A Little Bit Cupid: A Collection of Short Stories Read online

  She sighed and elbowed me lightly in the side of my ribs. “When I said I wanted you, I didn’t mean for it to be a one-way street,” she finally said.

  Damn. This woman. Although she was guarded and uptight, she was so damn honest that it chipped away at the ice around my heart.

  “I know, but I don’t think we should take things further.”

  I could feel her eyes searching mine. I didn’t quite understand how she could see so deeply inside me. It felt as if she climbed right into my heart.

  No matter what she understood, she didn’t comment on it. “Oh, okay.”

  She held my gaze for a long moment, something flickering in her eyes before she nodded and let her head fall back against the pillows.

  So it was that I fell asleep with Daphne curled up beside me. Although I tried to tell my brain this was a bad idea, I couldn’t bring myself to let her go.

  She felt so exquisitely good. And I was so incredibly tired of holding everyone at bay.

  * * *

  Four days later

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

  Cat, my sixteen-year-old sister with an attitude about twice her size, gave me a saucy shrug paired with a roll of her eyes. “Nope, not kidding.”

  “Fuck!”

  My other sister, Nora, came striding in the kitchen at the lodge and cast me a pointed look. “I thought we were trying not to swear so much.”

  Cat burst out laughing. “It’s a lost cause with Flynn. I think we should have a swear jar so I can at least make some money out of this.”

  “Please, go get ready for school,” I muttered, resting my elbows on the counter and tunneling my hands through my hair.

  Blessedly, Cat left the room. Lifting my head, I met Nora’s gaze.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “That woman I hired to cook quit. Just fucking left.”

  “You mean Tanya?”

  “Yeah, Tanya. She up and left this morning without even cooking breakfast.”

  I eyed the clock above the door. It was going on six thirty a.m. Pretty soon, we would have guests coming downstairs and expecting food.

  Nora crossed her arms and gave me another pointed look. “Sometimes, you’re an asshole to work for.”

  “I just need a cook. Is it that hard?”

  I spun away from my sister just as Daphne entered the kitchen. She looked from me to Nora and back again. Meanwhile, I was busy trying to lock down the crazy that happened to my body anytime she was nearby. The moment Daphne stepped into the room, every hair on my body stood on end. It felt as if electricity zipped back and forth in the air between us.

  “I can cook,” Daphne said.

  In the four days that had lapsed since our night at Henry’s lodge and the interlude that had literally been burned into my brain, Daphne and I had settled into a silent agreement to pretend it never happened. Small problem, though. There was no ignoring the chemistry that just wouldn’t quit.

  I had plenty to do to keep me occupied and plenty of other guests at the lodge to deal with. Of course, I also had my nosy, opinionated, and way too perceptive for my own sanity siblings to handle.

  Speaking of. Nora caught my eye with a knowing glint in hers. I ignored it. Maybe it was crazy to take Daphne up on her offer, but I didn’t have time to figure this out. In the next twenty minutes, I needed to be out the door for a flight seeing trip. Those trips made us money, the money I needed to send all three of my siblings to college and clean up the financial mess my mother had left behind when she died. Fucking money.

  “Can you really cook, princess?”

  “Does he call you princess all the time?” Nora interjected.

  Daphne was unfazed and shrugged when she looked at Nora. “Not all the time, but sometimes.” Her eyes met mine again. “Yes, I can really cook. It might shock you to learn that some people say I’m excellent at it. I used to run a bakery.”

  I had questions. Lots of them. Because despite my best efforts, I was relentlessly curious about Daphne. Even before that night, it hadn’t slipped my notice that she’d make a damn good poker player. She held her cards close to her chest all the time. I sensed there was more than a typical story behind her choice to come to Alaska on her own. If I lost the battle to my curiosity, I’d find out all her secrets. Not now, though.

  “All right then. If you can cover the meals for today, I would seriously owe you one.”

  “What he means is he’ll pay you,” Nora chimed in helpfully.

  “I’ll take care of it. Are you—” I began.

  Daphne was already striding into the massive pantry and waved dismissively over her shoulder. “Flynn, I’ve got this. I can whip something up in no time. I don’t need instructions or any help. I promise.”

  My sister snorted a laugh, and I cast a glare in her direction.

  Following Daphne to the pantry, I leaned my shoulder against the inside of the doorframe. “Thank you.”

  She already had a bag of flour hooked in an elbow and was rummaging through the industrial-sized refrigerator. Straightening, she closed the refrigerator door and looked in my direction. “You’re welcome. I promise, the kitchen is where I’m most competent.”

  I wanted to say something. In the weeks she’d been here, it was obvious Daphne was up close and personal with self-doubt. At this moment, she seemed calm, collected, and confident. I wanted to point that out, but that would be weird, so I simply said, “Thank you. Really.”

  Daphne nodded just as my brother Grant called from the other room. “Where the hell is Flynn?”

  “You better get going.”

  I left. Although I’d been surprised at her announcement that she could cook, I didn’t doubt Daphne was excellent at it. She wouldn’t have said as much if she weren’t. Although I didn’t know many things about her, Daphne either said nothing or told the truth.

  Chapter Seven

  Daphne

  After three days of cooking and baking for the lodge guests, I felt better than I had in years. Mind you, the bar was so low on my well-being that it wasn’t hard to beat, but still. It felt good to feel useful, and it felt good to remember there were some things I could manage.

  It said something that I felt that good despite how unnerved I was by the insanity of what had passed between Flynn and me during that stormy night. It was hard not to think about it. It was nearly impossible to forget when he was always around and always mouthwateringly handsome.

  Take now, for example. Flynn was standing at the counter, picking up a piece of cheese Grant had sliced into giant chunks. When my eyes snagged on Flynn’s long fingers, I instantly recalled the feel of them. Inside me. My eyes, willful, disobedient and greedy, traced the flex of his forearm as he lifted the cheese to his mouth.

  Yeah, forearms. I thought Flynn’s forearms were totally hot. That was how bad I had it. I purposely took a moment to study Grant’s forearms from where he stood beside Flynn. He drained a glass of water and set it down. The flex of his forearms did nothing for me.

  “I think Daphne should do it,” Cat said as she skipped into the kitchen and slid across the floor in her socks to stop at Flynn’s side.

  Flynn tweaked her ponytail with his free hand. “Daphne should do what?”

  “Stay on as the full-time chef,” Cat said blithely as if that made perfect sense.

  Nora, whom apparently Cat had been talking with before she came into the kitchen, followed her in. “I’m not having much luck with applicants. You’re kind of an asshole sometimes,” she said, resting a hand on her hip and narrowing her eyes at Flynn. “Diamond Creek isn’t that big, and word travels. Marley at the ski lodge told me that Harry heard from the last woman you hired that you told her she was too slow.”

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing when Nora’s eyes met mine as she winked. Grant snorted a laugh but offered no more.

  “We all know you probably did, so don’t even bother arguing,” Nora added.

  Flynn sighed. “I hope Harry
didn’t hire her. They do a much faster business at the restaurant than we do. Tanya didn’t know how to hurry to save her life.”

  “I’ll do it.” Those words just ran out of my mouth, entirely without my permission.

  Flynn spun around, giving me an intent, searching look. “Aren’t you due to fly out at the end of this week?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have to go back.”

  I was suddenly flustered under Flynn’s gaze, which felt like an X-ray into my soul. Maybe I hadn’t planned on blurting that out, and maybe it was crazy. But maybe it was also exactly what I needed.

  “Okay, princess, you’re hired,” he said flatly.

  Chapter Eight

  Flynn

  Daphne stared at me, pink tingeing her cheeks before she looked down at the pan in front of her and turned off the burner flame underneath it. When her auburn lashes swept up again, she lifted her chin slightly and a jolt of electricity sizzled down my spine. I’d just lost my mind.

  Cat squealed, abruptly reminding me I wasn’t alone with Daphne. She had the strangest effect on me, causing me to instantly forget other people were nearby. I hadn’t laid a finger on her—hell, I hadn’t even gotten within a foot of her—since my temporary break from reality that night. It didn’t matter; nothing seemed to cool my ardor for her.

  I stuffed another piece of cheese in my mouth and walked out of the kitchen with Grant trailing me.

  “Good choice. Daphne’s the best cook we’ve ever had, and you don’t even yell at her.” I looked his way only to collide with the sly glint in his eyes and a teasing grin. “All you gotta do is keep your hands off her.”

  * * *

  About the Author

  This story is a prequel to Crash Into You. You can find out more about J.H. Croix’s stories here: J.H. Croix Website

  USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with sassy women and alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!

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  Easy Prom

  Easy Prom

  By Anna Edwards

  An Easy Rumba prequel

  Part of the Boudreaux World by Kristen Proby

  Easy Prom

  Copyright © 2020 by Anna Edwards.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit scenes, adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adults only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase.

  Editing by Tracy Roelle.

  Proofreading by Sheena Taylor.

  Chapter One

  I’m going to marry you one day because you’re mine.

  Leo to Elise as toddlers

  “Elise, Leo is here,” my mama shouts up the stairs to me. I’m in my bedroom putting the final touches to my appearance for the prom. Even though I’m eighteen, I’m not in my final year of high school yet. I had to repeat a year after…no I can’t think about that today. At almost nineteen years old, Leo’s now in the year above me—he’s my boyfriend, and we’ve known each other all our lives. He’s handsome, kind, intelligent, and the best dancer in the world. I can’t wait for tonight. We’ve been learning a routine together, and we’re going to perform it if we get the chance. I want to show everyone in his senior year how amazing he is.

  I place the final jeweled clip in my chestnut hair and take a last look in the mirror at my reflection. The light, dusty-pink color of my dress accentuates perfectly the budding womanly curves I have. I feel like I’m getting ready for the Oscars, which one day I hope I will. Ever since I performed as an angel in the Christmas Nativity when I was five, I’ve wanted to be an actress. As soon as I finish school next year, I’m going to Hollywood, and nobody can stop me. I will become famous and appear in the best films Tinseltown is producing.

  “Elise, hurry up or you’ll be late,” my mama calls up to me again, and this time, I grab my silver, sparkly handbag and head down the stairs. Leo is standing at the bottom looking up at me. He’s wearing a full tuxedo with tails and looks incredibly sexy. Like a male model.

  “Wow!” he exclaims and runs his hand through his dark, almost black, hair. His mocha eyes glisten with lust.

  “You approve?” I reach the bottom of the stairs and perform a dramatic twirl.

  “I most definitely approve. I’m going to have to watch you all evening—everyone’s going to be trying to take you away from me.”

  I stand up on my tiptoes and press a kiss, full of promise for later, to his lips.

  “You don’t have to. I’ve only got eyes for you.”

  My mama coughs from the corner of the room, and Leo and I pull apart. When I look at her, I see tears fill her eyes.

  “Mama.” I race over to her and pull her into my arms. I remember a time when she was always bigger than me and was the one offering the comfort, but since my daddy died, it seems I’m increasingly the one she leans on for support. My daddy was killed in a horrific car accident—it was the reason I missed a lot of school and had to repeat a year.

  “It’s all right. I’m ok,” she weeps, and I hold her tighter. “It’s just, you’re so beautiful. I know your daddy was looking forward to seeing you both go to the prom together, and he never got the chance. Why was he driving so insanely? I’ll never understand it. He was on the wrong side of the road and driving too fast. It wasn’t like him at all.”

  “Mrs. Landry, I’m sure he had a reason. Mr. Landry was always so sensible. The greatest man I know…knew. Please, I’m sure he’ll be up in heaven watching down on us and seeing us go together.” Leo tries to calm my mama as I fight desperately to keep the tears at bay for my beloved daddy.

  “I’m sure he will as well. It’s just so raw still.” My mama wipes away her tears and tries to calm herself down.

  “It’ll be always raw. We’ll always miss him so much, Mama,” I offer.

  I grieved for my daddy after his death. I went through the anger and the loss, but I’m coming out of the other side now, and that is primarily due to the support Leo has given me. He was my rock when the cops came and told us about the accident. He was by my side when I went with Mama to say my final goodbyes to the man who looked like he was peacefully sleeping. He didn’t even have a scratch on him. I couldn’t understand how he’d died when he didn’t look injured. It was Leo who cradled me after the funeral as I allowed all the emotion to flow out of me.

  My mama hasn’t had that support. She lost the man who gave it to her, and I know she’ll never be the same. It crosses my mind daily what it’ll do to her when I leave for Hollywood, but I know my daddy wouldn’t want me to give up on my dream. He was the one who worked the extra shifts, so I could have more acting lessons. Next year is going to be an emotional one, but for now, I want to focus on the happiness and excitement of prom. Leo and I need it, especially as he leaves for Europe and a yearlong scholarship at a prestigious dance school next week. Thinking about it breaks my heart—I don’t know how I’ll cope without him by my side. He’s always been there.

>   “Anyway.” My mama shakes away her sorrow. “You two need to go to the prom and have a wonderful time, and I need to pour myself a large glass of wine and find a good movie to watch. Go on, go.” She waves her hands to shoo us away.

  “Daddy will be happily watching over us, Mama. I know he will.” I kiss her on the cheek and then nestle into Leo’s side.

  “So do I,” she replies—this time with a smile on her face

  Leo presents me with the corsage he’s been holding: pink roses and ribbons to match my dress. We both kiss my mama goodbye and leave the house with Leo guiding me toward his waiting vehicle. It’s nothing special, a banged up Ford truck, but it’s been invaluable getting us around for the last year. He’s going to leave it with me when he goes to Europe, so I have something to drive. My mama’s been anti me getting a car ever since my daddy’s accident. I’ve not told her about Leo’s truck yet. I’m hoping she’ll just accept it as it’s a gift from him.

  “Are you ok?” Leo asks with a worried look on his face as he helps me into the truck and then takes his position in the driver’s seat.

  “I’m fine. I promise,” I reassure him and bury the sad feelings deep down inside me. Tonight is a happy night, and if everything goes to plan, it’ll be the night I give Leo a most special gift—my virginity. We’ve always had this crazy plan that our first time would be after prom, and I was shocked when my mama and Leo’s allowed him to book a double room for the night in the hotel where the prom is being held. They’ve always been proactive and supportive of our relationship, though. My mama did give me the talk about making sure Leo uses a condom, and I’ve been on the pill for over a year now. I’ve no doubt Leo’s mama has had the same conversation with him even though he’s not mentioned it to me.