Champagne Kisses: A New Year's Novella (Kissing Junction, Tx Book 4) Page 2

“No? Did you just say no? They are my damn shoes.” She asks incredulously.

  “You can have them back when you marry me. I will be holding them hostage until that day.” I say. I was not kidding when I said I had a plan and I was sticking to it.

  “You are kind of an asshole, you know that? Blackmail is a crime.” She says as she glares at me.

  “Women have accused me of worse,” I say with a shrug and a little laugh.

  “Wow, that is something to be proud of Matt. What else do they accuse you of? I’m not sure I even want to know.” Her phone dings. “My ride's here. I am gonna go now. Enjoy my shoes, they go great with your coloring.” She says as she exits the building and into the waiting Uber. She takes my heart with her sassy ass.

  I may not know where she works or what her full name is, but Kissing Junction is a small ass town and I have to go to my sisters for a BBQ, later on, today anyway. I’ll ask her if she knows my Dollface. She may think she got away, but she couldn't be more wrong. With my plan in place, I head up to my apartment and start to get ready for the day.

  I gotta make my girl fall in love with me. In the same soul-deep way I fell for her the moment I saw her standing in my doorway.

  Chapter Four

  Matt

  “I will have that IPA.” I hear her. The voice of the woman that has consumed my every thought since I met her twelve hours ago as I make my way into my sister's kitchen. I must be going insane. There is no way she’s here.

  “That is my brother’s favorite beer.” Candy says with a chuckle and goes back to prepping what appears to be a vegetable tray. Jules pops the top like a pro and takes a sip making a hum of appreciation.

  “Your brother has good taste.”

  “That I do Dollface.”

  She quickly whips her head around and looks at me like she's seen a ghost. “You’re Candy’s brother? I don’t know why I didn’t put that together earlier.”

  “Yep, all day, every day,” I say before walking over to Candy giving her a big hug. “Hey Sis, how are you feeling? Nausea starting to lessen since you came to the ER last week? Did you go talk to Dr. Prescott about prescribing you those meds?”

  “Oh, my fuck, yes! I have actually been able to keep food down. You know Evan he called him and made him see me the next morning. I am pretty sure he scared the shit outta the nurse with all his growling.” she says as she places her hand over her tiny baby bump. Juliet is looking at us like she is dying to say something she holds it in for ten seconds before she blurts out

  “You're a doctor? What kind of doctor?” Quirking her head, Candy looks between both of us.

  “I am, I have my own practice, right here in town, and I pull a

  couple emergency room shifts a week at Dallas General.”

  “No fucking way.” her eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open a little.

  “Do you two know each other?” She almost looks smug when she asks this like she knows something we don’t.

  “Yep”

  “No.” Jules and I stay at the same time. When her eyes go

  big, and she turns bright, red Candy starts freaking out.

  “Oh my God, Jules are you ok? Do you need some water? Matt do something, she looks like she’s having a heart attack.”

  She pulls out a chair at her small kitchen table and ushers Jules to sit in it. I quickly kneel in front of her as soon as her butt hits the seat and even in my panicked state I somehow manage to talk to her like any other patient. While on the inside I'm reassuring myself that she is just fine.

  “Have you ever had a panic attack before Dollface?” I say in a soft reassuring voice. Which causes Candy’s eyes to widen at the term of endearment.

  “Matty, I’m sorry I left you this morning,” Jules says as she grabs the collar of my shirt.

  Candy clears her throat, and I can tell she is about to say something, but I shake my head at her. She turns and leaves the kitchen, giving us privacy.

  “It’s ok Dollface, let’s just relax,” I say once Candy is out of the kitchen. I am about to say more when she tugs hard on my collar until our lips meet. I could kiss her all day, but that would lead to me fucking her on my sister's kitchen floor, and I don’t plan on doing that.

  Regrettably, I pull away from our kiss and have to stop myself from laughing when she makes a little growl and tries to pull me back in.

  “Bring those back. I missed them all morning.”

  “Maybe you’ll think twice before sneaking out on me,” I say smiling.

  “Maybe I will. If you still want to see me.”

  “I definitely do Dollface. I definitely do.”

  “Alright. Let’s do this then. Dinner Friday?”

  “Sure, we can do that, but what about breakfast, lunch, and dinner on all the other days in between?”

  “I think we can come to an agreement. Now about my shoes?”

  “I told you when you’d get those back, and I was serious. Ask me again on our wedding day.”

  She just laughs and rubs her hand along my jawline before kissing me sweetly. “Your sister is probably pacing a hole in the floor wondering what is going on in here.”

  “I imagine so Dollface, let’s go put her out of her misery.” I

  grab her hand and lead her to the living room.

  “So… you guys know each other then?” Candy asks looking like she is about to burst with excitement. She seems way to proud of herself, and I’m pretty sure she has something to do with my little Dollface coming into my life. I can’t even be mad at her. Fuck, I am

  going to have to thank her.

  “Why do I feel like I am missing something?” I ask

  “Well… I may have been the one who invited Juliet to your place for the party.” Candy says in her sweetest voice looking as innocent as a bird.

  “I'm sorry, you did what?” Jules asks with her hands on her hips.

  “Well fuck Jules, you never get out. I have been trying to get you to meet my brother for the last four months. I was running outta ways for you to meet. So, are you guys dating?”

  “We are going to see what happens,” Jules says diplomatically.

  “Ok. I’m going to finish up dinner. People will be here soon. Come help me, I want all the juicy details, okay maybe not all of them.” she says as she grabs Jules hand and practically drags her to the kitchen.

  Evan hasn’t looked up from the game, so I go to join him.

  “So, you and Jules, huh?” Evan asks me.

  “Yes. I am grateful she said yes. Kidnapping is frowned upon in Texas.” I say, laughing, though I am completely serious. I don’t know what I would have done if she said no again. Evan laughs. “I know what you mean man.” I nod. I don’t want to think about him and my sister. “When is your house going to be ready?” I ask him, lowering my voice. I know it is a surprise for Candy.

  “It will be ready on the 1st but, I am waiting until Valentine’s Day. Have you seen it yet?”

  “No, not yet, but I am sure she will love it.” He brings out his phone and shows me pictures. “Scratch that. I know she will love it. She has always wanted a reading nook, just like that.”

  “How did you figure it out?”

  “Her Pinterest page.”

  “That is pretty fucking smart. I never would have thought to stalk that.”

  “Yeah, it paid off big time. “He says laughing. The doorbell rings as he puts his phone away. He stands and lets Marc and Teagan in, followed by Sam and Kristy. Donnie and Ryder come in behind them. Suzy rolls in with Cam and Gage. The gang's all here with different sides to go with our potluck dinner.

  When the guys head to the kitchen for beers, I follow them because I can’t be having so many single guys near my girl. Suzy looks longingly after Ryder, and when he looks back at her, I

  realize there is something there.

  I reach Jules’s side and grab her hand, tucking her head up under my chin. “Hey, Dollface. Miss me?”

  “You barely gave me a chance to miss you,
but yeah I did Matty.” She looks up at me, and I have to suck in a breath.

  My heart thuds in my chest and I am a goner. I’ve gone ass over tits for this girl who makes my heart beat faster.

  “Hey, Doc?” Ryder asks me.

  “Yea.”

  “This your girl?”

  “Yes,” I say without hesitation.

  “She gives a mean buzz cut.” Ryder finishes, and I smile.

  “Cam here loves to make a bi-weekly appointment with her. He is gonna be crushed.” I pull her closer to me. Hard enough where she squeaks out a breath.

  “Sorry, Dollface.”

  “It’s cool.”

  “I don’t make appointments to get close to her if that is what you are thinking,” Cam says quietly.

  “You don’t?” Jules asks.

  “Nope. You have a picture up at your station with you and the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. I keep hoping she will show up and I can ask her out.” Jules thinks for a minute.

  “Tiffani? You think Tiff is the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen?” At his quick nod, she continued, “She will get a kick out of that. She’s currently finishing up pastry school in Dallas but has already bought a shop front on Main Street. She will be opening a bakery here.

  “Oh fuck,” Gage says.

  “What?” Jules asks.

  “Cam loves baked goods. Chocolate has to be nailed down when he is around. She will never have another customer because Cam will get there as soon as she opens and eat every damn thing.

  “I will not.” Cam chimes in.

  Literally, everyone one but Jules and I roll their eyes.

  “What? I’ll share.”

  “Right,” Teagan says. “Who ate the entire chocolate pie last week, before the ham was even done? Hmmm?

  Must have been ghosts.”

  “All right. I have an addiction to chocolate. I may drive 35 minutes to the other side of Dallas to get mini-chocolate eclairs from Peterson’s just to get me through the day.” At this Jules bursts out laughing.

  “What’s so funny? It isn’t that far.”

  “Peterson’s on 80th?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tiffani’s parents own that bakery. This is too funny. Tiffani will laugh her ass off at this.”

  “Don’t tell her. It will seem creepy.”

  “Alright, I won’t tell her, Cam.” She is still laughing.

  “Dinner is ready.” Candy says

  We all get our plates and head to the table where we all bullshit for a couple hours before everyone starts to head home. Candy wants to us to stay so she can visit with Juliet, but I need to spend some alone time with my girl.

  Chapter Five

  Juliet

  As we are leaving, I turn to the left and walk off in the direction of my apartment, he says “Did you Uber again, Dollface?”

  “No, I walked. I live just above the diner.”

  “Oh, I’ll walk you.” Upon my arched eyebrow, he continues,

  “What? I can be a gentleman.”

  “A gentleman of the wild west, maybe. With all the blackmail and carnal abilities. I bet you drink and gamble too.” I say with a laugh. He takes my hand and lets me lead the way toward my apartment.

  “I’ll cop to the blackmail. Though I am glad you think I am carnal-worthy, I occasionally drink, but I like my money right where it is. That isn’t to say I haven’t enjoyed an occasional bachelor party in Vegas.”

  “Hmm, the more I learn about you, the more I don’t like you,” I say more teasing than not.

  He stops walking, causing me to stop too.

  “Really? You wound me.” He has this serious look on his face makes my chest hurt a little.

  “Oh my God! No, not really, silly.” He resumes walking, and I think about how much I didn’t like the dark look he had when I said that.

  Before I can think any further about it, I’m grabbing his hand leading him to my apartment.

  “What made you decide to be a doctor Matty?” His new nickname rolling off my tongue like we have known each other forever.

  “Nothing really. I’ve always known I wanted to help people and being a doctor pays well. I know that sounds crass, but when Candy and were growing up we never wanted for anything. I know now that my dad’s job paid minimum wage, so he worked over time. He also had a second job, and my mom had three just to make ends meet and give us the life they never had. Being a doctor is what allowed me to take care of them for once. Plus, there’s never a dull moment in a hospital.”

  “I bet you can tell me all kinds of ER horror stories.”

  “I could, but I won’t. Even crazy patients deserve privacy.” He says laughing.

  “Believe me, I understand the need for privacy. I secretly write books,” I say softly. “I’ve never told anyone that before. I have a pen name and a semi-huge cult following on Amazon and social media.”

  “Really? That’s fucking awesome. What kind of books? Would I know them? Why is it a secret? I’m sorry for all the questions, but I’m fascinated by this.”

  “Well, I write erotic romance and my family is pretty prominent in Dallas. They would kill me if they knew about my night job. The day job almost kills them they are so snobby.” I say with a giggle.

  “That sucks Dollface. I hear that some families can be brutal. What is your pen name? I have got to find one of your books.” He asks. He sounds like a little boy on Christmas morning.

  “It’s JM Finn. Don’t be shouting that from the rooftops. It’s a closely guarded secret.”

  “I’ll keep your dirty little secret.” He says crossing his hand over his heart.

  “Yeah? You promise?”

  “Yes, I promise, but I will be reading all of your books.”

  “Deal,” I say laughing. “What do you do for fun Matty?”

  “Fun? It’s been so long since I had any, but I do like golf and playing basketball. Watching movies. That sort of thing. What about you?” I love just holding his hand and walking with him, listening to southern lilt to his voice. Since my apartment is only a few minutes from Candy’s, and I was so caught up in our conversation, I didn’t realize we passed my building.

  “We gotta turn around.”

  “Oh, we passed it didn’t we?” He asks looking around. We almost made it to the park that sits at the end of Main Street.

  “Yep.” I turn around and walk in back in the direction we came.

  “You know, last night I was wondering how a virgin could talk so filthy.” At my blush, he continues. “Don’t get me wrong, I fucking loved it, but it threw me for a loop. Now I know it’s because you write all the dirty words.” I can’t help but laugh.

  “That is one way of looking at it,” I say as I reach the outside door up to my apartment. “Well, this was fun,” I say, reaching into my purse and feeling around for my keys. Finding them, I pull them out.

  “Oh, right.” He leans down and kisses me. “I’ll be seeing you real soon Juliet.”

  “What? You’re not coming up with me?” I say, starting to panic.

  “I thought you were telling me goodnight?” He says with a smile.

  “Will we ever really have a good night without each other again?” I ask, shyly.

  “No Dollface, we won’t. Get this door unlocked.” As I turn back to the door, I feel him come up behind me. He is hard against the small of my back. He moves my hair out of his way and is kissing my neck. Again. He has to know what that does to me. I am fumbling with the keys.

  He stills my hand and turns the key that I finally get into the lock. I pull open the door and rush up the stairs. I can’t remember if I cleaned up before I left. Unlocking this door much quicker, I flip the light on and scan the room. Thank fuck. It looks good. He enters the room behind me.

  “Now this apartment looks lived in. Not at all boring like mine.”

  “Fuck. I forgot I said that. Sorry about that.”

  “Why? It was the truth.”

  “I’m still sorry. Sometimes I have
no filter.”

  “Filters are overrated.” He says as he stalks towards me. I back myself up to the kitchen island.

  “Are you going to fuck me now Matty?”

  “No.” He says, but he is still coming towards me.

  “No?” I repeat back to him.

  “No Dollface. I’m going to make love to you. Properly this time. In a bed. All night long.”

  When he says stuff like that, I might as well not be wearing panties. Fellow author Annelise Reynolds is right. Panties are pointless. When he reaches me, and wraps his arms around my waist pulling me towards him. I melt against him as his lips claim mine in a slow kiss that has me seeing stars.

  Chapter Six

  Matt

  Fuck, I never thought you could fall in love at first sight but fuck me I was so wrong I don't know how I went thirty-two years without knowing my Dollface. I went fast with her last time, and I didn't get a chance to taste her sweet pussy. She smells like peaches and cream, and I know she is going to taste like heaven. Growling, I pick her up by the ass causing her to break away from our kiss with a gasp. She immediately wraps her legs around my waist.

  “Make love to me Matty, I need you so bad. I ache for you.” I love when she calls me that. No one calls me Matty, I am Matt to my family and Doc to my friends. I usually hate when people try to call me Matty, but I fucking love the way it sounds coming from her lips.

  “Where’s the bedroom Dollface?”

  “First door on the right” she moans out. I quickly make my way towards the bedroom. I walk straight into her room and drop her on the bed causing her to giggle, her dress rises of revealing her glistening pussy as she lands sprawled out on the bed. I am on her in a matter of seconds grabbing her hands and pinning them above her head with one hand as I cup her pussy with my other.

  “You haven't been wearing panties this entire time?” I growl out. Just the thought of another man seeing what's mine has me seeing red. Groaning, she tries to rock her hips, but I want to know why she isn't wearing any panties. “answer me Dollface. Why aren't you wearing any panties?” Licking her lips, she turns the prettiest shade of pink.