12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018 Read online

  She agonized over the words. She tore up piece of paper after piece of paper, disgustedly throwing them on the floor. Five hours and a whole pot of coffee later, she was no closer to having her vows written than she had been when she started. Problem number three. Wearily, she picked up the numerous wads of crumpled paper on the floor and threw them in the wastebasket. She stripped off her clothes, threw on a tee shirt and crawled into bed, exhausted.

  The next morning, she was supposed to meet Christopher in the lobby. They’d decided to attend church at the chapel. He had told her he wanted to start their marriage off the right way by attending church every week. She’d been surprised but had happily agreed with him. She was learning new things about the man every day. And each day she was falling more deeply in love with him.

  After brunch, she begged off when he suggested an afternoon walk. “I have to work on my vows.”

  “You don’t have them done yet? What did you do all day?”

  “I suppose yours are done?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, they are. I wrote them yesterday afternoon.”

  “Arrogant ass,” she said.

  He sighed. “Come for a walk with me to clear your head. I promise to leave you alone after that so you can work on them.”

  She finally agreed and was glad she did. The walk was romantic, relaxing, and just what she needed to clear her head. She kissed him goodbye in the lobby and hurried to her room to begin writing. But hours later, she still was not satisfied with what she’d come up with. She gave up and tried to sleep. At two o’clock, she woke and got out of bed. She threw on a pair of flannel pants with her tee shirt and padded down the hall to Christopher’s room. Knocking softly, she was surprised when he answered immediately.

  “You’re awake?” she asked.

  “I woke up a while ago. I can’t seem to sleep without you here,” he explained as he pulled her into the room and kissed her.

  “Hold me, Christopher, just hold me.”

  “What’s wrong, babygirl?” he asked as he looked at her face. “Why is Daddy’s princess so upset?”

  “I can’t get the vows right. Time’s running out. It’s Monday morning. Tomorrow night is the wedding. Why can’t I do this? I can prepare briefs, I can write closing arguments, but I can’t write my wedding vows to you. Is this a bad omen? Are we making a mistake?”

  “Oh, baby, no. You’re a perfectionist, that’s all it is. Stop worrying about it. It’ll come to you.”

  “I need some motivation.”

  “What did you have in mind, princess?”

  Pushing him toward the bed, she replied, “Love me.”

  He chuckled as he pulled her down with him. “That, I can do,” he replied.

  Gone was the teasing, hot, demanding lovemaking from before. That morning, in the wee hours before dawn, he loved her slowly and completely, confirming his intent to spend the rest of his life as her partner in every way.

  And as her body shuddered, she whispered, “I love you, Christopher Winters, arrogant ass and all.” She returned to her room at dawn. Three hours and four cups of coffee later, the vows had been written. They were perfect, and she was finally satisfied with what she’d come up with.

  After a mani-pedi, facial, and massage, she treated herself to a new hairdo. Nothing drastic, Christopher loved her hair, just a trim and color touch-up.

  She met him in the lobby at six and they went to Calhoun’s for dinner – the place he’d taken her their first night at the lodge, when they’d run into each other and he’d convinced her to go out with him. So much had happened since that night.

  Christopher walked her to her room, pushed her up against the door and kissed her as he’d done that first night. Then he said goodnight and walked away, the same way he’d done before. And she wanted him even more than she had that night.

  The next day, she picked up the flowers for the wedding, spoke on the phone to her family and to Carol, and attempted to relax.

  Pacing the floor of her room nervously, she realized suddenly, This is it. Today’s the day. Was she doing the right thing? Was she being foolish? She thought of Christopher, not the man she’d tried to put out of her mind for the past three years, but the man she’d gotten to know in the past week. She’d loved him all along, she knew that now. And, yes, she was doing the right thing. He’d made her his, he’d staked his claim.

  She lay on her bed and napped for a short time. When she awoke, Holly was refreshed, calmer, and ready for her big night. She soaked in the tub, after which, she dressed in her new lacy undergarments and her new dress. Spending extra time on her hair and makeup, she looked in the mirror and smiled at the finished product. She was a bride!

  When he knocked on her door at seven, she picked up his boutonniere and went to the door.

  As he entered the room, he stared. Finally, he spoke. “You… look like a princess.” He bent to kiss her but she turned away.

  “What, no kiss for the groom?”

  “You’ll mess my lip gloss. You’ll get plenty of kisses later, I promise. I’m making you wait, like you always make me,” she teased as she pinned the flower to his lapel.

  “Don’t stick me with that enormous pin,” he said as he watched her.

  “I should, just because you said that. Nice tie, by the way,” she teased.

  “That’s because you didn’t pick it out,” he responded wickedly.

  She smiled and said, “The day will come when you’ll let me pick out your ties.”

  “And you’re probably right,” he replied with a snicker.

  She picked up her bouquet and they walked out into the hallway. As they walked off the elevator into the lobby, several other guests smiled and wished them well.

  They arrived at the chapel with time to spare. As he looked down at her and smiled, he asked, “Are you ready, princess?”

  Nervously, she replied, “About as ready as I’ll ever be.” She rubbed one moist palm on her dress and tightly clutched the paper that held her vows; her bouquet in the other hand.

  When they were told that it was time, they took their places at the altar with the witnesses. Soft music was playing and the minister began to speak. When he looked at Christopher, he invited him to read his vows to Holly.

  Clearing his throat, he looked into her eyes, and in a deep, husky voice he said, “Holly Evans, you’ve been my heart’s desire since the day I met you. You wanted me to think you were an ice princess. Icy, never; a princess, always, I saw through your façade. You thought I was arrogant, but you loved me anyway. Call it stubbornness, call it stupidity, call it what you will, we kept each other at arm’s length for far too long. When fate stepped in this holiday and brought us together, because we couldn’t seem to do it on our own, I knew there was no turning back. I knew you were the only one I could ever spend forever with. Even if you can’t pick out a decent man’s tie to save your life, I chose to overlook that fact, because I love you with everything I’ve got. And so, I’m asking you to take this ring, Holly, as a token of my promise to you. I will love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of our days, I will care for you and protect you, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, all the days of my life.”

  Smiling at the joke about the tie and tearing up at his precious, sweet words of love, Holly allowed him to place the ring on her finger. Taking his hand in hers, she took her turn, reading the words it had taken her so long to write. “Christopher Winters, you were the most arrogant, exasperating man I knew. You were also the one I dreamt about at night, the one I couldn’t get out of my head, no matter how hard I tried. I made a vow to myself not to date anyone I worked with. But you made me see how wrong I was to deny the feelings I had for you. You took charge and let me know you weren’t giving up without a fight. You made me see how much I needed you, how much I needed us. And for that, I’ll love you every day for the rest of my life. I want a life with you. So, with this ring, I thee wed. I promise to love, honor, and obey you, in sickness and in health, fo
r richer, for poorer, as long as we both shall live.” She slipped the ring on the third finger of his left hand and smiled up at him through tear-filled eyes.

  “With the power vested in me by our Lord and the state of Tennessee, I now pronounce you man and wife. Christopher, you may kiss your bride. Happy New Year and I wish you many more to come.”

  Christopher took her in his arms and kissed her, dipping her as the photographer snapped a photo.

  “That’ll be one for the wedding album everyone will talk about for years to come, Mrs. Winters,” he teased as he took her hand and walked her down the aisle.

  As they stepped outside for more photos, he whispered, “Obey, Holly?”

  She grinned. She had purposely written the word into the vows. “I just wanted to see if you were paying attention, Mr. Winters. I know we’ve only skirted on the edges of D/s, but I look forward to exploring the lifestyle with you.”

  He gave her one of his sexy, crooked grins before he took her in his arms and kissed her again. When he released her, he said, “Happy New Year, princess.”

  And she knew, from that moment on, all of her years would be happy ones, spent with the man who had made her love him completely. The man who would cherish her, discipline her, care for her and love her. Her Yuletide Dom.

  The End.

  Isabella Kole

  USA Today and International bestselling author, Isabella Kole, lives in southern Indiana, where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Always an avid romance reader, she began writing several years ago, and although she has had several sweet romances published under a different pen name, Accepting His Terms is the first erotic romance in her collection. When not writing, Isabella can be found traveling around signing books and meeting her readers or simply enjoying life. Her Yuletide Dom is book two in her Dominant Men series.

  You can find Isabella on Facebook at:

  https://www.facebook.com/Isabella-Kole-Author-580591041984962/

  and on Twitter as @blushingizzy

  Don’t miss these exciting titles by Isabella Kole and Blushing Books!

  Hannah’s Horror

  The Seduction of E.J.

  The Highlander’s Curse

  The Marshall and the Heiress

  Rescuing Raven

  Her Captain’s Command

  Dominant Men Series

  Her Blue Collar Dom, Book One

  Desire for Discipline Series

  Accepting His Terms, Book One

  Submitting to Brian, Book Two

  The Longing Within, Book Three

  Loving the Nobleman Series

  Remington’s Rules, Book One

  Emily’s Emergence

  Duchess’s Desire, Book Three

  Submitting To Her Professor - With Coleen Singer

  Anthologies

  12 Naughty Days of Christmas, 2015

  Fireworks at Christmas

  12 Naughty Days of Christmas 2018

  Sheri Lynn

  Chapter 1

  Jana’s head hurt. She couldn’t concentrate on anything he said. It seemed they just went in circles the last month anyway. He complained about their lack of time. She complained about – everything. She didn’t much like herself lately. How could she expect him to?

  “Jana, you have nothing to say about this?” Matt pressed. Frustration showed in his stiff posture, but his disappointment showed in his blue eyes. “Why won’t you talk to me? Don’t you want to work through this?”

  She didn’t know anymore. That truth hurt and she blinked back tears. “I’m late, Matt. Maybe later.” But she knew later wouldn’t come. She planned to stay at her place the next few days. It was one more point of contention between them. Well, several points. He’d asked her to move in with him numerous times, but she continued delaying it. Coming up with one excuse or another, for reasons she didn’t understand either. She loved him. She loved Josie.

  Throwing his arms in the air, he stormed out of the room. “Heaven forbid you are late! Thanks for confirming your priorities.”

  That comment enraged her. For the past year he and Josie were her priorities, in addition to running her community theater, The Showstopper. But it never seemed to be enough for Matt. She felt pressured to arrange and rearrange her career and responsibilities to accommodate them, – and she wanted to. But somehow, she allowed all of it to take precedence over everything that had meant something to her before them. She didn’t want to be Susie Homemaker.

  Josie ran through the room and up the stairs, Mame and Vera, Jana’s chihuahuas nipping at her heels. “Stop running through the house, Josie. How many times do I have to tell you they don’t like that?” She was tired of scolding the three year old over and over for the same thing. The exact reason why she planned to solve this particular issue and stay at her place when Matt had Josie. Matt had developed a short fuse. He hollered at her dogs for barking, even without Josie there. One or the other of them seemed to always be yelling at the dogs or Josie and she hated it.

  She hoped a little distance would put things in perspective for both of them.

  Matt argued and pleaded with her not to leave and stay away. He asked if she planned to do so every time he had his daughter.

  She didn’t know. She only knew she didn’t like the direction things were going with them. Even their sex life suffered. Not that it couldn’t be expected with them both working so much and with different schedules. Getting rid of her dogs wasn’t an option. And they weren’t getting rid of Josie either. She would miss both Matt and Josie. Taking a deep breath, she went and got the dog crates out of the garage.

  Crying all the way to her apartment and to work, she questioned if she’d made the right decision. If it hurt that bad it couldn’t be right. She just couldn’t argue with him anymore. They needed to figure out how to fix them without shouting matches and unnecessary, painful words.

  Last summer, she swore that anything that could go wrong, did, with her production at The Showstopper. The lead actress came down with a severe case of mononucleosis a day before opening. Jana wanted to give newcomers opportunities and had given the understudy role to a college student with little experience. She had high hopes for her and the student had appeared to enjoy it, serious, and eager to learn. Not the case. After the first week, she decided she wanted to spend her summer break with her boyfriend somewhere up north. Lesson learned. Unless someone produced a resume supporting large roles in several pieces including references, no more students during a major summer production.

  But the situation had reinvigorated Jana’s desire to act. She had stepped in and assumed the lead role until the original actress returned. At first she thought it wouldn’t present a problem and enjoyed being back on the stage. But when it ended, Jana missed it more than anticipated.

  Matt had supported her and attended one of her shows. He’d gushed about how marvelous she was and how grateful he felt to be able to see her in a performance.

  Discovering that her passion for the stage still burned so hot, deep inside her made her feel guilty. She believed she’d moved past that. Settling back in Alabama and buying the theater had excited and fulfilled her. And then she fell in love with Matt and Josie. So why did this sense of something lacking consume her to the point that she amplified simple issues with Matt until they erupted, leaving the two of them on opposite sides of a great divide?

  The Christmas play came together perfectly. They had a sold out house every show. The actors were spectacular, and so easy to work with. Jana didn’t need to spend the ridiculous hours she did at the theater, yet she did it anyway. Avoidance?

  Without a performance that night and going back to her own place, she didn’t stay late at work. She made it home before six o’clock. She was sitting on the couch with her pups after heating up some soup, when her cellphone rang. She was surprised to read that the call came from Albert. Picking it up, she hesitated a moment before accepting the call. She should have let it go to voicemail. She normally would have.
>
  Ten minutes later her hands shook as she set her phone and bowl on the coffee table. Albert was offering her a role in his production for the week prior to Christmas. Albert had made the trip down during the summer and watched one of her performances. He’d never stopped begging her to come back and work with him again. When he experienced similar issues as she had during the summer, he’d called her first. She told him she would let him know in the morning.

  Glancing around her boring apartment, lacking the gorgeous lit Christmas tree, the stockings hanging on a fireplace, and all the other decorations she’d helped arrange with Matt and Josie at their place, she regretted facing her decision. Sure, a part of her buzzed with excitement, but a part of her knew accepting would be a mistake. This could only make matters worse, in too many ways to imagine at that moment.

  With only a few days before she would have to leave, she got a pen and paper and made a list of all the things to arrange if she took the role. She had a great assistant manager at The Showstopper, and with shows only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday she didn’t foresee any problems. It’s not like she would be at Matt’s anyway next week. He had Josie all week until Christmas Day. She would be back on Christmas Eve.

  She needed to talk to Matt. His sister, Danielle picked Josie up from daycare and kept her until either Matt’s shift ended or Jana relieved her. She couldn’t answer a bunch of questions from Danielle about why she decided to stay at her own place when she didn’t quite understand it herself. Knowing she must discuss this in person, she drove to his house at ten o’clock.

  Seeing his car in the driveway, Jana made her way to the front porch and heard Matt and Danielle arguing. Jana had no idea his sister might still be there. Danielle lived a couple of houses down and she walked to and from Matt’s place.