The Love Series Complete Box Set (118 page)

I hate Christmas shopping. I was never a fan of giving or receiving gifts. Aunt Maggie never gave me more than knitting needles and yarn. All she ever got in return was a gift card to the local craft store. She was happy and I was miserable, but hell, that was just how life was.

Holding some lame-ass pair of flannel pajama pants up in front me, I smile all too happily at the thought of these hanging low on Reid’s hips. Yes, these will do just fine.

Mel chimes in from across the rack at Macy’s. “What’s the goofy grin for?”

“Huh? Oh me? Nothing?”

“Don’t ‘Oh nothing’ me, Missy! You were so just mentally drooling all over your boyfriend, weren’t you?”

Guiltily, I place the pants back on the rack and laugh at her. “Okay, fine I was . . . daydreaming. But can you blame me?”

“Eww, no. I am so not weighing in on how hot Reid is! He’s like a brother. Eww. No. Gross.” Melanie is flailing her arms all over the place and holding her nose in a mock protest of how stinky she thinks this conversation is.

Walking up next to her and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I hug her tightly. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” I quote and she just smacks my arm playfully.

“Okay, fine. He’s hot, but marginally so.” Melanie arches her eyebrow at me and I know I’ve won.

We walk out of Macy’s, no purchases in hand and I’m really struggling with what to get him. As we’re walking down the overly crammed walkway of the mall, I’m instantly drawn to the pretzel stand at the side. Buttery, doughy goodness? Yes, please!

After handing the cashier my money, I lean back on the counter and wait for my drink and pretzel nuggets. I catch Melanie staring across the way, and following her persistent gaze, my stomach drops when I see Reid in the jewelry store.

Grabbing onto her, I nearly rip Melanie’s arm out of the socket. “Is that . . . is he . . . he’s not buying . . .” I can’t even get a full sentence out.

Melanie’s face is laced with surprise as she turns to face me. “I don’t know, Maddy. Do you want me to go talk to him?”

“I don’t know! What are you going to say? Don’t tell him I’m here! Oh God!” Melanie laughs at my overly dramatic reaction.

“Oh, just calm down, would you! I’ll just say I saw him and thought maybe he could use some help. Okay?” She runs her hands down my arms to try and calm me down. It doesn’t work.

Slinking down into one of the chairs the pretzel booth has set up, I prop my bag up in front of me to try and disguise myself. All I really manage to do is feel like an idiot. I’m sure I look like an idiot too.

Watching from behind my stupid bag like a moron, I watch Melanie and Reid chatting animatedly. She points at something and Reid points at another.

When Reid turns away to pay the clerk, Melanie looks over to me and stifles a laugh. She holds her hands out in front of her and mouths the words “it’s huge.”

My heart plummets. She didn’t let him buy what I think he just bought, did she?

Now, I sound like a fool even in my own head.

As Melanie walks back over to me, I see Reid walk the other way. Standing up from behind my post, I nearly yell at her as she approaches. “What the hell, Melanie? What did you just do? Please tell me you didn’t—” She cuts me off before I can continue my frenzy.

“Oh, just shut up.” She quips as she grabs her bag and mine from the table. Saying nothing else, she just walks away from me.

Chasing after her like the fool that I am, I call out, “What did he buy me? Where are you going? Melanie!” The last shrill outcry forces her to turn around. It also garners a few awkward stares from some shoppers.

“Oh.My.God. I am not telling you what he bought you.” She crosses her arms over her chest and snickers at me. “But, believe me, you’ll love it.” When her lips curl up into the goofiest grin, I want to slap it off her face.

Pulling me to her side, she smiles, “I think we’re going to have to do better than flannel PJs though.”

That thought makes my stomach drop yet again.

Bonus Scene #6

Deleted Scene from Let Love Stay

“What about this one?” I hold a random carton of ice cream in front of me. Picking out an ice cream flavor should not be
this
difficult.

Leave it to Maddy though.

Holding the pint of Ben and Jerry’s, she’s actually reading the label. “Maddy! Does it really matter? It’s chocolate. It’s peanut butter. What else could you want? Let’s just get this one.” I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle into her neck. I know what’ll get her ass in gear. “The sooner we get home,” I lick her neck to emphasize my point, “the sooner we can start the movie. And the sooner we start the movie, well, then,” one more lick just to bring the point home, “the sooner we can get distracted by other things.” I shove certain “other things” into her fine, tight ass just to continue emphasizing my point.

Damn! Now I want to get out of here for entirely different reasons.

I feel her melt against me and I know I’ve won.

“Hmmm,” is the only response of which she’s capable.

The superhero fanatic in me fist pumps in the air. I have been dying to see the new Batman movie since it came out on DVD, but well, even when you put Batman up against hot sex with your girl, well, sex always wins.

Walking hand in hand to the cashier, Maddy stares up at me dreamily. “I know what we could do instead of watching one of your silly ‘boy movies.’” She arches an eyebrow at me and I know exactly what she means. She’s not getting off that easily. Well, I mean she will, eventually. But, dammit, I’m watching my movie first.

I pull her to my side as we walk away from the cashier. “Oh, no you don’t! The last time we rented this DVD, you won.”

She huffs a sigh at me. “What the heck is that supposed to mean, ‘I won?’” Her words are shocked, but playfully so. She knows exactly what I mean.

As we walk up to the car, I open the door for her and lean into her neck once again. “You know exactly what I mean. Now, if you let me watch my movie
first,
” I lick a seductive path from her neck up to her jawline and hover above her lips. When I’ve rendered her speechless, I move my lips to speak at they flutter on top of her. “Well, if you let me watch this first, then you’ll win over and over and over again.”

Her responding groan is all I need to hear to know I’ve won. Boy movie night it is. Not to be overshadowed by “the hottest sex of your life” sex night either.

In true Maddy fashion, she passed out on my lap less than thirty minutes into the movie. That works out perfectly for me actually. I got to watch the movie, and now, I get to carry a drowsy Maddy up to her room and, well, you know.

She barely stirs as I move to pick her up, but by the time I’m halfway up the stairs, she finally wakes up.

“Did I miss the movie?” she asks sleepily while pressing her lips against my neck.

“You sure did, sweetheart. But don’t worry, we can watch it again tomorrow night.” My response is met with a playful swat to the ass.

I didn’t even realize her hand was back there!

As I drop her onto the bed, she looks up at me lustfully. Oh, hell! Two can play at that game. I feign a yawn and plop down next to her. “I’m beat, Maddy. Let’s go to sleep.” Trying my best to hide my smile, I turn on my side and curl away from her.

I can hear her harrumph and fidget on the bed. Before I can say or do anything, she’s pinching me on the side, tickling the shit out of me. Oh it’s on now!

With lightning quick reflexes, I turn over to her and wrap my legs around hers, essentially pinning her in place. “So that’s how you want to play it, huh?” I pull her arms above her head and encircle both of her tiny wrists in one of my hands.

Her eyes dilate and I can see how hard she has to work to swallow past her desire. Just when I have her where I want her, I reach for her breast with my other hand.

Hovering above her supple flesh, I wink at her and then change tactics quickly. Pinching and tickling at her sides and underarms has her squirming beneath me in seconds.

“Reid . . . stop . . . please . . . that tickles . . .” Her words trail off into a fit of hysterical laughter.

When she’s out of breath, I press my lips softly to hers and stare into her deep green eyes. “Love you, babe.”

“I love you, too, Reid. Now, can we finally go to sleep?” She arches her hips up into mine on the word “sleep” and I know “sleep” is the last thing either one of us have planned.

Bonus Scene #7

This character interview was done for the Let Love Stay Blog tour with Lisa Jones at True Story Book Blog.

I’m very excited to get to meet Reid and Maddy from Let Love In/Let Love Stay. I heart them big time–they’re like a life size Barbie and Ken doll. I arrive at the local coffee shop where we decided to meet, and walk in to find them already seated at a small bistro table near the back. Perfect, nice and quiet so I can pick their brains without being disturbed.

They rise to greet me shaking my hand. They’re both so warm and friendly and couldn’t look any happier. Gives me butterflies! They’re soooo cute!

Lisa:
      “Well, I know you both are very busy, so if you don’t mind, I guess we’ll jump right in.”

Reid:
      “Sounds good to us.”

Maddy looks over to me smiling and nodding in agreement.

Lisa:
      “So, Reid, what do you think Shane would think about Maddy?”

Reid looks over and smiles warmly at Maddy.

Reid:
      “He’d love her. Hell, he’d have a partner in crime with her.”

Maddy grabs his hand and lovingly squeezes. Awww . . . I give them both a warm smile.

Lisa:
      “Personally, I thought your old car was pretty sweet. Do you miss your mustang?”

Reid:
      “Hell, yeah, that car was awesome. Had lots of good memories in that car.”

His voice is positively cocky. Maddy gives him a sideways glance and he quickly straightens in his chair.

Reid:
      “Um, what I meant to say is no. No, I don’t miss that car one bit.”

Nice recovery, Reid.

Lisa:
      “How is work going? Everything you thought it would be?”

Reid’s face splits into a mega-watt, panty-dropping smile.

Reid:
      “It’s freaking great. I’ve actually been meeting with this one kid lately and he reminds me so much of Shane it’s scary. I met him at a presentation we did at a local high school, and he’s been coming to The Bridge for a few weeks now. I really hope to help him out. Oh, and working with Dylan every day is great too. It’s like I got back a piece of my family when he came back.”

I think the biggest reason why that smile is panty dropping is because it’s genuine. You can hear the joy in his voice.

Lisa:
      “Biggest regret?”