is my bond.” Nia shook his hand. When he went to let go, she tightened her grip. “If you fuck me over, I’ll personally bail Julia out of jail for beating your ass. My word is my bond.” “Man. Black people. Always with the black-on-black violence.” Laughing, Nia shook her head. “Your sister is right. You are a big dope.” “Yep, but she loves me.” Kevin slipped the necklace in his pants pocket. “I’ll come by the diner tomorrow with the paperwork. You can give me the keys then.” “Tomorrow’s Christmas.” “You off?” “Surprisingly yes, just swing by here. My husband won’t be off until late that night.” Much to her dismay. “Sure, that will work too.” “Great. Thanks again, Kevin. I really appreciate it.” “No problem.” Kevin opened the door, but before he made a move to exit, she called his name once more. “You make sure your girl takes care of my necklace.” “But of course,” he said with a smile, before slipping out of the car and slamming the door shut. Nia watched him get in his own car, a bit shocked at everything that had just transpired. This was definitely going to be a Christmas for the books. And since she’d handled the present part of the evening, all she had left to work on was the make-up sex. Something told her that was going to be easier and a whole lot more fun.

Eric stifled a yawn as he walked into the break room to find himself a cup of coffee. He was pulling a double tonight and it was killing him. He knew it was only for a short while longer, but the time seemed as if it were dragging tonight. It was especially difficult after the fight with Nia this morning. He wanted to be with her, to make up for all the crap he’d put her through. But his responsibilities and their bills had him stuck here at work.

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It didn’t help either that by the time he’d showered and cleaned up, she’d been gone. A glance at the clock told him it wasn’t for work. But since the closet was still full and there wasn’t a wedding band waiting for him on the kitchen table, Eric was just going to count his blessings. He had been a royal dick, and he was man enough to admit he owed her an apology. That would, of course, require her being around to hear it though. Even Eric knew better than to try to apologize over the phone. Despite his best attempt to prove otherwise, he wasn’t that big of a jackass. So no matter how much it bothered him to be on her shit list, he was just going to stay there a bit longer, until he could do the right thing and fix it in person. A prospect he wasn’t entirely looking forward to. With a heavy sigh, Eric scrubbed his hands over his face, blinking hard as he tried to focus on the task at hand. Coffee. And lots of it. After a few minutes hunting up a Styrofoam cup, he poured himself a steaming cup of java that smelled as stale as the break room itself. Stifling a yawn, Eric claimed one of the tattered La-Z-Boy chairs and sat down. He took only one drink of his hazardous coffee before setting the caffeine-heavy drink on the small table next to the chair. Releasing the lever, he pushed back in the seat and let out a sigh of relief as his legs were swept up onto the footrest. Lord, he was tired. With a weary moan, he closed his eyes for a moment to chase after the catnap that had been avoiding him all evening. The ER was quiet for now, as was the break room, much to his happy surprise, but he knew neither would last long. Just as he began to drift off, however, his much-needed rest was interrupted by Choy entering the room. “There you are, Athers. I’ve been looking for you all over the place.” Eric dug around in his pants pocket for his pager and pulled it out. Through blurry eyes he stared at the front but didn’t notice anything of importance. “I haven’t slept though a page, have I?” “Oh no.” Choy waved the words away as he took a seat on the arm of the couch next to Eric. “I’m looking for you, not the hospital.” “What’s up?” “I have something for you.” Choy pulled out a business card from the pocket of his lab coat and handed it to Eric. Curious, Eric took the card and glanced down at the name. “What’s this?” “Business card of this patient who came in. Damn fool nearly severed his index finger completely off. I had to sew it back on, which wasn’t easy with him bawling like a baby.” Choy shook his head. “This guy was two seventy, two eighty easily, a big bruiser of a man, crying like a little girl over a hundred stitches. It was pathetic.” Eric laughed. “The big ones are always such pussies.”

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“I know, right?” Choy grinned. “Anyway, after I was done and he put his big-boy boxers back on, he hands me his card. Says he buys old cars. Doesn’t even have to be in perfect running order.” Eric’s amusement fled as quickly as a cat in rain. “Did Nia put you up to this?” “Up to what?” “Trying to convince me to sell my car?” “No.” Choy frowned. “I told you this guy came in and—” “I don’t appreciate you talking to my wife about me. Our personal life is just that, personal. And before you pick a side, keep in mind you don’t know the whole story.” “I’m picking the side of sanity.” Choy’s words were heavy with sarcasm. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. But if you are fighting with Nia, make no mistake, I’m definitely on her side. Anything that has you this defensive can’t be right.” “I’m not defensive.” “Riggghhhttt.” The thick layer of disgust in Choy’s tone brought a flush of shame to Eric’s cheeks. “Fuck.” Eric figured at this point his nap was a moot point. He reached over and flipped the footrest down. “I’m having a bad day.” “I didn’t notice at all.” Choy slipped his hand in his other pocket and pulled out one of the many lollipops he kept on hand for when he worked with children. He held the candy within arm’s reach of Eric and twirled it about. “Do you want to tell Dr. Choy where it hurts?” Even though he didn’t want to, Eric laughed. “Your head if you don’t leave me alone.” “You sure it’s my head that’s in danger, and not your own? For the very reasonable price of nineteen ninety-nine, I and my well-trained staff can perform a cranium-gluteus-maximus-ectomy.” “What, pray tell, is a cranium-gluteus-maximus-ectomy?” “It’s an operation to remove your head from your ass. Something you obviously need if you’re fighting with your sainted wife.” “Nia’s no saint.” As comebacks went it was pretty weak. “She has to be to be married to you. Hell, to be hitched to any of us. I couldn’t do it. Could you? Just imagine being tied down to someone who works long hours, who’s ulcer ridden, and yet has a God complex, as we all admittedly do. Not exactly thrilling when you put it down on paper.” “We’re definitely not the pick of the litter.” “Yet your wife still adores you.” “Not today.” Eric looked away. “Did she say that?” Eric shrugged. “Something like it.” “Something like what, specifically?”

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“Ugh,” he groaned, tired of the whole thing. Sharing his feelings had never been his strong point, but he intuitively knew he would gain no reprieve from Choy. The man was as tenacious as a bulldog. “Fine, she said she didn’t like me. She also said I was being an asshat.” “Well, were you?” Annoyed, Eric cut his gaze to his friend. “Possibly.” “Then why would she like you?” “’Cause she’s my wife.” Was he the only one who remembered that? “Liking me kind of goes with the job.” He at least hoped it did, otherwise he was in really big trouble. “Says who?” Choy countered mockingly. “Liking you is a luxury. Hell, you should still be happy she loves you. Which, by the way, she does, you know.” “I know.” It was true. Deep in his heart he knew Nia loved him, no matter how dumb he acted. “Then stop being an asshat and apologize already.” “How do you know I’m the one in the wrong?” Choy crossed his arms over his chest and raised a single eyebrow. He didn’t say a word, but the smug look he shot Eric spoke volumes. “Fine. It’s me. I overreacted when she suggested selling the car.” “Oh…” Choy nodded slowly. “So when I came in with a buyer, you thought she’d put me up to it.” “Yes.” “You’re wrong.” “I see that now.” “Tell me. What’s with you and that car? No offense, man, but it’s a piece of shit. I’ve seen you work on that thing more than I’ve seen you drive it.” “We have history.” “Not a driving one.” “History, nevertheless.” Eric’s childhood was so vastly different than that of Choy’s privileged, loving one, it couldn’t be explained without a sad, sappy soundtrack to accompany it. “It’s nothing I want to talk about, least of all with you. It’s just something that is.” “Fine, I can respect that. But let me ask you this. Is your history more important than your present, more important than your future? If you can answer yes to those questions, then by all means, keep the car. But, my friend, if the answer is no…” Choy tossed the card onto Eric’s lap, “…then make two calls. First to the car man, then to your wife.” “I’m not ready to give it away.” He offered the card back to Choy, who stood but stepped away. “When you are?” Eric stood but didn’t grab hold of the card. He allowed it to fall to the floor in front of him. “You are just as bad as Nia.” “Yeah, but she’s prettier.”

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“True.” Eric smiled. Just then his pager went off. On alert, he pulled it out of his pocket and glanced down at the texted words. “I got to go,” he said to Choy, who was answering a page of his own. “ER?” “Yep.” Choy slipped his pager back in his pocket. “Me too.” He bent over to pick up the discarded card and shoved it in his pocket. “To think,” Eric said wistfully as they headed out of the break room and into the hall, “we thought it was going to be an easy night.” “No such thing.” “So true.” The pages hadn’t said there was an emergency, but as the two residents on call it must be a significant trauma for both of them to have been paged. Corrine, the nurse he met the night before, was waiting for him by the intake desk. “Sorry to interrupt your break, Dr. Athers, but I have a patient you need to see in exam-room three.” “No problem.” Eric glanced at Choy. “I’ll catch up with you later.” “Okay,” said the other man, who was already being briefed about his own page. “So what do we have here?” Eric took the chart from Corrine. He began to glance at it as they made their way to the room. According to the chart, the patient was twenty-four years old. Her vitals seemed to be fine, nothing out of the ordinary. “What’s she in for?” “The patient is complaining of rectal pain. She said it’s severe and she’s had it since early this morning. Heart rate is normal, blood pressure stable.” “Okay.” Eric stopped outside the door and gave a brisk knock against the wood. “Mrs. Smith, may I come in?” “Yes.” Eric turned the knob and stepped in the room, all without looking up. “I’m Doctor Athers. What seems to be the prob—?” Eric lifted his gaze from the chart, and to his utter surprise the patient was none other than his wife. For a second he was struck dumb. She was the very last person he’d thought he’d see, the last person he deserved to see, yet there she sat, a small smile on the lips he loved to kiss. “Nia? What are you doing here?” “Dr. Athers.” The amusement in her voice went a long way to ease the fear that had taken hold of his heart. “I had an emergency that just couldn’t wait.” “So I see.” Eric glanced down at the chart then back at her. “Rectal pains?” “Yeah.” She fought to maintain a straight face. “My husband is being a terrible pain in my ass.” “Is he now?” If she was willing to joke about it, things weren’t as dire as he’d thought they’d been. And maybe, just maybe, she would forgive him and make his world right again. “He is.” She held her arms out wide. “I’m talking ginormous pain, Doc.”

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“That sounds just terrible.” Eric turned to Corrine, who was smiling, obviously in on the joke. “I think I can handle this patient on my own.” “Never thought you couldn’t, sir.” “Page me if I’m needed, but if not…” “I’ll forget where I saw you last.” She opened the door and stepped out, leaving them in the room alone. “I like her,” Nia remarked as soon as the door closed behind the other woman. “Me too.” Unfortunately, there was class warfare at times between the nurses and doctors. It was nice to have a reminder from time to time it didn’t have to be that way. Without saying another word he walked over to the door and locked it. The upcoming conversation was something he preferred to keep private. After testing the handle, he turned around once more and faced his wife. “So, is this the part where I grovel?”

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Chapter Seven

As fun as watching her husband grovel sounded, it was the last thing Nia wanted. Okay, maybe not the last, but it wasn’t what she had come for. “No groveling necessary.” “What is?” He seemed hesitant. Not that she blamed him. It had taken her working the rest of her shift before she’d finally been able to rid herself of her anger. Even after making arrangements for his car to get fixed, there had still been some lingering annoyance weighing her down. She refused to go to bed though until things were resolved between them. Even if it meant hanging out at the ER all night. They were going to squash this and move on. Life was far too short and precious to waste on regrets. “Talking.” Then out of the blue the ramifications of it all occurred to her. “It is okay for me to be here, isn’t it? I mean, you’re not going to get into trouble or anything.” “No. It’s pretty slow out there tonight. I’ll just call this my lunch, and if I’m needed, they’ll page me.” “Good.” Nia rose from the plastic chair in the corner and made her way over to the exam table. She turned so her lower back was against the table then placed her hands on the paper-covered top. With a quick bend of her knees she vaulted up and hopped onto the table. Once settled, she glanced around the taupe room, checking out her surroundings, before focusing on her husband, whose expression was guarded closer than Fort Knox. Hoping to break the awkward silence, she started off light. “So this is where you spend your nights?” “Mostly.” Nia frowned in disappointment. “It always seems so much sexier, more intense, on the show ER.” His lips quirked in a smile. “I think that had more to do with George Clooney than the actual building.” “You may be right.” “No may about it.” Eric walked over to her and laid the bogus chart down next to her thigh. “Is this what you came to talk about? Fact versus fiction?” “No.” So much for small talk. “I came to apologize.” Eric’s brows shot up. He looked taken aback by her claim. “Apologize?” “Yes.” Nia nodded firmly. “I’m not so high and mighty I can’t admit when I’ve done something wrong.”

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“Nia.” Eric took her hands in his and squeezed. “You haven’t done a thing wrong. If anyone needs to apologize, it’s me.” “Don’t get me wrong. I think you owe me one as well.” She wasn’t a doormat after all. “But I didn’t come to get one from you. If and when you’re ready to say your piece, I’ll be more than happy to listen, but tonight I came for me.” “And I repeat. You have nothing to apologize for.” “No. I do.” Nia pulled her hands free. She wanted to be able to concentrate on what she was saying, and when he touched her, all her rational thoughts fled. “I shouldn’t have thrown your student loan in your face. I did it to be petty, not because I have a problem putting my funds towards it.” “You shouldn’t have to though.” This is what she’d been afraid of. Eric closing himself off from her. Shutting her out. “Why not? Will you have problems helping me pay my college bills when it’s time for me to return to school?” He frowned. “Of course not.” “Then why would I? I wouldn’t. I don’t. I was trying to wound you because I was feeling hurt, and it was the wrong thing to do.” “It was the human thing to do. Plus, honestly, it’s refreshing to see I’m not the only one in this relationship who can wear the asshat.” “As much as I loath to admit it…” She smiled. “It’s true, I’m not perfect.” “I would disagree.” “Well, maybe next to you it might seem that way,” she joked. “But I can be pretty selfish and selfcentered at times.” “What times? Never.” “It happens.” “Name one thing, one itty-bitty thing you’ve ever asked from me.” “I asked you to love me.” “That’s one thing you’ll never have to ask me to do. It’s automatic for me. Like breathing.” “Yet, no matter what I say or do, you can’t seem to understand I feel the exact same way about you.” This had always been their problem, Eric’s belief he wasn’t good enough. It was a belief Nia wasn’t going to let him get away with thinking any longer. “Because it makes no sense.” “What makes no sense?” “Why you would love me.” “I have low standards,” she said with a straight face. Eric burst out laughing. “Obviously.”

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She cradled his face in her hands and peered into his eyes. She didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding, or doubt, when she spoke her heart. “I just love you. I don’t know why, and I don’t need to. I just do. I also know that you love me as deeply and completely as I do you. I accept it all on blind faith because what we have is…” Nia paused as if searching for the right word, “…priceless. Worth more than silver and gold combined.” Eric placed his hands on her wrists and gently pulled them away from his face. “There’s not a day that goes by I don’t thank God for you.” He paused to bring her ring finger up to his mouth then laid a gentle kiss on her wedding band, before looking up and continuing. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m too much of a bastard to ever let you go, even when I think it might be the best for you. To go to California so you can be with your family and live in a place that actually has seasons and not just endless bouts of winter.” “I am with my family. You.” She brought his left hand up to her lips and returned the favor. She locked her fingers with his when she was done and brought them back down to his side. “Let me ask you a question. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I’m not your reward, but you’re mine?” “No.” He laughed ruefully. “I can honestly say that thought has never crossed my mind. Because it’s too insane to even consider.” “Well, consider this. I love you and I’m not going anywhere. No matter how mad you make me by mocking my beautiful decorations.” Eric winced. “I’m sorry about that. I was in a bad mood and I took it out on you. I love that tiny little wannabe tree. I love our stockings. I love our fireplace picture. And I especially love the fact you care enough to do those things for me. Most of all, I’m sorry it took a fight for me to say this, but I appreciate everything you’ve done to make this holiday special.” “Thank you.” “No.” He leaned his forehead against hers and peered into her watering eyes. “Thank you.” “Stop it, Doc.” Nia pulled back and sniffled a little. “You’re going to make me cry.” “Okay.” Eric tucked a stray hair behind her ear and lingered to caress her lobe. “But let me just say this final thing. I know you think we should sell the car.” Nia placed her finger over his lips to silence him. “When you’re ready to sell the car, you’ll sell it. If you want to keep it as a planter, or a project car, or just as some sort of strange memorial I’ll honestly never get, I’m fine with it.” “You really don’t care?” “I care, but only because I think you’re holding on to it for all the wrong reasons. But you know what, Eric, they’re your reasons. And I respect that. I don’t need the hunk of junk rusting in our parking spot to tell me what type of man you are. I see the good in you every day. But until you get to where I am, hold on to it if it makes you feel better.”

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“You make me feel better.” “Then my work here is done.” Nia moved to get down from the table but was stopped by Eric’s hands firmly holding her thighs in place. “Done?” “I only came by to make up with you. There was no way in the world I could have gone to bed with this still brewing between us.” “I wasn’t looking forward to it either.” “Then you’re glad I came by.” “Beyond glad.” “Good.” She laid her hands on top of his and gave a slight squeeze. “I guess I should let you get back to playing doctor.” “Or you can stay awhile and let me play doctor with you.” Nia cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” Eric pulled his hand out from under hers, dug his pager out of his pocket and showed the empty screen to her. “See, no emergencies.” “Are you joking?” “Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about it.” Just hearing him say it out loud had her getting wet. “Well, sure I’ve thought about it, but thinking it is one thing, acting it out is a whole other ballgame.” “I’m up to play.” “What’s with you and sex in the workplace lately? What’s the turn-on for you?” “You are the turn-on for me. Don’t blame me for the thoughts your body creates inside my mind. Besides, haven’t you heard, the best way to end an argument is to make love.” “I don’t think they mean for us to do that at our place of employment.” “They should.” “This is wrong.” “You know, you say that a lot.” “That’s because you’re constantly trying to encourage me to do dirty things.” “The things that are most enjoyable normally are dirty.” “You are so bad.” “That’s why you love me.” “One of the reasons why.” “So then, Mrs. Smith. Tell me. Where does it hurt?” “All over,” she said, getting into the spirit of the naughty game.

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“You do look a little…” he paused to look her up and down, “…flushed to me. When was the last time you had a complete physical?” Nia teasingly tapped her finger on her lips as if she were really pondering the question. “I honestly can’t remember.” “I believe that’s our best course of action.” Eric went over to the cabinet and opened the door. He pulled out a paper gown that had to have been invented by a voyeur because of just how little it actually covered, then made his way over to her. “I want you to undress and put this on. Leave it open in the front.” “The front?” “Yes. I’m going to start with a breast exam, then move on to a pelvic one. You never can be too safe.” “I guess not. Does seem a bit like overkill though.” “To rule out illness I have to check everything.” “If you think that’s best, Doctor.” “I do. All you have to do is put yourself in my capable hands and everything will work out fine. Now undress. And do it slowly.” When he said it like that, there was no way she could refuse. “Yes, Doctor. Right away.”

Just to be on the safe side Eric checked his pager and the door once more. The gods must have been smiling down on him, because normally this close to Christmas, the ER was a madhouse. Holidays brought out the worst in people. They, in turn, brought the fallout of their emotional upheavals to the hospital in the form of broken bones, slit wrists and overdoses. Today, though, it was quiet. A bit freakishly so. Like that book with the line not a creature was stirring. Instead of complaining about it though, Eric was going to accept the good and be grateful he had this opportunity not only to make up with his wife, but make out with her as well. When he was sure everything was fine, he looked up to find his wife wearing next to nothing except her hospital gown, while folding her clothes in her OCD way and laying them on the chair next to the table. She was so freaking cute. He wondered if she really did this when she went for a physical. Something told him she did. When she was done, she crossed her arms over her breasts and ran her hands up and down her arms. To Eric it seemed as if she did it more because of nerves than because of the temperature. As much as she liked to pretend she was a freak, his baby was a bit of a prude when it came to love games outside the bedroom. “You okay?” “Yes, it’s just a little chilly in here.” “It’s warmer than the apartment.” “True.” Nia pointed down to her feet. “But I’m still keeping my socks on.” “Fair enough.” He smiled.

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“So where do you want me?” “On the table.” He watched her as she climbed up on the table and lay down before he turned and went to the sink. After soaping and washing his hands thoroughly, he dried them on a paper towel and tossed it into the trash. As he made his way over to his jittery wife, Eric rubbed his hands together. He wanted them warmed up a bit before he touched her. “Don’t be nervous. I’m a professional.” “Also far kinkier than I would have ever imagined.” “Complaining?” “Oh no.” She looked up at him and grinned. “It was a compliment.” “Good.” Eric cleared his throat and got back into character. “Okay, let’s begin. Shall we?” “Yes.” “Bend your left arm and place it over your head.” Eric helped her get in to position. “Perfect.” The soft rounded flesh of her nipple beaded as he began to knead the pliant tissue in a circular motion around her left breast. He treated her as he would any patient, but once he was sure there were no abnormalities underneath her skin, he flipped the switch and changed it up a bit. He worked his way toward her nipple then took her pert peak in between his fingers and pulled gently on the tightly pressed flesh. “Do you know the reason women’s nipples are far more sensitive than those of men is because women have more nerve-supply endings? There are also women who find absolutely no pleasure in nipple play while there are others who can orgasm simply by having their nipples stimulated.” “No,” she moaned. “I didn’t know that.” “Your nipples are quite sensitive, are they not?” “Yes, yes they are, Doctor.” “I’m willing to bet with the right man who was dedicated to spending hours worshipping your breasts, you too might be one of those women who could come from nipple play alone.” “I’ll have to look in to that.” And he’d be more than happy to help her. “Everything seems to be in working order.” Eric released his hold on her. “But just to be sure, I’d like to perform another test.” “Whatever you think is best, Doctor.” “This is definitely in your best interest.” Eric leaned down and took her erect peak between his lips and suckled hard. She arched up toward him, wordlessly begging for more. The sweet sound sent a lightning bolt of lust straight to his cock. But that was nothing compared to what he felt when she tangled her hand in his hair and held him to her breast. His woman wasn’t above making her needs known. When she saw something she went after it, and from her demanding actions he could tell she wanted his mouth on her. Lucky for the both of them, he was of like mind.

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As much as he would have loved to dally and spend hours upon hours just making love to her breasts, they were on borrowed time. With a growl of frustration, he released her nipple and stood up. “Everything checks out. Now for the other breast.” Nia’s eyes were dilated. “You’re awfully thorough.” “What can I say.” He smiled. “I love my job.” Nia moved her hand from above her head and off the table and brushed it across the erection bulging from behind his slacks. “It shows.” “Not everyone gets the deluxe treatment.” Narrowing her eyes, she tightened her hand on his cock. “Not anyone but me better get this treatment.” Eric held perfectly still. “That’s exactly what I meant, honey.” “Right.” With a devilish gleam in her pretty brown eyes, Nia released his cock and went to work on his zipper. Once it was pushed all the way down, she slipped her hand inside his slacks and through the opening of his boxers. Grasping his shaft in hand, she began to slowly stroke him. He wasn’t the only one who could have a little fun. Eric closed his eyes for a few seconds and simply enjoyed the feel of his cock in his wife’s hand, before opening them again and getting back to business. “Switch arms now. I want to check your other breast.” “Can’t you just skip to the nipple-sucking part?” “There are two people in this room. One of them went to medical school. Which of us would that be?” “The one breaking all kinds of laws.” “Exactly. Now hush, and let me finish this exam.” Nia let out a long-suffering sigh, but did as he said, causing her other breast to rise. “Good. Perfect.” “My arm movement or my breasts?” “Breasts, of course.” And they were perfect. From the shape, to the color, to the rise and fall of her symmetrical mounds, Nia was perfection personified. Not too big, not too small, just right, and luckily for him they were all his. In the mood to move on, he did a quicker exam, checking for lumps nevertheless, but hurrying through the process so he could get his lips around her dark, mouthwatering morsel once more. This time, though, he didn’t just lick and suck. He put his hand to work squeezing and pinching her other nipple to maximize the pleasure and double their fun. As much as he was enjoying himself, he could tell Nia was as well. At first it was the heavy breathing, then the little moans. With the arm above her head she grasped the top of the table and pushed herself toward him, silently begging for more. With one last hard pull from his mouth and a twist of her nipple

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under his fingers, Eric reluctantly released her. She groaned in disappointment, but he steeled himself to the complaint. He had plans, and unfortunately he didn’t have the time to linger quite as much as he’d like. Eric moved so he was standing at the foot of the table. He pulled out the metal footings and unfolded them in the correct position. “Now I want you to place your feet in the stirrups and scoot down toward me as far as you can.” It took her a tad longer to switch gears, but she opened her eyes and locked her gaze on to his. “Like this?” she asked as she maneuvered into position. “Yes. Exactly.” The position put Nia’s pussy at the perfect angle for his cock. “I think you must have the most beautiful pussy I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing.” She chuckled, stroking her hands over her breasts and down her stomach to her spread thighs. “Why, thank you, Dr. Athers.” “Have you always produced this much moisture when you’re aroused, Mrs. Smith?” He lightly stroked his finger over her swollen, wet flesh, and she shivered in response. “Only since meeting my husband. I don’t know what it is, but I get wet just thinking about him. It’s quite embarrassing.” He had to admit he loved how easily she fell into the role-playing. She lay there on the table looking like the epitome of the innocent seductress. “It’s nothing at all to be embarrassed about. In fact, I have to say I think your husband is one lucky man.” “No, I’m the lucky one.” Her words were said casually, all part of the game, but her eyes said something much more. She was telling him what she’d always said, she loved him and she felt blessed to be his. And for the first time he felt deserving, if for no other reason than she was his. Eric slipped his coat off and tossed it carelessly in the direction of one of the hard plastic chairs in the corner. “We could debate that all night or…” “Or what?” she asked as he stepped between her legs. “Or we could spend our time a bit more wisely. There’s one more exam I’d like to do for you. An internal one.” He unbuttoned his slacks and pushed them along with his boxers to his knees. “With you being as wet as you are, it’s going to make it nice and easy for me to slip my big tool inside you.” Her eyes widened comically. “Will it hurt, Doctor?” Eric took his cock in hand and lined it up against the slick opening of her pussy. “Only for the first few inches.” “You promise?” Nia licked her lips with obvious eagerness. “I’m a doctor. Trust me.” Eric thrust, and all thoughts of role-playing slipped out of his head. He was home.

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Chapter Eight

Nia cried out as he filled her. It seemed like she’d been waiting forever to have him inside her again and now that he was, she wasn’t sure how she’d ever let him out. As much as she had been enjoying their game, the second he slipped into her body, all desire to play make-believe fled from her mind. She didn’t want the dirty doctor, she wanted her dirty doctor. The man she married. The man she loved. The man who was stretching her in the most delicious ways with his cock. From the way he’d teased her earlier, she figured slow and steady would be his mantra. But there was nothing slow about the way he fucked her, which was just fine to her. Nia was ready for a little rough riding. He gripped her hips and began to power into her at a relentless pace. Nia let out a deep moan. She tried to lift her legs out of the stirrups so she could wrap them around his waist, but Eric was having none of that. “Keep your feet where I put them.” Eric pushed up in her as she pushed down. “I like you just like this. Open and under my control.” His words caused her to tremble, and she damn near came from his domineering tone alone. The things he said, things he did, were almost too good to be true. Before Eric, she would have never believed someone as headstrong as she was could turn to putty at the mere hint of dominance in a man’s voice. Aroused beyond belief, she reached out to him. “No,” he growled. “Hands on your breasts. I want to see you playing with your nipples. Keep them hard for me. Give me a show.” The words had barely left his mouth before she did as ordered. Her obedience was met with a husky groan of approval from Eric, whose gaze was centered on her breasts. “Good girl.” He pushed into her again and again, his eyes glazed over with passion. “Play with yourself for me while I fuck your sweet pussy.” “Yes…yes…fuck me,” she pleaded ardently. “Fuck me.” Eric’s fingernails dug even deeper into her skin as he sped up his thrusts. Nia knew that come tomorrow she’d have crescent-shaped bruises to remember this adventure. Not that she’d ever forget it. How could she, when it felt as if every ridge and bump of his shaft would leave a lasting impression in her sex. He was branding her with his loving, and she adored every second of it. Even though she couldn’t hold

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him as she wanted, or wrap her legs around him to pull him in deeper, she did still possess the ability to flex her inner muscles around him and milk his cock. “Yeah, Sunshine, like that. So tight. Feels so good.” He wasn’t the only one to whom it felt good. “Eric,” she cried out, unable to hold back any longer. “Right here, Sunshine. Deep inside you, where I belong.” Eric pumped his hips into her, forcing her to take every delicious inch of his cock. “Yes. In me.” “Tell me you’re mine. Tell me you’ll love me forever.” “Forever,” she chanted. “Love you forever.” “God, yes.” Her words seemed as if they were a trigger, sending him careening at backbreaking speeds. He was fierce and didn’t hold back. He was claiming her wholly, her heart, her soul and her body. She met him thrust for thrust, working her hips, setting up a rhythm of her own that soon had her out of her mind with pleasure. It didn’t take much of his pussy-pounding loving to send her over the edge, and when her orgasm hit, it was hard and fast. The intensity with which it rode over her took her breath away. Eric’s release hit just as fast and hard as hers did. With one long, guttural groan, he held tight to her and came, filling her with familiar warmth. Nia bit her lip to stifle her moans, but she could do nothing to calm her jittery body as it shook in delicious aftershocks. “Baby,” she murmured, unable to say much more. Trembling, Eric lay forward and rested his head on her breasts. From the way Eric struggled to catch his breath, Nia knew she wasn’t the only one who’d had a powerful release. Breathing heavy, he murmured over and over, “Love you. Love you.” Although he was not light by any means, she welcomed the weight of her husband and the weight of his words. This was exactly what she wanted for Christmas, her husband secure in their love. Her heartbeat had just returned to its normal tempo when Eric stood and pulled out of her. He staggered back a few feet, hand around his wet cock, and smiled. “I’ll be sending you my bill.” The unexpected statement caused her to laugh. “The check will be in the mail.” “Wonderful.” Happy with the world at large, Nia watched from her splayed position as her husband wobbled over to the sink, his pants still around his knees. Even though she wanted to, she refrained from laughing. He looked so damn cute, but knowing Eric he wouldn’t see the adorableness of it all. Like all decent wives, she kept the good stuff to herself, filing it away in her mental Rolodex. So the next time he made her mad she could think back on this moment and smile instead of saying something she’d later regret.

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After he finished cleaning up at the sink, he redressed. Being the wonderful person he was, he wet paper towels and brought them over to her. He bathed her as intimately as he’d given her a physical. When he was done, he threw away the soiled towels and picked his coat up off the chair. With a twinkle in his eyes, he slipped his coat on. “I give you a clean bill of health.” “Thanks.” She laughed. “Want to help me down, Doc, so I can get dressed as well?” Eric returned to the foot of the table and stood between her still-splayed legs. “In a minute.” Nia lifted her head and peered at her husband. “A minute?” Had she misheard him? “Yes.” He removed his phone from his coat pocket. “I want to take a picture of you just like this, as a kinky keepsake.” Nia yanked her legs free so fast she almost fell off the table, much to her grinning husband’s amusement. He shook his head and frowned. “You’re such a spoilsport.” “You’re a brat.” Easing down to the floor, she grabbed her clothes and quickly began to dress. “I can’t believe you did that,” she said over her shoulder. “You can’t blame a man for trying.” “But you can shave off his eyebrows when he sleeps.” He grimaced. “You say I’m a brat, but that’s just mean.” As soon as she was dressed, she joined him at the door. “You know, I think I might need to switch to a different physician. One who’s a little less photo happy.” “You can try,” he said as he took her into his arms. “But I doubt you’ll find one who’s as thorough, or as dedicated to making you come, as I am.” Nia nodded. “You make a solid argument.” “Oh no.” Eric let her go and opened the door. “No more arguments.” “I don’t know. Making up is a lot of fun.” Nia stepped out of the room cautiously and glanced around. Although she’d had a great time, she didn’t necessarily want the world at large to know what had gone on. To her delight the coast seemed clear. “Stop looking so guilty.” Eric came out from behind her and closed the door. “When you stop looking so smug,” she said out the side of her mouth. “With you by my side, how could I be anything but? I’m a man who’s blessed.” “You know…” she gazed at him quizzically, “…it’s about time you realized it.” “No, it’s past time. I’m slow, but I get it now.” “You better.” Nia rocked up on her toes to press her lips briefly to his. “I’m going to wait up for you, no matter how late it is. Christmas doesn’t exist for me, no matter the date, if you’re not there to share it with me.” “Christmas?” He frowned. “That was your present in there. Didn’t you like it?”

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“I did, and I want you to give it to me again as soon as you get home.” Eric revved his eyebrows. “I think that can be arranged.” “I can do you one better. I know it can be arranged.” “I’ll be home with bells on.” “That better be all you’re wearing.” Before he could respond his pager went off. Eric unclipped it and glanced at it briefly. “Got to go, Sunshine. I love you.” Nia watched him hurry off, and all she could think of was where the hell was she going to get some bells?

Over the course of his life, there had been many occasions when Eric had wondered if he’d done the right thing. As he stared into the empty space where his father’s car used to be parked, he instinctively knew he had. Being with Nia last night had been an eye-opening experience. Not just because of the great sex, but also mainly because of the talk they had beforehand. After she left, he’d thought long and hard on what Choy had said earlier. Is your history more important than your present, more important than your future? The more he thought about it, the more he realized something very important. He was an idiot, plain and simple. Sure he could go into the hows and whys, and the meaning behind this and that, but the sad truth of the matter was, he was holding onto something he could never get back. The car wasn’t his history. It was a broken-down car his dad didn’t take when he’d left them because it hadn’t run. Not because he wanted to leave Eric with something to remember him by. Saying that was easy. Making the phone call to the car lot was even easier. Realizing even though he was selling the car, this wasn’t going to fix all of his issues wasn’t so effortless, however. But it was a step, for his family, for his wife. For him. Nia hadn’t been out of the hospital for more than five minutes before he’d tracked Choy down and gotten the card from him. The scrapyard guy had been all too happy to take the car off his hands. The amount he received wasn’t as high as he would have wanted, but it was just enough to buy his wife a chain he’d spotted at a local jewelry store around the corner. Thankfully, the store was operating on extended holiday hours, and the manager had even agreed to stay a little longer once Eric called and told him of the circumstances. Eric hadn’t even waited for the guy to come by for the keys to the car. He asked Choy to cover for him and rushed out to the store and bought the chain. He’d have to deposit the money right away just to make sure nothing bounced later on, but it was important to Eric that Nia had the necklace for her grandmother’s pendant, because that was a family heirloom he would take pride in passing down.

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By the time he’d made it back to the hospital, the gentleman had stopped by with the check and picked up the keys, and when he finally made it home the car was gone. Eric waited for regret to hit him, but it didn’t. A sign if ever there was one. With a smile in his heart, Eric made his way up to his apartment. He wasn’t supposed to be off until much later, but he was able to get another doctor to come in early and cover for him, a fact Nia knew nothing about. It made it ten times sweeter to open the door to their apartment and find her sitting on the couch listening to Christmas music as she read a book. When he came in, she looked up, and then let out a scream of joy. She dropped the book and went over the back of the couch and into his arms. “What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be off until much much later.” “But I’m here now. Are you happy to see me?” “Words can’t describe it.” She covered his face in kisses as she held on tight. “Oh, I’m so happy right now. This is the best Christmas ever.” Eric laughed. “It really doesn’t take much to please you, does it?” “I have heat. I have my man. What more could I possibly want out of life?” “Wait…heat?” “Yes, didn’t you notice?” She stepped out of his arms and tugged at the bottom of her pink T-shirt. “Short sleeves, baby. The heater is working and in full force.” Eric slipped off his gloves and wiggled his fingers, letting the warmth sink into his skin. “Oh my God, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.” “I know, right? Could anything possibly make this day better?” “Presents?” “Yeah.” She clapped her hands gleefully. “Now that you’re home we can open them.” Eric removed a velvet box from his briefcase and held it out to her. “Why don’t you start with this one?” Nia’s eyes widened. “Something tells me you didn’t stick to the fifty-dollar limit.” Eric pulled the box back. “Does that mean you don’t want to see what I got you?” “Let’s not be hasty.” “That’s what I thought.” He handed her the gift. “Merry Christmas, baby.” “Stay right here,” she said before she dashed from the room. Laughing at her enthusiasm, Eric took off his coat and set it, along with his briefcase, inside the small closet next to the front door. He made his way around to the couch and sat down. He’d been tired and dreamt of sleep while he was at work, but now that he was home all he wanted to do was spend time with Nia. “If you’re putting on something sexy, take your time.”

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“If I recall correctly, it was you who was supposed to be wearing nothing but bells today. Don’t think I’ve forgotten it, mister,” she reminded him as she sat next to him and handed him an envelope. “But one present at a time. This is for you.” “A letter,” he teased. “Just what I always wanted.” In all honesty he didn’t really care what she got him, he had exactly what he wanted for Christmas already. He had Nia. “I’m sure you’ll like it. I made it myself.” “You took that fifty-dollar limit seriously, forty-nine cents for the envelope, a dollar for the paper. Baby, you are my frugal diva. Let me see if I can guess what it is.” He brought the gift to his ear and shook it. “Hmmm…sex coupons, or maybe an I.O.U. for anal sex.” “Don’t be silly,” she said with a twinkle in her big brown eyes. “It’s Jesus’s birthday, not yours.” That sounded promising. “I’m going to get anal for my birthday?” he asked hopefully. “You never know.” “Oh, I know all right. Let it be known, it’s what I want for my birthday. I have spoken, woman. Now say you’ll give it to me.” “Fine, you crazy man, anal for your birthday,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Can we concentrate on Christmas now?” “I guess.” He was getting anal. This day just kept getting better and better. “Do you want to separate the rest of the gifts?” Nia gestured to the Charlie Brown tree that was now being held upright by the many gaily wrapped boxes underneath. It was still pathetic, but it had grown on him. “Let’s just do these for now. Then we can unwrap those.” Eric tapped his finger on the black box. “I want to see your face when you open it.” “I want to see yours when you open it as well,” she said eagerly. “Then let’s do them both at the same time. Deal?” “Deal.” She nodded. “Then on the count of three we open them together.” “Yes.” She was so giddy she was practically vibrating. “One. Two. Three.” The two of them reverted to childhood for the few seconds it took to tear into the envelope and open the lid on the box, and soon as they both caught a glance at what was inside, the room became deathly silent. Eric was stunned. Inside his envelope was a handwritten gift certificate from Nia to get his car fixed. The car he no longer owned. Well, wasn’t that a bitch? Not wanting to seem ungrateful, he pasted a smile on his face and looked up over at her to say thank you. But she was wearing a similar expression of forced happiness. “What’s wrong?” he asked, cutting to the chase.

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“Nothing. I love it.” Her tone and expression said otherwise. “It looks just like the one I broke. Better actually.” “So why don’t you seem happy?” “I…I am.” Nia turned the questions to him. “What about you? Do you not understand your gift?” Eric looked down at the paper again. “You’ve arranged for someone to fix the car for me.” “Yes,” she said with more enthusiasm than she had when she talked about the chain. “Julia’s brother is a mechanic, and he’s agreed to fix it for fifteen hundred dollars.” The amount was staggering, especially considering he’d sold his car for less than half that. “Do we even have fifteen hundred dollars?” “Yes, I was saving it up to get you something else, but I figured this would be better. Something you’d like more.” “It’s great. It really is.” Especially if it was refundable. Trying not to think about it too much, Eric set the paper on the coffee table and turned his thoughts to more pleasant things. “Why don’t you get your pendant so we can put it on your new chain?” “Yeah, about that.” Nia set the jewelry box next to his gift certificate. “There was a catch when it came to getting the car fixed.” Eric frowned. “What sort of catch?” “Fifteen hundred wasn’t enough. So I had to give him something else.” “What?” Eric tried to ignore the sense of foreboding that was permeating the room around them. “My necklace.” The blood drained from his face as he waited and hoped she would shout out, Just kidding. After a few seconds he realized, sadly, that was not going to be the case. “That’s not funny.” “I’m not laughing.” No, no, no. This wasn’t happening. Eric brought his hand up to his head and rubbed. This was bad. So very bad. “Nia.” Eric dropped his hand into his lap and looked over at his wife. “Why? Why did you do that?” “Because you love that car, and it’s just a necklace. If selling it helps you rebuild something you care about, then it’s worth it to me.” “Not to me.” Eric dug his cell phone out of his pants pocket. “Call him up and make him return it. Right now.” Nia held up her hands and shook her head. “I can’t.” “Yes, you can.” “No.” Nia laid her hand on his thigh. “Honey, it’s not fair.” That had to be the most insane thing he’d ever heard. “How the fuck not?”

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“Because he’s giving it to his girlfriend for Christmas,” she said with a sad smile. “I can’t ruin that for him.” “Well I sure in hell can.” “No, you can’t, because I won’t let you. It was my necklace to give, and I gave it for you. For your car.” “Son of a bitch.” Eric jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “I thought you would be happy, but you don’t seem pleased at all.” “That’s because I sold the car, and I bought the necklace with part of the money he gave me for the hunk of junk.” “No…uhhh.” Nia buried her face in her hands. “Yes.” She dropped her hands and looked up at him, disbelief etched into every inch of her pretty brown face. “But why?” Nia was suddenly where he was just a few moments ago, stunned by the revelation. “Because I don’t need that car to prove I’m not him, and holding on to an old piece of metal isn’t going to stop me from turning into him. Only I can do that.” Too bad he hadn’t realized it a few days sooner. “This is…awkward.” He couldn’t have agreed more. “Oh yeah.” “It’s a bit funny too though.” Nia’s lips quirked in a slight smile. Eric stopped pacing and stared at his wife, who’d obviously lost her mind. “No, no it isn’t.” He couldn’t find anything funny about this situation at all. “Sure it is.” She picked up the homemade gift card and the necklace and held them out for him to see. “We have a bill of sale for a car I sold my necklace to get fixed and a chain for a pendant that belongs to our mechanic whose services we don’t need anymore.” Eric chuckled. His wife certainly had a way of seeing things. “Well, when you put it like that, it kind of is.” Shaking his head, he joined her on the couch again, this time sitting next to her so he could place his arm around her shoulders. “You know, we have to be the dumbest couple in the whole wide world.” “Or the sweetest.” She laid her head on his chest. “We gave up what was most important for the other person, and made Kevin’s girlfriend happy, all at the same time.” “I have to say, I could have lived quite happily with Kevin’s girlfriend having a shitty Christmas instead of us.” “Hey.” She slapped her hand on his chest and looked up at him. “We aren’t going to have a shitty Christmas. We still have presents to unwrap. We still have dinner cooking in the crockpot and It’s a Wonderful Life will be coming on at six, then nine, then eleven, and midnight in Spanish.” “Wow, we don’t want to miss that.”

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“And, of course, the fifteen hundred dollars I was going to use on the car, we can now put toward the loan.” A light came on in her eyes. “Or we could do something else with it. Get us a Christmas present we both would like and could use.” That sounded promising. “What do you have in mind?” “Two words. Flat-screen TV.” Eric wanted to dismiss it as frivolous, but then thought better of it. There was being responsible and then there was being a stick in the mud. “You know what, I’ve always wanted one of those.” She smiled. “I know. I guess we’re going shopping tomorrow.” “Tomorrow.” The more he thought about it, the more he wanted it. “I bet we can make this happen tonight.” “Tonight,” she scoffed. “It’s Christmas. Nothing will be open.” True, nothing would be open, but that didn’t mean something couldn’t open for the right person. “What will you give me if I make it happen?” She tilted her head to the side and shot him a speculative look. “What do you want?” “You.” She smiled as he’d hoped she would. “But if you don’t make it happen, what do I get?” “Me.” “Sounds like a deal where neither of us can possibly lose.” Nia smiled. “I like it.” “Somehow, Sunshine, I knew you would.”

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Epilogue

The sharp sound of pounding on the door roused Nia from her near slumber. The warm apartment was still the best Christmas present ever; with the big-screen TV coming in a close second. She didn’t think it was possible, but Eric had pulled some strings with a former patient who owned a small electronics store and convinced them to make a last-minute sale. That was over six hours ago. Six, long enjoyable hours spent in each other’s arms watching things get blown up from only a few feet away from their couch as they munched on chips and cookies and contemplated what to do now that they were only down to one car. After a little debating, much kissing, a tiny hump or two, they struck a deal. Although it wasn’t something either of them wanted to do, they both agreed it would be best if they shared her car when they could and relied on generous friends and public transportation when one car wasn’t enough. They’d do this until they had enough funds to buy a little commuter car, which hopefully wouldn’t take more than a month or two. It would mean juggling their payoff plan, but some things were worth going off the path for. Hands down, this was the best Christmas ever. And just as Nia had begun to slip into a sugar coma, the door pounding had begun. She and Eric shared a look, then on cue they both formed fists and counted to three. She led with paper, and he with scissors, a tricky move that sent her to the door to greet their visitor. Before answering, she looked through the peephole, and to her surprise spotted Julia and Kevin. “Shit,” she whispered to herself. In the midst of making love, shopping, then installing the TV, she’d forgotten to call Kevin to let him know he didn’t have to come over. Feeling all kinds of bad, she quickly opened the door. “Merry Christmas.” She smiled brightly. “Come in. Come in.” Side by side the family resemblance between Julia and Kevin was very obvious, as was the love between the two siblings. They were picking and poking at each other, but doing so in a good-natured manner. They scrambled to get into the apartment first, with Julia winning by a hair thanks to her brother giving up at the very last second. Watching the two of them together, Nia could see how growing up with seven brothers might not have been so bad after all. After shutting the door, she turned and faced her guests. “Was Santa good to you this year?” “Santa is always good to me,” Julia said with a smile. “Everyone I love woke up this morning in fine health and with peace of mind. I can’t ask for anything more.” “What about you, Kevin?”

Lena Matthews

He shrugged. “It was loud. We had the whole crew over for breakfast and presents. I got two coats though. People should coordinate gifts.” Nia looked down at his bare arms and shook her head. “Or maybe they’re just trying to keep you from catching pneumonia.” “Man, it’s barely chilly out there. Anyway, we just stopped by to pick up the money and keys for the car. I have my tow truck parked out front.” Julia elbowed Kevin in his side, earning her a scowl from her brother. “Fine, fine, fine.” Kevin dug a hand in his pocket. “I also wanted to give you this.” Kevin held the necklace out to Nia. “Here you go. The cash is enough. Don’t worry about anything extra.” “But…but…” Shocked, Nia took the necklace back. “We had a deal.” “No, you had a shakedown,” Julia said. As much as she wanted to keep her grandmother’s necklace, a deal was a deal. “What happened with your girlfriend? She didn’t like it?” “What girlfriend?” Kevin and Julia asked at the same time. Confused, Nia looked back and forth between the siblings. “You know, the one you were giving it to because you forgot to go shopping.” “Oh.” Kevin grinned, and this time he nudged Julia, a lot softer than she did him though. “I said my best girl, which, you know, she is.” “Plus I’m not letting him get away with giving me someone else’s jewelry. As pretty as it is, I want my own gift, which he will be buying me at the mall on my very next day off. Right, you big dope?” “Right. Right.” Kevin nodded at Eric, who was making his way over to the group in front of the door. “Does he know or are we still keeping this hush-hush?” “He knows,” Eric answered. “But as much as I’d love to give you the business, I’m afraid I just can’t.” “Why?” Julia asked. Eric put his arm around Nia’s waist. “We sold the car.” Julia’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?” “He did.” Nia laughed, still amazed at the mix-up. “So we decided to buy a big-screen with the money.” Julia laughed. “All’s well that ends well.” “For everybody but me,” Kevin grumbled. “Now I don’t get paid and I still have to buy you a gift.” “If you wouldn’t have been so cheap to begin with, this wouldn’t even be an issue,” Julia reminded him. “Whatever. Let’s go, woman, before I start crying.”

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Priceless

“Right, like I haven’t seen that before.” Julia opened the door and ushered her brother out. “Merry Christmas, you two.” “Wait,” Nia called out. “Don’t go yet. I have something for you.” Julia turned around, a frown on her brow. “What?” “This.” Nia opened her arms wide. As soon as Julia caught on to what Nia was trying to do, she began to back up. “No. No. No.” But this time Nia would not be denied. “I have to do it.” “You really don’t,” Julia said, shaking her head from side to side. “I really do.” Julia bumped into her brother, who was grinning from ear to ear. “Give the girl a hug.” “Eww. What’s with people always trying to touch me?” “It’s because you’re so darn cute,” Kevin teased. “Fine.” Resigned, she let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes. “Make it fast.” Nia went to her friend and took her in her arms, giving Julia the hug she’d always wanted to. “Thank you,” she whispered in Julia’s ear. “You don’t know how much it means to me getting this back.” “It means a lot.” Julia briefly and awkwardly patted her back. “I know, now get off me.” Laughing, Nia did as she requested. She’d gotten her hug in. That was all that mattered. “Thank you, Julia.” Julia shivered as if she’d been forced to eat spinach instead of show affection. “Thank me by never doing that again.” “I’m making no promises.” “I should have kept the damn necklace,” Julia grumbled as she turned and walked away. “Big bully,” Eric said from behind her. “Forcing poor little Julia to hug you.” Nia shut and locked the door, before turning around. “She liked it. She’s just playing hard to get.” “Sounds like a game I’d like.” Nia raised an eyebrow. Her husband had definitely gotten into the Christmas spirit. “I thought the only thing you wanted to do today was veg in front of the TV.” “You thought wrong. Besides, lookie at what I found.” Eric pulled his hand from behind his back, and in it he held some mistletoe. “I was thinking about hanging this.” Nia looked up. “Where?” “Around your waist,” he said with a waggle of his brows. “It’s going to be hard for me to kiss you under that if you hang it on my waist.” He took her into his arms. “You have two sets of lips.” She loved the way he thought. “Oh, Kinky Klause. Whatever shall I do with you?” “Love me forever.”

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Lena Matthews

For Nia that was as easy as breathing. “You have yourself a deal.”

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About the Author

Lena Matthews spends her days dreaming about handsome heroes and her nights with her own personal hero. Married to her college sweetheart, she is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, two evil dogs and a mess of ants that she can’t seem to get rid of. When not writing she can be found reading, watching movies, lifting up the cushions on the couch to look for batteries for the remote control and plotting different ways to bring Buffy back on the air. You can contact Lena through her website: www.lenamatthews.com.

Look for these titles by Lena Matthews

Now Available: Joker’s Wild Call Me Three Nights Stripped Bare The Wedding Dress Something Borrowed, Something Blue Head Over Heels You Can Leave Your Hat On The Better to Eat You With

Good girl, bad boys. Going off-path was never this much fun.

The Better to Eat You With © 2010 Lena Matthews Urban Fairytales, Book 2 Yvonne Rousel is having trouble keeping up a brave face. Ezekiel Crawford and Daniel Hunter are her best friends—and she’s about to lose one of them to another woman. Thanks to a pact between the human residents of Monroeville and the local werewolf pack—brides for protection—Ezekiel has won the right to choose a mate. Yvonne’s doing her best to be happy for him, but fear persists that his marriage could signal the beginning of the end of their charmed friendship. Because once Ezekiel’s preoccupied with his new bride, how long will it be before Daniel, too, drifts away? Ezekiel and Daniel have no intention of letting their happy threesome come to an unhappy end. Their plan is a little unconventional, a tad kinky, and destined to be a whole lot of fun. Now all they have to do is convince their good-girl girlfriend to take a walk on the big, bad side. And stay one step ahead of a jealous lawman… Warning: It’s not your grandmother’s fairytale…unless she likes big bad wolves, hot three ways and double penetration.

Enjoy the following excerpt for The Better to Eat You With: A sweeter challenge had never been laid down before him. Daniel felt as if he’d been waiting for this moment for what felt like a lifetime, and he planned to enjoy every single second of it. With his gaze firmly centered on her, Daniel walked around her until he was standing behind her. When he was in position, he glanced over at his friend, who was watching them with a predatory look in his yellow eyes. It was a feeling Daniel could attest to. The hunger he felt for Yvonne was like none he’d ever experienced before, and he couldn’t wait a second more to have her in his arms. Gripping the bottom of her shirt in his hands, Daniel slowly began to edge it up her supple thighs. Even though he needed her more than he needed his next breath, he wanted to make sure she had plenty of time to call a halt to things if she so desired. “Raise both hands.” She turned her head to stare wild-eyed at him. “What?” “You heard me,” he said, this time in a firmer voice. “Raise your hands.” Still watching him, she did as he requested. “Good girl.” Acting swiftly, Daniel pulled her shirt up and off with one sure move. “Daniel,” she gasped as she quickly covered her bare breasts.

“What?” he asked calmly, amused by her outrage. “What did you think I was going to do, ask you to do the hokey-pokey?” “No, but you could have given me some warning.” “Like what, raise your hands?” “You…” Yvonne paused in mid-rant to shake her head and smile, “…are such a brat.” “And you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.” Daniel ran his gaze over her back, smiling at the dragon tattoo on her right shoulder blade, then groaned when his gaze landed on the sight of her full, mouthwatering bottom, framed ever so nicely by a pair of pale yellow bikini panties. “Speaking of sexy.” He reached out and lightly ran his hand over her firm cheek, giving it a little squeeze for extra measure. “Nice ass.” “Thanks,” she said, her voice filled with humor. “No, no. Thank you.” Reluctantly, Daniel removed his hand and walked around Yvonne until he was standing at Ezekiel’s side, facing her. “Take your hands down.” Watching them, Yvonne slowly lowered her hands to her side, bringing her large, full breasts into view. Her dark brown nipples beaded under their stare, making his mouth water and cock ache to delve deep within her. He watched her hungrily as she stood proudly before them, dressed only in bikini-cut panties. The golden color of the underwear made her dark skin appear even more decadent. “Damn.” The word slipped out before he could stop it, spilling into the silent room like a dirty secret. It wasn’t what he meant to say. Daniel prided himself on his silver tongue, but right now he couldn’t come up with a better compliment if he tried. She was truly breathtaking. “Flatterer.” Yvonne let out a soft, husky laugh that had his cock shooting past semi-straight to sledgehammer hard. God, he loved her laugh. There was something about the sexy, throaty sound that made him want to drop to his knees before her and delve his tongue deep within her pussy. Daniel knew if the mere resonance of her laughter had this sort of effect on him, then the sound of her coming undone was going to be the death of him. “Are you two still here with me?” “Oh yeah.” Daniel glanced over his shoulder at his silent friend, who was staring hypnotically at Yvonne. “Ezekiel? Still here?” “Yes,” he answered without taking his gaze off Yvonne. “I can smell your sweet heat from here.” “You can?” she asked. “I can always smell when you’re aroused.” Interesting. Daniel turned his attention back to Yvonne, who now had her hands covering her cheeks. “How embarrassing.” “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Daniel said, trying to reassure her. In fact he found himself jealous for the first time of his friend’s supernatural abilities. The idea of being able to tell whenever his woman was aroused appealed to him on so many levels. “Nothing at all.”

“That’s what you think. If you only knew how often—” “I know,” Ezekiel interrupted her huskily. “I’ve always known.” “You mean…” Her eyes widened to comic proportions. “Oh my God.” “Known what?” Daniel was beginning to feel out of the loop here. “That Yvonne gets turned on when the two of us sit close to her on the couch, especially when we’re watching horror movies, and she gets to jump and grab hold of us.” “Kill me now.” “Is this true, baby? Do you enjoy being sandwiched between us?” Yvonne sighed and dropped her hands back to her side. “What do you think?” “I think I can’t wait until I give you what you really want. A true sandwich with me and Ezekiel.” Daniel grabbed her and pulled her close to him. Moving swiftly, he tangled his hand in her hair and tightened his grip on her twisted braids. “With one of us in your pussy and the other in your ass.” “God yes.” It was all he needed to hear. Bending forward, Daniel covered his mouth with hers, pressing his tongue between the soft swell of her parted lips. If there was a single moment he longed for more than any other, it was this. His first taste of Yvonne. Sweet. It was the only word he could use to describe her perfect taste. Their tongues slipped and slid against one another, intertwining as he drank in every drop. Then before he forgot himself and took her against the wall like the horny, rutting fool he was fast turning into, Daniel broke away from her tootempting mouth and released her. After taking in a much-needed deep breath, he looked to his friend. “Ezekiel. Want to do the honors?” “Hell yeah,” his friend said. The other man stared hungrily at her mouth for a split second before dropping to his knees before her. Looking up at her, he grabbed hold of the sides of her panties and slowly pulled them down her supple thighs to the floor. “Ohhh.” Like before, words escaped Daniel at the sight of her newly exposed flesh. With the exception of a neatly trimmed rectangular strip of hair, her pussy was bare. Ezekiel, on the other hand, had no problem expressing himself. “Fuck, baby, your pussy is so pretty.” “Thank you.” She laughed hesitantly. “I think.” “No thanks needed.” Ezekiel moved in closer to her cunt and breathed in her sweet aroma. “Do you know how hard it’s been sitting next to you all these months, knowing you wanted us but being unable to do anything about it?” “Probably about as hard as it was for me to sit between the two of you and not take what I wanted.” “Take it now, Yvonne,” Daniel encouraged. “Whatever you want is yours for the asking.”

Yvonne raised her gaze to meet his and smiled in her slow, seductive way. “What I need most is for you two to touch me. Please don’t make me beg.”

One spark could burn her world down.

Keeping Pace © 2011 Dee Carney Six years after her husband’s death, Regina Pace is still just going through the motions, her only pleasure a nightly glass (or three) of wine to dull the ache. Tonight is no exception—until a sensual outdoor encounter with her neighbor’s son, freshly home from college. He’s older, wiser, more devastatingly handsome than she remembered. He’s also fifteen years her junior. Despite her misgivings, it isn’t long before her nightly ritual includes a long, deep drink of Josh Smith. Ogling leads to touching, then the sparks flare into an erotic encounter that feels wickedly right— and deliciously forbidden. Yet the intense heat can’t burn away the doubt pestering the back of her mind. That the gap between their ages is too large, even for the most determined leap of faith… Warning: Features a boy-next-door who won’t take no for an answer, more than one sexual fantasy (including some outdoor self-loving!), and a burning romance that proves age is just a number.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Keeping Pace: Josh took the corkscrew from me gently. “There is definitely an art in handling this task.” Fascinated, I watched him slice the foil around the cork and then dig the metal screw into the spongy plug. After a few quick twists, he pulled upward with ease, dislodging the cork. The amazement must have shown on my face. Wine sommeliers and connoisseurs tended to be the only people I knew of who moved with such deft confidence. “I waited tables as an undergrad,” he said with a wink. “If a table ordered wine, they tended to tip bigger. I learned how to pour a bottle properly in a hurry.” “I take it you’re no longer in school?” His confirmation would help me feel a little better. Despite the casual atmosphere we’d generated between us, his youth still taunted me. “Grad school. Almost done.” “That’s amazing.” And I meant it. My education didn’t go further than undergraduate schooling, despite my constantly telling myself I should return for a higher degree. “Oh. I’m sorry… I should have asked…” His sudden change of topic and subsequent confusion baffled me until I followed his line of sight. In my excitement, I’d forgotten the glass of wine sitting next to the telephone. Not far beyond it, the open bottle of wine I’d set there earlier told a story of its own. Now there were two bottles open. “Don’t worry. Good wine never goes to waste.”

“It looks like you were going to order dinner too, though.” Joshua looked chagrined. “I can’t seem to do any of this right.” “Any of what?” “It’s just me over there, and I was kind of wondering if maybe you’d care for some company.” He dropped his gaze, something on the parquet flooring suddenly needing his immediate scrutiny. “I mean, if you weren’t busy.” My pulse began to race. I tried to put him at ease because I was touched by his boyish charm. “I’d love to, and since you brought the wine, dinner is on me. Take your pick from the menu, and we’ll place an order.” Conversation flowed easily as we waited, which seemed odd to me. I thought there would be lots of stops and starts, all awkward. By the time the food came, the bottle Joshua brought was empty. I can’t say who had most of it, but I couldn’t recall my glass ever being empty. Making my way to the door to pay the deliveryman took a slight bit of concentration on my part. I didn’t want to appear buzzed in front of Joshua, despite the very same being true. His gaze rarely left me, to the point I felt its heated caress as I walked away from him. He made himself at home, opening the containers and sorting through my kitchen drawers after I placed the bags on the table. My mouth watered as we were assaulted by the scents of meat swimming in rich sauces and smoky char-grilled vegetables. “So wait, you did all the work and they gave your project to someone else? What a slap in the face,” he said, continuing the conversation we’d had before we’d been interrupted by the doorbell. “Exactly!” I don’t recall when I’d started telling him about Beth. Maybe sometime around when he’d asked what I did for a living. Tongue loosened with alcohol, I’d easily dished every bit of the office rivalry with him. I don’t know if I would have been so bold under other circumstances, but his attention made talking to him about it too easy. “So what are you going to do about it?” He dished out the food onto plates, and settled into his chair. I bit into an asparagus spear. “That’s the problem, I don’t really know. The PC thing to do would be congratulate her and take a back seat.” We ate in silence for a few minutes, taking sips of wine between bites. Finally he said, “But you’ve worked hard on a project you’re passionate about.” “And that’s why I’m tempted to assist.” I gave an exaggerated shudder as I said the last word. Joshua laughed, then turned serious. “It wouldn’t make you less of a person to help the project succeed. It’s about the kids. Not about what’s going on between you and Beth.” Of course he was right, but to hear him say it made something inside me melt. At once he didn’t seem as young as I’d thought only yesterday, but on par with any of my peers. Sure, some wrinkles around the

eyes or a few strands of gray hair would have helped, but my uneasiness seemed to have vanished. “You think and act very much like an old soul. Has anyone ever told you that?” “Is that a bad thing?” “Not at all,” I murmured. My lids were heavy from our libation, and I chalked up Joshua’s even more vibrant appeal to having consumed more wine than I should have. I saw from the corner of my eye three empty bottles, which tattled on just how heavily we’d been drinking tonight. All of it caught up to me, and my head swam with luxuriant intensity. Unfortunately, that was also my signal. Once I started feeling this way, my inhabitations would soon fall by the wayside. With both our plates cleared of food and the wineglasses truly empty, I pulled the uneaten containers closer. “It’s getting late, Joshua—” “Josh. Please.” “Josh.” I smiled. It felt lopsided. “I need to put these things away and get ready to face Beth in the morning.” “Sure, I understand.” He put his knife and fork on the plate next to him. “But I hope we can do this again. You’re great company.” “I’d like that.” And I meant it. It dawned on me that we’d spent most of the night talking about me, and I knew very little about him still. I rose on unsteady legs, unprepared for when they refused to support me. Josh jumped to his feet, obviously in a much better state than I, and wrapped his arm around my waist. Without his support, I would have hit the floor hard. “Whoa. Steady there.” My breasts pressed against his chest, our faces only inches apart. I smelled the remnants of the gourmet delivery surrounded by subtle hints of alcohol. Desire swelled within me, and I weakly fought it into submission, though it would not die without a struggle. I saw a hint of lust reflecting in his eyes and prayed I didn’t imagine it. Josh’s gaze dropped to my lips before travelling to meet my eyes again. No. Not imagined at all. “You’re so young,” I said softly. “Twenty-six. Not that young.” Fifteen years my junior. A full generation between us. The realization didn’t stop me from wanting him to lower his face to mine and devour my mouth in a kiss. He brought his mouth to mine, brushing it with the gentlest caress that sent a shiver rippling through me instead. I ached for more and released a soft whimper of protest when he didn’t give in to my wants. Intense green eyes searched mine before he said, “Not like this, Regina.”

The use of my first name brought the reality of this evening crashing into me. He didn’t understand. This was exactly how I needed it. How I wanted it. With this lonely life, I’d earned the right to throw responsibility out the window and let my id run rampant. I’d promised Patrick I would live. And I wanted to do so now. I threaded my fingers into Josh’s short brown hair and brought his lips to mine. I opened my mouth against his, the urgency of connecting to him on a physical level driving me until I knew nothing else. It crossed my mind only seconds after our tongues connected that he might reject me. When he breathed into me, tasted me, that thought shattered. Finding his unoccupied hand, I brought it to my breast, offering more than just a kiss to him. “You’re tempting,” Josh muttered after breaking away. “So very tempting…but you’ve also been drinking.” I licked his bottom lip. “I’m fully aware of what I’m doing.” “I need you to be able to say that in the morning.” He kissed me again. “I won’t be satisfied with just one night.” Guiding his hand beneath my shirt, I let him touch my bare skin. “But what an amazing one night it could be.”

Stuck between a rock-solid man and a hard place…

Rising, Freestyle © 2011 Vivian Arend Xtreme Adventures, Book 2 Melanie Dixon’s body may have recovered from a horrific climbing accident, but her nerve is long gone. So is the natural enthusiasm for life she took for granted. Tired of being scared, beyond ready to conquer her fears, she pulls up stakes and moves to her brother’s new hometown to start over. Her first step is the most terrifying—to tackle the wall at the local climbing center. Derrick James is mesmerized by Melanie’s dark beauty, and equally impressed with her climbing abilities and determination. Watching her retune rusty skills spurs a desire to partner with her—on and off the ropes. Melanie’s a compelling mix of wit, sensuality and vulnerability, and it’s his delicious task to convince her the scars on her body are no match for the heat rising between them. Then a man from Melanie’s past shows up, pushing their relationship to the edge. Nathan King wants photographs for a “where are they now” series, but his side agenda is more personal in nature. A proposal that brings her out of her sensual shell and onto a precarious sexual ledge. Where trust is crucial…and too easily shattered. Warning: This book may cause heart-pounding, body-shaking adrenaline attacks—and that’s before they leave the climbing gym. Contains blindfolds, ropes and a healthy dose of voyeurism. Go on—you know you like to watch.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Rising, Freestyle: If she was going to show off to the world, she needed Derrick’s help. She didn’t want to have a crutch in her life. Not a thing, not a person, but giving up his comforting touch and presence right now was impossible. “I can only do it with you there. Is that possible? I know it’s a huge imposition, but if you’re present it will help. So much.” He pulled back to stare into her eyes, his gaze thoughtful as he examined her face. The caring lover she’d grown to appreciate over the past months—he was probably considering what was the best for her. Derrick nodded slowly. “How about this. If you and Nathan can work around the hours the climbing gym is closed, you can use the place to do your shots. There will be no distractions and no audience.” Extreme relief shot through her. Oh God, she hadn’t even thought about that part. She hugged him close, burying her face in the vee of his neck, loving the way he created a wall of protection to hide behind. “Thank you.” And the rest? She sat back quickly, catching his gaze again. “And you’ll be there?” “As long as you want me.”

Wasn’t that a loaded question? She shifted, straddling him to be able to reach his lips easier. “I want you. I want you now.” She wanted to be held and caressed. Distracted from the heavy burden in her brain. He kissed her with just the right touch of compassion and rising lust, and her body softened. Warmed in all the right spots. He ran his fingers down her back, and she arched against him, breasts growing heavy with anticipation. He kissed her jaw, held her firmly, yet tenderly. A wave of need swept past, followed by guilt. She’d been turned on back at the climbing wall as well, and that had nothing to do with Derrick. She pulled away. “Oh damn.” A low rumble of discontent escaped his throat as he paused. “What?” “Oh damn, I need to tell you…” Sure, how was she supposed to say this? Mortification hit hard, and the heat flushing her face was more from shame than the expectation of Derrick’s lovemaking. She didn’t realize she’d dipped her head until his fingers under her chin brought her gaze back to meet his. “Mel? What? Is this something to do with me watching the shoot? Is that going to embarrass you—?” “Oh hell, no. I’m just trying to tell you…” She’d sworn to be honest in her relationships, and she wasn’t the type to let a situation start that could cause them trouble down the road. “I need to tell you about Nathan and me.” One brow snuck upward, his expression highly amused. “You mean the fact he wants to get in your pants, or the fact he turns you on?” Her jaw must have hung open for a full minute before she found her voice. “You’re kidding. You figured that out how?” Derrick grinned. “Sweetheart, I’m not stupid. I know a guy putting on the moves when I see it. And your response? You have this little habit of flushing right here—” He dragged a finger down her throat and over her chest. “When you get excited, it shows.” She was so embarrassed. “I had a crush on Nathan from the time I was about thirteen. I followed him around Katy’s and his house one entire summer. He must have been so freaked at having a teenager dogging his heels.” Derrick stroked her back, smooth and even. Tantalizing circles that pulled her a tiny bit closer to him on each rotation. “And did you do anything about that attraction?” “I was fifteen, he was like twenty. Of course not.” “So, you’ve got the object of your teenage crush hanging around.” Derrick linked his fingers with hers. “Mel, I’ve been enjoying our time together, a lot. I don’t think the fact the guy turns you on is bad, it proves you’re human. Call me crazy, but the fact he’s attracted to you is okay with me as well. Maybe that’s a guy thing—I’ve got you, he doesn’t. You know, caveman attitude.” Melanie laughed softly. Sexy, kind and understanding. She’d have to have her head examined to give this up. “You are who I want to be with. Not him.”

His grin lit the room. “Then I don’t mind if he gets your motor running, as long as I’m the one in your bed.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

Melanie grabbed him by the shirt and clung to him as their lips meshed. A gentle caress of mouths, with no teeth, no frantic moving to the next stage. Almost as if they were exploring each other for the first time. It was an offering, a sacrifice. Something to affirm that while having Nathan show up created a new situation between them, the foundation they had built was solid and worthwhile. Derrick rolled her under him on the couch, working his way down her body. Removing her clothes, kissing all the tender spots he’d discovered over the past months. His fascination with her breasts made her smile. “I still can’t believe you like them that much.” Derrick hummed happily. His palms forced her nipples upward so he could more easily suckle one, then the other. “More than a mouthful is too much.” She laughed. “Barely a mouthful. Oh, that’s good.” She held on to his head, keeping him close. His lips surrounded one tip, his fingers pinching and drawing the other nipple tight and ready for his hot mouth to lick. Circles followed by long, slow licks. A shiver raced along her spine and she pressed harder to his lips, looking for a little more. The soft fabric cradled her torso as he tugged her toward the end of the couch. She laughed as he pulled her yoga pants from her in one smooth practiced move. Somehow he caught her panties at the same time, and she lay sprawled totally naked before him. He stared at her, his gaze intent, hunger on his face. “I know why Nathan wants you.” She hesitated. Why was he bringing up Nate? Derrick rose to his feet, looming tall and muscular over her. He still wore all his clothes, and she realized with a start she wasn’t embarrassed in the least to be completely naked before him. “You have no idea how beautiful you are.” He rasped out the words—lusty and low. “Right.” He squatted beside her, shaking his head slightly as he drew a finger down her body. “Your body is powerful. Slim in the right spots, curved perfectly in others.” His palm cupped her hip for a second before slipping back to cradle her ass. The expression on his face, even more than his words, stroked her. “I’m glad you like how I look.” He grinned wickedly. “And the way you smell.”

“Oh my God.” He had picked up her legs and draped them over his shoulders, and her sex clenched. Wanting something to grasp, to fill her. She didn’t have long to wait. Maintaining eye contact, he lowered his head and breathed in deeply. “The way you taste.”