Title: Eggnog Kisses
Author: Mireille Chester
It’s been six months since Kaley’s fiancé called
things off, disappearing with barely an explanation, and the thought of
spending Christmas alone is causing feelings of hurt and loneliness to ruin her
holiday cheer. Tall, dark, quiet, and ever the gentleman, her next
door neighbor has been sneaking into her thoughts more often than not
lately. When she decides to ask him to go to a Christmas party on a
spur of the moment whim, she has no idea she’s about to unleash a whole new
dimension on her usually normal life.
Born in Quelondain, Sean is no stranger to a broken
heart. Though it’s been years since the one he loved fated to his
best friend, the ache is still present and crossing over to the other world
hasn’t helped like he’d hoped it would. When Kaley asks him to
accompany her to a Christmas party his gut tells him to stay
away. It’s not that he isn’t attracted or tempted, but how is he
supposed to explain his past and what he is. Of course, it’s just
one evening, right? What could possibly happen in one night?
Two broken hearts…
Two worlds…
One fate…
EXCERPT
She managed to get into her apartment
while keeping a curious JJ from escaping. The fluffy white cat
purred and rubbed himself against her ankles.
“Hey, bud. Did you miss
me?” Kaley went to the cupboard and pulled out a few Whiskas treats
for him. She looked around her small apartment and suddenly, she
didn’t want to be there alone. “I’ll be right back.”
She didn’t bother putting on shoes
before closing her door behind her. Sean answered his door and
smiled at the sight of her.
“What can I do for you, neighbor?”
“I…” This was stupid.
“So, what brings you over here?”
“I just…” Kaley’s good mood
vanished.
His smile softened. “First
Christmas since Gale left?”
She took a deep breath and blew it out
of her nose. “It’s stupid, I know.”
Sean shook his head. “Not at
all. I know the feeling. I wasn’t engaged, mind you, but
my first holiday after my girlfriend left I was a wreck. We’d been
together four years.”
“I’m sorry.” She looked at
the ground. “What happened?”
He cocked his head to the
side. “I was just about to have a rum and eggnog. Want
one?”
She was tempted to turn him down, but
curiosity got the better of her. “Sure.”
He held the door opened wider so she
could get in and directed her to the couch. “It was your typical
breakup. We were young and life had other plans for us.”
She watched as he mixed the drinks and
brought them over. “Thanks.” She took a sip and he took a
long swallow of his drink. “Anyway, it wrecked me when she left.”
“What did you do?”
“I moved here.” He smiled.
Kaley frowned. “That
worked? It helped?”
“Not even a little bit. The
only thing that helps is time.”
She couldn’t help the depressed look
that took over her face. “Five years, eh?”
Sean laughed. “It’s been that
long, but it didn’t take that long. I’ve had a few other girlfriends
since, I just haven’t found anyone else I want to settle down with, that’s
all.” He raised an eyebrow at her glass. “Want another
one?”
“Please.”
“So where’s your party at tonight?”
“Mel’s boss is throwing a bash for their
office. He rented the Rex Hall.”
“Cool.”
Kaley noticed him glancing at the clock
on the wall. “Do you have something to do?” She turned
toward the door as someone unlocked it from the outside and he stood.
“Sean!” The dark haired woman
dropped her duffle bag and ran into his open arms. Kaley watched
dumbfounded as he hugged her close. He had a girlfriend.
“I was getting worried.” He
took her coat from her and hung it up.
“My bus was delayed. There
was a crash on the highway and we got caught behind all the
traffic. I don’t think it was too bad. I mean, there were
ambulances and stuff, but the cars looked to be in not bad shape when we were
finally able to go by.”
“And you didn’t think to phone?”
She shrugged. “Ooh! Are you
having rum and eggnog without me?” The woman finally turned her
attention to Kaley. “Since Sean has zero manners, I’m Reese, by the
way.”
“Um, Kaley.”
“Let me guess. He didn’t tell
you I was coming?” She took the drink Sean handed her and settled on
the cough beside Kaley. “And he says I’m
forgetful. You’re getting old, big brother.”
He scoffed. “And you get more
immature the more years you put behind you.”
“Mom’s going to flip when she hears you
finally have a girlfriend. It’s about time you got over that stupid
bitch.”
“Reese!”
“Well, what? By the moons,
she was. None of us could figure out what you saw in her.”
“You were sixteen when we
split. Don’t tell me you gave a shit.”
Reese pounded back her
drink. “Of course I cared. How many big brothers do I
have?”
Sean rolled his eyes. “Four.”
“Right. But you were always
my favorite.” She skipped back to her knee high leather boots,
slipped them on, and shrugged on her coat.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m meeting Heather.” She
gave him a peck on the cheek. “I have my key. Don’t wait
up.”
“Just remember I’m leaving at eight tomorrow morning. With or without you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Reese
grinned. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. Brat.”
She closed the door with a wave at
Kaley.
“She’s, uh… she’s one of those high
energy people.” Sean smiled and went to refill their drinks.
“No kidding. I had no idea
you had a sister. Or three brothers for that matter.”
“What about you?”
Kaley shook her head. “Only
child. Your mom and dad?”
“Both alive and running the
farm. You?”
“My parents died when I was
fifteen. Drunk driver. I went to live with Mel and her
folks.”
“But you don’t do Christmas with them?”
“They’re not around since they
retired. Mel gets on a flight tomorrow to
join them in Mexico tomorrow morning. They invite
me every year, I just… Christmas needs snow. You know?”
He grinned. “I agree.”
Kaley found her gaze moving to his
mouth. He had a great smile. Had they really been living
next to each other for almost six years? How had she never
noticed?
“What?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking
that I can’t believe we’ve been neighbors all this time and we know nothing
about each other.”
His smile
softened. “Yeah. I guess that’s
life. Everyone’s too busy.”
She looked at her
watch. “Shit. I have to go get ready.”
Sean stood and walked her to the door.
“So, you’re just home alone
tonight?” She looked up into his dark green eyes.
“Seems like it.”
“I was just thinking… Mel is bringing a
date tonight and I’m going to be the third wheel. Want to come
along?”
“I don’t think…”
“Come on. I’ll owe you
one. There’s this guy that works there that always gets drunk and
hits on me. You can pretend to be my boyfriend.” Sweet
mother of fuck. Had she actually just suggested this? She
was thirty four years old for shit’s sakes. Her face turned a deep
shade of red. “Sorry. That’s so
highschool. I’m just going to leave before I make myself sound any
more stupid. Thanks for the drinks.”
Kaley rushed out of his apartment and
back into hers. Good god! How many eggnogs had she had?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mireille Chester is a stay at home mom of three children and wife to an amazingly supportive husband. Her time is spent playing with the kids, reading, writing, and watching movies with her hubby.
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Mireille is a
fantasy author who loves to spend time in made up worlds filled with magic. She
is a firm believer that no hero is perfect and that all villains are burdened
with a tiny shred of humanity. While she writes her Adult and YA novels under
the name Mireille Chester, she is now writing a middle grade series under the
name M.G. Chester.
Author Links
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MireilleChester
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