Authors: Kate Roth

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Erotica, #Humorous, #Romantic Erotica

Peachy Keen (26 page)

Evan chuckled softly before he spoke. He probably heard my huff of breath and knew I’d dived for the phone. “Hey, baby.”

The sound of his voice made my lips curve into a grin as I glanced at the clock. His flight was due to take off in thirty minutes. It was late and I’d been waiting at home for hours, periodically checking in on the status of his itinerary. He was nearly within reach. Just a little longer and he would be with me for ten whole days. “Are you at the airport?”

I heard him sigh on the other end and my stomach dropped before he confirmed my fear. “I’m sorry, Dani. I couldn’t get away,” he said. “The shoot ran over and…I’m sorry. I’ll get out there tomorrow. Christmas Eve at the latest, I swear.”

“No,” I whined as I sat up in bed and rubbed at my temple. “Evan, we said we weren’t going to keep letting this happen. If we make plans, we have to stick to them. We have to make each other a priority or this won’t work.”

The words passing my lips made sickening goosebumps prickle my skin. This had to work. I loved him too much.

“You are a priority. I’m so sorry. Don’t hate me,” he said softly.

A deep sigh huffed out of me and I slumped back onto my bed, absently looking out my window as snow fell against the deep navy blue of the night sky. “I don’t hate you. I’m just sad. Christmas is in three days. If I’d known you weren’t going to come, I would’ve gone to my parents’ place.”

“I’ll be there by Christmas. Promise. I can’t miss kissing you under the mistletoe,” he said and I distinctly heard that classic smirk in his voice.

I smiled despite the fact that I was aching over the news. Georgia had taken off for her grandmother’s house earlier so I’d be all alone until Evan arrived. I fell silent for a moment and heard Evan suck in a breath. I didn’t want to be mad at him—both of us had been guilty of missing flights and trains, and changing our weekend date plans at the last minute due to work—but it was Christmas. It was our first holiday together and I’d been looking forward to it for so long. Maybe I’d built it up too much in my mind, imagining him making some huge romantic gesture. No matter what he did or didn’t do, I just wanted to be with him.

“I know it doesn’t make up for anything, but did you get my package?” Evan asked, breaking the silence that had me overthinking almost to the point of tears.

“What package?”

“I had an early Christmas gift sent to your place. You didn’t get it? Maybe they left it on the front steps of the building. Will you go check?”

My brow wrinkled as I stood and peeked out the window even though I knew I didn’t have a clear enough view of the front stoop. “It’s snowing,” I protested.

Evan chuckled and the sound made my heart flutter. “So bundle up. Please? If I can’t see your face when you open it, I at least want to hear your voice when you see what it is.”

I groaned and my feet led me to my closet. “Fine. Let me cover up. But it’s your fault if I get frostbite,” I teased.

“Ooh, what are you wearing? Is it skimpy?”

I laughed as I grabbed a long, thick cardigan and slipped it over my tank top and shorts. “You should’ve shown up to see it yourself. Your loss,” I reminded him as I headed to the front door. I snatched my keys off the hook at the entryway and shoved my bare feet into the pair of fur-lined boots I essentially lived in from October to March in Philly.

My breath was immediately stolen by the cold when I stepped outside. “Fuck, it’s freezing,” I blurted through chattering teeth, pulling my sweater tighter over my chest. I wished I would’ve put some pants on, the biting air painfully blowing against my bare knees. Glancing around the snow-covered steps and street, I didn’t see anything.

“It’s not out here. Maybe the weather delayed it,” I said, turning to head back inside.

“You sure about that?”

I heard his voice as an echo from both directions, from the speaker held to my ear and from the street. I spun around and barreled down the snowy steps so fast it’s a miracle I didn’t slip and break my neck.

Evan was standing at the curb, leaning against the driver’s side door of a huge black Escalade with a smirk on his lips and a dark red scarf around his neck. He was in his leather jacket, holding the phone to his ear. God, I’d missed that face. He looked so beautiful standing there—like a dream. I crashed into him, wrapping my arms around his neck, suddenly unaffected by the icy wind whipping around my exposed skin. I breathed in his cologne and refused to let go. Evan hummed into my hair and squeezed me tight, shifting for a moment to slip his phone in his pocket.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” he said, pulling back to look down at me.

I looked up into his hazel eyes and smiled brightly before my expression crumbled and I shoved his chest, making him stumble back toward the SUV with a little chuckle.

“You little shit!”

Evan threw his head back with a laugh and stepped closer to me again, taking my face in his warm hands. “There’s that sassy little mouth I love,” he breathed.

I cracked a smile and gripped the front of his leather jacket possessively. I didn’t want him going anywhere. I couldn’t let him out of my grasp; I was too desperate for him.

He leaned in close and touched his lips to mine, warming me instantly. I moaned at the feeling and pressed my body into his as he deepened the kiss. A booming bark rang out from behind Evan and I jumped back with wide eyes. Glancing past him, I saw Fifi, Evan’s eighty pound Rottweiler, poking her head out the back window of the black SUV. When she saw me her tongue fell out of her mouth happily and she woofed again.

My eyes were stinging with tears. My family had come for Christmas. “You drove here?” I asked, my voice breaking, wrought with emotion.

“There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d miss this many days in a row with you,” Evan replied. His thumb swept tenderly over the apple of my cheek. “But…” Suddenly his grin turned impish and he licked at his bottom lip to hide the mischief he had to have been conjuring.

“What?” I asked, rearing back from him. My legs and face were starting to go numb from the cold and I had to know what he was up to.

“But we aren’t staying here,” he finished. “You need to go inside and pack.”

Another loud woof from Fifi made me jump but I still stared at Evan in disbelief. He always had a plan. He saw the confusion and worry in my face and rolled his eyes with a smirk.

“Just trust me, Dani. I know you know how.”

***

Per Evan’s instructions, which I was more than happy to take after two weeks away from him, I packed mostly warm clothes and a few of the naughty little numbers he liked best. I was completely intrigued. Part of me thought maybe we’d be headed to Desire. I wasn’t opposed to going back there someday, but I didn’t want to share Evan with the eyes of other women at the moment. I wanted him all to myself this Christmas.

We loaded up the car with my bags, the gifts I’d bought him, and a little cooler of snacks. When he suggested the cooler, I eyed him skeptically. He didn’t mention another word about where we were headed to or how long it would take. He simply said we’d be there until New Year’s and that everything had been taken care of. Though Evan had taught me a lot about letting go and freeing myself by not agonizing over the details in life, I still struggled with anxiety of the unknown. But Evan always quelled the stress in me somehow, so I took a deep breath and tried not to zero in on the GPS on his dash. He reached across the center console and rested his hand on my knee before pulling on to the street.

“Know any road games? We’ve got about five hours,” he said nonchalantly.

I gaped at him and watched him break into a laugh. “Five hours?!”

“At least I suggested road games first and not road head,” Evan retorted, licking his lips.

I shoved his shoulder, shaking my head. “Shut the fuck up, Weston.”

He glanced over at me while stopped at a red light, sincerity showing through from his tempting stare. “Missed you,” he said softly.

Sighing, I leaned over the console and put my head against his shoulder, wanting nothing more than to be as close to him as possible. “Love you,” I whispered.

Acknowledgements

Once Upon a Dream

To my readers: Thank you for every time you’ve bought one of my books, read one of my books, reviewed one of my books, told someone about my books or told ME you liked my books. Without readers, I’m simply a writer. You all make me an author. And I strive to be a better one for you every day.

To my editor, Erin Roth: You are amazing. I’m so lucky to have you on my team. Thank you for continuing to push me to be better and thank you for telling me when I’m on the right track. #TeamRoth forever.

To my beta readers, Erica Buffington and Tammi Hart: Thank you ladies so much for your honest feedback and your invaluable input. So many wonderful things came out of Indie Unmasked, but meeting you two was one of the best things to happen to me.

To Britni Hill: Love you, lady. Thank you for being a friend…

To my cover artist, Jennifer Redman: I’m sorry for this one! Thank you for dealing with my supernova of crazy in a graceful way. I love you for it. I love you for lots.

To Lisa KrEInheder: There, you happy? I love you more than I’ll ever love Kennedy.

A shout-out to all of my amazing reviewers: Ebony McMillan, Mariela Bustos, Angie Stanton, Mo Systma, Christina Mock, Jude Frazee, Retta Rusaw, Danielle LaFave, Nicole Huffman, Mayas Sanders, Stephanie Oursler, Karrie Puskas, Renee Entress, Reanell Tisdale, JA Hensley, Magan Vernon and SO many more, thank you for falling for my guys the way I do and thank you for always supporting me on my latest endeavor. I feel like I’m being played off the stage at the Oscars and all I can say is, dammit I’m forgetting people! I’m sorry if your name isn’t on the list, no matter what I love you all!

To all of my fellow authors who have inspired me and helped me on this journey, thank you!

For every girl who’s ever been called a slut, a whore, a hussy, a tramp, and worse…you are not what they said you were. Be fearless.

To my husband, Adam: Thank you, as always, for your ongoing love and support as I reach for my dream. And remember, you rocked the sexy beard before it was cool.

About the Author

Oxford Comma

Published since 2012, Kate Roth is addicted to all things romance. Her passion for love stories, both traditional and unconventional, has led her to write in various sub-genres of romance including New Adult, Paranormal and Erotica. Kate is inspired by everything from music to the real-life romance tales she's heard through her years as a professional hair stylist.

One thing is certain, Kate Roth writes
steamy
connections,
sassy
dialogue, and
strong
heroines & heroes.

Kate spends her time away from the keyboard with her insta-love husband, Adam and their faithful pound puppy, Sampson.

You can find more about Kate and her work on her website
www.katerothwrites.com
and stay up to date with all her news by following her on Facebook page
www.facebook.com/authorkateroth
and on Twitter and Instagram under the handle
@KateRothWrites

Other Titles by Kate Roth

The Low Notes

Reckless Radiance

The Confession Records Collection

Natural Harmony

Sway

The Desire Resort Series

Last Resort

Best Laid Plans

Many Times, Many Ways

Peachy Keen

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