Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
"I wanted you back then, and I want you even more now," I admit shyly, looking down and unable to meet his eyes.
Collin turns to face me, spinning me on the stool until my legs are locked between his. He leans forward to kiss me, and just like that, it feels like no one else is in the room with us. My hand reaches down to validate as much, his crotch hardening under my touch.
"Mm, Jelly Bean, don't start nothing you can't finish. I'll bend you right over this bar." His voice is low and gravelly, making all my lady parts tingle with desire.
"You promise?"
"Aw, back to being bad, I see. I'll have to teach you a lesson about stirring up trouble. If you think I won't punish you in front of all these people for getting me riled up, you're mistaken, Jelly Bean."
"Don't threaten me with a good time," I shoot back, taking a swig of my beer and licking his lips.
Collin downs the rest of his glass, palms the back of my head, and pulls me in for a kiss so passionate, my toes curl. I moan with every swipe of his tongue across mine. Thankfully, the awful sounds of Evelyn singing old-school hip hop, with Jake Heffen himself cheering her on, draw everyone's attention away from us.
"Either get a room or cut it out," the bartender says, taking away our empty bottles and glasses.
Okay, so everyone but the bartender is paying attention to Evelyn and Jake. We end our kiss as they finish their song, both of us panting like we just ran a marathon. Another round of drinks lightens the mood for the night. It doesn't take long for us to shut down the bar and karaoke with one tune after another.
Collin's singing moved something inside of me. If he were the pied piper, all he'd have to do is sing to devour my soul. It makes me wonder what he's actually afraid of.
By the time the bartender puts us all in taxis home, my mind is reeling with questions. I don’t have time to ask them, though, since it doesn’t take long before the group files into my mother's house, where Christmas dinner waits.
"Oh, this is just like old times. Yes, everyone, come on in and eat. There's two whole trays of lasagna for all these strapping young men in my home." Mom's glee is contagious to her drunken children. "By the way, Jake, now that you and Ev are on again, you and your family are welcome to join us on our Sunday lunches."
"Thanks, Mrs. B." Jake offers Mom a smile.
Jake Heffen is like a model off the cover of a couture magazine, with his suave dark brown hair, molten dark blue eyes, and a Colgate smile that's liable to tell you anything you want to hear. In this drunken moment, though, he's just a regular guy like Josh and Collin beside him.
They cheer each other on as they chug beers and gobble down pasta and everything else on the table. Evelyn and I join them but without devouring as much. There's laughter and memories, reminiscing about the days and hijinx of our youth. Even Mom chimes in with stories of us ruining furniture and freshly poured cement pavements.
"It's so wonderful to have everyone under the same roof. I'm happy you all were able to take time off work, especially with how important everyone's job is," Mom says, and I expect to hear a hint of disappointment in her tone, but there is none. She raises a glass of wine to toast. "You know, Danielle, bringing Collin home was a fantastic idea. He told me how much you helped him get over his stage fright."
My eyes shoot over to him. Collin offers me his cocky grin and tips his head. I find my eyes watering again, emotion threatening to choke me.
Collin Wright is my Mr. Right.
"Thank you," I mouth to him silently.
My mother continues to gush over all the people in her dining room. "And don't you worry about Hilary, Josh. I'll pour sugar in her gas tank for messing with my baby." She twines her hands and gives us a wobbly smile. "I'm so proud of all of you. You've done so well for yourselves, and I know Dad's proud of you all, too. So let's raise a glass of beer to being grateful for family. Merry Christmas, everyone, and may this become an annual tradition for us."
"Merry Christmas!" we say in unison, and Collin pulls me for a long kiss that makes Josh turn his back to us and kiss Mom on the cheek.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out what happens after Mom goes to bed for the night. Jake and Evelyn lose themselves behind her bedroom door, and Josh passes out in his room.