Monday Minute Fiction: Ms. Claus

Everybody likes to take a vacation. A lot of people like to take sultry summer vacations at the beach, especially those from cold climates.

Living in the sub tropics, I dream of snowy vacations. But I'm probably not in the norm.

Today's story features a woman from a cold climate who longs to enjoy the summer beach.

Before I forget, don't miss my new book releasing today at Total-E-Bound: "Whirlwind Relationship"

When Colleen gets sucked into a hurricane and awakes in 1978 she gets a second chance to be with the only man she’s ever loved.




Colleen’s life didn’t turn out like she planned. At fifty plus she’s divorced, childless and her career’s nowhere. If that isn’t bad enough, a hurricane destroys her home and sucks her into it.



When she awakes she’s either dead or crazy. It can’t be 1978 and she can’t be young again but all indications point to that.



She really can’t have a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved...or can she?




Ms. Claus
by Ashley Ladd

All rights belong to Ashley Ladd. This story may not be reproduced without written consent

"I will not go into the family business. I will not move back home." Chrissie stared up at her mother and folded her arms across her chest. She loved the tropical beaches, the warm sunshine and the tall, muscled hotties riding the surf. And she hated snow and cold, and long, dark wintry nights.

Her mother, pale as snow, wearing a long, red dress, looked completely out of place on the beach full of bathing beauties. She let out a long suffering sigh and gazed at Chrissie with a mixture of concern and frustration. "But it's the best place in the world, the best job. If I could do it, I would. Think of it as job security. In this economy it's a blessing."

Chrissie grabbed a long, tall pina colada from a passing waiter. Then she took a long drink and lowered her sun glasses over her eyes before constructing a reply. "I don't think it's the best place int he world. I'm sick of it. I want to be free. I want to see the world."

Her mother gasped and wrung her hands. Her brows pinched together. "Christmas Claus, I can't believe how selfish you're being. Children worldwide are depending on you to take the reigns and deliver their toys when your father retires."

Chrissie's heart raced and she jumped off her beach chair. Her gaze collided with several amused and skeptical ones which made her skin crawl. Before they got carted off to the loony bin or laughed off the beach, she took her mother's hand and dragged her to her room.

She faced off against her mother. "I can't believe you blurted that out in front of everyone."

Mrs. Claus shook her finger in Chrissie's face. "I can't believe you'd let everybody down. You're the only child of Santa Claus. Millions of children would love to change places with you."

Chrissie gazed down at herself pointedly. "Millions of children expect a jolly rotund old man to pop down their chimney, not me. Cousin Stuart's a Claus. He can grow a beard and a big pot belly. Can't he inherit the family business?"

Her mother closed her eyes and shook her head. "You're rewinding the women's right movement a hundred years. And your cousin Sutart's a screw up. Remember the Christmas he fed spiced egg nog to the reindeers? And they were doing the loop-de-loops and almost dumped your poor father out of the sleigh? Or the year he convinced the elves to go on strike and we almost missed Christmas? Or the year he tied up the tooth fairy and demanded ransom?"

Chrissie tried to hide her mirth but a chuckle erupted. "Yeah. Cousin Stuart's a pretty colorful character."

Then she sobered. "Isn't there someone else? What about Trey? He's Dad's right hand and knows the business better than anyone. He'd do a great job."

Her heart glowed and she grew warm and fuzzy all over when she thought about Trey. She hugged herself and rocked back on her heels. Trey was the best man she'd ever met. Kind. Easy to talk to. Funny. Strong. And he had the prettiest twinkling blue eyes she'd ever gazed into.

Her mother harrumphed and lowered herself into her chair. She played with her bell earrings making them tinkle. "Elves can't be Santa Claus. It's simply not done."

Chrissie shivered so went in search of her robe. She snuggled into it, wishing it was a shield. When she rejoined her mother, removed her glasses and tented her brow. "And female Santa Claus's are?"

The door burst open, making her gasp.

Trey swaggered in, leading a team of fierce looking elves. He marched up to her and climbed onto the table beside her so they were eye level. The normal twinkle in his eyes faded into rebuke. "Your father wishes for you to come home."

Anger boiled in her vins and she narrowed her eyes. Then she put her hands on her hips. "I don't want to go home. I want to spend my summer at the beach, not buried in snow. I'm tired of toys. I'm tired of kids things. I'm ready to be an adult." And she was tired of being so close yet so far from the man she loved.

Trey stroked her hair as if it was spun gold or the rarest silk. Then he leaned forward and slashed a kiss across her lips.

Shocked, she parted her lips and leaned in for the kiss. When he deepened it, he wrapped her arms around him.

When he pulled away, he murmured, "Then it's time to start acting like an adult. It's time to stop running from your destiny, Christmas."

The same songs year in year out, mining the coal for naughty kids, referreeing the reindeers' disputes, trying to stick to a diet with so many sugary temptations around... "I'm not running from, I'm running to a normal life."

But was she? Her heart flipped over. She'd been running from her feelings for the forbidden.

Trey cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Normal's over rated. You were born for far superior things."

She rolled her eyes but didn't move away. His touch mesmerized her. His eyes bewitched her. And his lips, were conquering her.

Her heart cried for him and she put her hand over his. If only she could have him, she could face anything, do anything, go anywhere--even the North Pole.

But he was an elf. She was twice his size. And she'd had a crush on him since she was a little girl. A crush that had blossomed into love.

When she tried to pull away, he caught her in his arms. "Please come home."

She wondered why his voice was so ragged. But hers was also raw. "Because my father told you to bring me?"

Trey leaned his forehead against hers. "No. Because I miss you. I love you."

Mrs. Claus put her hands over her ears and started to sing Christmas songs.

Chrissie's nerves riccocheted through her. She couldn't stand one more Christmas song in the summer. "Mother, please. Could we have a few moments alone?"

Mrs. Claus bustled to the door but not before Rudolph stuck his head through the open door and his nose made the room glow red. Chrissie had to laugh and winked at him.

"Admit it," Trey said huskily. "You miss your family, your home."

Affection for her favorite reindeer, her mother, and her family filled her but still couldn't overpower the love she felt for this man. She nodded. Then his words sank in and wonder pushed out everything else. She gazed into Trey's eyes. "You love me?"

A slow smile dawned over Trey's chiseled lips. He traced her lips with the pad of his thumb. "With all my heart. Enough to leave the North Pole to be with you if you refuse to return."

Her eyes widened. Her heart palpitated. "Honestly?"

He nodded. "Do you love me? Will you marry me?"

Joy flooded her. Magic flowed through her. She pressed her lips to his, soaking in the magic. Against his lips she murmured, "Yes. And I'll return to the North Pole with you."

After he kissed her thoroughly, he held her close. "How about we honeymoon here? At the beach." He lowered his voice as reindeers had excellent hearing. "And how about I make some adult toys?"

Don't forget the Christmas in July contest going on at Romance Books R Us. There's only a few more days to enter to win a Sony Touch eReader from Romance Books R Us or a copy of my book in pdf format, Carnal Lust. To enter to win my book please leave a comment on my blog and tell me you'd like to enter.

For more Monday Minute Fiction, click here.

Monday Minute Fiction: Mr. Perfect

Mr. Perfect
By Ashley Ladd

All rights belong to Ashley Ladd. This story may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

Dale, the Greed God who owned the shop next door and her fiercest competitor, sauntered into Joellen’s beach T-shirt shop. He flashed his killer smile and showed off his perfect white teeth that glowed very bright against his perfect tan.

God, but the man was too perfect. She did her best not to ogle his perfect pecs, his tight abs, and his long, powerful legs. It wasn’t fair! In a voice that came from a freezer she asked, “May I help you?”

“The name is Dale, remember? And why so formal, Jo?” He leaned across the counter and trailed his finger tip down her arm. “We used to be very close. Remember?”

She remembered but she wished she didn’t so she didn’t bother to hide her scowl. He’d been wooing her after work just so he could screw her business. Now she was in bankruptcy and ready to close the store that had been in her family three generations and he was the last person she wanted to lay eyes on.

“Snake.” She turned her back and tried to keep her tears at bay. By now she thought she’d be drained of all the moisture in her she’d cried so much. Enough was enough! It was time to dry the tears and get on with her life. Another life. “Thanks to you, we’re closing. Are you happy?”

“Snake!? You blame me for your failure?” Dale’s voice held a store-full of disbelief. With a choice epithet he pivoted on his heel. Then he twisted around. “I was coming to see if I could help. To make an offer for your business.”

She’d had enough of the games. She waltzed out from behind the register to face him. Then she balled her fists and planted them on her hips. “Don’t stand there like you don’t understand. Ever since you moved in you’ve undercut me.”

Dale didn’t flinch. His gaze drank her in.

She remembered she was wearing a skimpy bikini and heat flooded her body. Quickly, she moved behind a T-shirt rack. His days of getting to see her body were over.

“It’s just business.”

She bit her lip until she tasted blood. Still, a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. Angry at herself now, too, she swiped at it. “Yeah. I heard that line in a movie. Can’t you come up with something more original?”
Dale slid his hand over the back of his head. He shifted his feet. Then he hooked his thumbs into the waist band of his swim trunks. “It’s the truth. I’ll make more than a fair offer. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Ah ha! That was it. He’d been eyeing her prime beach front property so he could expand his store. “No thank you. I’m considering another offer.”

“I’ll top it. How much?”

God but he looked cool despite Florida’s sweltering July sun. She admired his cool business head while she also detested it. “You can’t.”

His forehead furrowed. “You signed a contract? My lawyers can take a look at it.”

Her blood brewed. Her temperature shot up and sweat glided between her breasts. She spoiled for a last stand even if it was a suicide mission. She didn’t care, either, that her last remaining employee ogled them from the other side of the room. “No contract. I don’t want to sell to you for any price. You used me to get ahead in business.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t use you. I’d like you to work with me.”

She bristled. Her eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t work for you if you were the last man on earth.” She had to keep a shred of dignity. No way would she report to him as a lowly store clerk, be the laughing stock of the beach. She’d rather move into the projects across town.

“I said work with me, not for me. There’s a big difference. I want you to be my partner.”

She opened her mouth to blast him but when the words sank in, she closed her lips. Finally, she asked,

“What exactly do you mean?”

He got down on his knee and took her hand. “I mean the ‘til death do we part kind. Marry me, Jo. Merge with me.”

Happiness choked her. The love she’d been locking up inside overwhelmed her. But she wasn’t convinced this wasn’t a cheap and easy way to steal her business. She regarded him with a tilt to her brow. “So you want a bed partner, a cook, housekeeper and you run the business?”

His lips quirked into a smile. “No. I’m not suicidal. I wouldn’t eat your cooking unless it’s the only way to keep you in my life.”

Suicidal?

“How dare you insult my cooking! Ooh!” Anger choked her. Without thinking she rolled up a T-shirt and started batting him. “I’ll have you know I’ve taken gourmet cooking classes…”

When she ventured too close, he pulled her down on top of him. He held her wrists firmly so she couldn’t flail him. “You’re not exactly Martha Stewart, either.”

Seething, she said between her teeth, “So you are just marrying me to get the business. No way will I sign it over to you!”

His body heat burned into her. His hard chest beckoned her. But she didn’t want to be seduced by his hot body. Or his smoldering brown eyes. Or his chiseled lips. She tried to get up but he rolled on top of her, molding them to one another.

“I want you to work with me equally in the business. Co-owners. Co-managers. Equal partners. If you want to run this half the same way you always have, go ahead.” He captured her hand and dragged it to his lips. He kissed, then sucked each finger into his mouth.

She was rendered speechless. Her body quivered so hard she feared the store would crumble. When she opened her lips, he pressed a finger to them.

“I’d rather, however, open the wall and work side by side with you. I love being with you. I don’t care if you can cook or keep house.”

“Or run a business?”

He shook his head. “Your store’s a victim of the economic downturn. You are a very capable, talented business manager.”
She softened and squirmed against him, wishing the store was closed and blinds were closed. “Keep flattering me.”

“I’d rather kiss you. Put my ring on your finger. But if you want me to keep on talking, I’ll do anything you say to prove how much I love you.”

On second thought, she put her finger to his lips. “Stop talking.”

Monday Minute Fiction: Clambake

Clambake
By Ashley Ladd

All rights reserved. This story may not be reproced without permission of Ashley Ladd.

Clambake is a sweet short story.

Brynn is on hiatus until further notice but I will continue Monday Minute Fiction with free short stories every Monday for your reading pleasure.

Tessa couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t believe her best friend, Alyssa, had lied to her. Without turning to look at her ex, she stomped off in search of Alyssa. She had to weave in and out of the couples slow dancing to Dusty’s sultry voice.

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t block out Dusty’s sexy tenor, couldn’t stop the memories from flooding her mind. Or heart. When she’d first saw Dusty up on the stage, a modern day Elvis, she’d fallen head over heels. But she knew a crush on a musician was just that—a crush. And then they’d met and fallen in love.

At least she had.

Under her breath she cursed too softly for anyone to hear over the loud music. By the time she found Alyssa ensconced in the arms of a sexy stranger clad only in tight swim trunks, she was fuming. When she poked Alyssa’s shoulder it was none too gently. “Liar! You promised Dusty wouldn’t be here.”

“Ouch!” Alyssa turned out of her partner’s arms and rubbed her shoulder. She shot a glance filled with trepidation and sympathy at Tessa.

Tessa crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the wet sand. “What were you thinking? You know I never want to see him again.” Or hear him, either.

Alyssa sighed and pushed her heavy hair out of her eyes. A hot pink streak didn’t catch behind her ear and fell across her forehead. “I didn’t lie. The original band backed out. Dusty’s band was nice enough to fill in at the last second.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t sure whether to believe her friend. The matchmaker had done more devious things than this. Still… “You should have told me.”

Alyssa accepted the beer her new fellow passed to her. She took a long swig before answering. “Then you wouldn’t have come.”

Tessa’s heart pounded in her ears louder than Dusty’s music. Her palms grew clammier than the wet sand clinging to her feet. “Darned right! What part of I’m through with that cheater don’t you get?”

Alyssa’s expression hardened. “So you’re going to turn tail and run every time you bump into him? You’re going to avoid your friends because he might show up?”

Hearing it that way, Tessa felt like a spoiled little girl. Her brain demanded she square her shoulders, look Dusty straight in his face and pretend he meant nothing to her. It didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of having another notch on his belt. But her heart tumbled to her feet and was in danger of being irreparably crushed underfoot. She craned her neck and looked to the twinkling stars overhead for guidance.

When the song ended, couples remained in each other’s arms swaying to nothing more than the soft lap of waves on the shore. Several were necking and some had already retreated to their beach blankets shadowed by giant outcroppings of rock.

She stared at a couple bathed in moonlight a few yards away, heavily petting one another.Her tongue swelled in her mouth and she got choked up. Just two months ago that had been her and Dusty making out on the beach.

She’d been so crazy about the guy she hadn’t noticed or cared if someone watched them, either. “I-I can’t. I can’t deal with this.” She wanted to add “yet” but wasn’t sure if she ever could.

Alyssa shook her head as her new man hooked his arm around her bare waist and pulled her back into his embrace. “You’re making a mistake. You haven’t even heard the guy out. He’s really raw.”

Tessa’s heart jolted, but not enough to make her stay. She wiggled her fingers at her friend. “I’m outta here.”

But when she tried to wind her way through the crowd, loud static from the mike made her wince. Dusty’s voice came on, “Stop that woman! The one in the purple polka-dotted bikini. The most beautiful girl in the world.”

The throng of couples closed as tightly as a wall and wouldn’t permit her to pass. Frustrated, she turned on her heel and tried to go around them. But they closed around her in a circle, not allowing her to pass.

She began to smolder but then his words sank in. The most beautiful girl in the world.

The hair on her nape prickled. If he thought pretty compliments would erase his wrongs, he was sorely mistaken. But she was compelled to turn and look at him.

Up on stage, bathed in silvery moonlight, looking larger than life, he stole her breath. He looked like a rock god with his guitar slung over his shoulder and his lips kissing the microphone.

Needing to be strong, she squared her shoulders and jutted up her chin. Her gaze met his in challenge but she didn’t make another step in either direction.

“If you won’t hear me out any other way you will here and now. I didn’t cheat on you. I’d never cheat on the only woman I could ever love. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes. Visions of her misery blinded her. “Why did a naked girl come out of your hotel room? I saw her with my own eyes.”

Dusty tightly squeezed his eyes. He put one hand to his heart and held the other out to her.”She got past security. But I didn’t invite her. I was kicking her out.”

He fell to his knees. In a ragged voice, he cried out, “God, Tessa, I only have my word to defend me. You know me. You have to trust me. Please, trust your heart. You know I’d never hurt you. I’d rather die.”

Sighs drowned out the music of the sea. Bikini-clad women melted against their men. Several whispered to her, “Give him a chance.” “Go to him.” “Believe him.”

Dusty pulled out a small, velvet box from his pocket and held it out. “I was getting ready to do this in private, but I didn’t get the chance. Marry me. Be mine forever.”

Love burned away all her doubts. She felt more than silly, she felt criminal for not believing him, not giving him a chance to explain before. It propelled her to him. “Yes! Oh, yes! I love you.”

Dusty slid the ring onto her finger. Then he stood and caught her in his arms. He swung her around on the stage. His eyes, dark and full of love, blazed down into hers. He set her on her feet but didn’t release her. He bent his head and nibbled her lips. Against them he murmured, “I didn’t know what I’d do if this didn’t work tonight.”

She gasped but joy replaced her previous anger. “So Alyssa did know! She was match making again, wasn’t she?”

Dusty winced, but he said, “I won’t lie. Be assured I’ll never lie to you. Yes, she did. But don’t be angry with her. She did it for us. She wants you to be happy as much as I do. Are you happy?”

Giddy and ebullient, Tessa couldn’t wait to show him how happy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers and showed him exactly how much.

Monday Minute Fiction: Sucked In

If you arrived here to read about Ashley’s new erotic vampire romance “Carnal Lust” that released today at Total-E-Bound, click here.


If you arrived for my free short story, keep reading. Or why not check out both?

Sucked In

This story was written by Ashley Ladd and may not be reproduced without Ashley’s written permission.

Pepper Collins dug her toes into the moonlit dappled sand and luxuriated in the feel of cool waves lapping over her feet. She stared at the horizon, a blur of midnight blues fading into the jade green of the ocean.

No clouds, no city lights hampered the brilliance of the moonlight sparkling on the rippling waves. No city sounds spoiled nature’s symphony of waves crashing against shore. Only the occasional seagull’s caw interrupted the lulling sound of the ocean.

She hugged herself as she stared into that gap where sky and sea faded into eternity. Everything was perfect. Or it would be if Sean was here.

Sean…

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes and angrily, she swiped at them with the back of her hand.

Screams gurgled in her throat and she wanted to yell and flail her hands at fate. She wanted her Sean back.

A year ago tonight he’d drowned in these deceptively calm waters. His body had washed ashore at right about this point. The flowers she’d strewn across these sands at his memorial had long ago blown away but not her memories. Not her love. It was as vivid as the last time she’d lain in his arms basking in his kisses.

She closed her eyes and remembered his beloved face, could almost feel his touch on her bare arms. The dreams they’d shared had begun and ended on this stretch of beach. And it was here that she felt closest to him. That she could still feel him reaching out to her.

Suddenly, the wind whipped up and the waves sucked harder at her feet. Wet spray splashed her face and moistened her tongue when she sighed. “Time to leave.”

She knew the bitter truth was that it was time to leave Sean behind, to get on with her life, not merely seek shelter for the night. But she wasn’t ready to let go.

The wind swirled around her and she could swear she heard him calling her name.

She put a hand to her cheek and cradled her face, pretending it was Sean who caressed her. She whispered back, “I wish you were. I wish it with all my heart.”

Her heart twisted and threatened to crash to her feet. Her knees wobbled, then she sank to the sand and pummeled the ground with her fists. She glared at Heaven. “Why’d you have to take him? We weren’t finished! It wasn’t his time.” Sobs strangled her. Her tears mixed with the waves, tried to swallow her. She was all alone. She had nobody left. “It wasn’t his time.”

The waves grew stronger. They raised high in the air above her. She told herself to run to safety, but her limbs were sluggish and the water engulfed her.

“Wake up, darlin’,” Sean whispered against her lips.

She gulped and tried to lift her heavy lids, but they were too heavy. She struggled against the heaviness weighing them down.

His voice sounded distant, frayed, as if at the edges of a dream.

Had all this been a dream? God, she hoped so.

She fought the grip of her sleep, fought to snap out of the netherworld that imprisoned her in its grip.

Shivers racked her body and her teeth chattered. Goosebumps rose on her arms. She was wet. And sand grated against her back. She coughed and water spurted from her lips.

Then strong, warm arms picked her up and she was cradled against a hard masculine chest. Scents of seaweed, salt and male muskiness wafted around her and she curled her arms around the man’s neck. Finally she forced her eyes to open.

She sucked in her breath and stopped breathing. Her eyes grew so wide her cheeks ached. “Sean! You died…”

Sean smiled down at her. “Funny. I feel very much alive.”

Pepper squinted through the harsh morning sunlight to see him clearly. His eyes were still the vivid aqua of his beloved ocean. His smile still dazzled. His shoulders were strong and broad.

Then a car flew above them. And another. They had wings!

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, then peeked again. They were floating above the water.

She gulped. “What’s going on? Is this heaven? Did I die? Am I dreaming?”

Sean tilted his head and regarded her with concern. “You’re very much alive and we’re in the Confederation of States.”

She shook her head. “You mean the United States? Florida?”

“No. South Virginia.”

Confederation clanged through her mind. Did he mean “Confederacy? You mean the South won?”

What in hell was going on?

He slashed a kiss across her lips. “In this dimension, yes.”

She tightened her grip around his neck. “This dimension? What do you mean? How can we fly?”

Sean carried her to their beach house and perched on the rail. He kept her in his arms and wrapped his legs around her as he so often had.

A thousand thoughts collided in her mind. Nothing made sense. She ran her hands over him, making sure he was solid, that he was warm and breathing. “You are Sean Watson, aren’t you? But how can you be? Sean died a year ago.”

The man nodded and gazed deeply into her eyes. He caught her hands and hypnotically rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “Yes. I’m your Sean. I didn’t die. My counterpart from this world switched places with me. After he died, I couldn’t get back.”

Everything sounded fantastical. When a flying car landed in the water and sped away on the waves, she gaped. “How’d we get here?”

Sean looked into the distance then shook his head. “I don’t understand it, but the people in this dimension can travel through time and space. Sometimes the portal between worlds opens and we can cross over. There must be one that opens at that point. I’ve come here every night for the past year, hoping it would open, that it would let me return to our world. Instead, it brought you here. To me.”

She didn’t know if she’d ever understand this. She didn’t know if she should care. She had no one to leave behind.

She stared so long at the ocean, Sean nudged her. “What are you thinking about? You don’t believe me. You don’t love me anymore.”

Love swelled in her heart and giddiness flowed through her. She hugged him and beamed up at him. “You’re not getting away that easily, mister. I love you with all my heart and now that I’ve found you I’m not going to let you go.”

He plundered her with kisses. Then his hot breath coasted along her bare back as he murmured against her ear, “I hope I’m not dreaming.”

She chuckled. “Then we’re both dreaming so we’re okay. But if you’re right, we’d better get far away from this beach before one of us gets sucked back to the other world…”

Crave more Monday Minute Fiction?

Visit Brynn Paulin here.

Read more of Ashley’s free short stories here.

If you like Ashley’s stories, be sure to check out her new erotic vampire romance, “Carnal Lust” that released today at Total-E-Bound. Click here to find out more about “Carnal Lust”.

Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Wendi Zwaduk 

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Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

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What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

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Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Wendi Zwaduk are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Holding up the Contract

Welcome to a new feature on my blog: Monday Minute Fiction. From now on, every Monday I will post a new free original short story for your reading pleasure. As I'm an erotic romance writer, at least some if not all will be erotic so be forewarned. I will also post a warning every Monday for those of you who don't like the hot stuff.

Occasionally the story may even be M/M or MMF or MFM. Again, I'll post a warning. Today's is an M/F story as you can see from the luscious picture above. 

WARNING: Explicit sex. Do not continue reading if you're under 18 or if you're offended by sexually explicit scenes.

(This work belongs to Ashley Ladd and cannot be duplicated without permission.)

Story: Holding up the Contract

Shaina Genova's jaw dropped but only half as far as her heart and she gaped at her agent, Anton, aka Benedict Arnold. Her grip tightened so hard on the pen she'd been twiddling that it snapped in two and shards of the plastic flew to the floor. She leaned over the desk and peered into her agent's eyes so he couldn't mistake how pissed she was. "Tell me you didn't just say you obligated me to do another movie with that lying, cheating snake, did you? Surely you wouldn't do that to me, your best client and ex-friend?"

Anton wiggled in his chair and pushed unsteady fingers through his thinnning hair as he scooted away from his desk. He pushed a contract at her. "Paragraph 5a states you are contractually obligated to finish the series as Kristian's also says. Read it."

Shaina didn't consider herself a diva but there was no way she could enact a love scene with her ex-fiance, the man who had jilted her at their very public wedding. She only gave a cursory glance to the hated paper before balling the worthless thing into a paperwad and aiming it at Anton's pointy little head. "So let them sue me. Read my lips-I will not work with Kristian Glass. I will not kiss Kristian Glass. I will die before I do another love scene with Kristian Glass!"

With her final exclamation she jumped to her feet and winged her deadly missile in Anton's trash can instead.

Anton sighed heavily but whether it was in relief or frustration she couldn't tell and she didn't care.

"Shaina, my love, it would be career suicide to break this contract. This series has made you famous. Your fans love Raquel..."

She paced the floor and wrung her hands. Her heart stung with the very fresh pain of her wounds, her humiliation. She whirled on Anton and threw up her hands. "If Beryl threw you aside, if she publicly humiliated you, could you, would you crawl into her arms? In front of millions of people? And if you did, could you kiss her? Make love with her?"

She feared if she crawled into bed with Kristian she'd break his third appendage, not caress it and make love with it like the script called for, and she'd wind up behind bars. Breaking the contract outright would be far safer and popular than the other option.

Anton looked at her with his big puppy dog eyes and clamped his hands together. "You're a wonderful actress, Shakespearian trained. You can do anything you want. If you bow out, it'll look like you're scared to be around Kristian Glass, that he still means something to you. Do you really want him to think that?"

Did she? Damn! As usual Anton was right. She twisted her long hair and knotted it to lift it off her aching neck. With a snarl, she aquiesced. "Okay, I'll do it."

"That's my girl!" Anton rushed at her with his arms wide as if to hug her. But when she bared her teeth and growled, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"I said I'd do it, not that I'll enjoy it."

* * * *

Kristian Glass prayed he'd get a second chance with the love of his life, Shaina. He was sure his ass was black and blue from kicking himself so many times after getting cold feet and wimping out of their wedding. He longed to be with her, to hold her in his arms and kiss her, but after his shipwreck of a first marriage, he'd broken out in a cold sweat when it came time to face the alter again.

He'd thought he could go through with the ceremony, to be married again especially if it was to Shaina. But that morning, it was as if aliens had abducted his soul, and he'd found himself flying to Mexico to hid out in a dinky little town where the press couldn't find him, drowning himself in Tequila.

After he'd sobered up, he'd come back and begged forgiveness but Shaina wouldn't listen. She slammed the phone in his ear, returned his letters unopened, deleted his emails and her guards wouldn't let him near her. What was a guy to do? This sequel was a God send.

When Shaina finally stepped on set, he drank in her beauty and his cock grew thick in his pants, making them uncomfortably tight. He shifted uneasily and mumured, "Down boy. You'll get your chance."

An erotic porn movie, he'd not only get to hold her in his arms and kiss her all over, but make love to her several times. Surely, if she still loved him even a tiny bit that would fan the embers back to life and she'd take him back.

He sucked in a giant breath, squared his shoulders and closed the gap between them. When he was still a few feet from her, her flowery scent made him swoon making him long to strip her and fuck her into submission right there and then. Instead, he stopped a foot short of her and met her steely gaze with as much fortitude as he could. "We need to talk."

She notched up her chin and tilted her head. "There's nothing left to say to one another except for what's written on the script. Excuse me." She pushed past him.

Wanting, no needing to have his say, he followed. "Well, I need to talk to you."

Without turning, she stopped. "The time for talking was before the ceremony. If you didn't want to marry me, you should have told me in time to stop the wedding instead of leaving me at the altar and humiliating me in front of the world."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. Please look at me. I'm not a leper." His heart froze when she didn't move a muscle.

Finally, she pivoted on the ball of her heel and faced him. "You can talk all you want, but why should I believe you? You told me you loved me, then deserted me."

He moved closer and cornered her so she couldn't escape. He had to feel her, to breathe her in. He desperately needed her, in his bed, in his life. "Are you upset just because you were embarrassed? Don't you love me?"

Her eyes narrowed and blazed with fury. Her breasts jutted out and she poked her finger at his chest. "I loved you with all my heart but you stomped on it and threw it away."

He seized on the word and challenged her, "Loved? Past tense? I still love you with all my heart and soul. I'm still hot for you." To punctuate his words he leaned closer and pressed his cock against her and rubbed against her.

She nodded with furious shakes of her head. But the tips of her breasts beaded against him and the hands she brought to his chest didn't push him away but splayed across his heart. "Yes, past tense. You killed everything I felt for you."

Electricity tingled between them and she trembled. Her fingers caressed him. Her hips pushed into his when he ground against her. "Uh huh." He lowered his lips to within a breath of hers. "Then why don't I believe you."

She cursed under her breath, then more coherently, she added, "I don't want to love you. You don't deserve my love. I should hate you."

"No you don't," he said, taking his cues from her body. He pressed his lips to the sensitive spot on her neck and was delighted when she arched it and her robe slipped open to reveal the creamy slope of her breasts.

"But I can't trust you. I obviously don't know you." Yet when he kissed his way down that creamy slope, she arched her breasts at him and moaned low in her throat.

His tongue swept over her breasts and greedily, he pushed her top off her shoulders and helped it to the floor, baring her body. Then he captured her nipple and suckled it. Around it he murmured, "Yes you do. I got scared..."

She pulled back and forced up his head so that he had to look her in the eye. "Scared of me? Scared of marriage to me?"

He'd searched his heart so many times the answer exploded off his tongue. "No! Marriage, the institution scared me. But I would go through fire and ice for you. You're the only one I could ever be married to. The only one I want to be married to. Give me a second chance?"

Her mouth dropped open and he took advantage and plundered it. When the kiss deepened, he moulded her to him. His cock ached to be free so he unsnapped his pants.

She moved his hand out of the way, finished the job and pushed them down his legs.

"This isn't a joke?" Her words came out in ragged bursts.

He ground his cock against her. "Does this feel like a joke?" Then he drank deeply of her lips. When he pulled back, he asked against them, "Or this?"

As if she couldn't speak, she shook her head. But her eyes were wide and bright with unspoken words...and love.

Anxious to be one with her, he shook off the pants and flung them across the room. Then he lifted her against the wall and fit her to him. As she wrapped her legs around him, he drove his cock into her.

She gasped and clung to him as he slammed into her.

"Hey, you two. Save it for the cameras!" Gil, the director, yelled from across the room.

Kristian gave the finger to Gil, then forgot about everything else but the luscious woman in his arms.

He murmured to Shaina, "Marry me."

He held his breath until she nodded. "Today. Right after the shoot. You're not getting away from me this time, mister."

He didn't want to. Ever.

To read more Monday Minute Fiction free stories, visit the awesome Brynn Paulin where more links are posted. Also, be sure to visit every Monday for a new free short story here.

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You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

A Heap Of Trouble

My sweet short story "A Heap Of Trouble" is up at The Long & Short Reviews today.

Here's a morsel:

Raina Everett paced. She didn’t care that the desk sergeant glared as if he wanted to lock her up. Her taxes paid his salary and she had rights damn it!

She checked her watch and sighed. Then she marched up to the man. “Is Lieutenant Ross Lowe available yet?”

Scowling, the man insinuated his finger between his neck and collar. “He’ll be out soon.”

Soon?!? Her older brother had been missing two weeks and this moron told her “soon”? This department said the town Dave lived in wasn’t in their jurisdiction, that she had to go to Tampa to file the missing person’s report in person.

By the time Ross sauntered out her blood boiled. She rose and fisted her hands on her hips. Then she took a deep breath and tried to blind herself to the man’s raw sexuality more evident today than ever, damn him.

To read the full story go to the Long & Short Reviews here. It's free, so enjoy. :)
 
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You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)